Welcome To So Ill Arts

The Home of Fine-Art for the Contemporary Pop Culture!

All originals are for sale, prints of the images are available starting at ten dollars and in a wide range of sizes, shapes and paper stocks directly from us.  We host images on DeviantArt but if you would like to purchase anything please e-mail us at so.ill.arts@gmail.com

All prints are hand-numbered limited editions of 500 copies or less.

Black and White Print Price List and Scale

8.5 x 11 = $10.00

11 x 13 = $15.00

13 x 19 = $20.00

24 x 38 = $25.00

 - Photo reproduction and portraiture are available, please contact us for detailed information and pricing scales at so.illarts@gmail.com

 - General Commissions for non-portraiture work is also encouraged.  Other areas of expertise include but are not limited to, fantasy, pulp / noir, superheroes and graphic design.  We've done several book covers as well as interior illustrations, tattoos and business cards.  If you can come up with it we can probably handle it.  A General Commissions Rate and Scale Information Section is coming soon but if you have any inquiries in the meantime please contact us for a general price quote.

Here at So Ill Arts we are dedicated to bringing Fine Pop-Art to the masses.  Located at the luxurious and secluded Woodhaven Studios, resident artists Johnny Davis and Roman Rathert, work daily to produce original Artwork, Prints, Paintings, Portraits, and more in hopes of presenting the highest quality possible products we can.

Coming Soon:
The creation of a drawing, step by step photo illustration...

Bela Lugosi, "Dracula"

Bela Lugosi - Dracula

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in.

Lead on Paper

The first talkie horror film and the movie that launched the golden era of Universal's horror films.  Lugosi was a renowned stage actor and his presence on the screen is undeniable, he defined the Dracula character for generations to come with his stage and coinciding film performances of the character in the 20's and 30's.  While the latter half of his career was fraught with difficulty and typecasting - none of this diminishes the fact that Lugosi will be remembered for a long time to come for amazing portrayal of Dracula and so many other classic horror characters!

Boris Karloff, "Frankenstein"

Boris Karloff - Frankenstein

Portrait, 15 x 18 in.

Lead on Paper

While most people remember Dracula has having kicked off the golden age of Universal Horror films there were several movies before and around the same time that cemented their role as priceless pieces of Americana; Frankenstein was one of those films.  If it hadn't been for Karloff's kind and naive portrayal of Frankenstein's monster and Lon Cheney Sr. performance in The Phantom Of The Opera I have little doubt that Dracula would have been a flash in the pan.  With Karloff referred to the monster as his "friend" and was glad to have played the role that made him a legend, though I doubt he enjoyed it nearly as much as those of us who have spent countless hours watching and re-watching his films.

Robert Englund - A Nightmare On Elm Street, "Freddy Kruger"

Robert Englund: A Nightmare On Elm Street - Freddy Krueger

Portrait, 12 x 14.5 in.

Lead on Paper

Robert Englund here as the face that's haunted  my nightmares since I was six years old, Freddy Kruger!  From his first appearance in the original Last House On The Left, We Craven had big plans for Freddy, though I don't think even Craven himself foresaw just how popular the character would become.  With a 2010 sequel in the bag I was really excited, until I found out that they had recast the Freddy Kruger part after nine films.  This is my little way of saying thanks to Robert for all the great years and scares we've shared, long live Kruger!

Pam Grier, "Foxy"

Pam Grier - Foxy

Portrait, 11 x 14 in.

Lead on Paper

When I set out to do a Pam Grier piece I was originally going to do one from the Jackie Brown era - as that is probably the best things she's ever done despite her prolific career.  The more I thought about it though the more I thought I needed to at least start with a piece that paid homage to her films such as Fox Brown, Coffee and Doll House.  I started off with a small 8.5 x 11 in lay out but her hair wouldn't allow for that.  It was huge and even adding the extra inches I didn't quite get it all.  If you grew up watching her movies like I did it's time to snag up one of these amazing prints and get your wall snazzy yesterday!

Rob Zombie, "Hellbilly"

Rob Zombie - Hellbilly

Portrait, 14.5 x 10.5 in.

Lead on Paper

Years ago when Rob Zombie was first making his transition out of White Zombie there were a lot of people that weren't sure he was going to be able to make it on his own.  While Zombie is a talented lyricist he's always relied on the cadre of extremely talented musicians he surrounds himself with.  Any doubts were shattered when the ground breaking Hellbilly Deluxe album came out.  Dragula, Living Dead Girl and Demonoid Phenomenon invaded the radio waves and the deal was sealed.  His look has constantly evolved like his music but looking back, I will always fondly remember the Hellbilly Deluxe years as the ones that defined what he looked and sounded like to me.

Santa Clause, "Elf"

Santa Clause - Elf

Portrait, 8.5 x 11in.

Lead and White Conte Crayon on Paper

When I did the more modern, now traditional Santa Clause I also thought it was important to pay tribute to where the imagery had originally come from and show Santa with his Elf ears, enjoying a bottle of soda he may be.  He is a "jolly old elf" according to the poem, and while I understand why everyone doesn't like Santa looking like Spock to one extent or another I respect the look - and thought it should be available to other like minded individuals - so if you do or you don't like 'em we've got your bases covered now.

Santa Clause, "Rockwell"

Santa Clause - Rockwell

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in.

Lead on Paper

For Christmas I wanted to do something special, something that is very near and dear to me and has been for a really long time.  I wanted to do a Norman Rockwell like Coca-Cola Santa Clause.  Rockwell is the guy responsible for shaping what we think of now as the modern Santa Clause in his extremely famous Coke advertising campaigns.  As such I wanted to do a little tribute to that campaign which has so shaped our modern view of the Holiday and it's jolly proprietor.  Join me in paying tribute and homage to the season and the symbols of this wonderful time of the year!

Marlon Brando, "Godfather"

Marlon Brando - Godfather

  

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in.

Lead on Paper

Marlon Brando was a master of acting and over his illustrious career played more roles than I could recount here.  Many of those roles have become legendary, some of the most lauded moments in American cinema - but in my mind one of them stand above almost all the rest.  It at least earns a place on the top five list there and that's his role as Vito Corleone, The Don, The Godfather - in the movie of the same title.  One of the best period films ever made and unarguably one of the best mafia films ever made, Brando cemented his place as a house hold name for generations to come with this one.  And now Vito can give you your own consultation any time you want!

Alfred Hitchcock, "Shadow"

Alfred Hitchcock - Shadow

Portrait, 8.5 11 in.

Lead on Paper

Everyone has a favorite Hitchcock film - Vertigo, The Birds, North By North West, Psycho, Rear Window, Dial M For Murder, I could go on and on.  Looking over the list of movies it's almost inconceivable that one person could have done them all, and that he was also the person that at once created a uniquely original version of the emerging horror film of the time - the thriller.  Suspense and mystery were the supreme tools of Hitchcock, earning him the apt title,the Master of Suspense.  On one hand he was a dark and sinister, brilliant and uplifting director of the time - and on the other a loving and warm family man.  I tried to do a half and half image of him that kind of conveyed that a little.  No matter what your favorite film, hasn't he earned a spot on your wall?

Stephen Geoffreys, "Evil Ed"

Stephen Geoffreys - Evil Ed

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in..

Lead on Paper

Until the recent talk of a remake the 1985 film, Fright Night has definitely flown under the radar for the most part, cementing it's role as a cult classic and fan favorite.  I am definitely one of those fans, watching both Fright Night and it's sequel nearly every Halloween for years now.  Roddy McDowell often steals the show for people as Peter Vincent but Stephen Geoffreys always caught my eye during a particularly charged seen that seems very out of place in the res of an otherwise camp and pretty badly acted film.  Geoffreys career has been a rough one, finding him doing pornographic films sometime after Fright Nights release.  I submit this piece in loving memory of the man who stole a scene from Roddy McDowell in one of the most awful films I've ever seen and ended up making me love it!

William S. Burroughs, "Tell"

William S. Burroughs - Tell

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in.

Lead on Paper

William S. Burroughs is probably best known for his amazing literary genius as displayed in his most famous book, Naked Lunch - as well as a herald and founding member of the Beat Generation along with Alan Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac.  Though Burroughs works have not celebrated the same success as Kerouac's works has he definitely carved out a comfortable niche amongst disillusioned drug addicts as well as collegiate and intellectual circuits alike.  Early in his career Burroughs accidentally shot his wife in the head while performing a re-enactment of the William Tell routine as they called it, where Burroughs would shoot a cup off of his wife's head.  He missed and she was killed in the middle of a crowded bar.  Though he never served time for the crime as it was ruled accidental it haunted him for the rest of his life.  Knowing this the symbolism of this picture should then not be missed...

Audrey Hepburn, "Cigarette"

Audrey Hepburn  - Cigarette

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in.

Lead on Paper

Audrey Hepburn is a legend, just mentioning her name summons the ideals of beauty and elegance.  She is pictured here early in her career while she spent all her time nursing those long cigarette filters in her dainty little fingers.  I had thought about doing her in Breakfast At Tiffany's but instead I decided instead simply to remain in those idyllic years of her career during which she would make such movies as Paris When It Sizzles, How To Steal A Million and of course 1964's blockbuster smash My Fair Lady.  If you're like me and just can't get enough Hepburn even with all of her films available on DVD now you need to snag this piece up and make your wall a bit more stylish, everyone should be so lucky as to have her consultation on decoration, haha!

Alyson Hannigan, "Sprite"

Alyson Hannigan - Sprite

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in.

Lead on Paper

Alyson Hannigan has worn many hats in her career.  She started off as a side joke int he American Pie series and has made her way into the the lexicon of the American language now with her role on the television series, How I Met Your Mother - which is in it's sixth season.  A mother several times over, I will always remember Alyson Hannigan in her early roles - so young and jovial, cute in ever sense of the word.  I tried to capture a snapshot of that smile - when you look at it you know exactly who you are looking at, and you almost can't help but smile back up at the wall every time - guaranteed to brighten the room up with this one!

Julie Newmar, "Tasteful"

Julie Newmar - Tasteful

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in.

Lead on Paper

Julie Newmar went on to world fame as an actress, most notably in her role as Catwoman on the 1960's camp version of Batman, she always wanted to be a comedian after all.  In the 30's though she made her living as a pin-up model.  She never did anything extremely racy in my opinion, but she did do some really nice tasteful pin-up work that I consider to be classic Americana along side the likes of Bettie Page and Marilyn Monroe.  I think I captured the essence of that very well here in this piece which is a companion to the earlier Catwoman, #1 piece that I did portraying her more as she always wanted to be seen - a jovial comedian, rather than a sexy cover girl - in my mind and on your wall though she can be both!

Bettie Page, "Beach"

Bettie Page - Beach

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in.

Lead on Paper

Bettie Page is known best for her classic pin-ups but I wanted to show her in a slightly brighter setting and a beach proved to be an ideal setting.  The black rose in her hair helped to keep the color of the picture in her color scheme, but I like how uncharacteristically light this is.  One one of the most recognizable faces in American these days, on everything from lunchboxes to t-shirts Bettie Page has become part of the American mythology.  Join in on the fun and pick yourself up one of these amazing drawings today!

The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr., "Dream"

Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr - Dream

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in.

Lead on Paper

The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most recognizable faces in American history.  One of the major founding and guiding forces behind the Civil Rights movement in this country, and the first in our series of portraits spotlighting these amazing individuals.  I toyed with doing a more complex piece where Dr King was addressing a crowd but the simplicity here is one of the greatest strengths in the end.  It more accurately and appropriately portrays the sense of majesty he presented - there might have been a million people around but when he was speaking it felt like there was only one voice in the world.
When this series is completed I plan on donating them to the Carbondale African American Museum, but you can get a print today and celebrate the legacy of this amazing American!

Mos Def, "Hood"

Mos Def - Hood

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in.

Lead on Paper

Mos Def is with out a doubt my favorite Hip-Hop artist out there.  He's also one of the few musicians turned actors that I've ever seen that isn't only decent, but I think he's actually a hell of an actor.  Something The Lord Made was an absolutely stunning film and his most recent album, "Ecstatic" is a non-stop thrill ride from beginning to end!  This piece pays tribute to the cover of his first album Black on Both Sides where images were heavily contrasted against each other in a black and white fashion, but depicted in color.  It was a neat photo and I covered half of his face to give it that same sort of dark, shadowy, cloak and dagger feel.

Frank Sinatra, "Blue Eyes"

Frank Sinatra - Blue Eyes

 

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

Who can forget Old Blue Eyes himself, Mr Frank Sinatra?  I know I can't.  When trying to think of things that went along with the Christmas season I heard Frank singing song after song about the season in my head and decided that I had to do a piece for him.  Everyone knows at least one Sinatra fanatic and yet it seems like these days there just isn't the amount of cool memorabilia created, but this should help.  Get Frank on your walls for the holidays before the family comes round and watch the conversations begin!

Bettie Page, "14 Cent"

Bettie Page - 14 Cent

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

The unforgettable Bettie page is seen here in one of her classic pin-up poses.  After I did the beach scene with here and all that bright color light color scheme I wanted to do a piece that remained a little truer to the black and white images that have become so associated with Page.  I wanted something that felt more like a pulp magazine cover than what I had ended up with before - and this stunning piece is the finished result.  I hope you like it as much as I liked drawing it!

Jackie Onassis, "Hat"

Jackie Onassis - Hat

  

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

Jackie Kennedy Onassis was the woman who best represents the term First Lady for a lot of people, and I am one of them.  I had to do a piece with one of her snazzy hats - she was well known for her many amazing outfits, competing with the movie stars of the day.  Join me in remembering this amazing woman and her legacy with this stunning print today.

Mickey Rourke: Sin City - Marv, "Cornered"

Mickey Rourke - Cornered

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

Mickey Rourke was unquestionably the best thing about the Sin City film.  The gritty black and white imagery that remained so true to the essence of the comic book lends itself almost perfectly to my style.  Team that with the fact that I love the character and you've got a recipe for a great piece.  The contrast in this picture work better than almost any of my other work and I am really proud of this piece - these almost might be some of the best prints we've ever offered...

Marilyn Manson, "Dope"

Marilyn Manson - Dope

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Lead on Paper

Somehow Manson has managed to stay ahead of the competition for lo these many years now.  His inventive use of shock tactics and gothic, angst ridden lyrics belies an extraordinary man.   The more you know about him as a human being, and especially the more you hear him talk the more you know how he's stayed ahead of the game for this long!  In the midst of all the Halloween hooplah this year with all the classic monsters I wanted to show my love for some of the monsters that have meant a lot to me personally.  Most of those are musicians so I decided to do Manson and Zombie - I was really pleased with the way that both of them turned out.  This is old school Manson, but not so old school that he isn't recognizable, if there is interest I might be intised into doing another piece from another era - hint hint...

Lon Chaney Sr. - Phantom Of The Opera: "Phantom"

Lon Chaney Sr. - The Phantom Of The Opera

Portrait,15 1/2 x 10 /2 in.
Lead on Paper

Another piece in the ongoing series of Classic Universal Horror Monsters is in my opinion - the original Horror monster.  Before there was Lugosi there was Chaney, before there was sound there was Chancey, before there were make-up artists there was Chaney.  We still don't honestly know how he achieved the upturned nose make-up for The Phantom of The Opera to this day, though these days most people believe he used very thin wire to upturn his snout.  Seemingly impervious to pain in the service of achieving a realistic appearance on screen Chaney is considered by some to the first character actor.  Whatever your opinion on the man might be it's hard to argue that he is anything but a legend among horror fans.  Once he haunted the screen, they say he still haunts the opera set which is miraculously still standing today, but if you want he can always haunt your wall!

Kurt Cobain, "Spirit"

Kurt Cobain - Spirit

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Lead on Paper

Kurt represented a lot of things to a lot of different people and 16 years later I still think he does, I know that he hasn't lost any of his impact or interest.  Loosing him at such a young age felt like a robbery to me and my generation, like we had lost something shinning and wonderful - some height that would never be reached again. Thankfully the music and memories that he left behind are still around to this day and seem like they will be for a long, long time to come.

As Kurt comes toppling off of the page in this piece, the essence of the madness of Kurt on stage in really evident; yes the picture is right side up - he's on his head playing guitar!  A small smoke filled club where most people would be choking for air is where he called home.  Music is what he loved, and this way he can perform for you anywhere you want anytime you want!  Let this whirling dervish loose at the house and be the toast of the town.

Kurt Cobain, "Dumb"

Kurt Cobain - Dumb

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Lead on Paper

This is a companion piece that I did to go along with Spirit.  The raw energy of Kurt spills out of the lines on the page here blending into a mix of madness and ecstasy.   Anarchistic symmetry at it's finest.  You can't see his face, but the wild eyes underneath that furry mane are what fueled an entire musical movement.  Usually Cobain was sporting shades or long enough hair you couldn't make out his eyes, but it doesn't matter - this piece glares at you with no eye sockets, bring him home and maybe you can get him to stop screaming!

Johnny Depp: Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas - Raol Duke, "Colonel"

Johnny Depp - The Colonel

Portrait, 13 1/2 x 10 1/2 in.

Lead on Paper

The essence of gonzo in it's purest form - or is it?  Johnny Depp, a Kentucky native, is seen here in his leading role as Raol Duke aka Hunter S Thompson in 1998's Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas.  Though released to mediocre reviews and a disappointing box office, the film has gone onto to become a cult classic.  It was selected as a modern classic by The Criterion Collection Company and won a Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival.  Now, twelve years later we are still waiting on the companion piece to this film, The Rum Diary which is slated for release in the next year or two.  You don't have to wait until then though, get gonzo - grab this print, stick it in a suitcase and smuggle that sucker home!

Jimi Hendrix, "Hair"

Jimi Hendrix, "Hair"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Graphite on Paper

Jimi Hendrix was an undeniable force in the evolution of rock and roll guitar.  Where most people in his position would push the boundaries, he instead chose to shatter them.  Moving into a transcendent free-form blend of tradition rhythm and blues, surf rock and country as well as jazz - Hendrix used them to redefine what the establishment had come to think of as rock music in the late 60's.  Although his life was cut short at the young age of twenty-seven, we remember him now, forty years later just as lovingly as those who saw him perform.  Isn't it about time to bring a little piece of the legend home with you?

Jack White: The White Stripes, "GBMS"

Jack White, "GBMS"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Lead on Paper

The White Stripes took the music industry by storm, were all over the radio and had become the toast of the town - but I had no idea of any of this.  I live under a rock and listening to top 40 radio shows, ick!  So when a buddy stuck on Death Letter for me,  I had to hear the rest of DeStijl - I was in love.  It was a delightful blend of dissonant chords and screeching harmonic chatter from Jack White, mirrored by the childlike drum beats slipping from in inexperienced hands of Meg White.  It had been far too long since I'd heard some good old fashioned garage rock, and Jack helped me remember why I missed it so much.  Even while he was in The Stripes it seemed like he was inventing a new persona for himself periodically.  Whether it was for the new tour or the new album, and he's fronted several different bands since then - all with their own nuances.  This is Jack at the height of The Stripes era from the Get Behind Me Satan tour and album.  It is a section of my life that will remain vivid for the rest of my days, and this picture helps me recall them.  It can help you if you need a little help as well, like Jack said after all, "I can tell we are going to be friends..."

Howlin' Wolf, "Oval"

Howlin' Wolf, "Oval

Portrait, 7 x 5 1/2 in
Graphite on Paper

Before The Beatles, rock stars and even Elvis Presley there was a proud few musicians that stood on their own - outside of the established idea of what mainstream music should be in a still segregated society.  But with the help of people like Howlin' Wolf and his unique brand of rhythm and blues music, they began to dissolve the invisible wall that held people apart.  If it weren't for people like Muddy Waters and Hownlin' Wolf spreading their gospel through song it would have been an even longer tougher road than it was.  He sits here, brooding as always, so hurry up and give him a place to site before he gets real mad...

Jimi Hendrix, "1967"

Jimi Hendrix, "1967"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

Hendrix was on the scene solo for only about four years - from early 1967 until his death on September 18th of 1970.  In that period though he went through two very distinct personality and wardrobe changes.  This is the first of the two, far more dark and brooding than the jovial hippie that would follow some months later.  In these early months he would always appear deep in thought, a solemn look on his granite face.  I chose to picture him here in my favorite outfit from those years, the band leader jacket.  It makes me smile for one reason or another and I hope it brings a little smile to your face or wall as well as it might be.

Bruce Campbell - Evil Dead: Ash, "Woods"

Bruce Campbell, "Woods"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

I guess it all depends on what circles you run in, but if you know anyone that I do then Bruce don't call me "Ash" Campbell has been one of the biggest names in and out of little Hollywood, and has been for nearly three decades!  Due to Campbell's working relationship with director Sam Raimi on their Evil Dead trilogy and cameos in such films as Spider-Man 1,2 and 3, as well as Dark Man he has become a house hold name.  In more recent memory he has been starring as Sam Axe on the television show, "Burn Notice" for some time now.  Despite all of that I will forever remember him as the star of Within The Woods.  A 30 minute short film version of Evil Dead that was shot on 8mm while Bruce was still on college to attract investors to the aforementioned film.

Holding his spattered chainsaw just out of frame you can almost feel the blood oozing off the page in this illustration.  If you grab a print of this one be careful, it looks like it might drip a little!

Bradley Nowell - Sublime, "Back"

Bradley Nowell, "Back"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Lead on Paper

A young man was taken before his time.  His band was just getting ready to make their big break.  Now fifteen years later we look back on the tragedy with as much regret and fervor as ever.  Leaving a family behind is never easy but imagine if there were scores of fans that loved you so much that they would never let you go.  Maybe it's because we feel like we are part of Brad's family, and if you love someone you can never let their memory die that I chose to use a picture with some of Brad's face slightly obscured - you can see his tattoo well though and I thought that the smile on his face and the microphone in his hand spoke more about him than my lines ever could.  He was after all a man who lived for his music, who had to be gagged and drug off stage at times and never lost his passion for life even in death.  Won't you help him perform one more song?

Bob Marley - The Wailers, "Laugh"

Bob Marley, "Laugh"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

Marley was a movement unto himself.  He didn't see himself as black or white, he didn't see himself as Jamaican or English - he saw himself as a divine creation of God like all other men and women.  And God had put him here for one reason - to spread love.  It was this unparalleled message of joy, happiness, peace and forgiveness that drove Marley's music and sky rocketed him into the international spotlight before his untimely death in 1981.  Likewise it was these same ideals that I tried to convey in the smiling visage you see before you.  Marley's smile was so strong it seemed like it could move mountains - his laugh jovial enough to raise the dead for one more joke.  Dreadlocks and a scruffy goatee were his visual trademarks but you still can't help but be affected by the peace and happiness that Marley was able to find in a world that seems to so dark atavistic at times. A light in a dark tunnel - at least now you can get a flashlight in the form of a print or poster...

Bob Dylan, "Half"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in
Graphite on Paper

What can you say that hasn't been said about Dylan before?  He's be known as everything from a poet to a madman, thief to genius and it's hard to pin him down.  He sits here lurking in the shadows straight out of the mid-60's as he was just beginning to work with The Band, which was a more than somewhat controversial move at the time.  Half light, half dark - acoustic to electric, I tried to make a connection there.  Either way this Dylan will always remain baby faced for you no matter what happens from now on...

Jimi Hendrix, "Smile"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Graphite on Paper

Sometimes you just end up with an image that sums up a person for you.  That's what happened here.  Initially I had set out to do a much larger study of Hendrix but as the face emerged it was all I could see.  That giant toothy grin peaking out of that wild hair had me hypnotized.  This is what I ended up with - the personification of Hendrix, for me at least.  His music conveyed such an upbeat and almost carefree tone that I never thought I'd get near to capturing that on paper, but I think I accomplished my goal quite well here, and I hope that you agree.  Forty years after his death Jimi is still greatly missed and will always be remembered.

Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight: The Joker, "Face"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Charcoal, Soft Pastel and Oil Pastel on Paper

After completing the Jack Nicholson 1989 "Splash" picture I knew I had to do a Heath Ledger companion to the piece.  I re-watched The Dark Knight and decided that this had to be my first color piece.  I went with a mixed medium approach, blending charcoal, soft and oil pastels to achieve the finished product.  It wasn't easy - the minimalistic approach to color was a fun thing to play with in this piece but it really made me want to do one with his bright green hair.  I'm really happy with the finished product in this case though, Ledger's sardonic eyes peering out from the shadows and that demonic smile perfectly silhouetted.  I can't wait to start getting prints of this one done, they are going to look just amazing!

Johnny Depp: Pirates Of The Caribbean - Jack Sparrow, "Sparrow"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

If there ever was a man outside of the Chaney family that could 'wear' the title, "the man of a thousand faces" it is Johnny Depp.  Over his career he's taken more and more control over his own career and taken it some really interesting places.  In this picture I decided to do a portrait of Johnny Depp in The Pirate's Of The Caribbean as Jack Sparrow the head pirate and arguably the lead of the films so far.  Eyeliner and dreadlocks have now become synonymous with Depp and I don't think he minds one bit with that scraggly little goatee hanging out on his face months after the completion of the films.  And have no fear if you feel left out at the end of the film because you don't have any wicked pirate booty for yourself you can forget about it now!

Mike Smith: Trailer Park Boys - Bubbles, "Hat"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

I did this piece for Vulturefest down in Makanda this year.  Trailer Park Boys is probably the most brilliant show I've ever seen and of all the characters Bubbles is undeniable the best.  Mike Smith started on the show as a sound-engineer having had limited success in his Canadian grunge band Sandbox, who recorded two albums on EMI.  Due to some wonderful coincidences he ended up landing a starring role on Trailer Park Boys and is working on a new show with the cast from TPBoys now.  Watching TPB lately I was struck with how much I liked Bubbles when he was in his snow gear so I decided to stick him in that here.  His little beanie cap just cracks me up, not that his face isn't enough that is!  I can't wait to see this suckers hanging in the living room, now that's a conversation starter!

Hunter S. Thompson, "Gonzo"

Hunter S. Thompson, "Gonzo"

Portrait, 10 1/2 x 12 1/2 in
Lead on Paper

Thompson led a troubled life and might not have been a picture of sanity to most people, but he's a personal hero.  He was always ahead of he game, one step in front of everyone else.  His life was an incredible journey, kicked out of his home town after he was arrested, Thompson subsequently joined the army where he began his illustrious career as a journalist.  Though he worked at Rolling Stones magazine for several years, and was even teamed with Ralph Steadman the artist who would follow Thompson on his rise to the top, but failed to hit it big until there was an 'incident'.  Thompson was sent to cover the Mint 500 motorcycle race but instead turned in a bizarre op-ed piece of what would later become known as "gonzo" journalism.  The manuscript was the outlines of what would become the know American Literary Classic, "Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas"; which know stand along with other titles like "On The Road" and "Naked Lunch" as quintessential counter-culture reading material.

Joel Gion - Brian Jonestown Massacre, "Dig"

Joel Gion, "Dig"

Portrait, 10 x 10 1/2 in

Lead on Paper

Can you hear the tambourine man a callin?  Joel Gion from The Brian Jonestown Massacre, or at least he as back as of the time of this portrait, made me reconsider my opion of tambourine players in a band.  He served not only as a musician but also a bouncer and the glue that very nearly held everything together.  Typical of Joel, nothing about this drawing was typical - his glasses weren't the hardest part of this picture, it was that hand that nearly drove me nuts.  For some reason getting the proper foreshortening on it was just a massive pain in the neck.  In the end though I was really happy with how this ended up.  Everything about this besides that hand was an absolute pleasure to draw.  You normally don't get to draw mutton chops or a hair cut like that on anything but a comic book character, and even then it's hard to pull off - I mean you just can't dream that kind of thing up!

Tom Waits, "Dark"

Tom Waits, "Dark"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 10 1/2 in

Lead on Paper

So far the final installation in the Tom Waits series he is depicted here in the mid-90's while working on one of his plays, The Black Rider with writer William S. Burroughs of "Naked Lunch" notoriety.  It was this era in Tom's life that made me know he was going to knock his role as Satan in Doctor Parnassus out of the park.  Going well back to his Mystery Men days, this classic fedora and suit look just screams lounge lizard but there's so much more to Tom.  This was the very first picture that I did in the Conte Pierre Noire lead pencils that have become the basis of most of the work presented on this blog.  A fortuitous combination of subject and medium to say the least.

Clint Eastwood - The Man With No Name, "No Name"

Clint Eastwood, "No Name"

Portrait, 10 1/2 x 13 in

Lead on Paper

Before he was Dirty Harry, Clint Eastwood became known as The Man With No Name supplanting the legacy of John Wayne for several generations. 

Tom Waits, "Laugh"

Tom Waits, "Laugh"

Portrait, 10 1/2 x 12 in

Lead on Paper

Yet another Tom Waits piece, spotlighting yet another of his many eccentric appearances and personalities.  This particular picture is from the Heart Attack and Vine era in the early 80's just before he got that crazy pin-stripe mustache going on for the next few years.  There is something about Tom when he laughs.  The sound is like gravel being dumped through a steel sieve and it seems to shake the ground beneath your feet, it's no accident he played the devil in Dr Parnasus.  His worn out suit drips off his shoulders as he shakes with laughter, summing up much of his life to me.  Looking back the lines are a little loose and the shirt is a little undefined, and I love it.  It all screams Tom to me and it should look really nice peering down from a mantle somewhere.

Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper

Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, "Easy Rider"

Portrait, 11 x 14 in

Lead on Paper

This was a really fun piece to do.  Peter Fonda hurtling along the road on his Chopper, Dennis Hopper lurking in the background.  I also had to get Jack Nicholson's helmet in there or it wouldn't really be Easy Rider now would it?  I chose to do this in a slightly larger format that most of my other stuff so I could really get some more of the bikes and that helmet into frame which I think makes the picture.  It's one of the strongest compositional pieces that I've done and I'm super pleased to be able to finally offer prints of it!

Marilyn Monroe, "Personal"

Marilyn Monroe, "Personal"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

Few personalities have captivated America like Marilyn Monroe.  She defined the term super-model for perhaps the fist time, but that's not what this portrait is about.  I really wanted to do a picture of Marilyn Monroe as a person, not an object, something rarely seen in my opinion.  It's a million miles from the toothy Hollywood grin that made her a household name, but there's something tangibly beautiful and sincere about this piece.  On a lighter note, Something Had To Give and this print is available now, cause Some Like It Hot (I had to do it!).

Gene Wilder - Young Frankenstein, "Fronkunschteen"

Gene Wilder - Young Frankenstein, "Fronkunschteen"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

The companion piece to Marty Feldman's Igor, Gene Wilder can be seen here in his role as Dr. Frankenstein, though he might prefer you not know that.  It's true Wilder was one of Mel Brooks' go to guys and it was no surprise to see him turn up in Young Frankenstein, but he seems much more suited for the role than some of his other Brooks films.  His looks lend themselves to the black and what color scheme of the film perfectly and the dark eye make-up commonly associated with those early films looks so natural on his face he might be able to pull them off in public, then again maybe not.  You can be sure you could pull this print off in public though, cast out of his castle and the town the doctor needs a place to sleep it off people, it's been a long day!

Marty Feldman, "Playboy"

Marty Feldman, "Playboy"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

I just can't get enough of that face!  Graves Disease was responsible for Marty's trademark bulging eyes but there was something else lurking beneath that disarming grin, responsible for his lasting legacy as a comedy genius.  It's not hard to picture him running amok on the BBC or teasing Frankenstein's monster - but there was a real guy behind all that, a man with some enormous mutton chops.  I tried to really conjure the essence of Feldman here, presenting him as seriously as I dared with out compromising the pictures integrity in some fashion.  I just got the fist prints of this back and I have to say I am more than impressed with them than I anticipated, and I had some high expectations - simply put, this is a hell of a print.

Marty Feldman - Young Frankenstein, "Abby Normal"

Marty Feldman - Igor, "Abby Normal"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

This Marty Feldman piece is the first in a series spotlighting the film, "Young Frankenstein" by Mel Brooks.  It's one of my favorite films and has to be one of the funniest films ever made, due in no small part to the mad genius that is Marty Feldman.  His face might look like a caricature but he had some serious skill to back up those boyish good looks.  Just watch Young Frankenstein and try to imagine any one else as Igor.  Feldman can be seen here procuring a brain from the morgue in one of the films most famous scenes as he break the fourth wall, looking directly into the camera.  With all the trouble up at the castle lately it looks like he might be looking for somewhere new to stay, care to help him out a little?

Animal Portrait - Gir Dog, "Nightvision"

Gir Dog, "Nightvision"

Portrait, 8 1/2 x 11 in

Lead on Paper

This happens to be a great example of two different types of portraiture, photo reproduction and animal portraiture.  This is my assistant Roman's dog, Gir.  He's a Brussels Griffin, the type of dog that wookies, ewoks and mogwai are based on, and has to be the cutest thing on three legs - that's right he's missing a paw, the poor guy!  I will make sure to post the original picture as well so you can compare the two, but in the meantime if you need a copy of this one we might be able to help you get the cuddly little thing settled into a new home, he does love laps after all.