Wow!  It’s been months since I’ve been on here.  I do apologize.  Life just kind of took over.  Plus, my computer has been down, a bit, so it’s been difficult to get online and update new art.

Likewise, there’s been so much going on in the world and my heart is so deeply saddened for all the innocent folks suffering great hardship and in need of assistance…especially when I hear of children in need.  Places where war, famine or epic natural distasters have happened.  Places like Japan, Malawi, Haiti, Uganda, Egypt, and so many more countries, even here in America.  I always feel so helpless.  Especially after there has been an enormous catastropy such as last year’s earthquake in Haiti, and the current triple disaster going on in Japan.  Prayer and donations are usually what most folks are able to offer.  However, donating funds is often quite a challenge for me because I haven’t had a job in years.

So last spring, I decided that I would start a personal project.  I had planned on launching it during the fall.  But, as I meantioned in one of my last posts, my health took a bad turn, and my Wacom tablet died soon after, so I have been delayed in getting it launched.  Nonethless, this personal project all started when I received a vision, like a waking dream, only it was just before I fell asleep.  Suddenly, I saw an image of two young school girls.  They were sisters, dressed for a school play.  The older sister was holding the younger one.  They appeared to have just experienced a catastrophy of some sort, such as an earthquake or perhaps there was an explosion nearby them, because I could see debri or partical ruin in the background.

The next morning, after I awoke, I jotted down some sketches so that I’d remember the image, because it got my brain wheels turning, and I started thinking of how I might be able to draw or create some paintings and sell prints for charity.  Or maybe I can donate the original art to a charity for auction.  I haven’t figured that part out just yet.  But I did take the time to research a few charities and found a few that I like, based on their mission statements and efficient management of their expenses.  Here’s my list of a few favorites thus far:

Save the Children

AmeriCares

Action Aid International

Direct Relief International

CARE

American Red Cross

Giving Children Hope

I have provided the links for anyone with the ability and desire to donate to any of these charites.

And now, I will show you the first stages of the first painting that I started last spring.  I’m calling the series Children of the Aftermath.  The first painting is called Sisters.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to work on it again soon.

Initial digital sketch

Some base colors added 

Stage 3

 I decided not to color flat this painting because the line art is more of a guide and I may change it as I go.  In fact, I’ve already been thinking I might render the girls each holding one hand of the other.  Also, just a note, for anyone wondering why their faces are pale – it’s because they will be wearing the floral make-up they had on for their school play.

More to come!

Finally finished.  I had alot of fun doing this piece! 

If you didn’t catch my last post, scroll down a bit so you can see this doodle in it’s process.

Enjoy!

(If you’d like to purchase a print, you may do so by visiting my Devianart gallery here at http://zbonez.deviantart.com/  Proceeds will help fund a new Wacom tablet for me, as mine is malfunctioning and making the process of digital painting a major difficulty - and I would be ever so thankful for your help!)

Yeah, I know.  It’s been awhile since I last posted.  But never fear!  I am posting now (obviously).  And I come with pics of a work-in-progress, for your eyes to enjoy. 

The story with this Steampunk Nutcracker Soldier Mouse – W.I.P – illustration, is that I started it last November  just after I finished the Rip Van Winkle Cyborg illustration.  But I didn’t get to finish it because I began working on the story The Angel.  And since it is Christmas themed, my mind completely forgot about it as January came along.  That is, until just yesterday, while digging for some bristol paper, when, lo and behold, what to my wondering eyes should apear!?  But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer?!  Nah.  Just a sketch of this steampunk nutcracker mouse.  But it did cause me to let out a good cheer!  (Of course, I would have let out a  HUGE cheer, if a miniature sleigh and eighty tiny reindeer had showed up to do a fly by, but that’s besides the point!)  Still, being the Christmas junkie that I am, I have decided that I will try to finish this little doodle, despite my malfunctioning Wacom tablet.  When I am finished, I’ll post it at my Devianart gallery and make it available to purchase as a print, for anyone looking for something unique to give to that hard-to-shop-for person on your Christmas list.  Also, the extra cash support would be ever so helpful in funding my need for purchasing a new Wacom.  And I would be graciously appreciative for your kind generous help.

With all that said, here’s the first few stages of Steampunk Nutcracker Soldier Mouse – W.I.P

Original Sketch

More to come soon…

Thought I’d post a little something here today, since it’s taking me so long to get this website/blog going.  I know some of you thoughtful folk have been wondering if I’m still alive and if I’ll ever get this site going, and I can asure you that the answer is “yes” to both.  I just want to thank you for your patience and hope that you’ll bear with me for a little while longer, as I toy around with the site, and develop it slowly. 

I do believe, however, that I’ve finally settled on a title. ”Melting Oasys” seems to be the best fit.  It had stemmed from my initial desire for the title to have something to do with the website being my own personal yard, or garden, here on the internet.  Like a cyber salad bar, or melting pot haven of my many artistic interests.  But after seeing the word “yard” or “garden” used in many other webtitles or business’s of other fellow artists, I elected to use the word “oasis”, but spelled as oasys.  This has a dual meaning for me.  You see, I have long wanted a Korg Oasys.  Quite literally, I have been salivating for one.  Drooling, really.  Although, not that I can call myself a skilled keyboard artist, worthy of owning one.  Just that I like to imagine and hope that some day I might be!  But, until then, I’ll continue to pratice on the keyboard I already own.  Maybe I’ll come up with a rockin’ version of Mary had a little lamb!

In other news; I spoke with Chris Stevens yesterday.  He’s been the editor for the upcoming graphic novel anthology Dream Compass.  What a swell guy, that Chris is!  He called to check up on me and let me know that he’ll be passing on the editorial mantle of the anthology into the hands of another very capable fellow.  I’ll have a pin-up in the book (which you can see a portion of in my banner).  I also had started working earlier in the year, on a 6 page story for the anthology called The Angel.   But sadly, my health took a major nose dive for most of this year and I only managed to pencil three of those pages and completely color two of them.  Since Chris has already posted page 1 of The Angel online, I though I’d post it here and add page 2, as well.  I have no clue if I’ll be able to finish the remaining four pages in the next couple of weeks, as miracles can happen!   Until then, as we wait to see what transpires, here’s a preview of pages 1 and 2 (unlettered).