News
about the alumni of SAS & IMC
Justyna Gil's latest Magic cards to be released tomorrow
September 23, 2021
Justyna's art has now been featured on eight cards for Magic: The Gathering. Her latest will be part of the Innistrad: Midnight Hunt set, to be released September 24, 2021. Congratulations Justyna!
Justyna's Magic Cards
Justyna Gil
Justyna's art has now been featured on eight cards for Magic: The Gathering. Her latest will be part of the Innistrad: Midnight Hunt set, to be released September 24, 2021. Congratulations Justyna!
Justyna's Magic Cards
Justyna Gil
Announcing the Winners of the july Art Prize!
July 10, 2021
Time to announce the winners of another HUGE round of the Prize! More than 200 artworks were submitted to our fabulous two jurors: Shelly Bond, legendary comics editor, and Matthew Gardocki, Director and Curator at La Luz de Jesus Gallery, a seminal gallery of low brow & pop surreal. Both jurors chose their winners entirely independently and Shelly Bond chose her winners based on individual art works while Matthew Gardocki selected winners by the body of work of the artist. Congratulations to everyone who entered this round of the contest. It has been you are making a powerful Alumni Portfolios page.---and remember that we'll be doing this prize again with the January portfolio updates.
Time to announce the winners of another HUGE round of the Prize! More than 200 artworks were submitted to our fabulous two jurors: Shelly Bond, legendary comics editor, and Matthew Gardocki, Director and Curator at La Luz de Jesus Gallery, a seminal gallery of low brow & pop surreal. Both jurors chose their winners entirely independently and Shelly Bond chose her winners based on individual art works while Matthew Gardocki selected winners by the body of work of the artist. Congratulations to everyone who entered this round of the contest. It has been you are making a powerful Alumni Portfolios page.---and remember that we'll be doing this prize again with the January portfolio updates.
Shelly Bond's first prize winner:
Tex Buss, 'Delivery'
Winner of the first $300 purse!
Shelly Bond's Runners Up:
Anastasia Eve 'The Garden of Eden'
& Ashley Hankins 'Blood and Tines'
Matthew Gardocki's First Prize Winner:
Tex Buss
Winner of the second $300 purse!
Matthew Gardocki's Runners Up:
Marta Witkiewicz
& Ethan Price
Again-congratulations to everyone who got new work together to present to the jurors, we look forward to seeing more work by everyone in the community in our next round.
Sharon Sayegh wins the Bernadette award from the national association of women artists
July 10,2021
Sharon Sayegh's painting 'The Dinner Party' has won the $500 Bernadette Award from National Association of Women Artists and has also recently been interviewed on the podcast 'Creative Brick Road'. Congratulations Sharon!
Sharon Sayegh
National Association of Women Artists
The Creative Brick Road
Sharon Sayegh's painting 'The Dinner Party' has won the $500 Bernadette Award from National Association of Women Artists and has also recently been interviewed on the podcast 'Creative Brick Road'. Congratulations Sharon!
Sharon Sayegh
National Association of Women Artists
The Creative Brick Road
sam guay's magic card to be released July 23
July 6, 2021
Sam Guay's first card for Magic the Gathering will be part of the new Adventures in Forgotten Realms set. Congratulations Sam!
Sam Guay
MTG Adventures in Forgotten Realms
Sam Guay's first card for Magic the Gathering will be part of the new Adventures in Forgotten Realms set. Congratulations Sam!
Sam Guay
MTG Adventures in Forgotten Realms
July Art Prize Entries open July 1-July 21
June 29,2021
For this edition of the art prize we will have two jurors and two first prizes!
SHELLY BOND is the editor of the Eisner award-winning series Bitter Root, Fables, and The Sandman: Overture. She's also the Editor-in-Chief of OFF REGISTER and BLACK CROWN with her husband, artist Philip Bond. A former DC/Vertigo Executive Editor for over two decades she has worked with scores of artists and writers in many capacities including commissioning hundreds of covers.
MATTHEW GARDOCKI is the Director and Curator for La Luz de Jesus gallery. La Luz de Jesus opened in 1986 and is one of the foundational galleries of pop-surreal/lowbrow movement, giving a start to greats like Mark Ryden. Today La Luz de Jesus showcases mainly figurative, narrative paintings as they continue their mission of bringing underground and counter-cultural art to the masses.
The Prizes:
How to Enter:
Everything you need to know is on this page:
https://www.smarterartschool.com/smarter-art-market-specs.html
Best of Luck to all of our alumni! We are very excited to see everyone's new work. Daneen will be doing much of the image wrangling and communications for this edition of the prize, but the email is the same. If you have any questions, talk with Daneen at Smarterartmarket@gmail.com
For this edition of the art prize we will have two jurors and two first prizes!
SHELLY BOND is the editor of the Eisner award-winning series Bitter Root, Fables, and The Sandman: Overture. She's also the Editor-in-Chief of OFF REGISTER and BLACK CROWN with her husband, artist Philip Bond. A former DC/Vertigo Executive Editor for over two decades she has worked with scores of artists and writers in many capacities including commissioning hundreds of covers.
MATTHEW GARDOCKI is the Director and Curator for La Luz de Jesus gallery. La Luz de Jesus opened in 1986 and is one of the foundational galleries of pop-surreal/lowbrow movement, giving a start to greats like Mark Ryden. Today La Luz de Jesus showcases mainly figurative, narrative paintings as they continue their mission of bringing underground and counter-cultural art to the masses.
The Prizes:
- Both jurors will see all portfolio updates
- Each juror will select their own first place prize winner and two honorable mentions.
- The two first prize winners will each win $300.
- All winners will be announced on the SAS Instagram and on the Alumni News page of the SAS website
How to Enter:
Everything you need to know is on this page:
https://www.smarterartschool.com/smarter-art-market-specs.html
Best of Luck to all of our alumni! We are very excited to see everyone's new work. Daneen will be doing much of the image wrangling and communications for this edition of the prize, but the email is the same. If you have any questions, talk with Daneen at Smarterartmarket@gmail.com
Alexandra Verhoven 'Reveling in Bloom' at Modern Eden gallery
Alexandra Verhoven, tex buss, Primary huges, and dan cohen in modern eden gallery portrait show
June 21, 2021
On view through July 3, this is the ninth year of the Portrait Show at Modern Eden. Past editions have included many of the luminaries of field. We are particularly proud to hear that Alexandra Verhoven's painted her piece in the show during her mentorship with Brad Kunkle and Martin Wittfooth. Congratulations to Alexandra, Tex, Primary, and Dan!
Modern Eden 'The Portrait Show IX'
Alexandra Verhoven
Tex Buss
Primary Hughes
Dan Cohen
On view through July 3, this is the ninth year of the Portrait Show at Modern Eden. Past editions have included many of the luminaries of field. We are particularly proud to hear that Alexandra Verhoven's painted her piece in the show during her mentorship with Brad Kunkle and Martin Wittfooth. Congratulations to Alexandra, Tex, Primary, and Dan!
Modern Eden 'The Portrait Show IX'
Alexandra Verhoven
Tex Buss
Primary Hughes
Dan Cohen
Justin Gerard 'The Lair of the Sea Serpent' at the Norman Rockwell Museum
‘Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Illustration’ exhibition at the Norman Rockwell Museum features many IMC alumni—as well as SAS and IMC teachers and guest artists
June 16, 2021
Lindsey Look, Alessandra Pisano, Elisabeth Alba, Allen Williams, and Justin Gerard —all of whom studied at the IMC— have their work hung among historic greats of illustration such as Maxfield Parrish, N. C. Wyeth, Howard Pyle, Dean Cornwell, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, as well as many contemporary luminaries in the field, in this lush and sweeping history of fantasy art. An outstanding number of artists from the SAS and IMC community are on display now at this premier museum for illustration. Two artists who occupied honored easel status at the IMC: Scott Brundage and Anthony Palumbo, plus many SmArt School faculty: Donato Giancola, Dan dos Santos, David Palumbo, Cynthia Sheppard, Scott Fischer, & Greg Manchess. IMC core teachers Julie Bell and Boris Vallejo are also featured. In addition, many of the guest artists who taught at the IMC in past years have works on exhibition: Iain McCaig, Mike Mignola, Brom, James Gurney, Charles Vess, Micheal Whelan, Karla Ortiz, Peter de Seve, and Brian Froud. It is a huge and beautiful exhibition and it is wonderful to see so many of the artists in our community considered of historical importance to the genre. The exhibition runs through October 31. The Norman Rockwell Museum is located in Stockbridge, MA, and this show is absolutely worth a trip. Congratulations to all the alumni in the show!
Norman Rockwell Museum
Lindsey Look
Alessandra Pisano
Elisabeth Alba
Allen Williams
Justin Gerard
Lindsey Look, Alessandra Pisano, Elisabeth Alba, Allen Williams, and Justin Gerard —all of whom studied at the IMC— have their work hung among historic greats of illustration such as Maxfield Parrish, N. C. Wyeth, Howard Pyle, Dean Cornwell, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, as well as many contemporary luminaries in the field, in this lush and sweeping history of fantasy art. An outstanding number of artists from the SAS and IMC community are on display now at this premier museum for illustration. Two artists who occupied honored easel status at the IMC: Scott Brundage and Anthony Palumbo, plus many SmArt School faculty: Donato Giancola, Dan dos Santos, David Palumbo, Cynthia Sheppard, Scott Fischer, & Greg Manchess. IMC core teachers Julie Bell and Boris Vallejo are also featured. In addition, many of the guest artists who taught at the IMC in past years have works on exhibition: Iain McCaig, Mike Mignola, Brom, James Gurney, Charles Vess, Micheal Whelan, Karla Ortiz, Peter de Seve, and Brian Froud. It is a huge and beautiful exhibition and it is wonderful to see so many of the artists in our community considered of historical importance to the genre. The exhibition runs through October 31. The Norman Rockwell Museum is located in Stockbridge, MA, and this show is absolutely worth a trip. Congratulations to all the alumni in the show!
Norman Rockwell Museum
Lindsey Look
Alessandra Pisano
Elisabeth Alba
Allen Williams
Justin Gerard
Martina Fačková is Imagine FX Magazineartist of the month
March 25, 2021
Martina has been getting lots of great attention to her work. The piece in Imagine FX follows closely a review by Hipsters of the Coast praising her Magic cards for the Kaldheim series. Martina also has had two pieces selected for this year's Infected by Art annual, both achieving the honor of unanimous selection by all the jurors involved.
Martina Fačková
Imagine FX
Hipsters of the Coast
Infected by Art
Martina has been getting lots of great attention to her work. The piece in Imagine FX follows closely a review by Hipsters of the Coast praising her Magic cards for the Kaldheim series. Martina also has had two pieces selected for this year's Infected by Art annual, both achieving the honor of unanimous selection by all the jurors involved.
Martina Fačková
Imagine FX
Hipsters of the Coast
Infected by Art
Hilary Clarcq wins the jack gaughan award at boskone 58
February 18, 2021
The New England Science Fiction Association presented the award during Boskone this last weekend. Hilary says of receiving the award "This honor feels even more special because my 2016 SAS mentor, Scott M. Fischer, is a prior recipient. I have also monitored two classes with Dan Dos Santos (another prior recipient). And it looks like a few other SAS alum are also on the list of recent winners. I'm grateful to NESFA for the award and to programs like SAS, which set off the trajectory of my ongoing artistic journey."
Check out Hilary's website here
Check out Hilary's Instagram here
More about Boskone 58
More about The New England Science Fiction Association
The New England Science Fiction Association presented the award during Boskone this last weekend. Hilary says of receiving the award "This honor feels even more special because my 2016 SAS mentor, Scott M. Fischer, is a prior recipient. I have also monitored two classes with Dan Dos Santos (another prior recipient). And it looks like a few other SAS alum are also on the list of recent winners. I'm grateful to NESFA for the award and to programs like SAS, which set off the trajectory of my ongoing artistic journey."
Check out Hilary's website here
Check out Hilary's Instagram here
More about Boskone 58
More about The New England Science Fiction Association
ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF THE second SAM Portfolio PRIZE!
February 10, 2021
Time to announce the winners of another HUGE round of the Prize! Sixty three artists submitted more than 250 artworks. Juror Jeremy Cranford had total freedom in selecting one winner but he went above and beyond by selecting not only a first prize winner, but also two honorable mentions and providing commentary about his choices. We are super grateful for this dedication from a great art director in reviewing the work of artists in the SAS and IMC community. Congratulations to everyone who entered this round of the contest. It has been great seeing all of your work. ---and remember that we'll be doing this prize again with the July portfolio updates.
Time to announce the winners of another HUGE round of the Prize! Sixty three artists submitted more than 250 artworks. Juror Jeremy Cranford had total freedom in selecting one winner but he went above and beyond by selecting not only a first prize winner, but also two honorable mentions and providing commentary about his choices. We are super grateful for this dedication from a great art director in reviewing the work of artists in the SAS and IMC community. Congratulations to everyone who entered this round of the contest. It has been great seeing all of your work. ---and remember that we'll be doing this prize again with the July portfolio updates.
Message from the Juror, Jeremy Cranford, Art Director at Blizzard Entertainment:
I always feel quite honored and humbled when chosen to be on a jury. The first time looking at batch of over 250 + images is a bit overwhelming. There are so many good images it’s easy to find something to really enjoy in each one, but then I must get to work and start critiquing them on what I feel is important. Which has the composition, the drawing, the rendering of color & light, the concept / narrative and then something I call the “X factor”. Something an image has that’s hard to put it to words but has some originality and just feels cool. While using these fundamentals as my yardstick the judging process still gets tricky. I end up thinking: “Wow, what a cool drawing, but the values are off.” “What a great composition but too bad that part of the drawing is off.” That process continues until I’m down to my final three favorite images out of the batch which I will show to you now.
First Prize: Elizabeth Peiro 'Vin'
Winner of the $500 purse!
Jeremy's notes:
I really like the active composition, the drawing is solid, the values are solid and it has fun sense of mystery and feeling that something is about to happen.
I really like the active composition, the drawing is solid, the values are solid and it has fun sense of mystery and feeling that something is about to happen.
First Honorable Mention:
Dane Cozens 'The Fishing Trip'
Jeremy's notes:
I like this for several reasons. The use of a strong diagonal and big vs. small in the composition. Great colors and values but most of all this one really had a great story and used the perfect POV for telling the story.
I like this for several reasons. The use of a strong diagonal and big vs. small in the composition. Great colors and values but most of all this one really had a great story and used the perfect POV for telling the story.
second HONORABLE MENTION: Bruce Brenneise ‘Great Salt City’
Jeremy's notes:
I really like the sense of scale here and even the super saturated colors work for me but mostly his one was all about the X-factor status. The image takes me back to the magic and sense of wonder that I find appealing in the works of Moebius or in films like “Nausica of the Valley of the Wind”.
I really like the sense of scale here and even the super saturated colors work for me but mostly his one was all about the X-factor status. The image takes me back to the magic and sense of wonder that I find appealing in the works of Moebius or in films like “Nausica of the Valley of the Wind”.
Congratulations again to everyone who entered!
paige Carpenter's 2022 Llewellyn Astrological calendar now available for pre-order
February 2, 2021
"The World's Best Known, Most Trusted Astrology Calendar" has now been illustrated by Paige Carpenter and is available on Amazon for pre-order.
Check out more of Paige's art, including some of her work that will be included in the calendar on her portfolio page:
Paige Carpenter
Order the calendar Here
"The World's Best Known, Most Trusted Astrology Calendar" has now been illustrated by Paige Carpenter and is available on Amazon for pre-order.
Check out more of Paige's art, including some of her work that will be included in the calendar on her portfolio page:
Paige Carpenter
Order the calendar Here
Dan Cohen'S painting now SHOWING IN SURREAL SALON 13 AT BATON ROUGE GALLERY CENTER OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Dan Cohen's work will be included in Surreal Salon 13 a show curated by Thinkspace. The show is on view at the Baton Rouge Gallery in Louisiana through January 28, 2021. Thinkspace is a gallery and curatorial group based in Los Angeles. They have been an important force in the Pop Surreal and Contemporary Symbolist art movements for the last decade and a half.
More art by Dan Cohen
See the online exhibition: here
Baton Rouge Center for Contemporary Art: here
More about Thinkspace: here
More art by Dan Cohen
See the online exhibition: here
Baton Rouge Center for Contemporary Art: here
More about Thinkspace: here
Lucas Film's Star Wars Celebration art show features Candice Dailey's art
January 14, 2021
Candice Daily was one of only 22 artists selected by Lucas Film to represent the 2020 Star Wars Celebration Art Show. Check out her work among some of the other winners on the Star Wars Celebration website.
Star Wars Celebration Art show here
More art by Candice here
Candice Daily was one of only 22 artists selected by Lucas Film to represent the 2020 Star Wars Celebration Art Show. Check out her work among some of the other winners on the Star Wars Celebration website.
Star Wars Celebration Art show here
More art by Candice here
Melissa gay's work from artist's residency now featured in online exhibition at light grey art lab
January 9, 2021
The exhibition called "Together", features art from the artists who were selected for the Light Grey Art Lab's Iceland and Norway artist residencies in 2019. Melissa's image is of an ancient arctic fox she encountered while participating in the residency. Light Grey Art Lab is an illustration-focussed gallery in Minneapolis that hosts residencies , art camps, and art camp international programs to places such as Iceland, Norway, Scotland, Japan, and various National Parks.
See the exhibition here
More about Light Grey Art Labs
More art by Melissa Gay
The exhibition called "Together", features art from the artists who were selected for the Light Grey Art Lab's Iceland and Norway artist residencies in 2019. Melissa's image is of an ancient arctic fox she encountered while participating in the residency. Light Grey Art Lab is an illustration-focussed gallery in Minneapolis that hosts residencies , art camps, and art camp international programs to places such as Iceland, Norway, Scotland, Japan, and various National Parks.
See the exhibition here
More about Light Grey Art Labs
More art by Melissa Gay
Covenant, Allen William's first art book kickstarter ending soon
January 2, 2021
Covenant: The Art of Allen Williams kickstarter ends January 7th. Allen has done a lot of concept work for movies and has also won many awards for his illustrations. This book allows a look into his other work. It is described as "The personal graphite, pencil and oil works of Allen Williams collected in a beautifully produced book." As of this writing it has been (predictably) very successful, earning more than four times it's goal so it's time to see what stretch goal treats will be unlocked for the people who get in on it now.
Allen's kickstarter here:
Covenant, The Art of Allen Williams
Check out more of Allen's art here:
Allen Williams
Covenant: The Art of Allen Williams kickstarter ends January 7th. Allen has done a lot of concept work for movies and has also won many awards for his illustrations. This book allows a look into his other work. It is described as "The personal graphite, pencil and oil works of Allen Williams collected in a beautifully produced book." As of this writing it has been (predictably) very successful, earning more than four times it's goal so it's time to see what stretch goal treats will be unlocked for the people who get in on it now.
Allen's kickstarter here:
Covenant, The Art of Allen Williams
Check out more of Allen's art here:
Allen Williams
Hope Doe
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Kaysha Siemens
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Sarah Finnigan
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Joseph Weinreb
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Haven Gallery Little Big V exhibition shows sas/imc alumni
December 18, 2020
Hope Doe, Kaysha Siemens, Sarah Finnigan, and Joseph Weinreb all have work in the show running from December 12, 2020 through January 10, 2021. You can find the artwork on the Haven site and on the online art platform Artsy.
Hope Doe
Kaysha Siemens
Sarah Finnigan
Joe Weinreb
Haven Gallery
Artsy
Hope Doe, Kaysha Siemens, Sarah Finnigan, and Joseph Weinreb all have work in the show running from December 12, 2020 through January 10, 2021. You can find the artwork on the Haven site and on the online art platform Artsy.
Hope Doe
Kaysha Siemens
Sarah Finnigan
Joe Weinreb
Haven Gallery
Artsy
Ken Cunningham's work showing soon in surreal salon 13 at baton rouge gallery center of contemporary art
December 12, 2020
Ken's work will be included in Surreal Salon 13 a show curated by Thinkspace. The show is on view at the Baton Rouge Gallery in Louisiana January 5-28, 2021. Thinkspace is a gallery and curatorial group based in Los Angeles. They have been an important force in the Pop Surreal and Contemporary Symbolist art movements for the last decade and a half.
Ken Cunningham
Baton Rouge Gallery Center for Contemporary Art
Thinkspace
Ken's work will be included in Surreal Salon 13 a show curated by Thinkspace. The show is on view at the Baton Rouge Gallery in Louisiana January 5-28, 2021. Thinkspace is a gallery and curatorial group based in Los Angeles. They have been an important force in the Pop Surreal and Contemporary Symbolist art movements for the last decade and a half.
Ken Cunningham
Baton Rouge Gallery Center for Contemporary Art
Thinkspace
Iryna Khymych's art featured in a special promotion for the book the invisible life of addie larue
Dec 1, 2020
People ordering advance copies of this New York Times Bestseller received a set of postcards featuring character art, including this work by Iryna.
Iryna Khymych
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
People ordering advance copies of this New York Times Bestseller received a set of postcards featuring character art, including this work by Iryna.
Iryna Khymych
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
"No Strings Attached" which sold recently through 33 Contemporary
Maryam Gohar showing with online gallery 33 Contemporary
November 25, 2020
Maryam's work has bee featured regularly by the group Poets and Artists. Now she's showing through founder Didi Menendez's online gallery 33 Contemporary.
Maryam Gohar
More of Maryam's work at 33 Contemporary
More about Poets and Artists
Maryam's work has bee featured regularly by the group Poets and Artists. Now she's showing through founder Didi Menendez's online gallery 33 Contemporary.
Maryam Gohar
More of Maryam's work at 33 Contemporary
More about Poets and Artists
rovina cai illustrated the latest book of the bestselling folk of air trilogy--being released for sale today
November 24,2020
2020 has been a big year for Rovina. Among other projects, the King of Elfhame marks the publication of the third book that includes both her cover and interior illustrations. She also won a gold award in the Books category this year in Spectrum: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art.
Rovina Cai
See more art form King of Elfhame and read an interview with Holly Black about the book here
Buy The King of Elfhame at your local bookstore (they need your help) or here
More about Spectrum here
2020 has been a big year for Rovina. Among other projects, the King of Elfhame marks the publication of the third book that includes both her cover and interior illustrations. She also won a gold award in the Books category this year in Spectrum: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art.
Rovina Cai
See more art form King of Elfhame and read an interview with Holly Black about the book here
Buy The King of Elfhame at your local bookstore (they need your help) or here
More about Spectrum here
"Vendarla" kickstarter with art by mike miller ending November 25
November21, 2020
This is a well reviewed game designed by Hameed Moore and illustrated by Mike Miller and the Kickstarter is only live for a few more days.
Mike Miller
Check out the game here
Purple Pheonix's glowing review of the game here
This is a well reviewed game designed by Hameed Moore and illustrated by Mike Miller and the Kickstarter is only live for a few more days.
Mike Miller
Check out the game here
Purple Pheonix's glowing review of the game here
Tommy Arnold NOMINATED FOR A 2020 CHESLEY AWARD
November 18, 2020
Tommy Arnold was nominated for a 2020 Chesley award in the category of Best Cover: Hardback Book by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists. He was nominated for his illustration for Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. Tommy's work on this series has been winning huge accolades. Earlier this year his cover illustration for Harrow the Ninth was honored by being selected to also grace the cover of Spectrum 2020: The Best In Contemporary Fantastic Art.
Tommy Arnold
More about the Chesley Awards here
About Tamsyn Muir's Books here
Tommy Arnold was nominated for a 2020 Chesley award in the category of Best Cover: Hardback Book by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists. He was nominated for his illustration for Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. Tommy's work on this series has been winning huge accolades. Earlier this year his cover illustration for Harrow the Ninth was honored by being selected to also grace the cover of Spectrum 2020: The Best In Contemporary Fantastic Art.
Tommy Arnold
More about the Chesley Awards here
About Tamsyn Muir's Books here
Melissa Gay NOMINATED FOR A 2020 CHESLEY AWARD
November 17, 2020
Melissa Gay was nominated for a 2020 Chesley award in the category of Best Gaming Related Illustration by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists. She was nominated for this piece entitled "Summer Dandelion" that was done for the Olde Fae card game, a project by the Changeling Artist Collective.
Melissa Gay
Old Fae Card Game here
More about the Chesley Awards here
Melissa Gay was nominated for a 2020 Chesley award in the category of Best Gaming Related Illustration by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists. She was nominated for this piece entitled "Summer Dandelion" that was done for the Olde Fae card game, a project by the Changeling Artist Collective.
Melissa Gay
Old Fae Card Game here
More about the Chesley Awards here
Martina Fackova NOMINATED FOR A 2020 CHESLEY AWARD
November 16, 2020
Martina Fackova was nominated for a 2020 Chesley award in the category of Best Color Work: Unpublished by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists for this piece entitled "Spellbinding Terror".
Martina Fackova
More about the Chesley Awards here
Martina Fackova was nominated for a 2020 Chesley award in the category of Best Color Work: Unpublished by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists for this piece entitled "Spellbinding Terror".
Martina Fackova
More about the Chesley Awards here
Tran Nguyen NOMINATED FOR A 2020 CHESLEY AWARD
November 15, 2020
Tran Nguyen was nominated for a 2020 Chesley award in the category of Best Cover: Hardback Book by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists for her cover of The Storm Crow.
Tran Nguyen
More about the Chesley Awards here
Tran Nguyen was nominated for a 2020 Chesley award in the category of Best Cover: Hardback Book by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists for her cover of The Storm Crow.
Tran Nguyen
More about the Chesley Awards here
Bruce Brenneise NOMINATED FOR A 2020 CHESLEY AWARD
November 13, 2020
Bruce Brenneise was nominated for a 2020 Chesley award in the category of Best Color Work by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists for his illustration "If Stones Could Cry".
Bruce Brenneise
More about the Chesley Awards here
Bruce Brenneise was nominated for a 2020 Chesley award in the category of Best Color Work by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists for his illustration "If Stones Could Cry".
Bruce Brenneise
More about the Chesley Awards here
Emily Hare NOMINATED FOR A 2020 CHESLEY AWARD
November 12, 2020
Emily Hare was nominated for Best Product Illustration this year by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists. She got nominated for the 2020 calendar she produced as part of her successful Kickstarter campaign (that earned triple her funding goal).
Emily Hare
Check out her Dragon 2020 Kickstarter here
More about the Chesley Awards here
Emily Hare was nominated for Best Product Illustration this year by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists. She got nominated for the 2020 calendar she produced as part of her successful Kickstarter campaign (that earned triple her funding goal).
Emily Hare
Check out her Dragon 2020 Kickstarter here
More about the Chesley Awards here
Magic Card illustration by Wylie Beckert Nominated For a 2020 Chesley
November 11, 2020
Wylie Beckert was nominated for Best Gaming Related Illustration this year by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists. She got nominated for her Magic Card 'Rosethorn Acolyte".
Check out more of Wylie's work here
More about the Chesley Awards here
Wylie Beckert was nominated for Best Gaming Related Illustration this year by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists. She got nominated for her Magic Card 'Rosethorn Acolyte".
Check out more of Wylie's work here
More about the Chesley Awards here
Reiko Murakami Nominated for a 2020 Chesley Award
October 30, 2020
Reiko was nominated for Best Magazine Illustration this year by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists. The Chesley nomination is for her cover of Lightspeed Science Fiction and Fantasy Issue #104.
Check out Reiko’s work here
buy Ligthspeed #104 here
More about the Chesley Awards here
Reiko was nominated for Best Magazine Illustration this year by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists. The Chesley nomination is for her cover of Lightspeed Science Fiction and Fantasy Issue #104.
Check out Reiko’s work here
buy Ligthspeed #104 here
More about the Chesley Awards here
Allen Williams, Ophelia and the Faun
Allen Williams Nominated for three 2020 Chesley Awards
October 29, 2020
Allen Williams kicks off our shout outs to all the SAS and IMC alumni who got Chesley Award nominations this year. To be nominated for a Chesley by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists is a great show of community respect. Allen got not one, not two, but THREE nominations, including for Lifetime Achievement. His other nominations were for: Best Interior Illustration and Best Unpublished Monochrome Work.
Check out Allen's work here
More about the Chesley Awards here
Allen Williams kicks off our shout outs to all the SAS and IMC alumni who got Chesley Award nominations this year. To be nominated for a Chesley by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists is a great show of community respect. Allen got not one, not two, but THREE nominations, including for Lifetime Achievement. His other nominations were for: Best Interior Illustration and Best Unpublished Monochrome Work.
Check out Allen's work here
More about the Chesley Awards here
Rachel Quinlan Wins a Chesley for best product illustration
October 27, 2020
Rachel Quinlan won the 2020 competition for the best product illustration with her tuck box for the card game "Olde Fae" from the Changeling Artist Collective. The Chesley Awards are given by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists. They are one of the most prestigious community recognitions of talent in the industry, with winners decided by the ASFA community.
Get the award winning game here
Learn more about ASFA and the Chesley Awards here
Rachel Quinlan's SAM portfolio and links here
Rachel Quinlan won the 2020 competition for the best product illustration with her tuck box for the card game "Olde Fae" from the Changeling Artist Collective. The Chesley Awards are given by the Association of Science Fiction & Fantasy Artists. They are one of the most prestigious community recognitions of talent in the industry, with winners decided by the ASFA community.
Get the award winning game here
Learn more about ASFA and the Chesley Awards here
Rachel Quinlan's SAM portfolio and links here
Christine Mitzuk is the Primary artist for Bezier Games' ultimate Werewolf Extreme
October 18, 2020
As the primary artist, she just completed art for over 80 characters, as well as two box cover paintings, environment backgrounds, and the graphic elements on front and back of the cards in this new edition of the now classic game.
To see more about the game, available in 2021, click here
Follow Christine's work on Ultimate Werewolf on Instagram here
Christine Mitzuk
As the primary artist, she just completed art for over 80 characters, as well as two box cover paintings, environment backgrounds, and the graphic elements on front and back of the cards in this new edition of the now classic game.
To see more about the game, available in 2021, click here
Follow Christine's work on Ultimate Werewolf on Instagram here
Christine Mitzuk
Joseph Weinreb's Solo Show at Haven Gallery
October 10,2020
Running until October 17, the exhibition entitled "We're Not Meant to Remember" is Joe's first solo show at Haven Gallery on Long Island in New York. Twelve of his paintings will be on display.
Check it out here: Haven Gallery
Joe Weinreb
Running until October 17, the exhibition entitled "We're Not Meant to Remember" is Joe's first solo show at Haven Gallery on Long Island in New York. Twelve of his paintings will be on display.
Check it out here: Haven Gallery
Joe Weinreb
Clark Huggins' New "Reckless Deck" a massive success
October 3, 2020
It's already earned $186,000--more than ten times Clark's fundraising goal! Check it out at the link below. This new project, “Psyche”, is available on Kickstarter only until October thirteen.
Reckless Deck 'Psyche' on Kickstarter here
Clark Huggins
It's already earned $186,000--more than ten times Clark's fundraising goal! Check it out at the link below. This new project, “Psyche”, is available on Kickstarter only until October thirteen.
Reckless Deck 'Psyche' on Kickstarter here
Clark Huggins
Arthur Haywood Featured in Fine ARt Connoisseur Magazine article "Three to Watch"
September 13, 2020
The article is in the September, 2020 issue of Fine Art Connoisseur. The magazine website also included a video interview with Arthur Haywood and two other artists: Zoey Frank and Richard T. Scott. They are in discussion with Peter Trippi from Fine Art Connoisseur and Betty Standish from the Wethersfield Academy of the Arts.
See the magazine here
See the interview here
Arthur Haywood
The article is in the September, 2020 issue of Fine Art Connoisseur. The magazine website also included a video interview with Arthur Haywood and two other artists: Zoey Frank and Richard T. Scott. They are in discussion with Peter Trippi from Fine Art Connoisseur and Betty Standish from the Wethersfield Academy of the Arts.
See the magazine here
See the interview here
Arthur Haywood
martina Fackova's first magic card is now released and she's nominated for a chesley award
September 4, 2020
Congratulations to Martina Fackova on the publication of her first card illustration for the game Magic the Gathering. Congratulations also for her recent nomination for a prestigious Chesley Award given by the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists.
More about her Magic Card here
More about the Chesley Awards Nominees here
Martina Fackova
Congratulations to Martina Fackova on the publication of her first card illustration for the game Magic the Gathering. Congratulations also for her recent nomination for a prestigious Chesley Award given by the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists.
More about her Magic Card here
More about the Chesley Awards Nominees here
Martina Fackova
Three paintings by Ethan Price featured in arcadia contemporary gallery's current exhibition
August 21, 2020
For this show, located in Los Angeles, Arcadia Contemporary provides an excellent virtual viewing experience. Check it out here. The exhibition runs through September 15th.
Congratulations Ethan!
Ethan Price
For this show, located in Los Angeles, Arcadia Contemporary provides an excellent virtual viewing experience. Check it out here. The exhibition runs through September 15th.
Congratulations Ethan!
Ethan Price
Doug Hoppes 'Dark Art' Kickstarter ends Soon
August 19, 2020
Congratulations to Doug on already achieving more than double his goal! Check out the project here
Doug Hoppes
Congratulations to Doug on already achieving more than double his goal! Check out the project here
Doug Hoppes
Tanya Harsch released a book based on her recent museum exhibition
August 16,2020
"Sebbie, an Exhibition of Puppetry Paintings," a solo exhibit of 20 paintings by Tanya Harsch, opened at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation in Waltham, Massachusetts last year. A book based on the show is now available.
Find out more here
Tanya Harsch
"Sebbie, an Exhibition of Puppetry Paintings," a solo exhibit of 20 paintings by Tanya Harsch, opened at the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation in Waltham, Massachusetts last year. A book based on the show is now available.
Find out more here
Tanya Harsch
Sean Price "Art of Price" Kickstarter Until August 20
August 12,2020
Sean Price's Kickstarter has already more than doubled its goal. You can check it out here, and you can also find out more about Sean Price on the Rusty Skill-It podcast.
Congratulations Sean!
Sean Price's Kickstarter has already more than doubled its goal. You can check it out here, and you can also find out more about Sean Price on the Rusty Skill-It podcast.
Congratulations Sean!
Announcing the winners of the first SAm Art Prize!
July 29,2020
Sixty eight artists submitted a total of more than 200 artworks in the first SAM Art Prize. The response was overwhelming and Juror Lauren Panepinto went above and beyond by selecting not only a winner, but also several honorable mentions and she provided commentary about her choices, some of which is included below.
Congratulations to everyone who entered by submitting a new portfolio or updates!
Sixty eight artists submitted a total of more than 200 artworks in the first SAM Art Prize. The response was overwhelming and Juror Lauren Panepinto went above and beyond by selecting not only a winner, but also several honorable mentions and she provided commentary about her choices, some of which is included below.
Congratulations to everyone who entered by submitting a new portfolio or updates!
Overall Winner: Francesca Resta
Lauren's Notes--
This was hard! There was a lot of great work submitted, and it was very hard to narrow down to one piece. I could pick completely different pieces depending on whether I was wearing my Art Director of Bookcovers Hat, my Gallery Curator Hat, or my Personal Fan of Art Hat, so I chose the piece that most appealed to all three at once: Selkie Niji by Francesca Resta. This piece would make both a great book cover and a fine art piece. I love the texture in it, and the nuance of emotion, but I especially appreciate the visual hierarchy: there’s a lot going on here, in a limited palette, but it catches the eye and then draws it in confidently.
This was hard! There was a lot of great work submitted, and it was very hard to narrow down to one piece. I could pick completely different pieces depending on whether I was wearing my Art Director of Bookcovers Hat, my Gallery Curator Hat, or my Personal Fan of Art Hat, so I chose the piece that most appealed to all three at once: Selkie Niji by Francesca Resta. This piece would make both a great book cover and a fine art piece. I love the texture in it, and the nuance of emotion, but I especially appreciate the visual hierarchy: there’s a lot going on here, in a limited palette, but it catches the eye and then draws it in confidently.
Honorable Mention 1: Eelis Kyttan
Lauren's Notes--
I really like this composition, and I would put it on a book cover in a heartbeat. The design of the background really supports the strong visual hierarchy well, and there’s a lot of world building in this piece that tells you there’s story here without screaming it at you.
I really like this composition, and I would put it on a book cover in a heartbeat. The design of the background really supports the strong visual hierarchy well, and there’s a lot of world building in this piece that tells you there’s story here without screaming it at you.
Honorable Mention 2: Charis Loke
Lauren's Notes--
I love this piece for it’s really interesting color palette, nice mix of graphic and painterly textures, and strong composition. I itch to put type over this piece so badly and turn it into a book cover.
I love this piece for it’s really interesting color palette, nice mix of graphic and painterly textures, and strong composition. I itch to put type over this piece so badly and turn it into a book cover.
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Series Honorable Mention: Mike Miller
Lauren's Notes--
Shoutout for a solid body of work. I really love the Boy on the Tower, and Girl with the Sword, and the Child Devil with the Cat. These need to be on middle grade book covers. Great compositions, storytelling, color, and sense of humor.
Thanks to everyone who made judging really hard! There are so many other pieces I’d love to shout out to!
Shoutout for a solid body of work. I really love the Boy on the Tower, and Girl with the Sword, and the Child Devil with the Cat. These need to be on middle grade book covers. Great compositions, storytelling, color, and sense of humor.
Thanks to everyone who made judging really hard! There are so many other pieces I’d love to shout out to!
Dan Cohen's latest mural in Portland
July 27, 2020
Recently the windows of a business boarded up due to Covid 19 become Dan Cohen's surface for a commission in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in Portland, OR. Congratulations to Dan for this commission bringing art to the closedown and art to the movement.
Dan Cohen
Recently the windows of a business boarded up due to Covid 19 become Dan Cohen's surface for a commission in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in Portland, OR. Congratulations to Dan for this commission bringing art to the closedown and art to the movement.
Dan Cohen
annual Enchanted brush Exhibition at the Mazza Museum Features dan Watson
July 15, 2020
Dan Watson will have two of his works shown in his first museum show in the Dudley and Mary Marks Lea Gallery of the Mazza Museum in Findlay, Ohio. The show runs from July 10 through August 7. This year the show will be held online, exclusively. Enchanted Brush is a yearly exhibition curated by the artist Dan Chudzinski. Find out more below. Congratulations to Dan!
Dan Watson's work in the show: Here
More about the Enchanted Brush annual exhibition: here
Dan Watson
Dan Watson will have two of his works shown in his first museum show in the Dudley and Mary Marks Lea Gallery of the Mazza Museum in Findlay, Ohio. The show runs from July 10 through August 7. This year the show will be held online, exclusively. Enchanted Brush is a yearly exhibition curated by the artist Dan Chudzinski. Find out more below. Congratulations to Dan!
Dan Watson's work in the show: Here
More about the Enchanted Brush annual exhibition: here
Dan Watson
Primary Hughes Showing at Modern Eden
July 10, 2020
Steven (Primary) Hughes' opens his debut exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco July 11. Congratulations!
More about the exhibition here
Primary Hughes
Steven (Primary) Hughes' opens his debut exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco July 11. Congratulations!
More about the exhibition here
Primary Hughes
Announcing our first juried portfolio competition!
June 26, 2020
Your work will be entered automatically when you update your SAM portfolio or create a new portfolio page this July. Lauren Panepinto—creative Director at Orbit Books will review everyone’s portfolio updates and new portfolio submissions to decide who wins the prize, which includes the following:
—Their win announced on all our media platforms
—£75 (about $100) gift certificate for high quality brushes from Rosemary Brushes
—A free lecture of their choice from the SAS fall lecture series.
In addition, every person who updates their existing portfolio this July will be able to add two more images to their SAM portfolio (see below).
—Their win announced on all our media platforms
—£75 (about $100) gift certificate for high quality brushes from Rosemary Brushes
—A free lecture of their choice from the SAS fall lecture series.
In addition, every person who updates their existing portfolio this July will be able to add two more images to their SAM portfolio (see below).
How do you send in a new portfolio?
Just email me these things between July 1 and July 21:
- up to six images of your artwork (1mb-3mb each)
- a bio
- a bio photo
- links to all your sites and socials (promote yourself!)
- a notation of which IMC or SmArt School program(s) you took part in
How do you update an Existing Portfolio?
Just email me these things between July 1 and July 21:
Feel free to email me with any questions, and best of luck!
Matt Mitchell
- New images (1mb-3mb each)
- Tell me if you want me to take down any of your existing images on your SAM page—only keep your best work in your portfolio!
- You can now show up to eight images, total, of your artwork.
- You can also update your bio, links, and bio photo.
Feel free to email me with any questions, and best of luck!
Matt Mitchell
Illustration by Rovina Cai, winner of the gold award in the Books category
We spotted 22 ImC & Smart school alumni who won entry into the spectrum juried annual this year
June 15,2020
Each year Spectrum aims to showcase the best talent in the fields of science fiction and fantasy. This year it includes at least 22 alumni of the IMC or SmArt School. This list doesn't include our teachers and honored easel artists at the IMC, some of whom won entry. Congratulations to everyone! Spectrum 27: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art will be out this fall.
Steve Argyle
Tommy Arnold
Wylie Beckert
Bruce Brenneise
Rovina Cai— Winner of the Gold award in the Books category
Hilary Clarcq
Galen Dara
Eric Deschamps
Hope Doe
Allen Douglas
Micah Epstein
Justin Gerard
Chuck Grieb
Ben Hill
Howard Lyon
Aaron Miller
Reiko Murakami
Tran Nguyen
Alessandra Pisano
Vincent Proce
Cynthia Sheppard
Allen Williams
More about Spectrum 27 here
Buy Spectrum 27 it at a local store or here
--also, if I missed anyone, please let me know: smarterartmarket@gmail.com
Each year Spectrum aims to showcase the best talent in the fields of science fiction and fantasy. This year it includes at least 22 alumni of the IMC or SmArt School. This list doesn't include our teachers and honored easel artists at the IMC, some of whom won entry. Congratulations to everyone! Spectrum 27: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art will be out this fall.
Steve Argyle
Tommy Arnold
Wylie Beckert
Bruce Brenneise
Rovina Cai— Winner of the Gold award in the Books category
Hilary Clarcq
Galen Dara
Eric Deschamps
Hope Doe
Allen Douglas
Micah Epstein
Justin Gerard
Chuck Grieb
Ben Hill
Howard Lyon
Aaron Miller
Reiko Murakami
Tran Nguyen
Alessandra Pisano
Vincent Proce
Cynthia Sheppard
Allen Williams
More about Spectrum 27 here
Buy Spectrum 27 it at a local store or here
--also, if I missed anyone, please let me know: smarterartmarket@gmail.com
Tran Nguyen gets the cover of ImagineFX July Issue
June 1, 2020
There's an in depth interview with Tran inside. Great coverage.
ImagineFX July 2020, issue 188 here
Tran Nguyen
There's an in depth interview with Tran inside. Great coverage.
ImagineFX July 2020, issue 188 here
Tran Nguyen
IMAginefx magazine, May Issue, Features three of David Calabrese's illustrations
May 30, 2020
The lead image of his work, shown in the FXPosé section, is the illustration he created during IMC 2019.
Find ImagineFX issue #186 here
David Cabrese
The lead image of his work, shown in the FXPosé section, is the illustration he created during IMC 2019.
Find ImagineFX issue #186 here
David Cabrese
Tommy Arnold's Painting will be the cover of this year's Spectrum
May 22, 2020
The cover of Spectrum 27: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art will feature SmArt School and IMC alum Tommy Arnold's illustration, originally done for Tor Books' Harrow the NInth.
Tommy Arnold's site here
More about Spectrum here
Buy it at a local store or here
The cover of Spectrum 27: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art will feature SmArt School and IMC alum Tommy Arnold's illustration, originally done for Tor Books' Harrow the NInth.
Tommy Arnold's site here
More about Spectrum here
Buy it at a local store or here
Allen Panakal "Ancient Ones" Kickstarter ends Wednesday, May 20.
May 15, 2020
It's stretch goal time! Allen's book is fully funded and going for a victory lap.
Check it out here
Allen Panakal
It's stretch goal time! Allen's book is fully funded and going for a victory lap.
Check it out here
Allen Panakal
illustration by Arthur Bowling
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Illustration by Ben Hill
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Arthur Bowling and BEn Hill Both win Juried contest for inclusion in: Writers of the Future
May 11, 2020
Read more about the ongoing illustration contest and see the recently published 36th edition of Writers of the Future here.
Ben Hill
Arthur Bowling
Read more about the ongoing illustration contest and see the recently published 36th edition of Writers of the Future here.
Ben Hill
Arthur Bowling
Matthew Huntley's Kickstarter "Vigilant Lioness"
May 5, 2020
The campaign ends soon, on Sunday, May 10.
To learn about the book and help make it happen, click here
Update May 11, 2020
Congratulations to Matthew Huntley! His Kickstarter was a success.
The campaign ends soon, on Sunday, May 10.
To learn about the book and help make it happen, click here
Update May 11, 2020
Congratulations to Matthew Huntley! His Kickstarter was a success.
new Netflix series "The Midnight Gospel" features work by gregery miller
May 1, 2020
Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward just released a new show on Netflix, The Midnight Gospel. Gregery Miller (IMC 2019) was a background artist on the series and designed the worlds of multiple episodes with his team.
The show: Here
Great Indywire Review here
Gregery Miller's Patreon Page Here
Gregery's profile Here
Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward just released a new show on Netflix, The Midnight Gospel. Gregery Miller (IMC 2019) was a background artist on the series and designed the worlds of multiple episodes with his team.
The show: Here
Great Indywire Review here
Gregery Miller's Patreon Page Here
Gregery's profile Here
Scott Brundage's New Book
April 24, 2020
"Where'd My Jojo Go?" by Jill Esbaum, Pictures by Scott Brundage
For sale here
Kirkus review here
Great interview with Scott with lots of good images of the book in progress on the author Jill Esbaum's blog here
Scott's profile on SAM: Scott Brundage
"Where'd My Jojo Go?" by Jill Esbaum, Pictures by Scott Brundage
For sale here
Kirkus review here
Great interview with Scott with lots of good images of the book in progress on the author Jill Esbaum's blog here
Scott's profile on SAM: Scott Brundage
Arthur Haywood Mural Proposal
April 20, 2020
Arthur Haywood had a mural up for public vote until April 22. Click here to see the proposal and learn more about The DaVinci Art Alliance, who sponsored this mural competition in Philadelphia.
Arthur Haywood had a mural up for public vote until April 22. Click here to see the proposal and learn more about The DaVinci Art Alliance, who sponsored this mural competition in Philadelphia.