Jei and Usagi + 2 covers

[SHAMSKI]

Considering the current story arc in Usagi Yojimbo I thought this would be a relevant piece of fan art. Until recently I owned no original art by Stan Sakai (see Holy Grail post), my wife happens to be a very talented artist. So I used to bug her all the time to draw or paint me some cool Usagi stuff. Through the years she has done some of my favorite covers or characters to adorn the walls. The first work is Jei and Usagi mixing it up! The characters were made on heavy card stock and then cut out and placed on a water color background. This assemblage gives it a cool look almost similar to an animation cell. The other two pieces are replicas of two of my favorite covers. 1. Issue # 2 of Dark Horse is ink, watercolor and colored pencils. 2. Issue # 37 Fantagraphics is also ink, watercolor and colored pencils. Obviously she looked at the covers as references but nothing was copied or traced, it was all free hand. Also for the record these were done as faithful replicas to pay homage to Stan Sakai's artistry and creation and by no means were intended as fakes or forgeries but instead for the viewing pleasure of my family and I. Also you will notice two of the early silk screens and of course my recently acquired original art which is currently at the framers. I have asked my wife to do her own unique piece of Usagi fan art. She promised if she ever gets the time she will and depending on how the inspiration strikes her it might likely end up as some abstract collage piece or sculpture of sort. I cant wait!!!!

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/6290 ... 003qb9.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4889 ... 005ch8.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/8661 ... 009ai9.jpg

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/6266 ... 016kk7.jpg

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/3659 ... 022yq5.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/8687 ... 026mf5.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6715 ... 028am6.jpg


Slide show:

http://img90.imageshack.us/slideshow/pl ... 74hsp.smil

[MikeM]

Very nice.
A friend of mine did something similar for me on my birthday a few years ago.
Except he did the same thing as in the Art of Usagi Yojimbo. He drew part of the pic on card stock, and then another part on rice paper (is that what its called) and then laid one on top of the other and framed them.
They look really nice on my basement wall.

I also see you have the Usagi statue. I can't find one for the life of me.

MikeM

[SHAMSKI]

Thanks Mike, I just recently finished that room and am finally able to display some of my things. Regarding the Usagi statue once in a while I see one show up on eBay ill keep my eyes peeled. Speaking of statues that one of a kind Usagi by Roel Robles is incredible, it would have been great as a limited addition production piece.
I wonder if their anymore statues planed for the future? Personally I would love to see Usagi in a duel. Jei and Usagi would probably be the most popular choice but any duel that would capture that tension a split second before the first move would be awesome. As long as im dreaming how about Usagi on horse back full armor escaping Adacchi Plain, arrows in armor, bloody wound from Hikiji and lord Mifunes head tucked under his arm!!! I'm thinking perhaps similar to the Sideshow Collectible polystone statues, this would allow for excellent detail. I realize concept is one thing and manufacturing/ production costs is whole different story but I think there would definitely be a market for high end Usagi collectibles.

[VENOM]

Wow, great looking pictures your wife is talented. I am in the process of doing a comic room, I really like what you have done with your room.

[SHAMSKI]

Thanks VENOM, Many of my prints have been stored away for years. so its really exciting to finally get them displayed. I'm still working on the room but My Usagi Stuff definitely got dibs on the wall space. I think it would be really cool to see other dojo members collections.