Tag: steve lavigne

Dragonfly – A Graphic Novel by Jim Lawson

Well, looks like we’ve got some more original projects coming down the pipeline from our beloved Mirage guys.

Talking with Steve Levigne a few weeks back, he had mentioned that Jim was working on an original graphic novel. Jim explains a little bit about his new project:

I came up with the idea to do Dragonfly about a year ago. I’ve done dinosaur comics in the past, but I wanted this one to be a little different.
Although I’ve just labeled this a dinosaur comic, I don’t really consider it simply that. In the pages of Dragonfly, I knew that I wanted to gather all the creatures, things and characters that I have an affinity for- aliens, robots, funky post-apocalyptic vehicles and then of course, the occasional T-Rex.
Secondly, I made my decision early in the creative process to include both human and anthropomorphized characters in this world. I think that the cast of a story is terribly important and I’ve put a lot of thought into developing characters that work well together and enhance one another. The relationship that these individuals have seems like it could lead to some fun interactions and situations. Along with that, I wanted this new comic to be a little wacky and strange- I didn’t want to be constrained by scientific fact, or things that just wouldn’t be possible in our reality.

I’d not heard of this Kickstarter website before, so I looked into it. To contribute, you can offer Any amount… even a dollar. And Jim’s got all sorts of little treats and privileges to offer as a thank you for helping him reach his goal.

So if you like Jim’s artwork and want to chip in, or if you’re just curious to see what he’s up to, stop in and take a peek:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1056947565/dragonfly-an-adventure-tale-of-dinosauric-proporti

~Machias

You’re gonna Love my Dad: Shellback Artworks, Wells Maine

Happy New Year, my fellow Machines!

Ahh, a new year, new beginnings… one of my personal resolutions being to get Back into drawing again. Unfortunately, I’ve had such a drought of creativity, I didn’t know where I was gonna find my starting point.

Then, last week, I received an e-mail from a pleasant fellow named David, and a link to a ‘commercial’ he created involving his best friend’s dad – Steve Lavigne – and his comic/art shop “Shellback Artworks”.

Needless to say, the commercial inspired me to go to the shop. It’s just over the border in Wells, and it was a nice drive today.

It’s a simple two-level set up, with original artwork on the walls TMNT and Non-TMNT. The main level has plenty of current comics, old swag from the Old Toon days, art supplies and even the full-sized Turtle statues. And they are BIG. They made me feel normal-height. 🙂

The upstairs was part art gallery, part classroom setting. Steve has some short classes where he helps kids and adults learn how to draw their own characters and make their pictures look like comic book covers. Talk about an experience to treasure…

The Mirage guys have taken part in a few signing events there, and they’ve all contributed to the shop in different ways. It’s nice to know that they still get together … like a wacky, slightly dysfunctional family.

Steve was a great host. We ended up talking for two hours about everything from comparing traditional vs digital art, Mirage comics and the current TMNT cartoon, even things like cars, transformers and best of all, the Mirage crew’s original projects.

One project in particular I liked were two children’s books Steve’s illustrated, which have music written by Tim Janis – very well known, if you’re from New England. “Shine like a Lighthouse” and “Twinkle Star’s Adventure”. It’s the tale of the sea creatures that live in the waters surrounding the Nubble Lighthouse in Cape Neddick. The illustrations are cute and colorful, the music is enjoyable (sounds a Lot like James Taylor), and the plushies of the two main characters are sure to become favorites with your little ones.

So after taking a picture and buying a few things, we bid farewell with plans to meet again – next time, with my brother’s antique car and some new artwork – if there was ever such a thing as a creativity transfusion, I received one today.

Be sure to check them out on facebook, learn of the glory that is the Eberhard Faber indigo blue drafting pencil, and stop by the shop and say Hi to Steve. Things are quiet right now, but as the weather warms up, so will the activities and upcoming events.

So Stay Tuned!

 

~Machias

“NO, WHY ?! NOOOOO!!”

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Holiday Coloring Book by Bendon Publishing / Coloralot Books { Jumbo edition } .. art by Lavigne / Brown, digi-colors by tOkKa; "NO, WHY ?! NOOOOO!! (( 2005 ))

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** View LARGE On Black **

“FISHFACE” by STEVE LAVIGNE (( 2012 ))

New York Comic Con 2012 :: @TMNTMaster ..Tokka's Music Hall pass

–>> While in NEW YORK CITY earlier this month, Tokka and his pals picked up a hitchhiker en route to Steve Lavigne’s **SHELLBACK ARTWORKS in Wells,Maine !!

New York Comic Con 2012 :: Tokka n Fish in Grand Central

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Shellback Artworks 2012 :: @TMNTMaster Shellback Artworks-Wells,ME

Shellback Artworks 2012 :: STEVE LAVIGNE'S BODYGUARD , "NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY !!"

In Wells, Tokka immediately put Steve to work sketching out a portrait of his new buddy Xever, a.k.a, FISHFACE from the new Nick Turtles show!!

Shellback Artworks 2012 :: @TMNTMaster TMNT legend,S.Lavigne

"FISHFACE" by STEVE LAVIGNE (( 2012 ))

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Eastman’ & Laird’s ol’ Buddy was the first real artist they went to back in the day when TMNT really started branching out in popularity just before the Teens’ phenomenal “CARTOON BOOM”.

As one the Mirage Alumni’s longest illustrators, colorists, inkers, letterers & creators .. Steve’s contribution to TMNT as well as the arts is almost infinitesimal.

Even a good majority of the classic style guide on so-called “RETRO” branded TMNT merchandise from T-shirts to shot glasses to boxer shorts seen to this very day are responsible from this man ( the powerful team of BROWN / LAVIGNE ).

~ t

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure / ..signed by Steve Lavigne (( 2012 ))

–>> ** Last Week’s NYCC unavailing of the new  LEGO TMNT line-up was the first ‘brick-toy’ related piece of news to come for the shell-backs in almost a decade since their 2003 era MEGA Bloks counterparts & their vintage ( and extremely rare )  1990s Italian brick toy  releases.

Two NYCC exclusives were offered up to celebrate the brand-new LEGO line-up at the Convention itself, a daily free raffle ( one ticket per person per day ) was set at unreasonable and random times for an exclusive all black SHADOW-LEONARDO Minifigure with a NYCC logo skateboard.  It was a mess. Miscommunication seemed to be the key for the raffle, times set for the raffle on a following day had the contest ending earlier than stated the day prior; for example.

Many figures went unclaimed at the end of each raffle, reports of boxes of the figures were seen unopened after the raffle and some people were seen with more than one figure.

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure / ..signed by Steve Lavigne i (( 2012 ))

Before Tokka totally jumps the gun, i can only go so far with what i’ve heard and seen myself at the convention.The entire trip was very overwhelming ( and positive ) an experience for my first NYC Con. The main staff manning the LEGO booth, building a TMNT LEGO mural and helping the kids and families with the BRICK tables were incredible !! My personal experience with those stating times of day of the raffle was confusing so i actually missed 2 of the four raffles for the Leo figure and so did all my friends. A day or so after the first raffle – up to now, the LEO and KRAANG minifigs are going for sale online in some instances for over $300. A pretty unbalanced contest and it seems that more of the LEGO figs went into more EBAY hawkers hands than kids and fans hands that just wanted it for pure enjoyment. Duno, wish i knew how to cheat to get one of those Leos. Guess i’m dumb.

Meh, you know Tokka.. he always likes the bad guys better anyway.

New York Comic Con 2012 :: Zomies n Turtles @ Rockefeller Lego

A much more reasonable & even more fun event was on hand during the convention day of the 13th at the Rockefeller Center LEGO STORE:

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 New York City, NY

Don’t miss an exclusive LEGO® Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™ event at the LEGO® Store!
On Saturday, October 13th, help us celebrate our newest theme! Visit the LEGO® Store at Rockefeller Center and get a sneak peak of a LEGO® Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™ set launching in January 2013!

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure / ..signed by Steve Lavigne ii (( 2012 ))

Plus, be one of the first 300 people to visit the LEGO® Store at Rockefeller Center, dressed as your favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle™ and you will receive a free exclusive minifigure!

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure i / ..signed by Steve Lavigne iii (( 2012 ))

October 13, The LEGO® Store at Rockefeller Center
Saturday, October 13: 10 am – 8 pm

New York Comic Con 2012 :: @TMNTMaster ..Lego TwinsFamilies and Kids & Ninja Turtles of all ages ( and even one little Shredder !! ) showed up in costume or TMNT clothing of any sort to have a showdown with the Raphael Zombie and get a glimpse of the NEW TMNT Lego battle set due early next year. The Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure offer was part of a much more family-fun event than wrestling the NYCC for raffle tickets for a  figure you’d prolly never get.The staff at Rockefeller rocked and made the chilly, early-morning “TURTLE ZOMBIE” Tokka much less cranky and hungry for LEGO BRAINS !!

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure / ..signed by Steve Lavigne iv (( 2012 ))

Thanks, Guys !!

~ t

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure i / ..signed by Steve Lavigne vi (( 2012 ))

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LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure i / ..signed by Steve Lavigne vii (( 2012 ))

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LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure i / ..signed by Steve Lavigne v (( 2012 ))

Later during Tokka’s big trip, the base of the figure was signed by MIRAGE legend & alumni ** Steve Lavigne at his SHELLBACK ARTWORKS in Wells, Maine.

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure xvii (( 2012 ))LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure xviii (( 2012 ))

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure viii (( 2012 ))

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure xi (( 2012 ))LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure ix (( 2012 ))

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure x (( 2012 ))LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure xii (( 2012 ))

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure xiii (( 2012 ))LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure xiv (( 2012 ))

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure xv (( 2012 ))LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure xvi (( 2012 ))

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure xix / ..with NICK TMNT KRAANG figure (( 2012 ))

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure xx / ..with NICK TMNT KRAANG figure (( 2012 ))

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure xxi / ..with LEGO Ninjago Kai Minifigure & KRE-O TRANSFORMERS 'OPTIMUS PRIME' (( 2012 ))

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure xxii / ..with NICK TMNT LEONARDO figure (( 2012 ))

LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :: Exclusive NYCC LEGO Kraang “Battle Damage Suit” Minifigure xxiii / ..with NICK TMNT LEONARDO figure (( 2012 ))