Update: Now Comes More

I have been involved with so much since the creation of Ties. My next big adventure awaits me and I will be bringing the book to a whole new market!

I can't wait for others to meet Ira.

In the meantime I met with one of those Hollywood types about developing the treatment I co-wrote for Ties into a movie. I thought Alex Pettyfer would make an amazing Ira. Luckily they represented him.  I live for the day Ira comes to the screen!  What do you think? Is he the right choice?

Neglect

Poor Ira has been neglected here for quite some time!
I was able to take him to SDCC 2013 with me but I guess I should update you on what else is rockin'!

I have my second book out on Amazon: Dead Stinky Animals

Please do corrupt your children with it.... and teach them their ABCs, of course.

I am also working on the next Book.

I am starting a gallery with my business partner: Illumination Gallery  Which has been a frightening process. It will be ultimately rewarding but as with most grand plans, things have not exactly been smooth.

I am also writing for Biff Bam Pop  I did some great coverage and got to talk to a bunch of people at this year's San Diego. I was almost crushed to death twice but it was well worth it!

Ira is still my baby and I carry him like a talisman wherever I go. I will see him made into something and the next book is rattling in my head.  Unfortunately, all the scenarios I see Ira in start veering into Oldboy territory and I have been a bit more upbeat as of late.  It's a massive amount of energy to go to dark places like that and try and protect your psyche. Not to sound too granola, but it's true.

So Things move forward and I am always taking the next step in this grand journey!

A New Year Update!

A new year and time to ramp up the comic making again. Every year I'm excited to get started on new projects and finish old ones. Sketches like this one in Ira's style keep me going. I should color it, yeah?

The ABC book is also coming along. Yay! Yes. It's dead, stinky animals.  Don't you want to teach your kid's their letters this way?! What could be more fun!

But Ira is not forgotten. There's a smart little girl out there named Alison who's ready to make trouble out of Ira's penchant for letters. More on her later.

Happy New Year!!

Beyond the Looking Glass

Happy Holidays, all!

Ira will always have a first and foremost place in my heart but I have been hard at work on other projects as well. This includes a pretty hilarious ABC book, Illumination Gallery and my next graphic novel, 4 Hire.

Ira's drawing style is still the most natural for me. Who wouldn't want to get away with not drawing noses?! I think I found a great balance between cartoony and realistic figures. I still like to sketch and doodle this way to get my ideas down.

Many people have asked about a sequel to Ties. I would like to do something more with the friends I've met in Ira's world but so far Ira hasn't had anything to say about it. Honestly, after working on the idea for over 8 years I think Ira's pretty satisfied .... for now. You never know when that imp will start demanding more stories to be told.

I hope all of you are having a blessed Holiday season. I know Ira didn't get you anything!

Crazy for Comikaze

It's time once again for LA's most awesome convention Comikaze.  This year it's Stan Lee's Comikaze and I can already see how much it's grown in just a year. I'm so looking forward to seeing what they do this year.

I will be chatting with one and all about the new book 4-Hire at www.four-hire.com

I will also be helping out master of the dead, Rick Marson, in his plans for world domination through the cutest zombies you've ever seen! www.zoms.com

Of course Ira will be there in full force with Ties and some brand new stickers!!! I will be tweeting everything is sight so be sure to follow me @EMcGuiness

So come on out and make it a grand old time!

Update

Things have been rolling along and I'm looking forward to doing a Gallery Group Show in July with my and Lisa Brugger's Illumination Gallery.

I'm proud Ties will have a new home to share all of Ira's goodness.

I'm also working on www.four-hire.com, my next book.

Also be sue to catch me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/emily.mcguiness
And as always you can email me any questions to emcgui20@gmail.com
or on Twitter @EMcGuiness

Ties Prepares for Peru

With the upcoming art gallery show at the restaurant Qusqo I am preparing another image in a similar style to my book. The Catwoman print was the first one:

 Phoenix will be the next one. The prints will be available to buy over at the Latchkey Studios Store. I think they came out rather well. If you have any suggestions for more characters in this style let me know.

As always if you want to help support the cause go over to Kickstarter and get things started!

Ties is Floating on Cloud Nine

Ties is finally going up on Cloud Nine Comix. It's the first of many digital publishing deals to come for Ties. I was able to put up a sample of the first chapters and then publish the whole book when it's done. I am so proud to see it all coming together. Ira will have his day.

It's super important to use and abuse the new digital market for first time creators. You don't have a huge publishing house behind you so it's even more important to use every resource you have. Digital publishers are relatively new to the game too and they have unlimited publishing potential so they are even more open to accepting your content.


For some eye candy I am posting up the art I used to make some awesome coasters. Find them at a bar near you! Or email me and you can take them to a bar near you!

A Shiny Cover Means....

Awesomeness on the inside of course!

Here is the cover for Ties.

It went through a couple incarnations as you can see here.

But I felt it was too dark. Ira is dark enough in this book.  I wanted to show him drowning in his own messy life, while at the same time reaching for it. This "mess" creeps in again during the low points in his life.

Photoshop really is my only friend. I would love to learn more about Painter and Illustrator but I find I can do almost anything in Photoshop. I also cannot give up my plain old pencil and paper. I just can't ink with a tablet the way I ink with a brush.  I'm old school because I'm better at the old school.

Plus Megan showed me a Photoshop technique for getting the line work super clean. Thank you! You can see her super clean lines as well HERE!