Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Topps Clone Wars: Rise Of The Bounty Hunters RED Sketch Cards by Artist Denise Vasquez

Topps Clone Wars Rise Of The Bounty Hunters RED Sketch Card
Illustrated by Artist Denise Vasquez

Just got more of my RED 

Topps Clone Wars 

Rise Of The Bounty Hunters 

Sketch Cards approved

I've been having so much fun illustrating these!

Enjoy!
Topps Clone Wars Rise Of The Bounty Hunters RED Sketch Card
Illustrated by Artist Denise Vasquez

Topps Clone Wars Rise Of The Bounty Hunters RED Sketch Card
Illustrated by Artist Denise Vasquez
Topps Clone Wars Rise Of The Bounty Hunters RED Sketch Card
Illustrated by Artist Denise Vasquez

Topps Clone Wars Rise Of The Bounty Hunters RED Sketch Card
Illustrated by Artist Denise Vasquez

Topps Clone Wars Rise Of The Bounty Hunters RED Sketch Card
Illustrated by Artist Denise Vasquez
Topps Clone Wars Rise Of The Bounty Hunters RED Sketch Card
Illustrated by Artist Denise Vasquez
Topps Clone Wars Rise Of The Bounty Hunters RED Sketch Card
Illustrated by Artist Denise Vasquez
Topps Clone Wars Rise Of The Bounty Hunters RED Sketch Card
Illustrated by Artist Denise Vasquez
Topps Clone Wars Rise Of The Bounty Hunters RED Sketch Card
Illustrated by Artist Denise Vasquez


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PeAcE LoVe aRt & sOuL
Denise Vasquez




Monday, August 30, 2010

Stan Lee is using my art as a background for his myspace page

Stan Lee Custom Munny 
Created & designed by Artist Denise Vasquez ©2010

OMG! 

I am truly honored!

Stan Lee is using my art as the background theme

For his myspace page 

Topps Clone Wars: Rise Of The Bounty Hunters RED Sketch Cards by Artist Denise Vasquez

Topps Clone Wars Rise Of The Bounty Hunters
RED sketch card by Artist Denise Vasquez

As my schedule has been pretty hectic

In a GREAT way 

With traveling...

Art & writing projects...

Gigs, appearances, conventions...

I'm doing a very limited number of sketch cards

For Topps Clone Wars Rise Of The Bounty Hunters

I'm having so much fun creating my 

RED sketch cards

For this set!

I'll be posting them here as they're approved
Topps Clone Wars Rise Of The Bounty Hunters
RED sketch card by Artist Denise Vasquez



See previous blogs to view more of my art

PeAcE LoVe aRt & sOuL
Denise Vasquez

THE BUZZZ



Sketch Card Artist Denise Vasquez interview with Nonsportrading.com

Topps Empire Strikes Back Return Sketch Card

By Artist Denise Vasquez


Interview with Nonsportrading.com


About Sketch Cards




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PeAce LoVe aRt & sOuL
Denise Vasquez

Dragon Con Update: Artist Alley Table & Panel

Wizzy The Owl Illustration
Designed & Created by Artist Denise Vasquez ©2010

Hi everyone,

I've been on the road non-stop 

Embracing the moments

Enjoying the ride while I'm on it!

This week I'm heading to DragonCon!

I'm Very Excited about Dragon*Con! 

This is my second year attending

If it's anything like last year, I know I won't be sleeping much!

I'll be at table 13 between artists Randy Martinez & Matt Busch 

In the Walk of Fame and Comic and Pop Artist Alley! 

How rad is that?!?

Once again, I'll be participating in a panel about Promotion & Marketing: 

Title: Comic Book Marketing 101 
Time: Mon 01:00 pm
Location: Hanover F - Hyatt (Length: 1 hour) 
Description: How do you get your name and talent out there for people to see, perhaps even pay you? Learn how to market yourself from those who've done it well.

See you there! PeAcE LoVe aRt & sOuL
Denise Vasquez
http://www.denisevasquez.com

Be sure to follow 

THE BUZZZ

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Topps Clone Wars: Rise Of The Bounty Hunters Sketch Cards

Topps Sketch Card Illustrated 
By Artist Denise Vasquez

Hi everyone

So many wonderful things happening in my world! 

I feel very blessed and I am truly grateful!!!

Due to my hectic schedule: 

We're moving, traveling, conventions, gigs & shows

 My hand/thumb injury still healing...

I will be doing a very limited number of sketch cards 

On Topps Clone Wars: Rise Of The Bounty Hunters Set

I'm just really happy 

That I was able to find the time 

To be a part of this project!

I'll be doing RED sketch cards! 

I always have fun creating these! 

The two Sketch Cards shown in this blog

Are samples of what I'm creating for this set:
Topps Sketch Card Illustrated 
By Artist Denise Vasquez

Stay tuned & be sure to follow

THE BUZZZ

PeAcE LoVe aRt & sOuL
Denise Vasquez


Wednesday, August 18, 2010

"Pucker Up For Peace" Celebrates 65th Anniversary of the end of War & the most famous kiss in history

Photo: Denise Vasquez ©2010

On August 14th, 1945

President Truman announced

That Japan had surrendered 

This was the day World War 2 came to an end 

And peace began! 

As soon as the news broke, people began celebrating! 

On that day, a photo capturing a kiss between a sailor (name unknown) 

And a nurse (Edith Shain) became an iconic image 

The famous photo was captured 

By photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt

And was published a week later in Life magazine

Sixty Five years later...

An enormous, beautiful, twenty six foot statue 

“Unconditional Surrender”

Replica of the kiss

Created by artist Seward Johnson

Was placed on the very location 

Where the kiss took place and the photo was captured 

In New York City on 45th Street on Broadway & 7th Ave

People gathered from around the world 

To participate in “Pucker Up For Peace”

A reenactment of the most famous kiss in history

To help celebrate the 65th Anniversary, August 14th, 2010

To learn more about artist Seward Johnson


Be sure to follow 

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PeAce LoVe aRt & sOuL
Denise Vasquez 

Denise Vasquez latest news & upcoming convention schedule

Photo: Denise Vasquez ©2010

Hi everyone,

I landed safely back home to Hollywood, CA yesterday from an amazing trip to the East Coast! I'm exhausted, yet impressed with how much ground I was able to cover in a weeks time! Planes, taxis, buses, trains, lots of walking...

New York City: Manhattan, Roosevelt Island, Yonkers...MA: Franklin & Cape Cod...Back to Roosevelt Island! 
Photo: Denise Vasquez ©2010

While changing planes yesterday, I got word that CNN did a GREAT story about the 501st Legion TK Helmet Project... 
Out of all the Helmets that were created, only 10 were featured! 
My Avatar Trooper Helmet was one of the 10!

I am truly honored to have been a part of such a GREAT project for a GREAT cause! Over $50,000 was raised for Make-A-Wish!
Together WE CAN make a difference!

Overall, I had a great trip back East & shot hundreds of photos!  I'm sooooo happy to be back home with the love of my life, Randy Martinez! Missed him BEYOND words!!! There's no place like home!

Now that I'm back home, I've got a full plate of really exciting things!!!

Next week I have a meeting with Stan "The Man" Lee... 
Stan Lee DIY Vinyl designed & created by Denise Vasquez ©2010

And I'll be participating in some upcoming GREAT conventions:
-Dragon Con Sept 3-6th Atlanta
-Chicagoland Ent Expo Sept 9-12th Chicago
-HollywoodXpo Oct 15-17
-Nov 14-16 TBA

Stay tuned for more great news to come!!!

Be sure to follow

THE BUZZZ

Thank you for your continued love & support!

PeAcE LoVe aRt & sOuL
Denise Vasquez

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Deviantart's 10th birthday bash at The House Of Blues on Sunset Strip

Photo: Denise Vasquez ©2010


@The House Of Blues 

On The Sunset Strip in Hollywood

Was such a blast

I had a great time!

Here are some of my favorite photos

I shot throughout the evening
Photo: Denise Vasquez ©2010
Photo: Denise Vasquez ©2010
Photo: Denise Vasquez ©2010
Photo: Denise Vasquez ©2010
Photo: Denise Vasquez ©2010
Photo: Denise Vasquez ©2010
Photo: Denise Vasquez ©2010
Photo: Denise Vasquez ©2010
Photo: Denise Vasquez ©2010
Photo: Denise Vasquez ©2010

Be sure to follow 

THE BUZZZ

PeAcE LoVe aRt & sOuL
Denise Vasquez


Wednesday, August 4, 2010

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MEMBERS FEATURE: 501st Legion Member Chris Campbell

My desire & passion to share 

The positive light in this dark world 

Led to the birth of this series 

All of the

Beautiful & Interesting things 

I'm discovering about members 

Was all of the inspiration I needed... 

My series It's All About The Members began with 

Featuring & interviewing 

 Members of the 501st Legion

From around the world 

As I continue learning about the people

Who are out there

Making a difference in the world

I'll  share 

What I discover 

Right here In my blog

THE BUZZZ...

With that being said

This interview Features

501st Member Chris Campbell

How did you first learn out about the 501st?

I went to my first major convention in 2001 in Atlanta - Dragon*Con.  I was wearing basically a bathrobe Jedi outfit as I thought it would be cool lol. Less than 10 min after being there I saw a stormtrooper and was immediately enthralled. Here was a real stormtrooper from the movies! From that point on I just saw more and more and finally worked up the courage to ask one of them about the armor.

What inspired you to want to join?

Well the honest answer is how cool the armor was and looked on people. I didn't learn of the charity work until after the con was over and I was able to look up some more info online. I'd already decided I wanted to be a part of the group but had I been on the fence the charity and children work would have pushed me over the top

Which Garrison are you a part of?

I'm a part of the Star Garrison that's comprised of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Particularly I'm in the Arkansas Crimson Nova squad, which is just the Arkansas members of the Star Garrison

How long have you been a member?

I joined up after getting my biker scout costume finished in early 2002 about 7 months after learning of the 501st. I was the 3rd Arkansan to become a 501st member but at that time. I was the only one in the state that was active. I ended up trooping with the Southern Outpost (now known as the Mid South Garrison & Alabama Garrison) as living in eastern Arkansas. It was easier to travel to Tennessee and Alabama than it was to Texas at the time. Meeting so many new people across the 501st was very enjoyable and really gives you a lot of perspective on how different areas do things.

How did you decide on your costume? 

First was comfort. As a bigger guy I didn't think the standard TK armor would fit/look right on me. Scout armor is a bit more forgiving as it's made of quite a bit of cloth parts and it was designed for the trooper to sit down (which a lot of TK's can't do).  Second I always liked the scouts in ROTJ cause they had awesome bikes

Where did you get your costume? Did you make yours?

I made all of the cloth parts, the armor was vacuformed.  The costume has been upgraded several times over the years. Most recently a buddy who is also a scout, helped me make a new even more accurate cummerbund.  Currently I’m in need of a new helmet as the one I use now is just about to fall apart lol. Unfortunately I'm also finishing up building an R2-D2 so until that is finished, my helmet upgrade is on hold.

Where have you traveled to participate in 501st events?

I've been all over really, easily the most traveled trooper from the state of Arkansas. I've trooped in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and California. I hope to continue adding to that list in the upcoming years.  

Where’s the farthest you’ve traveled?

San Diego is my furthest trip from Arkansas to troop. I usually attend San Diego Comic Con and I've trooped that event several times and the children's hospital out there twice now.  I've actually driven to San Diego from Arkansas as well as flown over the years, and it's a 3400 + mile roundtrip for me.

What’s your fondest 501st memory?

Any of the many children's hospital visits I've done over the years. You are going into a place where some of these kids will never leave and you are able to cheer them up for the afternoon/day and make them forget why they are in there. That's really the most rewarding experience I've ever felt knowing that I've given someone else some real happiness. Our first visit to the Arkansas Children's Hospital back in 2008 was really special as I have friends that work at the facility that didn't know I was there trooping. I heard after the event how these star wars people were at the hospital and the kids and doctors just wouldn't shut up about it for weeks, lol.

How do you contribute to the 501st legion?

Well, I try to help out whenever possible. I've driving 6+ hours to an event just because they really needed a large showing and didn't have enough local troopers to fill out the ranks. I've volunteered to help out for 501st stuff at cons over the years helping at the table, droid hunt, panels, etc. I also helped run the 501st's Star Wars Galaxies video game branch, the 501st Expeditionary Force (XFOR), for about 3 years. Granted that was just pure fun and nothing truly related to the 501st other than in name and the people involved, but it was great nonetheless.

Also there are times when we actually have more troopers show up than needed. In those instances, I'll generally not suit up and will help out as a handler. I'm also an amateur photographer, so I usually just end up shooting the event. That usually makes folks happy, as I'm fairly well known for some of my shots especially at conventions. When you are in armor, taking pictures just isn't usually possible and a lot of times non members that are handling just don't have the opportunity to take pictures and help as they are overwhelmed if they've not been doing this for a while.

What’s your favorite thing about being a 501st member?

At this point in life, helping the kids out is the easily the best part.  I have a few nieces and nephews and I know how they love star wars along with other children. Again, the hospital visits are amazing and honestly, out of the 5 I've done, I don't think I've ever left the hospital without crying at least once. Knowing you are with a child that isn't expected to make it past the next few months, but seeing them smile like they don't have a care in the world because they are seeing stormtroopers from star wars is just an amazing feeling.

What’s the day like for you as a 501st member preparing for an event?

Well, since I'm an old timer is much different than in the earlier years of doing this, lol. Originally, I'd polish my armor, make sure every little detail was in place, I had a checklist to make sure I didn't forget anything, I'd pack a small cooler of water and Gatorade for everyone, and I'd usually try to be there 30min-to an hour early.

Now-a-days, I sleep in as late as possible (if the event is on a Saturday), find my armor bin and hope I'd repacked everything, throw it in the SUV and take off. I do still get there about 30minutes early, as that's just a pet peeve of mine to be late for anything. This has only backfired on me once, as I had forgotten to put my flightsuit back in the bin after washing it, so I arrived at the event without an undersuit. Luckily we had plenty of other troopers there so I just worked as a handler and took pictures of the event.

Does the 501st have ranks or positions? What is your position?

The only real ranks are Garrison and Legion CO and XO, Squad Leader, and the appointed positions to get administrative work done such as the websites and intra-legion merchandise. I don't hold any official position, though I’ve never really cared too either :D  I do the website and forums for the Arkansas Squad and help out with the garrison site, graphics, and advertising when needed. My Squad Leader here in Arkansas is Tracy Wilson and he does a super job at planning out events and trying to get folks there.

Do you have duties you have to adhere to during events?

Specifically no, however I try to take pictures as much as possible, I'm actually able to do it even in my thick biker gloves rather well now a days, due to lots of practice. Being a biker scout has it's advantages, such as POCKETS! They are easy to reach in the front and are the perfect size to bring a decent camera in.

As I previously mentioned, when we have extra troopers show up, I generally will not suit up and help wrangle troopers, take pictures, direct traffic, whatever is needed. As I've been building an R2, and have the only one in the state of Arkansas, I’ve been bringing him and driving him around more and more rather than actually trooping in armor. Even though R2 isn't part of the 501st, we've found it adds an extra Star Warsy feel and the kids absolutely love him. So they try to get me to bring him whenever possible.

Any upcoming events?

As of writing this, my squad has a Make a Wish foundation event we're doing for a child this Saturday, surprising him with a toy shopping spree and hanging out with him for a bit. Unfortunately it doesn't look like I'll be able to make that event, as I leave for Orlando Florida that morning to go to Celebration V. I'm still trying to see if I can change my schedule around to be able to help out at this event, but as it was just sprung on us today and I've had these plans in place for a few months, it's going be a hard sell. Thankfully my squad already has a number of troopers that are able to make it so I feel the event is in wonderful hands.

Celebration V is next week starting on Thursday.  This is a large Star Wars convention that Lucasfilm sponsors. Two weeks after that we have Dragon*Con in Atlanta which other than years where Celebration occurs, is generally the largest meet up of 501st troops across the nation. That basically wraps up what is known as "con season".  As of right now, my squad's next event is planned for October 2nd

Anything else you would like to add?

The 501st is really a great and eclectic group. We all do different things, we have different interests, from different parts of the world, but we are all united in a love for Star Wars and that's truly something great. All large groups have personality conflicts and disagreements, and the 501st is no different, but we still work past those issues and get along to do what we love doing, trooping and being a part of the Star Wars universe. This is one of the things that make our group so great!  TB-3529 signing off *static*

My main website - http://www.uubergeek.com (emptyvoid.com is my old site)
My twitter/facebook/myspace/flickr name - uubergeek

Thank you for sharing your story with us Chris! 

Stay tuned for more articles, features & interviews! 

Be sure to follow THE BUZZZ

PeAcE LoVe aRt & sOuL
Denise Vasquez