Nellzmania 2009

Living the dream...
Get ready for Nellz run to becoming the World Heavyweight champion. Taking on all comers, Booooiiiiii!!!

New Dj Hero ads

I gotta check it out at my friends crib. Very cool ads.

New Q-tip feat. Norah Jones video.

Off of the Kamaal the abstract album. It's too short.

Hip Hop Honors:Def Jam

Hip Honors powerhouse label Def Jam records tonite on vh1. Def Jam is like the rap version of Motown, in bringing the best artist of the genre of different backgrounds into the studio with the best up-coming producers. Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin helped make the genre mainstream along with artist LL Cool J, Beastie Boys and Public Enemy. It's been 25 years in the making and Def Jam finally gets it's due. I'm glad that VH1 has become way more hip hop than BET is now.

Hmph!

What Up Nellz Nation,

I think the tank is finally running on empty. I've been able to keep up drawing for nearly 3 months nonstop and today I couldn't do it. I mean starting from yesterday afternoon to this very morning, I couldn't draw a single good picture. I just finished touching up the Michael Jackson sketch I'm working on, then designed some new Nellz Nation characters Wednesday night.
I was a little hyped up yesterday you can say off just 2 cups of coffee, then candy later on that day, so my game was a little off, then this morning it continued on. After doing a shirt- http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=161695735&albumID=1229889&imageID=41129535-for TNA knockout Tara (who still hasn't decided on a shirt design), I was emailed believe it or not by fitness model and lingerie model Jenny Poussin to do a comic version of her. So far I came up with some decent costumes, but the drawings were terrible. I'm thinking of not even doing it at all (not just because of those bad drawings). To boot, my Microsoft Word is actin crazy and wont open my resume. I don't know, I'm ranting again, but I have had some decent moments in the past couple of months so I can't front on that.
That's why I come here, I can say what I want when I want how I want.
Good Day NN.

DJ Hero

This promo art of DJ Grandmaster Flash for the new DJ Hero game looks really cold. I don't know who did it, but man I wish I did.
The game itself looks pretty cool, I've never played any other "Hero" music games so I'm not very familiar to the in-game goals. However I imagine that this is completely different considering you're using a turntable instead of a guitar. I might check it out. It's definitely a good look for hip hop.

http://www.djhero.com/
http://xbox360.ign.com/objects/142/14280894.html-picture source

Undertaker 3 step

I had a reference just for the coloring and costume but the drawing is out of my head.

Nellz Chick

Man on the Moon review

One of the highly anticipated albums of the year, is finally out. Suprisingly it's a rather quiet debut release from Kid Cudi considering the hype behind last year's mix tape smash "Day N Nite". This is an okay first album from the Cleveland kid. What I like is that he's taking alot of risk and being very vulnerable and open considering the kinda rap that's out now and days. It's a true alternative to any "jerk" or "swag" rap album out there. I like that Cudi for the most part sticks to the sing songy style he used on "Day N Nite", however that is the only real stand out on this cd.
The only other good songs are "Soundtrack 2 My Life" "Sky Might Fall", "Alive" and "Cudi Zone". Otherwise everything sounds pretty much the same, except the catchy single " Make Her Say" which helps because Kanye and Common pump some energy into the track. Everything has a solemn tone that makes 808s & Heartbreak sound like a party album. "Day N Nite" is an instant classic but in order for him to make it into the top tier of hip hop stars he's gotta get some consistency and fire to want put out a stronger second disc. He's already off to a good start by seperating himself from his current copycat peers.

Jay-z album review

First of 3 albums are alot from a "retired" rapper. The hip-hop Jordan comes back with his best of CD of the three since his return in 2006. It's by no means as good as some of his classics including Hard Knock Life, Reasonable Doubt or even Blueprint 1. However Kingdom Come was a dissapointment and American Gangster didn't seem complete and here Blueprint 3 is full of major guest appearances with no specific star.
While most of the tracks are Jay trying out some new styles particularly on the Swizz Beats "On to the Next One" and "Venus vs. Mars" which is kinda weak but his relationship with Beyonce might have something to do with it. Kanye West makes his return as Jay's main go to producer and his presence is felt. On the single "Run this town" also feat. Rihanna(Jay-z protege) has Kanye finally matching big brother's flow and "Forever Young" sounds like a lost track from 808s & Heartbreak.
But I am feeling "Already Home" feat. Kid Cudi, "So Ambitious" produced by the Neptunes-even though it sounds like that song they did for Common. Also "Off that" featuring Rookie of the Year, Drake is growing on me. Overall ***1/2 outta 5*

NellzRebel

nellz 2009

WARRIOR!!!

Here they come. I was finally able to adjust the brightness/darkness of the pencils, so the finishes should be posted on Deviant art by the end of this month or early October, just in time for the WWE video game Smackdown vs. Raw 2010.

Sketches so far...

1.Ultimate Warrior 16.Ravishing Rick Rude
2.D-X 17.Goldust w/Marlena
3.Rey Mysterio 18.Sunny
4.British Bulldog 19.Sable
5.John Cena 20.Andre the Giant
6.The Rock 21.Jake "the Snake" Roberts
7.The undertaker 22.Rowdy Roddy Piper
8.Chyna 23.Randy Orton
9.Junkyard Dog 24.Stone Cold Steve Austin
10.Doink the CLown 25.Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat
11.Bam Bam Bigelow 26."Macho Man" Randy Savage
12.Hardy Boyz 27.Bret "Hitman" Hart
13.Lita 28.Yokozuna
14.Edge 29.Hulk Hogan
15.Hornswoggle 30."Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase

and 22 more to go.

Widow's Peak

A much better pic of me vs. TNA Knockout Tara aka Victoria.

Check out my newest deviants

@ http://nellz86.deviantart.com/
Go ahead give it a peak.

Preview Pencils.

Once I get Photoshop to open, then it's on. I've been drawing like crazy trying to create more work. So far this is just some of the work, these...well I can't give that away just yet but when I get photoshop running and the first pics finished then you'll know.

Comic Con artwork

Stuff I was drawing at comic con.

Comic Con 2009

Just a few pics from Wizard World Chicago Comic-con 2009. It was an experience I would have never imagined, especially the way this year had been going. Thanks to Matt McCarty for hooking us up with the table, allowing me the opportunity to be apart of this and showcase my art. Thanks to Reo, Mikey and my younger bro Jamal for riding with me and showing support (you guys excitement was enough for me), and last but not least Jodi and Marcelo.
Kevin Nash (TNA/ former WCW and WWF champ) one of my favorite wrestlers of all time-
Tara/Victoria/Lisa Marie Varon (former TNA KO champ/WWE women's champ) One of the nicest people I've ever met.
Tom Nguyen (Illustrator/Kick A** comic art)Took time out to give me pointers and even drew a little pic in my book for free.

Real sneak peak

SaSunian Prophecy I
Just a slight preview of the boards I'm working on for SP part I. Gonna be honest, I didn't think I could this many panels together in this amount of time, but that's the passion I have for my art. Thanks to Reo for letting me illustrate his story (even though I gotta draw dreadlocks).

Wizard Chicago Comic-Con 2009

This year I'll be participating for the first time at Wizard World's Artist Alley.
My former American Academy of Art classmates, Matthew McCarty, Marcello Biott, Jodi Hoover and myself will be sharing a table (good looking out Matt). Wizard World is one of the largest traveling conventions in the world that showcases everything comic books, video games, film and anime.
I've been to the event in the past and was able to meet Walt(Thor) and Louise Simonson(Steel) and they both gave me really good feedback on my artwork. This time I'm looking to take advantage of being there for a longer period of time and meeting more people and interacting with fans (crazy costumes and all). My friend and writer Ronnie Reo(SaSunian Prophecy) is also coming along to check out the madness for the first time, and we're gonna have a ball. Other AAArt alumn are gonna be there too, so it should be a good time.

Michael Jackson 1958-2009

Music and pop culture icon Michael Jackson past away from cardiac arrest.
Granted his career was marred by controversy especially in his last few years but what it really comes down to, the guy was talented and gifted. He was known and loved worldwide for 40 years. I think his impact is bigger than Elvis' was on pop culture.
He was very eccentric and troubling at times but I was kinda hoping that he would finally get it together after this tour put out one more album of just pure hits (not a bunch of whining Heal the world songs) and get the redemption he deserved just for art sake. I mean whenever I leave this Earth I would love for people to remember me as a whole person and for my art. No I won't miss MJ the person because I did not know him, but his music will definitely live on.

Shots out to the family of actress Farrah Fawcett who also died yesterday at 62 years old. And to the family of little Jada Justice of Indiana (this is becoming way too common in our community).

Peace.

new ills

previews to monster football game. started on these two weeks ago, but delayed the finishing of it.

Willie Baxter,Sr.

Today my grandfather has finally fallen asleep in death, after nearly 3 1/2 years of struggling with various illness.

Nellz Nation

the flag of Nellz Nation. 2009

Book1

I've recently began to check out books, real novels by real authors to see if it can help generate some imagination and take me somewhere mentally to a different place.I read alot of comics and graphic novels, while they are fast and entertaining to read, it's hard to really let your imagination work when the pictures are fully detailed already (which doesn't help much as an artist).



Gentlemen of the Road by Michael Chabon (c)2007



So my first completed book is Gentleman of the Road. It's an adventure tale of a mysterious Jewish journeyman, Zelikman and his giant African companion, Amram, doing battle with nefarious priest and warlords set during early century Middle Eastern lands. They run into a problem when they have to ensure the safe return of Prince Filaq (who's not all what he seems) to take his place as leader of the Khazarian nation.
It was a suprisingly good book from start to finish, full of action, damsels and suprises and humor that wasn't too over-the top yet very intelligent. There's some pretty decent illustrations (by Garry Gianni) that help describe some of the action especially when Chabon starts to get a little too handy with devices of writing. It seems like it was geared toward young men from 14-up, which is fine because it got my imagination to work, so I know it will work for anybody else if they give it a read.

Another Day @ the Office

My painting is the one next to Jodi's with the screaming face

photo by Jodi Hoover.

WE ON!!!

My name ain't on the card, but I'm many more.
Aye I'm just going to have a good time, enjoy some art hang with my friends and see what happens from there. Ranting can be exhausting.

He needs a name...

any suggestions

So far I've come up with the name, Mankey (or maybe that's what he is)

With that said...

I DONT TALK...

...I just listen.

This is also why I have a blog. To say whatever I want about whatever I want.
My creativity is feeling a little stagnant because of, well various reasons. I thought a couple of weeks back after going to the society of illustrators/alumni show at AAART that I was inspired, that I was gonna run home and create some masterpiece. I entered in the Annual Square Foot canvas gallery show last month for the first time. I was ready to enter the most fantastical piece of art I have done so far in my life.
Here I am, May 18th-I thought I was going to walk across a stage wearing a cap and gown then recieve my diploma to the delight of my family(I would have been the first in my immediate family to do so). But after debts build and collectiona agency calls, that dream of graduating college won't go quite as dreamt. No matter, I mean I did finish the courses and I wasn't personally excited with going through another wack ceremony(they never go well for me). Even with that, I the only thing I've drawn and completed since last month is the picture below this entry.
I was working on a comic book that I was planning on having ready for Wizard World, but this past month has been so hectic, I've pushed back plans on that and even doubt that I will be at a booth at all. Which sucks because I made a big deal about it up until that point.
I don't want to give up though. For the sake of my fellow AAART mates (class of '08)
and for my self to prove I can work through all of this. But the pressure is very tough to handle but I have to make adjustments as I go. I'm not planning on doing anything this summer. As opportunities open up, I just want to be able to address them as they arrive. I have to manage my time better and also not allow others to waste mine or dictate how I should use it.
I have to remember I'm an artist. I'am an illustrator (we're problem solvers). This morning I had a decision to make. Go to work like a good boy or be late for work and deliver my artwork for the BFA show that begins this week. Take a wild guess at which one I picked.

Mascara De La Muerte

The Most feared Luchadore in all of Mexico.
5 time Nellz Heavyweight Champion of the World.
The deadliest finishing move in wrestling history-Pico De Vuelo (Flying Spike).

SOMETERSE A LA MUERTE

X-box theme Nike

"These are an exclusive pair...only one of its kind. Patent leather back with embedded fiber optic wiring in the shape of the XBOX logo. Battery placement is in the tongue as well as on and off switch that has 2 settings: Strobe or Constant light functions. Gradient lime swoosh faded to black. The toe is painted in a surreal Tiger Camouflage with accents of lime and bright green. These are a men's size 11." -nike

Yeah and they only cost $2,500.

read...

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=161695735&blogId=390422314

Superheroine

First coloring done with Wacom drawing tablet in almost 2 years.

(c) Marvel Comics character, Storm.

Nellzartworx 1

I don't know. I think I'm getting better at this design stuff, but I have to keep practicing it. Plus this gives me an opportunity to get away from my usual style, yet keeps me Photoshop savy.

New Wallpapers

Two brand spanking new wallpapers I made for my two favorite Chicago sports teams.
I'm also looking to buy a graphic tablet for $100 or less and I can't seem to find any in the city. If anybody knows of a place where I can go in and purchase one (not of the internet) let me know.
Peace.

Bag Lady part 1

This is a caricature of Jennifer Aniston. She's a pretty and funny actress who should be in the prime of her career, but it always seems like she's in the news because of who she's dating or whether she's jealous of the Brangelina union.

Kim K

Terrible copy, but another caricature.

Codine and blunts for breakfast.

LBJ

Working on cariacatures. Getting my game up.

Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls concept designs. I'm thinking about a new logo too, but they definitely need to update the uniforms kinda like the Lakers, Heat and Celtics did.