Ray Lago - Moon Knight

2019-04-06 New Jersey CollectorsFest 2, Secaucus, NJ

Ray Lago started as a freelance illustrator for clients like Reader's Digest, Scholastic books, Doubleday & Co and many others providing storyboards, logo designs, as well as early computer graphics for several televised news programs

Leaving the commercial side of the business Lago moved into the comics industry, becoming an acclaimed cover illustrator, including work for Marvel  and Dark Horses' Predator and RoboCop titles

He has provided illustrations for the X-Men Ultra collector's card series and Magic the Gathering

Lago chose to draw Moon Knight, while I was drawn in by the detailed ledge position askew of the envelope's edge he noted that he managed to put Moon Knight's Moon Copter in the background, beautiful rendition

Miramar Lopez & Enrique "Quique!" Lopez

2019-04-06 New Jersey CollectorsFest 2, Secaucus, NJ

Quique Lopez had always been fascinated with telling stories. Once his daughter Miramar started to develop an interest in the visual arts, Quique felt the urge to return to comics. Quique is a writer an inker. When I asked if he was taking sketch commissions, he deferred to Miramar, saying she is an artist.

I took the bait and we discussed her style and likes, which run toward anime style. We spoke of creating an anthropomorphic character, of her choice. Miramar provided the above sketch of her own design. To round out the sketch Quique provided the inks, over Miramar's pencils

While I was discussing the sketches I had picked up with Joe St Pierre, a young man who knew Joe came over to say hello. He saw the sketch provided by Miramar, and his reaction was "This is sick!"

Joe St Pierre - Venom Shark

2019-04-06 New Jersey Collectors Fest, Secaucus, NJ

I had gone to this show with the idea of obtaining a sketch from Joe St Pierre related to his recent book, Great White Shark Adventure, written by James O Fraioli, published as part of the Fabian Cousteau Expedition series. Joe had mentioned that recently he had several requests for Venom sharks, so he asked if it was okay to continue with the theme. I thought that was great idea.  My thoughts were leaning toward an steampunk shark, or an octopus with a topcoat, monocle, Edwardian collar, walking stick(s).... Joe's idea was perfect. I did a search when I got home and found a couple of other Venom Sharks Joe had drawn.

The book is a very informative and reminiscent of the animated show on television that teach about the world and nature. Beautifully done and well written. If you were afraid of shark before reading the book, you will have a better understanding of their nature.

However, the Venom shark does not calm my fears of going into the ocean!

Ad Astra

Jean Francois Clervoy - France

Marianne Merchez - Belgium

Pedro Duque - Spain

Christer Fuglesang - Sweden

Thomas Reiter - Germany

To the stars... I have long wished to have my head beyond the clouds (although my wife thinks I am there already). To be able to look at the earth from space and feel what it is like to float with the stars..

I fully support the efforts of the space program and I collect space flight related memorabilia and signatures of those brave and lucky enough to have achieved this reality.

I do not consider myself an artist, but I enjoy creating my own designs. The designs are used to enhance the signatures of members of the European Space Agency. The little astronaut figure I added was in tribute to the opening sequence of the TV series Lost In Space...

2017.04.29 East Coast Comic Con, Secaucus, NJ

Since I had previously used the Lost in Space theme for EAS astronauts, when I had the opportunity to meet the remaining cast, I created the above to obtain their autographs. Bill Mumy, Mark Goddard, Marta Kristen and Angela Cartwright