The New G.I. Joe movie

Okay, Snakes eyes looks awesome. However, the rest of the Joes look like members of Blackhawk. No G.I. Joe insignias, no special things to make each member stand out. Once again, the studios have opted for the basic black look that the x-men started. WTF? I am so tired of every hero having the same stupid outfit. Gung-ho seriously can't wear his jeans and torn denim vest? Seriously. Too gay? Too macho? To much the character? No classic tan and green for Duke? No cool Scarlet outfit? Geez. How f'n drabe. Sure to suck at a theatre near you, especially since basically the plot makes these guys out to be mercanary fighters and not secret military soldiers. So in essence they are Blackhawk.

R.I.P. Bettie Page

The last of the Pin-up Queens has passed away. Bettie has always been an inspiration artistically for me. I always found her build and size the way I prefer to draw women. Skinny, exaggerated, or abnormally shaped women are easy to draw. I am still working on perfecting the beauty of what was the Bettie Page model. She had a tortured life and I hope she has at last found peace. So long last of the great Pin-up gals. In my opinion, you were the greatest!

Vader helmets "pimped"

Add c4_vaderproject to your page

Sideshow Slave Leia Statue

The limited Sideshow edition has already sold out, but the regular edition of this beautiful sculpture of Slave Leia is available for pre-order now from Sideshow Collectibles. She will set you back $249.99, but I bet the smiles of admiration will last a lifetime. Order it for Christmas and it will arrive the 1st quarter of 2009.

Notice any similarities?

This is a Civil War map. Confederate States in Red.



The next map is a map of the Confederacy during the Civil War and States and territories claimed by CSA without formal secession and/or control.



The last map is the 2008 Electoral Map. Montana is shown blue but was actually red and switch Missouri and North Carolina's colors.



Interesting.

Star Wars Luggage Tags

Available right now at starwarsblt.getsolo.com are these cool luggage tags. There are 25 to choose from and they only cost $7.99 ea. They are limited in availability, so if you know someone who travels and loves Star Wars, this is a great gift idea! Get them while they last!

Star Wars Poker Chips

$149.99 for:

* 50 Red Chips- Darth Vader
* 50 Green Chips - Yoda
* 50 Blue Chips - Luke Skywalker
* 50 Blue Chips - Obi-Wan Kenobi
* Decks of casino quality poker cards in foil boxes
* Death Star dealer button with .25" chromed metal
* 72 LED lights powered by 4 AA batteries (included)
* 90-day warranty

Star Wars Slippers

Keep those cold piddies warm with real Wookie fur! $29.99 a pair. There are also Yoda slippers or Vader slippers if you choose to save a Wookie. Ready to ship to your home immediately!

Star Wars Nutcracker

Just in time for Christmas comes the Star Wars Nutcrackers! A perfect gift for your favorite friend who loves Star Wars! The assortment includes Darth Vader (pictured above) Yoda and R2-D2. I say favorite friend because these 10" wooden crackers will set you back around $35.00. They come in a display friendly box, and should be ready to ship sometime in October.

Iron Maiden fan?

Be sure to "run to the hills" to catch the new Iron Maiden "Eddie" figure coming out in October. It is an Eddie as the Phantom of the Opera motif. Pretty cool looking and just in time for Halloween! $15.99 ea.

December Comic 2-Packs Star Wars

So the new comic two packs look interesting! I am happy about the Thrawn figure since I loved Heir to the Empire so much. These should be out in December. Keep an eye out!

This Wave 4 Legacy Collection includes individually packaged action figure 2-packs with comic book reprint (subject to change):
Legacy #2 with Darth Talon and Cade Skywalker
Shadows of the Empire #5 with Princess Leia and Prince Xizor
Heir to the Empire #1 with Grand Admiral Thrawn and Talon Karrde
Infinities ROTJ #3/4 with Darth Vader (White) and Princess Leia (Sniper)
Dark Empire II #1 with Clone Emperor and Luke Skywalker
Republic #82 with Commander Faie and Quinlan Vos

Donkey Kong Jenga!

For $24.99 you can pick up this retro-cool version of Jenga! If you love the 80's as much as I do, this is a must have. Set it next to your Rubix cube! Entertainment Earth has a release date of October. I am fairly certain Hastings will probably carry these babies.

Conan Figures that rock!

Here is a couple of sweet Conan Figs from Neca. They are 7" tall and a really great likeness. It looks like it is going to run you around $35.00 for the pair if you order them from Entertainment Earth. I want my Mako and Valeria figures as well.

Look at the size of this thing!

This is a caterpillar I found crawling around my backyard. I did some research and I believe it to be a Sphinx moth caterpillar. I am not sure which Sphinx moth, but something close to a Laurel or Waved Sphinx moth. Look at the horn on it's rear in the second picture. It was as hard as a rose thorn. Pretty neat find.

Clone Wars vet

I wonder if this guy made any money?

The Dark Crystal

This is a sculpture by the company MindStyle. They have other Dark Crystal Merch available as well. This stuff looks really nice and the Sculptors are listed as Jim Henson Company which might be the reason why. I really wouldn't mind having this on a mantle or even the center piece on a table.

Halloween and Politics

Get your Halloween Masks now at Entertainment Earth

One of these guys won't be around by November and we all know politicians are one of the scariest of all creatures!

Costumes Preview

Museum Replicas Limited debuted these, which I have been eagerly anticipating, at San Diego Comic Con. Authentic Star Wars Costumes. Detailed and available in many sizes. They look so good. So good I am afraid of the cost. I want my Bespin Fatigues. If you want to get the newsletter to be the first to know when they go on sale, head here: Museum Replicas

Frames Book from Sideshow

Here's an overpriced collector's item. I love collecting, but sometimes I can't believe the prices people will pay for things. How about:

* 1 - 250 - $4,000
* 251 - 500 - $4,250
* 501 - 750 - $4,500
* 751 - 1,000 - $4,750
* 1,001 - 1,138 - $5,000


Limited edition, Star Wars: Frames, filmmaker George Lucas' personal shot-by-shot selections from all six Star Wars films. Limited to only 1,138 copies and showcased in a beautiful wood-inlaid box, Star Wars: Frames contains six books, each corresponding to one of the movies in the Star Wars saga: The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi.
Each box is adorned with two exclusive high-relief sculptures of Darth Vader and Yoda. Each limited edition is numbered and contains a special portfolio with a bookplate signed by George Lucas. This extremely exclusive package will be limited to 1138 copies

Frames presents a photographic look at the cinema of George Lucas - in glorious widescreen, presented as never before on large-format press, over 1,300 images printed with the highest production values available to bookmaking.

Lucas' selections provide a visual history of Star Wars: Frames. This book represents the film from the narrative of Star Wars as seen through the eyes of its creator.

The Star Wars: Frames Book features:

* A numbered bookplate signed by writer-director George Lucas
* A custom limited-edition arts & crafts maple-wood case, flanked by two uniquely sculpted high-reliefs of Yoda and Darth Vader.
* Over 1,400 frames (more than 230 frames from each Star Wars film) in six leather-bound volumes (each 22" x 11"), hand-selected and reviewed by George Lucas
* Exceptional large-format film frames magnificently reproduced in a breath-taking original widescreen aspect ratio, as never before in the history of Lucasfilm publishing.

It's a nice book, but $4,000?! Or more? Seriously. I'll wait until I find one at a used book store or on Ebay or Half.com.

Snake Eyes 12 inch figure

Here's a Sideshow Snake Eyes twelve inch fully posable figure. He comes with:

* Fully articulated male (prometheus) body with 30+ points of articulation
* SPIE Rig harness and Pistol Belt
* Utility Pouches x2
* MK-18 Smoke Grenade Sub-load Pouch
* MK-23 Pistol Holster w/ Suppressor pouch
* Special Ops LAV (Light Assault Vest)
* Small Utility Pouch
* Ninjato Scabbard
* Ninjato
* Tanto Scabbard w/ Boot ties
* Tanto Fighting Knife
* Snake Eyes' Falchion Sword
* Two Pairs of Tactical Boots w/ Alternate Pose (Flexed or Neutral)
* Special Ops Wrist Bands
* Knee Pads
* Three sets of interchangeable gloved hands
* 9mm Sub-Machine Gun with Single Point Sling and Carabineer
* Suppressor for 9mm Sub-Machine Gun
* 30 Round Magazines x4
* Mk-18 Smoke Grenade x2
* M-48 Stun Grenade x2
* M-67 Fragmentation Grenade x2
* Mk-23 Pistol
* Mk-23 Pistol Suppressor
* AN/PEQ-6 Laser Sight
* Mk-23 Pistol Magazines x2
* 12-inch display base with G.I. Joe logo

Pretty sweet, ey? Only $119.99 now at Sideshow.

Sideshow Lord of the Rings

Here's a fun sculpt of Gandalf and the Balrog. It's from Sideshow collectibles for $299.99. Available for pre-order now!

Garfield minus Garfield

Go check out Garfield minus Garfield, it's hilarious. The chap that started the site has removed Garfield from the actual comic strip which really shows exactly how lonely and crazy Jon Arbuckle is. The link is here.

Interesting bill

A bill to amend title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to implement a drug testing program for applicants for and recipients of assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. '
Bill # S.3361

So how are they going to police this? Wouldn't it require tons of man hours? I think it is a good idea, but I'm not sure they could actually make it work. Would a person have to drive to locations outside of their area just to get tested in order to get basic drugs for arthritis and stuff? How would California's medicinal marijuana program be affected. There seems to be more that needs to be outlined and worked on with this Bill. It would be nice to know that I am not paying for people to sell their Xanax on the street though.

Holy Opossum!

Look what I caught by motorrodding around. A cute baby opossum!

Interesting ploy

Well, if you can't join 'em, beat 'em up. I suppose it is held in the basement, but they've already broken rule #1. Unless the church version is different.

Possible the scariest movie still EVER!

This is from the NEW movie "Land of the Lost". New main characters, no Marshall, Will, or Holly, but they kept the scariest monster ever...the Sleestaks!

Time to outlaw Pugs and Labs too!

If you are one of those people believing Pit Bulls should be outlawed, well, looks like you are going to have to get rid of Pugs and Labs as well.

Associated Press - July 28, 2008 9:35 PM ET

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Authorities say a dog believed to have attacked and killed a 2-month-old boy in Tulsa has been euthanized. Police say the infant was mauled this morning by either a Labrador puppy or a small pug at the boy's home. Officers say the baby's mother and grandmother were home at the time, but nobody was in the room when the attack occurred as the child was in a swing.

Replica Animal

$359.10 will get you an authentic Animal Muppet replica. Where you ask? Why Master Replicas, of course. These Muppets are the real thing from head to toe! So, if you love the Muppets, you are definitely gonna want one of these. They already sold out of Kermit, but they do have the Great Gonzo as well!

Tooth Fairy Marquette

Available now for pre-order, available in December 2008, from Gentle Giant, is a 8" tall, 7" wingspan Tooth Fairy Marquette from the new Hellboy: The Golden Army. Price is $174.99.

Terminator Salvation Trailer

Go here: Terminator

Hellboy II: Golden Army Figures

You can get your Hellboy II Figures right now at Mezco direct.

Greatest Barbie Ever!

I thought it was a joke at first, but no! Mattel is releasing a Hitchcock Barbie from the movie "The Birds". It should be out in October of this year for around $45.00.

Do you really want that new light bulb?

These new florescent light bulbs last longer, so they say, and are better for energy use, but did you know they contain the toxin and naturally occurring poison Mercury. Mercury is highly toxic and has been linked to everything from Autism to inflamed colons to angry fits and more. There are hundreds of websites dedicated to trying to stop the use of mercury all together and many testimonials from victims of Mercury poisoning. Personally, I love saving energy, but not at the cost of more mercury in our dumps. Even though the packages tell you how to properly dispose of these light bulbs, I have already taken my own small survey of people, and found that no one really feels that they will actually dispose of them any differently than old light bulbs. Most didn't even know you were supposed to. So into the trash they go, once into the garbage truck they will be smashed releasing mercury vapors and trace amounts of mercury into the truck and into the landfill exposing waste management workers and landfill workers and eventually finding its way into our water systems. You do have to wash those trucks from time to time and it does rain on the landfill. Oh, by the way, those flu shots the government sends out every year...94 percent of them have 25 mcg of mercury in them. Children's vaccines? They also contain small doses. Do your own research and learn more. Here are some places to start:

http://www.worldmercuryproject.org

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/mercury-poisoning-symptoms.html

What are the negatives of the old light bulbs? Certainly not public health and welfare.

Another paid commission

The father of a fellow working on helicopters wanted a shirt design for his son. He is the guy that has to deploy out and fix the helicopters wherever they are. He keeps those guys flying. He was coming home the 28th of May and then flying all over the USA for vacation and time with family. His father wanted a logo on front and then places and dates on the back like they put on concert shirts. Here are the two designs I came up with for the front. He seemed very pleased. He chose the second design. I tell ya, this getting paid for art thing is great!

My first commision

Here is the painting I was working on for commission. Isn't it cool. I wasn't overjoyed about doing birds, but I learned much new information and facts about these birds as I painted. Did you know the white bird, or Cockatoo is native to Australia? The blue bird is called a Hyacinth Macaw or Parrot. The most recognizable parrot is the Rainbow or Scarlett Macaw. It is from South America. It nests in cliffs and they fly in flocks that look absolutely amazing. My client is really happy with it. I wanted the foliage to look more realistic, but she was very happy with it and wanted it ASAP and thought the foliage looked 3D in front. It's about the client right? So off it went with a happy customer and I got paid to paint. Now thats what I am talking about.

Northern Widow

Wow! Look what I found under a big plastic pond insert in my backyard! It's a Northern Widow. They are just like a black widow but less aggressive and more uncommon. They have orange red spots all the way up their backs. Like when a Cylon's spine glows. BSG fans know what I'm talking about! There was also a beautiful black widow under there as well. No males, so I think they might have gotten eaten! However the black widow female did have a beautiful egg sac she had constructed. I was in one of my first Buddhist dilemmas. A deadly poison spider in my yard. If I take it somewhere else, am I not making it someone else's responsibility and shrugging it off? If I put it in a field, well that field belongs to someone and what if it bites them? Then it would be my fault. I don't want to kill it, but it can't stay in my yard. What do you do? After much deliberation I destroyed the egg sac and killed the black widow. I was instantly overcome with terrible remorse and sadness and I cried for two hours. Who was I to kill this beautiful black widow or her hundreds of babies? So now I still have the Northern Widow in a Mason Jar and I try to feed it and take care of it, but what a terrible existence, living in a Mason Jar. I need to find a Buddhist nun and ask options of what to do in a case like this. I still feel really bad about the whole thing.

Metal Goddess Doro Pesch rocked my world!

Well, I tried to get you guys to go. I even offered free tickets. Too bad. I had the experience of a lifetime! I head banged with the Metal Goddess Doro Pesch and screamed my lungs out. I had front and center at her feet with T. She held the mic up to us to sing again and again, as we screamed out our favorite songs, pounded our fists into the air and and acted like we never left the 80's (which we haven't, so what?). Then what, you ask? Then we went to the tour bus, talked with her and she was gracious enough to sign things for us. T gave her a necklace that I hand made out of wood with her sign (Gemini) and she put it on and seemed really excited about it. She even hugged T and said "Thank you so much!" Man, I tell ya...I never have to go to another concert in my life...I will, because I love going, but I can tell you right now, NO ONE will ever top that night. The music, the fans, the venue, the friends we made, and the most gracious, down to earth, amazing woman ever to rock the universe. I was already a fan for life, but now...well hell, I'm already a fan in my next life.

Going to FT. Worth!

Come with us to FT. Worth to see the German Metal Goddess DORO!!! I have 3 free tickets! Friday April 11th, 2008 at the Ridgalea Theater. We are taking the train down there. Ride along! I promise it will be the best concert you have ever attended!

New Futurama Part 2

Disc 2 in the set of 4 Futurama Movies is available from Amazon for pre-order. The title "The Beast with A Billion Backs" is tentatively set for June 24th. Prof. Stephen Hawking will be a guest voice, and I hear rumor of the robot devil (one of my Favorite characters) playing a fairly large role in this tale of adventure! So, go pre-order! NOW!

In the same vein

I know it's for your car, but what a great product name!

Hmmm...I'm curious.

Ha ha. I loved funny burned out signs!

I will be there!

Hey, Med Fair in Norman, Ok is April 4th, 5th, and 6th. T and I will be at a booth selling our wares. Please come by and say hello! Leela will also be there! The blogging has suffered due to the work and time put into getting ready. I will be back to my good old blogging self sometime. I have several pieces of art I have to get done before my May deadlines, but never fear. I will blog again soon! Look for www.warriorsmagesbards.com coming to a search engine near you!

Star Wars Licensed Costume & Armor Replicas!

Cool news! A company called Museum Replicas in cooperation with its new licensing division Windlass studios will begin creating authentic prop replica clothing and armor from all six of the Star Wars movies. The costumes should be available by spring, with armor from the films debuting at the San Diego Comic Con. Characters from Luke Skywalker to Darth Maul will be represented. These are supposed to be quality high end costumes geared towards high end collectors. Now I just have to decide which Luke costume I want, Bespin Fatigues or Jedi knight with cloak....oh the choices in life we must face. Check out more here.

New Hellboy Prop

This Sideshow Exclusive is from the Hellboy II movie entitled "The Golden Army". It is a 1:1 scale replica of the Samaritan Gun used by Hellboy and features real metal with a real wooden hand grip. The barrel is loadable with the 4 metal slugs that come with the gun. It sits on a specially designed B.P.R.D. stand. They offer flexpay on this prop breaking the total price of $399.99 up into payments to make it easier to own for those of us who can barely make the bills. It really is an awesome piece of work and if you love Hellboy as much as I do, you are going to want this prop.

Cool Balloon

I would love to see this floating by!

Another painting!

This one came about due to the experimenting with the door painting I am working on. I am not certain this one is quite finished though. We shall see, but for now here it is in all of it's glory!

Statue and the strange hood

This is a statue at Oklahoma University. Is anybody else seeing what I'm seeing? Every time I walk past this statue it makes me giggle.



If you can't see it I added some color in photoshop to help.



If you're still having trouble, I flipped the image for ya. Maybe it's just me.



What do you think the sculptor had on his/her mind?