Robin Sullins Relief Fund Auction

Angi Sullins of Duirwaigh Gallery has put together an auction benefiting a relief fund for her sister, Robin Sullins. The auction begins today.

Robin's story has made national news. Bitten while breaking up a family dog squabble, her body reacted violently to a common dog bacteria. Almost dying, she's suffered the amputation of her fingers and legs. She's also on dialysis after multiple kidney failures.  You can also learn more about Robin's story here, through  ABC news and Fox news stories, and through her facebook page.

A Knock at the Door

graphite on paper, 221/2 x 34 1/2

Above is my contribution to the Ebay auction. It is now available , along with a lot of great paintings, drawings and prints by such great artists as Kinuko Craft, Alan Lee, John Howe, Micheal Hague, Michael Parkes, Scott Gustafson, Christophe Vacher, Gary Lipponcott, and many others.

Pit Fight

Pit Fight

oil on paper on board, 12" x 16"

©Wizards of the Coast

For this one, the art director wanted to see a a fight between two mismatched opponents. The Gruul barbarian and the Orzhov cleric are complete opposites of each other, and one is on his home turf.  I thought rather than depicting straight action, it would be the moment of fear before the pounding, The crooked Orzhov bureaucrat is going to get his. Kind of like in old school wrestling when Mr. Fuji, his charge disposed of, would get caught alone in the ring with the Hulkster. Maybe the cleric has some salt to throw in the eyes or a "foreign object" hidden in a turnbuckle somewhere. 

Act of Treason

Act of Treason

oil on paper on board/digital, 12" x 16"

©Wizards of the Coast

So what can I say about this guy? The art request asked that I show an noble of the aristocratic Orzhov guild losing his mind in a "carnarium", which is like sadomasochistic circus with cuts of meat hanging from the ceiling. In his delirium, he has cut open his fine robes skewered the skin of his belly and arms. For reference, I looked at a lot of pictures of hindu festivals, where some skewer their flesh, even hanging weights on them in displays of faith and mind over matter. This, however, is the toned down version. 

Originally there was blood, and cuts on his arms, as you can see in the submitted sketch, which was approved. Seeing this in the finish, in color and more clearly rendered was way too vivid and graphically violent. I went a little overboard, and the image in this state would never be approved.  I was asked to take the blood and the cuts out, which was done digitally.