The Deceased Miss Blackwell and her Not-So-Imaginary Friends - PREVIEW ART - #1: Unnamed Witch

Hello all.

In the lead up to the digital release of my book, The Deceased Miss Blackwell and her Not-So-Imaginary Friends, (paperback already available for those of you who are impatient) I want to share with you some of the artwork to be featured in the book.

I plan to show at least one or two unfinished drawings a week until August 14, and perhaps a bit after that date as well. I lost many hours of sleep adding color to these, so dagnab it, I'm going to show you the fruit of my labor.... soon. But for now, here some sketches that have yet to be slathered with digital paint.

Let's start off with...

An Unnamed Witch.

She occupies the mind of our protagonist, Martin. But she's no danger to him, nor is she to you, as she is just a figment of Martin's vivid imagination. But does he wish so badly that she were real.

Color and texture is being added to her, hence the red outline. You'll get to see the finished version soon enough.

Thanks for peeking into my brain. Be careful of what peeks back.





Amazon Link: The Deceased Miss Blackwell and her Not-So-Imaginary Friends Presale
Amazon UK link: The Deceased Miss Blackwell and her Not-So-Imaginary Friends UK

Also still on sale in digital, paperback and audio book forms
The Death of Death (Perma-Free)
Autonomously Yours

True Inspirations - Part 2: Tim Burton

Darkness is a little too bright, apparently. 

Hello. No special intro. Sometimes a simple "hello" is all it takes, don't you think?

In my last post speaking of people who influenced me creatively I spoke about Walt Disney. This time I will speak about Tim Burton, another creative inspiration of mine.

I had of course seen Burton's three first efforts, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, BeetleJuice and Batman, but I wouldn't say I became a huge fan of his until I received a copy of Batman Begins on VHS. From then on something about his aesthetic spoke to me. I wasn't a particularly gothic kid or anything. I didn't wear black (not gothically anyway, it was more of a punk rock-style black), I didn't listen to The Cure or any kind of industrial music, but there was something about the kiddie-gothic style of Burton that spoke to me. I really can't describe it except to say perhaps it's because of my dark, yet humorous personality––two qualities his films tend to have.

Despite what people say of his latest offerings (I quite enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children and Big Eyes, Alice in Wonderland, not so much), I still immensely enjoy the art direction of his films. That, unlike his storytelling, hasn't changed a bit and has become even more focused and beautiful over the years.

My two books, The Death of Death and The Deceased Miss Blackwell and her Not-So-Imaginary Friends, are heavily influenced by his art and story style. If you're a fan of his you just might enjoy these two books of mine.

Indeed, Mr. Burton and I may have a connection in the near future due to a project based on "Death" that will come to fruition soon. I can't talk about it much because there's really nothing to say yet. But it's a really exciting endeavor that I can't wait to share with you all once details become more available.

Looking at the picture above and considering his body of work up until now, it's kind of hard to believe he'll be helming the live action version of "Dumbo" soon. But such is life.

Thanks for peeking into my brain. Be careful of what peeks back.

Links to books below.




Amazon Link: The Deceased Miss Blackwell and her Not-So-Imaginary Friends Presale
Amazon UK link: The Deceased Miss Blackwell and her Not-So-Imaginary Friends UK

Also still on sale in digital, paperback and audio book forms
The Death of Death (Perma-Free)
Autonomously Yours