I am pleased to announce that Mark Schultz Various Drawings Volume Five will available in July 2011.
If you are curious as to the reason why the fifth volume did not come out in 2010, here it is. Filling up the 48-page book with Schultz art is not the issue. The problem lies in Mark Schultz being very particular as to what goes into the book, and his insistence that the art be new works that have been completed since the last volume. In this case, this would be since the summer of 2009. Older work, as splendid as they are, is not considered at the moment. Showcasing only Schultz’s latest and best works is the goal of Various Drawings.
You can view the details and sample art on the book information page on the Flesk website.
The new book Robert Fawcett: The Illustrator’s Illustrator is now available from Auad Publishing. This handsome hard cover book with jacket is 182-pages with a gatefold. The 9 x 12” size allows for generous space to show off the over 250 images contained within the book. Don’t be fooled by the modest description on the Auad website stating over 100 illustrations being in the book. There are more than twice that number.
The sophisticated design combines the text, captions and art into a breathtaking portfolio of this influential and important illustrator. The fact that the design is so well hidden, allowing the art to stand out and control the eye in smooth transitions, is a testament to the editorial direction of Manuel Auad and designer Mark Cox. I’ve long been an admirer of this team on Auad’s books and Mark’s design work for other publishers.
The book includes a well-written retrospective of Fawcett’s career by David Apatoff. The introduction is by Walt Reed who offers insight into Fawcett. (Reed had worked with Fawcett at the Famous Artists Correspondence Schools.) In addition, a rare interview with Fawcett and an essay titled “Art and Common Sense” written by Fawcett is included. Another bonus is the dozen high-quality photographs of Fawcett and his studio that Auad was able to acquire from the Society of Illustrators.
Chapters cover his work done for The Saturday Evening Post, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Collier’s Magazine, This Week Magazine, Cosmopolitan Magazine, advertising illustrations and much more.
Robert Fawcett: The Illustrator’s Illustrator can be purchased direct from the Auad Publishing website. The book runs only $34.95.
For more details and book reviews visit the links below.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is hosting an exhibit of original works and one-sheet posters by renowned artist Bob Peak.
Bob Peak: Creating the Modern Movie Poster features an array of pieces created for movie posters.
Promotional text for the Academy website reads:
“Artist and designer Bob Peak (1927–1992) has been hailed as the “father of the modern Hollywood movie poster.” His unique style of motion picture advertising imagery will be on display in the Academy’s Fourth Floor Gallery, where colorful, graphically complex original paintings done for iconic movie poster campaigns are shown alongside the final one-sheet posters for such titles as “My Fair Lady,” “Camelot,” “Superman,” “Star Trek – The Motion Picture” and “Apocalypse Now.” Multiple designs are presented for nearly 50 films from among the more than 100 campaigns he designed in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s.”
There is also a video tour of the gallery online. The event runs from January 20 through April 17, 2011. Admission is free. Visit the links below for more details and for directions.
The Flesk Publications Booth Just Prior to the Show Opening on Wednesday Evening.
It occurred to me that I never wrote about our exhibiting at Comic-Con International in San Diego last July 2010.
As with the last couple of years, I spent the Wednesday morning prior to the show in Balboa Park. Designer extraordinaire, Randall Dahlk, joined me in visiting the gardens. I snapped pictures of some pitcher plants among other types of flora. I can get into a Zen-like state when photographing nature. I find it very relaxing. The quiet interlude was a welcome experience after preparing for the convention.
With the show starting Wednesday evening, we got put into the spin-cycle and hung on until our release on Sunday night. I don’t want this to sound bad, because it isn’t. However, most other shows allow small breaks here and there, and offer a chance to walk around and escape the booth. Comic-Con doesn’t offer this luxury for me.
John Fleskes at the Flesk Booth at Comic-Con 2010.
I did manage to escape the booth for a little bit on Sunday, but otherwise didn’t see the show. Because of this I don’t have any insight into the event itself. I am a little jealous of those that are free to run around. That’s the price of being a publisher. I actually have to go online and read blogs to view pictures and hear how the show went, even though I’m there!
The primary purpose of our setting up is to promote the books, artists and company. Selling books is also important, but that is secondary. Having the opportunity to meet new people that have never heard of us and talk with those who have is all very rewarding.
Mark Schultz Signing at the Flesk Booth.
As with previous years, Mark Schultz was kind enough to sign at our booth for two hours each day. The big news for 2011 is Schultz has given up his spot at the booth that he shared with Gary Gianni and Jim and Ruth Keegan. Instead, he will be at our Flesk booth. I’m trying to get a few more artists over for signing in 2011, too. I’ll announce them as they come on board.
Mark Schultz and James Walker II at the Flesk Booth.Randall Dahlk and James Walker II Helping at the Flesk Booth!Randall Dahlk and Musician, Chris Christensen.
One funny story is how Tron actor Bruce Boxleitner stopped by. We chatted and he bought some books. One of my helpers freaked out and asked me if I knew who I was just talking to? I said “no” to his dismay. I enjoy movies and TV, but rarely get the chance to watch them, as I am too busy on my own projects, family and life. The cast of Glee was signing a few rows from us on Sunday. I asked someone what the huge line was (blocking the aisle into our row) and the individual explained what it was. I thought to myself, “What is Glee?” I had never heard of it before. Unless 10 million people are watching and it has been on for five years, I usually don’t know about it. That’s how out of the loop I am with TV. I went back to my booth thinking, “Glee, what a show!”
John Fleskes and Spectrum Director Arnie Fenner.
I had the honor of having dinner with a group of people I admire. One special night was the Spectrum dinner hosted by Arnie and Cathy Fenner. William Stout, Brom, Donato Giancola, Angela Wheeler and Arlo Burnett all had a pleasant evening together. I had never met Brom or Donato outside of a brief encounter at a show. It was nice getting to know them.
On another topic, an interesting observation I made was how many people I saw at the WonderCon show earlier in the year that I normally only see at San Diego. This was following by noticing how many people I normally see in San Diego that didn’t show up. (And again who I saw at WonderCon.) It makes me wonder with the economy if some people are taking a year off from Comic-Con, and/or if certain fans are getting tired of the increasingly difficult and expensive arrangements to get to the San Diego show. I hear a lot of complaints from the people who have been going to San Diego for years, but the fresh new faces are ecstatic to be there. It’s no secret there is a changing of the guard in the attendance, but is this a bad thing? Not in my opinion. There are plenty of other shows that you can still attend that are geared more towards the hard-core comic fan, like WonderCon.
Furthermore, each year I hear more concerns expressed about Comic-Con not being solely about comics anymore. I agree that comics are not the main highlight anymore, but is this a problem? Does someone have to collect comics to be a legitimate attendee? No, I don’t think so. Do you have to buy Spider-Man comics to be a raving Spider-Man fan? Nope. Comic-Con is a place for comic book fans to buy comics and about enjoying the culture and experience of modern pop culture for those that do not. You don’t have to buy comics to be a fan of the characters that derive from comics. The programming guide, guests and theme of the show are still devoted to comics. This introduces the field to a whole new audience with each year, therefore promoting comics. To me, that’s a good thing. Like it or not, if you don’t go next year, there will be someone eagerly awaiting the ticket that is freed up.
For those continuing to make the pilgrimage to Comic-Con, see you in July 2011!
The March 2011 issue of Heavy Metal magazine features a two-page article on Al Williamson, along with a book review on Al Williamson Archives Volume One. S.C. Ringgenberg writes in his Dossier column, “I’ve been collecting and perusing art books for more than four decades and I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anything like this caliber of reproduction being applied to Williamson’s exquisitely detailed line work.”
Some of our Flesk titles are getting low on stock. Now is the time to pick them up if you want to add them to your book collection.
The first bit of news is that Xenozoic by Mark Schultz sold out from us in January. I have kept a small supply for Flesk store orders and book shows. My distributor is down to their last few cases. I have every intention of keeping this book in print. I am already working with the printer to have a fresh printing ready to ship in spring 2011.
I am also running low on Al Williamson’s Flash Gordon. This book will not be reprinted. I have ceased wholesale orders for this book. I have kept a few cases of this book for sale direct through Flesk only. This book is officially out of print. As the stock diminishes I will be raising the prices for these.
The signed deluxe edition of Gary Gianni’s adaptation of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is almost gone. I have roughly a dozen copies left. The price for these remaining copies is $40.00.
We have a handful of copies of the hardbound edition of Joseph Clement Coll: A Legacy in Line left. Current price is $50.00. The softcover edition is out of print.
I just found some copies of the softcover edition of Joseph Clement Coll: The Art of Adventure. I’ve added them to the Flesk store for much less than is seen on out of print book sites.
I have had many requests for my Franklin Booth: Painter with a Pen book. I am long sold out and don’t have plans to reprint the book at the moment. I will keep an eye out for copies in the warehouse. If I find any, I will be sure to list them on the Flesk Store.
Please note that any of these stock levels and prices can change without notice.
Last Friday I drove down to Southern California to visit with some friends and attend few events.
My first stop was a visit with my book distributor to the trade stores, SCB Distributors. It’s always good to meet with them to discuss how our books are selling, what the market is looking like, and brainstorm ideas about improving and growing. Ideas on the future of digital books is of great interest to me. The owner at SCB, Aaron Silverman, gave me some good tips that I will be applying in the near future. I’ll share those plans here in this blog once they are concrete and implemented.
Then I was off to meet up with Craig Elliott who, I had the pleasure of spending a few days with. For those that aren’t aware of Craig, I have some links at the end of this blog that will inform you of his art and person. He is a truly skilled craftsman. Craig works in film, is an accomplished fine artist, has a line of jewelry, and can build a home if needed. He’s one of those rare all around guys who can do it all. He has worked on Bee Movie, Monsters vs. Aliens, Mulan, The Princess and the Frog, Treasure Planet and many more films.
Craig and I went to the Pasadena Book Fair on Saturday. Bud Plant and Anne Hutchinson, plus Stuart Ng Books both had a booth at the show. I enjoyed getting the chance to talk to all of them. I also had the opportunity to meet the astounding artist Dean Yeagle. Craig was kind enough to introduce us. Then, I was surprised to bump into my friend Tom Peak, son of Bob Peak, along with Tom’s daughter. Tom filled me in on the new Bob Peak exhibit running at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which runs until April 17, 2011. Tom also shared the progress of the Bob Peak book he is spearheading. The collection is still in development. The Bob Peak website will have details once it becomes available.
That evening, Craig and I went to the Nucleus Gallery for the opening reception of “Poster Peepshow: The Art of the Pin Up.” The showroom was packed with people and beautiful art. Besides Craig Elliott, other artists featured and in attendance were Olivia De Berardinis, Jim Silke and Dean Yeagle. Silke was signing his new book that I published, Jungle Girls, along with his previous titles from Dark Horse. William Stout even showed up, but we completely missed each other in the large crowd. You can see pictures of the event on the Nucleus Gallery website. Our pal Mary from Stuart Ng Books even showed up. Nucleus has a terrific bookstore. They carry our Flesk Silke and Stout books. Plus, to top off a fine evening, Nucleus served cheesecake.
It’s been too long since I have attended an event that I was not a part of. I liked the relaxed feeling of not being responsible for anything. I had a great time.
Sunday I had the opportunity to spend some time with William Stout. Besides seeing how many different projects he is currently involved with, (second zombie calendar, CD covers for the Smithereens and Rob Zombie, and film design) we had the chance to go over a few future projects we will be working on together. (You will have to wait to hear about those later!)
The Nucleus Gallery will have their opening reception for Poster Peepshow: The Art of the Pin-Up this Saturday, February 5, 2011. The exhibit will run until February 28. They will have a wide assortment of pin-up themed original artwork on display, including pieces from our recently published Jungle Girls book by Jim Silke. Also included is art by Craig Elliott. I am currently working with Craig on a new book collection of his artwork. Both Silke and Elliott will be at the reception on Friday evening. A book signing with Olivia De Berardinis will run from 6pm to 7pm that evening.
I’ll be there for the reception as well. See you at the show!
This summer, I will be publishing the fifth volume of Mark Schultz’s Various Drawings. Over the course of the last few weeks, book designer Randy Dahlk and artist Mark Schultz have been working on the cover design and art. While I have been included in the email correspondence between these two gentlemen, my input was been zilch. They know what they are doing and have an organic working relationship, especially after already having worked together on the first four volumes of Various Drawings and the Xenozoic collection. I had the good fortune to sit back and watch these guys correspond and pass email attachments back and forth. What I’ve done here is share some of the details, sketches and finished cover for Various Drawings Volume Five.
This first sketch shows Mark’s idea for the jacket artwork. You’ll notice Mark has been zooming in closer to Jack and Hannah with each of the five successive Various Drawings collections. This is intentional. He planned this from the start. For the goal of this cover Mark said, “I wanted sort of a suspense pulp thing happening.”
Two hours after receiving Mark’s sketch, Randy responded with this idea for the cover. It’s not uncommon for Randy to shoot back with three or more cover ideas, but this time just the one came back, and I felt like he nailed it. Multiple cover variations were not needed or missed. Mark agreed. Randy kept with the established design style of the book series, a Russian Constructivism look, the cream color and futura font you will find on each, and the ongoing geometric shapes, rules and solid panes of color.
Twenty-three days later Mark sent us the finished art for the cover. I recognized immediately the style was reminiscent of Mark’s Conan book illustrations with the gritty look, mood, and feel to the piece. There’s a definite noir look to the work, which turned out to be responses Mark was hoping to hear. You will notice Mark wasn’t keen with the original positioning of Hannah in the initial sketch and remedied the art to his liking.
Randy had the final cover design wrapped up by the day after receiving the art from Mark. With both my and Mark’s approval on the initial design sketch, it was a matter of plugging in the art and adding the colors. It looks fast and easy, but is more work to wrap up than you might think. The above samples show the front cover, followed by the front and back cover with partial flaps.
Mark Schultz Various Drawings Volume Five will be available in July 2011. I’ll have full details on the book and sample art on the Flesk website by March 2011.
The Call For Entries is still open for Spectrum 18, but not for much longer. You still have time to submit your art in the Advertising, Book, Comics/Graphic Novels, Concept Art, Dimensional, Editorial, Institutional and Unpublished categories. Any published or unpublished art must have been finished or first published between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2011.
The annual Spectrum collection is dedicated to promoting the fantastic arts for contemporary artists. Submissions for Spectrum 18 will be voted on by Julie Bell, Nathan Fox, Gregory Manchess, Brandon Shiflett, Jarrod Shiflett, Boris Vallejo, and Shena Wolf.
I’m putting my package together right now. I’ll be submitting various works on the artist’s behalf that I have published. If the art is selected, I consider it a great advertising tool, a good way to promote the artist through increased exposure, and a possible opportunity to grab the attention of an art director or client, or a fan wanting a personal commission, to get them more work.
