We are ready for Halloween!

Our front lawn Muah-hahahahahaha, This is the Silver Star Ghoul Mine. Scary looking huh?

Things I've built for my kids

"Shrek's Play House"
I built this last summer for the Children's make a wish program. They auctioned it off for close to 10 thousand dollars. It was a ton of fun to build and a ton of fun to participate....I won an award too. hehe

Here are a few things I've built my kids in the recent past few years and I thought I'd share them with anyone who cares....ya I know I spoil them rotten! (click on the pictures below for a larger view)

it actually snowed here yesterday and last night!

Ugh I wasn't ready for the snow....It felt so cold last night.....I took my wife to see Paul Anka, (Classy old singer) My wife had no clue as to who he is. hahahaha but he has been not only a great entertainer but a great song writer. She recognized a bunch of his songs ....Anyway!!!....when we left the concert hall the snow was coming down so hard it felt and looked about like this......Funny thing is, the day before yesterday it was 80 degrees.



(a painting I did for a book I'm illustrating)

3 more pages of Aurther Ant.

"Mauricio Herrera"

Lets All give a great welcome to an International Favorite artist, "Mauricio Herrera",
(For interview in Spanish), Please click on Mauricio's name at the top




1. When did you know that drawing comic art was going to be your life and why?

I believe at the age of 14 I started collecting comic books choosing them by their authors. In collage I would comment to my friends and ask them what they thought. They really liked my work. So, in turn my aspirations started growing for the world of pencils and drawing boards. It was a typical case of a student drawing for his Peers.



2. Who inspired you the most in the comic art arena?


As the same as many colleagues I loved "Sword and Sorcery", So I'd have to say of course "Frank Frazetta". He is my maximum idol. Even though in the 90's I also loved the work of "Simon Bisley" and before that it was "Jim Lee". I believe that Frazetta's art pushes something in me to prove my abilities to myself some day on my own. It's also the doing... the dedication to entertainment with a logical content with a prospective of youth that is valid, solidity and honor that deepens through the visual art and surrealism that one can find in the images of Frazetta.



3. Does comic art differ in your country as it may in other countries? Or is it just the dialog? Or are there any differences at all?

Of Course, In Chile during the 60's there was an epic of gold in comics. A lot of our Comic book titles formed part of a collective memory in Latino America. But during the 70's and the 80's A Military dictatorship ruled our country so comic art and it's expressions all but disappeared for a very long time. But later it would emerge as a way to speak out in protest with a mixing of social tribute of urban and punk. I was able to read and witness all this during my boyhood. In the 90's, There was no more dictatorship and I began working.
As for the tendency of entertainment today, the reconciliation of attractive graphics and interesting content can be found in the development of many comics and a lot of today's authors.



4. Was it difficult to get a contract with Marvel and or DC comics to draw their Comic books?

No I believe it wasn't (That is if you have what they are looking for). But So far getting them to look at new projects is another story. haha I haven't had the guts to do this yet. but I do know a lot of other authors that have. They have met with defiance that forms part of this industry.

5. Do you do all the inking and coloring of your own work?

Yes, In my country every author is in charge of their own production of art. We artist in Chile gathered our influences from French comics, Belgen and comics from Spain.
Although there are other authors that work for other publications and they have the original artist do the pencils and another artist do the ink and add their personal touch and then a colorist artist that adds their influence so then the original interpretation of the original artist is kind of lost. But that's my opinion.



6. What has been your most Favorite piece of art you have created and why?

I got to produce a piece of art that I really enjoyed a drawing of a myth and legend card game from my country. It's called "Kitsune", A little more elegant and refined game than "Monsters and Gentlemen" hahahahaha Even though it is not the most technical or detailed piece I've ever drawn. It took a lot more time to create the correct look and tough poses.

7. What do you like to do besides draw?

A lot of my time deals with family activities. I enjoy watching movies and cartoons. I play video games with my son and I love to travel and seenew places and meet new people.

8. Just for fun: If you could have any artist from the beginning of time sit down with you and talk. Who would it be and why?



Need you ask!!! hahahahaha "Frazetta!" of Course. I would tell him I would exchange 100 drawings of dinosaurs for 1 of his of Eva.

Thank you Mauricio for such an in depth interview.

If you would like to see more of this mans wonderful works please visit:
http://el-grimlock.deviantart.com/
http://www.berserker-comics.com/

Aurther Ant and his ABC's

Three more pages to color and have fun with before the next interview! Enjoy!