Another Page and Website Update

Here is another page for the children's story anthology.  I'm almost finished and ready to start a new story.   It's about a dude named Sam.   He tries to convince this other dude to try green eggs and ham.  But this other dude is convinced that he doesn't like green eggs and ham.  Well, in the end, he does try them and he likes them!  Funny, huh?     I'll put in some cool illustrations and I have a great rhyme for the story.  Also I'm thinking about becoming a doctor.  We'll see what happens.

I've put up my new website.  I have a lot of stuff that I want to add to it over time, but  I wanted something out there now.  If you check it out, you can let me know if you find any broken links or other problems.  My biggest concern is how it displays on different screen ratios. How's it look on yours? I'll update as I make the site bigger and better!denverwagner.com

Who likes web page buttons?

I do. I do.  Ok, setting up my new website may take a little longer than I expected.  It will be up next week..   In the meantime, here are the buttons that I designed for the portfolio section of the site.

What's cooking, D?

I'm close to finishing my illustrations for the kid's anthology book.  Here is another sneak peek:

I'll have more information as a release date is determined.  Then you will buy it because it is full of awesome stories and fantastic artwork!  It has been fun to work on, but it was more time consuming than I expected.  I've been told that when you start a project, you should double the amount of time you estimate it will take.   That seems about right.

I'm excited for the upcoming months.  I have four projects that I want to focus on for the rest of 2010.

1. Finish writing and illustrating my story named "Stacks".  I have a simpler line style for these illustrations that I think will work really well with the story.
2.  Focus on concept art, character designs , and storylines for "Morgan Monster Hunter and the Crypto Kid".    This will be an ongoing story,  I want to get some Morgan stuff out in 2011.
3. I need to get more comfortable with Photoshop and Illustrator so I will work on 2 or 3 portfolio pieces in each program.  
4. Rework a bunch of canvases. I want some actual physical pieces to display and sell.  I have a pretty cool theme in mind, which could turn into the illustrations for a story that I am still developing.  Must...get ...more..use...out  of each...piece.

And of course, I must stay focused on finding clients and marketing myself.  Not easy, my friends.

 Last but not least, I have a NEW WEBSITE in the works!  It will be waaaaaaaay cooler than my current portfolio site.  Hopefully, I'll have it up within the next week or so.  Stay tooned!

Hey, Teenage Girls. Enough with all the mummies.

Smile

Here is an updated smiley face design.  Those round yellow ones are not gloomy enough for the modern moper.

If I am not working towards my goals, I am working against them.

Armadillo Pillows are supernatural creatures that breath dreams.  They live in the bedrooms of children throughout the world, where they magically disguise themselves as pillows.   They are muses, inspiring creativity, contentment, and a drive to fulfill dreams.  They are also protectors, doing their best to guard against the nightmares caused by the dreaded Dreks.

"You have to put in many, many, many tiny efforts that nobody sees or appreciates before you achieve anything worthwhile."

-Brian Tracy

I am a story-teller and an artist.  In the past year of my life, I have taken a serious attitude towards being a successful story-teller and artist.  This blog is nearing it's one year mark (July 27th).  It has been helpful in my exploration and education of the online and digital world that is a necessary reality for modern success in any creative endeavor.  It has also been a fun and motivational tool to keep me focused on my creative goals.

I have set up an online portfolio: denverwagner.com.  I designed and printed my business cards and postcards.  I invested in a new computer (my 1st Mac!! Yeah!), new software (CS5!! Yeah!),  art supplies, and dozens of books.  I am involved in online artist communities. (Lot's of really cool people out there!)

I have studied, read, and researched the business, marketing, and sales side of creativity.  This is not always fun or interesting- but I have been surprised by how often it actually is.  Business skills, like artistic skills, are always evolving and expanding, but now I have a decent base to stand on.

"To infinity and beyond!"

-Buzz Lightyear

In the months and years ahead, I will focus on building a reliable client list.  My style leans towards illustrating children's products, media, books, and educational materials.  I intend to focus on earning more clients in these industries.  Along with more client work, I hope to grow a significant library of personal projects.

In 2010 (and beyond), I believe having several finished or in production personal projects is just as important as having a strong portfolio.   The economy is bad and the competition is awesome.  Ideas are a dime a dozen.  Having finished projects shows the world (including potential clients) that I have good ideas and the discipline to make something out of those ideas.

Hindsight is 20/20.  I wish I had started down this path years ago, but I can't complain.  In the past 10 years, I played in some really awesome bands, married the woman of my dreams, and had two amazing children who changed my whole outlook on life. 

Now being successful with my work is not about me anymore.  I am a story-teller and an artist.  This is the best way I can provide for my family.  I am a lazer beam focused on an intense production schedule.  I will finish 1 or 2 large projects every year.  I will finish a dozen or more smaller projects every year.  I have a dozen projects in development right now and three in production with two to be finished in 2010.  (And an idea list 100 items deep.)

When I find myself in the right place at the right time,  I will have something to show.

Being lucky is hard work.

Good Grief!

Sir Seal Breath

Here is the pencil sketch of old Seal Breath.  I scanned it into my computer and darkened the line.  I vectorized the sketch so that it was a separate editable shape.  Then I filled in the blacks and whites.

Next, I pulled up an old abstract acrylic painting that I already had in my digital library (I have over 100 to choose from).  I like to use these as backgrounds, textures, and fills. I placed the whale on the abstract and then cropped it as a background.  I adjusted the colors and used a digital air brush to drop in a shadow.  I added a couple of outlines as a frame (this is an easy step that gives a piece a nice finished look.)

Ladies and Gentlemen, Here to sing his hauntingly beautiful rendition of "Ave Maria", I present Sir Seal Breath.