John Fleskes – Page 40

John Fleskes, president and publisher of Flesk Publications, teams up with renowned portrait photographer Greg Preston to produce a special book created on the showroom floor of the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live event, held May 9-11th in Kansas City, Missouri. Sessions: Spectrum Fantastic Art Portraits will feature the art, a brief bio, and a portrait created by Greg Preston of at least 50 of the creators behind today’s best contemporary fantastic art.

This project is a singular opportunity that YOU can make happen, and as an added bonus you are invited to witness its creation. John Fleskes is sponsoring the project through Kickstarter, and the chance to be a part of this unique art book begins NOW. The amount needed to make Sessions a reality is $9,000 and this Kickstarter project offers several pledge levels to choose from, each with special items attached to thank you for being a backer.

Publisher John Fleskes explains: “I have invited noted portrait photographer Greg Preston and his crew to SFAL to set up a photo studio right on the show floor to take artist portraits throughout the event. With the permission of the artists, Greg and I will choose our favorite portraits and make a high-end, fine art style book collection. I really want to show the people behind the pictures; those who give us so much beauty, who entertain us and who fill our lives with wonder. Let’s celebrate the artists and who they are, which goes right along with the mission of the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live event: The artists are the stars and let’s showcase them in the best possible light.”

Artists to be included in the project include: Allen Williams, Annie Stegg, Bill Carman, Camilla d’Errico, Cory Godbey, Craig Elliott, Dan dos Santos, Daren Bader, David Palumbo, Donato Giancola, Edward Howard, Frank Cho, George Pratt, Greg Spalenka, Iain McCaig, Jackson Robinson, J. Anthony Kosar, John Picacio, Justin Gerard, Justin Sweet, Mark Chiarello, Mark Schultz, Omar Rayyan, Paul Bonner, Rebecca Yanovskaya, Steve Rude, Terry Dodson, The Shiflett Brothers, Tim Bruckner, Virginie Ropars and Wayne Barlow.

If stretch goals are met, even more artists may be included in the book.

In addition to the opportunity to bring this project to fruition, you can attend Spectrum Fantastic Art Live and witness Greg Preston work directly with the artists. It is open to the public. This is an amazing opportunity for you to see your book being created, and meet the artists who will grace its pages.

In the event that you need more incentive to come on board, Flesk Publications is noted for the quality and craftsmanship of the art books they have created in their twelve years of business. The book you are helping make will itself be a work of art, created by a publisher with a passion for fantastic art and the artists who create it.

(Visit the Kickstarter campaign by clicking here.)

Enjoy,

John

John Fleskes
Flesk Publications
Flesk Publications on Facebook
Spectrum Fantastic Art
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live
Spectrum Fantastic Art Live on Facebook
Text and photographs copyright © 2014 John Fleskes. Artwork copyright © 2014 its respective artists. All Rights Reserved.

April 6, 2014October 12, 2018

Flesk Titles Coming in 2014 and 2015

Hi, all,

I’d like to fill you in on our Flesk releases for 2014 and what books we have in development for 2015.

These last seven months have been a thrilling experience. Transitioning Spectrum over to Flesk has given me the same excited feeling that I had when I first started Flesk Publications back in 2002. The internal restructuring here has been a tremendous amount of work, but the benefit today is that I have 12 years of publishing business experience to make far better decisions than when I started in 2002. The opportunity to work on Spectrum not only allowed me the fun of completely rethinking the process of how the annual is run and produced, but it also made me look at the processes here at Flesk. I placed my high standards on myself, asked many tough questions, and as a result I made a series of improvements here. The result will be a continuation of our high quality books, with many new faces as part of the Flesk team to help out. The improvements have been so great, that it feels as if I am walking into the business for the first time.

2014 Flesk Titles

1. Spectrum 21: The Best in Contemporary Art
Spectrum is more than just a book. It is a community, a brand and an event which requires nurturing and focus all year long. A few friends of mine expressed their concern that by my taking on Spectrum that it would interrupt the Flesk line of books. “It would be disastrous if Spectrum affected the Flesk line,” said one artist who I publish. I agree, which is why this is the only year where you will see this reduction of releases while we restructure and grow. Spectrum 21 will be released in November 2014.

2. Drawing Beautiful Women: The Frank Cho Method
This is another fun book. Frank Cho and I have known each other for over a decade, but never worked together before. I’m finding the experience to be a blast. This book is right on schedule for an October 2014 release date.

In Development for 2015

1. The Line of Beauty: The Art of Wendy Pini
This book will focus on Wendy’s stellar work outside of ElfQuest including comics, illustration and private art with a detailed biography exploring every facet of Wendy’s passion for telling stories. All traditional artwork is being reproduced from the original art.

2. The Art of Elfquest
This collection will highlight key covers, story pages, portfolio plates and rarely seen images from its earliest days to today.

3. The Book of Giants by Petar Meseldzija
A story highlighted with dozens of new drawings and paintings. Petar is working intensely on this book and I’ll have more information to share in the next few months.

4. The Art of Nexus by Steve Rude
We have spent over two years collecting scans of full Nexus stories from the original art and we are now ready to design the book. This one is very close to being ready and we expect to run a Kickstarter campaign on this during the summer.

5. The Moth by Steve Rude, Gary Martin and Glenn Whitmore
The Moth is coming back! New stories are in the works. The next four issues are mapped out and this is an exciting opportunity for me to publish a comic that I am extremely passionate about.

6. The Comic Art of William Stout
This is another book that has been in development for a few years. Tracking down and scanning the art to include in the book has been a pleasure. We’re getting closer to being ready to start designing the book. I’m confident that this will be ready by the fall of 2015.

7. Sessions: Spectrum Fantastic Art Live Portraits by Greg Preston
A new book featuring the photography of Greg Preston highlighting fifty creators behind todays best contemporary fantastic art. I’ll share the link to the Kickstarter campaign for this later this week.

8. Storms at Sea by Mark Schultz
Yes, it’s true. Not a hoax; not a dream! Schultz is threatening that the art is nearly done. After five years in development, we are looking at a 2015 release date.

9. Mark Schultz Various Drawings Premium Hardcover Collection
All five volumes of Various Drawings combined into a deluxe oversized collection. Mark and I have some big ideas to make this far more than a simple collection.

10. Plus, I’m working with Terry Dodson, Gary Gianni, Gregory Manchess, Iain McCaig, Jackson Robinson and Jim Silke on new ideas. Their titles will be announced once we have the books fleshed out further.

11. I’m also packaging three books for various institutions. I’ll announce who the books focus on once I have permission to share the details.

12. Spectrum 22
The annual collection arrives in stores in the fall of each year.

This will carry us through the end of 2015!

Thanks to everyone again for your interest. These books and projects in no way could be possible without your support.

Now it’s time to get back to work!

Enjoy,

John

April 1, 2014October 12, 2018

Back From Emerald City Comicon

The view from the Flesk booth. We had a prime spot right as you walk in off of the main sky bridge.

Emerald City Comicon is a wrap. The show was incredibly well organized with friendly staff and volunteers, plus easy to get in and out. The show was sold out in advance and packed with people for most of Friday and Saturday. I noticed that it was a little easier to get around on Sunday, but just a little.

Bud-Plant-booth-ECCC — Our friend’s at Bud Plant were just a few steps away from us. This picture was taken from our booth, too.

I brought three times the amount of books that we brought last year and by closing time on Sunday I was able to fit all of the remaining books into one small box. It looks like I’ll need to bring even more next year!

Flesk-Brom-booth-ECCC — Here’s a picture of Brom at the Flesk / Spectrum booth just before opening time on Friday morning.

Brom-book-signing-ECCC — Brom sketching in The Art of Brom.

Brom was with us all three days. His line was steady throughout with only the briefest of lulls. We sold out of the Art of Brom books that I had brought by early Sunday. In this picture above, Brom is adding a pair of drawings to a deluxe copy of his art book.

Some people talk about how big of a fan they are of Brom. Others show it. Here, Brom signs his name below the tattoo depicting his art during Emerald City Comicon last weekend. The owner requested Brom’s signature to use as a stencil for the tattoo artist to apply the final touch.

I observed that Seattle has a huge tattoo presence. I saw far more body art than cosplay at this show. Many beautiful tattoo arm sleeves had Asian influences, sea life or fantasy elements to them. I can only imagine how skilled these tattoo artists have to be as they don’t have the luxury of an eraser.

More pictures and stories from ECCC coming soon

Enjoy,

John

March 29, 2014October 12, 2018

Emerald City Comicon Going Strong for Flesk!

John Flesk, Frank Cho and Brom at the Flesk booth #1702 today at Emerald City Comicon.

Hi, all,

We’re having a great time here this weekend in Seattle at the Emerald City Comicon. The show sold out in advance and the crowds have been thick. We’ve been having a lot of fun and appreciate how many people have been stopping by. I brought three times the amount of books that we brought last year and we are already down to the last 10% of stock with one more full day to go!

Camilla d'Errico's booth today at Emerald City Comicon. — Camilla d’Errico’s booth today at Emerald City Comicon.

Here’s a picture of Camilla d’Errico just before Saturday’s opening time at her booth. Camillia will be a special guest at Spectrum Fantastic Art Live this coming May!

Enjoy,

John

March 18, 2014October 12, 2018

Spectrum 21 Judging Highlights Video

Here’s a video showing highlights from the Spectrum 21 judging event which was held on March 1, 2014 at the San Jose State University’s Animation/Illustration department building. The five member jury, comprising of Cory Godbey, J. Anthony Kosar, George Pratt, Shelly Wan and Allen Williams, reviewed over 5000 entries during the daylong event. A Special thanks to the SJSU faculty for making the space available and to the twenty-plus students who volunteered making the day run smoothly!

Enjoy,

John

March 16, 2014October 12, 2018

Flesk and Spectrum Exhibiting at Emerald City Comic Con

Brom will be signing at our booth #1702 each day.

Hi, all,

If you will be attending the Emerald City Comic Con, we’ll be there and we would enjoy seeing you there. The shoe is in Seattle, WA this March 28-30. We have an excellent spot located right at the entrance when walking into the show off of the sky bridge. Our booth number is 1702.

There are a number of artists who we publish that are special guests of the show. Brom will be signing at our Flesk / Spectrum booth for the full three days. Frank Cho, who we are working with on his Drawing Beautiful Women: The Frank Cho Method that will be available this fall, can be found at his guest table MM-07. Terry & Rachel Dodson are at table II-01. And Richard & Wendy Pini, who we have two books in development with, can be found at table E-09. We look forward to welcoming you at our respective locations where you can learn more about our future projects with these exceptional artists. Plus, the artists will have original artwork and prints for sale.

We will have our full line of Flesk books on hand, as well as information regarding the Spectrum annual and the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live event. Free catalogs and promotional postcards will be available. We will be bringing a number of books with slight scuff marks or dings at greatly reduced prices. This is an excellent way to try out a new title or artist, or to fill in your Flesk library for a deal.

Full details about Emerald City Comic Con can be found here.

We look forward to seeing you at the show!

Enjoy,

John

March 7, 2014October 12, 2018

Spectrum 21 Cover

Hi, all,

I’ve wrapped up the cover design for Spectrum 21. The artwork featured on the cover is a fine art painting by Rebecca Léveillé-Guay titled “The Visitor.” Thanks to Rebecca for letting us use the art for the cover!

Right now I’m working on creating the list of jury picks for inclusion into Spectrum 21. I’ll have it ready to post just after mid-March.

Enjoy,

John

March 3, 2014October 12, 2018

Announcing the Spectrum 21 Award Nominees

SpectrumJudging_08 — The Spectrum 21 jury: J. Anthony Kosar, Allen Williams, Cory Godbey, George Pratt and Shelly Wan.

The Spectrum 21 jury has nominated the top five artists in each of the eight categories for a silver and gold award. The winners will be announced at the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live event in Kansas City, MO on May 10th. I will post the actual images on the Spectrum website soon. A big congratulations to these artists!

The Spectrum 21 Award Nominees Are…

Advertising

Anita Kunz -- Little Monsters — Anita Kunz — Little Monsters

Victo Ngai -- A Tiger Beer Chinese New Year — Victo Ngai — A Tiger Beer Chinese New Year

Gabriel Verdon -- Hiversaires — Gabriel Verdon — Hiversaires

Kent Williams -- The Criterion Collection Lord of the Flies — Kent Williams — The Criterion Collection Lord of the Flies

Shu Yan -- Go Into the Gate — Shu Yan — Go Into the Gate

Advertising
Anita Kunz — Little Monsters
Victo Ngai — A Tiger Beer Chinese New Year
Gabriel Verdon — Hiversaires
Kent Williams — The Criterion Collection Lord of the Flies
Shu Yan — Go Into the Gate

Book

Nicolas Delort -- The End of the Road — Nicolas Delort — The End of the Road

Scott Gustafson -- Little Sambha and the Tiger with the Beautiful Purple Shoes with Crimson Soles — Scott Gustafson — Little Sambha and the Tiger with the Beautiful Purple Shoes with Crimson Soles

John Harris -- Fire: the Road Beside the Wall — John Harris — Fire: the Road Beside the Wall

Petar Meseldzija -- The Golden Apple Tree 1 — Petar Meseldzija — The Golden Apple Tree 1

Kirsti Wakelin -- Dreamboats, Lilies, Koi and Chang Kuo-lao — Kirsti Wakelin — Dreamboats, Lilies, Koi and Chang Kuo-lao

Book
Nicolas Delort — The End of the Road
Scott Gustafson — Little Sambha and the Tiger with the Beautiful Purple Shoes with Crimson Soles
John Harris — Fire: the Road Beside the Wall
Petar Meseldzija — The Golden Apple Tree 1
Kirsti Wakelin — Dreamboats, Lilies, Koi and Chang Kuo-lao

Comics

Thomas Campi -- The Red Door — Thomas Campi — The Red Door

He Jie Mona -- All Corners of the Country: The Lost Buildings #4 — He Jie Mona — All Corners of the Country: The Lost Buildings #4

Goni Montes -- Clive Barker's Next Testament #6 — Goni Montes — Clive Barker’s Next Testament #6

Mark A. Nelson -- Seasons, page 1 — Mark A. Nelson — Seasons, page 1

David Palumbo -- No Good Deed — David Palumbo — No Good Deed

Comics
Thomas Campi — The Red Door
He Jie Mona — All Corners of the Country: The Lost Buildings #4
Goni Montes — Clive Barker’s Next Testament #6
Mark A. Nelson — Seasons, page 1
David Palumbo — No Good Deed

Concept Art

Jamie Jones -- Blackzero Interior — Jaime Jones — Black Zero Interior

Vance Kovacs -- John Carter Punches a Thark — Vance Kovacs — John Carter Punches a Thark

Brian Matyas -- Messenger Girl — Brian Matyas — Messenger Girl

Theo Prins -- Refugees — Theo Prins — Refugees

Concept Art
Jaime Jones — Black Zero Interior
Vance Kovacs — John Carter Punches a Thark
Brian Matyas — Messenger Girl
Theo Prins — Kite City 2
Theo Prins — Refugees

Dimensional

Jessica Dalvo -- Don't Mind Me — Jessica Dalva — Don’t Mind Me

Colin and Kristine Poole -- Hot Diggety Dog — Colin and Kristine Poole — Hot Diggety Dog

Forest Rogers -- Goblin Spider — Forest Rogers — Goblin Spider

The Shiflett Bros. -- Vertical Man-Tank, 1892 — The Shiflett Bros. — Vertical Man-Tank, 1892

Shaun Tan -- Grimm Tales: Thousandfurs — Shaun Tan — Grimm Tales: Thousandfurs

Dimensional
Jessica Dalva — Don’t Mind Me
Colin and Kristine Poole — Hot Diggety Dog
Forest Rogers — Goblin Spider
The Shiflett Bros. — Vertical Man-Tank, 1892
Shaun Tan — Grimm Tales: Thousandfurs

Editorial

Nicolas Delort -- Rumor of Angels — Nicolas Delort — Rumor of Angels

Bill Mayer -- Fragile Planet — Bill Mayer — Fragile Planet

Tran Nguyen -- The Insects of Love — Tran Nguyen — The Insects of Love

Editorial
Nicolas Delort — Rumor of Angels
Bill Mayer — Fragile Planet
Tran Nguyen — The Insects of Love
Yuko Shimizu — Hair Tree
Luo Xin — Recall

Institutional

Ed Binkley -- The Hag Griselle Pays a Visit — Ed Binkley — The Hag Griselle Pays a Visit

Bill Carman -- Shared Eyewear — Bill Carman — Shared Eyewear

Donato Giancola -- Huor and Hurin Approach Gondolin — Donato Giancola — Huor and Hurin Approach Gondolin

Justin Sweet -- Blacksea — Justin Sweet — Blacksea

Rebecca Yanovskaya -- Ascent of Man — Rebecca Yanovskaya — Ascent of Man

Institutional
Ed Binkley — The Hag Griselle Pays a Visit
Bill Carman — Shared Eyewear
Donato Giancola — Huor and Hurin Approach Gondolin
Justin Sweet — Blacksea
Rebecca Yanovskaya — Ascent of Man

Unpublished

Audrey Benjaminsen -- Lady of Light — Audrey Benjaminsen — Lady of Light

Jean-Baptiste Monge -- Ode to the Moon — Jean-Baptiste Monge — Ode to the Moon

Yukari Masuike -- Riding Horse on the Freezing Day — Yukari Masuike — Riding Horse on the Freezing Day

Omar Rayyan -- The Long Walk Home — Omar Rayyan — The Long Walk Home

Annie Stegg -- Lilaia the Naiad — Annie Stegg — Lilaia the Naiad

Unpublished
Audrey Benjaminsen — Lady of Light
Jean-Baptiste Monge — Ode to the Moon
Yukari Masuike — Riding Horse on the Freezing Day
Omar Rayyan — The Long Walk Home
Annie Stegg — Lilaia the Naiad

Enjoy,

John

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

March 2, 2014October 12, 2018

Spectrum 21 Judging is a Wrap!

The Spectrum 21 jury has wrapped up the book and awards selections! I’ll be posting the award nominations tomorrow evening and following up in a few weeks with the list of names of those artists who made it into the book. We had a fun day! Here’s a picture looking over the shoulder of J. Anthony Kosar from just a few hours ago.