VCUarts Dept Overlap

Below is an infographic mapping out some of the VCUarts Departmental overlap based on topics and category. This version wasn't used, and therefore, doesn't have the appropriate edits to make it completely accurate.

The bottom tier shows categories of departments. For example, CRAF (Dept of Crafts and Material Studies) is somewhere between design and fine arts. Art History and Art Education feed all the other visual arts departments so they overlap many arts departments.

Every other tier present a selection of various categories that multiple departments explicitly teach. For example, most of the departments might use drawing, but only a select few have a drawing course.

V for Vendetta fan art piece

Below is a fan art piece of “V for Vendetta.” I’ve always wanted to do an illustration of V. This image is not endorsed by DC Comics or Vertigo. It’s just some fan art. Above is also a detail of the original ink drawing. 

V for Vendetta is a trademark of DC Comics Inc., DC Entertainment Inc.

I attempted this as a test to see if I would enjoy illustrating someone else’s character because I plan on opening myself up to commissions. It was super fun.

If anyone is interested, you can direct inquiries to bizhan@mendedarrow.com. More work can be found at http://www.mendedarrow.com

On a side note, I’ve always wondered if V’s character makes reference to the Anarchist, Johann Most and Eve to Emma Goldman.

Johann Most had scars he hid with facial hair similar to V’s hiding of their burns with a mask. Johann Most introduced Anarchism to Emma Goldman - like what V did for Eve.

When in a fake prison, Eve mentions that the name “Emma” is scrawled on the cot. Since that piece of information seemed out of place, I’ve been convinced it’s a little nugget that’s part of an indirect reference to these two Anarchists. 

First four pages of Little Red Fish

First four pages and a pin-up of “The Little Red Fish” illustrated by Bizhan Khodabandeh and written by James Moffitt. The blue lined grid exhibits how I am basing the compositions on the golden ratio throughout the comic. These first few pages establish the context of the fish society.

BELOW IS SOME MORE INFO:
The Little Red Fish will be a political allegory in serial comic form and in the style of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. The story is inspired by the Iranian revolution of 1979—starting with the coupe of Prime Minister Mossaddegh up to the rise of Khomeini. Khodabandeh & Moffitt both have a background in political activism and have been researching the revolution using historic texts. Khodabandeh has also interviewed leftists directly involved in the revolution. The comic will be made available through digital installments (winter 2013/ spring 2014) and eventually in print by Moffitt who will be publishing the book through his company, Sink/Swim Press. The book is intended to complement Khodabandeh’s adaptation of The Little Black Fish which is currently available at MendedArrow.com in both digital and printed formats.

New gear in my store at a discount too!

NEW GEAR (prints and shirts) at the online store on my website (www.mendedarrow.com)

A lot of this stuff is 25-50% off the normal rate. Take this opportunity to purchase some sweet gifts for friends and family!

Thinks Small Exhibition

Above are my two pieces in Think Small 7! They are mounted prints of a digital collage on wood with a wash of white acrylic and clear coat. All the proceeds from my pieces benefit Art Space. Below is more info about the events scheduled during the time that the exhibit is up.

think small 7!

October 25 through December 22, 2013

A biennial international miniature invitational exhibition. Think Small! is a major Fundraising Event for artspace. The 2013 exhibition is the 7th installment in the series.

Think Small 7!

Featuring works by over 250 artists in our Main, Frable, Helena Davis and Suzanne Foley Galleries
Flash Fiction stories that are 100 words or less 
 Friday, Nov. 8
Flash Fiction Reading
Free and Open to the Public

8pm
Friday, Nov. 22
Mid-Show Reception
Free and Open to the Public
7-10pm

NEW WORK: A couple more quick posters.

A couple more quick posters. The faces on the theatre poster are by Robert Meganck. One of the posters is for an event that's open to the public. More info about that event below.

The Physics of Storytelling: A forum discussion featuring a concept artist, effects artist, set designer, and costume designer. 

FREE and open to the public. 
1PM, Nov. 5th
VCU Commons Theatre
907 Floyd Ave.

Speakers:
TyRuben Ellingson
Assistant Professor, Communication Arts

Toni-Leslie James
Associate Professor, Theatre

Ronald Keller
Professor, Theatre

Matt Wallin
Associate Professor, Communication Arts

Started working on Richmond Monuments again.

Below are the pencils, inks and final for a web comic that I've been doing for awhile. I took a bit of a hiatus and am now back on it. (Click images to enlarge.)

This let's you see some of the decisions that I make while doing the pencils and inks. You also get to see see the smudging of my inked line work that was cleaned up digitally.

Trying to wrap up this story arc. It's been my second adventure in the comics medium and I've learned a lot during the process. You can find more here: www.richmondmonuments.com or start at the beginning here.

New Work:Joint Chiefs of Math and 1994! Poster

Below is a snapshot of my process making an Illustrative poster. (Click images to enlarge)

 The first image exhibits my thumbnail process figuring out the gesture, composition etc. You can see some notation on the rule of thirds  and line of action. Typically I also have word lists and take notes on semiotics & metaphors. This project was less about communicating an idea and more about captivating the audience into reading the info. 

The second image is a pencil drawing where I develop just enough information for me to begining inking. This saves on time. 

Next the inking stage you might notice that there are a few details still missing. I often do black-blocks, textures and minor details digitally. The graffiti piece on the bottom right was recreated using a digital tablet. It was a heck of a lot of fun too. 

Finally the finished piece with type. I left a lot of negative space at the top of the poster to place the text. I don't often have an idea in mind for it's layout because the illustration typically changes so much during the process.

I plan on potentially turing this into a skate deck and art print without the text.

 

Forum Discussion: Diverse Studies. Diverse Solutions

Designed the poster for this forum event.


MORE INFO:
A forum discussion about the relationship
between art, science, and the humanities

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
1PM, Tuesday, October, 15th
VCU Student Commons Theater
907 Floyd Ave. Richmond, VA 23220

Speakers
Sarah Faris
Certified Medical Illustrator
Assistant Professor, Dept of Comm Arts

Jorge Benitez
Assistant Professor, Dept of Comm Arts

Michael Peoples
Senior Scientist, Pfizer

Tomorrow Richmond Zine Fest 2013

I will be tabling at the Richmond Zine Fest with some members from our "Comics Church," a Sunday morning comic creator meet-up. The artists attending zine Fest with me include: Jared Cullum, Mark Luetke, and Anne-Marie Wonder

Most of my work will be 50% off. So $5/$10 shirts. $5 screen printed posters and discounts on comics and skate decks.

The fest is tomorrow, October 5th between 11-6 at the Gay Community Center of Richmond (GCCR) 1407 Sherwood Ave Richmond, VA

Please stop by and say hello.


ABOUT
"The Richmond Zine Fest is an annual event at which local and national (and perhaps even international if we’re so lucky) zine-makers can gather to sell and trade their zines and network with other people in the zine community. The zine fest is not just for zine creators and distros.  It’s an open event for all ages with tablers selling zines as well as other DIY items, informative and fun workshops throughout the afternoon, and good times, food  and conversation in general.  This event happens every Fall–typically during the month of October.

The Richmond Zine Fest has been going strong in Richmond, VA, since 2007."