20 Things You Didn't Know About Me!

The following is my answer to those infernal number/list games folks are foisting onto one another (or themselves!) and thrown into Facebook statuses. I don't have anything against them but I figured this would be the perfect excuse to post a self-serving, whorish blog entry and gain a few website hits. Enjoy!

1. My real first name is Melvis. It’s a portmanteau of “Marvis” and “Elvis.” I attribute this to my parents’ respective interests being that my dad is a fan of Elvis Presley and my mom stalked Marvis Frazier for five years. I should also add that my parents legally changed my name when I was 23.

2. My parents were so poor when I was born that I didn’t actually own feet until I was in third grade. There were times my dad had to call in sick from work so I could borrow his size tens to walk to school. As a result, I developed a deep-seated fear of Pierre LeChopp.

3. It’s no surprise to anyone that I’m a verbomaniac (it helps, being an editor). Much to the dismay of many, I enjoy talking. But my obsession with words also has an upside. In specific, if I don’t openly use “fecal” in a discussion during a meal (no whispering; that’s cheating, kids) at least four times, I lose my appetite and have to be fed with a slingshot.

4. When I was three, I lost all hearing in my right arm.

5. My parents loved messing with me when I was very young for their own amusement. For example, I had this abject fear of potatoes, so they would roll them toward my feet in the kitchen. Oh, how I would panic! Fortunately, it wasn’t long before I somehow conquered my fear of spuds (I’m a quarter Irish. BOO-YAH!). In response to this particular triumph, they started throwing them at me. Overhand.

"Daryl vs...": My First "Mini" Contest!

(Work in progress...)

So with a brand-spanking-new season of "The Walking Dead" underway, I was inspired to draw a comic book-style piece inspired by the show's resident badass, crossbow-slinging Daryl Dixon. But this one's got a twist...

In this rendering, Daryl's facing off against a non-undead mystery threat, a character not featured on the show or in the comic book which inspired the show. This particular threat, however, is a pop culture icon who is just as deadly - if not deadlier - as Dixon.

So, here's where you come in, Howlers...

Once it's finished, this inked and fully hand-colored piece will be up for grabs to the one Howler who can guess exactly who Daryl Dixon is facing in his standoff. But here's the rub...

You have to be a member of my Creation Nation "Howlers" page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CDCreationNation) OR a "Twowler" (a Twitter "Howler") on my Twitter account (www.twitter.com/CoyoteDuran). On either page (comments section of the Facebook page regarding this link or in reply to any of my Tweets regarding this link), post who you think Daryl's secret opponent is.

There's no limit to your guessing but you cannot edit your post to change your answer (on the Facebook page). If you need to guess again or correct yourself, just type out a new comment. Edited posts will be disregarded.

The first correct Howler wins. Easy as pie (pie not included).

But that's not all!

This "Daryl vs..." piece is the first in what I'm calling my "'Mini' Contests." Every month, I'm going to render a smaller piece (comic book-style, about a standard letter size, 8 1/2" X 11", penciled, inked and hand-colored on Bristol Board) and I'm offering it up to a "Howler" each time. The rules to winning might be different each time depending on the subject matter or it could just be a random thing (or maybe I'll even ask YOU to choose the subject/subjects with the best idea winning the "Mini"!) but I'm doing it to show my appreciation. 

Because without "Howlers," who would I share my art with?

Oh, by the way...the contest starts NOW!

Sergio Martinez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Comic Art Giveaway!

So, in a fit of curiosity, I decided I would try rendering a boxing scene in a comic book style, done up in ink and uncolored. I've always been a fan of exaggerated, comicky musculature and what better fighter to study than World Middleweight Champion Sergio Martinez? Since his impending battle against titlist Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. this Saturday for all the middleweight marbles is on the lips and minds of all hardcore fight fans, it gave me an idea:

How about a comic book scene pitting the two 160-pound warriors against each other with some Manga-esque speed lines bringing up the rear? Even better...what if I gave it away when I was done?

So here's where you come in, Howlers. My little contest has a few simple rules.

1) First, join the Creation Nation "Howlers" page at www.facebook.com/CDCreationNation. If you're already a Howler (or a fan. I like "Howlers" better...) there, even better! You're halfway there! But remember: you have to be a member of the Facebook page to participate.

2) Find the post on the fan page regarding this contest (if you're a member, that very post probably linked you to this very page!) and make YOUR prediction as to who will win the World Middleweight Championship fight between Sergio Martinez and Julio Cesar Chavez. And that's your EXACT prediction. If  you think your pick will win by a specific decision, tell me what type (unanimous, split, majority) and what you think the scores will be in the end. If the fight ends in a draw, what variety of draw will it be and what will the scores be? And if the fight ends in a stoppage of any kind or a knockout, tell me how, what round the fight was stopped in and the time.

3) If you feel you need to amend your prediction, DO NOT edit your post. Just add to the status comments with your new prediction. This eliminates the possibility of cheating (and you wouldn't want the world to think you're a cheater...would you?)

4) The deadline? No posts later than 9:30 p.m., ET/6:30 p.m. PT, SATURDAY NIGHT, SEPTEMBER 15 will be accepted. That's 30 minutes after the start of the HBO pay-per-view broadcast and should give you plenty of time to get that prediction in!

The closest prediction wins. That's it. that's all you gotta do. Easy, huh?

Now, I do have to be honest. As the caption stapled to this image implies, this piece isn't finished yet. I have more detail, shadow, etc. to add so if you think these guys look wonky, well, I'm not done, dammit! And it's in a comic book-inspired style! It's supposed to look a speck wonky!

Speaking of honesty, the piece (8 1/2" X 11" image size on 10 1/2" X 13" Bristol Board in pigment liner) doesn't include matting and framing but it will be signed and shipped flat next week right after I put on the finishing touches.

So what are you waiting for? Make your predictions NOW!

My "Crystal Pistol" logo tryout!

About two weeks ago, Chicago-based (and incredibly hilarious) comedian Andy Woodhull, posted a Facebook status asking for artists to cook up a new logo for "The Crystal Pistol" comedy showcase at Zanie's in Chicago. Although another artist's logo was selected (which is a VERY cool Western-meets-film noir-style joint), I thought I'd share my submissions, which only differ in font style and size. I drew the revolver by hand and duplicated it in Photoshop. With Photoshop (which, admittedly, I'm learning new stuff every time I use it!), I created the remainder of the logo and slapped it all together. Enjoy! December, 2010