December 2009

Season's Greetings

Hope all is well and that you don't receive more than five family Christmas newsletters. I kinda feel they are the modern-day equivalent of the fruit cake.  So if you get one from me stating that "Michael had a awesome time at quilting camp," it's just because I'm trying to go green this holiday season and recycle wherever I can.

I've had a hectic fall, more sketches and concepts than new pieces, but I see that changing over the winter.

A few highlights:

• Had another great time at BangPop! in September and met all kinds of wonderful folks.

• Finished a portfolio piece I'm hoping to unveil around mid January.

• Finally, a few photos of the Ghost Door from "Locke & Key" made for Joe.  A piece like this, I always regret not building two.  I'd love to put one up in my study ... but I've got to build a study first.
  

Sincerely, this year has been great and I've enjoyed meeting so many awesome people. Take care, and happy 2010.

The year of the Tiger? We'll see, but really, I hope all that crap is behind him.
 
Israel

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August 2009

Stay classy, San Diego

Wow, what a crazy July.

I wrapped up a large commission, then headed off to this year's Comic Con, which kicked tail. Met some really great people, watched my key be scoffed up by the masses and accidentally met Bela Lugosi Jr. (Also spotted the Honky Tonk Man in gym shorts and loafers, cradling his championship belt.)

Some highlights:

• The Con exclusive Ghost Key  from Joe Hill's comic  "Locke & Key" sold really well at the IDW  booth. Joe had some long lines, both to sign the key tag and his other works.  It was great to be a part of that.

• Joe revealed during his Con  panel a project I couldn't talk about before that kept me busy from  January to June: building a life-sized Ghost Door from his comic. It was a  surprise birthday gift for him from his wife. Hopefully, photos to come  on Joe's site. I'll let him show it off first.

• Jill Pantozzi covered his panel for Comic Book Resources, which includes a nice shout-out - thanks, Joe & Jill - and  a sweet recap of the "Lost" panel, with teases.

• I've finished rough  prototypes of the Anywhere Key, with graphics help from Mike St. Germain,  and the Head Key. Check out a photo below, or come check it out in person next  month. I'll be at BangPop! again. The convention will  be bigger and better than last year: Sept. 19-20 at the Bangor Civic  Center.

• If you're inclined, the Sun  Journal, my local newspaper, did a Q&A write-up on me in advance of the  Con where I share a little about how I got my start making props and my two  biggest  fears. (Thank you, Peter Benchley.)

Israel

Joe Hill and I and the Ghost Key exclusive at the IDW booth Saturday.

Joe attempting to unlock my head with the prototype of the Head Key.
(Wonder what he'd find? Probably not rainbows and unicorns.)

Jill Pantozzi from the blog "Has Boobs, Reads Comics," a very cool girl.

After five days at the SDCC, everyone starts to look a little ragged.

Three of about a dozen Deadpools at the show.
And that's right: I think at least one's a girl.

Art Baltazar and Franco from DC's "Tiny Titans" comic, the morning after their big Eisner win. You couldn't meet two nicer guys or sharper dressers.

Rough prototypes of the Head Key and Anywhere Key,
from the comic "Locke & Key."

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April 2009

Eye toward summer

Man, it’s been one busy spring.

Sorry this latest update has taken so long, but it’s been with good reason. Really happy to report that IDW Publishing has picked up The Ghost Key sculpt for a 2009 San Diego Comic Con exclusive. (The Ghost Key, of course, is from Eisner-nominated writer Joe Hill’s "Locke & Key" comic with rock-your-pants-off art by Gabriel Rodriguez.) The keys will be limited to 500 and, rumor has it, tied in with a signing by Joe. I’ll post more details next month if I have them.

Other happenings:

• I’m working on an Anywhere Key, also featured in "Locke & Key," for my portfolio. You can check out a very rough prototype on Joe’s site.

• Chris O’Connor at Tektonten Papercraft has made a papercraft model of Dr. Strange’s Eye of Agamatto based on my sculpt. Really amazing work and available for a free download if you want to put your paper-folding skills to the test.

Thanks again for stopping by. For those who’ve e-mailed the last two months, really appreciate the kind words and sorry that I can’t hook you up with any Ghost keys outside the Con.

I’ll be out in San Diego as well. Love to see you there.

Israel

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February 2009

Finally

Finally got the web site up! Thanks for stopping by.

Some of my projects in the works:
• Finishing a velvet-lined box to display both of The Phantom's Good Mark and Death Mark rings.
• A wall mount display case for Conan's Atlantean Sword.  I can't wait to finish this - it will have a very Marvel Comics feel to it.

Check back for updates on the gallery section and for possible convention-related news.

Coming to a con near you this summer? You'll have to wait and see.
 
Israel