Halfway there.

 The year is half way over. I can't believe it. Just the other day it was winter and I was hoping for the warm weather to come. Well, it's not quite here yet, but July usually means that the heat is coming soon. Along with waiting for the sun to shine I'll have to wait until October to see the release of Kylesa's new album. The art is finished and the packaging is being finalized this weekend, so I can breathe a small sigh of relief. 

 The new Kylesa album will be released on Season Of Mist and is scheduled for a mid to late October release. The album will be titled "Spiral Shadow" and there will be 2 versions of the CD, as well as being issued on vinyl. The first version will be a limited edition 3D lacquered digipak that includes a CD and DVD.  The 2nd will be a regular edition in a standard jewel case.

  I have to thank my friend Casey for doing a fantastic job with the layout and graphic design work on the cover. It looks incredible. You can see some of  Casey's design work, sketches, and artwork at www.myspace.com/mckinleyillustration . He's a great guy and a sick designer, so if you need any graphic design work get a hold of him.

 Next up on the schedule is the design for Buzzov-en. The idea from Kirk is that of a phoenix and the sketch is coming along smoothly. I'll post up a detail of the sketch soon. Until then, go out and play in the sun. If you live here, go out and frolic in the rain.

Old is new again.

 I'm knee deep in ink and hoping to get the 3rd and final panel for the new Kylesa done by the weekend. Thrown into that was a re-visiting of sorts of an older design. Seeing as the "Only One II" design was a more simple design and only used on the front of their "Only One" hoodies, Phillip asked if I could do something to add to the original art. What they got is the "Only On The Inside" shirt design that will be available on their European tour (July 10th). You might notice that this version of the art in the center doesn't have beams of light streaming from the heart. I decided to take them out as I didn't care for the way that they came out when printed on the hoodies. I also noticed that the beams created too much havoc on the eyes when thrown into the ribcage border. All in all, I think that the additions to the old design have given it a new life.

 

 3 days for a highly detailed 2nd cover/3rd panel. Then, scan, clean, set-up, and send out. Wish me luck.

Supposed to be summer.

 While the rest of you are probably enjoying the warm spring weather, I've been inside watching the rain come down. I guess that it's a good thing as I'm still in the throes of inking the new Kylesa LP cover. 3 panels of detailed, surreal trees. It's been a good time as Phillip from Kylesa and Sabiene from Season Of Mist  have included me and my input on the packaging and set up of the cover. It's going to be a trippy cover to go along with the new  trippy album. I wish that I could say that I'll post the cover when I get done, but we have to wait until they "officially" announce the cover art. Keep an eye out.

 A few years back I made 25 sticker packs that included 5 stickers and a 2 color print on vinyl. Needless to say, they sold out fast. Well, I'm going to be making another round of sticker packs soon. I'm not sure if  I'm going to make all new designs or use some detail images from past designs. It may be a little of both. If you have any design that you would like to see included in the sticker packs, feel free to email me. 

 Prints are coming soon, too.

Back into The Womb (art room) to listen to the rain and let the ink flow like the blood of my enemies.

Bastard Samurai and Illuminating Scriptures.

 Just a quick post to let everyone know that the High On Fire "Bastard Samurai" shirt design is now on sale at their merchstore and at live shows. You can pick one up here: highonfire.warnerbrosrecordsstore.com/ .

 I've also run across a shirt that I designed a few years back and have never seen. It's the "Illuminating Scriptures" design for Job For A Cowboy and was one of  2 designs that I created for them.  If you'd like to purchase that shirt, you can go here: www.districtlines.com/Metal-Blade-Records/Job-For-A-Cowboy . I hope that I can get one of these for my own collection. I guess I'll have to shoot Mr. Davy an email.

 There you have it. You can go buy a shirt and cover up that naked torso of yours. 

May is Kylesa month!

 It's looking like May will officially be Kylesa month for me. Besides designing the front and back cover of the new album, Phillip has informed me that the cover art will be expanded in other designs associated with their stage set-up. I'll be designing drum heads, a backdrop banner, and smaller banners for the sides of the stage. It'll be a total art overdose. 

 The project is coming along great as both Kylesa and the label want me to take part in helping them come up with packaging for the new cd/lp. It doesn't happen too often, but it is a good day when a band actually let's me a part of designing the items that my art will be going on. So, be prepared for a unique CD package on this one. 

 Other than most of the month being dedicated to Kylesa, I'll be working up some sketches for projects that need to be started or finished up. Some of the projects have been harder than others to come up with and not every idea given to me by bands or individuals are good. Others, leave it open for me to work and that's when I work best. Thanks to those who allow me to let my mind loose. 

World wrath.

I know that I had posted new Lamb Of God "Choke Sermon" shirt design in my last post, but it's turned into a bit more than first intended. Mark liked the design so much that he asked me to do a back design so that they can use it as a tour shirt for their "World Wrath Tour". So, here are the final designs for both the front and back. The shirts are being printed and will be available starting May 15th in Bangalore, India. They'll more than likely be available for US tour in July, too. To find tour dates go to www.lamb-of-god.com/tour.php.  More Lamb Of God designs are coming in the near future.

Seeing that myspace is a graveyard these days I have started a Facebook page to go to for art galleries and news. Go to www.facebook.com/santos.illustration. Check it!