Ain't It Cool News Reviews the So Super Duper Complete Collection
Ain't It Cool News, arguably the biggest pop culture site on the internet, has reviewed the So Super Duper Complete Collection! There's a wonderfully funny interview with So Super Duper creator, writer and artist, Brian Andersen, himself, and the review follows. What is especially thrilling for me, is that out of all the back-up stories that were chosen to be included in the collection, mine was specifically mentioned!
"It must be said, “Pride Goeth” by Kevenn T. Smith and Ray Caspio has got me thinking that Smith would be a perfect fit for an ongoing series. His perfectly pulpy pencils are a nice fit for such a fun story--just sayin’."
The So Super Duper Complete Collection is a delightful read, and you can go here to buy either a print version (which utilizes a high quality paper, so the print version is gorgeously produced) or a digital pdf file of the collection.
Art For Talespinner Children's Theatre
This is my last post for 2012, and I wanted to write about another incredible opportunity that I had this year. I was asked to help out in making three-dimensional artwork for the two shows of 2012 for Talespinner Children's Theatre.
In June, I was called in to help add on details to some of the puppets that were constructed for the show, "The Tale of the Name of the Tree." They needed someone who could handle very detail-oriented and time-consuming work of gluing dried grass from grass skirts as hair on some of the puppets. Detail-oriented and time-intensive; naturally, they thought of me. I worked on a baboon puppet, and giraffe puppet, and a huge lion puppet.
In November, I got the call again from Talespinner's Artistic Director, Alison Garrigan, to work on chandeliers for their adaptation of the opera, "The Magic Flute." I was provided with most of the materials and the umbrella "skeletons" that were going to serve as the base of the chandeliers and told one was for The Queen of the Night, and the other was for Sarastro, who was like The King of the Day. In addition, the umbrella "skeletons" needed to be able to transition between the closed and open positions, as they would be brought out onstage "closed" and then opened and suspended in the closed position. I was given complete creative freedom and confidence, which is everything that an artist like me could wish for. Using the materials I was given, and some of my own, including spray painting one of the umbrella "skeletons" gold, I threw myself into making sparkling chandeliers that would hopefully dazzle the young audiences who would be witness to the magic onstage.
There's something very rewarding for me about creating work that will be seen by children and helping to transport them into another world fueled by their imaginations. I was very happy with how the chandeliers turned out, and they were even mentioned in a review of the show on Cool Cleveland.com as part of the set:
"...clever and visually stunning (old umbrellas with glittering streamers where hung up as chandeliers in the palace)."
Images ©Kevenn T. Smith 2012
WonderCon 2011 Wrap-Up
I had an amazing time at WonderCon! I got to meet so many people who were more than nice and see some great talent there. I'd say it was an absolute success. Thanks to all who came by the booth and supported us. I made 3 artcards right before WonderCon, and one of them sold, and I wanted to spotlight them here. First up is Psyche from Brian Andersen's So Super Duper. This image is now available as cards, prints and Posters at RedBubble.com!
4.25 x 5.5 inches cardstock.
Pencil, ink, Prismacolor pencil.
©Kevenn T. Smith 2011
Speaking of So Super Duper, I had the opportunity to go by Whatever Comics in the Castro, and issue #11 of So Super Duper with my 10 page back-up story was on display in the front window! You can't miss the hot pink cover:
Issue #11 of Brian Andersen’s So Super Duper is on sale at the shop at Prism Comics.com and Indy Planet.com!!! The 10 page back-up story that I wrote and created the artwork for is lettered by Ray Caspio (who also has a pin-up illustration in this issue!). Just click on the preview thumbnail images below to enlarge them.
All artwork and images ©Kevenn T. Smith 2011
Another artcard I did was of DC Comic's Batwoman. For this artcard, I wanted to capture some of the "feel" of J.H. Williams III's art in the Batwoman stories that he illustrates. This image is now available as prints. Please use the "Contact Me" form at the top-left of this page to request one and inquire further about pricing and sizes.
4.25 x 5.5 inches cardstock.
Pencil, ink, Prismacolor pencil.
Batwoman ©DC Comics 2011
The third card that I made before WonderCon was of one of my favorites, She-Ra. I also couldn't resist the chance to illustrate the Whispering Woods backgrounds from the She-Ra cartoon again.
4.25 x 5.5 inches cardstock.
Pencil, ink, Prismacolor pencil, Prismacolor marker.
She-Ra ©Mattel 2011
UPDATE: Brian Andersen wrote about his own experience at WonderCon and mentioned me in the write-up over at Comicbook Queers.com. Take a look!
WonderCon 2011
I'm pleased to announce that I'll be attending WonderCon 2011 in San Francisco April 1-3! I'll be at Brian Andersen's CBG Comics table helping to promote the So Super Duper comicbook. I'll also be selling some of my artwork there. I'll be selling original art cards (each are unique and handmade!) and I'll hopefully have a handful of prints of the DC Heroines 2007 and 1 or 2 of the prints that are left of the DC Villainesses 2007 available for purchase. This is your chance to buy these pieces without having to pay for shipping! I hope to see you there.
Gay.com Reviews So Super Duper #11
Gay.com reviewed So Super Duper issue #11. They seemed to have liked the issue! And they were even kind enough to mention my back-up story in it.
You can still buy So Super Duper #11 at Indy Planet.com or now also at Prism Comics. Just search for So Super Duper!
Prism Comics Mentions So Super Duper #11
Prism Comics has a short buzz article about the latest issue of So Super Duper - which is issue #11, and they even mention the back-up I did with Ray Caspio. Check it out here!
And remember, you can buy So Super Duper #11 at Indy Planet.com or now also at Prism Comics. Just search for So Super Duper!
Gay.com Interview With Author, Brian Andersen
So Super Duper writer, Brian Andersen, was interviewed at Gay.com, and he mentioned working with me on So Super Duper and the upcoming backup story for Issue #11 that I am doing. Check out the interview here!
So Super Duper Issue #11 should be out very soon and available at PrismComics.com. My backup story for it is 10 pages, and it focuses on Halo, but also shows an important event in the past of Psyche, the star of So Super Duper.
Amazing Amazon - A Wonder Woman Art Event
My piece for Wonder Woman Day #4, "Here, Kitty! Kitty!" is being exhibited in the Amazing Amazon exhibit at the Lara Sydney Framing Gallery in Portland, Oregon. It will be available for viewing between October 1 and October 24. On the 25th, it will be available for bidding at the charity auction for Wonder Woman Day #4.