SPOTLIGHT: Art from The Dark Dominion by Steve Ditko & Grey Williamson

In the early 90's Defiant Comics caused a sensation. After leaving Valiant midst some controversy and much drama, Jim Shooter struck out on his own with completely new, built from the ground up properties. One of these was entitled The Dark Dominion. Created by Shooter and comics legend Steve Ditko, it was to be a quantum and metaphysical adventure taking place in modern day Manhattan.

Even more daring than the conceptualization was the method of publication. Dark Dominion would debut as a card set... the panels all adhering to, and the tale told, within that format.

Card 4	Card 5	Card 6

Page 2, Panel 1	Panel 2, Panel 2	Panel 2, Panel 3

Page 11, Panel 3	Panel 11, Panel 4	Panel 11, Panel 5

I was in production on the creation of The Good Guys, another of Defiant's original properties, when Shooter and his art director Janet Jackson pulled me over to ink Steve Ditko's pencils and help him to define the look of the property.

Card 1	Card 2	Card 3

It was an incredible honor to work with these industry giants on what I believe to be a brilliant example of comic book storytelling. I still have a few Ditko originals in my flat file... 

~ grey

WORDS AND PICTURES: Never II Late Interview of Grey Williamson by MNN's Carol Lewis: April 29th

Grey Williamson, Co-Founder, Carbon-Fibre Media

Tune into "NEVER II LATE" at 1:30 PM, Sunday, April 29th

Channels TW 34, RCN 82, FIOs 33

Live streaming on Manhattan's Neighborhood Network (MNN)

www.mnn.org

MNN's Carol Lewis will be interviewing Grey Williamson, creator, artist, writer and sculptor, about his projects including his graphic novel, "Val-Mar, Prince of the Damned," his line of collectible sculpts and a new line of toy robots called O'bots.

Tune in and be enlightened and informed! 

 www.mnn.org

WORDS AND PICTURES: Alien and Amazon | A Fresh Take on the Super and Wonder of Man by Grey Williamson

The "Man Of Tomorrow"...

The idea of sending a being back in time to avert a catastrophic future was fascinating but not exactly new in science-fiction. When that concept turned into "the lone survivor of a decimated planet seeking a new home for his doomed culture"... that was an interesting, if not entirely a new twist.

My approach was simple and literal... stick to the inspiration, and add just a touch of potentially dangerous implication.

When "Wonder Woman" appeared in comic books, America's view of sexuality was not much different then it is today... although the quality or quantity of exposure is practically caricature.

The feministic warrior/cheerleader was to be the embodiment of female potential in a sexually provocative package... that was perpetually at the edge of man's reach.

Both dated and current… timeless...

Art prints are available here. 

View more artwork on our Showcase and Gallery.

~ grey

WORDS AND PICTURES: Orion of The New Gods by Grey Williamson

Orion... one of my favorite comics characters...

The pencils for this drawing was done as part of a submission for a back-up story for Simonson's run on the Kirby Fourth World concept.

I later rendered it in rough colors as a tribute of sorts to Jack Kirby, whom I regard as my biggest professional influence.

Art prints are available on my Deviant Art page. 

~ grey

Update on Friday, March 2, 2012 at 3:58PM by Grey

Featured on Jack Kirby Museum:

"A moody take on the son of Darkseid courtesy of Grey Williamson. Read more."

EVENT: Exhibition | MEANWHILE... From Panel to Panel | Medialia Gallery

 Medialia: Rack and Hamper Gallery presents:

MEANWHILE... The 6th Annual From Panel to Panel Exhibit

An exhibition exploring worlds in comics 

Originals | Prints | Minis | Published works

  February 4th - February 25th, 2012

Medialia...Rack and Hamper Gallery
335 West 38th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10018
t: 212.971.0953

Gallery Hours: Wed - Sat, 12 PM - 5 PM and by Appointment

www.medialiagallery.com

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COLLECTIBLES: "Renegade" Obama Bust on The Village Voice Cover

Our Renegade Obama bust was featured on the cover of The Village Voice during the week of October 12-18th, 2011. 

The article, "Begging Your Pardon, President Obama! White House turns back on clemency, including reduced sentences," written by Graham Rayman, was a respectful critique of the President's record on pardons. 

Although this may not be our favorite angle of the Renegade bust, it sends a message... Thoughts?

EVENT: Exhibition | For the Love of Comics | Medialia Gallery

 Medialia: Rack and Hamper Gallery presents:

FOR THE LOVE OF COMICS: CHARACTERS, LIFE, THE PARANORMAL AND BRAWLING

Jacob Chabot | Julie Condon | Jennifer Crute | Chris Giarusso | Grey | Kilroy III Jesse Lonergan | Shauna Mills | L Nichols | Patrick Sellers | Carlos Vega    And more 

  October 12th - October 29th, 2011

Medialia...Rack and Hamper Gallery
335 West 38th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10018
t: 212.971.0953

Gallery Hours: Wed - Sat, 12 PM - 5 PM and by Appointment

www.medialiagallery.com

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EVENT: Exhibition | A Summer of Prints and Small Sculpture | Medialia Gallery

 

Medialia: Rack and Hamper Gallery presents:

A SUMMER OF PRINTS AND SMALL SCULPTURE

The Apollo and Val-Mar busts by Grey & Kilroy III will be on display with the work of international artists including:

Norio Azuma | Helder Batista | Alexander Befelein | Heide Dobberkau | Robert Donahue | João Duarte | Max Ernst | Daniel Esquivia-Zapata | Tom Gasiewski | Kunio Iizuka | Naoko Ito | John Jacobsmeyer | Elsa Johnson | Masami Kodama | Oh Joon Kwon | Marie Jean Lederman | Mashiko | Henry Miller | T. Miyagawa | Henry Moore | Thomas Moser | Ryomei Murahashi | Tsutomu Ohmukai with Hideki Murayama | Kohjun Okamura | Tim Smith | Frances Smokowski | Shou Taisetsu | Tsutomu Tamura | Kurt Vonnegut | Mark Wallnock | Sohta Watanabe | Kazuo Yoshida

July 16th - August 20th, 2011

Medialia...Rack and Hamper Gallery
335 West 38th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10018
t: 212.971.0953

Gallery Hours: Wed - Sat, 12 PM - 5 PM and by Appointment

www.medialiagallery.com

 Connect...

Discuss on The Ethyr

EVENT: Exhibition | She's Got the Right Stuff: Comic Faves | Medialia Gallery

From Panel to Panel series sponsored by New Approach presents:

She's Got the Right Stuff: Favorites from the Comics Medium
Featuring the works of Jacob Chabot | Chris Giarusso | Grey | Sidney Jordan | Jesse Longergan

February 5th - 26th, 2011
Reception: Sat, February 12th, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Medialia...Rack and Hamper Gallery
335 West 38th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10018
t: 212.971.0953
e: tara@medialiagallery.com

Gallery Hours: Wed - Sat, 12 PM - 5 PM and by Appointment

www.medialiagallery.com

 Connect...

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INSIDE LOOK: Grey and the Making of the Renegade Obama Bust

Renegade | President Barack Obama Bust

CFM: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO DO A BUST OF PRESIDENT OBAMA?

GREY: After Barack Obama became President, it started. I watched as an unprecedented attempt at dehumanization took place with no respect for the man or the office that he held. I had seen these types of attacks before... I knew what they felt like.

History revealed that neither Malcolm X nor MLK had aspirations toward fame and fortune. Neither actively sought personal recognition. But when faced with extreme adversity they were forced to make choices of character.  

It’s then that their greatness expressed itself. It was then that their true selves were revealed... and the hero emerged.  

Seeing President Obama under monstrous but familiar assault, I respected the power of the moment and decided to bear witness to it...

I was struck by the strength he displayed, maintaining his character in the face of hate. I wanted to communicate how I was affected by that strength and the intensity of focus... I felt like he was fighting my fight... carrying my weight. So, I wanted to give something in return. The best that I have is my art...

Artwork becomes a part of history. Because of my ability and the uniqueness of my perspective, I couldn’t wait for someone else to capture what was happening at this time. I wanted to do my part.  

CFM: WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO DO THE OBAMA BUST?

GREY: The deciding moment was directly after seeing the monkey references made about the First Lady... when I researched that, I saw imagery online portraying the Obamas as less than human or less than what they were...

CFM: HOW DID YOU SETTLE ON THIS DESIGN... HIS EXPRESSION... HIS POSTURE...?

GREY: I wanted to portray the inner qualities of the man. I asked myself how does his wife see him, because she married him... how does a wife want to see her husband. I tried to stay true to that.

I selected the posture of a boxer because he is currently engaged in the fight of his life. His pose is reminiscent of the fighting style of Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather or someone like that.

CFM:  WHAT KINDS OF REACTIONS HAVE YOU RECEIVED SO FAR ON THE BUST?

GREY: A few of my fellow industry professionals were shocked... they only knew of me as a writer or an illustrator.  

We were reviewed on several designer toy sites... one of which, an industry leading blog called "Plastic and Plush" said, regardless of one’s political persuasion, the sculpting work was amazing and realistic. I took that as a great compliment.

While I was sculpting the bust, I received a visit from a highly respected, decidedly Republican friend of mine. As he viewed the work we debated over the significance of the Obama presidency. He is very open-minded but very skeptical in regards to the President and his policies. A few days later Obama delivered a powerful speech after the passing of health-care reform legislation. My friend called to tell me that he was deeply affected by it. He recounted a moment when Barack Obama faced the camera and said “This is what change looks like...” with the expression that he had seen on the sculpture.

He told me that it was an emotional moment of realization for him... that he “got it”. From that moment on, that quote has been on all literature associated with the work. I “got it” also.

[UPDATE: During the week of October 12-18, 2011, the Renegade Obama bust was featured on the cover of The Village Voice newspaper.]

CFM: SOME MIGHT SAY “RENEGADE” IS AN APPROPRIATE NAME FOR THE BUST SINCE PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS BROUGHT “UNWANTED” CHANGE TO AMERICA.  WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

GREY: I would say that change here more represents growth and progress. I don’t believe that people, in general, object to that, they just don’t want the pain often associated with it. Although I am not responsible for that moniker being placed on him, I chose it for the bust for what it could mean as a statement against the conventional thinking of the “old guard” who still believe that extreme separation between the classes still serves them.

I believe that the Obama presidency represents a paradigm shift, a “change” in perception... the effects of which will be felt beyond our lifetimes.

CFM: WHAT WAS YOUR PROCESS?

GREY: I worked in collaboration with an artist named Kilroy III. I provided him with gesture drawings and basic dimensions which he fleshed out in wax, giving me a basis... a foundation... from which to sculpt.  

After I finished sculpting it, Kilroy III molded it and then cast a bust in resin which I continued to refine. The process of molding and casting was repeated until we had our final piece.  

We worked on this bust, off and on, for about 3 months entirely out of the Brooklyn studio.

CFM:  WHAT DID YOU USE FOR REFERENCE?

GREY: I studied photos. I watched him on TV. I watched him move to get a feel for his attitude... and gain some understanding of his energy.

Village Voice Cover Oct. 2011CFM:  WHAT IS IT MADE OF?

GREY: “Renegade” is cast in our “metallique” finish which includes a mix of metal, resin, and a few drops of pigment. We enjoy being able to get just the right combination of texture, weight and and lustre to the work. It is an art form in itself and although I am involved in the process, Kilroy lll is the hand behind that, and I am continually impressed by what he is able to achieve.

CFM: SHOULD WE EXPECT A SERIES OF RELATED BUSTS?

GREY: I am toying with producing a couple of variations of the Renegade bust. I am also going to do a bust of First Lady Michelle Obama... and possibly a sculpt of the two of them together. I feel inspired to do these specifically as an artistic expression.  

CFM:  WHERE WERE YOU TRAINED AS A SCULPTOR?

GREY: I have had no specific training as a sculptor. As an artist I am self-taught.  

I draw no distinctions in the creative process or its expression. Whether you sculpt, draw or write, at the core, it’s the same thing. It’s just a question of which tools you use to express something. I acquired the skills because I needed them.

CFM: WHERE CAN WE SEE YOUR WORK?

GREY: Our busts are currently on display at the Medialia Rack and Hamper Gallery in midtown Manhattan. We are negotiating with several other museums and galleries in Brooklyn, Harlem and D.C. as well.

We are also planning for a series of exhibitions centered on the Renegade Obama bust that will feature our work as well as many emerging and prominent artists in comics and designer toys.

As it relates to comic books, my last published work was for DC Comics in their Batman 80 Page Giant and an alternate cover for The Warriors.

My own art is released through our website, www.carbon-fibre.me. As a company, our focus is on establishing a strong web presence to communicate directly to our readership. I feel that to be very important for the art form moving forward.

CFM:  WHAT’S NEXT ON THE HORIZON FOR YOU AND CARBON-FIBRE MEDIA?

GREY: My current focus is on completing the first “Val-Mar, Prince of the Damned” graphic novel and a series of busts and sculpts of related characters. I’ve completed busts from that property as well as from the upcoming graphic novel already in development, “The Legend of Apollo”.

There will be other stories released periodically on-line in the form of E-Cells. The E-Cell is a story-telling format that we created that I am particularly excited about. It allows me to tell a story without the limitations of standard pages, and take advantage of my individual strengths as a sequential artist.

The company is in development on several other entertainment properties that are entirely original and strikingly unique from what is currently out there. I am very proud of this... It is an exciting time for us.

CFM: IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO THE OBAMAS, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW?

GREY: That no one can know the magnitude of this moment, the true significance of the role they play.

That even their enemies are forever changed, and time will reveal the effects on them and their families.

I would like them to know that they have a spiritual support even beyond anyone's understanding... that they are appreciated on that level.

For us that understand... that this is beyond a political thing, it is a bold step toward restored humanity...

I can almost hear my ancestors cheering.

To view more pics of the Renegade bust, please visit our Showcase. 

To learn more about an artistic collaboration involving the Renegade bust, please visit CANVASS 44. 

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