Corrax on the Rise

HERE THERE SPORT FAN, AL HERE WITHT THE LATEST:

CORRAX THE SEEKER NEWS:

CTS #2 Page 10, Panel 2

 The issue # 2 is nearing completion but it has not been an easy one to say.  Everything in creative process was already done nearly a year ago at ECCC in-between book signing and selling of work.  That was never an issue and I would have thought in a perfect world that books 2 and 3 would have been completed and done and ready to show and sell with issue 4 not long behind to be printed but this is not the world I was able to make.

But what I wanted to say is that CTS is taking longer for me to work on than I had hoped for.

Does this mean that there won't be an issue coming out?

HELL NO!  

That big bird man takes up way to much of my time not to be seen.  He's just too much fun a character to stop working on.  I sometime wish that Vega had been more like that but without Vega and the history Corvis Corrax wouldn't be around. 

GALLERY WORK:

"CHROME STAG" 14"X11" scratchboard 2013 copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

Now either I am one of the hardest working guys out there or I meet deadlines right on the head - probably both.  Framed and ready to hang for the "LOVE OF PORTLAND SHOW" -"CHROME STAG"

That 14"X11" Scratchboard is ready to sell.   But after looking at it I think I might take a stab at making a hoodie out of it.  The Design is just really cool.  I have seen a couple of other artist who are invited to the show and their take is cool.

And of course there are the small 5"x7" pieces that I have knocked out  that are pretty intense for the size and in color.  I still have a month to go before heading up there to Seattle so there may be even more to go.

COMIC SHOW:

NOW THERE IS one show that I haven't been to for a while and I haven't heard of any other my friends talk about- The OLYMPIA COMIC FESTIVAL.  I would like to think that this show is still going on but it hard to tell if they are still doing it.  It is a vert grass roots, fly by the seat of your pants set up which I don't have an issue with but I hope that it continues to keep getting out there.

"MASQUED FURY" 5"X7" scratchboard
2013 copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

DREAMS OF ELYSIUM:

Now some people will wonder if this book will ever get off the ground, I am confident that I can make this graphic novel fly.  Even a couple of the smaller 5"x7" scratchboard pieces I have worked on are still focusing on that story.

But in talking to my friends Devon and Dan  and George over a Mini Illustration Club a couple of things were brought up such as Devon's Kickstarter project called "Tales of Hot Rod Horror 2"  as well as Dan bringing up both ETSY and Big Cartel to help fund and get these projects out there.

I like  Devon's idea of having that completed project already done and then focus on the incentives and being reimbursed for a project that you were going to fund anyway by yourself.  The thing is the books done and just focuses on the marketing of project.  I think Dev liked my idea of the no word balloons or narration and therefor being able to go international with the work.   

COMMISSIONS:

I do commissions depending size, complexity of the piece, varnished and framed.  Usually half down half on completion of project.  Easiest way for payments is through Paypal  using my email address blackboxcomix@yahoo.com.

AND...

Old blog for Black Box Comix entries can be found here at http://blackboxcomix.blogspot.com/

And this kid is outta here.

But now this kid is gotta get going and finish Corrax!

Looking Lively

Hey there sports fans Al here with the latest:

"Perception is the fog of humanity. Be the light seen, not the sound heard." - B. Marrs.

UPCOMING SHOWS FOR THIS YEAR:
On this years docket we have the following Northwest Shows 

Feb 28- March 1-3 For Big Comic Book show the Emerald City ComiCon - Seattle WA.

April 27 and 28, for comic book show here in town Stumptown Comics Fest- Portland OR.

May 24-26 for the Crypticon Show in Seattle WA.

September 21-22 for the Rose City Comic Con -Portland OR.

November 2  for the Jet City Show - Taccoma WA. -

That's basically a show at the end of every month for the next 3 months till September.  The only wild card in the bunch is the Crypticon.  Having never been to that show I am still working out the details currently with my art buddies. 

CORRAX THE SEEKER NEWS:

CTS #2 Page 9, Panels 1 &2 2013 Copyright
Alan Bennett and BBVA

Still working on issue #2.  Page 9 is taking up a lot of my time currently.  With Gallery work stepping up the comics always seem to take a back step all the time.  But have no fear there, Corrax's story arc is already done as the writing goes but it takes time to color these books and coordinate with Jason and his busy schedule for him to edit the issue.   

DREAMS OF ELYSIUM:
Two things are happening with this mono epic, collecting the raw materials which is about 1/5th done at this time and retooling the the transitional images in the place of the narration.  
   When I have mentioned this project to the uninitiated who have only seen a couple of the scratchboard pieces and they seem interested.  And to those who have seen my work already (both working artists and interested parties) look at me like "Are you crazy?"
Yes, I am.  I know the quality of my work.  I am not the greatest story teller out there but I am sure the hell going to give it my best damn shot. 
I'm gonna do the book that I would want to collect and have in my collection.

GALLERY SHOWS:
The show I have at the Hawthorne Hideaway will be up till March from what I understood from Rita the curator there.

"D WITCH" 8"X8" scratchboard 2012 copyright
Alan Bennett and BBVA

This is cool for me because if I come up with some more work I would be a place for me to put things up.  Most of work and themes seems better suited for pubs and bars rather than actual galleries. This stems more from the subject matter that I am drawing from.
As to the BIG 300 show of last month and year, 8 of 10 pieces sold.  
80 solid percent outta of 100!  That's pretty cool in my book.  I may not have sold all in that first night like my friend Rosy but I am still refining my technique as I work every new piece.
And this funnels down to the 5"x7" scratchboards too along with the new color being added.  I am going to need to add a new light cool grey color to my marker pallet to make this new work pop.  I have always when working with color start off with mono chromatic works to get the feel how much I can push the color on a medium that I already have a good understanding off like scratchboard.
Should be a good show.  Nearly the one man show that I have been wanting to do towards the end of last year.  I am liking this more and more.   What was a old piece for a old show is new again.
Now for the month of February with Valentine's Day just around the corner is the "For the Love of Portland show"  This show is different from the Ben Pink show "Portland Love Show" of the last two years.  The biggest difference is the fact there will be a physical piece up instead of the on line gallery.
I am still not really convinced as a creator that showcasing art work like that on line  even works though I know that runs counter to selling the comics on line.

"CHROME STAG"  11"X14" scratchboard 2013
copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

The piece I call "Chrome Stag" is already done.  11"x14" Scratchboard varnished and framed.  Pretty cool considering I have another 3 weeks to have it in by.  This somehow freaks out some of my art buddies by being able to turn out this volume of work.  To me, it's just the creative process.

COMMISSIONS:
I do commissions depending size, complexity of the piece, varnished and framed.  Usually half down half on completion of project.  Easiest way for payments is through Paypal  using my email address blackboxcomix@yahoo.com.
AND...
Old blog for Black Box Comix entries can be found here at http://blackboxcomix.blogspot.com/
And this kid is outta here.

New Gallery Show for the First of the Year

Hey there sports fans Al here with the latest:

UPCOMING SHOWS FOR THIS YEAR:

NOW that beginning of the year has started up more gallery work is going on as is small scratchboard pieces for comic shows.  To keep within my 25 5"x7" scratchboard I have already started out sketching out 7 new pieces before E.C.C.C. comes around.   I think that these new pieces will catch peoples attention as they also will be colored as well.
The stark black and white contrast won't as as scary to look at.  It also increases the cost a little bit as well for sales.

CORRAX THE SEEKER NEWS:

Corrax the Seeker #2 Page 9, panel 1  Copyright 2013 Alan Bennett and BBVA

Still working on issue #2.  Page 9 is taking up a lot of my time currently.  But I should have this second issue done by next week for editing.  That rocks but there is no rest for this wicked kid.  As soon it's done it's onto the next issue.  That story arc should be done before the end of the year. 

DREAMS OF ELYSIUM:
I have been going over slowly the script and looking where I need to add images to fill in out for where narration would be. It has been interesting revisiting this story again.  I having to interpret my orginal script has shown me flaws in my eariler storytelling.   This has been a real eye opener for me, its like having an old friend look over a peice of artwork and making sujestions on what should be changed
That's what I am dealing with right now.

GALLERY SHOWS:

As of today I have a show beginning at the Hawthorne Hideaway .
But there has been a bit of change up as to the amount of art pieces up.  And additional two more peices are going up.  "Pygmallion Modern" and the peice called "Trust me".
This should be a good show.  Nearly the one man show that I have been wanting to do towards the end of last year.  I am liking this more and more.   What was a old piece for a old show is new again.
RECENT NEWS- AS OF TODAY (1/10/13) I received am email for another open invite for a Febuary show called  For The Love of Portland 2  

9pm.

@Peoples Art of Portland Gallery and Mark Woolley Gallery.  I am currently sketching out a new idea for this show now.  I know that this will allow me to get work back over on the West side of town which is always a good thing for me.  So this will be a nice new addition to gallery show and my show resume.  Besides that, I know that these shows put on by Peoples Art of Portland Gallery February 16^th-March 10^th    Reception: February 16^th, 5-

has always draw a different crowd that what I will be selling to here on the East side.

HOWEVER- this does bring up a point that a friend of mine brought up over a few beers.  Am I saturating the market with my style of art work?  And the case for was because I have had a one show right after the other since October starting with the Fanfare Show.  This was a good point but I believe that since I am putting out new work all the time and it has such a limited visual exposure here in town and I don't believe I will run into that kind of situation like any of those artists of the last 20 years like Bev Doolittle or Thomas Kinkade.  With towels, prints, coffee mugs or other art related material merchandising.  I think that a poster or t-shirt works for the kind of art I produce.   

On to February and Valentine's Day.

COMMISSIONS:

I still have one outstanding piece of work to do but it is taking time for me to get this done but it will get done.

I do commissions depending size, complexity of the piece, varnished and framed.  Usually half down half on completion of project.  Easiest way for payments is through Paypal  using my email address blackboxcomix@yahoo.com.

AND...

Old blog for Black Box Comix entries can be found here at http://blackboxcomix.blogspot.com/

And this kid is outta here.http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/

Happy New Year.

Hey there sports fans Al here with the latest:

UPCOMING SHOWS FOR THIS YEAR:

6 of 7 new transfer designs for the 5"x7" scratchboards for this years comic shows.
copyright 2013 Alan Bennett and BBVA

NOW that beginning of the year has started up more gallery work is going on as is small scratchboard pieces for comic shows.  To keep within my 25 5"x7" scratchboard I have already started out sketching out 7 new pieces before E.C.C.C. comes around.   I think that these new pieces will catch peoples attention as they also will be colored as well.

I have also recently received word that I will be tabling with NEOtrash Comix for both Stumptown Comics Festival and Rose City Comic Show.  So be looking here for further developements as time goes on.  You always got be showing work in your own backyard.

CORRAX THE SEEKER NEWS:

Corrax the Seeker Issue #2, panels 2-4  Not edited.  2013 copyright Alan Bennett and BBVA

Of course I'm always excited by the giant man bird when issues start to come together quickly.  Issue #2 is really looking sharp.  I hope to have a three more pages done by this weekend and looking to have editorial copy ready for Jason very soon.

DREAMS OF ELYSIUM:
Collection of scratchboards has already started. That in of itself is a big investment for me.  Large scratchboards are not cheap- especially 16“x20“.  $15.50 Times that by roughly 65 panels comes to just over a thousand dollars.  That doesn't even cover some of the cost of varnishing and god forbid- the printing!  This is where the kickstarter program could really help out and defir my costs. But aside from that things are starting to look good as new thumbnails are being put into place instead of the typical comic narration that a writer will drop into place for a transition of time between events in a story.  PLUS there are some panels that aren't quiet what they need to be for the kind of impact that I am looking for in this story. 

In a funny kind of way my friend Adam Watson of Darkslinger Comics and my friend Dan DePaolo were chatting over some beer (as some artists like to do.) and Adam asked me "What do you want to do in comics?"

I had to think about this but it was a question he had asked me a long time ago.  At first I answered "Win an Esiner Award...?"

"No." Adam said.  And then he reminded me of what I had said to him years ago. "Finish a story."

And he was right.  In the time that I have been doing comics I have had this chance to meet several really cool people that I wanted to work with but it has always happened when I was in the middle of some comic work I was doing.  I used to jump at the chance to do it but these days I just keep doing what I want and if I have the time then I'll do it.  Weird Atomic Tales with Jason of NEOtrash was like that as was the crossover with Ghost Assassin with Adam.

That's why I am sure that Corrax will get done as will Dreams of Elysium.

GALLERY SHOWS:

As of today I am picking up one piece from the "NEW BROW" show from November and dropping off three pieces for a last Thursday show at the Hawthorne Hideaway.  I have no idea what this will be like but I am thinking that having another show right after another one in a different area of town is always good for exposure.  

ON TOP OF THAT I am currently getting under way for another image to be ready for the 2013 PORTLAND LOVE SHOW.  I have been part of that show for the last two years of that group show and I am looking to get into it again this year.

COMMISSIONS: I have one that I am currently formating for a friend of mine up in Bellingham WA.  

I do commissions depending size, complexity of the piece, varnished and framed.  Usually half down half on completion of project.

AND...

Old blog for Black Box Comix entries can be found here at http://blackboxcomix.blogspot.com/

And this kid is outta here.