caesar120

It's time to open the doors a little more and let the Travellers in!  I've collected the remains of my Traveller book collection and have decided to offer them for sale.  Like my Star Wars offerings, I'm selling them piecemeal.  So this is your chance to fill in any gaps you may have in your own Traveller collection.

Just a note:  I got my start in the gaming art industry with Digest Group Publications in their line of Traveller gaming materials.  I have very fond memories of that period in my artistic growth, so it isn't without a twinge of sadness that I part with these books/magazines. I do, realize, however, that they will no doubt go to appreciative hands.

Drop me a Note and I will let you know what I have available.

After getting some solid feedback, I have decided to drop the idea of selling the Star Wars gaming books as a single Lot.  It would've been nice to see them all go to one appreciative soul...but then again...I'm sure the gaming world is chock full of appreciative souls.  The $650 price is too big a hit for most people (as it would be even for myself).

Therefore, I will throw open the doors and sell the collection piecemeal. I have already gotten a good offer on the boxed Darkstryder game...but there is a lot more here for the picking. Is there a Galaxy Guide that is missing from your collection? Any of the Thrawn Triology hardcovers?  Feel free to Note me and I'll let you know what is available.

As I stated in my previous Journal entry, I will sign any books that sell...and perhaps even do a doodle!

Okay...I'd better be going. Thanks for...what?  Boba Fett? Boba Fett? Where?!

Another tax season...and additional tax debt. It's like...trying to swim upstream...against the flow...in a river of mud. So I am once again wracking my brain for new ways to keep The Taxman satisfied. As much as I hate to use this Journal for non-creative purposes, I am faced with the fact that this tax situation is a worrisome burden...and it is very much interfering with my ability to create. It isn't my only worry, but it's a biggie.  I've tried the commission route...and selling off original artwork. Both with limited success. So, I have sifted through my belongings in an attempt to find things that others might want to buy.  To be truthful, I don't have much...but what I do have might be of interest to those of you who know my work. Especially the Star Wars work I did in the 90's for West End Games. It required a search of the attic, but I found my stash of GAMING BOOKS. Including every West End Star Wars book I ever did illustrations for.  So I'm putting the Star Wars gaming books up for adoption. I am interested in selling these books as a single Lot...and I would be willing to sign any or all of them...and perhaps doodle (remark) several of your favorites!

There are 29 softcover books (which I believe retailed for a least $20 apiece)
And 9 hardcover books.
Adventure Journals 1 through 11 (plus a collected volume)
And 2 boxed game sets (Darkstryder and the Introductory Adventure Game)

I am fairly certain that many of these books are impossible to find.

All of it...for $650.  That's $13 apiece...plus the cost of shipping.

I thought I would post them here on DA before trying to go eBay. Anyone who is seriously interested can send me a Note.

Thanks for listening,
Mike

Patience can pay off....and you have all been very patient. Over the past five weeks or so I have diligently collected a series of pics from those who worked so hard on this Transformer Project. As promised...I am posting them here for everyone to see. The results are quite satisfying from an artistic standpoint, and also quite spectacular!

I want to take a moment to make it clear that I worked on these beauties as part of a TEAM. For all intents and purposes, I was a glorified parts-maker. The task of creating this Optimus and Bumblebee was taken on by Symmetry Products Group International, under the direction of Julie Lancia. On Kiev and his sculpting team are true masters of what they do. THEY are the artists who are responsible for the overall look and presentation of the finished sculpt. There are far too many contributors to name (close to twenty-five sculptors, fabricators, painters, and finish-people), but Julian Osorio deserves special note for the incredible work he did on the heads and hands, as well as his contribution to the fabulous paint job!

So...without further ado...ENJOY!

I would have composed this journal entry earlier, but I just couldn't resist the temptation to stay in bed this morning. For the first time in almost eight weeks I could afford to lounge and be flat-out lazy. In all honesty...I'm exhausted...and I think it will take a few more days before my energy will returned to 'pre-Transformer' levels. 

 So let's recap. Short story: On Friday March 28th I was hired (along with Gus McPherson [TheJugglingOctopus]) to join a team of sculptors given the task of creating full-scale replicas of two of the main characters of the new Transformers movie. Namely, Bumblebee and Optimus Prime. Yes...you read that correctly. Full....scale! That's 20 feet and 28 feet respectively. The sculpting medium is EPS foam...clad over a steel framework...and accented with a plethora of fabricated elements, pipes, hoses, and real car parts. These two impressive warriors were created in pieces. Assembled...disassembled...and coated in a urethane hard-shell "skin". After urethane they are meticulously sanded and prepped for paint. The paint job itself is most impressive as both Bumblebee and Optimus must appear "battle-damaged". 

 My job...simply put...was to create parts. A glorified parts-maker. There were a few minor side jobs along the way (M&M characters and a representation of a giant nerve receptor), but pumping out a wide variety of Transformer body parts was my daily task for the past  fifty days. It got so I had dreams almost every night involving carving foam! 

 As of yesterday, Bumblebee was almost completely painted. His legs and torso were joined and he was being fitted with assorted "mechanical" gee-gaws.  When the day ended, Optimus was still scattered about the sculpting department in various parts, having his steel installed. He is, however, basically complete from a sculpting standpoint...and both Gus and I were graciously relieved of our duties. 

Looking back, it was a seriously daunting project, and I must give enormous credit to the Lead Sculptor On Kiev and his core crew of craftsman. It was a real honor to work with them and with On in particular. I'm tired, true...and relieved it's over. I'm also disappointed that I'm not still there contributing. A weird mix of emotions. An exhausting yet exhilarating experience! I am justifiably proud of my limited contribution...and quite pleased that I got the chance to be part of it all. I look forward to getting the call to go back in for the final unveiling....before those two imposing behemoths are taken apart, carefully packed, and shipped to Shanghai.

I promise to post whatever pictures I can gather...as well as a link to the Symmetry Products International website as soon as the project pics are uploaded there.

Hey...my days are open for drawing again!