Plat Eye

New pic for Burghal Mythos. I probably wont show all of them but at least a few full pics and some details. This one is Plat Eye. Although, after looking at it a second time, I think I'll reformat this initial concept. I think it just needs something else to really capture the idea and story of the plat eye. So once I redo it, I'll post it.

Steam Man Finished

A little about Burghal Mythos

Burgh´al

Definition: Belonging to a city.

Synonyms: Urban

Mythos

Definition: myth or mythology.


If you haven't been following my blog or my art series. Burghal Mythos: A Fascination in Human Nature, is my upcoming book. It is centered around the darker and stranger myths from around the world.

It will be stylized like a Children's book but my hope is that it will be palatable to everyone. Kind of like The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories meets Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. All of the art from last year's series will be in the book along with several others.

Here is the working preface at the moment.

The world is filled with myths and lore
Quirky stories that people adore

Some can be funny and some can be light
But many are scary and can give you a fright

It is the dark tales of death and despair
That humans find fascinating, their minds ensnared.

What is it that causes so much delight
In the evil things things that go bump in the night?

Are they a warning of what could be
Or perhaps a strange way to reconcile destiny?

Whatever the reason, I present to you
This Burghal Mythos for you to read through.Hopefully I will have it done come this September.

I'm estimating at least 30-40 pages.

Truth stranger than fiction

So, thing as strange at it is, the contraption below is actually a real. A "steam man" built to power a cart. A man by the name of Zaddock Dederick built "Daniel Lambert" (Which to me almost as odd as the concept) to pull a cart. Apparently it could reach 60 mph! It actually became semi popular and several more will built. Of course I took some artistic licence and redid the legs, the face, and the world conqueror pose. Other than that it is pretty accurate to the original patent.

Let me say, this is freaking cool and I want my own steam man to drive to work in every day in my top hat as I laugh manically and crank Dr. Steel's music.

"Onward Reginald! Let's just see who dares to cut us off now! Muahahaha!"



A Great Cause and a Great Time

Every year, for the last few years, the folks at Universal have hosted a Entertainment Designer Forum.
If you are not familiar with this event, it is truly a wonderful event that is for a great cause.

Last night was the 3rd Annual Entertainment Designer Forum and it was the first time the event was held at Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando. The event includes two forums with some of the top design experts in the entertainment industry, a silent auction on unique theme park related items, and this year included the wonderful "Serious Art Of Make Believe" exhibit that I wrote about previously here.

Before I get into the details, let me explain why the event is held in the first place. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society in honor of Stephanie Girard. But who is Stephanie Girard ? Well, she was a well regarded Art Director & Set Designer in film, television, and theme park industry. She worked on a multitude of projects at Universal as well such as Grinchmas and Halloween Horror Nights. She was an amazingly determined and  resolute person despite the fact that she battled with colon cancer for six years. Her determination and selfless nature were driving forces in the creation of the Entertainment Designer forum which was created with the explicit desire to raise money for cancer. In 2010, with the help of veteran Universal scenic designer Kim Gromoll,  the 1st Entertainment Designer Forum was born.

This year, due to my work schedule, I attended the earlier, 6:30 forum.
Mike Aiello was the moderator. Mike is the show director for Universal Entertainment.
The panelists included:

First Session:
Scott Swenson: Director of Creative Services, Bush Gardens, Tampa
Mike West: Executive Producer, Universal Creative
David Hughes: Senior Designer, Universal Art & Designer, Entertainment
Lora Wallace: Show Director, Universal Entertainment Productions
Ron Hines: Sr. Studio Director, Nickelodeon Recreation
TJ Mannarino: Director, Universal Art & Design, Entertainment

Second Session:
Mike Wallace: Designer, Universal Creative
Curtis Hopkins: Designer, Universal Art & Design, Entertainment
Guy Petty: Principal Art Director, Walt Disney Imagineering, Creative Entertainment
Vicki Bowlin: Art Manager, Universal Art & Design, Entertainment
Kenny Babel: President, White Bird Entertainment
Kim Gromoll: Designer, Universal Art & Design, Entertainment

The forum was exceptional as always. All of the designers are very entertaining,  informative, and very personable. I spoke with many afterwards and they all really love to talk about their love for what they do.

As for the silent auction, there was a large array of very cool and unique items from Universal, Bush Gardens, Disney, and even an amazing Frankenstein bust done by Ray Keim (a seasonal member of Universal's Entertainment Art and Design).

I typically don't fare well in these auctions... but with all the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society I'm glad to see the items do well. However, this year I did finally score a nice item thanks to my wife. We won a jumpsuit costume that was used in the Saws and Steam house from last year!

So if you are into haunted attractions, interested in entertainment design, or just want to help a great cause I highly suggest it. You can follow developments for next year on the FB page.

More pictures of the event can be seen here.

Holidays of Horrors

Here it is Holidays of Horrors Shirt!
can be found here in white
and here in black

Or do any color and style you wish!

Burghal Mythos and the Tatzel worm

So I'm starting to conceptualize for another piece in Burghal Mythos. This is my preliminary sketch for the Tatzel Worm (or Tatzelwurm)... a unholy marriage of a cat and reptilian worm.

It's an odd combination really. Even though it's been seen by numerous people, it seems like something out of a bad acid trip.

Here is a small snipit about the beasty (from here):

A Tatzel worm is a dragon-like beast with the head of a cat. The creature bleeds green blood instead of red, it hibernates during the winter, and sleeps in crevices on mountain sides. It is reported that the worm lives in the Alps mountains areas covering part of Austria, Bavaria and Switzerland. These creatures defend themselves by expelling poisonous fumes that are capable of killing a human . Since the Tatzelwurm has been described as poisonous that it might be a relative of the Gila monster, one of the very few poisonous lizards in the world. Gila monsters also have "fat" tails that closely resemble those in illustrations and reports of the Tatzelwurm.

I will also mention that most account of the critter describe it as having only two forward legs.

Soul Tree 2 and VUDUCON shenanigans

So here are the beginnings of Soul Tree Part 2. It's just a rough pencil "on the fly" idea of what I'm thinking. I have to start planning now as it takes so long to do.

Now that my plate is far less crowded, I'm starting the process for continuing my book: "Burghal Mythos" and maybe so more goodies for VuDu Con. If it doesn't make book form by then, I will at least have the art prints to add to last years. Of course I'll have buttons and some coffins but I think I'll limit myself a little more this year. I really wat to focus on the book.

Incidentally, VUDU Con is actually a CON now! Sinister is looking to have a great deal more artists. Cos Play, costumes, and even stiltwalkers are allowed this year! Here some info but hit the link for the most up to date info.

Edit: redid the sketch

******************* Event Information *******************

Costumes and Cosplay is allowed this year. So come dressed and have fun!
No Nudity, and if your wearing a mask or prosthetics you must have a valid ID in order to gain access to the event.

Stilt Walkers are allowed this year. No real restrictions for you all just watch your surroundings, some places at the Villas are low including the restrooms.

We will have a full bar with signature drinks at the event. DO NOT BRING YOUR OWN.

*****************************************************

Rental Prices: $30.00 for every 4 foot increment, with 8 Feet being the limit per table

Guest:

Sponsors:

After Party:

Admission: $5.00

The show must go on

Keep the circus going inside you, keep it going, don't take anything too seriously, it'll all work out in the end. - David Niven

After my recent visit to the ER I had a lot of time to have a long and hard introspective reflection. I have had many things come into sharp focus. I realized I had to simplify my life as stress and frustration were beginning to get the better of me.

It is with a sad and heavy heart that I must resign from sole illustrator of Circus Tent Full Of Ghosts. I feel terrible about this decision as I know it was a blow to the Lie Producing Factory. I also feel largely to blame for a lack of foresight into how much work the behemoth project requires. Being a concept artist, Inker, painter, and digital artist on the project all the while trying to balance my full-time (stress riddle) job, my family, and any other life or creativity had just become too much to bear.

I have given the factory full permission to use anything I conceptualized or created in the process carte blanche for whatever they deem it worthy to use it for. I bear no ill will towards them and indeed wish I could continue with the project. Over the past 9 months it has been in my mind perpetually. The Circus become a part of me as well. I believe it is an amazing story that would be a travesty if not told. I encourage other artists to help the story become a reality.

I have already offered my assistance, in a more diminished capacity, with whatever I can do. Perhaps if more artists are willing to work on the project it would allow me to continue in the effort but as of right now, I have to pursue my own artistic avenues. The show must go on.

New Web Layout

I've been uber busy with Circus Tent recently but yesterday, due to an error, my domain did not renew. Long story short, I realized my main site wasn't being updated and, being that almost everything I update is on either this blog or Face Book, so I decided to overhaul the layout.

It's simple now and points to all my various social sites and links to my affiliates.

So here it is... www.JeramyWalton.com