Shady of the Shadows

A tribute to my pals Anna and Marisa.

I chose Anna as the subject material and I drew the piece in the wonderful surrealist style of Marisa Brook. 

The Team - Marisa

Marisa is both and artist and a writer.  She has been travelling the UK con scene for a solid seven years, with her loving husband.  For TST she will be using her writing skills to bring forth an array of short stories, all dark but widely different in nature.

She is a pleasure to work with, and like everyone on the team, a source of constant inspiration and enthusiasm. 

Marisa Brook, Kiru Comics and Dex Hartley

I am very lucky to know so many creative and talented individuals.  But what is even better than knowing these individuals is collaborating with them.  Today I shall announce three different partnerships that I have been working on for a while now since the MCM in May.

Preview of a section of the work
I have done for Marisa Brook.

The first is my work with Marisa Brook.  Due to Marisa's amazing way with words and my ability to render dark artwork, we have teamed up and are well on the way to finishing our first project together.  Details to follow soon but for now it is all very hush hush...

The second announcement is that I have become a team member of Kiru Comics, lending both my writing and drawing skills to the team.  Myself and Kiru Comics founder Hameed Catel have been speaking since just before his first kickstarter, Champion of Dema.  As one of the most lively and active guys in the indie comic scene I truly am pleased to be working with him and the rest of the gang.

Black Paw from the novel Lacerations

The final announcement is that I am working with budding novelist Dex Hartley, illustrating covers and working on story ideas for his entry onto the writing scene. 

Overall I have been very busy and this is why my visual output on this blog has been slower than normal.  However in the coming months I shall hopefully have a lot to show for my efforts.  Time will tell.

The MCM Comic Con Weekend!

Conventions always come and go in a blur of laughter, fun, and busy-ness. This past weekend's MCM Expo at the ExCel Centre in London was by far the busiest con I've ever been a part of. Apparently they broke last years attendance figures by a mile!

Despite the stuffiness, heat and bad smells (it always happens), being in a completely packed convention hall for a whole weekend had plenty of advantages. I got to speak to a whole host of lovely comic artists in Comic Village, spent plenty of time with mine and my Fiancées con artist buddies, and doubled my con profit record in the first day! By the end of the con, I'd not only made a huge success on my table (my large canvas sold, I sold out of several of my prints and others also performed well), but I also had a blast!

Here's some photos from the weekend. I should hopefully next be at the London Film & Comic Con in July, and then the MCM once again in October. Bring it on! (more photos available via Pages and Panels).

Set-up time on Saturday. My table, all ready to go!

My new print stand, the step-by-step of how I do my art at the bottom, business cards, Pages and Panels plugging, my 'The Nightmare Canvas', art book and comic!

People loved flicking through the large print box and smaller print boxes over the weekend, which I was pleased about!

Post con meal with my con buddies on Saturday. Here I am (cheesy grin is a must!) with John-Paul Bove and Jess Bradley.

They've only been married a week, and I think the madness is already setting in...

Con buddies Marisa & Deakin Brook of Newfangled Press and James Stayte, post con celebrations at the chinese restaurant.

Mark Pearce (Ronin Dogs) disappears for a bit. James Stayte and John-Paul Bove sought the company of an invisible friend instead.

My Fiancée and co-table manner Kayleigh Powis (Pages and Panels, 8-Bit Girl) with Marisa Brook.

The photo seems to have corrupted on uploading sadly, but here's myself and my Fiancée (cheesy grin time).

Mr and Mrs Brook of Newfangled Press!

"Hi Guuuuys!" Jess behind her table of arty goodness.

Nikki Stu with her Kickstarter flyer. Support her project here!  

The ever-charming John-Paul Bove.

Mark Pearce (Ronin Dogs) & James Stayte (Big Jimmy) put their best poses to work.

Jon Lock (Afterlife Inc) with his girlfriend Lucy. Lovely people!

Marisa & Deakin Brook at their Newfangled Press table.

Cristian Ortiz of 'Golden Campaign'. 

Changed the layout around of my table on Saturday afternoon as things were sold (post canvas purchase and the selling out of some of my prints!)

Thank you to everyone who took the time to take a look at my table, pick up a print, book or canvas, or just stopped by for a chat! As always, the con was made extra fun by the appearance of mine and my Fiancée's regular con artist crew, who I decided to feature in the photos above. 

Bring on the next one!

Lewis

London Super Comic Con Summary

Hello all,

Well the London Super Comic Con flew by this past weekend. I had the pleasure of having Deakin & Marisa Brook and Jon Lock and his girlfriend Lucy as con neighbours for the weekend. Thanks for making the weekend that extra bit enjoyable!

Whilst the convention itself was a little quiet, I had plenty of people compliment my comic, and snap up a copy for themselves. I also did plenty of comic swaps with the fellow Artist Alley artists on the other tables. I came home with a huge swag bag full of small press comics, all of which I've really enjoyed flicking through and reading so far!

I'd like to take this opportunity to give special mentions to Jon Lock and his girlfriend Lucy, Pauscorpi, and of course my usual 'Con Gang' that comprises of Marisa & Deakin Brook (Inanimate Objectives), Jess Bradley, John-Paul Bove, and my girlfriend Kayleigh Powis. Constant con companions, they make the whole experience worthwhile! 

Here's a few of the photos I took at the con:

Me with Deakin Brook of Inanimate Objectives

JP fooling around. :P

Me with my comic, 'Royal'!

Me with my girlfriend and fellow stall-manner. 

Jess Bradley doing her "Hey guys!" pose.

Marisa, Jess and JP. One of the many times all of us laughed whilst out for a curry after closing time on Saturday! Love all of these guys!

My store, set up and ready to go at the beginning of the day!

My Royal comic, and collection of prints for people to rummage through.

My A4 prints, a preview of Royal and my future book 'The Art of Royal'. I was also doing a Lucky Dip Raffle, with a prize everytime! People seemed to love doing that. :)

Another picture of my whole table. 

I'm At The London Super Comic Con in Feb!

I'm pleased to announce that I will be taking a table in the Artist Alley section of the London Super Comic Convention on the 23rd and 24th of February 2013.

As well as displaying and selling a collection of my prints (some older pieces, some brand new), I'll also be showcasing my comic which I have been working on for the past few months.

The comic is due to be pressed early January, in time for the convention!

So if you can make it down, I'd really love you to swing by my stall to check out my art. 

Not only will I be manning the stall, but I'll be joined by 8-BitGirl, and some artist friends are also exhibiting-Jess Bradley, John-Paul Bove, Marisa Brook and Deakin Brook. 

Last years LSCC was brilliant, so I have no doubts that this will be another winner. Hope to see you all there!

Lewis