Checkmate Games Playmat

Fun little project I wrapped up this week, a special playmat for Checkmate Games & Hobbies in Toledo. :) They’ll be giving these out as prizes for their upcoming Invitational tournament.

For those who don’t know, a playmat is like a giant mousepad that you put your cards on at a magic tournament. It sits between you and your opponent.

That’s why I’ve always, always wanted to do a playmat with this layout! Now it looks great for both you and your opponent, and there’s some personalization with deciding which “side” you want to be. I think it’s fun!

Thanks for letting me run with my crazy idea, Checkmate Games! :)

GP Miami Playmat for StarCityGames.com

HOOO BOY. This one was a challenge!

I got to do SCG’s playmat for Grand Prix Miami in June!

We went through a lot of different ideas and eventually settled on this craaazy crammed beach scene. My thought was that one of the interesting things about playmats is that you spend a lot of time looking at them but not really seeing them, while you’re playing. I wanted to create something that would sort of surprise you every once and again with something you maybe didn’t notice before. :)

Also, I happen to have a lot more WIP shots than usual this time, so I put together a process gif for y’all! :) Should show you just how much stuff I fiddle around with during a painting. No matter how hard I try to plan everything out ahead of time, things always change as I start responding to what I have.

MTG Grand Prix: Charlotte

 

Wow! What a weekend!

I recently had (my first ever) Artist table - and I happened to have it at the largest Magic: the Gathering tournament in the history of the game. Trial by fire, anyone?

Basically, my daytime employer, StarCityGames.com, sent me to this event so I could sign the products they’ve been coming out with that have my illustrations on them. I also got to sell some playmats and prints, and take some small commissions.

It was super fun and super surreal - I can’t believe people wanted me to ruin their belongings by writing my name on them! Everyone I met was just lovely and I really look forward to doing more events in the future.

The best part - I got to have dinner with Steve Belledin, Eric Deschamps, and Terese Nielsen - three extremely skilled Magic artists whose work I really admire.

And now to settle in and paint/draw/doodle my little tushy off to catch up!

Creature Collection: Penguin

Another piece that’s been waiting in limbo!!

This is the first of a series of illustrations I’ve done for my day job at StarCityGames.com. The illustrations are each being released as full lines of products for trading card game players :D (Sleeves, deckboxes, playmats, etc.)

The set with this illustration are now FOR SALE on their site, including in particular the playmat (which is like a giant mousepad) and the dicebag (which is actually a sunglasses case!)

It’s all been a very bewildering and wonderful experience. :) I hope you all enjoy what I’ve made and what’s yet to come!