Tarot: An artists' vision of the future

What happens when you ask an artist to predict his own future when presented with a Tarot card ? That's the question I've asked to 10 of the most talented comic and illustration artists of these times.

Sam Kieth, David Mack, Ashley Wood, Barron Storey, Jeff Faerber, Tin, Mike Dringenberg, Miran Kim, John Watkiss and Joshua Hagler all participated in this project

The result is a myriad of styles and themes, full with personal associations, interpretations, frustrations, creatuvity... but all generating superb and colorfull art.

Opening on Thursday 27th of May; 18.00 at www.petitspapiers.be

Not for the faint of heart as we will be burning original comic art at the request of one of the artists. We'll also have someone draw Tarot cards in order to predict the future of this exhibition.

Signing session with David Mack, Barron Storey, Mike Dringenberg, Miran Kim, Jeff Faerber & Joshua Hagler at www.brusel.com as of 15.00

Paroles de Verdun - George and Barron conquer Europe !!!

One of the key objectives of Graphic Novel Art is to introduce American Graphic Novel Artists to the European public.

A couple of months ago I got into contact with Jean Wacquet from the European editing house Soleil (visit their site on http://www.soleilprod.com/index.php they are one of the -if not the - leading comic distributors of high quality comic books in Europe. Top series are Skydoll and Lanfeust a must for those willing to discover the top of modern European comics)

He was looking for US artists to contibute to the second volume of his series about the first Word War after a very successful first part "Paroles de Poulus". The book consists of several short stories based on letters written by soldiers during WWI.

I got Jean into contact with Barron Storey and George Pratt and now only a couple of months later the result is there. Next to some top European comic artists we have two top US artists contributing to this book, making this a truly international project.

You have no idea how happy I am that I was able to bring these people together

More info on http://www.soleilprod.com/news.php?nId=100

Let me know if you'd like a copy of the book and I'll find out how to get one to you

Regards

Carl

Interview with the Artists !!!

Some interesting article based on an interview which had place during the show.

Michael, Joe and Teddy debating the future of US comics.

http://www.brokenfrontier.com/lowdown/details.php?id=857

Enjoy

Carl

More Good News...

The books are finally arriving at their destinations.

It was a close call as Barron had to leave for a 3 week workshop in Ecuador (I hear from Petra that he's doing great over there - who would have expected something else ?)

There's also a new article on a superb blog - please check it out

http://radio2019.blogspot.com/2007/05/barron-storey-life-after-black.html

There might be more coming up on this one.

And yes, reprinting Marat Sade is still on the project planning :)

Finally a picture of Barron Storey and Kent Williams at Ape - was fun having you around !!!

Carl

Mr. DeGraeve's exhibit

Can't help but making some promotion for the work of my personal friend Ward DeGraeve. Yesterday he had a "one day" exhibit in Edegem near Antwerp.



And as usual, some fantastic pieces were on display !!!

Enjoy the world of Ward



Time to find him some exhibition space in the US ...



Carl

Catching up... visit to Jeff Jones - dinner with Michael Golden

Just a quick one to keep you up to date

Last Saturday finally managed to meet one of my favourite artists Jeff Jones. Drove up early in the morning to his place North of New York and arrived at 9.00 am.

After a bit of searching finally found the appartment of Catherine (the artists formely know as Jeff Jones - inside joke from Jeff himself).

Honesty obliges me to inform you that Catherine is still struggling with the aftermath of her depression and has to cope on a regular basis with anxiety attacks. So please do not ask me for her address - I'll keep it a trade secret.

Introduced Catherine to the work of Belgian painter Leon Spilliaert http://www.expo-spilliaert.be/en/bing2.asp via the book of the exibition which currently runs in Brussels. After that Catherine showed me the work she's recently finished (Wading - see picture + currently on ebay http://tinyurl.com/ydnn93 )



It's one of the few recent paintings with a human figure predominantly on the canvas. Catherine explained that she still feels pretty unsure to paint the human form, and prefers to stick to landscapes at this point in time. But for sure this painting is a hopefull indication of things to come. (I noticed a couple of empty canvasses some of them already off larger dimension)

I really hope she'll beat her demons and finds back the confidence of the past. But for sure it's looking good. Thank you Catherine for your hospitality, it was a pleasure meeting you.

After my visit to Jones, went back to New York for some early Christmas shopping and dinner with Renee & Michael Golden. Next to discussing some topics regarding the upcoming show. Needless to say that the dinner and the Bourbon afterwards were big fun :)

I'll keep you updated on the progress

Regards

Carl

Bill's in !!!

Went back this morning to the NY Big Apple Convention, and finally met Bill Sin-KEV-its !!! http://www.billsienkiewicz.com/menu.html.


And yes, he's very willing to come over to Belgium for the Graphic Novel Art 2007 show !!!


So we have 2 Mike's and a Bill !!!


This is just great !!!


Otherwise, a day filled by flying packed like sardines back to San Fransisco


See you later


Carl

New York New York !!!

What a day !!! and what a night !!!

Packed like sardines in a can, flew overnight from San Fransisco to New York. Did not close an eye and arrived without sleep 6.40am at JFK.

Went straight to the Club Quarter hotel downdown near Wall street and I got a penthouse on the 21st floor !!! Expected to have a great view of the city... but when I looked outside, only saw higher skyscapers...

Bye Bye view ;)

Took a shower, quick breakfast and went of to visit Michael Kaluta. http://www.kaluta.com/index.php3

Super experience !!! Very warm welcome by an awesome artist. He lives 5 high in a beautyfull appartment without an elevator. Keeps him fit.

Michael's studio still looks like on this picture. Very dense with lot's of material for inspiration.

Michael showed me an avalanche of art, both recent as "Studio" stuff. Just too nice to describe. So I've just put a couple of pictures in this blog.

The "Metropolis" piece on top has found a new owner - me !!!

You've no idea how happy I am. Thanks a lot Michael !!!

I've also bought some more recent pieces but that will be posted later on my CAF gallery.

Michael also showed me the "Stealer of Souls" piece - a real stunner !!!

I'm certainly going back to visit Michael... or maybe, he'll come over to Belgium, as he agreed to participate in the Graphic Novel Art 2007 show !!!

After the visit to Michael, I went to the NY Big Apple con http://www.bigapplecon.com/index.htm . Was my first US comics convention, and have to say that the atmosphere was very particular :)

I Managed to meet Michael Golden, http://lambiek.net/artists/g/golden_michael.htm, who also agreed to come to Belgium !!! It's starting to look good.

After the convention, a quick nap and then back into town to meet Ted McKeever (and lovely wife) and Kasra Ghanbari. A nice diner at "Empires dinner" and a long walk throughout New York by night. Ted was the perfect guide. Thx a lot Ted !!! Hope to see you and your family soon again.

Till later

Carl

The First Post...

So this is it, the first one, the first time, the time to remember when you did it for the first time...

Got my Blog up and (hopefully) running !!!

With a bit of luck this will be my ideal tool to keep you updated on the projects I'm working on, and which may be of interest to you.

If not, welcome anyway.

Currently at the other side of the world, San-Fransisco for a three weeks job with Levi's.

Great place to be, great people and the weather is superb !!!

Last weekend rented a PT Cruiser convertible to drive from San Fransisco to Los Angeles anlong Highway Nr 1. Great drive.

Visited Allen Spiegel on the way up. He's the publisher all Dave McKean artbooks, and represents a couple a super talented artists such as Kent Williams, JJ Muth, Phil Hale, ... to name a few. You can visit his site on http://www.asfa.biz/

Btw, could not help purchasing a couple of Dave McKeans B&W pen and ink pages. To be uploaded on my CAF site once back in Belgium

On Sunday morning visited Kent Williams to talk about his art, the show we did last summer and advice on the publication of Barron Storey's journal #45 "Life After Black". Was great to meet Kent, he looked super energised after the work he has done for the Fountain together with Darren Arnofsky.

And yes, how can you resist when Kent opens his cupboard with nice art !!!

Kent also promised to help Barron and me out on the publication of the journal. Feel very happy to have a "pro" watching over my shoulder.

In the afternoon, I went for a suprise visit to Ashley Wood. After the initial shock, I had a warm welcome by the Australian Pop-Bot artist.

We talked a lot about his art and the effort he put's into it. We also finally resolved a 2 your trade (a Kent Williams piece for one of his painting) and look forward to have the finished cover of Zombies vs Robots II over in Belgium.

It was worth the detour and the 9 hr drive back to San Fransisco

Yesterday 14th of november, went in the evening to a signing session with Joann Sfar. Yes quite incredible to meet a French comic artists here in the States. Instead of the long cues in France, there were maybe only 5 people, So plenty of time to talk. Nice chap, very funny and a great storyteller (like his books). Unfortunately he does not sell any original art :(

But managed to sneak out one of his drawings he made on the spot. Never for sale however, as this would be against Joann's principles, and I prefer to stay friends with my artists.

Tomorrow looking forward to join Barron in meeting Brian & Cherry from Anno Domini Gallery http://www.galleryad.com/ , the official art representatives of Barron. We'll be talking about the distribution of Barron's book.

In the evening we'll try to meet up with Neil Gaiman who's giving a lecture overhere http://www.litart.org/gaiman.htm with a bit of luck (and with Barron's help) we might be able to ask his support for "Life after Black".

Just to close this first post, a picture of Barron's contribution the "the Art of The Fountain"