Mary Jane Begin

My Little Pony is the new big thing at my house.  My daughter just loves Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.  While searching the library online card catalog, I noticed My Little Pony Under the Sparkling Sea was available at the library.  Woo hoo!  A perfect surprise for my daughter!  This will make bedtime story extra special!  I checked it out on my way home from work, and as I was looking through it in the library, I found myself really impressed with the art.  The first thing I noticed was her realism; the mermares fins resembled the fins of a beta fish.  Then I noticed her thoughtful use of color and texture.  She also captures the My Little Pony character personalities very well.  Pinkie Pie is bubbly, and her curly mane and tail bounce along with her.  Rainbow Dash is ready to fly off to the next adventure.  Under the Sparkling Sea is beautiful children’s book, that inspires me to check out more of her work.  Mary Jane is a well known children’s book author and illustrator.  She has won several awards and also teaches online art classes.  She has a terrific website where she shares her work, and you can learn more about what art courses she offers.  My daughter loves books, so I have read a lot of children’s books.  It’s always a treat to find exceptional books that send my daughter off to slumberland, and inspire me at that same time.

 

My Little Pony Under the Sparkling Sea

My Little Pony Under the Sparkling Sea

 

My Little Pony Under the Sparkling Sea.  King Leo of Aquastria's home.

My Little Pony Under the Sparkling Sea. King Leo of Aquastria’s home.

 

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

 

Willow Buds Inspired by the Wind in the WIllows

Willow Buds
Inspired by the Wind in the Willows

 

*All images belong to Mary Jane Begin.

Dave Dorman – May the Fourth be with you! Part 3 the finale.

Dave Dorman’s artwork on Star Wars is amazing!  It’s beautiful and I love it!  He’s famous for painting the most stunning Star Wars comic book covers of all time.  He’s worked on the infamous Dark Empire series, Tales of the Jedi, posters and collectible trading cards galore.  He’s the cream of the crop.  Enjoy the Star Wars eye candy!

May the Fourth be with you, always.

 

Star Wars Dark Empire #1 Cover Art

Star Wars Dark Empire #1 Cover Art

 

Darth Vader in the Hoth Battlefield print.

Darth Vader in the Hoth Battlefield print.

 

Boba Fett - Everyone's favorite bounty hunter.

Boba Fett – Everyone’s favorite bounty hunter.

 

Star Wars Dark Empire Cover Art  - Front & Back

Star Wars Dark Empire Cover Art – Front & Back

 

 

**All images belong to Dave Dorman**

Jan Duursema – May the Fourth be with you! Part 2

Jan Duursema has been drawing Star Wars comic books for a long time.  Her work kicks butt!  She draws the female expanded universe Jedi’s with great power and beauty.  Some of her most recent work is on the Star Wars – Dawn of the Jedi comic book mini-series.

 

Jedi Aayla Secura

Jedi Aayla Secura

 

Star Wars Dawn of the Jedi - Force Storm

Star Wars Dawn of the Jedi – Force Storm

 

Jedi Shaakti

Jedi Shaakti

 

 

Star Wars Dawn of the Jedi Force Storm

Star Wars Dawn of the Jedi Force Storm

 

 

**All images belong to Jan Duursema**

 

 

Cam Kennedy – May the Fourth be with you! Part 1

Happy Star Wars Day!  To celebrate I’m going to share a few differnent Star Wars comic book artists.  This is purely for fun.  I’m starting with Cam Kennedy who has worked on titles like Dark Empire, Dark Empire II, and various Boba Fett mini-series and one shots.  If you’re a Star Wars fan and haven’t read Dark Empire I or II you should check them out.  They’re worth the read!

Dark Empire #1 interior art

Star Wars – Dark Empire interior art.

Star Wars - Dark Empire interior art.

Star Wars – Dark Empire interior art.

 

Star Wars - Dark Empire II  interior art.

Star Wars – Dark Empire II interior art.

 

Boba Fett Agent of Doom interior art.

Boba Fett Agent of Doom interior art.

 

**All images belong to Cam Kennedy**

Sergio Aragonés

Most people would recognize his artwork, but not everyone would know his name.  Sergio Aragonés.  From Mad Magazine to Playboy Magazine, and everywhere in between. His uniqueness and personal charm shines through in his art, and appeals to everyone.  He’s fun, light hearted, and draws like the wind.  So says my husband who had the priviledge to meet him at ECCC 2011.  Sergio is still working and publishing comic books.  He has a bi-monthly book Sergio Aragonés Funnies and upcoming Groo / Conan comic book.  Check out his website to stay up to date with the non-stop Sergio Aragonés.

Groo sketch my husband got when they met in 2011.

Groo sketch my husband got when they met in 2011.

 

 

Groo The Wanderer

Groo The Wanderer

 

MAD Magazine Marginals

MAD Magazine Marginals

 

Sergio Aragonés Funnies

Sergio Aragonés Funnies

 

**All images belong to Sergio Aragonés**

 

Jim Steranko

In celebration of Free Comic Book Day, I wanted to share one of my favorite classic comic book artists.  Jim Steranko.  I love his clean lines, fashionable style and psychedelic charm.  I have always admired his X-Men comic book covers, but he is probably most well known for his Nick Fury Agent of SHIELD comic book art.  You can see his wide array of art on his website.  Here are some of my favorites.

 

 

X-Men #50 First Appearance of Polaris

X-Men #50 First Appearance of Polaris

 

Nick Fury Agent of SHIELD interior art.

Nick Fury Agent of SHIELD interior art.

 

Cover to Nick Fury Agent of SHILED #4

Cover to Nick Fury Agent of SHILED #4

 

Chandler:  Red Tide

Chandler: Red Tide

 

**All images belong to Jim Steranko**

 

 

 

Edwin Henry Landseer

Edwin Henry Landseer was an English artist who lived from 1802-1873. He was a favorite of Queen Victoria, and counted Dickens among his friends.

I love the classics. Nothing but a canvas and a brush and some of the most beautiful pieces ever created.

'Shoeing'  Oil on Canvas, e 1844

‘Shoeing’
Oil on Canvas, e. 1844

Tate; (c) Tate; Supplied by The Public Catalogue Foundation

‘Study of a Lion’
Oil on Canvas, c. 1852

Landseer TheHonourableMrsNorton

‘The Honourable Mrs Norton’
Oil, Charcoal, Crayon on Canvas, c. 1850

Landseer ABullockTrainAttackedbyaLion

‘A Bullock Train Attacked by a Lion’
Oil on Canvas

You can learn more about Edwin Henry Landseer and see a library of his works HERE.