As I am approaching the 3/4 finished mark of book two of the Aetherstorm Chronicles, I have added a new character. She is an inventor who is working to create new tech for Ministry of Psychical Defense. Topsy is a dwarf from Svartalfheim, who barely managed to escape from that realm before the Aetherstorm consumed … Read moreMeet Topsy Woldthane (Character Card)
As the story arc between Tesla and Erebus changes in book 2, so does its tattooed appearance. Can’t wait for you to read about the changes and why they are happening.
Another spoiler from Book 2. As the plot moves along, I have added some cool details to the Airship Divinity. It is actually a flying aircraft carrier and the concealed deck is actually a flight deck. The Ministry thought that this unknown part of the airship was a weapons system of some sort and it … Read moreThe Firebat Fighter (Designs and Concepts)
Since book two has several scenes with this airship, I had to sketch it out to keep track of where everything is. I needed to be consistent and having a drawing also helps as a reference. So here are the basic designs that I have.
A very common pose for novel covers and game cover art is to feature the main character posing with a firearm, often a pistol. A pistol is usually used to convey that the character is armed and dangerous and has intent to shoot. In promotional art it is used to make the work look more … Read moreFirearm poses and ideas (Tesla St. Vrain)
Another setting is “Western” steampunk, which overlaps with both the Weird West and Science fiction Western subgenres. One of the earliest steampunk books set in America was The Steam Man of the Prairies by Edward S. Ellis. Recent examples include the TV show and the movie adaption Wild Wild West, the Italian comics about Magico Vento. I couldn’t resist taking Tesla to the Wild West o … Read moreThe Old West in Steampunk
Today’s art piece is my rendition of La Sayona, a rather ominous figure that resembles La Llorona but she goes after unfaithful men instead of children. La Sayona is a legend from Venezuela, represented by the vengeful spirit of a woman that shows up only to men that have love affairs out of their marriages. … Read moreLa Sayona
Some new art and a teaser of book 2. Tesla had just left the airship Divinity when the siren sounded out. The alarm was an ear-splitting wail that rose to a peak and then ebbed before rising again, undulating like a wave. The akh navigator had given her consent to assist the team with the … Read moreKeep the sun at your back
I am starting to experiment with ideas for various book covers for book 2 of the Aetherstorm Chronicles. I really like how the details of the town came out in this one. While this piece is not the “one”, it fired my imagination a little.
More art this week as boredom and writer’s block stopped everything else. So, I thought I would work on some unfinished art of Frankenstein’s monster. The monster is Victor Frankenstein’s creation, assembled from old body parts and strange chemicals, animated by a mysterious spark. He enters life eight feet tall and enormously strong but with … Read moreFrankenstein’s Monster in the Old West
I’m still in the process of writing book two but I have found that stepping back and doing some art sometimes helps. So there is a bit of a spoiler here as I’m obviously taking Tesla to the Old West. In this image she is wearing her MPD uniform but I have given her a … Read moreConcept art for Book 2 of the Aetherstorm Chronicles
A small preview from book two…. Von Voss looked back at Dante. “So, the matter concerns vampires. In what context is this to our objective?” “Twenty years ago, a Voodoo priest known as Doctor Skin made a pact with the Nosferatu in New Orleans. In exchange for providing them a fresh food source and promises … Read moreThe Nosferatu, a spotlight on evil
This week I decided to have a little fun doing a self portrait in a fantasy style. Although I call it a demon, it is actually more of a large mutated zombie thing.
Another piece of art that I am calling “Desert Sky.” Tesla’s original uniform before the upgrade. It was too “modern” steampunk. I needed something more realistic. Still, I really like how her freckles came out in this piece.
When I first started designing Tesla’s outfit, I choose from steampunk designs that I saw on the internet. However, as I began writing the book, the outfit simply didn’t work. After all, what woman would want to run off into battle wearing something like that. In the early 1900s, wearing such an outfit would of … Read moreThe original idea for Tesla’s wardrobe that I trashed
Tesla was repulsed by the headline and started to look away when a street train came from behind on the avenue, startling the seething crowd as steam erupted from its undercarriage. The spreading white mist flew out in all directions as the train came to a stop with a resounding hiss. It was relatively short … Read moreThe Dauntless (Blueprints)
The concept of the “ghost-walker” is one of the first concepts for my main character that was developed. The actual term comes from my days of being a tour guide for a ghost tour. The guides were called called ghost-walkers in a tongue and cheek sort of way. However in my book it is a … Read moreThe hidden symbolism and concepts in the Aetherstorm Chronicles, the Ghostwalker
Here it is, my personal map of Sanctuary Seven, the secret underground base of the Ministry of Psychical Defense. Hidden in a vast cavern below Frankenstein’s castle, it is the location of several scenes in the Aetherstorm Chronicles.
This week I giving a small teaser from my book and some new artwork of Tesla. However, this one is a little more risque, but I loved the pose and details. This is from Chapter Two: “I thought you might like this one. It’s a love spell,” she said as she leaned towards Tesla. She … Read moreTesla Art and a teaser from Chapter Two. (Warning! mild nudity)
So, I really liked this image for the cover until I decided to go with a dark blue theme. Still, it is a great pic of Tesla. The pose that I used for the cover came from this piece.
The time has finally arrived. Here is the cover for my next book. The release date is set for Valentines Day!
Next up is Henry Sidgwick. “Seated at the far side of the table was Henry Sidgwick. He might have been a handsome man at one time, but his otherwise delicate features were offset by his long beak-like nose that had apparently been broken and reset several times in the past. His long beard was gray-haired … Read moreHenry Sidgwick, Character Card