Dallas Comic Con Wrap-Up

Once again I had a great time at the Dallas Comic Con and as always I have Mark Walters and Ben Stevens to thank for it. Guys, thanks for inviting me and congratulations for putting on such successful show. If you’ve never come out to one of their conventions, you really should. They have Shatner coming to the next one, hopefully I can get to be a part of that one too.

Unfortunately I could only do Saturday this past weekend as I had my boy’s 2nd birthday party on Sunday, which was also a great time. Maybe I can get Shatner for the next one of those? But even just doing the con for one day, I did a ton of drawing. Thanks to everyone who came by my table to either commission me or just to say hello, I always appreciate it. There are a lot of great artists at these shows, so I’m honored that anyone would choose to spend their hard-earned dollars on my work.

Here is a look at some of the pieces I did. There are several characters I’ve never drawn before in my life, but I like that. It’s something new and gets me out of my comfort zone. I like the Jaguar and Caveman Batman a lot and really enjoyed doing the "Breaking Bad" one. The guy who commissioned it gave me a choice of that or Gorillaz!


Here is a video someone posted about the show. At the 1:54 mark, you can see your's truly actually doing one of those pieces. If you want to see that hot BSG gal, then start a few seconds before me.

Band of the Week

GODSMACK

Godsmack is an American rock band from

Lawrence, Ma, formed in 1995.

Band Members
Current
Sully Erna: lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, drums, percussion, harmonica (1995–present) Sully Erna is the bands founder, frontman and songwriter. -Salvatore Paul "Sully" Erna (born February 7, 1968 ) in Lawrence, Ma.
Tony Rombola: lead guitar, backing vocals (1997–present)
Robbie Merrill: bass guitar, (1996–present)
Shannon Larkin: drums, percussion (2002–present)

Sully Erna

Former
• Lee Richards: guitars (1996–1997)
• Joe Darco: drums (1996–1997)
• Tommy Stewart: drums (1997–2002)

Godsmack has released five studio albums, one EP, four DVDs, and one greatest hits collection.


Godsmack has had three consecutive #1 albums (Faceless, IV, and The Oracle) on the Billboard 200. The band also has parked a ratified 18 top ten rock radio hits, including 15 songs in the Top Five. Godsmack is one of the most popular rock acts in the United States, selling almost 15 million records worldwide


Godsmacks primary influences include Alice in Chains, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Judas Priest, Pantera, Metallica and Rush.


Rolling Stone Magazine describes Godsmack as "hard as nails and cranked to eleven," while Alternative Press praised the band for its "churning, riff-driven hybrid of all that is heavy, past and present."


Discography
• 1998: Godsmack
• 2000: Awake
• 2003: Faceless
• 2004: The Other Side
• 2006: IV
• 2010: The Oracle

Grammy Awards

2001 "Vampires" Best Rock Instrumental Performance -Nominated
2003 "I Stand Alone" Best Rock Song -Nominated
2003 "I Stand Alone" Best Hard Rock Performance- Nominated
2004 "Straight Out of Line" Best Hard Rock Performance -Nominated


Billboard Awards
2001 Rock Artist of the Year-Won

Tour

DATE                               VENUE                LOCATION
September 28, 2010   Seminole Hard Rock Casino- Hollywood, FL
September 29, 2010    Universal Orlando's CityWalk -Orlando, FL
October 01, 2010       Pepsi Stage (Bayfest) -Mobile, AL
October 03, 2010      Post Merriweather Pavillion -Columbia, MD
October 05, 2010     Hammerstein Ballroom -New York, NY
October 06, 2010     Susquehanna Center -Camden, NJ
October 08, 2010     Tsongas Center -Lowell (Boston), MA
October 09, 2010     Mohegan Sun Arena -Uncasville, CT
October 10, 2010     The Waterfront Pavilion -Bangor, ME
October 13, 2010     Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza -Wilkes Barre, PA
October 15, 2010     UIC Pavilion -Chicago, IL
October 16, 2010     Fox Theater -Detroit, MI
October 17, 2010     PNC Pavilion at Riverbend -Cincinnati, OH
October 19, 2010     Roy Wilkins Auditorium -Saint Paul, MN
October 20, 2010     Family Arena -Saint Charles, MO
October 22, 2010     Freaker's Ball @ Verizon Theatre -Dallas, TX
October 23, 2010     Buzzfest @ Woodlands Pavillion -Houston, TX
October 26, 2010     Santa Ana Star Center -Rio Rancho, NM
October 27, 2010     1st Bank Center -Broomfield, CO
October 30, 2010     Memorial Coliseum @ Arizona St. Fair -Phoenix, AZ
November 04, 2010  Nokia Theatre L.A. Live -Los Angeles, CA

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season Two Sketch Cards

I'm happy to announce that I was asked to do a second set of Star Wars cards for Topps. I'm also happy to announce that I got them done in time. It was touch and go for a while because I didn't get them until a week ago. Luckily I asked in advance if I could do 50 instead of 100 because getting them so late, I don't think I would've finished them all. Either that or I wouldn't have ever slept. Oh, who am I kidding, I wouldn't have slept.

This set is for The Clone Wars Season Two. Unfortunately, I never saw Season Two, or Season One for that matter. I saw the movie and I got through disk one of Season One by the time I got the blanks (I'm now through disk two). It's a pretty cool show, can't wait to catch up before Season Three starts. I also had a great reference book to help me with some of the characters I was unfamiliar with ... The Star Wars The Clone Wars Character Encyclopedia very cool book and cheap too.

So, here are all my cards, I hope you like them. I wish I had more time to work on them. Plus, my day job, Dallas Comic Con, my kid's birthday, family in town, getting sick and other freelance work really sucked a lot of my time. But, I'm happy with them and I met my goal of doing them all in color. I'm hoping to get back the first row as my Artist Return Cards.

Superstitious much?

Not too l o n g ago
(to be freakin exact- 2 w e e k s ago) was Friday the 13th. Now I didn’t mention anything about it on the actual flippin day, becasuse I am a super duper freak about superstitious shit.


*************************************
You know the main ones, that bother most superstitious people.


-Friday the 13th; BAD, BAD, BAD
-Black cats crossing your path; I will drive on the freakin curb to avoid them walking in front of my car.
-Opening an umbrella in the house; Never gonna happen
-Walking under a ladder; I don’t even own a freakin ladder.
-Breaking a mirror; This one can be a problem, I like to look in the mirror. You know to get ready. So I am extra careful with mirrors.
-Spilling salt; not a problem, I never use the stuff.
-Bad things travel in threes (3); can't seem to be avoided.


So I didn’t want to jinx myself that day so I didn’t mention it. I was already worried that something bad would happen.


However this last week, I finally got my “BAD”.


To start off with, my daughters car shot craps, that cost for that was over $400. Then two days later my sportsmans car had issues, that cost $180. Then after HONDA screwed, me and I do mean literally.


All I can say was there was a disagreement, and not having them do the work on my freakin car, (that they should of done for fucking FREE)they stuck a screw in my fucking tire.


Of course I can’t prove this 100% , but that is how it went down. So because of this and the fact that my tires after only 40,000 miles are freakin bald(Dunlaps people dont buy them) I had to spend another $400 on new damn tires.


Yes, people all this shit in just two short weeks. WTF? I am not made of money!!!!!!! Ok, the sportsman is not made of money. You know how he feels about unecessary spending.


This shit put him thru the fucking roof.


So it’s offical. That is my THREE freakin things. No more bad shit please. The sportsmans wallet can’t afford it.

So is there anyone else out there that is as superstitious as ME?

The Sex Book- U p d a t e

I had almost forgotten that I promised everyone a review on how the “Super Sex book” was working or not working for the sportsman and I .



Then I was reminded by the very cool chick over at Jersey Girl Gets Real . That I had made a freakin promise to spill all the good shit about the book and then I failed to produce.

 So sorry, I have been b a d. I have been just a little pre-occupied lately. You know with all the kickass sex I'm having. Ha ha ha


So this is me letting you know, that this THE BOOK! It is most definately worthy of purchasing. It is the bomb baby!


That is if you’re into learning new things, on how to better your sexual experiences.


If you’re into that kinda thing, I highly recommend you get your ass moving and run out right now to buy it!


And to prove to you that I'm not fucking joking around about just how awesome it really is, I have listed here the freakin toc so you can get just a little sneaky peak.

• For all you guys out there, please keep an open mind. If the sportsman can be open to this anyone can.


No joke there.
I am dead serious. There is a lot to be learned from this book.
But both parties have to be open to learning some new shit.


I have to say the biggest surprise for me was that I caught the sportsman reading the book on his own. I guess he really wanted to learn some new shit on how to better please me. What do you think?


So here is what I personally have learned from the “Super Sex book”.


I found myself reading more about how to pleasure women than about men.

 No, I am not a lesbian (not that I haven't thought about it) and It's not that I think I know all about pleasuring men, but I realized that I didn't know a l l there was to making myself feel good. My main goal was to improve on my own orgasms. Oh, and to help the sportsman improve, in "some" areas as well.


Let me remind you that they make "toys" for a reason. The big one is for those times when there isn’t a man around to help you out with what you need. Wink Wink

Like at work, or on your long car drive home.

R I G  H T?
Doesn't everyone do this?

Did I already mention what a great stress reliever it is to have an orgasm?


As you know (if not you do now) women have to focus when they are having sex. While men are all about the visual aspect.
Hot sexy body and they are good to go!


When you’re having a shitty day or you have kids running around the house or dogs barking, It’s really freakin hard to concentrate on what your end goal is.
That is to have an orgasm. or maybe two or three.


That is one of the biggest reasons why men don’t get laid more often. It’s cause women have too much fucking shit running thru their heads. That takes her mind or focus off the pleasure she can ultimately get from having an orgasm.


I can’t express to you enough what a stress reliever it is to just have an orgasm. So why aren’t more people doing it?


Anyways back to the sportsman and I.


The sportsman has really surprised me. He not only read the book on his own, but has come up with some really amazing techniques. Who knew?


I have to admit that I was a little resistant at first, cause I didn’t really think this book was gonna be the shit that saved our sex life. I sooooo didn’t want to get my hopes up and to just be let down yet again.


I can tell you that I was so wrong. Not only are we having better sex and awesome intimate moments but it has also help our relationship out in ways I can’t even describe.


Now, I can’t say that this book is going to work freakin miracles for everyone, especially if you don’t go into it with an open mind.


However, it sure can be lots freakin fun trying, NO?

If it's not fun, then you are doing it all wrong.

Good luck. And keep me posted on if helps you out.

My Gail Simone Collaboration

Cal Slayton is the least famous comic book artist to draw a Gail Simone Story.

That's probably a true statement, but I haven't really done the research to back it up. And I probably won't ever get around to doing it anyway. Can you dispute it? Imagine not. But I can say I did collaborate with her. Back in 2003, Dan Taylor, creator of "Super Hero Happy Hour" (and that's back before DC and Marvel made him drop the "Super") asked me if I would draw a four page back-up story written by Gail. "Gee, hmmmm ... let me think about that." Of course I did, what am I, crazy? Anyway, it was fun to work with her, she was so cool and I think it turned out pretty nice. Here is the story from "Super Hero Happy Hour #4"....

Hack/Slash Sketch Cards Preview

Here is my preview image for the Hack/Slash Sketch Card Set from 5finity.

Other sports we'd like to se follow the Lingerie Football League's lead.

A milestone... our 20th Listoon for Quick!

BAND of the Week

I am dedicating this to my sportsman, cause this is one of his favorite bands. (even though he won't be reading my blog to see this dedication- ha ha ha)

Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1990.


Tool has been described, as a "thinking persons metal band."


During the 1980s, each of the future members of Tool moved to Los Angeles.


Band Memebers
Danny Carey- Drums
Adam Jones- Guitar
Maynard James Keenan- Vocals
Justin Chancellor- Bassist


Early on, the band fabricated the story that they formed because of the pseudophilosophy "lachrymology".


Although "lachrymology" was also explained to be an inspiration for the band's name, Keenan later explained their intentions differently:

"Tool is exactly what it sounds like: It's a big dick. It's a wrench.... we are... your tool; use us as a catalyst in your process of finding out whatever it is you need to find out, or whatever it is you're trying to achieve."


After only a few performances, the band was approached by record companies, and only three months into their career they signed a record deal with Zoo Entertainment.

Tool emerged with a heavy metal sound on their first studio album Undertow in 1993, and later became a dominant act in the alternative metal movement with the release of their second effort, Ænima, in 1996.


Their efforts to unify musical experimentation, visual arts, and a message of personal evolution continued with Lateralus (2001) and the most recent album 10,000 Days (2006), gaining the band critical acclaim and success around the world.

Due to Tool's incorporation of visual arts and relatively long and complex releases, the band is generally described as a style-transcending act and part of progressive rock and art rock.


The relationship between the band and today's music industry is ambivalent, at times marked by censorship and the band members' insistence on privacy.


In an interview conducted in May 2007, Justin Chancellor stated that the band would probably continue their tour until early 2008 and then "take some time off". He qualified this statement by adding that the band has already written new material and would surely release another album at some point down the road.


On hiatus since early 2008, Tool was expected to begin writing a new album sometime in 2009, according to Keenan, but gave no details on a possible release date.


Album Artwork
Adam Jones is responsible for most of the band's artwork concepts. Later albums included artwork by collaborating artists.


Grammy Awards
Ænema- Best Metal Performance
Schism- Best Metal Performance
10,000 Days- Best Recording Package


Discography
Undertow (1993)
Ænima (1996)
Lateralus (2001)
10,000 Days (2006)

Some Skydiving Vector Illustrations

Lower back tattoos can be very sexy on women. These tattoo designs

Lower back tattoos

Green Beans, Is where it's at baby!

I know who the hell thinks “Green Beans” are awesome? And who the hell would write about them? Um,

Me, Me, Me!

Everyday for lunch I have ½ a turkey sandwhich, on 7 grain wheat bread. That’s it. Nothing else. I also have a mini can of green beans. (cold) and a small cup of cottage cheese. Y U M


Doesn’t that sound like an awesome lunch? I know your thinking freakin boring right?


That’s alright, I'm about to fill you in on why you should be eating them everyday.

Here is why Green beans are the best.

Where you aware that you can eat all the green beans you freakin want and not put on a pound? Not only are they super low in calories, they are loaded with all kinds of important nutrients.


Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Manganese, fiber, potassium, iron,and folate. They are a good source of omega 3, niacin, copper, riboflavin, calcium, protein, thiamin, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Vitamin K provides 122% of the daily allowance in just one cup.

Did you know that a deficiency in Vitamin K, can cause heavy menstrl periods, gastrointestinal bleeding, nose bleeds, anemia, gum bleeding, prolonged clotting times, easy brusing, calcification of soft tissue, easy fractures, hemotomas and osteoporosis.


That is some scary shit. Who knew Vitamin K was so freakin important?

So shame on all of you who make fun of me everyday for eating my lovely Green Beans!I’m sure you’re wondering why I know all this shit about green beans? Research Baby! And Cause with my Lupus I have a Vitamin K deficiency.


I will say it again, You have to be your own advocate when it comes to your health.


Few foods compare to Green Beans in their number of helpful nutrients.


One would think that with me being the kind of person that likes a lot change in my life, that I would get really freakin ass bored with eating this same lunch every single day.

NOPE, not the case.

The fact that I have lost weight is just one of the incentives. Besides, who doesn’t want all those freakin awesome nutrients?

and

Green Beans really do taste g r e a t!

You should sooooo give them a whirl.

Waffel much?

Now let me add this disclaimer, I am not a big fan of relationship commitments.

I however am true to my word. When I give you my word on something.
You can count on me!


I just don’t deal well with the waffeling of others .


Call it what you like, willy nilly, wavering, flip flop, beat around the bush, put off, sidestep, or flounder.


They all mean the same fucking thing. Non-committal.


I really really h a t e that.

With me things are cut and dry/ Black or white.

I'm not saying this is right but this is how I view things.
This is ME.

So when I make plans with someone to do something ,
I want to know the when and where.

Not a ho -hum reply.

I am all about being clear on information.  It’s either a yes or a no.


Even though I give a maybe here and again. If you have read me for very long you know that me saying “maybe” is really my nice way of saying NO.


I also don’t think being non-committal in a relationship is the same thing. In my opinion if you have said up front your not into committing to any one person. Then you have given a definate answer. There is no waffeling there.


I have a friend that waffels all the time. It drives me crazy. But I still love her anyways.

Do you know anyone who is a waffler?

Talking out my Ass- Moment

Recently the sportsman and I had a sit down, where we really talked, not the kinda stuff we talked about when we were in Omaha(rip your heart out sad kinda shit), but on a different level. More of a up beat kinda of convo.


 Finally, after 9 years of marriage the man is interested in knowing more “informational” kinda crap about me. When previously he never asked or said anything about
a n y t h I n g. I am sure I have mentioned before he is a very passive kinda person. (nothing wrong with that)


Now he wants to know ALL. I have to say that it’s a little more than strange for me.


So one of the many things he has been asking about is my blog, and do I bash him on here.


Hmmmmm, well that is a hard one to answer. I asked the sportsman if he really wanted me to answer that truthfully. Since I am the queen of brutal. I wanted to make sure he knew that he might not like my answer.


The sportsman also has asked me some strange questions like, if a guy said or did something inappropriate would I tell him.


That’s also a hmmmmmmmmmmmmm, moment. So I asked him what kind of innapropriate are we talking about?


Are we talking dick photos? Are we talking porno videos? Are we talking sexual propositions?


Cause most things don’t bother me that would bother the average person. So what one might think is unacceptable, might not offend me.


And to be honest I get that kinda shit weekly.


I am a pretty laid back type of person, about almost all things. It takes a lot for me to get all worked up over something. (However, God help you if that happens)


So as all this “stuff” is coming out, I see the wheels turning in the sportsmans head. The scary part is I really don’t know what he is thinking about all this new found information I have just shared with him.


Should I be concerned? Or happy that he finally really wants to live in the REAL world with me.


So I thought about a lot of the other blogs I read, where they have their spouses “Guest Post” sometimes. Now let me remind you that the sportsman has NEVER read my blog.


So I asked the sportsman if he wanted to guest post. He wasn’t sure what to say about that. I even told him ” IF” I let him write something, that he could write about whatever he wanted.


Sooooooo here we are. Should I let the sportsman write something for my blog? Maybe?


If I let the sportsman write something does this mean I have to let him read my blog?


Am I ready for the sportsman to read my blog? I have put down a lot of pretty deep shit here.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Let me think. Well the conclusion I have come too on this is

HELL NO!

Maybe later, but I feel as if things are still a little too freakin raw right now. I think allowing the sportsman to read my shit will just make matters worse.


However, I am not completely closed to the idea, just maybe further down the line in the future.

What do you think? Honest opinions here.

Neck Tattoos - Are They Sexy?

The art of Neck Tattoos, is it really considered to look sexy? The neck, or the nape of the neck is known to be a sensual part of the body, therefore tattoos placed in this location will certainly look sexy. Neck tattoos were originally reserved for men but now there are more and more women indulging in this form of body art, and they look sensational. MY opinion is that the quality of the artwork, type of design and the location would determine whether it looks sexy or not.

Men often have tattoos done on the side or front of the neck, where as women tend to place them on the nape or back of the neck. Bold masculine designs such as a scull, tribal art, a cross, animals and snakes are forms of tattoos that men tend to prefer, but even a flower such as a rose on the side of the neck have the effects of being masculine when done by a good tattooist.

Depending on the individual, women tend to have beautiful delicate designs tattooed to the back or nape of the neck. The choice of tattoo design preferred for the neck area of a woman are small delicate images. Designs such as zodiac symbols, stars, flowers, butterflies, music related notes, a cross and other miniature symbols look cool and sexy when inked to the nape.

In general, back of neck tattoos are popular as it is an area that can easily be concealed when desired. Due to the fact that certain employees do not allow tattoos to be noticeable at the workplace, one can cover the neck tattoo by wearing collard shirts, turtle neck tops or hiding it under the hair. Back of neck tattoos are usually a starting point or a beginning of a cool back tattoo design.

Select the best design that is suitable to your theme or personality. For obvious reasons, it is not advisable to have the names of loved ones permanently etched to any part of your body. Consider a design or symbol that represents the idea or feeling you want to evoke, all that limits you is your imagination. Finding sexy neck tattoos is exciting and less stressful with the large database of designs on line that you can browse through at your convenience. Make the right choice, find the database with the best designs suitable for you and get inked!

I've Been Replaced

Don’t you just hate that feeling of being replaced?



Or the thought of who or what you are being replaced by.


You know just when it has happens.


It’s not just shit you make up in your freakin head.


It IS most definitely for r e a l.


It’s soooooo not a pleasant thing.


You try not to dwell on it.


To know that you’re not as important as you once were.


Less requests to converse.
Fewer to none existent texts.
Less of a need to be seen.
Fewer moments alone.
Less contact


Then it is all gone, in a blink of an eye, as if there was never really anything there to begin with.
Then your left with just pure saddness.
You act as if you didn’t see it coming.
But
You most definitely saw it fucking coming.
You just chose to ignore it.
You just wanted to live in the happy moments.
Untill there was no longer any of those fucking moments left.

All you are left with are the memories.

New Illustration - Dog Walking

Here is a new piece I did for a client recently. Yes, that dog is wearing high heels. Hey, it was a first for me too.

The highest quality tattoos designs

Tattoo Designs - Celtic Strength Tattoos

People of strength

The Celts were warriors, feared for their fighting skills and ruthlessness. They were a tall, muscular people who dyed their hair blond and painted their faces blue and appeared naked in battle. They stuck the severed heads of their defeated foes over the outside of the doorways of their houses. They were said to go to battle for the love of it, which made them sought after as mercenaries. The Romans and the Greeks called them barbarians. They were a tough, strong people.

Yet, with all this, they were also known for their chivalry and their courage. They built a reputation as fierce warriors but, at the same time, they were artists, poets and musicians. They were skilled artisans as seen in their metal and artwork. They developed an intricate knot work form of art that is uniquely theirs. Wearing a Celtic tattoo connects you to this unique heritage.

Your strength tattoo


Wearing a Celtic knot work tattoo can be a symbol of strength. It can be a strong declaration to the world that you are proud of your Celtic or your Christian heritage - a symbol from which you can take strength. It can simply be that you gain strength by connecting to a people with a history of bold deeds, great accomplishments and a rich mythology.

Where would you find your strength? Maybe you strength comes from nature or one of its creatures. Then your tattoo can have your favourite animal image interwoven in the knot work or, if are more drawn to the Celtic Otherworld, you may choose a mythical creature from their folklore. The cross and circle found in the Celtic cross predate Christianity and have their roots in nature worship - the sun, the moon. Maybe you can gain strength from wearing those ancient symbols and thus connecting to the Universe.

Knot work designs alone can be strength tattoos but Celtic tribal tattoos can be even more dramatic. They work well as armbands or larger back drawings. You have a great deal of choice, as there is a vast array of designs developed over many years. With a little research you should be able to find your Celtic strength tattoo.

One of a Kind

There are times in your life that you come across things that are

“One of a kinds”.

It could be a relationship. It could be a breath taking view. It could be an automobile. It could be a feeling about something or someone.

Whatever it is, it is hard to ever forget or want to leave that moment.


Some people would say that it’s better to have encountered this, at least once in your life vs to have never had the opportunity at all.

I am somewhat conflicted in my opinion on this.

It’s all good if you get to keep this “One of a kind”.

How freakin awesome is that?

But

If it is something that is a once in a life time thing, and then, all you have left are your memories. Not the real thing.

Well now, I don’t see how that’s better.

It’s better to be tortured by never getting it again? Left with only memories and photos?

If you never had it then you would never know what you were missing.

Sometimes I struggle with experiecing things vs staying inside my protective box.

Funny since I always push the sportsman to come outside of his box.

But isn’t that most everyone? It’s easier to stay within your comfort level.

I suppose it depends on the risk envolved and if it is worth taking it or not.

Am I just rambling now?

Honestly, I am not really sure where I was going with this.


Other than I have come across MY “One of Kind” and I will enjoy it until my time is up.

No Regrets.

So whats your thought on embracing,

“One of kinds”?