Marcus Williams - Tuskegee Heirs

2019.10.05 NYCC, Javits Center, NYC

Tuskegee pilot "Able"

Marcus Williams, is a long time lover of video games, comic art and all things animated. His work has appeared in Hero Cats of Stellar city for Action Labs, Super Natural and D.M.C. 

Issue #1 of Tuskegee Heirs, signed by Marcus Williams and Greg Burnham (author of Broken Glass and Grandpa's shoes)

The story is a futuristic Sci-Fi adventure that follows a small squad of young gifted aviators who are forced to become the earth's last line of defense.

Funded as a Kickstarter Sept 2019

The story honors the Tuskegee Airmen were a group of mostly African-American (some Hispanic or Latino) military pilots (navigators, bombardiers, mechanics, all support personnel who fought in World War II. They formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group. The group trained at the Tuskegee Air Field, educated at Tuskegee University in Alabama

Marcus the Visual

Syfy Wire

Billy Martin - Blue Meanies

2019.10.03 NYCC, Javits Center, NYC

Billy Martins is best known as the lead guitarist and keyboard player for the multi-platinum selling band Good Charlotte. Martin has a passion for music and art, and his art is featured on the bands' albums, stage designs and merchandise. Martin ran his own clothing line, Level 27, featuring his goth and horror art. Turning to books, Martin published the children's book titled Damious McDreary - A Boy and his Bat. He has also provided art for Disney, Upper Deck-Marvel trading cards, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, BOOM! and SLG Comics

Going to the NYCC, I had planned on requesting a sketch from Martin, so I brought several music related covers with me. When I explained that I would like to obtain a music related sketch of his design, I initially took out the John Lennon FDC to show him the work space. Martin quickly asked "Can I do something Beatlie" (not sure if that is a word or how to spell it, but it was clear he was a Beatle's fan) The next day I was handed a Blue Meanie from the Sgt Pepper's animation. The perfect choice considering the John Lennon stamp and the envelope were blue. The Lennon Stamp came in a rainbow of colors depending where on the sheet of stamps it was printed.

Martin pointed out that in his research he did not know the Meanies had 6 fingers, neither did I.

Billy Martin with Good Charlotte - 2016 Vans Warped Tour!

Mark Kistler - Commander Mark

2019.10.03 NYCC, Javits Center, NYC

I haven't been to a lot of shows recently, but when I was asked to help a friend at NYCC, I jumped at the opportunity to obtain some new sketches.

My first sketch of the morning was Mark Kistler. I know him as Commander Mark of the PBS-TV show Secret City and later on Imagination Station. Both of these were shows that taught drawing, but not like the old Jon Nagy style when I was a kid, or Bob Ross who focused on landscapes. Commander Mark drew in a cartoon style that kids enjoyed, while teaching the terminology like foreshortening, perspective, etc..

I used to look for Commander Mark's shows and sit down with my boys to draw. If they lost interest and go to do something else, I would continue watching the show and drawing. Without TV on demand or Youtube back then, it was not always easy to take the time to watch regularly. His drawing were always fun, featuring spaceships, dragons, monsters, the type of drawings kids enjoyed doing. Now Mark has his own Youtube show and is still teaching.

It was my pleasure to meet Commander Mark and personally thank him for many hours of enjoyment  and education. Draw, draw, draw. Draw 30 minutes every day!

This is a drawing of a dog I did while watching Commander Mark. Thank you Mark Kistler!