Hi there!
My name is Daniel, but I've been making art under the Steam Crow brand since 2005. I'm new here.
Since I'm really excited to find a monster community (finally) I thought that it might be nice to share some of my stuff here with you.
(http://dpegb9ebondhq.cloudfront.net/product_photos/1307503/feratu_bites_print_original.jpg)
I grew up loving the Monster Cereals. My ma would only buy me Wheaties, so my hunger for them was never quite sated. It's probably one of the bigger reasons that I'm a cartoon-artist.
(http://d2a2wjuuf1c30f.cloudfront.net/product_photos/1307559/halloweat_crunchies_print_original.jpg)
These are from this year, when I finally got off of my duff to make them. I grew up wanting to be a fantasy artist, but Frazetta never came out of my pencil quite right.
(http://dzasv7x7a867v.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2733434/frankenstein_print_original.jpg)
I love monsters, including Universal Monsters, but since I can't legally sell art of their characters (I'm not licensed), I tend to stick to Public Domain characters or things that I made up. Here, it's Shelley's book that I'm referring to.
(http://d111vui60acwyt.cloudfront.net/product_photos/3346476/bram_stokers_dracula_print_original.jpg)
I was a vampire for Halloween 6 years in a row. I LOVED Dracula as a kid.
(http://d3u67r7pp2lrq5.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2732527/nosferatu_movie_poster_original.jpg)
I'm really fond of Nosferatu; he's crazy iconic for me.
(http://dlp2gfjvaz867.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2602354/cabinet-of-dr-caligary-poster_original.jpg)
Bad guys in big hats are always excellent.
(http://d2a2wjuuf1c30f.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2602102/licorne_noir_unicorn_original.jpg)
Sometimes I like to make up my own movie posters. This one "Dark Unicorn" could be about a frankenstein unicorn, that haunts a little French town. (If it were really a movie, that is.)
(http://dpegb9ebondhq.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2733982/players_handbook_print_original.jpg)
I also grew up on Dungeons and Dragons, which was hugely influential in my life. I SO wanted to be a TSR artist (and writer) when I grew up. Instead, I started Steam Crow, and I'm making my own game based on the FUDGE system. It's called "Monster Commute."
(http://d1nr5wevwcuzuv.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2213093/12x18_dice_the_movie_original.jpg)
Another for the gamers out there; this one makes fun of that first Dungeons and Dragons movie, and is designed after some of the first module designs.
(http://www.steamcrow.com/store/image/cache/data/Art%20prints/granny_foos_fangs_print-800x800.jpg)
As a kid, I LOVED plastic fangs. I finally made a tribute to them here this year.
(http://d3u67r7pp2lrq5.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2579641/12x18_baba_yaga_original.jpg)
I love folklore. Baba Yaga is a tale from my Czech ancestry. (Well, Russian... she was all over.)
(http://d111vui60acwyt.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2889489/halloween_countdown_print_original.jpg)
A Halloween Countdown piece from last year. I started my own Halloween Event in Phoenix called "Keen Halloween."
(http://d3u67r7pp2lrq5.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2758768/el_chupacabra_original.jpg)
Since I now live in the Southwest, I've been trying to learn more about local monsters.
(http://d111vui60acwyt.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2759233/la_llorona_original.jpg)
"Ditch Witch" isn't the nicest name for Llorona.
(http://d310a9hpolx59w.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2733688/invisible_mummy_print_original.jpg)
A straight up parody of the similarities of "The Mummy" and "The Invisible Man." Fez, Bandages, goggles, robe.
(http://d2a2wjuuf1c30f.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2367076/12x18_create_be_interesting_original.jpg)
In case you were wondering, a "Steam Crow" is a steam-powered scarecrow. Or whatever I decide it should be that day.
(http://dlp2gfjvaz867.cloudfront.net/product_photos/489431/sleepy_hollow_print_steamcrow_original.jpg)
That's probably enough for post #1.
Thanks for the kind welcome that I've received here so far. I'm really glad to have found UMA.
A neat sort of style, to say the least. Unique, even.\
Dan, Loving your style brother!
Enjoyed your art and post.
;D
You've really got a groovy style, Daniel!
excellent! I love your style!
Bravo! Shag with more style and bite (hope you aren't offended by the comparison)! Really like the weathered textures. Nice color schemes, imaginative imagery. I like them all but I'm really grabbed by the Dracula cover - the eyes (mirrored by the stars) are arresting, to say the least.
Are any of these commercial projects?
Thanks for looking and commenting guys.
ChrisW - Not offended by the Shag comparison. He was a vector artist, too... so that moves us into the same general design area. Our influences are pretty different, though.
>Commercial projects?
Yeah, I'm an independent illustrator. (These are a few of my prints.)
Basically, I design art (in the forms of prints, books, t-shirts - basic merch) and sell them at lots of events like SDCC, Phoenix Comicon, Denver Comic-con, etc. (I don't really do Services work for other folks... I thrive building my own personal brand of stuff.)
I understand - you ARE your client - the toughest client an artist can have.
The reason I ask is I'm an illustrator as well, but am usually working on commissions. I also have a full time gig doing animation and video for the Army.
Thanks again for posting your work - great stuff!
Here are some little 5x7/postcard images:
(http://d111vui60acwyt.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2405476/mini_happy_day_original.jpg)
A steampunk poisoner/plague doctor type of character.
(http://d111vui60acwyt.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2406020/not_before_coffee_miniprint_original.jpg)
Every day, I require morning coffee. I like this, I cannot lie.
(http://d111vui60acwyt.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2402408/postcard_dracula_original.jpg)
On this one, you can write a custom image for the little Dracula to say.
(http://dpegb9ebondhq.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2405414/happy_birthday_miniprint_original.jpg)
Our take on a birthday card. I always thought that birthday cards with Hot Air Balloons were cheesy... so here's a Mummy version.
(http://d310a9hpolx59w.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2406110/penny_farthing_miniprint_original.jpg)
Since these images are much smaller than those first prints in the first post, they purposely have a lot less detail.
More later... I'm prepping for another 2 back-to-back conventions. So. Behind.
Awesome, it's nice to meet you Chris!
I've been a graphic designer, doing what other folks tell me to do, for coming up on 20 years. So, with Steam Crow, I decided to work on my ultimate dream job - illustrating what I wanted to make.
So, I don't make as much money (not doing commissions or services work) but I'm so much happier. Of course, the solution is different for everyone.
Daniel! Many thanks for posting your charming selection from the steamcrow portfolio!
Thanks, Mark!
Your work is really superb. Much great talent here.
I'm glad that folks are so cool at UMA.
(http://www.steamcrow.com/wp-content/uploads/skeleton_prototype_cut_out-500x782.jpg)
This WALL MONSTERS Kickstarter project (http://bit.ly/12fqiz3) is something I'm currently working on - basically articulated paper Halloween monsters. Hand painted, they'll be about 36 inches tall. I'm probably going to hand silkscreen them myself. (They'll be printed on dark brown cardstock.)
Designs include a Zombie, Bat Witch, Scarecrow, Skeleton, and Frankenstein Monster.
Beautiful, inspiring work steamcrow! My personal faves are Dr. Caligari, Dracula and 'The Invisible Mummy'!! ... Now how about a Der Golem? That guy's hairstyle is made for you!!
Der Golem!
(http://d3u67r7pp2lrq5.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2611714/der_golem_print_original.jpg)
:)
Nice one steamcrow! Now, my German is a little rusty, but....'sehr netter Golem tribut!'
Thanks for the kind comments.
(http://d2a2wjuuf1c30f.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2611920/doom_fang_toothpaste_print_original.jpg)
Doom Fang Toothpaste ad. It's basically an old Colgate advertisement parody.
(http://dzasv7x7a867v.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2674475/singin_for_the_brains_original.jpg)
Signin' For the Brains. More puny humor.
I've been out of town and occupied by the Phoenix Comicon and the Denver Comic Con for the past few weeks. Both really vibrant, important shows for us.
Next up: the San Diego Comic-Con!
It's time for a show that we put together, called Keen Halloween.
(http://www.keenhalloween.com/wp-content/uploads/web_flyer_large-500x645.jpg)
Here's a flyer design for it, along with a poster I made for the Mission Creeps.
(http://www.keenhalloween.com/wp-content/uploads/misson_creeps_gig_poster_website-500x749.jpg)
Here's a Krampus/Santa print we just made for the holidays:
(http://dpegb9ebondhq.cloudfront.net/product_photos/8952802/naught_or_nice_steam_crow_1000x1000_original.jpg)
Diggin' the Krampus/Santa print!
Quote from: steamcrow on June 06, 2013, 08:38:54 AM
(http://d2a2wjuuf1c30f.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2611920/doom_fang_toothpaste_print_original.jpg)
Doom Fang Toothpaste ad. It's basically an old Colgate advertisement parody.
(http://dzasv7x7a867v.cloudfront.net/product_photos/2674475/singin_for_the_brains_original.jpg)
Signin' For the Brains. More puny humor.
Cool ad parodies! Are you familiar with these two card sets that inspired the Topps Wacky Ad sets?
The first one is the Leaf Foney Ads set that came out in 1960:
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/FoneyAds1.jpg)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/FoneyAds2.jpg)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/FoneyAdswrapper.jpg)
The second is the Goodies Baloney Ads set which was a Canadian issue shortly thereafter:
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/BaloneyAds1.jpg)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/BaloneyAds2.jpg)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/BaloneyAdswrapper.jpg)
The Baloney Ads set was a blatant rip-off of the Foney Ads set. It includes a lot of the very same imagery found in the Foney Ads set but rather sloppily redrawn .
???
These are great! I love the zombie!
Thanks guys!
Those are cool Hepcat. I've seen some like this, but not these exactly.
Sorry this isn't exactly monster-related, but I figure that I'd share what I've been working on.
Here are some t-shirts for Poe, Rasputin, Tesla, and Lovecraft that I'm running on a Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steamcrow/altered-egos/)] right now:
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/197/443/952d5921adc422eca8845c7ad2d84ffa_large.jpg?1403800685)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/193/708/9f93b82392b45ffdc16bc86d1595f529_large.jpg?1403725091)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/193/709/1a78d3eee94ff990c3924cd7f7b7da12_large.jpg?1403725112)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/ksr/assets/002/193/710/2c8246a649a4a19329f10c73c2ddbbc2_large.jpg?1403725129)
It's basically a "what if" of these interesting guys from history... and if they avoided sad ends by doing something else.
The Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steamcrow/altered-egos/)] ends at the end of July.
Sometime later...
We're starting a Monster Scouting club called the "Steam Crow Scouts (http://scouts.steamcrow.com/)". It's where monster loving folks can earn badges, do missions, and participate in our weird monster world.
We launched it as a Kickstarter (http://bit.ly/crowsct/), in order to produce all of the badges and stuff. It funded in 30 hours, and now it wraps up on Friday.
(https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/projects/1902774/photo-original.png?v=1435690911&w=1024&h=768&fit=crop&auto=format&q=92&s=d22b8b2b37db0bcbf7853a6bd56a4de9) (http://bit.ly/crowsct)
(https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/004/045/082/3d8054e8b7dc71bbf94943f5614366b9_original.jpg?v=1435256403&w=680&fit=max&auto=format&q=92&s=e010960092e6c5f4146f4c117ac07fda) (http://bit.ly/crowsct)
(https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/004/064/345/08967103ccdf70573fb492b4077ebfe5_original.jpg?v=1435600261&w=680&fit=max&auto=format&q=92&s=b50612560804576dc1cbed6de974d35d) (http://bit.ly/crowsct)
(https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/004/060/072/7f9404cee4ce100439c74962d5cef412_original.jpg?v=1435536570&w=680&fit=max&auto=format&q=92&s=2235c8e3fd37576f0c304d3951e8281b) (http://bit.ly/crowsct)
(https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/004/097/549/480c99293329e71d7319fc688527a9a0_original.jpg?v=1436134418&w=680&fit=max&auto=format&q=92&s=13b2b052b9e0942bd3bba0e76c77e36f) (http://bit.ly/crowsct)
If you're interested, check it out by clicking an image.
It's been a busy year with all of the cons that we do and now building the Scouts.
Thanks for looking!
These are excellent, especially The Golem and Nosferatu!