Hi everyone,

I am illustrating a book.

Generally, I don't do freelance work- it's really time consuming and complicated and it just doesn't appeal to me that much. However, the author I'm working with sent me his manuscript, made a good offer, and I thought it was brilliant. I can't tell you too much other than the subject matter of the project is along the lines of what most people watching my work within the past year will probably really appreciate.

It's the real deal. I'm registered with the Library of Congress as an illustrator and the book just got an ISBN number and bar code a week or two ago. I've been working on it for a few months, and there's roughly about a month left to go. We have a publisher and distribution and we're penciled in for a December '09 release. Super super exciting. I'll post more information when I know it's OK to do so.

Additional drawing outside this production still happens from time to time... maybe I'll post some of my new stuff soon. We will see....

-A

Hey everyone,

First, The Conduit is out and has been getting some awesome reviews! IGN gave it an 8.6 ([link])! And it's sellin' like hotcakes! If you want to play a game that I worked on, I definitely recommend this one! It is a lot of fun.

In other news, Tim Burton and Walt Disney are apparently teaming up to ruin Alice and Wonderland in a style that smacks of both "Batman and Robin" and also "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." To be clear: I generally don't mind Tim Burton's style- I loved Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare before Christmas, and on a weird level, Batman (1989). Also to be clear: Disney's live action films are generally crap (see also: "G-Force." Really Walt Disney? REALLY?).

Here's why I'm concerned. "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is one of may favorite books, and when the movie came out I was tremendously excited to see it. There were a lot of redeeming aspects to the film, but there were a couple exceptions. Major exceptions, actually. Namely, Willy Wonka was awful and so were the Oompa Loompas and the music to their stupid songs. I do not fault Johnny Depp- he's a totally capable actor. The fault lies with the direction they took his character- which was the most asinine representation of a perfectly cool (in the book) character that I think I have ever seen. For that, I blame the director and the writers.

With that history in mind, now we've got "Alice." I know you can't judge a book by its cover, but movies aren't books. Look at these pictures! WHAT THE HECK!?!?!? WHO ALLOWED THESE CHARACTER DESIGNS TO ACTUALLY MAKE IT TO A MOVIE POSTER!?!?!? [link]

I'm not saying my illustrations are the best or the most definitive version AT ALL, but I am aghast at the character designs for this movie. Someone got paid a substantial amount of money to some up with this crap. This is a red flag, my friends. a BRIGHT RED FLAG.

Anyway, enough ranting. Time to go do some drawing!
-A

Hey everyone,

You may have noticed (or not) that my art updates have gone from "few and far between" to "virtually non-existent." This has not really been by design, and it's certainly not because I haven't been drawing.

In fact, I've actually been drawing more than I have in quite a long time. I am currently working on a private project that I can't talk about (yet) except to say it's going to be awesome.

On the games front, if you pre-order your copy of "The Conduit" from GameStop/ EB games you'll get an "Art of" book that features some of my work. Also, check out "Gladiator AD" and "The Grinder" on IGN if you want to take a look at some of the new games I've done some work for.

I may post some sketches or something soon, but don't hold me too that. Rest assured, I'm still here, I'm online all the time, and I still check out all the comments and artwork that gets posted (responding isn't something I've had much time for though, sadly).

Stay tuned for more news. It is coming. That is all.

-A

Dear Viewers/Readers,

I'd like to take a moment to put you on notice: the unthinkable has happened. I'm tired of drawing dark and creepy things. For now anyway.

No, I am not on drugs of any kind. I've just reached a point in my life where I'm generally happy and have lost a lot of my cynicism. I don't really feel like I need to preach about the bitterness of life through my artwork. I feel that dead horse has been sufficiently beaten.

Additionally, we live in different times than we did, say, a couple of years ago. I'm tired of looking around and reading stuff about how people are down and how so-and-so will never forgive so-and-so and how other people are to blame for whatever mess is upon them. That's not to say we should ignore our problems or disregard differences- but everyone's mindset is so vindictive! Why?! Sure, the recession is stressful, but in spite of it, most people still have a lot of great things going for them. I submit that no matter what our situation, we should be able to afford a little patience, let some of the minor things go, and share whatever happiness we have with everyone else.

Sadly, I don't think my old artwork does this in a way that I'd like.

Instead, I'd like to turn a corner and work with themes that I've never really done anything with before. Ever. I want to work on things that are fun, playful, simple and great to look at.

I hope that you'll enjoy my upcoming work as much as my old stuff, even if you publicly denounce it. Some of you might.

Wishing you a great spring and/or begging your forgiveness,

-Andrew J.

Hey everyone,

I'm pretty excited. The March 2009 issue of Nintendo Power has an article about The Conduit that features a piece of concept art that I did! You can check it out on the top of page 49 in that issue- it's a rare opportunity to see something that I drew for work. It's a good article too, so check it out and enjoy!

-A