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Star Wars Artist Month – Tina Panther

Art evolves over time as we humans learn more techniques (the root word for technology, by the way). One generation of artists influences the next, with a host of other humanities and history influencing it all. So if we traced the evolution of art forms like a flowing river, it is fascinating to see where it leads. For many of today’s artists, Star Wars continues to play a large influence on their work.

Today we celebrate another pupil of the Force: Tina Panther. Deaf since birth, she lives proudly in Germany working in dental technology and producing works under her artist name. At just 33 years old she is an independent illustrator and cosplayer who has enjoyed the renaissance in pop culture to fuel her incredible talents. In 2019 she opened her own small business “Tina Panther Art” for art, cosplay, fan merch and design.

“I’ve been a Star Wars fan since childhood, thanks to my mom <3 Almost all families love the Star Wars so I got infected 😉 I drew a lot, including Star Wars and I collected a lot of crazy things.“

“Star Wars Celebration Europe II 2013 was my first convention and I was disguised as an own character: “Sith” Stormtrooper. I got to know a lot of new things for the first time about costume, sales, trade, stars despite my deafness, I dared to meet new Star Wars fans and to get new information. I have been a member of 501st The Legion since 2014 and I am very proud.“

“I prefer to draw comic and manga style with it beautifully colorful and striking
I have tried a lot and mainly work with digital drawing, i.e. graphics tablet with pen, I also tested the drawing software – I was absolutely thrilled and no longer was I asked for the commissions, for friends, customers and organizers
My highlight was Walker Stalker Con Germany, I drew a lot for the Con: banners, programs, T-shirts and more, so far I am still drawing for posters, banners, patches, stickers, t-shirts and logos.“

Links to Tina’s art around the web:
Deviant Art: deviantart.com/tinapanther/gallery
IG: instagram.com/tinapanther87/
FB: facebook.com/tinapantherart
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/TinaPantherArt

Many thanks to our partners at Jedi News, Fantha Tracks, Rebel Scum, Force.Net, and Bantha Bricks for supporting SWAM 2020 and sharing our posts. What a great way to share the magic of the art community! Check them out and see just how big the galaxy really is!

http://www.banthabricks.com/

Star Wars Artist Month – Jenn DePaola

Artists draw from a variety of sources that serve as their muse. Some of it is from the wide spectrum of fantasy and sci-fi. Some of it is from other walks of life such as pop culture, advertisement, other art forms. Our feature artist today keys in all all of them, focusing them into laser-precise works that still carry soft glows and organic shading. Her leap from cartooning to digital media has only given her more options that have caught the eye of top shelf licenses where her work really shines. She has a polished professional style that still retains a fresh, endearing feel to it. Any fan would be satisfied to have her work adorn their walls.

Jenn DePaola (Dee-Pay-Oh-La) is a freelance digital illustrator with a focus on classic Pin-up Art and Portraiture. She grew up in Southwestern Virginia, which is where she currently resides with her husband, Paul, and their two kitties, Rex and Cody. (Yes, they are named after Clones from Star Wars.)

Jenn has been drawing pretty much all of her life. She started early with drawing cartoons and comics. Eventually, she found her way to portraiture where she worked to refine her artistic skills and continues to do so. In 2006 she began to venture into digital art and found a medium that she really enjoyed that allowed her to expand her skills even more so. Her most recent artistic endeavor is the wonderful world of pin-up art but with a pop-culture twist tying into Star Wars, cult classic films, and nostalgia. Jenn has also worked on several sketch card sets for Topps Trading Cards, including multiple Star Wars sets, as well as a Mars Attacks! set. It was a dream come true for Jenn to work on officially licensed projects for Lucasfilm, LTD, and Star Wars.

At this time Jenn is working on a series of pin-up art for a line of products in the near future. She also takes on commercial work and private commissions when she has time.

What drew you to illustrating Star Wars?

“When people ask me what draws me to illustrate Star Wars, the simple answer is “It’s my life!”

I’ve grown up in a world where Star Wars has always existed. Some of my earliest memories are playing with the original Kenner action figures with my older brother and his Death Star trash compactor playset. Or spending hours playing with and reading the pop-up books and listening to the read-along 45 record storybooks and more. Star Wars was a constant throughout my childhood. That love of Star Wars continued with meeting my husband, Paul. Our first date was The Phantom Menace. We’re still together years later, still into Star Wars and loving it.

The Star Wars Saga holds a special place in my heart and always will. It has helped shape the person that I have become and am still becoming. So, when it comes to drawing, my mind and heart naturally gravitate to Star Wars and that keeps me inspired to keep creating.”

What are some of your favorite pieces to illustrate?

“When I think of Star Wars, I instantly think of Princess Leia. As a young girl, she projected leadership. A no-nonsense attitude that took command of the situation, whatever it may be. It was a pretty big departure from what I had seen in other films and stories and how women were depicted. That played a huge part in my adolescence. Fast forward several decades, and it’s still those female characters that don’t hesitate to take the lead that really calls to me. Aside from Leia, now General – though she’ll always be Royalty; There’s also Ahsoka Tano, Hera Syndulla, Sabine Wren, Jyn Erso, and of course, Rey Skywalker. They have fears, they have doubts, but they still show up and face difficulties. They still try. And I think that’s one of the most endearing qualities of the characters of Star Wars. They face great adversity, but they still try. They still continue on in the name of hope. And I love illustrating characters that have that type of personality or character arc. That, to me, is what a great story with great characters gives its audience… Hope.”

Websites, Links, and Merch

Jenn’s Website: jenndepaola.com
Jenn’s Email: jenn@jenndepaola.com
Patreon: patreon.com/jenndepaolaart
Instagram: @jenndepaolaart – instagram.com/jenndepaolaart
Twitter: @JennDePaola – twitter.com/JennDePaola
Facebook Page: facebook.com/JennDePaolaArt
TeePublic (t-shirts & more): teepublic.com/user/JennDePaolaArt
INPrnt (art prints): inprnt.com/gallery/jenndepaolaart

http://www.banthabricks.com/

Star Wars Artist Month – Juan José Matamoros

Every artist has a different style, a different persona, a different profile to them. Some take their time, releasing a handful of creations in a year. Some even make a good living from their life’s work, which is great.

Today’s artist Juan Jose Matamoros – a guy so amazingly talented at concept and execution of graphic designs that he doesn’t even talk about it. He works like his hands are on fire, cranking out gorgeous designs over and over, all for the love of the Star Wars community. He quietly puts out his slick, polished, expressive digital artwork like a one-man PR firm. And he does it all to help others.

Anyone in the Star Wars fan community has probably seen a hundred or more of Juan’s designs. They are inescapable and each one a priceless icon. Fans send him rough sketches like you’d find on the back of a napkin and he transforms them into gold. Every fan who asks for their idea to be rendered ends up looking like a rock star thanks to the man. And he does it all humbly and almost overnight.

You just can’t say enough about artists who do it for the pure love of the craft and out of the intrinsic value of friendship. I’m including a LOT of the work he did for R2-KT in his gallery, but my mind reels at the thought of how much is out there that I don’t have in this article. Seriously, go look it all up. The man is amazing. And Star Wars Artist Month tips its hat to the one-man Star Wars fan icon.

“I am a graphic and creative designer with 30 years of experience in this field, since I was little I always had facilities to draw and create my own stories with what I have on hand. Over time, science fiction and comics have been my companions during these years and I am still in constant learning.”

“Star Wars is part of my life since A New Hope, when I left the cinema my world changed, to date they are the pillars of infinite inspiration, which never ceases to amaze me and, above all, it reflects in each design a story told by each person deposited your trust in me. Thanks to the work done by R2-KT (Minions Version), my style became known and was a pillar for what I currently do for friends from all over the world.”

Instagram: @matamorosgraphicdesign

Tee-shirt store: https://www.teepublic.com/user/matamorosgraphicdesign

http://www.banthabricks.com/

Star Wars Artist Month – Ivan Castillo

Ralph McQuarrie, conceptual artist responsible for much of the look and feel of Star Wars, was once quoted to say, “I just did my best to depict what I thought the film should look like, I really liked the idea. I didn’t think the film would ever get made. My impression was it was too expensive.”

Every piece of art inspired by Star Wars since then has been free of such limitations. The galaxy has been the limit, with not only endless images to draw from but boundless imagination, new tools, and a universe of other sources to draw from.

Today’s artist has taken the challenge to heart: delving into multiple media and sources for his creative hyper-drive. Now padawan finds himself the master, teaching other artists how to channel their talents. And like a Jedi, Ivan Castillo finds balance is the key.

“Star Wars and art have been a part of my life as far as I can remember. I describe myself as quirky and fun and always willing to talk to anyone and make friends.”

“My work is in Watercolor, Acrylic, Color Pencil and Markers, but one style that sets me apart is the use of Craft Foam to create “3D art”, best exemplified in my CAPTAIN REX piece. I also enjoy doing mash-ups, where I combine 2 different Pop Culture characters into one. I have published an original comic book titled “The Outer Worlds” with Award Winning writer, Brett Harris. Many of you may have seen my art at CELEBRATION 2019.”

“I updated design for Tshirts for ROAD SQUADRON (the cars that were on display in Chicago). I designed the Tshirt for SWAG CREW, and the “Star Warriors” patch which was very popular. This summer, I will be an art instructor at Washington College Academy in Tennessee.”

Ivan’s work can be found at “Conquest Art Designs” page on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/conquestartdesigns/) and IvanArtist75 on Instagram.

http://www.banthabricks.com/

Star Wars Artist Month – Sasha Galvan

As we continue to explore the wide vista of talent that have been inspired by Star Wars we keep discovering that there is so much more magic out there than what shows up on the professional circuit. A generation of young artists have grown up in a digital age, with tools and inspiration at their finger tips that were unheard of when the movies first came out. But the enduring appeal of the Saga continues to spark the flame of creativity.

Today’s artist is still in college but is already preparing for a lifetime of artistic achievement. She debuted on the fandom scene in my home state of South Carolina and she has made it her stage. Prop-making, costuming, cosplay performance, digital design, and visual arts are all crafts she has mastered well beyond her years. Please join me today in saluting Sasha Galvan!

“I’m 20 years old going in to my third year of college focusing on art and design. I’ve been drawing since I was very young. My art work is mostly done I’m charcoal, paint or ink I love focusing on all the tiny details and making things look as realistic as I can. Somehow this spun into a passion for making costume and props which is what I spend a majority of my time doing now.”

“What drew me to illustrate Star Wars as a subject? I guess that would Be Matt Cohen. We met at SC ComicCon while I was in my Jawa costume and later he saw my work on Instagram and told me about the 501st and the fundraisers done with these designs. and got me to do some designs for North and South Carolina garrisons.”

Contact for commissions : spoopyghuleh@gmail.com

Instagram page : @tall_jawa

http://www.banthabricks.com/

Star Wars Artist Month – Sean Soehl

Have you ever played scenes back in your head of star ships, robots, wizards, and epic space battles? Ever taken the time to try and draw them out, adding your own special touch? Then you were an artist! Whether you followed up on those sketches with a career or just played around in school – you took up the craft of art and felt the magic it contains. Not all of us followed that path to a professional career, but that’s not a problem – everyone is free to express their imagination. In fact, some still do in their spare time. And what better way to express yourself and have fun. That’s what today’s Star Wars Artist does. Meet Sean Soehl, full time IT professional and part-time artist. He shows us what it means to keep the Force strong in his imagination and we love what we see!

“Hi! Im Sean…an Army veteran who went to the police academy before becoming an IT nerd for a local hospital system here in NC haha. I’m a husband to my hero who is a doctor and we have a sassy little girl. I love painting/drawing Star Wars subjects because it is my favorite movie series and story ever, and so many of the characters resonate with me (like they do with so many of us). I dont actually sell my art yet but I have been told maybe I should start, so stay tuned for that. Thanks and May the Force Be with You, ALWAYS.”

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SoehlDigitalArt?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=824415453

http://www.banthabricks.com/

Star Wars Artist Month – Sascha Raabe

Star Wars may have originated in the United States but it is hardly limited to an American appeal. Fans all around the world have been inspired by the story and inspiration is just the fuel for artistic creation. Nothing could be more true for Sascha Raabe, our featured artist today. George Lucas made a creative statement with his depiction of the Imperials dressed in stark blacks and whites, and some of the most pure expressions of art shine in a monochromatic palette. Pencils, black ink sketches, dark charcoals: they strip away color to let the viewer see a stark and clear expression of the subject. And that is where Sascha operates. His works are works of creative reduction and profiles of characters seen in a clear perspective.

My name is Sascha Raabe, I’m 23 years old and I live in Germany. I’ve been a huge Star Wars fan since I was a kid. In “real life”, I work in a notary’s office. For me, the Star Wars universe is a place to dream. It stands for creativity, it’s fascinating, inspiring and the perfect place to go when I want to escape the everyday’s life. In 2015, I joined the 501st Legion, which gives me the feeling of being a meaningful part of the Star Wars history. In this great community, I met so many great people that became my closest friends and chosen family. All this makes Star Wars a hobby unlike any else.

Drawing has always been my most favourite thing to do, and of course Star Wars quickly became subject number one. For me as a kid, it was interesting and challenging trying to draw all these different droids, armors and creatures throughout the universe.

I’ve always been trying to improve myself and find my own style. Through the years, I concentrated on pencil drawings. Now I’m at a point where I want to show my fanarts to the public, to be one of the many great Star Wars artists out there.

I don’t offer any products yet. But if there’s a growing interest I will definitely consider it!

You can follow me on Instagram right here:
www.instagram.com/allgaeu_trooper

http://www.banthabricks.com/

Star Wars Artist Month – Marietta Ivanova

Community is the concept among humans that if you bring the right people together, they benefit from one another and are better for it. Artists often cite one city or country that drew them in, inspired them, fueled their creativity. It might be the flowers in Japan or the canals of Venice: something about a place or its peoples that help an artist channel their inner vision.

I’d like to think that’s happened with the Star Wars fan community. It certainly seems to be the case for today’s featured artist: Marietta Ivanova, who has both elevated and been elevated by her time in the 501st Legion Costuming Group. She came onto the scene by storm and rocked it with her paintings and her impressive craftsmanship in armor and other mediums of costuming.

Marietta is an illustrator and graphic designer from Finland. She loves making Star Wars fan art, comics and stories, and building Star Wars costumes. One look at her pieces and you realize they come from a special place. Dark hues intermingle with precisely placed illumination to create a very real sense that you are face to face with some of the most powerful figures from another galaxy.

“I make my art in highly realistic style with meticulous details. I often spend hours upon hours researching background material to give a very screen-faithful look to the subject of my art. However I love to mix it up by choosing unexpected topics and highlighting characters that don’t get that much attention. I really enjoy making stories, comics and art about stormtroopers, for example.”

What drew you to illustrating Star Wars as a subject?

“To me Star Wars is the perfect escape to a world of creativity and endless stories to visualize. Nothing inspires me like science fiction, especially the galaxy far far away. Many don’t know that before joining this community, I had been struggling with an “art block” – I didn’t make any art for almost seven years. That period ended when I was so inspired by Star Wars fan fiction by a fellow fan that I wanted to illustrate it. The creativity just caught on like fire and everything else followed.”

“Now I am endlessly lucky to be surrounded by all you wonderful people. In this community we keep on inspiring each other to be creative, to build, to laugh, to go to events and to have unforgettable time, to be international and make new friends, to support each other and to look for new challenges. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to give back to the community in the form of art. Thank you fellow fans and creators for the chance to share this wonderful adventure with you.”

“I am creating only Star Wars fan art, not licensed Disney products. This is why the art that I make is not for sale. But you can view all of them on my webpage and social media. People who like my art style can also contact me to commission a single custom piece of art with the subject of their choosing.“

Website: https://marietta.artstation.com
Email: marietta@cannonfodder.net
Instagram: @mariettaart
Facebook: facebook.com/marietta.ivanova.501
Facebook: facebook.com/artofmarietta

http://www.banthabricks.com/

Star Wars Artist Month – Michael Duron

Michael Locoduck Duron is consistently high on life and markers. Having jumped at light speed from drawing comics on stapled pieces of notebook paper to being lucky enough to illustrate some of the greatest characters in any galaxy, he’s never looked back.

His earliest professional work began in 2005 with Topps Trading Cards drawing Lord of the Rings, Heroes, and Indiana Jones sketch cards and eventually making his way to Star Wars. In addition to the thousands of sketch cards he created for those universes, Michael has become very well known for his Marvel stylized trading cards from Upperdeck.

He’s more than a one trick ducky, and has also created comic book cover art for Betty and Veronica, Zombie Tramp, and is the creator of several comic book projects including his all ages adventure Sugar Boogarz. When not buried under that work, you can find him creating Caricature and event art all over Central Florida, but particularly at the Walt Disney World Resort. Michael is also an Honorary Member of the 501st Legion, and has created artwork for several garrisons and one of R2-KT’s very first patch designs. You may have also picked up one of his official t-shirt designs for Star Wars Celebration. He recently launched a new webcomic that helps him deal with the dark side of depression called Life N Death.

What drew you to Star Wars?

“Star Wars was the greatest fantasy and escape I could imagine. As a little boy I could picture myself taking on Darth Vader with a light saber one day, or being a scoundrel wooing the princess the next. The sheer amount of fantastical characters that George Lucas created has inspired me to create exciting images of my own.”

“I try not live in the borders of exactness when I’m putting line to paper. With this Universe you can interpret the heroes, droids, scum and villainy anyway you want and still manage to connect with the fans. Not to mention that Star Wars is always growing, and constantly giving us new things to discover and work with. Any artist that plays in this Galaxy HAS to imagine themselves as kid in a galactic candy shop!”

www.locoduck.com

www.instagram.com/michaelduron

http://www.banthabricks.com/

Star Wars Artist Month – Dave Liew

Today’s feature artist for Star Wars Artist Month has been quietly putting out designs for the Star Wars community that have energized charity causes and raised the profile of fan organizations for years. He has created some of the finest graphic designs, campaign posters, concepts, and logos to make everyone look amazing. Meanwhile he creates vivid sketches of everything from Imperial armored troopers to fantasy figures to Chthulhu himself. All that look like lost pages from a Hollywood storyboard. When you look at Dave’s work you don’t just see a new style, you honestly feel like you’re peeking at an entirely undiscovered treasure trove of living, breathing story content with a lot of thought behind it. It makes you want to know more, makes you want to see where it’s all going. Art is at its best when it triggers the imagination and Dave’s work never just sits on the page. It compels you to take a journey…

Dave Liew has amassed 20+ years in the creative industry in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He’s honed his skills in interior design, post production, architecture 3d visualization, and character conceptualizing.

In the last eight years he’s been working closely in the performing arts scene. He unofficially joined the 501st as a minder 8 years ago, starting his other creative journey designing for 501st members around the globe. Now he’s officially a member as Snowtrooper ST77107. Dave currently illustrates graphic novels and renders 3D models of spaceships for boardgames for a community-based alternate reality sci-fi storytelling group called Unity Macroverse.

You can view more of Dave’s work portfolio at : https://www.facebook.com/daveliewillustration/

Unity Macroverse website: unitymacroverse.com

http://www.banthabricks.com/