Creatures

Here's something I worked on a long time ago. Garett Sheldrew conceived the designs for the human characters and this was my painting of the whole line-up. There's an actual story in there somewhere. Was fun to do a somewhat broad cartoony take on this monster that I'm so fond of.
10X16 Acrylic

--Starchie

Max Tat

My scanner is offline for the moment but when it's back I'll be posting a bunch of character paintings and such in the near future. Just to keep things moving here's a glimpse at one fine Max tattoo. The recipient is Matt Kristek, a funny and talented cartoonist/filmmaker who I knew even before he was old enough to make the decision to disfigure himself with such mocking, belligerent skin art. Maybe I should learn to do these myself.

--Starchie

Mod Mecha Max

Here's another version of the terrifying Max robot including a bit of the cockpit view.
10X16 Acrylic

--Starchie

Steam Mecha Max

At one point I had talked to a company about making this toy. The top of the head would pop off revealing the little Captain Nemoesque Sam & Max pilots sporting goggles, top hats and ascots. Sadly it didn't happen but if I wish hard enough...
10x16 Acrylic

--Starchie

The Duchess

I have about four or five of these stuffed German chimps who stare at me while I nap. They have a blank authenticity to their expression that you don't commonly see in a toy. The modern version is not nearly as sincere but the old ones are still fairly easy to come by. Like real apes they're often missing earlobes or fingers or the hair is worn off the knees. Better than new.

2X3 Acrylic

--Starchie

A Valentine

A sentimental image to share with your Immortal Beloved.

--Starchie

Ditty

Here's a Toybox piece done for a charity auction. I enjoy doing figures against a chopped-in white background. I can have fun with the characters without getting bogged down in a location. And I like letting some of the under painting peek through.
These characters are still puzzling to me. I can never count on the way they will turn out. I'm fairly satisfied with this version of them, though. Any time Ernie plays the uke, it's a ditty, hence the repeat title. Somebody let me know if I start recycling my posts.

--Starchie

LeChuck Lives!

This posting marks two events - ONE; I realized that I have somehow continued to blog here for just over a year and TWO; The first appearance of a human nipple in a post. This amazing tattoo work was created on the living tissue of brave Monkey Island fan Alex Melgarejo who graciously allowed me to share these shots. I sort of recall posting that source artwork here but for the life of me I can't find it (must be the lead poisoning). The Tat was done by Bulgarian artist Ivasha and just goes to show - Be careful what you draw, because someone may choose to inscribe it on their body for all time.

--Starchie

Her Enduring Charms...

Another secret of strange allure, revealed!

--Starchie

The Ghost

Here's a small painting done for a charity art auction from some time back. Still messing around with the black trees.
6X6 Acrylic

--Starchie

Graven Image

This little studio run by Joseph Reiter came to me and asked to do a statue of Sam & Max. It recently started shipping and is one substantial hunk o' flotsam - and I mean that in a good way. I did the sketch on the right and I like the simple lines of the sculpt by Joe Simon. Symbiote Studios offers the statue at their site.
http://www.symbiotestudios.com

Here's a nice shot by Adam B from a review on the site What's Your Obsession: http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/
More shots there although Sam's head is placed weirdly askew in one of them as they are in some of the shots at Captain Toy where, though they seem to like the item, Sam is not quite assembled to the base and is sporting his lid sideways.
http://www.mwctoys.com/REVIEW_011209a.htm

--Starchie

Happy New Year

Ernie's Holiday Ditty

The Visitor Pages 8-9

The Visitor Pages 6-7

The Visitor Pages 4-5

The Visitor Pages 2-3

The Visitor

This holiday tale appeared in the Hellboy Christmas Special, a one shot anthology published by Dark Horse in 1997. Besides the feature story by Mike Mignola, the book contained contributions by Gary Gianni and Geof Darrow. This story is lettered by Lois Buhalis.
Maybe best not to read with kids who are still fond of Santa Claus.

--Starchie

Cratchet and Son

From a couple years ago. I never tire of depicting Sam & Max in a Charles Dickens setting. It inspires a sort of out-of-character sincerity in them that I enjoy.
Acrylic 8X10

--Starchie

Picnic

Here's another Toybox greeting card. I enjoy chopping in the white around the characters and looking for the simple version of a painted Christmas ornament or a bottle. I own the blanket, and used its colors to drive the rest of the palette.
Acrylic 8X10

--Starchie