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Illustration

Nom de Plume

I have illustrated covers for various publishing companies, including Meadowhawk Press, an award winning speculative fiction press run by my wife and myself for years. All of the paintings I do today are done digitally. I find I love digital medium for working and reworking ideas in a layered iterative manner. Many of my current art heroes (and friends) have switched almost entirely to digital, or a combination of traditional and digital workflows. If you look for my work, some of it you will find it published under the pen name Dirk Steele, which would require more explanation than this space allows; but feel free to watch the heroic satire, Mystery Men for more information.

First Flight

Personally, this is the most important painting I have ever done. I was delighted when my wife requested I illustrate a scene from her fantasy novel, Redheart. I am grateful to be part of it.

Detail Closeups

 

 
Finished Cover

Double Vision

This was a commissioned project for the cover art for an anthology, edited by David Blalock and published by Kerlak Press. The title for the anthology is Clockwork Spells, and this piece is titled, "Double Vision".

Detail Closeups

Meda's Clearing

I was asked to illustrate a cover for an anthology published by Kerlak Publishing. This scene is from my favorite story in the collection, about a clearing in the woods where an old woman comes to savor the sweet taste of apples with friends.

Detail Closeups

Reading By Candlelight

This was a painting I did inspired by our logo for the publishing company. We ended up using it for a banner in our trade show booth because I enjoyed it so much.

Detail Closeups

Touched By Wonder

This piece is the cover for the anthology, Touched By Wonder, a benefit work for Breast Cancer Research and Awareness. The cover is inspired by story from the anthology, in which a woman, who is dying from breast cancer, seeks out a magical cure--but every magic has a price. The model for the illustration is my friend, Nan, herself a breast cancer survivor.

Detail Closeups

Finished Cover