Tradition states that I start each post by begging forgiveness for how long it's been since my last one, followed by a flimsy excuse as to why. And this edition shall be no different. Declare me a slave to formula if you must. Sorry it's been so long. Blame the aliens who took and dissected my brain. I'm certain they did not put it back exactly as they found it. Much has happened since our last torrid affair, my beloved minions. Much that has conspired to consume every tiniest morsel of my time, and coming back for helping after gluttonous helping. But -mostly- delightful things, I assure you. Some things shared, some things yet to be shared. Many of you I've had the opportunity to meet in person, and I have to say that every horrible thing your friends have said about you was greatly exaggerated. I didn't think you smelled like Fritos and farts at all. First, I have been honored with inclusion in Spectrum 17, the universe's premier gallery book, to come out later this year. For more immediate gratification, I'm super doubley honored to have a feature in this month's ImagineFX! Read it. Read it and weep tears of joy!
Chicago Worldwake Prerelease: Though I am not super new to Magic: the Gathering, I'm new to the players. Special thanks to Alan Hochman and Pasttimes Games for being fantastic hosts. This was the first official Magic event I've made it out to. A learning experience, to be sure. I had a great time, and did quite a few playmat sketches and card alters. But none of it would prepare me for... Madrid Magic Grand Prix: I arrived a day early, and met up with the organizers (who did an amazing job, btw,) at a lovely local restaurant called Sagardi. I've been to Madrid twice now, and I'm convinced it must be where good tongues go when they die. Both times, I've had some of the best food of my life. If any of you locals can tell me how Madridzianitelings cook steak, for the love of Xenu's illegitimate twins, share this recipe with me! So far as I can tell, they get a slab of iron red hot, then slap the steak on it for no more than a nano-second for each side. Because the result is a crisp outer layer, with an almost raw interior. Like having crème brulée made of cow. And I must have more. After a jet-lag, meat, and melatonin induced mini-coma, I made a trek out to the Prado Museum. One of the things I dig about European cities, is that you can walk anywhere, and it's already like a museum. Everywhere naked statues, classic architecture, stylish people. In the desolate wasteland I call home, you only walk somewhere if you want: a) Cheap trouser hemming via the friendly neighborhood dogs. b) To smuggle fertilizer to your garden courtesy of the ridiculously abundant number of horses, and their more ridiculously thoughtless owners. c) To end it all and be run down by one of the many prepubescent children obliviously crisscrossing public roads on high-powered four wheelers. d) because there are too many unattended children playing in the street to get your car out of the driveway. Seriously, my neighborhood is like some sort of temporal displacement to 1835. Where the middle of the road is the safest place for children, the best grazing for horses, and the cleanest place to poop. But I digress. What I was getting at is: Europe is awesome. If the end of my street had a statue of Zeus, it would be a matter of hours before the locals put pants and shirt on him, unceremoniously chainsaw-carved the Ten Commandments into his chest, some kid would have broken off and swallowed his garland, there would be tire tracks all over it, and a veritable rainbow of animal droppings would color the marble. I'm digressing again. I'm just more of a city boy, I guess. And European cities rock my pants right off. The Prado was incredible. And massive. Bigger than my big-big thirst for things caffeinated and sugary. I spent about nine hours in there, and I'm pretty sure I still missed half of it. For those of you not lucky enough to have folks buy you a plane ticket just to show up at their event, here's a page full of Prado stuffs: The Prado Museum 
The event itself was unprecedented. 2,227 registered players, plus girlfriends, boyfriends, wanderers, and at least a handful of werewolf tourists. And just two artists to fill the ravenous requests of players who outnumber us in a way that reminds one of King Leonidas and the 300. (Though the players were much, much nicer than Xerxes and company.) Just me and Mark Poole. Who, by the way, is a fantastic chap. I was not prepared for filling the requests of that many players. And, though many a sharpie was worn to a nub, I can't help but feel I left far too many players wanting. For this, my Beloved Madridzian Minions, I apologize. I have learned. At least a little. One of the reasons for my infrequent posts, is that when I have a moment to sit and compose an update, (usually because I've accidentally set another Wacom pen aflame,) I feel I have to write about all my misadventures all the way back to the last post. Which can be a daunting task. Particularly when I have the memory of a brain-damaged alcoholic hamster. So this time, I'll cut things... I can't really say short at this point, can I? But I'll stop for now, leaving you with some new artwork, and some teasers of stories to come. In the next installment, I'll sing ballads of Lafayette, Las Vegas, and Houston. And I'll give you some sneak peek artwork from a potential television series I've done some concepts for. So stay tuned. (Is there a new, more modern equivalent of that phrase?) Oh, upcoming events at the moment: Just the Salt Lake City Kotei: June 26th. And Gen Con. There are a few more up in the air, though. I'll be at San Diego Comic Con, but I don't think I'm going to get a spot on the floor. When I sent in my paperwork, they told me there was a four-year wait. So unless some other artist wants to share or sell their space, I'll be attending as a regular jerk. On to artwork! First, I will lay to rest the rumors that I lost a licorice whip duel to the death with AEG's resident samurai, and thus am not alive enough to contribute artwork to Legend of the Five Rings. (As always, sketches, commentary, merch, and whatnot in the gallery page. Just click. You know you want to. Everyone is doing it.) 
And, I am giddy as a schoolgirl with a liquor lollypop at the tidal wave of requests I've had from Magic players to post the new Friday Night Magic Bloodbraid Elf, and the Rise of the Eldrazi artwork. So here you are, my sorcerous darlings. 
If you're not already part of my mailing list, shame on you. Email me and become an official Beloved Minion. (Beloved Minions get two-for-one drinks at select bars in the afterlife.)
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