KOSAR at IlluXCon Sept 11-15

Come visit me at IlluXCon in Allentown, PA this week at the Allentown Art Museum, and see one of the largest displays of original Fantasy / Imaginative Realist art in the world!  I can't tell you enough how honored I am to be included in this elite group for international artists, the best of the best!  I have my sculptures, including Boaris Frankenswine, and Smokey Joe & the Inferno, and others, as well as a few new pieces.  I have been juried into the Main Show that takes place all week, one of 4 sculptors selected (one of 54 artists total).  There is also the Weekend Salon, which includes 36 additional artists on Saturday and Sunday, and Friday night Showcase featuring 80 additional artists for one night.  I have only ever seen pictures of this show, but to see it in person and the scale of these original paintings and sculptures is overwhelming and inspiring.  My tables are between the amazing Thomas Kuebler and Vincent Villafranca.  I just got here yet I can't wait to get back in the studio to create, I am so inspired!  As fantasy art and special effects go inspire the creation of each other, today, Thursday September 12, from 1pm to 4pm, I will be doing a Make-Up FX demonstration, transforming Orbit Art Driector Lauren Panepinto into an Evil Sorceress before she does some portfolio reviews!  More info on IlluXCon HERE

Pictures courtesy IlluXCon, and copyright their respective artists.

2 Shows, 1 Weekend: WIZARD & FLASHBACK

Be sure to stop by for the DC Comic JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #16 featuring my winning Super Hero Make-up Design from Face Off Season 4, THE INFERNAL CORE!  I will also have some signed prints, original sketches, t-shirts, sculptures, and other goodies!  Also, ask about our ART OF FX Classes taught at Kosart Atelier!

Face Off photos by Brett-Patrick Jenkins and Nicole Wilder-Shattuck, courtesy of Syfy.  

Infernal Core Comic Art courtesy DC Comics.

Wizard Logo & Flashback Logo © their respective owners.

Kosar Headshot © Kosart Effects Studios, LLC.  

2nd Annual MALEFICIUM Dark Art Exhibition RECAP...

With such a huge response after the inaugural event at Kosart Effects Studios & Gallery, the First MALEFICIUM Dark Art Exhibition, this year we went BIGGER!  The Second Annual MALEFICIUM Dark Art Exhibition includes the nightmarish art of 36 award-winning artists of all media!  I am really excited about the list of artists we have participating this year, and it is truly an honor to be able to put on a show and exhibit with some of my favorite artists!  View the art online HERE.  Read artist bios HERE 

Kurt Andersen - Kyle Bice - Tim Bruckner - Brian Busch
Peter Chan - Melita "MissMonster" Curphy - Dave Dorman
Jason Edmiston - Aron Gagliardo - Noel Gonzalez - Joshua Hoffine

Tom Herzberg - Douglas Klauba - Rich Klink - J. Anthony Kosar
Richard Kryczka - Joseph Lester - Travis Lewis - Darick Maasen
Matthew McCarty - Barrett McGivney - Aaron Miller
Blake Packard - Jim Pavelec - Vincent Proce - Bill Reinhold
Linda Lessmann Reinhold - David Richardson - Alex Ross
Chad Savage - Jordu Schell - The Shiflett Brothers
Tim Shumate - Jill Thompson - Ivan Unwin

 
On November 3rd, we held the Exhibition Opening & Artist Reception, and the place was PACKED all night!  Many of the Maleficium artists were in attendance!  Check out the pictures in the slideshow below:

 

Having trouble viewing? View them on my Flickr HERE.

We held a raffle with awesome prizes donated by the artists, and all the proceeds went to Little Friends, Inc, a private, non-profit organization serving children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.  Based in Naperville, Illinois, Little Friends operates 11 dynamic programs including three alternative schools, family support and consultation services, vocational training programs, community-based residential services and the Little Friends Center for Autism.  With everyone's contributions we were able to raise $650 for Little Friends.  Be sure to check out what they do and support this great organization HERE!  Here we are presenting Little Friends with a check for $650.

We have been having quite a few appointments to the gallery to see the show, including a group of 20 senior citizens from the Devonshire of Lisle, and a group of 40 art students from Lyons Township High School!  It is so much fun to share the work of such great artists, and help change the perceptions on what art can be, especially to the youngsters who may one day make a career in art!  Interested in bringing your class or group to tour Kosart Effects Studios & Gallery?  Field Trip Info HERE

If anyone is interested in seeing the art show, please schedule an appointment HERE, or come to the Closing Reception this Saturday December 15th from 7pm to 10pm which is free to the public and open to all! After the 15th, you will still be able to view the art online HERE

Maleficium © Kosart Effects Studios.

Photos © Bear McGivney, and other Respective Photographers.

Artwork © Respective Artists.

Kosar's FRANKENSWINE in SPECTRUM 19 & at Live Show!

After entering Spectrum over the past few years, I finally got a piece in!  Boaris Frankenswine, my life-size monster pig sculpture was accepted into SPECTRUM 19: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art!!  This annual book features the best of the best, artists who I have long admired and studied their work.  I am so incredibly honored and humbled to be included amongst such talent!  As I do all forms of art, many of my paintings and illustrations have received recognition in various international and national competitions, but it is very encouraging that my sculpture now has been recognized.  Thank you so much to Spectrum and all the accomplished judges for this honor!  Be sure to order your copy HERE!  And thank you Bear McGivney for the beautiful pictures he took of my Boaris!

Back in Spring 2012, I exhibited my work at the Spectrum Fantastic Art LIVE in Kansas City, and had Boaris Frankenswine on display.  So far, it was my favorite of all conventions and trade shows I have been to as I had a blast bumping shoulders with some of the finest artists in the industry.  Boaris received a warm welcome from artists and fans alike, and many visitors to the show said Boaris was one of their favorite pieces they saw all weekend!  There is nothing better than having artists like Boris Vallejo, Julie Bell, Thomas Kuebler, Tim Bruckner, Travis Louie, Michael Whelan, and more stop to see my monster pig!  Here are some pictures from the event (click to view larger):

Boaris guarding my booth at Spectrum Fantastic Art LIVE 2012.

With legendary artists Boris Vallejo & Julie Bell.

With the amazing artists Brom and his wife Laurielee.

With master painter Donato Giancola.

With internationally renowned artist Iain McCaig.

With Spectrum Grand Master Michael Whelan.

With talented illustrator Mark Nelson of Grazing Dinosaur Press.

With Bobby Chiu, Kei Acedera, and Peter Chan of Imaginism Studios.

Bobby is holding my Squiddles mask with a custom paint job, given to Bobby at the show.

With the "Sculptor of the Bizarre" Thomas Kuebler.

With master sculptor Tim Bruckner.

With monster artist Travis Louie.

With fellow Presidential Monster artist Jason Edmiston.

With my dad, my right hand man!

If you missed the first Spectrum Fantastic Art LIVE, be sure to mark your calendars for Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 2 in Kansas City May 17 to 19, 2013.  More info HERE.  I will be exhibiting there again, bring along a whole new body of work consisting of original sculptures and paintings.  And who knows, Boaris may make another appearance... we'll see ;)

Boaris Frankenswine © J. Anthony Kosar.

Boaris Frankenswine Photo by Bear McGivney.

Spectrum 19 © Cathy Fenner and Arnie Fenner / Spectrum Fantastic Art, LLC.

Artwork in pics © respective artists.

3 Awards in SI-LA's ILLUSTRATION WEST 50

If you are in California, be sure to check out the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles ILLUSTRATION WEST 50 Exhibition taking place at Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, California!  The opening reception is TONIGHT, March 30th 7pm to 10pm.  I have 4 pieces exhibited in the show, and 3 of them received awards: Gold, Bronze, and an Honorable Mention in the Graphic Novel / Comic Book Category!!!  The show will be up until April 4th, so don't miss it!  If you aren't in California, you can still see everything online on the ILLUSTRATION WEST 50 website.  I am really honored to receive these awards, and I thank SI-LA for the honor!

Here are my 4 pieces in the show:

 

GOLD AWARD

Between the Lines

Interior from The Spider: The Iron Man War

12" x 5.75" Digitally Painted in Photoshop 

 

BRONZE AWARD

Run for your Life

Interior from The Spider: The Iron Man War 

12" x 5.75" Digitally Painted in Photoshop 

HONORABLE MENTION

March of the Machines

Back Cover from The Spider: The Iron Man War 

11" x 17.5" Digitally Painted in Photoshop 

Monster from the Watergate Lagoon

From Presidential Monsters

7.3" x 10.85" Photoshop

Illustrations © J. Anthony Kosar 
Characters © & TM their respective owners.
SILA Logo © Society of Illustrators.

First Annual MALEFICIUM Dark Art Exhibition - Opening Reception Oct 29

Kosart Effects Studios and Gallery cordially invites you to the
First Annual MALEFICIUM Dark Art Exhibition

a Halloween Themed Art Show featuring Award Winning Artists of All Media!!  Artist List Below!

Please join us for the inaugural event at Kosart Effects Studios & Gallery:
Exhibition Opening and Artist Reception
Saturday, October 29, 2011, 6:30pm to Midnight
Costumes and Creative Attire Optional.

The MALEFICIUM Exhibition runs
October 29th through December 2nd.
Gallery hours (Oct 30 to Dec 2nd) by Appointment Only.
Please call to schedule an appointment: 630.310.8353


At Kosart Effects Studios & Gallery
760 Burr Oak Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
Click HERE for Directions

Exhibiting Artists in the First Annual

MALEFICIUM Dark Art Exhibition 

include:

Tony Akins 
Kurt Anderson
Charlie Athanas
Kyle Bice
Brian Busch
Melita “MissMonster” Curphy
Dave Dorman
Ray Frenden
Aron Gagliardo
Ashton Gallagher
Tom Herzberg
Douglas Klauba
Kenn Kooi
J. Anthony Kosar
Rich Kryczka
Larkin
Joseph Lester
Darick Maasen
Menton Matthews III
Matthew McCarty
Aaron Miller
Bill Reinhold
Chad Savage
Jason Seiler 
Tim Shumate
Ben Templesmith
Jill Thompson
Bill Ystrom

 Click HERE for Artist Bios!!

The Maleficium Show is sponsored by the HorrorSociety.com

 ____________________________

MALEFICIUM is a Latin term meaning "mischief" and is used to describe black magic and the dark arts.  The name was selected to represent this exhibit as a metaphor for the Halloween inspired artwork.


The Image used (above) for the First Annual MALEFICIUM: Dark Art Exhibition:

Nigredo Two
 by Menton Matthews III

18" by 24" Oil on Wood Panel,
Published in Ars Memoria #1.
This painting will be on display for the duration of the 2011 MALEFICIUM Show.
Image courtesy exhibiting artist Menton Matthews III.

Nigredo Two © Menton Matthews III.

Maleficium Exhibition © Kosart Effects Studios, LLC. 

All Rights Reserved.

Live-Sculpting at WildClaw Theatre Gala Benefit!

Be sure to reserve your ticket for WildClaw Theatre's First Annual MASQUE of the RED DEATH Gala Benefit THIS Monday, October 10th!!  Come see me sculpting live during the evening!!  Also featured is their special guest Doug Jones, creature actor for Pan's Labrynth, Hellboy, Adaptation, and more!  There will also be artwork on display from Clive Barker, Dave Dorman, Tony Akins, Ray Frenden, and More.

Here is all the info:

Monday, October 10, 2011
Mars Gallery † 1139 W. Fulton Market, Chicago
6:30pm until the sounding of midnight upon the clock

PURCHASE TICKETS

WildClaw Theatre cordially invites you to our voluptuous scene, the First Annual Masque of the Red Death Gala Benefit. Come revel amidst members of Chicago’s own Horror Theatre. There will be buffoons, beauty, bounty and drink; amazing artists; musicians; and our special guest, actor Doug Jones (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy, Adaptation and more).  Food will be presented by Sazon Chicago!

Witness grotesque delights and dark spectacles, including: music; silent auctions; live horror sculpting by J. Anthony Kosar; and original art from Clive Barker (courtesy of Packer Schopf Gallery), Dave Dorman, Tony Akins, Ray Frenden and more. Commence your Halloween season with a grand fete featuring drinking, eating, dark art, tricks, treats and horror in support of WildClaw Theatre’s mission to bring the world of Horror to the Chicago stage.

• Dark attire is welcome, but not required.

• All art will be available for sale or auction.

TICKET OPTIONS:

Advance Tickets: $100 ($120 at the Door)

VIP Advance Tickets: $125 - Also includes:
• Ticket to WildClaw Theatre’s Fourth Annual DEATHSCRIBE: Festival of Radio Horror Plays on December 5, 2011 at the Mayne Stage.
• Ticket to the World Premiere of Scott T. Barsotti's KILL ME, opening February 13, 2012 at the Athenaeum Theatre.

More Information and

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

 
Images & Artwork © WildClaw Theatre and/or the respective artists.

New Site Launched for KOSART GALLERY!

With the opening of my new studio in April, I am proud to announce the new website for Kosart Gallery.  Please visit the site and be sure to check out the inaugural exhibition from Kosart Effects Studios & Gallery, the First Annual MALEFICIUM: Dark Art Exhibition (opening and artists reception on October 29th).  More info on the Maleficium exhibition coming in a following blog post.

Visit Kosart Gallery - CLICK HERE

Artwork and Logo © J. Anthony Kosar & Kosart Effects Studios, LLC.

All Rights Reserved.

Accepted into IWS 27th Annual

The Confrontation 12x5.75 Gouache on Illustration Board

My Spider painting The Confrontation was just juried into the Illinois Watercolor Society's 27th Annual Juried Exhibition. The show will be held at the The Next Picture Show Gallery in Dixon, IL from June 10th through July 16th, with the artist's reception on June 11, 2011. Be sure to check it out!

Accepted into SPLASH 13!!

Never Known, Never Forgotten 14x11 Gouache & Watercolor on Illustration Board

My most successful painting to date, Never Known, Never Forgotten was accepted into Splash 13: The Best of Watercolor!!! This is my first time entering this competition, and I am thrilled and honored to be included amongst such talented watercolorists, only 115 artists selected internationally! Splash 13 focuses on Alternative Approaches and I am really excited to share my unique approach to painting watercolors to the readers of the Splash books. The tentative publication date is June 7th, 2012, so be sure to reserve or order your copy once it is printed, or pick one up at your local book store! View the winner's list HERE

Never Known, Never Forgotten © J. Anthony Kosar. All Rights Reserved.

"Satan's Murder Machine" wins Bronze!!!

Satans Murder Machine 7.3" x 10.85" Photoshop

I just received an email from the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles that my illustration was selected to receive the Bronze Award in the Graphic Novel / Comic Book category in Illustration West 49! This digital painting is the front cover for a graphic novel/novella adaptation of Norvell E. Page's epic SPIDER story (Satan's Murder Machines) retold as The Spider: The Iron Man War that is to be released in April by Moonstone Books! I am doing 33 illustrations total for this trade paperback, including front and back covers, a pin-up, and 30 interior illustrations. The SI-LA Illustration West 49 Show will open at Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, CA on January 21, 2011 and will be up through January 31st. The show will also be online for viewing on the SI-LA website. Right now, I am not sure if I am able to travel to California for the show, but my painting will definitely be there!! I am so excited as last year I received the Gold Award in Illustration West 48 for my Spider illustration The Hunt, and this year I have another Spider illustration that placed!! This is a great way to start the New Year!!

Illustration © J. Anthony Kosar
Comic Book © Moonstone Entertainment, Inc.
Spider Character © its respective owners.
SILA Logo © Society of Illustrators.

Kosar at ICON6: ROADSHOW & SI-LA's ILLUSTRATION WEST 48 Show

I will be attending the ICON6 Illustration Conference 2010 from July 14-17th at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena CA.


For the event, I was selected as one of 86 illustrators to present their work at the Roadshow Portfolio Salon.  All Art Directors, Designers, Art Buyers and Editors are welcome.  Please join us for cocktails and meet the artists in person.  Free parking at the Langham Hotel for the first 100!  It will be on Thursday, July 15th from 4:30-7:00pm in the Viennese Ballroom of the Langham Hotel (1401 South Oak Knoll Ave, Pasadena, CA).

The Hunt 12x5.75 Gouache on Illustration Board

Also, for the duration of and in conjunction with the ICON6 conference, the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles will have their Illustration West 48 Show at the Langham Hotel as well!  You can come see the Illustration West 48 Show in person even if you are not an attendee of the ICON6 conference.  My Gold Award winning gouache painting The Hunt from The Spider: Judgement Knight #1 will be on display.

SI-LA ILLUSTRATION WEST 48 Show Schedule:

Tues. 7 pm - 9 pm 

Wed. 9 am  - 12 pm 

Thurs 10 am - 4 pm and 7:30 pm - 10 pm (Art Directors' Day) 

Fri. 10 am - 7 pm

Sat. 10 am - 7 pm 

So, come to ICON6, visit me in the ROADSHOW, and come see my painting in SI-LA's ILLUSTRATION WEST 48 this week!!
 

The Hunt : Spider Illustration © 2009 J. Anthony Kosar.
SILA Logo & Illustration West 48 Poster © Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles.

ICON6 Logo and Roadshow Postcard © TheIllustrationConference.org 

J. Anthony Kosar at C2E2

Come to C2E2 this weekend April 16-18!!  I will be in Artist Alley Table #K12!!!  Come see me, I will have my signed comics, art prints, posters, buttons, and Halloween masks available, as well as an added surprise!

 

Professional Only Hours:
Friday, April 16, 2010 – 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM 

Open to the Public:
Friday, April 16, 2010 – 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 17, 2010 – 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday, April 18, 2010 – 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM 

Location: 

The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 

at the Lakeside Center at McCormick Place 

at 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, IL. 

C2E2 – short for the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo – is a convention spanning the latest and greatest from the worlds of comics, movies, television, toys, anime, manga and video games. From a show floor packed with hundreds of exhibitors, to panels and autograph sessions giving fans a chance to interact with their favorite creators, to screening rooms featuring sneak peeks at films and television shows months before they hit either the big or small screen, C2E2 brings the best of popular culture to downtown Chicago!

Visit the C2E2 website for more info: HERE

Artwork © J. Anthony Kosar.

C2E2 Logo © Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo.

Characters © its respective owners.

Per Soldi Accepted into IWS 26th Annual...

Per Soldi 12" x 17" Gouache on Illustration Board

My painting Per Soldi was accepted into the Illinois Watercolor Society 26th Annual Open Juried Exhibition to be held at The Next Picture Show Gallery in Dixon, Illinois from May 7 - June 1, 2010. The Artist's Reception will be on Saturday, May 8th from 2pm-7pm with a demo by Peggy Zalucha at 2pm. Read more about my painting and see details - HERE

Per Soldi © 2009 J. Anthony Kosar.
IWS Logo © Illinois Watercolor Society.

Featured Artist at Dance of the Demented

I will be one of the Featured Artists at WildClaw Theatre's benefit
DANCE OF THE DEMENTED, where I will be sculpting a monster mask live.
Here is the information...

INVITES YOU TO

A Benefit for WildClaw Theatre's Production of

Please join us for a night of Horror, Madness and Art.
Saturday, February 20th, 2010
9:00PM to 2:30AM † The Viaduct Theatre
3111 N. Western Avenue, Chicago
$15 in advance(Will Call) / $20 at the door.
Costumes encouraged. Get possessed from our professional team of makeup artists for just $5.00.

Proceeds from this benefit go to the world premier stage adaptation of William Peter Blatty's LEGION (the sequel to The Exorcist) opening March 15th at the Viaduct Theatre Mainstage.
Join us to dance, drink and watch the creation of horror art live.

FEATURED ARTISTS
Watch top illustrators create horror art, live, as they draw the night away, choosing from a bevy of sexy models and graphic scenes throughout the venue. Bring your sketchbooks and laptops and join the asylum.

Featuring these top artists working live:
Dave Dorman (Aliens/Star Wars/Batman)
Tony Akins (Jack of Fables/House of Mystery)
J Anthony Kosar (Avatar/Buckaroo Bonzai)
Ray Frenden (Burton Snowboards /Wired/The Misfits)
Alex Wald (Ultraman/Shoalin Cowboy)
Jessica Joy (smART Show)
Charlie Athanas (WildClaw Posters)

PLUS:
A special guest appearance by Michelle L’Amour's internationally acclaimed burlesque beauties, the Chicago Starlets.

Tunes for the asylum provided by:
- dj white russian
- DJ Vapor Eyes
- DJ Miles Beyond
- DJ Chas Vrba
- The Ordeal

Baked goods created by Bake and Destroy (featuring Natalie Slater, Food Networks’ Cupcake Wars’ judge) and Brass Knuckles Brownies.

Emergency exorcisms will be available from a priest at the end of the bar.

Buy your tickets now at
www.wildclawtheatre.com

...and spread the word by the
Facebook Event Invite Page: HERE

Pictures © WildClaw Theatre and respective artists.