Black & White World III
Unfortunately the type on the cover design ended up blocking a nice glowing effect I got in the wave. You can see the final cover here.
Illustrations Archives
April 2, 2007
April 3, 2007
Black & White World II
Here is the cover illustration for the second Cox & Forkum book.
April 6, 2007
Five Minutes to Midnight
A cover illustration for the monthly magazine The Intellectual Activist.
April 7, 2007
Offering More
A cover Illustration for the monthly magazine AutoGraphic Automotive Report.
The Greenspan Standard
A cover illustration for the monthly magazine The Intellectual Activist.
April 9, 2007
DRP Dissatisfaction
A cover Illustration for the monthly magazine AutoGraphic Automotive Report.
April 10, 2007
The Fantasy World of the Realists
A cover illustration for the monthly magazine The Intellectual Activist.
April 11, 2007
Caucus of Corruption
I illustrated the cover for the book Caucus of Corruption by Matt Margolis and Mark Noonan -- which is now on the market.
A Look Back at Visions of the Future
A cover Illustration for the monthly magazine AutoGraphic Automotive Report.
April 12, 2007
What Has Jerusalem to Do with Athens?
A cover illustration for the monthly magazine The Intellectual Activist.
April 13, 2007
Waterborne Paint
A cover Illustration for the monthly magazine AutoGraphic Automotive Report.
April 17, 2007
Watterson
I'm a BIG Calvin and Hobbes fan. I have the book Calvin and Hobbes: Sunday Pages 1985 to 1995 by Bill Watterson, and on a whim I decided to have some fun mimicking the cover with caricatures of me and Allen (that's me up front). It gave me a chance to study Watterson's wonderful water color work. And my efforts didn't go to waste; we used it to announce our hiatus from editorial cartooning today.
May 1, 2007
Moral Outrage
I'm in the planning stages of doing a collection of sketches based on the wacky left. This is the cover idea.
May 2, 2007
Dart Team Logo
I throw darts in a Decatur league when I'm not chained to my drafting table. So here's an idea for our team shirt.
May 17, 2007
Fantasy Cover
Every once in a while, I like to play with a book cover idea just to get a good workout.
May 27, 2007
Sorry, Prof. Reynolds...
Goofing around in Photoshop with an alternative version of Glenn Reynolds' Army of Davids.
May 31, 2007
Newspaper Cover
Allen Forkum art directed this piece for his newspaper, Automotive Report. My favorite part is the irate cave dude's sun dial watch. Yabba Dabba Doo.
June 10, 2007
From The Crypt
I thought this could be a book cover for a southern gothic tale. Any titles?
June 12, 2007
POTUS
"I'm honored to be here with the eternal general of the United States, mi amigo Alberto Gonzales." --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., May 4, 2007
Any favorites?
June 18, 2007
Book Cover Idea
A friend of mine hired me to do a cover idea he could present to a publisher. The story has a kind of Snow White-via-Prince and the Pauper theme.
June 19, 2007
Play Poster
A tiny job I did for Kimberly J. at Atlanta Classic Theater some years ago.
June 22, 2007
Poetry Corner
PUT SOMETHING IN
by Shel Silverstein
Draw a crazy picture,
Write a nutty poem,
Sing a mumble-jumble song,
Whistle through a comb.
Do a loony-goony dance
'Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain't been there before.
Thought I'd try to illustrate to one of my favorite poets. Expect a few more of these.
June 23, 2007
AM Radio
"Let's hear from Vincent in Brooklyn...."
"Hey Maury. Long time (BLEEP) listener, first-time (BLEEP) caller. Love your (BLEEP) show. I'm sittin' down to a (BLEEP) danish and an awesome (BLEEP) espresso."
"Glad to hear it. Breakfast is just so great, isn' it?"
(BLEEP) A, Maury. It's like the (BLEEP) best"
"Thanks, Vincent. Now let's hear from Jack in Iowa...."
June 24, 2007
Globe Trottin'
Goofing with photoshop....
Meanwhile, in Decatur...
Hope he has his green card.
June 25, 2007
Poetry Corner
PRAYER OF THE SELFISH CHILD
by Shel Silverstein
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
And if I die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my toys to break.
So none of the other kids can use 'em....
Amen
June 27, 2007
Book Cover Idea
If Stipe ever does a memoir....
June 28, 2007
Poetry Corner
THE SITTER
by Shel Silverstein
Mrs. McTwitter the baby sitter,
I thinks she's a little bit crazy.
She thinks a baby-sitter's supposed
To sit upon the baby.
July 2, 2007
Book Cover Idea
I'd love to read a revisionist "Alice in Wonderland" where the Madhatter was totally misunderstood and "sweet" Alice turns out to be a twisted vanity-monger.
July 4, 2007
Poetry Corner
HOW NOT TO HAVE TO DRY THE DISHES
by Shel Silverstein
If you have to dry the dishes
(Such an awful, boring chore)
If you have to dry he dishes
('Stead of going to the store)
If you have to dry the dishes
And you drop one on the floor-
Maybe they won't let you
Dry the dishes any more.
231 Years Young
Caricatures of a few of my favorite historical Americans:George Washington, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton and Robert E. Lee.
I hope you get a chance to sit down and consider what a miraculous country we are privileged to call home. Happy birthday, America.
July 5, 2007
Movie Poster Idea
July 6, 2007
With Apologies to Mr. Kane...
I've always thought Bruce Wayne's alter-ego was a bit goofier than originally intended...
July 7, 2007
Introducing...
CONRAD THRASH, INTER-GALACTIC BOUNTY HUNTER...
July 8, 2007
Somewhere in Iowa...
None of the townspeople could quite remember when they last saw a crow....
July 10, 2007
Nuthin' But Luv.....
When she's not bitch-slapping some security guard in D.C., Georgia's Cynthia McKinney enjoys rollerblading, horseback riding and scouring the streets of Atlanta for the next juicy conspiracy theory.
July 13, 2007
Book Cover Idea
A little fun with my Cheney caricature....
PS...Any ideas out there for any of my past caricatures paired with a well-known book title?
Darts Anyone?
I'm looking to start a dart team.
July 14, 2007
Illustration
This was a proposed August 2006 schedule cover for a local dance company.
July 17, 2007
Poetry Corner
ROCKABYE
by Shel Silverstein
Rockabye baby in the treetop
Don't you know a treetop
Is no safe place to rock?
And who put you up there,
And your cradle, too?
Baby, I think someone down here's
Got it in for you.
CD Cover
This was a cover proposal for a local band called Das BoomHair. Featuring Les Thanaverage on pan flute.
July 21, 2007
Cover Illustration
A while back, Allen and I were asked to do an illustration celebrating Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" for The Intellectual Activist. After we batted around a few ideas, we decided this was a good way to go. I'm a huge fan of Rand's literary work (though NOT a devout Objectivist) and this project turned out to be quite a challenge. We got a kick out of trying to re-intrepet a fascinating metaphor for individualistic freedom
July 24, 2007
Meanwhile, at Macy's...
This is an example of a drawing style I was goofing around with a few years ago.
July 30, 2007
Comic Relief
August 1, 2007
Promo Idea
Thought this was a decent web illustration for a local radio blowhard here in Atlanta.
August 5, 2007
WarCraft Blog Banner
Daniel Howell runs BigRedKitty for gamers with a medieval bent. Luckily, Daniel does it all with a dwarf hunter's portion of humor.
August 6, 2007
SEETHE: PART IV
Beyond the Octoroon Splinter, the Nefarini cast a formidable shadow of eternal hatred over human space. Were it not for the Galathan Ultimatum, Second Incinerator Stark would have passed on negotiating with these vile creatures and spent a long SolSpan in Sector Azurine.
August 8, 2007
Poetry Corner
FANCY DIVE
by Shell Silverstein
The fanciest dive that ever was dove
Was done by Melissa of Coconut Grove,
She bounced on the board and flew into the air
With a twist of her head and twirl of her hair
She did thirty-four jackknives, backflipped and spun,
Quadruple-gainered, and reached for the sun,
And then somersaulted nine times and a quarter-
And looked down and saw that the pool had no water.
August 9, 2007
Book Cover Idea
I'm thinking this is a Crichton thriller where quantum physicists discover an ancient conspiracy that reveals the REAL reason why organic food costs more than canned food. Mayhem ensues.
August 17, 2007
Movie Poster Idea
I think this could be a Wes Craven flick about Scientology and its strangle-hold on the shoe industry.
August 19, 2007
RUMMY"S WORLD
Now that it's been a few months since Rumsfeld has been out of the D.C. Shuck 'N' Jive Show, I"m having a hard time imagining him spending his days doing sodoku puzzles, finishing off a pot of Badger Breath herbal tea.
August 20, 2007
Introducing...
Part-time A/C repairman, Nick Webb rolls through the city's underbelly, scratching it and making it belch.
August 23, 2007
This Is Not an Apple
Been reading up on Rene Magritte lately....
August 26, 2007
Aphorism This!
September 10, 2007
CD Cover
This would be the first CD release by a North Carolina acoustic country trio that melded the raw heartache of Patsy Cline with the melodic soulfulness of Otis Redding.
September 11, 2007
T-Shirt Design
This is a little thing I did for a local tavern that's celebrating 25 years of business here in Decatur. You can bet they'll get the fee I received right back.
September 21, 2007
Book Cover Idea
This could be a story (taking place during Napoleon's campaign in Spain) about an old warhorse gone AWOL who disovers what life is like on the farm where he was born.
September 29, 2007
Page 4 of "Matamoros Project"
HERE WE GO: It's happening. I've stuck my toe into the comic book world along with two writers from Philadelphia and this is just a sample. It's a tale of GOOD vs EVIL and how a U.S. soldier makes his way through it. I'm in the midst of creating this 30 page story and a publishing date is imminant. STAY TUNED for all the glorious tidbits forthcoming. If you were ever curious about what a John Cox book would look like....here ya go.
Learn a little more about this project here.
October 10, 2007
Poetry Corner
I actually wrote a clean limerick. Why do limericks readily lend themselves to deviant verse?
Give-away Special!
Any angry, ill-informed white guys out there with blog aspirations? Here ya go, compliments of the house.
UPDATE: Congratulations Snowdog! Glad to see it out there. Hope you have fun with it.
October 12, 2007
Darts Anyone?
My good friend and fellow darter, Bob Tuchow, asked me to try my hand at creating a logo for a prospective new team we've been talking about. What is a "mook"? Catch us throwing darts some night at Trackside and all your questions will be answered.
October 20, 2007
Book Cover Idea
Played with an original drawing in PhotoShop. This feels like a Richard Ford story of a entomologist's epic fall from grace.
UPDATE: Took a hint from Terwiliger for a new take on the idea. Thanks, T
October 21, 2007
Web Banner Art
A little project i did for Keith Rose and his new site. Looks like fun.
October 27, 2007
CD Cover Idea
Kate Bush
Hounds of Love
1985
One of my favorite albums. Sexy, heartbreaking, slightly dark,very moving. I'd love to get hold of a digital re-mastering of this.
November 2, 2007
Newspaper Cover
This is the kind of work I do for Allen Forkum's newspaper, Automotive Report. If I can make this car stuff look interesting, my job is done.
November 14, 2007
Book Cover Idea
This would be a collection of personal anecdotes revolving around what people were into during the summer of '74.
As for me, I was ten. I was into little league baseball, Cosby albums and listening to Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon".
November 27, 2007
Tabloid Idea
I don't think radical Islam has enough leverage in western media....
December 15, 2007
LINE 1
Alexander the Great
December 18, 2007
Story Idea
This is an early attempt at telling a science fiction tale about an intergalactic census taker. A protege discovers his mentor is utterly lost among the vast star systems and the only clues to his whereabouts are these sketches and notations from a book found at his last known location.
The tiny scraps of writing are his personal notes on the flora and fauna of his last assignment.
The whole book is a compendium of the census taker's interplanetary missions.
December 24, 2007
Season's Greetings From An Undisclosed Location
Lifting an eggnog and Jack to all the gang....May the Holidays find you healthy and inspired!
December 25, 2007
Battle Ground 3217
General Khorxak couldn't stand having to take out The Frontier, but there he was, having to face the brutal Colorado National Guard....AGAIN!
December 26, 2007
Illustration Gig
Just finished this for Latino, a brand new magazine that will emphasize social and cultural news for the U.S.-Latino audience. They bought this for their piece on the future of Cuba.
January 1, 2008
Banner Rough
Martin Lindeskog hired me to do his blog banner for his site,http://egoist.blogspot.com/. I thought it might be interesting to show the steps in its production.
This is the sketch I came up with after having read his suggestions.
January 2, 2008
Step 2: Blog Banner in Progress
I establish where the black tones (cityscape and other details) are in relation to the "finished" color pencil outline of the figures.
January 6, 2008
God's Candidate
SAYS MIKE HUCKABEE.....
"There's only one explanation for it, and it's not a human one. It's the same power that helped a little boy with two fish and five loaves feed a crowd of five thousand people. And that's the only way that our campaign could be doing what it's doing".
There you have it, ladies and gentiles. This shmuck has the audacity to compare a Jesus miracle with a pointless vanity project in Iowa.
If he wins in New Hampshire, atheism here I come.
January 10, 2008
Illustration Gig
This is the 8" x 8" color rough for a cover of a book about Esther, the Old Testament queen who saved the Jews from extermination in ancient Persia. I'll show the finished piece later on.
NOTE: You may recognize the "Esther" from an earliler piece.
January 12, 2008
Blog Idea
This blog would feature three sorority sisters with contrasting view points on campus life. There's Yvette, the darkly-clad pessimist in her third year of Icelandic poetry studies. There's Claire, the dance major who wants to treat the sick in Rowanda. And there's Jane, the 5-year arts grad student who is world-weary, yet passionate.
Each Thursday they tackle a local issue that MUST BE ADDRESSED. Or maybe they swap cookie recipes.....
A List...
1. A bowl of glass shards in the morning is a real eye-opener,
2. Jack Bauer can kiss my ass.
3. It's better to pull your own wisdom teeth. And your tonsils....as long as
you're back there.
4. Women love it when use cologne in your jockeys.
January 14, 2008
Media Alert!
I was alerted by my Florida friend and fellow artist, Steve Mcafee, that he MAY have seen a snatch of my work on......wait for it.....the COLBERT REPORT. I was told I could catch the re-run and try to verify what he saw.
I was unable to be near a t.v at the Jan. 11 8:30 showing, so I called Allen Forkum to see if he could either watch the re-run and tell me what he saw (he could recognize the work) or maybe tape it and send me an image.
Well, here it is. Neat, huh?
Three questions....
1. Which Mid-Eastern paper ripped me off and (2) does Comedy Central know THEY didn't do the art?
3. Am I disturbed that the drawing possibly helped the enemy?
Kinda of weird....
Check the Cox and Forkum "Newsmaker Caricatures" archive and you can see the Clinton and Obama caricatures the newspaper stole.
January 19, 2008
Illustration Job
This is a cover I did for Allen Forkum's Automotive Report newspaper in Nashville. The news item was about how mechanics must deal with future technological developments in the automotive industry.
January 26, 2008
CD Cover Idea
This could a compilation of cutting-edge ring tones.
January 27, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I thought it would be fun to illustrate a King cover. This story would be about a mute Holiday Inn housekeeper whose psychic abilities help the local police track down a demon-possessed '78 AMC Pacer.
January 29, 2008
Dart Team Logo
This is my second shot at trying to nail our team logo.
January 31, 2008
Illustration Job
This is artwork for Mitchell Halvorsen's boat and his crew. It happens to be based on another design of mine.
February 10, 2008
Esther Cover
This is the final art I submitted to the publisher. You may remember the color rough I did a few weeks back (January 10th post). The differences are interesting I think.
February 13, 2008
Illustration Job-part 2
The art director and I decided to tweak the cover illustration. Thank goodness I beat the deadline by a few days so I could have a chance at making changes.
February 21, 2008
Wine Label Design: Part 1
I've been commissioned to illustrate a wine label for a tiny private vineyard in California. I'll add an appropriate visual with it later on, but for now, I wanted to establish the look and feel for the project by nailing the Dark Horse logo first.
February 23, 2008
Illustration Gig
This the work I did for Allen Forkum's Automotive Report this month. It was kind of tricky NOT making these people resemble a celebrity.
February 24, 2008
Wine Label Illustration: Part 2
I sent along three illustrations to the vineyard owner and this is the one he chose. I love how these projects pop up out of the most unexpected places.
There Will be Oscars
Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood" features this years's best (STUNNING, I say) acting performance by Daniel Day-Lewis. Watch this film and try not to be awed by the complete immersion of an actor into his craft. I dare ya.....
February 27, 2008
JACKET ART
Cool little job for Richard B., motorcycle enthusiast.
March 4, 2008
Once Upon an Afternoon...
Did I ever tell you the one about the dragon exiled by his idiot cousins?
March 7, 2008
Movie Poster Idea
I don't know who's in this one, but Charlize Theron ain't.
March 8, 2008
Out Post Q17: GARTREFLON SYSTEM
KEEPING AN EYE ON THE DARWEEN WASTES FOR THE THURZALID HORDE WAS ZVELF'S LITTLE HOBBY. IF NOTHING ELSE, HE ENJOYED THE SOLITUDE OF VELBEK'S CRATER
March 9, 2008
Palace Painter, Upland Forge
Grand Vizeer Grimash XXI (U. Forge, StarDate 3371)
wax on silk
Not much is known about artist Upland Forge. Known for his demented forays into color theory and inventing the color "Bleen", this painting of his father-in-law was his last masterwork before vanishing into the Omega Barrier with nothing but a desk lamp and a tub of margarine.
March 18, 2008
A Little Shout Out
Been reading Grouchy Old Cripple . Funny @#%$!
Beyond Memory
THE SEA WAS CALM, BUT RATHBRAZE WAS NOT...
March 20, 2008
Illustration Gig
This the latest cover I did for Automotive Report, Allen Forkum's newspaper in Nashville.
March 24, 2008
SALUD!
How cool is this? Thanks, Allen. I'll be toasting your efforts tonight!
(You can see the original art on the FEB 24 "illustrations archives" post.)
March 25, 2008
Illustration Gig: The Intellectual Activist Cover
The feature story by Robert Tracinski deals with the "Clintzilla vs.Obambi" myth.
March 27, 2008
AUCTION!: How Would You Like To Have.....
This is NOT a goof.
I'm auctioning a fun-filled day here in Decatur, Ga, with a goofy-ass cartoonist/painter (me) that includes (for that ONE lucky individual):
*An art lesson or two, if you like.
*Dinner at my favorite French restaurant. ($75-$125)
*Drinks at my favorite watering hole. ($50-?)
*Showing you around my favorite city in the world. (cost, no problem...)
*Owning your choice of any original oil painting from my studio. ($800-$1,100?)
*AND and an original color caricature of you that is yours to take home. ($100)
BIDS WILL BE POSTED ONLY AT THIS POST'S COMMENT THREAD. I WILL IGNORE PRIVATE OFFERS AT MY E-MAIL ADDRESS.
The only stipulation is you'll cover travel costs and hotel costs. I'll pay for any shipping the art may require.
PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT for charity. It's just a wild idea I had and I wondered if there are any brave, art-loving souls out there looking for a fun adventure.
Bid will start at $200 (with $10 increments or higher) and run from tonight until midnight Thursday, April 3. I will notify highest bidder of the results and if that person is unable to follow through, then I'll take the next highest bidder, and so on....This is based on notification of highest bid being actually paid.
I'm curious what occurs.....aren't you?
Good luck!
March 31, 2008
Illustration Job
I was hired recently to do caricatures for a book club's calendar gift that features Austen, Shakespeare, Wolff and Vonnegut.
April 2, 2008
The Chronicles of Thalbane: Part XXIII
The ship was doomed and the crew knew it. Having to thread the Straits of Slagash during the winter typhoons was like....like...CRAP, thought Thalbane. WHEN ARE WE EVER GOING TO INVENT METAPHORS?
April 3, 2008
Illustration Job
This is an upcoming cover for Robert Tracinski's "The Intellectual Activist"magazine. The feature story is about Barak Obama's array of political stances.
UPDATE ON AUCTION: A little reminder that the bidding for a dinner and artwork ends tonight at midnight tonight. PLEASE LEAVE BIDS ON THE ORIGINAL AUCTION POST COMMENTS THAT APPEARED MARCH 27..
April 4, 2008
THIS JUST IN...
It looks like Roger Parian squeaked in the last bid for "Dinner With Me" at 11:58 pm Thursday, April 3 and will be my guest in Decatur! Congrats!
And a special shout-out goes to George for kicking off this auction and being so enthusiastic about the whole process. George will be receiving a signed book for all his effort and hearty thanks from me for all the kind words.
If this works out, I'm sure I'll be doing this stunt again.
April 15, 2008
CD Cover Idea
This would be the first CD release from an Egyptian soul band that did Nine Inch Nail covers.
April 16, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I'd get a big kick out of illustrating a "tell-all" reference book that outed the Boogie Man, Loch Ness Monster, Moderate Muslims, etc.....
April 17, 2008
Small Gig
This was an identity image I did for Michelle and Marcie Phillips, a local graphic design team I happen to meet over a beer a while back.
May 1, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I think this could be a cover for a collection of Indonesian poetry that focuses on nature and holistic lawn-care.
May 8, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I thought it would be fun to do a cover illustration for one of my all-time favorite novels. I only wish Toole would have stuck around longer. Can you imagine what fun he would have had lampooning the characters of post-Katrina New Orleans?
May 14, 2008
Fantasy Cover
Doing a little daydreaming about an ultimate cover gig. Looks possible, doesn't it?
If you can think of a title for the piece, let 'er rip.
May 17, 2008
Where The Magic Happens....
This is my workspace. There are many like it but this one is mine. My workspace is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my workspace is useless. Without my workspace I am useless. I must paint true. I must paint better than my enemy, who is trying to dis me. I must up-stage him before he up-stages me. I will. Before God I swear this creed: my workspace and myself are defenders of my country, we are the masters of my critics, we are the saviors of my life. So be it, until there is no cynicism left, but contentment. Amen
May 19, 2008
Book Cover Idea
Again, playing with the idea of illustrating some of the books that had a substantial effect on my "world view". Not necessarily my favorite Heinlein book, but it was the one that turned me into a huge fan. Totally knocked me out.
Just started "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" today.
May 23, 2008
CD Cover Idea
"Ancestry: Part XII" would be a musical ensemble based on Celtic and Morrocan rhythms that explore themes of resurrection, hope and affordable housing.
May 24, 2008
Illustration Gig
This is a little job I did for Allen Forkum's "Automotive Report", trying to get the idea of "more advertising is good" across to his automotive industry costumers.
May 30, 2008
Book Cover Idea
This is another fantasy illustration of a book that rocked me. I read it for the first time when I was 24 years old and it changed my politics FOREVER.
Illustration Gig
Worked with Allen Forkum again for the cover his Nashville paper, Automotive Report.
June 3, 2008
One Trip Arond the Sun Later.....
Hey y'all! It's a year to the day since I posted my first big hello to the blogship. Over 500 posts later and I've come to the conclusion that the Post-Cox and Forkum Era wasn't about apathy and regret. Quite the opposite! It's been wildly entertaining getting to know (and meet!) you guys. The fact there seems to be a tight little group of viewers who dig the ricochet nature of this site has been very, very heart-warming. Many, many thanks.
Keep those comments coming and let's do another round, eh?
June 7, 2008
Comic Book Idea
I'm not exactly sure of the storyline, but I'm thinking it involves alot of clandestine wheeling-and-dealing....AND AWESOME BELLY BLOWS!!
June 8, 2008
Zee Lone Saucier
DEEP IN THE BOWELS OF THE CORDON BLEU, JEAN-CLAUDE ANXIOUSLY LURKS, WAITING UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT TO BURST INTO THE KITCHEN TO SAVE A WOEFUL HOLLANDAISE.
June 15, 2008
Book Cover Idea
This was a fun read. Espionage and such. I've had this idea of using my photos of reference material and an actual chess board I designed. A little Photoshop....TA DAAH!
June 20, 2008
DARK CONTINENT
8" x 11"
mixed media
June 21, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I did another fantasy illustration of one of my favorite books. Poignant and bitterly funny, this was published in 1969, so it is rife with "free love" and what a pain in the ass it is.
June 25, 2008
Movie Poster Idea
The 1987 release (Wim Wenders) is utterly sublime.
June 28, 2008
CD Cover Idea
Released in "85, this is my favorite Tom Waits album and I thought I'd bring up to date with my style of photoshop design.
Photo credit belongs to my friend, Steve McAfee.
July 4, 2008
Happy Birthday, Ya'll!
My religion... INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
My bible...THE CONSTITUTION
My church...AMERICA
Party on!
July 5, 2008
Now you know...
July 6, 2008
Book Cover Idea
AAAaaaye, m' heartys! This is my updated cover illustration of one of my favorite classic sea novels. Long before there was a flitty, spastic Jack Sparrow, there was a wiley, bloody Long John Silver.
July 8, 2008
Illustration Gig
I was asked by Michelle Rougier to do the poster for the play she is directing in Alabama. It's a very stark production and we thought the artwork should get across some of the foreboding in Arthur Miller's classic play.
NOTE: The playdates are going to be added by their in-house production.
July 11, 2008
Illustration Gig
This is a recent illustration job for Allen Forkum's "Automotive Report". The cover story is about how mechanics can trim waste and benefit from leaner business practices.
July 12, 2008
Let There Be Cocktails
Here's to a long life and a merry one,
A quick death and an easy one,
A pretty girl and a true one,
A cold martini and another one.
(Thought I'd have a little fun with the Sistine Chapel....)
July 14, 2008
HUNTING SEASON ON MEADOWBROOK LANE
July 18, 2008
Wonders of Nature
A rare sight: a swarm of peanutbutterandjellyfish
July 21, 2008
Uh...There's a new movie out?
Had a little fun with the "Dark Knight" hoopla....
Indecision '08
These guys are racing to the center so fast I fully expect a head-on collision of such mythic proportions that you might see them share DNA.
July 22, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I like to read this one about once a year. It serves as a reminder that childhood and later life is fraught with wonderful (and scary) moral choices.
July 24, 2008
Going to Finish
This is the final for that pencil I did about a week ago. I got a kick out of how they just cut me loose on this and kept all the nuances I suggested.
July 28, 2008
Book Cover Idea
A collection of tall tales about a certified nut bag.
August 3, 2008
Book Cover Idea
Not a particularly fabulous book, but it certainly is my favorite King novel. Really wanted to play with the crow image.
"Baby, can you dig your man?"
August 10, 2008
Olympics Poster Idea
I was interested in producing an image that had less flash and more heart than the spiffy ones I've seen so far.
And did anyone else out there think that the opening ceremony in Beijing seemed creepy? Having tens of thousands of citizens perform like soulless cogs in a jaw-dropping pageant DID NOT uplift my spirit.
August 12, 2008
Book Cover Idea
And you thought The Razor's Edge was sad....
August 15, 2008
Illustration Gig
The good people at LATINO MAGAZINE had me do this one for their enlightening article about Hugo "Hugo-rilla" Chavez and his self-righteous delusions of victimhood.
You can check my Dec. 26, 2007 post to see the first illustration I did for them.
August 20, 2008
Illustration Gig
Allen Forkum's art design/my illustration for Allen's recent cover of Automotive Report.
August 22, 2008
Book Cover Idea
John Gardner's "Grendel" (1971) is the Beowulf saga told from the monster's point of view.
August 23, 2008
Movie Poster Idea
August 26, 2008
Just an observation...
September 4, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I thought it would be fun to do this cover for "Bullet Park"(1969), a novel about suburban angst and amorality among a neighborhood's cocktail set.
September 9, 2008
EXIT LIGHT
Had this guy stomping around in my dreams a couple nights back.
September 19, 2008
Avast, me hearty!
Today be Talk Like a Pirate Day. Hoist a tankard of the wench's fine grog and set to talkin' like a salty dog whose booty lay under Davy Jones' locker. May a fair wind foller ye!
September 24, 2008
Comic Book Cover
Burrowing into the putrid underbelly of Stankville, Flinchy the Clown breaks up the black market falafel ring.
September 25, 2008
Look! A Real Gig!
Along with Allen Forkum's stellar design sense, this is my illustration for his paper's October issue cover. It made my "Top Five Faves".
October 2, 2008
Book Cover Idea
I've been reading up on mental disorders * NO YOU HAVEN'T, YOU POMPOUS LIAR,*...shut up...and I came up with this visual.*GOD HELP US.*
October 7, 2008
Book Cover Idea
The host of "The New Yankee Workshop" carves a roman a clef that gives new meaning to "dovetail joint". Bob Vila is not happy.
October 8, 2008
Illustration Gig
I had a ball mimicking the old Moaist posters for Tracinski's mag.
October 20, 2008
IT'S BEEN THE RUIN OF MANY A YOUNG MAN....
HEY, ya'll. Been out of town for the last four days. Did the Big Easy. I'll get 'er going IMMEDIATELY. Stay tuned.....
October 24, 2008
Book Cover Idea
October 27, 2008
Illustration Gig
This is my illustration for Allen Forkum's Automotive Report. It's an ad for his paper that reminds his customers how rough economic times require aggressive advertising to keep up with the competition.
October 30, 2008
Illustration Gig
October 31, 2008
Trick or.....WHA?
Crazy Nude Baghead Guy would drop by on Halloween in my old neighborhood and I'd give him a couple of airline bottles of Jim Beam and call 911.....just in case.
November 1, 2008
Album Cover Idea
Back in '75 I was eleven years old. I was listening to standard AM pop. Pink Floyd WAS NOT on my radar.
But later in high school, this album knocked me out. To this day, "THEY" are trying to get me to change heroes for ghosts....hot ashes for trees.
November 3, 2008
Book Cover Idea
UPDATE: NOV. 15, 1877...
TURNS OUT THAT THE LOCAL VAGABONDS PREFER GROUND CAT MEAT OVER PUREE OF SILVERFISH. MUST TRY ADDING GLASS SHARDS TO BATCH #51 AND OBSERVE ANY CHANGES.
November 5, 2008
Illustration Gig:
This is an upcoming magazine cover I did for Robert Tracinski's The Intellectual Activist. The main article is a discussion on how Marxism is creeping into mainstream America.
NOTE: The wall space under the graffiti is where additional copy goes.
November 15, 2008
Book Cover Idea
This is my illustration for Ray Bradbury's classic cautionary tale of censorship and creative oppression. Published in 1953, it still resonates to this day.
November 20, 2008
Illustration Gig:
November 23, 2008
CD Cover Idea
Watched "Immortal Beloved" recently. Gary Oldman is terrific as Ludwig Van Beethoven. And of course, the music is profound and utterly monumental.
November 26, 2008
Thursday Bloody Thursday
I like my holidays like I like my turkey meat: dark.
December 4, 2008
Book Cover Idea
This is my idea of up-dating a cover illustration for an all-time classic.
December 11, 2008
Interactive CD Idea....
SECOND INCINERATOR STARK PLUNGES INTO THE XANKHA UNDERWORLD TO UNRAVEL FAMILY SECRETS...
December 15, 2008
Theater Poster Idea
Had fun taking the famous Portrait of a Man by Raphael and giving it the ol' Photoshop treatment.
January 4, 2009
CD Cover Idea
Been diggin' on Talking Heads "Little Creatures" (1985). The last cut is "Road to Nowhere" which seems poignant these days. Overall, though, it sounds and feels like a party album.
January 10, 2009
Illustration Gig:
I was asked to design and illustrate this logo for the band Lag Wolf. They described their music as "heavy metal-country".
Illustration Gig:
This is a pencil rough for Allen Forkum's "Automotive Report" this month. Once we both agree this is the way to go, I'll turn this humble scramble of pencil lines into a ravishing watercolor illustration.
I'll post the finished art soon.
January 12, 2009
Illustration Gig: Automotive Report Cover (finish)
From pencil rough to finished watercolor illustration...
January 15, 2009
A little exercise...
I thought it might be fun to reproduce a Guido Reni rendition of St. Paul using a trompe l'oeil theme and a bit of Photoshop.
Even when I'm not working on a paying gig, I find it extremely helpful to mess around with classic images to stay sharp and possibly pick up a trick or two.
February 10, 2009
Damned Yankee
February 12, 2009
Book Cover Idea
February 19, 2009
Book Cover Idea
One of my all-time favorite novels about individual responsibility and the courage to pursue one's bliss.
February 21, 2009
Story book idea
This is more than an idea. More like a personal dare. I'm actually gonna try to write and illustrate this one myself.
February 24, 2009
Illustration Gig
This is the March cover for Allen Forkum's "Automotive Report".
March 12, 2009
OUT OF HABIT
Digital Illustration
I combined a figure study (oil on masonite) I did a while back with a wall texture I found in a book about the ruins of Pompeii. I played with the light intensity and the shadow depth to emphasize the emotional impact.. Too bad it's not on canvas.
March 25, 2009
Automotive Report Cover
This is the April cover I illustrated for Allen Forkum's Nashville paper.
March 28, 2009
Illustration Gig
This is a pencil rough that will be turned into a full color illustration for the next issue of Latino magazine. After submitting three different illustration ideas, this lay-out was the one that worked best. I'll post the finished piece soon.
April 1, 2009
Product Gig
I just finalized a deal with the folks in Beijing to sell 1.2 million of these t-shirts in the Forbidden City this summer. What can I say? I finally caught a break. Apparently, they're big fans of my work and were looking for something new and catchy to offer in their souvenir shops.
April 3, 2009
Illustration Gig
Philip Chalk (design director) at The Weekly Standard used my caricature of Ayatollah Khamenei in this week's issue (page 13).
April 16, 2009
Book Cover Idea
April 25, 2009
Book Cover Idea
April 26, 2009
Book Cover Idea
This is a take-off on an actual satiric novel written by Jimmy Breslin in 1969. The contemporary symbols are mine.
May 15, 2009
Book Cover Idea
May 20, 2009
Automotive Report Cover
This is the new cover I illustrated for Allen Forkum's paper.
May 22, 2009
Book Cover Idea
May 27, 2009
Comic Book Cover Idea...
June 1, 2009
Movie Poster Idea
Goofin' around in Photoshop....
June 6, 2009
Book Cover Idea
Combined a landscape photo with my automaton illustration to re-imagine a cover for a classic sci-fi collection of short stories by Isaac Asimov.
June 7, 2009
CD Cover Idea
This is no band I know of specifically. Just a good name for a band that does dark, electronic pop.
June 8, 2009
Meanwhile, the Armadarians gather....
June 14, 2009
Illustration Gig
This is an upcoming cover for Quality Paperback Book Club. They're showcasing Shakespeares's comedies.
June 21, 2009
Illustration Gig
I did this for the recent issue of Latino Magazine.
June 26, 2009
Book Cover Idea
This would be a story how three generations of the Gundersons experienced military life through the '60's, '80's and now.
July 1, 2009
Illustration Gig
This is the recent cover illustration I did for Allen Forkum's "Automotive Report".
July 6, 2009
Book Cover Idea
July 7, 2009
Illustration Gig: Rough to Finished Art
Recently finished this job for Direct Brands. The art director took my original pencil rough and played with it in Photoshop to give me an idea of the final design incorporating the cover graphics. From there I can go to finish and make the illustration as eye-catching as possible.
July 10, 2009
Illustration Gig
This the work I did for Automotive Report, August issue. I was asked to go for Flagg's take on Uncle Sam.
July 16, 2009
CD Cover Idea
July 22, 2009
Let's check in with...
7:30 AM, LAST TUESDAY.
MELLISSA LOOPNER TOLD ME THAT TIA KUPCHEK IS BLEACHING HER PUBES!! I KNOW MELISSA HAS GYM CLASS WITH HER, SO SHE CAN'T BE MAKING IT UP.
TOTALLY GROSS!!
July 24, 2009
Book Cover Idea
In 1994,Christopher Buckley inflicted his satiric wit on the cigarette industry. I just finished reading this novel. Very, very funny. Very dark.
This is an illustration I constructed from a photo I took and then messed with in Photoshop.
August 4, 2009
Graphic Novel Cover Idea...
August 8, 2009
Let's check in with...
THUSDAY, at lunch
Mary Carapoulis sneezed on Jeffrey Balco's tuna and peanut butter sandwich. She told me she's allergic....to certain cooties incubating on a certain boy who is so utterly unpopular that her nasal passages flare into a snotty rage.
August 11, 2009
Book Cover Idea
August 14, 2009
Illustration Gig
This is a real book cover for a work on how the free market is having a hard time catching on in Russia.
August 16, 2009
Old School: Dispute
I came across a few baseball pieces I did a few years ago and I think they have a certain romance and nostalgia that is refreshing.
This is the first of four pieces I did based on America's Pastime. Look for the rest of them this week.
August 17, 2009
Old School: Thievery
10" x 8.5
print
This is the second piece of a series on baseball I did a few years back.
August 18, 2009
Old School: Stretch
10" x 8.5
print
This is the third piece of a series on baseball I did a few years ago.
August 19, 2009
Old School: Wet One
10" x 8.5"
print
Fourth and last piece in this baseball series I did a few years ago.
AUCTION!
I thought this group of work would be fun to offer up. Please note that the pieces are laser prints and ARE NOT MATTED AND FRAMED. I just wanted to show what they could look like on a den wall.
The bids are for all FOUR pieces only. Please, no offers for individual pieces.
SPECIAL NOTE: There are no reproductions of these prints. This collection is the whole sh-bang.
(from top left, going clock-wise)
Old School: Wet One (10" x 8.5", laser print), signed by artist
Old School: Stretch (10" x 8.5", laser print), signed by artist
Old School: Dispute (10" x 8.5", laser print), signed by artist
Old School: Thievery (10" x 8.5", laser print), signed by artist
ALL BIDS SHOULD BE POSTED ON THIS SPECIFIC COMMENT THREAD
AUCTION BIDDING STARTS AT $190.00
PLEASE BID IN INCREMENTS OF $10.00 ($10, $20, $30....etc)
AUCTION ENDS THIS SATURDAY, AUG. 22, AT NOON, EST.
(the official time is the time stamp on my comments thread)
Hope you guys have fun with this and good luck!
August 25, 2009
Afghansitan: Too Expensive?
I wanted to do this illustration to present a tough question: Is our interest in Afghanistan beyond current American financial practicality? Your thoughts.....
I've Been Tubed!!
It seems a clever song parody on YouTube included my caricature of Obama. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IQSbJUj7u8
Weird.....
September 9, 2009
Book Cover Idea
I'm certain there are gazillion books on American architecture, but I was fooling around with this illustration and thought it might make a neat cover.
September 17, 2009
Book Cover Idea
Page 1 goes like this:
DEVON WENT A-WALKING
TO SEE WHAT HE COULD DRAW
HE HAD A SIMPLE PLAN TO SKETCH
EVERYTHING HE SAW.
If you think you can maintain the rhyme scheme and rhythm, contirbute a verse! (HINT: the more visual, the better.)
ANOTHER HINT: Keep it to ONE verse so the story path seems a bit more random. It develops breathing space for the next one. HEE HEE!
September 20, 2009
Book Cover Idea
The first paragraph goes like this:
I have to admit, it was beautiful. The spit-shined soldiers doffed their black peaked caps just like they were ordered to, exposing their razor-cut pates to the gentle rain. The lacrimose bureaucrats, shuffling along the parapet with a studied pathos, mumbled among themselves about the latest poll numbers burning a hole in the front pages. And there I was, an old anarchist who knew too much and cared too little, sprawled on the marbled steps of St. Stephen's, leaking blood in artful pools amid shattered limbs no one was going to put back together.
September 23, 2009
Book Cover Idea
September 27, 2009
Book Cover Idea
I always thought it was a shame that Toole left us with only one novel while he was alive. His "A Confederacy Of Dunces" is a wonderful comedy classic that follows the hapless (and gaseous) exploits of Ignatius J. Reilly, trouble maker extraordinaire, among the odd-ball environs of New Orleans.
Can you imagine a book where Ignatious is cut loose among the passionate, secretive denizens of Venice? Total chaos.
September 28, 2009
Illustration Gig
This is the October cover I did for Allen Forkum's Automotive Report.
October 7, 2009
Concert Poster Idea
I've been considering a new career path: going on the road with toy pianos doing children's music. Our next gig is at little Tiffany's. She's turning SIX!!
October 14, 2009
Book Cover Idea
A little fun with one of my all-time favorite books. Holden Caulfield is my hero.
October 15, 2009
Tatto Design Commission
A U.S. Army soldier wanted my work on his arm. I created a few designs and this is the one he really liked. I got a kick out the opportunity to do something so permanent.
November 2, 2009
CD Cover Illustration Idea
November 4, 2009
Illustration Gig
This a portion of a double-page illustration I did for LATINO magazine. The headline is: MAKING FRIENDS (subhead): Both the U.S. and Mexico Hope for Better Relations.
November 10, 2009
Comic Book Cover Illustration Idea...
November 14, 2009
Movie Ad Illustration Idea
1N THE YEAR 1247, A YOUNG LONDON BOY IS ACCUSED OF HERESY. HE MUST FACE....
November 22, 2009
Book Cover Illustration Idea
November 24, 2009
Comic Book Cover Illustration Idea...
The evildoer doesn't have a name (yet!).
November 27, 2009
Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 3, 2009
Prospective Automotive Report Cover Illustration
This is an illustration I'm doing for Allen Forkum's Nashville paper (minus the graphics). The article is called "The Year in Quotes".
December 7, 2009
Book Cover Gig
Mr. Dodge contracted me to illustrate and design the cover for his new book.
December 11, 2009
Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 15, 2009
Book Cover Illustration Idea
This is something I created using my actual illustrations (man and sledge hammer) combined with some Photoshop magic. "Iron Horse" would be a collection of tall tales from the American frontier.
December 16, 2009
Comic Book Cover Illustration Idea...
December 18, 2009
Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 22, 2009
For kicks...
This is what my illustration would look like on the subway.
December 24, 2009
Christmas is Where You Find It
Have a joyous, inspiring Christmas, y'all.
December 26, 2009
Children's Book Cover Illustration Idea
Magrita thinks she knows what's up in Mr. Hempstead's attic...
December 28, 2009
Children's Book Cover Illustration Idea
December 29, 2009
Here we go again....
It seems my Khamenei caricature was used outside of the Iranian embassy in Paris recently. I swear, this caricature has more legs than a stampede.
Hat-tip to Dan McAllister for bringing this to my attention.
January 2, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 4, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 5, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 9, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 10, 2010
Magazine Cover Illustration Idea
January 14, 2010
Illustration Gig
I was asked to do the cover art for Andrew Ian Dodge's new book,"And Glory".
The year is 2034. Power lies in Europe with the bureaucrats in Brussels and London is the centre for the Western Provinces.
The Supremo Manipulator of this conglomerate of nations is Pius, with no religious connections and a diminishing hold on power the Union is sustained by nepotism, violence and musical chairs of political appointees. The disintegration of the Union is imminent.
Rob, an English tech nerd together with his accomplice David, have to use their cyborg intelligence to survive in this oppressive Euro society in the Western Provinces. The assassination of Teresa, Rob's girlfriend, and a busload of tourists along with the murder of a Czech student at Hull European University, provide the catalyst for Rob and David's dangerous involvement. Together with their minders, Michaela and Kiara, they head full speed into their deadly adventure. Death is catching.
With a touch of humour, a satirical political edge, characters that you come to know well and a flowing writing style take the reader through a techno thriller deep into the 21st century. We see the ambivalence of the revolutionaries, who never intended serious action, faced with orders to destroy and kill. Europe will never be the same again …
January 19, 2010
illustration Gig
This the February cover for Allen Forkum's Automotive Report. The cover article is about how vendors work to bring shops unique services and products.
January 24, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
January 26, 2010
Illustration Gig
Mr. Rye commissioned me to to design and illustrate the banner for his new blog. He suggested a particular direction and I just ran with it.
By the way, look up the word "ketosis". You'll find it to be a hint of where he's going with the blog.
NOTE: IF THERE'S ANYBODY OUT THERE WHO'D LIKE THIS KIND OF WORK FOR THEIR OWN BLOG, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I'M HAPPY TO KICK IN ON YOUR PROJECT FOR $100.
February 5, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
February 10, 2010
Illustration Gig: Pencil Rough
This is the pencil rough for Allen Forkum's Automotive Report issue for March. The cover article considers the ramifications of the shift from state regulation to federal regulation in the insurance industry.
From this stage, I'll get input from the art director and go to finish later on today.
Went to finish
The art director and I decided this piece could have an editorial feel if I used a pen and ink technique. It's not the full color cover they usually use, yet the boldness of the inkwork holds up nicely.
February 20, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
February 22, 2010
Comic Book Cover Illustration Idea...
February 28, 2010
Magazine Cover Illustration Idea
March 3, 2010
Book Cover Illustration Idea
Carson McCullers' 1940 debut novel is beautiful, darkly-lit story of John Singer, a deaf man searching for meaning in a Georgia mill town.
March 6, 2010
ALPHADANCE
March 9, 2010
Niche TV
About
John Cox is a painter, cartoonist, and illustrator for hire. For information about purchasing existing work or commissioning new work, contact him by e-mail at johncee10 [at] hotmail.com.
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About Illustrations
This page contains an archive of all entries posted to John Cox Art in the Illustrations category. They are listed from oldest to newest.
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