Dragon Island

Here is another image from Leather Wings Semblance, my new book coming out August 28th at Toronto Fan Expo. In this image I played with the idea that in dragon folklore they are able to hide themselves in plain sight. So why not have a dragon large enough and skilled enough in concealment to disguise itself as an entire island.

Leaf Dragon

For my image concepts I like to incorporate cultural or environmental elements into the designs. I have a love and fascination with nature and trees and of course dragons which is why it was a lot of fun combining the two and creating my friendly leaf dragon. I played around with different types of leaves that I felt would make the dragon look a little more exotic or tropical but I always came back to the recognizable and simplistic design found in the good ol' Canadian maple leaf.

Giger Dragon

Here is an image that is going into my new book Leather Wings Semblance. I am a huge fan of H.R. Giger's alien design, in my humble opinion it's the best movie monster ever created. Which is why I took the two creatures that I love the most, dragons and Xenomorphs (aliens) and combined them. Hopefully one day Hollywood will make an alien with wings and turn my fantasy into reality.

Storm Hawks - Piper

Here is a pin-up image that I did for the new Storm Hawks comic book available through DMF comics and Beach Studios. The characters name is Piper, the valued member of the Storm Hawks team who speaks five languages, loves to sketch and knows eight ways to make a surly Torka Beast fall asleep. The team’s stealth agent, Piper loves nothing better than coming up with the Most! Perfect! Plan! For those of you unfamiliar with Piper or the Storm Hawks team you can also catch the animated series on YTV.

Now here she is coloured and ready to step into the spotlight.

Here is the line work for a design element I used for Lamin Illustration & Design. I used the center faerie figure as a mascot of sorts throughout the entire site. She was part of this larger illustration but I felt she needed to be taken out of her ensemble casting and given a starring role.

Let's Begin!

Hello everyone! I’m very excited to finally open up the online journal and say welcome to all of the wonderfully creative people who are process junkies like me.
One of the things I love about looking at another artists’ work is trying to figure out their process. What’s even better is when that same artist gives you insight into what that process actually is which is why I’m opening up a forum such as this to post the sketches and notes that go into every image I come up with in the hopes that through my thoughts and my work it will take your art to the next level in the same way other artists have done for me.

For example here is a work in progress that will be going into my newest book, Leather Wings Semblance. It’s a bit of a departure from my usual subject matter in that the focus of the image is on the character of the landscape rather than the figures. It was a bit of a challenge in making inanimate objects like buildings seem alive and vibrant but of course the fun is in the challenge. So this blog will also serve as a record of my attempts at growing and progressing as an illustrator where your feedback will be taken in and put to use in upcoming images and books. Thanks for taking interest in my work and I will take the time to make this place a resource that you can tap into for inspiration.

Take care and stay creative!