You've probably heard this somewhere else already - but this is big news - perhaps the biggest news in the  geek universe for a long time! So I was wondering if anyone had any views on this?

I've already shown my enthusiasm for a new Star Wars installment:


... but I didn't guess that the guy who's behind the Star Trek re-boot would also get his hands on Star Wars! How lucky can one guy be!? (hears voice in head "in my experience there's no such thing as luck" - ok, thanks Obi-Wan,!)

More on this story here: [link]

...hopefully an official announcement soon.

[***EDIT*** Now confirmed: [link] ]

If you're here – you'll already know that I like Star Wars. If you like Star Wars too – pay a visit to the fan site 'Jedi News' – it's the one place on the net that I always go to for up to date news on all-things Star Wars. Don't worry, they haven't paid me to say that – it really is a very cool site!

But I do have a very special reason for wanting to promote Jedi News – it's because they recently featured my drawing 'Star Wars 7 – We're Back' and now I've hooked up with Mark Newbold from the site for a new piece depicting Mark's character X-Wing Pilot and Commando - Commander Garven Kings from a story he's writing called 'Quest for Freedom'!

You can read more about it here: [link]

10,000 is a big number. So I'm amazed that so many people have stopped by my page to see my artwork! I know there's plenty of other artists on here who are into hundreds of thousands or even millions of pageviews – but I'm not a professional so it's humbling to see that what I'm doing is being seen and appreciated.

I haven't been on DA for too long – but I've noticed a huge improvement in my ability since I've been posting. And I'm positive that all the views, watchs, favs and comments have had a big part to play in spurring me on to improve with each piece and to keep working towards my goal – of producing some 'official' Star Wars art.

I've also found it really helpful to be able to see and learn from the amazing artists who show their work here. I'm lucky too that there are also a lot of others who I can rely on for helpful or encouraging feedback. I won't name any names – but that's something I never expected when I joined – and it's definitely one of the most important things I get from DA.

Thanking you all might take a while – so I hope you don't mind me saying it here. I do read every comment – and I'm always interested to hear what you all think of my work. So please keep letting me know!

'The Art of Rap' is a new documentary movie that rapper/actor Ice-T has just released.  I was lucky enough to see the UK premiere at Hammersmith Apollo which was followed by a live performance by Melle Mel, Chuck D (of Public Enemy), Raekwon and Ghostface Killah (of Wu-Tang Clan), and Ice-T himself – all accompanied by DJ Evil E!

Those are all legendary names to me – but I realise that many people won't know them – and some who do know won't like them. And some won't like rap music in general, or even consider it an art form. So I'm not about to try to convince anyone that they should like rap, or try to defend the less wholesome aspects of the genre.

In case you didn't know I'm a long time fan of Ice-T – in fact that's where I took my DA name 'rhymesyndicate' from. The Rhyme Syndicate is the group of hip-hop associates Ice-T led back in the 1980s and 90s (it's also my Twitter name if you're interested).

So I am biased - but I do think that this movie is a valid and intelligent effort to try to understand the creative process of the individuals involved. And that's where I see parallels that will be of interest to people in any creative medium.

Just like any art form, there's a broad spectrum of rap. Some is entertaining, some is objectionable, some is ignorant, some is educational. Any of those adjectives could be used to describe the variety of artwork submitted to DA.

And just like any art form, if you want to be good at it - it takes skill, intelligence, effort, practice, perseverance, and originality.

As a Star Wars fan and someone who aspires to be a Star Wars artist - I can't begin to contemplate the extent of the impact that Ralph McQuarrie has had on me.

It was very sad to hear of his passing - but he has left a wonderful legacy to be very proud of.

The longevity of Star Wars owes a great deal to his imagination and skill in visualising the characters, vehicles and environments that us fans know so well.

Thanks Ralph.

R.i.p.

Hello chums...

In case you haven't seen it - DA has been running a 'Retro Future' contest.  If you've entered - good luck!

I've chipped in with my design of a '50s family living on the Moon... I'm pretty sure that's what everyone back then thought we'd be doing by now!



I hope you'll take the time to look at my entry - and, if you like it, it'd be a big help if you could vote for my design by clicking the 'I'd wear this' button.

Thanks!

...now - back to my next Star Wars drawing!

For me, DA is useful to get inspiration from the great art that's on display - but also to get feedback on what I draw. I listen to all the comments I'm lucky enough to receive and they really help me understand what I'm doing right (or wrong).  

Because my Star Wars drawings have received a lot of positive comments (and because I enjoy doing them so much) - I've decided to focus on producing Star Wars art. My goal is simple: to one day be good enough to have my art used on some Star Wars merchandise.

So I found it really encouraging when I was contacted by who has very kindly included a feature on my Star Wars art in The Old Republic online magazine: [link]

If you're a Star Wars fan, please follow the link - you'll find a fun and informative site. And if you have time to read the piece on my art - I'd be interested to hear what you think!

Been a member of DA for two months now - and wish I'd joined sooner!  Just had my first piece (Darth Vader) to crack 100 favs - which is incredible news for me.  

I'm really enjoying seeing the amazing art that can be found on this site - it's proved to be really inspirational to me - and I hope that some of my pictures have been equally enjoyable to all those who've taken the time to stop by and look.

I greatly appreciate every single view of my humble gallery - and each of the favs and comments I've received.  I try to reply to each but I'm already slipping behind - so would like to say thanks here.

Now... must get back to doing some drawing!