Monday, March 12, 2012
Ackward Avengers Group Photo
Friday, March 9, 2012
Atari Adventure
Hey... remember this one. Another fast exercise we, the Avalanche Disney Concept Department, redrew our favorite retro games.
Adventure still rocks!! Dang it!!! Love that game!!!
Angel in PARLOR Mashup by matthew s armstrong
Angel in PARLOR Mashup by matthew s armstrong
The Avalanche Concept department did an exercise where we took a fine art piece, a weird cartoon, and sorta Mary Blair background and mashed them all up. I like how this turned out.
3 color scribbles!!! Brok-Lok, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and Earthbound Kid!!!
Heroes in a half shell TURTLE POWER!!!
Not sure which one this is... but my fav was always Leo. So I guess its him. I mean... its Leonardo.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
PRINCESS METROID
PRINCESS METROID
Remember when princess Leia played Samus and she had the green hair? I know, that was the bestest thing ever!!! Pew Pew!!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Monday, December 5, 2011
Star Wars Action Figures!!! From the 70's - 80's
Star Wars Action Figures!!!
I was just thinking how much I loved my old Star Wars action figures. Stiff and off model as they were… with only five points of articulation… we sure did have many many intergalactic adventures together.
I just started having fun with some new ink brushes and watercolors Santa brought me... and before I knew it there where like, twenty eighty of these bad boys... yikes!!!
The whole time I was creating these odd little mis-mashed versions of our favorite 70's action figures... I had this quote that I'd read on the Drawn Blog a while ago.
"" Steig’s drawings seem to flow effortlessly from his mind to his pen and onto the paper. I doubt he ever looked at a blank sheet and thought, “I have nothing worthwhile to say today,” or “I can’t draw a car as well as Joe Shmoe, so why don’t I crawl back into bed and wait for the day to be over.” Steig gave himself permission to be playful and experimental. One of the many wonderful things about looking at his drawings is their message, especially to his fellow artists: Draw what you love and what interests you. Draw it how you want to draw it. When we are children we do this instinctively. But somewhere in our passage from childhood to adulthood, the ability to be truly and fearlessly creative is often lost. To quote Pablo Picasso, Steig’s favorite artist, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” ""
I had little rules that popped up too. No reference except this blurry little jpg with zero resolution i printed out... this forced me to fill in the details from memories. No redraws even if the proportions or whatever where off... this forced it not to turn into any think like "work". Bleh. Work.
I feel like I succeeded with these little star wars guys... it delighted me. I want to make more art like this, art that is just fun, pure fun.
I was just thinking how much I loved my old Star Wars action figures. Stiff and off model as they were… with only five points of articulation… we sure did have many many intergalactic adventures together.
I just started having fun with some new ink brushes and watercolors Santa brought me... and before I knew it there where like, twenty eighty of these bad boys... yikes!!!
The whole time I was creating these odd little mis-mashed versions of our favorite 70's action figures... I had this quote that I'd read on the Drawn Blog a while ago.
"" Steig’s drawings seem to flow effortlessly from his mind to his pen and onto the paper. I doubt he ever looked at a blank sheet and thought, “I have nothing worthwhile to say today,” or “I can’t draw a car as well as Joe Shmoe, so why don’t I crawl back into bed and wait for the day to be over.” Steig gave himself permission to be playful and experimental. One of the many wonderful things about looking at his drawings is their message, especially to his fellow artists: Draw what you love and what interests you. Draw it how you want to draw it. When we are children we do this instinctively. But somewhere in our passage from childhood to adulthood, the ability to be truly and fearlessly creative is often lost. To quote Pablo Picasso, Steig’s favorite artist, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” ""
I had little rules that popped up too. No reference except this blurry little jpg with zero resolution i printed out... this forced me to fill in the details from memories. No redraws even if the proportions or whatever where off... this forced it not to turn into any think like "work". Bleh. Work.
I feel like I succeeded with these little star wars guys... it delighted me. I want to make more art like this, art that is just fun, pure fun.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Night of the Chompkin
Night
of the
Chompkin
by
Matthew S. Armstrong
Little Roo
wandered far
Carefully following
the darkest star
This was ever her path
on Halloween night
When the bluish, ghoulish
moon shone bright
Over the troll bridge
and past the black gorge
And into the pumpkin patch
next to the morgue
The Ghosts of Pumpkins Past
shivered and swayed
Spirits and Wisps
swirled and prayed
Awaken! Awaken!
oh chomping one
Awaken! Awaken!
it’s time we’ve begun
The Chompkin arose
with a deafening roar
Through the twilight
he did eerily soar
The Ghosts of Pumpkins Past
all ran away
The Spirits and Wisps
where are they?
But little Roo
was not afraid
There she stood
And there she stayed
For all Hallows eve
was when they played
Questing for candy
in the town masquerade
Scaring commoner
and noble alike
Flying all the way
to Goblin Pike
One a girl, one a monster
yet they’re souls where akin
Little Roo
and her Chompkin
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Jane and Mizmow Out Today!!!
Jane and Mizmow
Finally!!! The first picture book I wrote and illustrated is out online and on store shelf. I can hardly believe it. To think I wrote the first draft of this five years ago waiting for a flight at JFK airport. It hit me like a ton of lightning bolt bugs. Actually it sorta began a little bit before that. The first time I saw the characters was when my lovely wife asked for a watercolor for our anniversary. I ended up drawings this little girl and her giant fluffy yellow monster. Which is why this book is dedicated to my wife and best friend Isabelle. The adventures of these two happened after the watercolor... and still continue... in my head. Jane and Mizmow have also to starred in two short Flight anthology stories. And now, after what seems so long, here they are in they're very own picture book. I can't really describe how thrilled I am.
There have been some incredible reviews already for Jane and Mizmow.
Here's what Publishers Weekly had to say:
In his first solo outing, illustrator Armstrong (Rhino, Rhino, Sweet Potato) offers a charmingly illustrated story, full of physical comedy, about a girl’s bumpy friendship with a monster. Jane is waifish and shaggy-haired, while Mizmow is a pudgy, furry owl-like creature with rabbit ears. When they first meet, after Jane shakes Mizmow out of a woolen cap, she loves him immediately (a cartoon heart appears above her delighted face), though Mizmow unexpectedly licks her, gobbles her up, then spits her out. After this opening interlude, which unfolds in wordless panels like a cartoon storyboard, Armstrong introduces some perfunctory and generally unnecessary text to describe the duo’s episodic misadventures, which culminate in a big fight (“Mizmow is mad. Jane is more mad”). Mizmow is mischievous—much of the book’s humor revolves around his heft and large appetite for red autumn leaves and books—with Jane playing straight man (and getting catapulted through the air on more than one occasion). It’s a humorous account of an unlikely friendship, but the bland prose saps some of its magic. Ages 3–5. (Oct.)
School and Library Journal says:
A little girl and her rather unusual pal quarrel, but they know just how to make up, too, in this charming paean to friendship.
Jane’s best friend’s a cuddly “monster” named Mizmow, and having a monster as a best friend can be challenging. Mizmow loves climbing trees, while Jane likes keeping her feet securely on the ground. Jane and Mizmow both love the seesaw, though loving it together can be problematic. Jane likes jumping into piles of raked red leaves, and Mizmow loves snacking on them. Jane helps Mizmow shower, and he keeps her feet warm at night. One chilly day, they fight over their favorite knit hat, leaving Mizmow “mad” and Jane “more mad.” Suddenly, they’re not best friends anymore, and doing things alone isn’t much fun. “How can you get your best friend back?” Jane and Mizmow find the perfect solution. Humorous, softly hued illustrations cast Mizmow as a big, brown, fluffy critter sporting rabbitlike ears, chickenlike feet and a crooked, impish grin. Reminiscent of cartoon animation, the visual action progresses in two or four frames per page, with and without text, focusing on Jane and Mizmow cheerfully together, glumly apart and enthusiastically reunited.
A whimsical, gentle reminder that even the best friendships occasionally wobble, especially if a quirky, but endearing monster’s involved. (Picture book. 3-5)
I'd like to publicly thank these fine folks so much for such kind reviews!
Here are some links to Jane and Mizmow available from these fine online retailers:
Amazon Barnes & Noble
Also available in finer book stores everywhere!!!
I need to go celebrate or something!
Finally!!! The first picture book I wrote and illustrated is out online and on store shelf. I can hardly believe it. To think I wrote the first draft of this five years ago waiting for a flight at JFK airport. It hit me like a ton of lightning bolt bugs. Actually it sorta began a little bit before that. The first time I saw the characters was when my lovely wife asked for a watercolor for our anniversary. I ended up drawings this little girl and her giant fluffy yellow monster. Which is why this book is dedicated to my wife and best friend Isabelle. The adventures of these two happened after the watercolor... and still continue... in my head. Jane and Mizmow have also to starred in two short Flight anthology stories. And now, after what seems so long, here they are in they're very own picture book. I can't really describe how thrilled I am.
There have been some incredible reviews already for Jane and Mizmow.
Here's what Publishers Weekly had to say:
In his first solo outing, illustrator Armstrong (Rhino, Rhino, Sweet Potato) offers a charmingly illustrated story, full of physical comedy, about a girl’s bumpy friendship with a monster. Jane is waifish and shaggy-haired, while Mizmow is a pudgy, furry owl-like creature with rabbit ears. When they first meet, after Jane shakes Mizmow out of a woolen cap, she loves him immediately (a cartoon heart appears above her delighted face), though Mizmow unexpectedly licks her, gobbles her up, then spits her out. After this opening interlude, which unfolds in wordless panels like a cartoon storyboard, Armstrong introduces some perfunctory and generally unnecessary text to describe the duo’s episodic misadventures, which culminate in a big fight (“Mizmow is mad. Jane is more mad”). Mizmow is mischievous—much of the book’s humor revolves around his heft and large appetite for red autumn leaves and books—with Jane playing straight man (and getting catapulted through the air on more than one occasion). It’s a humorous account of an unlikely friendship, but the bland prose saps some of its magic. Ages 3–5. (Oct.)
School and Library Journal says:
ARMSTRONG, Matthew S. Jane & Mizmow. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. HarperCollins. Oct. 2011. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780061177194. LC 2010012628.
PreS-Gr 1–Jane is a petite girl, while Mizmow is a large fluffy monster with chicken feet, rabbit ears, and a ropelike tail. They are best friends despite their differences. She loves to read books, while he takes a bite out of each one. When Jane rakes the fallen leaves, Mizmow eats the tasty red ones. The girl helps the monster at bath time, and he keeps her feet warm by sleeping on her bed. When both want to wear a knitted cap still warm from the dryer, their friendship falters, and saying sorry does not work. A series of full-color panels, some wordless, explores their relationship from their first meeting through the difficulties that almost separate them to the kindnesses that bring them together again. A palette of fall colors mirrors the warmth of their friendship, while the expressive faces of the two characters reinforce both mood and action. Emerging readers will be able to read much of the simple text, but the illustrations really tell the tale. This story has a lot to say about accepting differences, forgiving accidents, and making amends. A solid choice that youngsters will enjoy time and time again.–Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN
PreS-Gr 1–Jane is a petite girl, while Mizmow is a large fluffy monster with chicken feet, rabbit ears, and a ropelike tail. They are best friends despite their differences. She loves to read books, while he takes a bite out of each one. When Jane rakes the fallen leaves, Mizmow eats the tasty red ones. The girl helps the monster at bath time, and he keeps her feet warm by sleeping on her bed. When both want to wear a knitted cap still warm from the dryer, their friendship falters, and saying sorry does not work. A series of full-color panels, some wordless, explores their relationship from their first meeting through the difficulties that almost separate them to the kindnesses that bring them together again. A palette of fall colors mirrors the warmth of their friendship, while the expressive faces of the two characters reinforce both mood and action. Emerging readers will be able to read much of the simple text, but the illustrations really tell the tale. This story has a lot to say about accepting differences, forgiving accidents, and making amends. A solid choice that youngsters will enjoy time and time again.–Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN
And Kirkus The World's Toughest Book Critics:
JANE & MIZMOW
Author: Armstrong, Matthew S.
Illustrator: Armstrong, Matthew S.
Author: Armstrong, Matthew S.
Illustrator: Armstrong, Matthew S.
Jane’s best friend’s a cuddly “monster” named Mizmow, and having a monster as a best friend can be challenging. Mizmow loves climbing trees, while Jane likes keeping her feet securely on the ground. Jane and Mizmow both love the seesaw, though loving it together can be problematic. Jane likes jumping into piles of raked red leaves, and Mizmow loves snacking on them. Jane helps Mizmow shower, and he keeps her feet warm at night. One chilly day, they fight over their favorite knit hat, leaving Mizmow “mad” and Jane “more mad.” Suddenly, they’re not best friends anymore, and doing things alone isn’t much fun. “How can you get your best friend back?” Jane and Mizmow find the perfect solution. Humorous, softly hued illustrations cast Mizmow as a big, brown, fluffy critter sporting rabbitlike ears, chickenlike feet and a crooked, impish grin. Reminiscent of cartoon animation, the visual action progresses in two or four frames per page, with and without text, focusing on Jane and Mizmow cheerfully together, glumly apart and enthusiastically reunited.
A whimsical, gentle reminder that even the best friendships occasionally wobble, especially if a quirky, but endearing monster’s involved. (Picture book. 3-5)
* * *
I'd like to publicly thank these fine folks so much for such kind reviews!
Here are some links to Jane and Mizmow available from these fine online retailers:
Amazon Barnes & Noble
Also available in finer book stores everywhere!!!
I need to go celebrate or something!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Scribblenauts Vs. Adventure Time
I was was playing Scribblenauts while watching Adventure time when it hit me: one of these guys is a doppelganger. They would probably have to fight to the pain. So, I drew that.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Introducing the Transformers Collectors Club Magazine's 2012 Profile Artist - Matthew Armstrong!
Fulfilling a childhood dream.
In 1984 when Transformers first came to the States it rocked my world. My love for the robots in disguise was a huge part of me wanting to be an artist when I grew up... maybe even an artist that got to draw Transformers. I can still remember my 3rd grade teacher getting on my case because I drew Transformers all the time. "Draw something else!" I can still hear her say. I did draw other things but never stopped drawing Transformers.
You can find more of my childhood Transformer Drawings here. (Should you be so inclined :)
And if you'd like to see my more recent Tf pieces I've done for fun these recent years click this.
Any way...
I was thrilled to get an email which led me to getting to draw a bunch of Transformers professionally. It's weird and wonderful to see my name and art pop up on all my favorite Transformer websites. Here's what the TFCC had to say:
We are excited to announce that Matthew Armstrong will be the artist behind the 2012 Transformers Collectors' Club Magazine MTMTE profiles! Matthew recently had his first solo children's book "Jane & Mizmo" reviewed by Publishers Weekly and the book itself will be available in book stores on Oct 1st.
We look forward to sharing Matthew's great art with everyone in the 2012 editions of the TCC magazine. But, why wait 4 more months for your first look? We have a preview for you today of one of the characters you will see featured next year in a MTMTE profile AND in the story "A Flash Forward"... G2 Flamefeather!
Click the story thumbnail for a expanded look and check out Matthew's Blog and art page, featuring all kinds of great art including some other Transformers, here!
via: http://www.transformersclub.com/
So, I hope my fellow fans like my take on the Heroic Autobots and Evil Decepticons. And... I hope I get to do some more.
I'd like to thank Pete (the man) Sinclair for the opportunity. Thanks Pete!
Till all are one!!!
In 1984 when Transformers first came to the States it rocked my world. My love for the robots in disguise was a huge part of me wanting to be an artist when I grew up... maybe even an artist that got to draw Transformers. I can still remember my 3rd grade teacher getting on my case because I drew Transformers all the time. "Draw something else!" I can still hear her say. I did draw other things but never stopped drawing Transformers.
You can find more of my childhood Transformer Drawings here. (Should you be so inclined :)
And if you'd like to see my more recent Tf pieces I've done for fun these recent years click this.
Any way...
I was thrilled to get an email which led me to getting to draw a bunch of Transformers professionally. It's weird and wonderful to see my name and art pop up on all my favorite Transformer websites. Here's what the TFCC had to say:
We are excited to announce that Matthew Armstrong will be the artist behind the 2012 Transformers Collectors' Club Magazine MTMTE profiles! Matthew recently had his first solo children's book "Jane & Mizmo" reviewed by Publishers Weekly and the book itself will be available in book stores on Oct 1st.
We look forward to sharing Matthew's great art with everyone in the 2012 editions of the TCC magazine. But, why wait 4 more months for your first look? We have a preview for you today of one of the characters you will see featured next year in a MTMTE profile AND in the story "A Flash Forward"... G2 Flamefeather!
Click the story thumbnail for a expanded look and check out Matthew's Blog and art page, featuring all kinds of great art including some other Transformers, here!
via: http://www.transformersclub.com/
So, I hope my fellow fans like my take on the Heroic Autobots and Evil Decepticons. And... I hope I get to do some more.
I'd like to thank Pete (the man) Sinclair for the opportunity. Thanks Pete!
Till all are one!!!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Sketch Crawling
My concept art department Peeps and me spent a couple of hours sketching people downtown. Its not something I've done a lot of but, I enjoyed it immensely. We'll be heading out again soon. I actually ended up knowing one of the people I drew. I was so in the drawing brain I didn't recognize her till she came over to talk to me.
Friday, September 9, 2011
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