Pigs and Banjos

I got bored at work and started looking at Guy's pigs and banjos sight, and was inspired to started doodling.

It started out as a pig angel playing a banjo instead of a harp, then I added the BBQ just to add that element of "you're not sure if you understand the statement that the artist is trying to make but you don't want to ask for fear of looking ignorant" you know the way that fine artist do. Forgive the high quality image, (I took it on my phone and used paint to crop it)

Will Strong Has an Art Show

That's right folks, I'm having an art show.  To become an official graduate of the BYU Illustration Program I need to have a BFA Final Art Show to demonstrate how far I've come in the program and just how much I've learned (hopefully very far and very much.)

The show will be held in main floor gallery of the Harris Fine Arts Center (HFAC) on BYU Campus from July 17 through July 30.  A reception (big art party) will be held in the same location on Tuesday, July 20 from 6:00-8:00 pm.

The show is called "Monsters Make Me Happy" and it will be full of children's illustrations and plush toys all of my own creation.  So bring the kids (it's really for them after all.)

If you're in the Provo, Utah area and want to attend then come on down.  You'll see lots of stuff like this:

My "fantasy" that doodles lead to illustrations

This is another drawing I performed during a class that I should have been listening for relevant information. Two-dimensional drawings are as complex as my drawings get. I tried hard to make these sketches look three-dimensonal, but my drawings seem to be missing something. I fanatasize of my fellow "bros" illustration abilities.

Documentary on Kid Lit

As a documentary junky I'm fairly excited for this one coming up.  As an author/illustrator, I'm REALLY excited for this upcoming documentary.  Check out the trailer at the website:  www.libraryoftheearlymind.com

Fan Fiction Lost in Translation

I'm all for fan fiction, it's fun and therapeutic (on occassion.)  But this guy seems to have taken just a few too many liberties with the story of Batman.

Why do I feel like this comes from China?

You can't spell "fantasy" without n-a-s-t-y.

Hey! So the other day, an editor friend emailed me asking me to try out for an upcoming Asian fantasy novel. With only those two words: "Asia" and "fantasy", I toyed with a bunch of different ideas. Can you identify my favorite reoccurring themes? (Babes with swords, and monsters)

Oops, gotta get back to my D&D game - the guys are starting to argue about Druid Lore.

From the Archives: Pianoforte

I couldn't find anything from the archives that I felt like posting, so I decided to post this poem which I wrote in high school.

PIANOFORTE

Thy prelude so soft, so gallant, secretes death with light.
Thy harmonious keys dance beneath this silver moon,
And your melodic voice through crisp and jaded nights,
And the bittersweet libretto is freed from your womb.

Thy music enticing unto all heaven’s gateways,
Your euphoric echo flows with ease into my soul.
And remnants of the past leave me with feelings of sate,
And I smile when I think of these stories you told.

Through your bosom you sing our lust for everlasting glee.
I cry not for the time we spent, but for our lost creed.
And as I walk down this trodden path of deity,
I am glad just to be part of nature’s symphony.

Running the Show: an organically grown picture book. (read the comments to follow the rest of the story)

In the happiest valley in the happiest town everyone was happy except Junior, the mayor's son.

Adam Rex is Hilarious

I just ran across this great promotional video for Adam Rex's book, "The True Meaning of Smekday."



Funny stuff. Now I've got one more book for the "must read" pile. Check out more about Smekday here.

New Topic: Brothers

This topic seemed especially appropriate for Brotique. Go Bros.