3.24.2004 :::
DEAD RECKONING!
Happy Spring Troopers and Troopettes! What's happening in the
wide virtual world of everyone's existences. Things couldn't be
merrier for your friendly Neighborhood Airbrush Artist. What has 90
plus days into 2004 brought a brotha? Mucho dinero in the form of
projects ranging from portraits to logos and to textile items. And
bear in mind, it's only closing in on April. This would bode well for
me in the '04, and if the trend keeps up, I'll have an incredible
campaign surpassing last year's personal record-breaking '03 that had
me drawing all the way up to the week before Christmas! I have alot
of you folks to thank also for spreading the word about me. From
the heart, mad love goes out to you guys. By the way, my pet project
with Business Card CD-R's has been positively and overwhemingly received.
For those that don't know, last Thanksgiving, I created about 100
business card cd-r's that folks can place into their CD-Rom drive.
The disc auto-runs and opens up a new browser. It's like a miniature
FANTASY Beyond site on a cd about the size of a business card of
yours truly's artwork. It has some of the things that I have on my website
and some unseen art goodies that appear only on the CD-card. It
introduces strangers to my world of art and illustrations. Walking up
and down NYC or Virginia with airbrushed artwork on my clothes, I often get asked
"where did I get this shirt, or this jacket done?" I tell them it
was done by me where I then ask, do you have a computer? When they say
yes, I give them the cd as a gift and they get to spread the word.
How cool is that?
Also in my last entry you wonderful supporters heard me rant and
rave about running out of webspace for my site. I had redesigned alot
of new additions to FANTASY Beyond, but couldn't upload them because
there simply was not enough room for all of them, so I held them out.
But coming to a brotha's ultimate rescue was my girl Cuddly Aries!
Cuddly redirected me to her webhosting services and I simply went
nuts! The amount of space was nearly 6 times what I was getting
with my old hoster, much more pleasant customer service, yes I did valiantly
introduce myself to them (Jeffrey and Amy must think a brotha is nuts)
even though I didn't need any "customer service" and the amenities are
ridiculous. The price!!! Unbelievable! Cuddly, I told you thank you
already, but shit, I 'll do it again. Thank you LUV! U are the best.
You saved a brotha at the 23rd hour and I am eternally grateful. Not
to diminish the efforts of a few other people, thank you much for looking
out for a brotha as well to Dominique, Elsa, and Charisse. Thank you,
thank you, thank you! You guys heeded the call and you all answered.
Elsa, you owe me too for verbally abusing me for going with Cuddly's
hoster, (wink) but I know that's because you simply love me!!! Let me
know what you think of the new FANTASY Beyond additions. Among them,
* a Price List * 3 more How-To's * FAQ's * an Extra Gallery Page * and...
um...let's see what else? Oh yeah, an * Airbrushing 101 page * for you
aspiring airbrush artists! It's a wrap y'all. Holla at'cha boy!
::: posted by Frank at 6:12 PM
2.8.2004 :::
WORLD DEVOURER
What's happening folks? Already 39 days into the New Year and the Fantasy man has been hard at work. Between being caught in the worst cold snap in my lifetime and working on multiple things at the same time, I've been one busy beaver. Let me explain. I had plenty of vacation hours to use and I used them. First in the middle of December, and again taking 8 more days last month. I called myself taking a nice little trip to NYC right in the middle of that severe cold blitz that drifted into the northeast. The funny thing about that is anyone who knows me well, knows that I never say it's cold. But New York might as well had been the frozen tundra. I walked 3 blocks down Canal street in the heart of Chinatown and my tears froze to the side of my face. I decided right then, after getting the art supplies that I needed to turn my ass back around and head back to Virginia. The heck with this.
That wind on top of that cold made for an insane combination of frigid Northpole like conditions. Virginia was cold too, but without the wind gusts that my old city was experiencing. And besides my art, I've got a couple of fan-friendly websites I'm trying to complete. One is nearing completion. It's going to be called "Fantasy Beyond's World of Superheroes" an ode to the heroes I grew up reading from my youth. Right now, I have completed 37 of approximately 55 hero pages with origins and background info that comicbook afficianadoes are probably already aware of. I'm not really breaking any new ground here, merely a dedication site that I've had fun creating. The launch date is set for March 15th...(bet'cha I don't finish it by then) but it'll be set to go on that date anyway and I'll complete the remaining pages as I go along.
The other site is called "Fantasy Beyond's 250 Favorite Movies". This one is showing no signs of coming close to completion! I've only finished 40 of the 250 movie pages I've got plans to create. This one is definitely a labor of love. The site's design is very very simple, breaking it down in a myriad of categories such as Action, Suspense, Sci-Fi, Horror, Fantasy, etc...I'm really excited about it. Again, it's not a site breaking any new ground, but I offer my favorite movie's synopsis and my personal commentary on the film itself. I'm a huge fan of movies, so why not a dedication site to them too. I figure, if I do a page a day, I should be completed by the end of the year. -lol
I've also been doing work on leather jackets. One leather jacket is dedicated to Marvel and DC superheroes. The front has Marvel heroes and the back has DC. You can see part of the front of the jacket on home page of this site. The other depending on which one I'm feeling for doing the most will be either "Angels" a dedication to our soul and hip hop stars who've gone home or one for the "New York Yankees"....ohhh yeah!
I'm also looking for more space folks. My geocities hosting space is approaching critical mass and I've already redesigned new pages to upload for Fantasy Beyond. Except that I can't because the new designs are more than I have space to accomodate for them. So I'm on the look out for bigger room for my site. I've gotten some pretty good leads on some massive space out there for great prices, so expect me to be moving in the next few months. I need my room guys. Can't be restrained by the confines of some of these web hosting sites. Well, that's it for now. Maybe by the time I blog again, the temperature will have inched past the freezing mark. And I leave you guys with this. To all the lovers out there, have a fantastic Happy Valentine's Day, and Happy Birthday to ms. Verona and Drama Dee. And to my boy Jay in Iraq, come home soon big guy. And of course, to my favorite valentine, I love you honey! Peace * ~ F
::: posted by Frank at 8:42 PM
1.4.2004 :::
Out With the Old
Happy New Year pilgrims! 2004 is here. I don't know about
you all, but man, I'm so happy to see '03 just get the hell
out of here. The holidays as usual for a brotha were as enjoyable
as can be. Artistically, the process I utilized last year to get
those Christmas orders in and done worked to perfection. I used
an end date for receiving submissions at November 31st, and lo and
behold, it worked. I was able to get all the holiday commissions
assignments out and completed, and they made great gifts (customer's
words for my work, not mine). Not to mention, I've begun working
on oils again. One of my favorite artists, Alex Ross who utilizes
water colors actually, has lit my fire once again in the subtle
art of using paintbrushes. Don't fret dear readers, the Fantasy
man has no thoughts of abandoning the good ol' airbrush. Just a
little venturing off to the side type of thing. So, with that in
mind, I'm reopening the studio. Come one, come all and I'll get
that work out for ya. In the meantime, I leave you with this:
The Day of Clean Slates and Fresh Starts
This week is the week you have that special day circled on the
calendar. The day of clean slates and fresh starts - January 1, 2004.
This is the week you get to tear up the old script and start a new
one if you need to. You have permission to look at your life from the
perspective of new and better possibilities and unlimited thinking
and then be empowered to "go for it". But let me give you the bad
news/good news up front.
Bad news - it takes some time and effort to
sit down and contemplate, to reflect and day dream about the life you
want. To plan and set goals takes an intentional decision.
Now The
good news - budgeting the time and energy to plan and set goals
will create insights, excitement and ultimately great results that
will have a positive impact on your life in a permanent way. This
week is the week that you get to create what the next 52 weeks and
beyond will be for you. The week to focus on your Dreams and Goals.
The aforewritten by Kyle Wilson...'Nuff Said y'all! Talk to you soon... Peace * ~ F
::: posted by Frank at 8:45 PM
11.5.2003 :::
THUNDER & LIGHTNING
What's happening Troopers and Troopettes? It's been awhile. I promise I will keep this short. Okay, been real busy like. Lots of artwork, and I've been pretty slow with the uploading images thing. But I promise to make amends and start putting these things up on a timely basis. I just completed a Shady/Aftermath illustration with 50-Dr.Dre-Eminem which shows off a new style for me. If you missed it, then you went right past it if you're reading this blog entry. Just hit your back button and scroll down to my late October entry of "new gallery pics." I know, I could've just put the link here, but like you, I'm too lazy-lol
With this style, I have to work a little longer, but
the style offers better renderings in my art and the finished product is a little tighter than usual. I was influenced by Matt Busch and Drew Struzan, both artists utilize Prismacolor pencils in their rough and finished
drafts beneath acrylics. Great stuff.
Even with my superfine Iwata HP-SB Deluxe airbrush, which is fantastic for tight airbrushing, I can still use a little aid in the fine line department. And that's where the pencils come in. So, unless I'm really pressed for time,
this will be my style from here on out. November 30th is my deadline for Christmas illustrations, so if you haven't submitted your requests by that date, it won't be ready for Christmas. Plus, I learned my lesson the past 3
years. I worked all the way up to Christmas Eve trying to put pictures out. Some folks never learn. Christmas falls on the same day every year, but for some reason, people like to play it close. Well, here's my contribution to
playing it close...November 30th! And Fantasy Beyond closes up shop for the season. Last shoutouts to Maritza, Keela, ShaSha, Thellie, Terrell, Bill and NeeChee my little neice Brianna! and a Xtra-Special shoutout to Toni El! I'm sorry that I'll be missing your exhibit in Phillie next weekend honey. Got to travel out of town for business to Oregon tomorrow for the next 9 days.
By the way, does anyone know what's good to do in Eugene??? -It's a Wrap boyz and girlz...* ~ F
::: posted by Frank at 9:08 AM
9.2.2003 :::
MJOLNIR
September 2nd! Labor Day 2003 has come and gone and the summer,
for all intents and purposes is OVER Pilgrims! I hope you guys had
as great a summer as I did. Between projects, I got to go to the
Outer Banks in North Carolina, Cancun, Mexico, New York City (but of
course), a small town called Lansing out in Michigan and went to
the NBA Hall of Fame up in Massachussetts. All and all, not a bad
summer at all. How I managed to keep up with all of my assignments
is beyond me, and I'm getting ready to get into busy season now.
This time of year just gets pretty hectic, all the way to Christmas and
New Years, but I allways welcome the challenge.
The good folks at Gold's Gym are considering using a brotha's talents
again for a project. This should be fun. The theme this time is of
animals in a children's nursery. You know, when parents come to the
gym to workout and don't have nowhere to place the little kids...well,
this is where they'll have them. So, I've allready submitted my
preliminary sketch so the rest is up to them. Anybody who recalled my
previous ordeal with the first mural knows how things can change with
these guys, so stay tuned. I'm sure there will be more to come.
I only saw about 4
movies this summer, 5 if you count the X-Men which came out in May.
That leaves Matrix Reloaded, Freddie vs. Jason, Jeepers Creepers2 and
28 Days Later. See the pattern? I guess horror movies were in season
this summer. Heck, it wasn't like there was anything else worth seeing
out there. The sequels this summer, aside from Matrix and X2 were
complete busts! But in fairness to Bad Boys 2, I've got to see that flick
first before I lump it with the rest.
Well, 50 Cent, Biggie, Tupac and Mary J. Blige are currently showing
at a FANTASY Beyond website near you. Hope you love the effort. Got
to shoutout my lil (big) Goddaughter Jasmine who's grown into a very
beautiful young lady at 14 years of age and to my new Goddaughter,
lil Lana Alexis. Truly my other little heart. I love you 2 ladies
so much. Take care everyone. Have a blessed week and month, until next time.
It's a WRAP!
::: posted by Frank at 10:38 PM
8.1.2003 :::
SURVIVAL
Hello again all!
I hope everyone's summer has been as great as mine has been! I
would like to take a moment to squeeze off some hot shit right here,
about certain art related things that have bugged me throughout my
art life, but has been gaining steam more recently in the past year.
For some reason, there are folks out there that think that because
I LOVE to draw, that my passion somehow equates to me drawing for
free! Now, how can I say this so that it doesn't come across as being
mean.....um, you must take me for some new kind of fool. Now, understand.
Have I done freebies? Sure I have. Usually it's of my own choice and
not done because someone just comes up and says, "hey, can you hook
me up?" Please understand, that if one were to take into account, exactly
what goes into my drawings, or hell, into any artists drawings, designs,
illustrations, from conceptual thumbnails, to searching through reference
files for hours or even days, or going back and forth with that conceptual
design before the client finally says, "yes, that's the way I want it",
whatever, and that was you doing it, you'd want to be payed also for
your efforts.
The thing is, I'm not without a heart. Some of us are just barely above
water in the Bush Economy, and if you'd like a discount or something, or
even a fair exchange, I can do that and I will work with you. Not everyone
can afford a painting by me or some other artists out there. But quite
simply, as a fellow artist named Steve Stanley wrote, "you pay me, I eat."
Hell, how hard can that be to understand? Some of my illustrations take
as long as several weeks, and can you imagine doing and creating something
for several weeks, only to give it up for free? I'm sure the person would
be appreciative, but come on. How far can a "this is beautiful" or "I
can't believe how great this looks" comment go? Things came to a head
a few months ago, when 2 years ago, a sister of 1 of my closest female
friends asked me for a picture. As a good will gesture, I offered to do
it for the sister for free, but I stressed that paying customers come
first. As long as my customer pallette was free and open, I would do her
picture.
Turns out that she was a bit impatient with that deal, even
though when I proposed it to her she clearly said no problem and that
she understood. The e-mails began rolling in, subtly hinting at first
where was her picture, but increasing in a manner that I can equate as
bordering around rude. I came close to telling her to pay, but since
it was me that offered the "freebie" I didn't want to renig. Long story
short, I finally completed her picture and sent it off to her back in
March or so and I had a post it on the picture saying "thanks for being
patient." Well, that whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth, and even
though she was very appreciative of the effort, everything that transpired
before was shitty. In 2000, I went on a freebie drawing spree and giving
folks pictures to get my work out there. And it worked, but I wouldn't
suggest this to anyone unless you have a primary financial backup plan. Right
now, my art is not my primary source of income, but it sure is a hefty
supplement. Like myself, all artists value their time and abilities.
I am a struggling professional. I love what I do but I love to be
compensated for it as well. Would you work for free? Probably not.
While I'm up working at 2 in the morning on some hot painting, you're
in bed getting your beauty rest on. Now, I think my effort should be
worth something for that. After all, I'd like to be able to sleep
sometime this year as well. Ahhh, I feel so much better now that
my chamber is empty and smoking. With that in mind, I bid you
all happy trails, until next time. * ONE *
::: posted by Frank at 4:34 PM
7.17.2003 :::
NO Art, Just Sports and Bullshit 2
Real quick like. What in the
Wide World of Sports is going on here anyway? I guess the Lakers
weren't crazy about giving up their World Champions hardware to
the Spurs because these boys went out and beefed up their offense
adding Karl Malone (what did I say in the last entry about him NOT
having a ring) and the Glove, Gary Payton. One phrase that sums
up their summer acquisitions:
"Be afraid. Be very afraid."
I don't feel so bad being a Knicks fan now, because the Lakers will be eating
up everyone in the NBA this season. On paper anyway. Stay tuned!
Sexual assault charges against Kobe? Yeah right! I'll believe he's guilty
when the brother's doing some actual jail time. Stackhouse and
Stoudamire arrested? Sammy Sosa busted for using a corked bat in a
game? Say it ain't so Sammy! The Yankees, I mean the American
League gets home field advantage in the World Series because of the
AL's victory over the NL in the All Star game. And speaking of my
beloved Yankees, I guess they decided to make things a little
interesting by getting Benitez to be a setup man for Mariano Rivera.
..I can't wait to see how this works out...this could be scary.
And all of this is before August!
And congrats to all of the ESPY winners last night. Stop crying about
the best Play of the Year. No, it was NOT LeBron's Jam, or Kobe's
fancy behind-the-back slamdunk facial on the Nuggets, or Bond's homerun against
the Angels last October, but the LSU heartbreaker with 3 seconds
remaining in regulation. Those boys were on the sideline celebrating, showering
the coach with a gatorade bath, jumping up and down like madmen
and the whole nine, and the quarterback heaves a hailmary pass, which bounces
off the fingers of one player and into the awaiting hands of an
offensive receiver who gallops unscathed into the endzone and win the
game. Now, that's how you steal a victory from the jaws of defeat. I bet you
guys won't be celebrating until the game is over next time huh? Damn, too
bad the Giants couldn't do that against the 49ers last season in that
miserable playoff game......Lata!
::: posted by Frank at 2:31 PM
