Gammill, Ramos and Wilson to Appear at SXSW!

South by Southwest Festival x Three (Artists) = Pop Culture Multi-Media Event

Austin--Three artists will be appearing at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas at the Wizard World Booth this weekend, by special arrange with Wizard and Eva Ink Artist Group.... all bringing a little taste of sequential art to the popular music/film event, that is fast becoming a multi-media mecca.

"SXSW is quickly growing to be one of the most important festivals in the US, and each year there is more growth in fanning out to include other types of entertainment," said Renee Witterstaetter of Eva Ink. "I'm really thrilled that our artists will be appearing at this years show in this promotion with the folks at Wizard World."

On hand sketching, signing books, and offering their own unique merchandise will be legendary penciler Kerry Gammill, trendsetting artist and inker Rodney Ramos (recently featured with an exclusive Buffy print at Wizard Miami), and "Hammerlocke" creator Keith Wilson.

Just to tell you a little more about these guys:

Kerry Gammill is renowned for work on such books as POWERMAN AND IRON FIST, MARVEL TEAM-UP, INDIANA JONES and the X-Men spin-off FALLEN ANGELS. His work has also been seen in FANTASTIC FOUR, UNCANNY X-MEN, STAR WARS, SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN, DEADLY FOES OF SPIDER-MAN, SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN, WONDER MAN and DOCTOR STRANGE, and at DC Comics as the regular penciler on SUPERMAN, ACTION COMICS, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, SUPERGIRL and two graphic novels, SUPERMAN FOR THE EARTH and SUPERMAN: UNDER A YELLOW SUN, as well as many Superman covers and trading cards. Other work for DC included TEEN TITANS, POWER-GIRL, ELVIRA'S HOUSE OF MYSTERY, HAWK AND DOVE and others.

The 1990's found Gammill also working as a conceptual artist for film, providing designs or storyboards for many sci-fi movies and TV shows including VIRUS, PHANTOMS, SPECIES II, THE OUTER LIMITS, STARGATE SG1, DREAMCATCHER, ALIEN VS. PREDATOR, TREMORS - THE SERIES, G.I.JOE: VALOR VS. VENOM and the video game AREA 51. His book, "KERRY GAMMILL'S MONSTERS AND HEROES FOR FILM AND COMICS" published by Vanguard Productions is now in it's third printing. Gammill also compiled an award-winning book on the art of legendary monster magazine cover artist Basil Gogos which was published in 2006.

Gammill recently joined the team behind Monsterverse Entertainment. Their first comic is the critically acclaimed horror anthology, BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE, for which Gammill is editor-in-chief. Other recent works include cover illustrations for KEEP WATCHING THE SKIES (a massive book on 1950s sci-fi movies) and FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND magazine.

Rodney Ramos has been a professional penciler / inker in the comic book industry for over 15 years. He has worked at Marvel Comics, Marvel .U.K, DC Comics, Valiant, Acclaim comics, Malibu and Continuity Comics with Neal Adams. His inks have graced many titles such as SPIDER-MAN, X-MEN, IRON-MAN, PETER PARKER, BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN, and the critically acclaimed TRANSMETROPOLITAN with Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson. Recently he has worked for DC Comics on 52, COUNTDOWN, GREEN LANTERN, BATMAN, JSA, MAGOG, Vertigo's BANG TANGO and too many to name!

As a comic book illustrator and writer Keith Wilson has worked for Marvel, DC, Harris and many more. He co-created (with Tom Joyner) two comic series: HAMMERLOCKE (Science Fiction adventure) and SCARLETT (a complex tale of vampires) both published by DC Comics. As an animator, his feature film credits include SPACE JAM, QUEST FOR CAMELOT, THE KING AND I, and the television pilot for KING OF THE HILL.

During the mid 80's Keith was Assistant Art Director and Cover Editor for DC Comics, and was responsible for production and the overall look of the covers for the regularly published comic line. He's also had the privilege of working with animation legend Chuck Jones as illustrator for three trading card sets in the popular COMIC BALL series from Upper Deck that featured the Looney Tunes characters teamed with popular sports figures like Michael Jordan. Currently he's teamed with comics legend Kerry Gammill and co-editor Sam Park to create BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE from Monsterverse Entertainment.

Come out and see these amazing creators. Rodney Ramos will be at SXSW March 11-13th, all hours of the show. Keith Wilson and Kerry Gammill will be at the show March 12-13th.

It's not too late to register for SXSW either! Just go to:

www.sxsw.com and check it out.

Once there, The Wizard World Booth, Kerry, Keith and Rodney will be located at Stands 315-317 and 414-416 in the ScreenBurn Arcade Exhibitors area.


For more information contact Eva Ink Artist Group at: www.evainkartistgroup.com

And for more information on Wizard World, their conventions and new digital magazine, visit: www.wizardworld.com

(Above: Why it's the banner of the Lone Star State, along with a genuine Texas Limo, so a saddle up and git to the show.)

R.I.P. Al Williamson--Another Illustration Great Passes... my thoughts.

When I was fresh out of college with a degree in English and Journalism, my first full time job was doing the public relations, photography and artist relations for a now past and much lamented convention called "The Dallas Fantasy Faire." Being very young and oh-so-green, it was a platform through which I was able to get my footing not only in the world of convention organization, and long hours in a darkroom wrist deep in chemicals, but ultimately in publishing, as my connections from that show led to my first job in New York City at DC Comics.

It was also a venue that introduced me to several of my life-long friends like Jim Salicrup, Art Adams, Mike Kaluta, David Spurlock, the late Dave Stevens, Bob Burden, Keith Wilson, John Romita, Jr., and many many more!

It was also the place where I met many of the greats in comics for the first time, and ultimately instilled in me a love for the medium that would become my work for the next twenty + years-- people like Stan Lee, and... Al Williamson.

I can't claim to have known Al well at all. Although, I can claim to have met this marvelous and inventive illustrator via the DFF, and thoroughly enjoyed every occasion. In the years that passed, after those days in the late 80's, I would see him at the Marvel Offices from time to time when I was an editor there, and he always was genuine and nice and funny. It was always a bright day when Al stepped into the office. And everyone felt that way. The Editor-in-chief would even beam at having Al in the building, and that was always well...kinda cute to see the boss being a fan and all. :-)

I wasn't surprised that Al instilled that in folks really. When I first met him all those years ago, working with the talent at the DFF, he was just that-- a gentleman and a professional. Al was certainly not one of those guys we had to hound to get to panels on time, or wonder if he was going to get on the plane to begin with. He just did. If he said he was going to do something. There was no doubt that he would. It's something called 'honor' right?

From my first meeting with Mr. Williamson and as my knowledge of comics grew, I became aware of his place in the industry as well, and the fact that he has influenced so many generations that followed. That's no surprise either.

Williamson was a superb storyteller.

I remember, as one of my fondest memories, sitting in my friends studio on 6th Street (also an artist), at 2 a.m., in a dimly lit room surrounded by comics by Frazetta and such, flipping through the original "Flash Gordon" comic books-- all dog-eared and worn with numerous perusals from his childhood on, and listening to him explain to me with unabashed boy-ish glee-- though in his 50's--just WHY Williamson was SOO damn good! Something I already knew of course. :-) But the endearing enthusiasm he had for Al's work, as with many other illustration professionals is certainly not an uncommon thread.

I think it's the norm.

In fact, if you don't know who Al Williamson is, then go and "google'" or something and find out right now. You are missing out, my friend!! And it's a shame.

After Frank Frazetta died a few weeks ago, myself as well as some of my friends were kinda shocked to find out that some folks didn't know of Frank and/or his influence in not only comics, but film etc. Some of them were even other artists! Younger generations, but still!! Please! Learn about who has come before, people. It shows you your roots. This industry just didn't spring up yesterday. Alot of people have paved the way in fantasy art and illustration, including getting us to where we are now with artist's rights.

I was even more dismayed, and disappointed, while in Europe last month to have an art history teacher tell me to my face that the study of Fantasy art was not considered a "legitimate" study. I tried to set him straight. Rest assured.

If something inspires, influences, generates an emotion, creates a response, then it is art of the highest form to me. I don't need any more art exhibitions with ladders draped in Christmas lights....

We need more Frazetta's and more Williamson's in this world.

Years after meeting Al, later in my publishing career with my company Eva Ink Publishing, one of the properties I REALLY wanted was to be able to reprint the "Flash Gordon" comics. I tried. And tried. Via King Features and numerous negotiations... It didn't come to be... But, I'm happy to say that in recent years the books have been published in retrospectives regardless.

Anything that honors a great creator such as Al Williamson is alright by me.

As a final aside, folks, I know in Al's case, he had been out of the public eye due to illness for some time... But in the case of our creators from all generations, that have influenced countless artists to follow, and progressed the medium that we love-- let them know that their work meant something to you. I'm talking about guys like Nick Cardy, Joe Sinnott, Russ Heath, Neal Adams, Michael Kaluta! You know the ones!

And although they were/are just doing a job, as M. Golden always likes to say-- i.e. putting food on the table, paying the rent, making deadlines, or making sure the kids shoes don't have holes--I for one want to let those creators know that we notice that they also BOTHERED to instill in their work something else-- something unique, something genuine...certainly something that had the potential to stay in a little kid's imagination like a germinating seed, long after reading a simple newsprint comic--in same cases inspiring careers, in others dreams-- in short, creating something magical.

I'm ALL for more magic in the world. Thanks Al, for leaving us with an abundance...

--R.


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With that in mind, my friend David Spurlock of Vanguard Productions knew Al as a friend, and also published some of Al's work... he can say it better than I... and below a few remarks from David to share.

--R.

J David Spurlock More on AL WILLIAMSON
I met Al Williamson in Dallas, where I was working as an illustrator, in the early 80s as Al visited regularly for the Dallas Fantasy Fair. In 1984, I made my first trip to New York--all that way, by car, to see Cream founder, Jack Bruce perform (Jack hadn't played Dallas since the 1973 West Bruce... & Laing tour). The schedule was tight as my second daughter, Jessica, was due to be born soon. But I thought I had just enough time to visit one visual artist--who would it be? Out of so many in and near New York, I chose to go out of our way to visit Al Williamson up in the Pocono mountain town of Honesdale PA. Al was still penciling regularly at the time and doing the STAR WARS strip.


At the time, he was working on both, a sequence of Thomas Yeates' TIMESPIRITS and the story RELIC for EPIC magazine. I said, "Al, you know, now that Roy (Krenkel) is gone, you are the king of the other-worldly Franklin Boothian cities." Al said, "Oh, Roy is the king." I repeated myself "Now that Roy is gone..." He thanked me for the complement and said "I've been thinking about Roy a lot on this one (the comics story RELIC)." He showed me all kinds of things. This was when he had the guest-house studio before moving to the studio he rented from HIGHLIGHTS magazine in town. We had a great long visit (the first of many, many visits and lunches, lots of Birch Beer--a specialty rootbeer).


Before long I was home for Jessica's birth. Ten years later I moved to the New York area and I would get to occasionally take Jessica with me to visit Al. They were very fond of each other. He even joked about the idea of Jessica and his youngest son Victor becoming a couple. After our talk that first visit of Roy Krenkel's influence on Al's architecture etc., Al added a dedication to Roy on the last page of the story RELIC.


Attached is a piece Al did for me of my character THE SPACE COWBOY. I did the digital color -- great honor working with the master. I created THE SPACE COWBOY very much as an homage to Al and his "Fleagle Gang" of friends including Krenkel, Wood and Frazetta. All SPACE COWBOY material is dedicated to them but this issue was also dedicated to my Space Babies, Sunshine & Jessica. I think this is actually Al's last comic book cover ever. He did the Al Williamson Adventures around the same time but that was a book--not a comicbook (so this is perhaps his last comic book cover. --R.)

--D.S.
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Golden, Texeira and Witterstaetter at "Comic Book Marketplace," Feb. 27th!

For Immediate Release:
February 23, 2010
Note: Artwork Attached

Golden and Texeira Hit the Mark at the "Comic Book Marketplace"
New Art Books Available/ Visionaries Panel Planned

New York, NY-- There is no venue quite like the Big Apple, and with the weather getting a bit chilly out there, here's the perfect chance to warm up, grab your own bite of what the city has to offer, and meet some of your favorite comic book creators in town for this unique one day event, all at the same time!

Mike Carbo’s New York Comic Book Marketplace is set for Saturday, February 27th, from 11am to 7pm, at the Penn Plaza Pavilion, 401 7th Ave at 33rd St, New York City! Admission is only $10 for the day, and the show is sure to feature lots of dealers selling comics, toys, DVD's and more. We already hear that some of our favorites will be there, including Shelton Drum of Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, and our friends at Motor City Comics as well!

The guest list is something any 3-day show would be proud to boast, with the likes of Michael Golden, Mark Texeira, Ilya Salkind, Matthew Clark, Herb Trimpe, David Roya, Steve Mannion, Gene Colan, Bob Wiacek, Rodney Ramos, Rudy Nebres, Chris Claremont, Renee Witterstaetter, Bill Sienkiewicz, Khary Randolph, Danny Fingeroth, Trevor Von Eeden, Larry Hama, Cliff Chiang, Sean Chen, Jim Starlin, Dick Ayers, James H. Williams III, Irwin Hasen, Guy Dorian, Ian Dorian, Dan Slott, Billy Tucci, Jim Salicrup and Janet Jackson!

Michael Golden and Mark Texeira will also have copies of their respective art books from Vanguard Productions available, "Excess: The Art of Michael Golden" and "Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira" as well as their sketchbooks from Eva Ink Publishing, "Michael Golden's Heroes and Villains, and "Tex: Babes and Brawn." Also inquire about numerous prints, and limited sketching as the day allows--so get there EARLY!

In addition, Michael Golden, Bill Sienkiewicz and James H. Williams III will be on the "Visionaries" panel slated for 1:00-1:45, moderated by writer/publisher Renee Witterstaetter.

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For more information on this and future shows, visit: http://www.nycbm.com/

For more information on Michael Golden and Mark Texeira, visit: www.evaink.com

Review of "Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira" on Weekly Book Buzz!

Hi Everyone-- Below is a review of my just released book on Mark Texeira. :-) Give it a read. This book is available in book stores, but you can also order it from me directly, or pick it up at one of my appearances this year, while supplies last.
Best,
Renee

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"Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira"
by: Renee Witterstaetter and Mark Texeira

Like a lot of comic book fans, I first took note of Mark Texeira when we worked on the revamped Ghost Rider title for Marvel Comics in the early 1990s. Texeira’s bold, heavy style seemed a perfect match for this new and more terrifying version of Ghost Rider. Since then, “Tex” has cemented his place among the best artists in comics, leaving an indelible impression on every title he has worked on.

Vanguard’s collection traces Texeira’s roots from growing up in New York and attending the prestigious Art & Design High School in Manhattan, to his career as one of the premiere comic book artists and illustrators of the last twenty years. Throughout the book, Texeira comments on his life and career, giving readers an insight into how he has developed as an artist, and his incredible work ethic. Mark also discusses growing up in a tough Bronx neighborhood where gangs were prevalent and butting heads with his father who didn’t think that an artists was a suitable profession.

While Ghost Rider may have catapulted him to stardom, fame didn’t come overnight. Texeira was assisting Rich Buckler on Spider-Man Vs. Superman in the late 1970s and got his break with Marvel doing an adaptation of “Buckaroo Banzai” in the mid-1980s. But it’s all about the art isn’t it and Vanguard has included an incredible collection of Texeira’s work. Interior pages, covers, sketches, full color oil paintings, and private commissions…many of them never published previously. In particular there are wonderful oil paintings of Thor, Vampirella, and the Black Cat; incredible watercolor illustrations of Batman and Wonder Woman; and Texeira’s take on Frank Frazetta’s “Death Dealer”. It’s simply a superb collection of one of the best, and one of my favorite artists. Grade A

Read more here:

http://www.mania.com/weekly-book-buzz-latest-anita-blake-novel_article_120286.html

Review of "Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira" on Collector's Corner!

Hi Everyone--

Collector's Corner reviews new book on Mark Texeira; "Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira." Published by Vanguard Productions. Written and designed by myself. I'm very happy with the way this book turned out and thrilled with my friend, David Spurlock at Vanguard for his continued dedication to making books such as this available. Give it a Read.

--Renee
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Collector's Corner Reviews New Artbook on Mark Texeira

Recently Vanguard Productions released four new books in its artist’s series. Before I begin reviewing each book individually I’d like to comment on the books as a whole.
As a graphic designer I know how important it is to choose the right type of paper depending on the type of print product you want to promote. In the case of art books it’s especially important to choose the right cover and interior stocks.

Vanguard has done an excellent job selecting the stock that best complements and enhances the art in each of its books. Both the cover and interior pages are of coated stock, yet not so high gloss coated as to be too reflective and detract from the art.

Paper stock also determines ink absorbs ion which is especially important when it comes to text. Text must be crisp and clean and easy to read. So is the case in Vanguard’s books.
Paper stock must be stable enough to trim leaving crisp edges and no fold over, display colors in their proper hue and intensity, handles scoring and keep small details from smudging or disappearing all together. Binding must be snug with tightly bound, stitched or glued pages so that the books hold up. All of the books do just that.

Copy structure is equally important in art books. Too much copy detracts from the art, not enough leaves the readers slightly frustrated having not received enough information. I was impressed that in each art book I’m about to review that their was just enough copy to hold my interest, of appropriate size and line spacing (leading) for easy reading and very informative context-containing not only interesting facts about the art but facts about the artists as well.

I felt that after reading each book that I knew the artists personally as well as their motivation, work ethic and capabilities.

Overall production value on each book rates high. I plan on making these titles an important part of my collection. Well done.

Tex: The Art Of Mark Texeira: The Artist’s Great Escape came as a big surprise to me. I’ve always loved Mark’s comic book work-especially his Ghost Rider series and his comic book covers paintings.

I was unprepared and caught off-guard when I saw his commercial art work and paintings. The man is a powerhouse of imagination and a master of illustration and painting media. His new book, co-written by Renee Witterstaetter, looks into his impressive career.
Mark was born and raised in New York City amongst somewhat less than savory surroundings. As a young man he was entrenched within a rough environment with street gangs and poverty all about hi,. Still his dream to become an artist motivated him to create despite his situation and with the encouragement of a teacher Mark was able to enter a prestigious art school and excel.

Soon after gradating he acquired work and has been producing art ever since. Besides his comic book work Texeira is also an accomplished painter and illustrator with works gracing book covers, movie production pieces, trading cards and other commercial art projects.
The Art Of Mark Texeira contains examples from all of his projects. What I really liked about the book is that it contains sketches and preliminary drawings for much of Mark’s finished paintings. I enjoy seeing how he puts his ideas down on paper and formulates his final work. Too often people who look at an artist’s wok don’t appreciate the amount of time and effort it took to create the final piece.

Mark is very candid about his background, his education, his work and his life in general. His observations and insights into producing art are invaluable and his wicked sense of humor often shines through his prose. The book is well laid out with black and white illustrations and color paintings evenly distributed throughout its pages. This makes the book fun to look at as visual treats pop up unexpectantly.

Mark Texeira’s work is well represented in its pages and both looking at and reading the book is extremely satisfying.

Purchasing books from Vanguard Productions is money well spent. As a veteran artist or novice it would be a wise investment to purchase these books not only for their visual value but for their instructional value as well.

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(For a full review of the other recent Vanguard Books on Joe Kubert, St. John, Alex Horley, as well as the one on Mark Texeira, check out the link below!)

http://bamcc-bam.blogspot.com/2009/12/st-johns-kubert-texeira-and-horley.html

Golden and Witterstaetter Join Virginia Comic-Con--Golden named "GOH"

Richmond-- Virginia IS for lovers...of G.I. Joe and Michael Golden artwork that is-- as Golden and his biographer and publisher, Renee Witterstaetter, sign on as a surprise last-minute guests for next weekends Virginia Comic-Con, slated for November 21-22, 2009, with Golden taking a "Guest of Honor" nod to boot!

Golden, a fan favorite for his work on "Micronauts," "G.I.Joe," Batman, Dr. Strange, X-Men, Avengers, and "The 'Nam," among many other projects, has just been added to the line-up just this week, and is a natural for the event's G.I. Joe theme, considering his groundbreaking work on that series.

This will also mark the artist's first appearance in Virginia, in fact. And, to celebrate the fact, Michael will have some special prints and books for the occasion.

During his career, Golden has been an editor at DC Comics as well as senior art director at Marvel Comics, and has worked on numerous movie production projects, including some currently in development.

His art has been the focus of gallery shows in places as diverse as New York, Gijon, Barcelona, Antwerp and Brussels, and his class on storytelling has been conducted in countries including Spain, Brussels, Canada, the United States and China. Golden’s recent work can be seen on the covers of "Heroes for Hire," "Exiles," "Demon’s Regret," "Uncanny X-Men," and Spiderman, among many others. Vanguard Production’s recently released top-selling art retrospective “Excess: The Art of Michael Golden,” written by Renee Witterstaetter, has sold out and has gone into a second printing. This year will also see the release of Golden’s new sketchbook, “MORE Heroes and Villains,” from Eva Ink Publishing-a perfect match for last year’s “Heroes and Villains” sketchbook. (Soon to followed by the sketchbooks, "Dangerous Curves," and "Bad Dog.")

Writer, editor, color artist, and publisher, Renee Witterstaetter began her career working for DC, Marvel, and Topps. After a storytelling immersion in comics, film work was a natural progression for her, and she worked on dozens of commercials and music videos for the likes of Madonna, Seal, and Usher, as well as the feature films Rush Hour Two, and Red Dragon, among others. She is the author of numerous books, including “Dying for Action: The Life and Films of Jackie Chan,” “The Fantastic Art ,” and “The Art of the Barbarian, Vols. 1 and 2, the top-selling “Excess: The Art of Michael Golden” and the just released, “Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira,” as well as her upcoming mystery novel. She has just recently returned from presenting a new paper at the renowned Animation Forum in China, as well as presentations in Aviles and Gijon, Spain.

Joining Golden and Witterstaetter in Virginia will be Larry Hama (G.I. Joe), Alex Saviuk (Spiderman), Chris Claremont (X-Men), Bill Tucci (Sgt. Rock), Chuck Dixon (Birds of Prey), Kelly Yates (Doctor Who), Jim Calafiore (Exiles), John Gallagher (Buzzboy), Steve Conley (Astounding Space Thrills), Eric Wolfe-Hanson (G.I. Joe), Rick Ketchum (Runaways), James Kuhoric (Army of Darkness), our own J.C. Vaughn (24), Mike McKone (Amazing Spider-Man), Reilly Brown (Cable), Dan Parent (Archie), Randy Green (Witchbalde), Andy Smith (Red Sonja), Steve Bird (Blue Beetle), Rick Spears (Teenagers from Mars), James Callahan (Strange Detective Tales), Louis Small, Jr. (Vampirella), Brian Shearer (Gravyboy), Kevin Sharpe (G.I. Joe), Budd Root (Cavewoman), and Zuda Comics winner Adam Lucas (Goldilock).

Admission is $10 for adults to the November 21-22, 2009 show at the Crowne Plaza West, 6532 W Broad Street in Richmond, VA, but it will be free to anyone in full costume, children, folks with student ID and people with military ID. It will also be free to members of the press.

For more information on Michael Golden, his commission and appearances, contact evaink@aol.com, or check out his facebook listing at: 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Golden/44937601170

For more information on Renee Witterstaetter and her work, check out: 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eva-Renee-Witterstaetter/180691164867

For more information on the Virginia Comic-Con go to: http://www.vacomicon.com

(Above Photo: Golden and Witterstaetter on recent China appearance.)

MY NEW BOOK IS OUT!

My new book, "Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira--The Artist's Great Escape" is hitting stores even as we speak. Although the book is published by Vanguard Productions, I am the author and also the designer of the book. Here's a little more about it:

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Think of “Ghost Rider,” "Wolverine," "Punisher," "Pscythe," “Moonknight,” “Black Panther,” “Conan,” “Vampirella,” and you think of Mark Texeira and his body of amazing work!

A massive 128 pages, the color art book from Vanguard Productions showcases all this and more, with a study of Texeira's classical painting techniques applied to his old world portraiture work, as well as showing how his talent is coupled with modern sequential art to great effect.

In fact, "Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira--The Artist's Great Escape," is a lush retrospective of the Mark's whole career--from his beginnings in the hard streets of NYC to his rise in the competitive world of commercial illustration. Written by Renee Witterstaetter, with additional research by Patricia Snodgrass, the new book is available in softcover, hardcover and deluxe slipcased hardcover--the later with an additional 16 page portfolio section.

This is the third in a series for writer Renee Witterstaetter when it comes to art books. Her "Excess: The Art of Michael Golden," sold out in hardcover last year and is now only available in softcover, preceded by "The Fantastic Art," all published by David Spurlock of Vanguard Producitons.

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Check it out when you get a chance! :-)

--Renee