July 2014 – John Fleskes

July 31, 2014October 10, 2018

“Wayne Thiebaud: Works on Paper, 1948-2004” Hardcover Exhibit Catalog

Hi, everyone,

In the fall of 2013 I had the honor of working again with Michael Zakian who is the director of the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art. Our first experience working together was when we packaged the “Illustrating Modern Life” book for the museum.

It was a joy to design and package their latest exhibit catalog for the Wayne Thiebaud show held at the Weisman under Michael’s direction. Michael is among one of the most professional and inspiring individuals I have worked with. His kindness is exemplary, which brings out the best in others around him.

Designing the Wayne Thiebaud book was a thrill. Thiebaud’s colors and shapes intertwine in a beautiful unifying fashion that is deceptively simple, yet incredibly difficult to achieve.

Here is a brief description about the book followed by a link to read more and purchase a copy through our Flesk online store if you wish.

“Wayne Thiebaud: Works on Paper, 1948-2004” is an exhibition hardcover catalog of eighty-five prints and drawings that explores his rich dialogue with the visual language of graphic art. Drawn from the holdings of the artist’s work in the collection of the University Library Gallery at California State University, Sacramento, it provides a survey of the various printmaking media he has explored through his long career and includes examples of his woodcuts, serigraphs, etchings, lithographs and monotypes. It also offers insight into his favorite subjects—everyday American food, the urban landscape of San Francisco, the majestic mountain scenery of Yosemite and the lyric, arcadian, agricultural fields of the Sacramento River Valley.

Learn more about the Wayne Thiebaud: Works on Paper, 1948-2004 book at the Flesk Publications website.

Enjoy,

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Flesk Publications on Facebook
Spectrum Fantastic Art
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live on Facebook

July 30, 2014October 10, 2018

Masquerade by Terry Dodson: 2014 Sketchbook

Terry Dodson debuted his latest sketchbook collection, Masquerade at Comic-Con last week. This latest sketchbook features an assortment of material including pencil sketches, ink and marker preliminaries, convention sketches, character designs and a show print drawing with the process shown in a step-by-step format.

We have copies available on our Flesk online store if you are interested. Each copy comes initialed “TD” by Terry and is only available direct from him at shows or from us.

Visit here to pick up a copy.

You can also visit Terry’s blog here to see some of the sketches that he made during Comic-Con.

Enjoy,

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Flesk Publications on Facebook
Spectrum Fantastic Art
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live on Facebook

July 24, 2014October 10, 2018

Flesk / Spectrum Panel at Comic-Con International

Hi, everyone,

The Flesk/Spectrum panel was held earlier today at Comic-Con International in San Diego. From left to right: John Fleskes, William Stout, Frank Cho, Daren Bader and Terry Dodson shared news about upcoming book projects, Spectrum news and the importance of working on creator owned projects.

I’ll post more details over the next week.

Thanks to everyone who made the panel!

Enjoy,

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Flesk Publications on Facebook
Spectrum Fantastic Art
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live on Facebook

July 19, 2014October 10, 2018

Flesk and Spectrum at Comic-Con International in San Diego Update–Signings and Panel!

Craig Elliott at his booth at Comic-Con in 2013. Photograph copyright © 2014 John Fleskes

Hi, everyone,

We will be exhibiting at Comic-Con International in San Diego. The show runs from July 23rd to the 27th. Our Flesk booth (#5019) is in our usual spot. We have added a Spectrum Fantastic Art booth right next door (#5017). Read on for news about our big sale, artist signings, the Flesk panel and where you can find artist friends of Flesk.

Books on offer at the Flesk/Spectrum booths. Big Sale!

We are bringing a new batch of recent book trade returns with slight scuffs or minor dings. These books will be on sale for 50-80% off of the cover price. We’re looking to blow them out at the show! It’s a great way to pick up a huge batch of Flesk books for a killer bargain. There are many new titles including The Art of Brom.

We will also have new copies of all of our Flesk books and an assortment of recent and past volumes of Spectrum.

Artist Signings

We will be having a Spectrum signing at our booth #5017 on Friday from 2:00 to 3:00pm. Donato Giancola, Daren Bader, Allen Williams, Gary Gianni, Todd Lockwood, David Palumbo and Matthew Levin will all be with us. Bring your Spectrum books along to get signed!

Mark Schultz — Due to a sudden unexpected emergency, Mark will be unable to attend Comic-Con.

Jackson Robinson — Jackson informed us today (7/22/2014) that due to a sudden emergency he is unable to join us at Comic-Con.

Signing times will be posted at our booth, the Flesk website and on our Facebook page leading up to the show.

Flesk Panel–Thursday, July 24 at 11:00am, Room 28DE

With a lineup including Frank Cho (Drawing Beautiful Women, Savage Wolverine ), Terry Dodson (Red One, Uncanny X-Men) and William Stout (Hallucinations,Legends of the Blues) talking new projects-and publisher John Fleskes frankly discussing future Flesk titles and the latest on the renowned Spectrum Fantastic Art series-you can expect an entertaining hour!

Artist Friends of Flesk at Comic-Con

The following artists whose work we publish will be exhibiting at their own booths at Comic-Con. Their booth number and Flesk books are included.

Jim Silke – Booth #4901 (Jungle Girls and Jim Silke Sketchbook)

Frank Cho – Booth #4901 (Drawing Beautiful Women: The Frank Cho Method)

Craig Elliott – Booth #4713 (The Art of Craig Elliott)

Mike Mignola – Booth #4901 (Spectrum Fantastic Art Live)

William Stout – Booth #4803 (Dinosaur Discoveries, New Dinosaur Discoveries A-Z, Hallucinations, Inspirations, Prehistoric Life Murals)

Gary Gianni – Booth #4902 (The Prince Valiant Page, Mysterious Islands, Major Thrill’s Adventure Book and Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea)

Terry Dodson – Booth #4706 (Bombshells and his new sketchbook, Masquerade)

Donato Giancola – Donato Arts Booth #4503

Terryl Whitlatch – Booth 5338 (Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 2, Tales of Amalthea)

We hope to see you at the show!

Enjoy,

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Flesk Publications on Facebook
Spectrum Fantastic Art
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live on Facebook

July 18, 2014October 10, 2018

Frank Cho’s “Drawing Beautiful Women Studio Edition” at the Printer!

Drawing Beautiful Women: The Frank Cho Method Studio Edition front and back cover and spine. — Drawing Beautiful Women: The Frank Cho Method Studio Edition front and back cover, and spine.

Hi, everyone,

Frank Cho and I wrapped up the Studio Edition of his new book Drawing Beautiful Women: The Frank Cho Method late last night. It’s been turned into the printer!

Since this version is huge (12 inches wide x 17 inches tall) we were left with some extra space when we “upsized” the regular 9 x 12 inch edition template. Frank wanted to make sure that people will get their money’s worth and so he painting a double page spread new watercolor and two new basic anatomy pages to fill in four new pages. We also added an extra 1600 words to the interview (that comes with the Publisher’s and Limited edition with slipcase edition) in the back that is a bonus for this edition only. And I was able to fit in a few more pictures of Frank in his studio, plus one of his personal landscape paintings. All of this is exclusive to this Studio Edition. It’s an amazing look edition! At 140 pages for $150, or 142 pages for the signed $200 version, it’s one cool looking book.

If you are wondering why we are now calling this the Studio Edition and not the previously advertised Gallery Edition, it turns out that Dark Horse and DC also liked the Gallery Edition name and recently advertised new lines of books using the same title. To avoid confusion, and to be unique, Frank and I decided to switch the name to Studio Edition.

Please visit our website if you would like to pre-order the book for November 1st shipping.

Enjoy,

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Flesk Publications on Facebook
Spectrum Fantastic Art
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live on Facebook

July 16, 2014October 10, 2018

The Spectrum 21 printer proofs have been approved!

Hi, everyone,

The Spectrum 21 printer proofs have been approved! The colors look spot on. I’ve shipped the proofs back to the printer today. Once they receive them the book will be going on the press shortly after. It’s right on schedule for its fall release!

In this picture you can see proofs for page 1 of the book in the upper left hand corner, the cover to the right and miscellaneous pages around them.

I’m sending the Frank Cho book to the printer today. More news coming soon.

Enjoy,

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Flesk Publications on Facebook
Spectrum Fantastic Art
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live on Facebook

July 14, 2014

Terry Dodson Sketching Video

Last October I visited Scheidam, The Netherlands with Terry and Rachel Dodson, Mark Schultz and Jim Reid. Scheidam is known for having the tallest windmills in the world. This particular one grabbed Terry’s attention as he pulled out his sketchbook and pens, and started drawing it. I grabbed my camera and filmed over his shoulder while watching for cars. Here’s a time lapse showing his process.

This sketch appears in Terry’s new sketchbook which will premiere at his booth at Comic-Con next week. I had the good fortune to help Terry put it together. It’s currently at the printer and I’ll be picking it up on my way to San Diego. Watch Terry’s blog for the cover, title and details when he announces them next week. I’ll have copies available on the Flesk website after the show.

Enjoy,

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Flesk Publications on Facebook
Spectrum Fantastic Art
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live on Facebook

July 11, 2014October 10, 2018

Spectrum 21 at the Printer

Spectrum 21: the Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art has been sent to the printer. Here’s the front and back cover and spine to the paperback edition.

Spectrum-21-paperback-cover — Back cover art by Gabriel Verdon. Front cover art by Rebecca Léveillé-Guay.

I want to thank the artists for turning in their art on time and for their help in making this book a smooth process. I’m happy to report that every artist that was accepted into Spectrum 21 turned in their art. Spectrum is a massive undertaking, one of which I am overjoyed to be a part of. I’ll post some pictures of the printer proofs once they arrive, plus show off advance copies when I get them. The book will be available in early November.

You can pre-order the book direct from us on our online store here.

Enjoy,

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Flesk Publications on Facebook
Spectrum Fantastic Art
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live on Facebook

July 9, 2014October 10, 2018

Spectrum 21 Awards Ceremony Pictures

Hi, everyone,

The Spectrum 21 Awards were held on May 10 at Kansas City’s historic Midland Theater. The silver and gold Spectrum awards for the eight categories were announced as was the 2014 Grand Master award recipient. Enjoy this batch of pictures giving you a glimpse into the evening.

John Fleskes opening the evening.