Book Cover - Ghost Tales

Just finished a Book Cover for a client. This is probably one of the easiest projects I've done in awhile. The client had no complaints about the sketches or the final painting, so there were no revisions! Now those are the kinds of projects I like!!

As always, I did a sketch and added some values in Photoshop. This time, however, I did some underpainting values...which I never do. It really helped! I'm going to make it part of my process because it makes the painting go faster in the long run.

The book will be released sometime around September as an eBook only. I don't know many more details other than that. But look for it soon!

Etsy Shop Now Open

Hello all,

Just finished setting up my Etsy shop! Hurray! I'm hoping it will attract some people who haven't discovered me yet. It's a great site to be a part of because it's such a large community. I'm happy to finally be a part of it. Tell your friends!

Short and Sweet, with cute little Turtles!

It's been awhile since my last post! But I have been doing lots of work...mostly freelance graphic design projects, but also some fun illustrations work too! I'm doing some finishing touches on a book that someone is self-publishing. I'm doing all the illustrations as well as the layout and design of the book. It's short and sweet with cute little turtles! What else could I ask for?? Here's the front and back cover layout.

It's getting printed in July. That's about all the info I have at the moment. More details to come when I get it. I know the author is setting up a website for the book and I'm pretty sure it's going to be on Amazon.

Art Shows and Updates

I feel like I haven't been updating everyone on all the things that have been going on in life artistically, and I feel bad! If you follow my Facebook page, you probably have seen some of my activities, but in case, you have missed some, here's the gist of it all:

First some old news, just to catch up...


~My first illustrated book was just released on May 1st! (order your copy here!)

~Had the opportunity to show my art at the Huntington Beach Art Walk on April 20th.

~There was a shift in leadership roles within the OC Illustrators group that I am in. It was a sad, but also very inspiring change. We now have a new Facebook page!

~Me and 3 other artist friends have started a sketch blog on Tumblr. (I will try not to neglect this one because of it!) We will be posting a sketch every Monday and a new illustration every month. It is really just a way to keep ourselves accountable to each other.


And now for some upcoming news!...

~I will be showing my artwork from The Mahogany Door on June 3 from 6-11pm at the VioletHour Studio for the Fullerton Artwalk. I did this a few months ago, but I was asked to come back for a special "Kid's Extravaganza". I will be there selling copies of The Mahogany Door!

~Me and Katy Betz will be sharing a table at "Within Radius" an Art Festival in Riverside on June 18th from 6-10. It's going to be a great Festival of the arts! A bunch of bands will be playing and all kinds of artists will be there selling art. Come out and enjoy the festivities!

~Once again, some of my art has been accepted into the Art-4-Health Exhibition and Auction at Cal State Fullerton on October 12th. I have been involved in this show for 4 years...it's one of my favorites to be involved in. They were the ones who gave me the chance to have my first Solo Artshow! I am so thankful.

~I have a second book in progress that someone has hired me to illustrate. I can't show you much, but I have been given permission to post the cover illustration and maybe one interior image! For now, I'm posting the cover sketch. Next week I'll post the final image for the cover. The book should be out this Fall.


I'm pretty sure that's everything. If other things come up, I will be sure to post it!
Thanks for all the support and encouragement!

The Mahogany Door has opened!!

The door has opened! My first published book is available to order today! I'm so excited! I started the project just over 1 year ago, and it's so exciting to see it all done! I have learned so much from this project about the process of creating a book, and how much work goes into it. I can't wait for the next one! Mark Boliek worked so hard to make a nice, quality product. I think he did an awesome job!

There is also a cool Original Soundtrack that goes along with the book! Preview the music and then order your own.

Exclusively on May 1, order your copy of The Mahogany Door in the store and receive a signed copy by the author, the CD, and free shipping!

Order your copy now!

For updates on the book and for special offers, visit Mark's Facebook Page.

Mouse Paintings

I was hired for a small job of painting little mice in someone's kitchen. This woman had them painted on by someone else and for some reason, when the painters came to repaint her walls, they painted right over them! Who would do that!? So she hired me to paint them back on.

The mice were based off of two little mouse salt and pepper shakers that she had. She wanted a girl mouse with a red dress and a boy mouse running to her with some champagne in a tux. Then, as a surprise to her husband, she asked me to paint two little baby mice wearing USC shirts that would represent her grandchildren. So cute! It was a fun little project, and I think they come out good!

Huntington Beach Art Walk

Last Wednesday I had the opportunity to be a part of the Huntington Beach Art Walk! I had a great time meeting all the friendly art-lovers coming through and was thrilled to be able to show my work there. Robin Ott, the librarian there was so accommodating and even provided cookies for everyone! I didn't sell anything, but it was still totally worth the drive! Can't wait to do it again! Here are some pictures from the night.