Two Years And Counting

This week marks the two year anniversary of my site SEANFITZGIBBONART.  Also be sure to check out my weekly updates with works in progress, upcoming exhibits, illustration projects, community based projects, as well as workshops and classes I'm teaching and much more.

Thanks So Much!

Just like to thank Steven (Brent) Douglass and everyone at River City Comic Expo for having us out.  Also great seeing our friends Dusty Higgins (SGL: Publishing Pinocchio The Vampire Slayer), Mitch and Elizabeth Breitweiser (Marvel Comics: Captain America, Hulk) and of course What Follows Is True co-creator Kevin Brown (Death Roll, Ink On Wood).  

Thanks to everyone who picked up a copy of my book DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed.    If you weren't able to make it out the book is available thru Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/DomestiCATed-Paths-Crossed-Sean-Fitzgibbon/dp/0741465361/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320616296&sr=8-1 
or thru iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/domesticated/id476099259?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

RIVER CITY COMIC EXPO

Just a quick reminder that we'll be signing books this weekend and discussing the up and coming documentary graphic novel at the River City Comic Expo.  For more info please visit LYRIA: The Comic Exchange
or The Convention Scene.

DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed Graphic Novel Available

Be sure to order your copy of my graphic novel DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed now available thru Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/DomestiCATed-Paths-Crossed-Sean-Fitzgibbon/dp/0741465361/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316281376&sr=8-1.

A digital version of this book is now available thru iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/domesticated/id476099259?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Special thanks to Paze Publishing. 

ON THE AIR WITH RICHARD S. DRAKE

On May 17, 2011 I was interviewed on the COX Cable television program On The Air with Richard S. Drake discussing my graphic novel DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed as well as the upcoming documentary graphic novel What Follows Is True: Crescent: The Baker Years.   

Many Thanks!

It's been a great spring and summer.  Thanks for stopping by the books signings and picking up a copy of DomestiCATed.  Also, be sure to join us November 5, at River City Comic Expo located at 1111 West Maryland Ave in Sherwood, AR (near Little Rock). I'll be signing copies of my book there from 10am-6pm.  

Mouth London Review

"The overall tone of the novel is dark and quite frightening....the stories are interesting and sickening at the same time..... well written and illustrated with nods to social abuse, murder and

revenge....." -David Holloway: MouthLondon UK

Check out what critics are saying in the UK

http://www.mouthlondon.com/new-ideas/graphic-novel-review-domesticated-paths-once-crossed/

DomestiCATed Original Pages Available

Original 13x17 original, pen and inked, signed, pages of my graphic novel DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed are now available for purchase.  You've read the book, you have your favorite pages, now own the original page!  These hand drawn originals on Bristol board look amazing on their own or framed and matted and make an impressive addition to your collection.  For more information please contact me at seanpfitzgibbon@gmail.com.  

Convention Scene                                     

Be sure to join us for the River City Comic Expo November 5, 2011.  I'll be discussing my up and coming documentary graphic novel as well as signing copies of my book DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed.  The Expo will be at 1111 West Maryland Ave. Sherwood, AR (near Little Rock).   For more info please visit the Convention Scene at http://www.conventionscene.com/tag/sean-fitzgibbon/.   

DomestiCATed Influences

About seven years ago I completed the graphic novel DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed during my graduate studies. Thesis work took precedence at that time and that particular book went back on the shelf so to speak. Since then, I've completed gallery series of works and another graphic novel and started yet another one. Finally, I'm happy to say, the book is now available.

The book is made up of three dark short stories (The Man In The Mirror, The Solitary Woman,and The Black Cat) that follow a black cat as it ventures into the nefarious underbelly of domestic human existence. I've always been influenced by the anthology format and particularly short works by Richard Matheson, Flannery O' Connor, Philip K. Dick, Harlan Ellison, Shirley Jackson, Charles Beaumont, Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, and on and on. These stories are also influenced by the films and TV series of Alfred Hitchcock, EC titles such as The Vault of Horror and Tales From the Crypt, as well as Rod Serling's classic series The Twilight Zone and Night Gallery.

The final story in the book is a modern day retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat. I originally came across this work in an anthology series by artist Bernie Wrightson entitled Bernie Wrightson, Master of the Macabre by Pacific Comics Press. His take on Poe's classic was so exquisitely drawn and well told that I immediately read the original and eventually it made its way into this book.

I've always had a love for animals but cats in particular have always fascinated me. Throughout history cats have always played a role in superstition and mythology. Cats are generally nocturnal creatures and roam at night and since the middle ages they were believed to be supernatural servants of witches. Of course in North America, we've all been told that if a black cat crosses your path, you will receive bad luck but in the U.K. and Asia, a black cat is considered lucky. In 16th century Italy, people believed that if someone was sick, they would surely die if a black cat lay on their bed. It's also been said if a funeral procession meets up with a black cat then someone else in the family is soon to die.

If you enjoy a good, dark, anthology series every now and then, I hope you will pick up a copy of my graphic novel DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed, you'll be glad you did!

Upcoming Book Signings

The fall calendar is filling up. I'll be heading to MO in September and signing copies of my graphic novel domestiCATed: paths once crossed at the Joplin Hastings on 9/10/11 from 1pm-4pm.

Also, join us at River City Comic Expo in at 1111 West Maryland AveSherwood, AR (near Little Rock). I'll be signing copies of my book there from 10am-6pm.

Cover Concepts

Here are some of the original cover ideas for DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed along with the final cover image on the right. During production of the book, the working title was Superstition. I finally decided on painting the urban background environment to help set the overall gritty tone of the book and to help bring in a slight element of color.

Pencils to Finished Inks

Generally, when working on a pen and ink graphic novel such as DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed, I begin with a series of rough, thumbnail sketches to work out the page layout and composition of each individual panel. I tend to keep my panel configuration fairly simple so it does not distract from the narrative. I will then render the original pages on bristol board using a 2H to 4H pencil to avoid smudging. After I've spotted my black areas, I will begin inking using various pens and brushes with black, India ink. Once I'm satisfied with the results, the pages are then scanned and final adjustments are made and spot colors, and word balloons and dialogue boxes are added in Photoshop.

Graphic Novel Book Signing

Join us Saturday, September 10, 1-4pm at Hastings Books in Joplin, MO. I'll be signing copies of my book DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed. I actually finished this particular book about seven years ago but it has finally found its way to print and will be available in late May or early June. This book features three dark short stories that follow a black cat as it ventures into the nefarious underbelly of human existence. These stories have a broad appeal to fans of noir, mystery and intrigue. If you enjoy Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, or old EC titles such asTales From the Crypt you'll love DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed. Hope to see you there!

DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed

DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed is a 97 page, black and white, pen and ink with gray tone graphic novel made up of three, dark short stories that follow a black cat as it ventures into the nefarious underbelly of domestic human existence.