Here you'll find a variety of samples of my artwork, from illustrations and posters to set designs and production designs over the years. You'll also find information on some writing projects, as well as miscellaneous interviews and any other nonsensical tidbits of curiosity.

August 6, 2008
One of the nicest compliments....

This charming young fellow reportedly liked my Indiana Jones artwork so much that his dad made him a T-shirt out of it. I'd ask for my cut in residuals if I wasn't smiling so broadly and flattered so much.

August 6, 2008
Don't just vote "REPUBLICAN"...

...take REPUBLICAN!!!

Just got back this morning from a five-day trip to San Diego. Comic-Con was a lot of fun, albeit a bit lonely; last year I had friends come out with me, but this year I went all by myself. (Though happily I learned an old friend, whom I hadn't seen in ages, was also in town, and he let me crash at his place Sunday night when he saw how tired I was from the festivities.)

Hands down, my favorite moment of the convention was finally meeting animators Don Bluth and Gary Goldman in person. Not only did they honor my request for a photo op -- even offering to come out from behind their booth to stand by my side -- but when my camera's batteries had unexpectedly died (oh, the embarassment!), an assistant was kind enough to take a picture with his camera and email it to me. So, after all these years, at last I have a signed SECRET OF NIMH poster, a photo with two of my creative heroes, and a great, goofy little memory to smile back on.

Also cool news: Brandon Kleyla's documentary INDYFANS AND THE QUEST FOR FORTUNE AND GLORY, which features a small segment on yours truly, has now secured a distribution deal and will be available for purchase on DVD come October 7th! (For the anxious, it should be available for preorder on August 26th.) Bravo, Brandon!

As with last year, I participated with Brandon's "Indyfans" panel at Comic-Con, though this time I finally mustered up the courage to show up in costume. (As if I didn't already have the hat and whip to begin with.) Now that INDY IV is said and done, I'm rather sad that it's all come to an end...or has it?

July 13, 2008
Color me Kubrick...

It's hard for me to believe that it's been almost a decade since Stanley Kubrick's passing. The director would have turned 80 this year, and had he lived, surely could have made at least one more film for us to ponder. (His definitive A.I.? His once abandoned, always beloved dream NAPOLEON project?) I never knew or met the man personally, but when the news broke of his death I found myself driving aimlessly in my car down the Pacific Coast Highway, feeling a strange sense of personal loss and sadness. I was right outside of San Diego, near the US-Mexican border, when I finally turned around for home.

England's Channel 4 has this extraordinary commercial up, which recreates, in stunning detail, the film set of THE SHINING -- including recognizable props, 70's period costumes, fashion...even the color balance of the film stock looks authentic.

Also of note is this Daily Telegraph article about Kubrick's personal archives and collection of props used within his films. Kubrick's family has donated them to the University of the Arts London, where they will be available for viewing by the public! This alone gives me reason enough to renew my passport and fly over.

2008 also marks the 40th (!) anniversary of the filmmaker's seminal 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, and I was fortunate enough to attend a special lecture at the AMPAS with VFX wizard Douglas Trumbull about the movie's groundbreaking special effects. It was hosted by Tom Hanks -- himself a lifelong devoted fan of the film -- and Trumbull shared many behind-the-scenes images from his own personal collection, most of which had never been made previously available to the public.

While I was in college I'd met Trumbull at his Ridefilm company in Massachusetts, and later (albeit briefly) after moving out to Los Angeles. His lecture was extraordinary, and the material warrants, at the very least, an in-depth book or documentary of its own. 2001 is a film that has stood the test of time, both thematically and visually, and the achievement is all the more mind-boggling when you consider the technical limitations the production faced. (NO CGI! NO BLUESCREENS!) There has never been (nor, I suspect, ever will be) a film quite like it.

July 12, 2008
Comic-Con 2008 update!

I booked my trip and tickets some time ago, so now it all depends on my schedule. God, I love Comic-Con. I'm not much of a comic book enthusiast, but there's enough movie-related goodies there to satisfy all kinds of tastes, including mine.

If you're planning on going, by all means shoot me an email. I'll be participating in the Indyfans event, set for Sunday 7/27 2-3pm. (See the gratuitous "Indy girls" photo at right for more info.)

I'm also planning to have some prints of my work on sale within the artists' auction, and this time I hope it will be more successful. I made the mistake of trying to sell originals last year, which just aren't affordable to casual buyers. (I also learned the hard and painful way that framed canvases are damn difficult to carry around whilst waiting in a three-hour line.)

The convention itself is quite an event, but seeing San Diego alone makes the trip worthwhile. It really is a beautiful city, and should I ever have the finances and opportunities, I'd seriously consider moving there someday.

June 23, 2008
R.I.P. George Carlin: 1937-2008

One of my favorite American voices fell silent yesterday. I was lucky enough to have seen George Carlin perform in late 2006, though somehow in the back of my mind, I was fully expecting to see him in concert again at some point.

Much has been said about Carlin's use of extensive profanity in his comedy routines, but this clearly overlooks the often deeply thoughtful and profound, always brilliantly witty meanings behind his words. This piece, written shortly after his wife's passing, is a strong case in point. (Footnote: Carlin's last interview, another thing of poetic beauty, can be read here.)

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all, mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears ha