It’s about that time again for another amazing Artist Spotlight here at Girl Hero!

I would like to present to you … Comic book artist (Marvel, DC, IDW, Dark Horse & more!), artist for HBO’s Game of Thrones, and husband of the lovely Renae De Liz …

Ray Dillon

GH: Can you tell me a little about yourself?

RD: I can tell you way too much about myself! :D Short story, I was born super poor in the middle of nowhere Kansas, had to build my career from nothing and with a lot of hard work it’s become something great. Along the way I met an amazing woman at San Diego Comic-Con. We fell in love on the internet after that, she moved to Kansas, and a few years later we were married at San Diego Comic-Con. We now live in Cape Elizabeth, Maine with our 2 sons (10 and 3). It’s been an amazing journey.

GH: How would you describe your style of art?

RD: All of it! Ha! I work in a wide and wild variety of styles for an equally varying collection of projects and industries. I like so many different types of art, genres, and types of creation and rather than trying to smash one set style into all those different ventures I try to do what works best for the project. I tend to like bold imagery so if anything I would hope that my work could be called bold.

GH: Do you have any artists that influence or inspire you?

RD: My wife, Renae De Liz (http://www.RenaeDeLiz.com) is my biggest influence, both because I love her work and because I see the heart and determination she puts into every single piece, never settling for just okay, but trying to stretch her creative muscles beyond their capacity each time. Besides that I’ve had tons of artists inspire me though I try really hard not to get too inspired. When I first started out I realized pretty quickly that each panel I drew kinda looked like someone else’s art and a different artist each time. So for a long time I stopped looking at other artists work. Still the ones that will always stick with me: Bernie Wrightson, Greg Capullo, Joe Madureira, Justin Sweet, Tony Diterlizzi, all the 90s Image Comics guys including in a big way Rob Liefeld (can it, haterz!) and probably tons more. Anyone awesome.

GH: Looking at your website, I can see that you involve yourself doing a lot of different things (You’re a painter, designer, writer, colorist, photographer, inker, music creator, and so much more!)… How often do you try to keep up with all your interests?

RD: My life is pretty chaotic to it’s pretty hard to answer this. No set time or schedule but I try to make myself capable of doing any of these as jobs rather than just hobbies, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to take the time to do any of them. Got a family to feed. So as projects come up, I take them if I can. Early on, I needed as many ways as possible to make money and get myself out of the rough situation I was in. So I just went for it, usually 20 hours a day, 365 days a year to make myself good enough in all those areas.

GH: Out of the numerous projects you have done, could you pinpoint one that was your absolute favorite to work on?

RD: That’s tough! Probably “The Last Unicorn” drawn by my wife because of how special it was to her (her favorite movie as a little girl and a huge reason why she became an artist) and because of all we went through while working on it (getting married, moving across country, having a baby) and because of how much it means to the Last Unicorn fans, old and young. Special project. Right now, though PETER PAN: The Graphic Novel could replace that.

GH: I saw you and Renae De Liz are married and have done some projects together – Must be great collaborating side-by-side with your love one! Do you guys have any upcoming projects?

RD: It’s just as wonderfully romantic as it sounds. :) Of course it’s also super stressful and difficult at times because I’m inking and coloring THE Renae De Liz and trying not to mess up the gorgeous work she does, but it’s absolutely worth it.

Right now we are working on PETER PAN: The Graphic Novel based closely on the original novel by J.M. Barrie which we launched on Kickstarter last year making $64,000. It’s an amazing experience. We also had a Vertigo book coming out called Fairest: In the Land, and a top secret project that will be announced soon. You know the character. (Hint hint) ;) Our ultimate goal is to focus joust creator-owned projects like Renae’s LADY POWERPUNCH series. I can’t wait!

GH: What do you like to do when you’re not creating? What hobbies do you have outside of the art-world?

RD: No time for hobbies but adventuring with my kids, going to the beach, playing video games with my wife, fitness/nutrition/bodybuilding/bike riding/basketball … it has been years since I’ve been able to spend any time on that. World travel. Living at Disneyland. ;)

GH: Just for fun, have you ever drawn yourself as a superhero/villain/unique character? What kind of powers would you give yourself?

I have an embarrassing amount of time. What kind of powers? ALL OF THEM!!! ;)

GH: What are your goals for the future, both work wise & life?

RD: Writing more. I’ve written 4 novels, a few graphic novels, etc. but haven’t done anything or written much new stuff in several years now. I want to see those and more through to the end and publishing.

GH: Do you currently have any big projects you are working on at the moment?

RD: Peter Pan, of course, and the Vertigo book. Recent projects include HBO’s Game of Thrones, Ridley Scott’s Prophets of Science Fiction and Meteorite Men on The Science Channel. I’m painting covers for Cemetery Dance Publishing. I also have a few graphic novels coming out and a new series called STARMAGE. It’s currently on Kickstarter and we’d love your support.

GH: Lastly, do you have any tips or inspiring words for others?

RD: The absolute most important advice is to create with every ounce of your being and with every moment you’re awake and to never quit. “You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth So true. It’s the whole reason I have the life I have and career I have. I wasn’t particularly talented or skilled and had nothing else going for me. I forged my life into what it is. You can too.——

You can support Ray and his art by visiting his website, donating to their Kickstarter projects & following them on Twitter for updates!

RayDillon.com

Follow @RayDillon on Twitter

Support Starmage!

Peter Pan Comic

RenaeDeLiz.com

Day 02 – Ten things I Like

(Not ranked in any particular order!)

1. Chocolate donuts – Don’t add any sprinkles, nor another flavor zebra-striped across it, or any other dessert topping! I love the simplicity of just an average chocolate donut. It’s very satisfying.
2. Dogs/Puppies – I don’t care how small or big it is, how furry or bald, hyper or calm, nor what breed it is – They just make me so happy. Especially puppies!
3. Screen printing – After taking a printmaking/screen printing class, I have found myself obsessed with poster/or any other artwork that has been screen printed. I guess it’s because I have actually done the whole process and can appreciate all the work that has gone into making the final product. Looking at another persons work, I like to try and figure out how many colors/stencils/etc. went into it.
4. Art Stores – I always feel like a kid in a candy store once I enter any art store! I can spend a couple of hours just looking at everything – Which I have done a few times, to be honest…
5. Dancing – Won’t like, and I think most girls (Some guys, too!) can admit it’s a fantastic feeling just letting loose and having a great time dancing! Especially with your close group of friends, having a few drinks, and just dancing the night away! :)
6. Mason Jars – I collect jars. You should see how many pickle jars I have and all the things I use them for. They just have such a nice look to them and I love how they can also be useful organizers.
7. Traveling – I’ll admit I haven’t done a lot of traveling yet, but from what I have done so far I will always appreciate it. It makes me crave more! The last trip I took was to Florida – a 16 hour drive. Even though the drive was long, I did not mind it at all. I loved all the sight seeing and I hope once I’m done with school I can do a lot more traveling!
8. Sky diving – Two years ago, my sister, her boyfriend and I jumped out of a plane from 10,000 ft. It was a very surreal experience and I’m hoping to get my license one day to becoming an official skydiver. I add this to my list because I know for a fact that won’t be my only time ever jumping out of a plane – The next destination I would love to jump from is somewhere over the ocean and landing on the beach!
9. My Imagination – I’m 23 years old yet I think anything is still possible. I’m still waiting for my Hogwarts acceptance later, a blue box to appear outside my window with a time lord asking me if I’d like to see the universe, or a zombie apocalypse happening which will test all my Left4Dead abilities. Yup. That is me.
10. Laughing – Yeah, it’s kind of self explanatory. “Laughing is the best medicine” and I agree with that phrase 100%. “Laughing makes you live longer” is another phrase I do not doubt! Probably one of the nicest feelings at any given moment for any situation.
11. **Being Hardworking – I added myself one more to my list. Being hardworking! If I want certain things to happen I know I have to work hard to get the best results to make me happy. I’m a full-time student and two jobs, yet I’m still trying to make time to doing things I love such as graphic/web designing, screen printing, drawing, playing videos, editing something for endless hours (yet I find joy in that), making DIY crafts, working on this geek blog. I don’t like to waste any time – I always want to be doing something! I’ll even get a little bit of sleep each night because I am always working on something. I don’t find it that stressful – but also enjoyable. Yeah, that’s me yet again.
12. *** Playing Piano – I keep adding more! This one is the last one, I swear! I love everything about the piano! I think it’s such a great accomplishment if someone can perfect the piano and play it beautifully. I hope to do that one day – I can play it, but nowhere near perfect. I still enjoy playing what I can on it… Drums, too! But that’s a whole different point on my list I keep extending!

Just watched the season finale of Doctor Who… In my opinion, this was by far one of the greatest episodes made in the series… Actually, one of the best finales I have seen. I can’t stop thinking about the episode.

“His friends are lost forevermore, unless he goes to Trenzalore”

So the Doctor must visit Trenzalore, the place where no time traveler should ever visit. It is where the tomb of the Doctor lies! It’s a horrible looking place, just to add. So Hell-esque, lonely, and just terrible looking. I wouldn’t like to go back either if I were the Doctor. Almost the whole episode is within the TARDIS – Yes, it is bigger on the inside but as the TARDIS also dies on Trenzalore, the bigger on the inside starts leaking out to the outside and that is where the Doctor lies within – The tomb.

The Doctor will obviously do anything to save the people he cares about so dearly – Now he has to go help Jenny, Vastra, Strax, and eventually, Clara.

I’m sure everyone else who saw the episode felt the impact during the River Song / Doctor scene. “The Doctor doesn’t like endings“… I loved their special way of saying goodbye – yet implying they would hopefully see each other again in the future. Not sure what the future holds for further appearances of River, but I hope to see her again…

“See ya’ around, Professor River Song.”
“Until the next time, Doctor.”

The Whispermen are the new villains in this finale. They are just as creepy looking as the Silence – in my opinion. They have a classy look with their suits and top hats, but also have blank-faces with black mouths and sharp teeth… And their whispers are so eerie when they are release. Not to mention, they aren’t a fast pace villain – They slowly approach you which is very eerie. They work along side with the Great Intelligence, also from the episode The Snowmen.

“I blew into this world on a leaf. I don’t think I’ll ever land. My name is Clara Oswald. I’m the impossible girl. I was born to save the Doctor.”

The Impossible Girl – Clara. Besides Rose Tyler, Clara is probably my next favorite companion. She is witty, clever and has a great chemistry with the Doctor. I don’t mean romantic, I just mean their bond is so very strong and I love how they express their immense care for each other. In the end, Clara was always the most important thing to him – His savior.

In the end, what lies inside the tomb is the Doctor’s timeline. He does a very heroic act and goes into his own timeline and tries to save Clara after she tries to save his life. The episode ends with what really lies within the Doctor – It wasn’t his name that was so secretive, but a part of him – a person, his secret, the one who broke the promise. The episode is leaving us with actor John Hurt, who is being pronounced as “The Doctor”…

I guess we will have to wait until November 23rd, 2013 to see what else happens for the 50th anniversary! I thought the season finale was just superb and spot on great. It was a great way to end the series – Until then! Hurry up, 11/23/13!

I’m finally done with school for the semester so I can focus more on my geek/art blog. I’ve been wanting to do post more things about myself so I decided to commit to a 30 Day Blog Challenge… I googled 30 Day Blog Challenges and picked one out that I thought had some interesting topics. So here we go!

Day 01 – Write some basic things about yourself.

Well I’m Lori, the creator of Girl Hero (Another Geek & Art Blog). Right now, I am a senior becoming to be an aspiring graphic/web designer. I’m also taking a huge interest in screenprinting & poster design. I enjoy playing video games, diy projects, bargain shopping, and doing some out door activities.

I live in the beautiful city of Austin, Texas! Living here gives me a great advantage of trying out different types of out door activities and going to as many events/concerts/shows as I can.

Oh and I have a love for chocolate donuts – No seriously, I’ve tried to cut down or go cold-turkey, but my infinite bond with chocolate donuts can’t (apparently) be broken, haha.

So, I’m really hoping I can pull through for this 30 day challenge… Looking at all the great day-topics gets me motivated about doing this challenge – Let’s just see if I pull through til the very end!