Contract Work
Iron Fist Clothing
I was approached by Iron Fist Clothing in 2010 about a series of t-shirt designs. The Haunted Poet was the only one that made it to completion. An Edgar Allan Poe theme was their idea, but I was given complete artistic freedom on the execution of the art. The design itself is detail rich, yet far more simplified than my usual work. I wanted to keep it as silk screen friendly as I could.
The Haunted Poet
Vector & Photoshop
Completed in 2010
I am a huge fan of Poe’s strange tales of the macabre and mysterious. I took it upon myself to cram as many references to his works into this piece as I could. The resulting skull-like appearance of the overall design, however, is a complete accident. In fact, it wouldn’t be until years later when an ecstatic fan left me a rave review about how cool she thought the skull layout was that I would finally see it myself.
The Fae Wars
Chronicles
The Iron Sword - Finnead
Watercolor, Mixed Media, Gold Leaf
9x12 on Hot Press Watercolor Paper
Completed in 2017
In 2017 I was hired to create illustrations for a series of three fantasy novel book covers for a special edition release. Each illustration was to focus on one of three main characters. My client and I decided simplified backgrounds would work better than full scenes, but I still wanted each background to reflect the character portrayed.
The Crown of Bones - Tess
Watercolor, Mixed Media, Gold Leaf
9x12 on Hot Press Watercolor Paper
Completed in 2017
The Dark Throne - Luca
Watercolor, Mixed Media, Gold Leaf
9x12 on Hot Press Watercolor Paper
Completed in 2017
This was a bucket list project for me. I have been a consumer of fantasy novels since I was a child, and one of my biggest gripes was getting a book that didn’t match the cover at all. Of course you’re not supposed to judge a book by it’s cover, but can’t they at least get the main character’s hair color right?!
Today I’m much older and at least a little bit wiser, so I realize mismatched covers are more the result of a publisher hiring an illustrator and not giving them much to go on, and the fact that most illustrators don’t have time to read the entire series of books they are illustrating.
Faerie Metal
High Tea was completed in 2016 as an exclusive print for Faerie Metal. I love Victorian fashion, cheeky fairies, and anything Wonderland, so this was a no-brainer
I’m still rather pleased with the design of Mad Hatter Fairy’s wings. Being a Wonderland Faerie, I felt giving her six wings would add just the right amount of ‘subtle weirdness’ that would mesh perfectly in Wonderland, but would be out of place anywhere else.
High Tea
Watercolor & Mixed Media
11x17 on Hot Press Watercolor Paper
Completed in 2016