C2E2 Convention Sketch Pre-Orders

With the Chicago Comics & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) right around the corner, I’m now accepting pre-orders for convention sketches. Ordering your sketch ahead of time eliminates the worry of getting stuck at the end of my commissions list, or missing out on getting a sketch, altogether, simply because you’re only attending the show for one day, leaving early, etc....
I’ll be accepting sketch pre-orders up until Tuesday, April 23rd. Sketches are available in black & white or color, as well as in two sizes: 9x12” and 11x14”.

Your finished artwork will be ready for pick-up at the Nerd City booth (#967) in “The Block,” for the duration of C2E2. You can schedule a convenient time to drop by the booth for your art, via email. Contact me at hiredmeat@gmail.com for pricing info, order placement, questions, and all that jazz. Serious inquiries only, please. “If it breaks when it bends, you better not put it in!”

- Dave “King Gum” Crosland Here are some examples of my previous convention sketch commissions:

New Football Drawings

"Enter The Red Zone #87" / 9 x 12" / watercolor, acrylic & ink on paper

Low & behold, I've actually been creating football illustrations, this season. I've even been sketching a bit during college games! Honestly, how could I resist? These pieces are a combination of two of my favorite things -- art and football!

The top illustration is from a play where Colts wide receiver, Reggie Wayne, made a catch in the Bills' red zone, and it took three Buffalo defenders to tackle him.

"Unto The Breach" / 9 x 12" / watercolor, acrylic & ink on paper

And the second piece is from one of the many times during the Houston vs. Detroit Thanksgiving matchup, where Texans running back, Arian Foster, plowed through the Lions' defense like a freight train rolling through a stack of pound cakes.

Look for more of these to start sneaking up on the blog, between now and The Super Bowl.

"I started off starvin'. Now they got me out here Brett Favre-ing. Trying to see if I still got it..."
-David C.

COMBO ATTACK: 25 Years of Street Fighter

Martial arts video game fans... are you ready to get your guts kicked out!?

I was fortunate to have the culture connoisseurs at I AM 8 BIT invite me to create a new piece for Combo Attack: 25 Years of Street Fighter. This jaw-socking group exhibition collects the work of over 50 artists from around the world, each giving their unique take on this epic, international video game franchise.

My contribution is the drawing above, "Last Night a 'Hadouken!' Saved My Life."

The opening reception kicks off tonight at 7pm, at the I AM 8 BIT Gallery / 2147 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. For more info, visit: www.iam8bt.com/the-gallery/combo-attack

"Dare you face the kick? Dare you face the biggest karate kung-fu blockbuster of them all?!?"

- King Gum Crosland

"The Phantom Shithouse"

I never would have guessed that, one day, I'd be illustrating an evil, sentient outhouse. And I've been in an actual outhouse, so I realize how truly horrifying a walking & sloshing version of one would be.


This piece was created for the designer of The Phantom Shithouse, Kyle Thye. You can learn more about the odiferous oddity above on Kyle's blog.


"So you should pump this shit, like they do in the future."
- David C.

"Hither"

"Hither" is one of many pieces I started about a year or longer ago. In going back and finishing up art commitments from my days in Oakland up to now, I've really been clearing out the creative sinuses.


It helps that, as I work through this incredible pile, I'll come across old sketches like this one. They make a great foundation for a quick warm-up piece. Late at night or early in the morning, a blank sheet of paper can be pretty daunting. But a scrap of board with a sketch already in play can be just the spark my imagination needs.


In addition, with the drawing already roughed out, I'm able to move on to paint, ink, etc. So I can get even more of my creative muscles going at full throttle. RAW!


"I like to swim, into the mosh! Kickin' & stompin', so I don't get squashed!"
- King Gum Crosland

Vancouver Debrief!

At last, here are photos of the art I created while I was in Vancouver, a few weeks ago. These works include three large live art paintings I whipped up alongside Jim Mahfood & Troy Nixey at the Hennessy Lounge, plus some color drawings I rocked for the friendly crowd during Vancouver Comic-Con.

The live art pieces above were created under the smooth influence of Hennessy & ginger ale, with random shots of Patron thrown in for good measure. I also managed to paint all three of these while simultaneously dancing my proverbial ass off. DJ Mykro Douglas absolutely crushed it, that night!

To top it all off, I had an unbelievable view of downtown Vancouver, the bay and points beyond, all from my hotel balcony. I couldn't help but nab a few snapshots! 

 Food One and I had a fabulous time. The people of British Columbia were very, VERY good to us. I was totally blown away by my very first visit to Vancouver. Many thanks to the fans and friends who came out to show support. And a huge dollop of gratitude to Leonard, Andrew, Troy and everyone else who conspired to make the Live Art Funk Jam and Vancouver Comic Con such a wonderful success!

"Ya just can't stop! Got ta party on!"
- David

Football Drawings Abound

"Step To The Line"

"Mad Pressure"

"Not-So-Hot Pursuit"

These are a few new works from my ever-growing series of football drawings. Enjoy!


"Birds flyin' high, you know how I feel. Sun in the sky, you know how I feel..."
- David

Recent Commissions

I knocked out two more drawings from the ever-dwindling list of commissions I've been catching up on. First up is (no lie) "Sexy Tony Stark." And he's followed by "Inspirational Billy Dee Williams." I tell ya, there's just no predicting what the kids'll want, these days.


"The sun is filled with ice & gives no warmth at all. The sky was never blue. The stars are raindrops searching for a place to fall. And I never cared for you."
- David C.

New Art's Bubbling Up

I've been offline for a couple weeks, and thought I'd check in with tidbits. It's been a super-busy autumn, so far. A large new project has come along, so I've been sinking my teeth into that. Of course, in between those panels and pages, I've been sketching like a maniac. Above are some quick photos of drawings I rocked last Saturday, during a Los Angeles Derby Dolls bout. Also, there are a couple pieces inspired by a flurry of football games I watched the following day.


Oh, and the top image is a snapshot of my progress on "Coral Carnivore," from my process blog, Alphabet Attack. More to come on that piece and more, next week!


"Got the drugs, but need a hot one that'll make me go, 'Damn!' With the most banging guts that I ever have smashed! If you got it, push it up on me, 'cause I'm feelin' dat ass! Know what I mean? Where's it at!?"
- King Gum