I am the Dream-Chaser, Nightmare-Eraser
Mixing work and play
To stay free of stress and strife
Striving for the most in life
Between the laughs and the smiles
I let my imagination run for miles
I bend but never break
Make my own fate with the art I create
I seek independence and self-reliance
Standing defiant with clenched fist and blood steaming
I walk with eyes wide open but still dreaming

 

Name: Brant Powell Age: 27 Birth: 02.08.78 Zodiac: Aquarius / Horse Number: 13

Mission:
To build my dreams out of the pieces of reality surrounding me.

Bio
FAQ
Favorites

I started drawing at two. I couldn't read or write, but I could communicate, or at least, I wanted to. I guess the synapses of imagination were firing away. You remember that kid in class who was always drawing, that was me. That's still me.

I owe much of my imagination to the ‘80's. As a kid, I was constantly redesigning my favorite toys and cartoons. It was Tranzor Z and Voltron in 1 st grade, Transformers in 2 nd , Airwolf helicopters in 3rd, and G.I. Joe and MASK in 4th grade.

But things changed in 5 th grade with the discovery of comicbooks. A kid in class brought some X-Men comics and I was hooked. The artwork, the characters designs, everything looked so cool. X-Men were all I drew for a long time.

For years, my only art training came from comicbooks. Bad idea, I know, but I was kid. I really didn't think much about it until I finally realized, as a result, my skill level wasn't improving. The Rule of Diminishing Returns was in full effect. Discouraged, I put my pencils down.

Then in my junior year of high school, I signed up for an Art class. I was lucky enough to have a wonderful teacher who recognized my raw talent and eye for design and helped me shape it. She taught me to look beyond comics, to real life and other art forms for inspiration. My skill level took a dramatic leap forward. I entered a few art shows and walking away with a few awards which provided further encouragement and launched me into college as a graphic art major.

I finished college with a degree in Illustration and Theatre. I then took what I had learned and returned to comics by creating my own. Today, much of my free time is occupied with writing and designing the world of the comic, trying to get the rocket of the ground. Look for the launch of the official website later this year, and with any luck, the publication of the first issue sometime in 2006.

Why the Broken Angel?
Two reasons. One, This studio is where concepts break convention and so I needed a powerful symbol to prove that point. We all know the conventional image of an angel; white robes, a halo, full glorious wings, right?. But what if we break that image, literally. Forcefully make the angel incomplete. Break wings and limbs, remove facial features, and create cracks in the form. Now there is conflict between the broken angel before you and the completed angel you imagine. And conflict is inherently dramatic. Which means that when we break from convention and shine new light on a subject, something more powerful and interesting is created.

The second reason behind Broken Angel is more personal. In ’96 I was researching Greek and Roman art and architecture for a piece I was doing and I came across a picture of the Statue of Nike. I was struck by how much power remained in what was essentially a destroyed statue. Though curiosity begs the question of what the completed statue could have looked like, the fact that it is of Nike (Goddess of victory) and it is half destroyed makes a far more powerful statement and enduring symbol. Though the sculptor intended for Victory to be winged and glorious in her flight, time and war have reshaped her as a more relevant symbol for the ages. Victory can never be absolute or complete, because it can not come without a price, without some sort of sacrifice. And so with the statue now half destroyed that meaning is illuminated. I also find the dynamic of defiant and ever present strength in spite of destruction profound and I draw continuing inspiration from it.

What artists have influenced you?
When I was younger, I used to believe I didn’t have any personal heroes. There wasn’t anyone I idolized or admired for their body of work. That is until I realized their work was greatly affecting my own and I became eternally grateful for it. Today I recognize these figures in no particular order as follows: Jim Lee, Mike Mignola, Bart Sears, J. Scott Campbell, Adam Hughes, Alex Ross, Travis Charest, Frank Miller, Mark Waid, Chris Claremont, Edwin Jacob, Leon Ingulsrud, Manuel Nunez, Brom, Scott Mutter, Tim Burton, Alphonse Mucha, Leonardo daVinci, and William Shakespeare.

What materials do you use?
I draw with HB lead mechanical pencils on Canson 70 lbs. paper. Ink with Micron pens and a Sharpie, and color with Tombo dual brush pens.

Do you take commissions?
Sure do! Check out Commissions for details

Can I use your art work on my website?
It depends on what work you’re interested in using and ONLY as long as it is remains for non-profit. And I require that all images used on web sites be properly credited to me with the following statement: © Copyright Brant Powell. All rights reserved. PLEASE contact me first to discuss what work you would like to use and under what circumstances, thanks.

Can I use one of your pictures for my RPG character's portrait?
Because most all the character portraits I’ve done are for the comicbook I’m working on and therefore copyrighted, I have to say no. Other character designs come from commissioned work I’ve done. Which is the route I would prefer you take for a character portrait. After all, do you want a picture that could kinda sorta look like your character or do you want a picture of YOUR very own character drawn the way you want it to. If you’re interested, check out Commissions for detail.

Will you draw my roleplaying character for free?
No, sorry. Time is too valuable and so the only work I can afford to do for free is the work I do for me, and even that can get expensive at times.

I like your graphic designs; can I use one of them for a tattoo?
Hell yea, but do me a favor and send me a picture of the result.

Ace, Hamlet, Radiohead, Samurai Jack, Live, TRIGUN, Rage Against the Machine, Aliens, T2, Tori Amos, DieHard, Claremont’s X-Men, Counting Crows, The Abyss, Tool, Grifter, The Professional, RX7, 100 Bullets, Hot fudge cake, Dark City, Bjork, The Usual Suspects, Preacher, The Road Warrior, The Ultimates, Metal Gear Solid, Portishead, Harry Potter, Final Fantasy VII, D&D, Root beer, NIN, Long Island Ice Tea, Batman, Garbage, The #13, PJ Harvey, Mountain Dew Code Red, The Matrix, Starcraft, Incubus, Danger Girl, Sin City, Hellboy, Arthurian Legend, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Peanut M&M’s, Grand Theft Auto, Linkin Park, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, Coldplay, SSX, RedBull and Jager, Ministry, Run Lola Run, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Led Zeppelin, Soul Coughing, Predator….more to come.