Oldies but goodies

So part two of the blog post today. Some art.

Goliath of Disney's Gargoyles. Birthday gift for a friend.

Secondly let me introduce those that don't know to Earthguard. Created by the original founders of Arson Entertainment, these were our flashship characters for a long time. They only made it to two issues. The art was the best part as I wrote the story because the co-creator/writer was unavailable. I still love them and we were in talks to try to redo the book. but it probably won't be the same. Not sure what will happen to them.

From top to bottom Kyle/Maelstrom
Ishmiel/Syphon
Miana/Lady Bitch
Kim/Halo

don't ask me about the names. I think only one actually makes any sense.

Was once the best pic in my collection right around when Capcom vs. SNK2 hit and when I got Mark of the Wolves on emulator for my pc.

If I ever find the files I'll post the books.

Talent eh?

So this will be a double post because I plan on posting some art later on(closer to midnight like normal) But I needed to make a mention of something I think is crazy. It's not easy for an artist to make good money. Sometimes even as we gain critical acclaim or admiration among our peers we still lack the respect of the general public and find it hard to nail down a job in art.

I often here "If I had your skills..." ; the rest of the the sentence explaining why I shouldn't be without money ever with the skill that I have. It's not that easy though or else I would have lots of money. I wanted to post the current struggle of a friend of mind because of this.

He's currently in a contest on a site called talent house. While art contest can be loaded, considering art is so subjective and it's basically opinions that are used to judge, sometimes it's more about what you your self look like. I'm not hating on serious female artist. I've seen lots though who are mediocre and not improving and making sales because well they look nice.

I think my friend shawn is currently a victim of this. Check out his talent house link. vote if you agree. there are some other good entries.
http://www.talenthouse.com/creativeinvites/preview/a7eaadfc90e49e0d1337bf981dfad1cc/6690

just to summerize here is his entry (currently in 5th)

and here is the current number one.

You be the  judge

Hey. I'm late on this blog. should have been sunday.
So whats new... recent artshow. looking to do some more things my wife will be vending at Harambee institute on the 17th of this month. Working on sooooo many ideas.

here are a few failed ideas. projects for clients unused and abandoned. some times my fault sometimes not.

Friday's show was pretty awesome no sales but lots of interest made some new contacts and ran into some old friends. Check out my pictures on Instagram Kamau215
Some concepts for a comic strip a friend of mine had. I'll post links tomrrow when I have more time.

Check me on istagram kamau215
I've been out of it for a little bit. A lot going on. changes in my life and  all trying to get back on track.
Right now I'm working on Captain Kacela issue 4 and some illustration projects.

I've got an art school  coming up the 22nd or this coming Friday. 40th and Girard

Also I realized that I've been neglecting the other attached blogs. I built this set of blogs to work like a easy to manage site. as such I've noticed some navigation issues. I've also realized that without a schedule I'll never keep up with all these blogs.
My new schedule is week one of every month, main blog, main gallery and captain kacela and kacela gallery.
week two: the roach blog and gallery and extras if any.
week three: Keisha underground and gallery
last week back to this blog and fighters universe.
posting some new unfinished work

Hey art fans. Wanted to add this update so I don't fall too far behind. Lots of things going on. Including a separation from my wife and mother of my children. So this is the official official, even though I changed my facebook relationship status about a week ago.

I'm still documenting though I haven't made another video. I'll get one done by this Saturday. I didn't want to make this personal to me and have all my drama in these videos but there has been so much lately I think I should add it. In many ways its still all the struggle of artist. I know at least one that went through a similar divorce. I know for him it was just as hard because they had been such a public couple. I might have been in a more public relationship.

That and the death of my longtime martial arts instructor and personal matters between me and my family as well as shake ups at my day job have me much off schedule.
Currently I'm not sure when Captain Kacela Universal Ranger 4 will be done. It's looking like it won't be complete till early 2014.

I'm still planing to produce a graphic novel "The Roach" or "La Cucaracha" during 2014. so that may not be done till 2015.

And I'm still running the long con game. Convention season will start next year though I'm not sure what the first con will be.  There were several bust this year. Including Detroit black age con and cola-con. Things just didn't line up right.

if you have any questions concerns or just want to show support feel free to e-mail me Kamau.mshale@gmail.com or leave a comment. Also check out my instagram kamau215. I'll be posting some issue 4 preview soon.

New work

Some new art wanted to post it here first albeit not much longer before deviant art.

Catching up

So late notice but i should be at Cola-Con in Columbia SC
more info here http://cola-con.com/

I'm home on a sick day. The end of the convention season for me has been so full I haven't been updating like I should. Infact it was so crazy I had my domain name miss renewal. Luckily it was still around.

In the mean time here are  couple video blogs. about a month old or more.


oldest first. I recorded a small part of conversation with some friends after the baltimore comic con. It's pretty candid so don't send me any hate mail.  Just some thoughts on whats most important if your drawing in order to show up at a convention.

and from about a month ago

What up folks
As promised
http://indyplanet.com/store/index.php?manufacturers_id=5694
http://ishmiel14.deviantart.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KamauMshale
http://www.cafepress.com/ArsonONLINE
Had a cool time at New York Comic Con, made some good contacts. Be there tomorrow with some new art. Like this Chun Li. I'll probably add her Title to it as well.

Everyday I will be headed back to Philly after the con, so if I get in a little later it's cause I'm treking back and forth on mega bus. Not a bad ride though. I should be there by 2pm Friday. Along with my table mate Kimberly Moseberry and have some new stuff.  It's also looking like my convention schedule will be expanding.
 I'll be at the Cola-Con end of October. Well it's been  long day... longer tomorrow

So always moving, but sometimes I forget to blog about it. Going to NY city comic con. Table CC6.

Should have some new prints for it going to get some coloring done tonight. Due to funds I won't be able to get my normal colorist. So this time the colors will be all yours truly.
Also I won't be there Saturday. My table mate and recent apprentice will be though. Feel free to stop by quiz her and ask questions or take pictures.

New art work in the pipeline hopefully on display soon.

I'll be at the baltimore comic con this saturday and sunday table  A243

August
Updates I'll be in Baltimore the 7th and 8th for the Baltimore comic con. Will have some new prints I'll try to get some previews up soon. In the mean time enjoy this video from an artist displaying his struggles. art imitates artist...or some other type of  artistic statement

Me online.

First of many video recordings on the subject of comic creation and independent artist life.

There was a panel I participated in during Wizard world Chicago concerning the black woman in comics maybe speciffically in "afrofurturism" or sci-fi. One of the other panelist is a writer who's been working in that field for a little while she interviewed me. check it out here:

http://iafrofuturism.wordpress.com/

And captain kacela has a FB address like her there if you haven't all ready.
http://www.facebook.com/Captain.Kacela

So about a week since I arrived in Chicago and I'm still talking about the memorable trip. I went by bus, an up and down experience, but it's the people and interactions at the convention that stay with you. I kept up with posting photos on facebook through out the con. I'll share some here but best to hit up facebook to see them all.
The Captain Kacela Universal Ranger books sold well. Sold all of issue 1 and issue 3 had a few issue 2's left. Think I made a small impact in Chicago. I'm not thinking about doing a few other mid-west shows like detroit's cons as well as Ohios.

But the big thing is connections. My friend and fellow artist Shawn Allyene is big on networking. I'm not the best at it but I talked to some very prolific people. Like Writer Ytasha Womack, Creator Yurli Huff, Artist creator Arvell Jones, Writer creator La Morris Richmond  of Hallboy comics, a journalist with integrity(despite the my little pony shirt) many artist and a few cosplayers.

Ytasha interviewed me about captain Kacela and afrofuturism check it out here:
http://iafrofuturism.wordpress.com/

indoing the interview and trying to provide info I dind't realize that I never made a link for Captain Kacela's facebook fan page. Here it is: http://www.facebook.com/Captain.Kacela

Had a awesome time at the Wizard World Chicago comic convention. Got to hang out with Shawn Alleyene, Joe Currie, Kimberly Moseberry, Keron Grant, Yurli Huff and Ytasha Womack.

Got lots of work to do and almost no time as always. Keep a look out new work coming realllll soon.

GIVE EM' HELL KIM!

Sunday Sunday SUNDAY!

Posting late because the Wizard World Chicago con takes up all the day. Having a wonderful time. I can't begin to tell you how many friends I made and how many helpful faces and comments I've heard. Even better people are really throwing some support behind my current work Kacela. In return I'm going to keep Kacela going really get her out there. Get lots of extras for Kacela fans and readers. Also a whole slew of fan service prints on the way.

had a great time at dinner

Check out the table M4. alllll the way in the back but I promise I'll make it worth it. Going to start off with a 30% discount tomorrow. And we will see where it goes from there....(down)

A New Hope

So I've decided to share. For the next two years in addition to any art I post on my blog I'll also try to document the struggles of the artist.

I've told people recently this is likely my last few years doing comic related material. Mostly cause I still have ideas I want to get out. I've spent lots of money over the last 5 or 6 years, to varying degrees of effectiveness. So it's not a matter of giving up. I'll still draw. You have to be able to say to your self "I'm gonna give it all I got."  You also have to be able to live with the idea that all you got isn't enough and you have to pay the bills some other way.

Most of my work has been well received when people actually buy and read. None has been award winning, but it rarely even gets honorable mention.  I thought maybe this is because I'm not vocal enough. Turns out lots of people know my online persona, have seen my Facebook deviant art blog and follow. That's just not enough. So just so you all know I've really worked hard that this isn't a cop out
two years
2 video blogs a month
1 blog a week
2 status updates a day on Facebook.


I'm sitting at the Westin in Chicago waiting to go to wizard world and sell sell sell. I've seen my table. I'm burred almost in the last row of the first floor near the emergency exits. I've got a good amount of material and I am certainly available for commissions if your planing on coming by the table.

This con was the first major con I ever went to. I think this is a turning point in my career. And no matter what this con two years from now will tell me if I have any future in the funny books.


Check me out Table M4 first floor be there till the end of the con everyday.

 Chicago count down 3 more days
http://www.wizardworld.com/kamaumshale.html

My table is M4 in the lower levels. It looks surprisingly close to the entrance. Come see me get your copy of Captain Kacela, get a sketch get a print, get some comic jewelry and other fun stuff.

new design for Captain Kacela shirt. Won't be available in Chicago but you can get it online.

Chicago Bound!
Table M4!
I don't leave for another week  but I'm already pretty psyched. I think I've been burried in one of the biggest artist alley sections I've ever been apart of. I can't tell whether I'm at the entrance or near the back of the room? Either way on hand I'll have captain Kacela issues 1-3, a sneak peak of 4 and 5, several prints of pictures I've had on my blog plus some older stuff and a few captain Kacela posters. If things go well who knows maybe there will be some shirts!

3 am again

Had an awesome time at the J1 con. Would have been better with some sales. There was some nice cosplay though and I met some good people and hung out with some friends. Check out artist Ben Harvey excellent work. Going to commission him for some of my characters.

Picture below, me, Sean Ngo (one of the event and savior of my living room) and Kerry jr. And the disembodied cup of beet is Issa James.

Next up Chicago.

Hey don't want anyone to think I'm slackin'off

Will be at the blockley today. J1 Con. Small get together. hope to sell some prints, meet some folks, introduce people to captain Kacela. http://www.theblockley.com/event/300823-j1-con-2-philadelphia/

The Blockley Philly
3801 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA, 19104

Show starts at 2 pm, doesn't stop till 12 am GO FOR BROKE!
Been doing alot working on logos and preparing for upcoming comic conventions.

Seems people aren't as keen on Wizard World Chicago nowadays. I'll be there though hope to see a lot of folks. Maybe next year C2E2.

New Art!

Image done at a friends request. I'm gonna see if I can get some prints and shirts out of it.

the girl is supposed to be elena, akuma, panthro, blackpanther

Picture done for ashley riot/Riot queen on facebook

http://www.ashleyriot.com/ 

It's her Original Character Psyche

it's a little blury. I scaned this with my phone oh how the mighty have fallen

Thats all for now.

It's Official!
I'll be at wizard world Chicago.  August Chicago and Baltimore are the last of the big cons I'll be at till next year. I was supposed to do the bronx heroes con but had to bail at the last min. Hopefully next year. I wanted to hit onyx con in Atlanta, definitely my crowd but time and resources turned against it. There are a couple cons in Ohio I'd like to try next year, but as always it's about the time and money.

heres some more good news though, some one came by the table in philly and they liked my avatar piece so much they offered to color it.
15 dollars, 2 prints for 25, 3 for 30

Check me out in Chicago I'll post my table I.D. soon as I get it

Quick Update on Appearances

Confirmed for:
Bronx Superhero Con July27th
J1-2 Conventions July 28th
Baltimore Comic Con September 7-8th

looking into chicago

theres also a local con thats new we might hit up

So last night i posted a whole bunch of images on the roach blog. so let me make that up by reposting them here where they were supposed to go.

Small black panther sketch

Cody from the FinalFight/Streetfighter myths

 Cyclops and marrow

Goliath from disney's gargoyles   for a friends birthday

Leo for a turtle contest

Pokemon idea id like to see. 

The Hulk vs Popeye

Kakashi also for a birthday

Skizzy skizzy Sketch!

So I'm tired had martial arts class today. So no banter just sketches

this one is pretty old spawn

more recent Nina from tekken. I updated this but since the scanner is broke.

 old sketch done on the bus along time ago

birthday present for a friend also two of my favorite video game characters 

old picture of some mutants.

Sketch done of my wife for my son. when he was born he stayed in intensive care they said he would recognize black and white so i drew this and left it in the crib

 redesign of an old marvel character Impala for some website I think, can't remember. I liked the outcome though

Old madlib don't remember the silly story that went with it

Another redesign of a marvel character probably for the same contest. This time Miss Marvel who I thought would be an interesting captain america counter part.

some of my favorite characters some old pics some new.

more art

Day two Puttin in that old work!

First off let me say expect some art about tryavon. Only in America can there be so much unsaid and so little humanity in the face of "Law and order" so little justice.

I found out I might be able to use my phone as a scanner so maybe some new art after all. Not for a while though. They charged me a fee.

First some random characters. Along time ago I posted on a site called PencilJack.com. Alot of great folks from there Khary Randolph(kharupt.com) Robert Kirkman of walking dead fame, Tony Moore E.J.Su and a bunch of other guys fun time. did this sketch as part of an art contest/online comic. it won a spot but they got rid of him eventually cause I wanted too much money. 

This is a character called Hodari. I may write some thing for him again.

This is ishmiel Lyght of Earth Guard i had alot of pics of this guy. I lost this actual book mark water colored painted.

This is the ninja penguin. I really didn't want to compare him to any turtles. Came about by accident. I still like him may not do anything other then just draw some pics slap him on shirts.

Space police officer. Inspired by the science police of the legion comic. Intentionally done as eye candy.

And then there is Roach.  Roach is actually still in development. I've done a lot with her. The new stuff will be written by another person writer Tess Stevenson. Pretty good. Should be alot more light hearted.

Also I envision her as having a ponytail. but I almost never draw her that way.