A few weeks ago I was at Spectrum Fantastic Art Live where I interviewed an amazing animal and fantasy creature artist. Here is a video interview I did with her. (Long ago, about 12 years, when Brynn was a student at Quartz Hill High School she was an amazing high school art student in my Drawing class).
This is a “line design monster” I recently drew on my classroom white board at Quartz Hill High School
by Frank Robert Dixon
A few days ago a friend of mine, Robin Blakely, CEO of Creative Center of America and the co-author of my upcoming book Crossing The Troll Bridge, asked me if I would participate in a BLOG HOP for writers. I was a bit hesitant, because I am mostly an art teacher and an artist who draws and paints fantasy art… But I do write some (I have written and illustrated several published and unpublished books I have created).
And I have invited an amazing illustrator and comic book creator, Joshua Kemble, to participate next in this blog hop.
What am I working on?
As already mentioned, I am currently co-writing a book with Robin:
Crossing The Troll Bridge– A Marketing Guide for Artists and Writers.
I told my 22-year-old son I was co-writing a book on marketing and he said: “Shouldn’t you be an expert in marketing to write a book about it?!” I chuckled and replied, “Robin is the expert. I am mostly the illustrator of the book, and I am learning about marketing from Robin.”
It has been a long, challenging, but mostly fun process figuring out how to creatively communicate the message of the book. One of the messages is: Just like you have fun creating your creations, you can have fun finding, creating, and choosing your audience!
We have been working on this book for over a year. Below is an illustration I recently created for the book of an artist working in his art studio on some art. In case you think it looks like a cartoon version of me, you are right!
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
Part of the uniqueness of the book will be all the color illustrations that will be on most of the pages. Here is an illustration of the “Creative Castle” where the artist lives.
Yes, I know, I know….you are probably thinking that no artist you know lives in a house like that…. read the book when it comes out and it will make more sense…
Why do I write what I do?
The writing I am working on in this book is designed to help creative artists and writers find a way to enjoy marketing. I have spent my whole life wishing I enjoyed marketing more (and was better at it!) So, if I can help other creative artists to enjoy marketing themselves, I will have accomplished something I consider worthwhile.
How does my writing process work?
Robin and I have written and rewritten and then edited and changed the words in this book many times over the last 18 months. We are trying to make it as clear and easy to understand and implement as we can.
Next week look at the post by Joshua Kemble. Back in 1999 or so Joshua was a student in the Illustration class I teach at Antelope Valley College. Since then he has become a very accomplished illustrator, comic book creator, and art director.
For 3 days on June 13, 14, and 15, 2014, I displayed my art at a booth at the Live Oak Music Festival (located 12 miles east of Santa Barbara) in a large campground area with many live oak trees. It was a fun event where a lot of people enjoyed my collection of paintings of treetch and other fantasy creatures. For the last 3 years I have shared a booth at the Live Oak Music Festival with Geo-May McCabe (a friend who is an excellent fantasy artist).
Kids looking at some of my art prints.
Today, July 23, 2012 I am putting this new version of my website on the internet.
This is a sketch of a fantasy creature (a walking tree that I call a”treetch”). I drew it in my sketchbook with a black ball point pen and a blue ball point pen. I tried to eliminate most of the face except for the eyes, nose and mouth.
