THE MASON accepted in IWS 2009 Show...

The Mason 11x14 Gouache on Illustration Board

My painting, The Mason has been accepted into the 2009 Illinois Watercolor Society's 25th Annual Open Juried Exhibition that will be held at The Next Picture Show: A Fine Arts Center on 113 W. First Street in Dixon, Illinois 61021 (815.285.4924). The show will be up from January 16th through February 24th, 2009. The Artist's reception will be on January 16th from 6-8pm, and on January 17th, there will be a watercolor demo by Tom Francesconi from 11am-12pm.

Since my my painting Never Known, Never Forgotten won the Best of Show Award in last years Exhibition, it is displayed on the front of the 2009 Exhibition Announcement pictured above.

* * * *

Here are some pictures of last years event:


Below: The Executive Director of the Illinois Watercolor Society Tony Armendariz presenting me with the Best of Show award for my painting Never Known, Never Forgotten:
Below: Juror Robert Koch speaks with artists Lynn Miller, Ken Call, and I:
2009 Exhibition Announcement © Illinois Watercolor Society

Three images of Last Years Event courtesy of IllinoisWatercolorSociety.org

The Mason © 2007 J. Anthony Kosar
Never Known, Never Forgotten © 2006 J. Anthony Kosar

Updated Gargoyle Pics on Website...

I just wanted to let you all know that new and better pictures of my Gargoyle Mask have finally been posted to my portfolio on my website.

You can see them by clicking - here

3 BUMP Maquettes for FANGORIA **AMENDED**

**All Amended parts of this article denoted by an **Asterisk**
(click image to view larger)

I was asked by my friend Scott Licina, the Executive Editor of ** The Scream Factory (formerly Fangoria Graphix),** to finish three 22" BUMP TREEHUGGER Maquettes that were sculpted and cast by Robert Kurtzman's Creature Corps. To finish them, I had to clean and assemble the resin castings, carve "PAM" in the chest, paint the figures, apply the blood, and mount them onto the bases. I also sculpted, molded, cast, and painted the BUMP 3D logo plaque based off of the BUMP logo, and even created and stained the wooden floorboard bases. It was an extremely fun, yet challenging, project.

For more pictures and the making of the 3D Logo, visit my website - here

BUMP is a 4 issue comic series **and now a novel** created by artist and writer Mark Kidwell. It is "a supernatural tale of extreme horror, where even the confines of the grave aren’t able to contain the brutal spirit of serial killer Edgar Dill, and his legion of monstrous Treehuggers! In development to be a major motion picture starring Tobin Bell (Saw), Ashley Laurence (Hellraiser), and Sean Patrick Flanery (Boondock Saints)!"

**All Amended parts of this article denoted by an **Asterisk**
Above quote taken from BUMP page on ScreamFactoryStudios.com - here
BUMP & All Related Characters TM & © 2008 Alder County Entertainment, LLC. A.R.R.

SATANIC PANIC Premiere...

On Black Friday, (November 28, 2008), the Independent Horror Creature Feature Film SATANIC PANIC by Marc Selz Productions premiered on at The Westin Chicago North Shore. It was exciting seeing my creature come alive on the big screen, as well as the other props I created! The SATANIC PANIC Halloween mask I sculpted for Zagone Studios was also unveiled at the premiere (pictures of the mask will be posted soon).

I designed and created the full body silicone creature suit. Unfortunately, pictures of the complete Creature FX cannot be released at this time until after securing distribution, but soon I will be posting "The Making Of" (I just cannot show the entire suit on the actress Nikki Taylor Melton).

I also designed and created several Special FX Props, including the Sacrificed Animals and Satanic Ritual Dagger which can be seen on my website by clicking the above links.

(The cloaked "goat-headed" guy in the poster above is not the "Creature" - for those of you wondering - but that is the Dagger I created).

Here are some pictures from the premiere:

Above: Rich Kryczka (Illustration Professor and Chair at the American Academy of Art), his wife Jennifer Oldis Kryczka,
and I before the 8pm show.

Above: The talented Nikki Taylor Melton
(the girl beneath my creature) and I.

More premiere pictures coming soon!

For more information, please visit: www.satanicpanicthemovie.com

Poster ©2008 Marc Selz Productions, LLC.

Mini Art Show at the Devonshire...

On Friday, November 21, 2008, I displayed some of my art for the residents of the Devonshire which is a Brookdale Senior Living Community in Lisle, IL. I displayed 14 pieces, including 10 Paintings, 2 Icons, and 2 Halloween Masks. They really enjoyed seeing my art, and it was nice to meet many of them and hear some of their stories. I was everyone's "Grandson-for-a-Day!" My 14" x 17" gouache painting Out on a Limb seemed to be everyone's favorite! Click the painting title and see why...

Anyway, here are some pictures from my mini-exhibition:

All the ladies lined up for a date when I put on my Gargoyle mask:

Here is the display: (Click on the Image to view Larger)

Visiting the new LEGACY EFFECTS...

After the tragedy of Stan Winston's death, there has been some changes to his studio. No longer called Stan Winston Studio, the FX shop is continuing Stan Winston's legacy with the newly formed Legacy Effects run by the same team of FX artists. As I interned in summer 2007 at Stan Winston Studio before Stan passed away, on this visit to California on November 17th, I had the honor to visit and tour the new facility and see some of the familiar faces I had the privilege of working with during my internship. Unfortunately my new camera was on a weird setting, resulting in grainy pictures.

Here is the amazing suit from Iron Man,
created just months before my internship began:

Here I am with some friends from the studio after we went out for lunch.
(From Left: Darnell Isom, Chris Burke, Me, and Cory Czekaj):

That evening, I met with Joseph Pepe, an amazing concept artist whom I met during my internship:

I also had time to stop by Schell Sculpture Studio and see my friend Jordu Schell, an amazing creature designer in Hollywood. It was so nice to see everybody again. I really enjoyed having the opportunity of listening to all their experiences and advice.

Modeling for Quiksilver...

On Thursday, November November 13th, while helping my sister Melissa Kosar on one of her filming jobs for the Quiksilver Winter Fashion Show, I was asked to be one of the models to walk the runway in snowboard gear. Pictures from the show will be posted soon.

A Day in Disney...

While on my short trip to visit my sister Melissa Kosar in California, we spent a day at Disneyland. Really, there is no place like Disney; nowhere more magical! We had a great time, riding all the major rides.

Here we are that night in front of the Palace:

This was on the Thunder Mountain:

I got run over in Toon Town:

One of the coolest things is how they transform the Haunted Mansion into a Nightmare Before Christmas ride for Halloween and Christmas:

While we were there, it was pretty sad because the rest of California was burning. Here is the foreboding sky filled with the smoke of the wild fires:
Here is the sun through the thickness of the smoke. The picture really doesn't do it justice. It was a scary sight:

The rest of the trip, I hung out with my sister and her friends, I helped her on a couple filming projects she had, went to a cross town rival hockey game of the Anaheim Ducks against the LA Kings (and the Ducks won 2 nothing), had some relaxing creative time to think and draw, ate Pinkberry Yogurt everyday, and met up with some of the FX guys I worked with during my summer 2007 internship at Stan Winston Studio. All in all, my sister and I had a great couple of weeks!

FX Seminar at the Geneva Film Festival...

On November 8th, I gave a Make-up & Effects Seminar at the 2008 Geneva Film Festival. I showed many simple techniques using basic theatrical make-ups. I do not have any pictures of my demonstration.

Image © genevafilmfestival.org

TURA! TURA! TURA!...

Several accomplished artists I know, including Dave Dorman, Aron Gagliardo, and Mitch O'Connell all had paintings in the show Tura! Tura! Tura! at The Tattoo Factory Gallery that celebrated Tura Satana, the superstar from Russ Meyer's Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! The show was on Thursday, October 30th, 2008. There were many amazing works of art, all honoring Tura Satana. Here are some pictures from the show:

Above: Dave Dorman, Anthe Mitrakos, and I.
Photo by Charlie Athanas

Above: Aron Gagliardo and I.
Photo courtesy of Aron Gagliardo

Above: Aron Gagliardo and his Painting.
Photo courtesy of Aron Gagliardo


Above: Tura Herself.
Photo courtesy of Aron Gagliardo

15 Minute Lifedrawing...

Here is another watercolor life-drawing I did in a class at the Elmhurst Art Museum which I took for practice. This was a 15 minute poses. This even shorter short time allotment was a challenge for me to cover as much paper as possible while establishing the form. I feel that this practice will help me get faster when I work on my tighter gouache paintings as it helps to train the eye by moving fast and blocking in the shapes and shadows. Again in this one, I used watercolor pencil with the watercolors to add definition and quickly establish the darks.

"Coup de Foudre"...

I had two 30 minute paintings in the Naperville Art League's
October show "Coup de Foudre" which means "love at first sight."

Both pieces are life-drawings I did in a class at the Elmhurst Art Museum which I took for practice. These were both 30 minute poses. In the top one, I introduced watercolor pencil to add definition and quickly establish the darks in the short time allotment.

Interviewed by the Neuqua Connection...

On October 17, 2008, I was interviewed on the Neuqua Connection by Ashley Nicholas for Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, Illinois.

To view the interview, click here

Image courtesy of neuquamedia.org

My Sister's Film Won!!!

I just wanted to let you all know that, thanks to your help and support, my sister's film The Doll Hospital won the Fan Favorite! Thank you for voting, forwarding the information on, and listening to my emails, text messages, and/or phone calls. Below is a message from my sister:

---

To everyone who voted for The Doll Hospital as Fan Favorite:

THE DOLL HOSPITAL WON!!!

Words cannot express how much I appreciate your help and support over this last month. It was a close race until the end, and it was because of your support and votes that pushed The Doll Hospital to the top! I cannot thank you enough for voting and for passing the word along to family and friends. The Doll Hospital was a personal tribute to two very special people that were important influences in my life…my two Grandfathers Peter and Joseph. I have received many touching e-mails and phone calls about my film and it such a rewarding feeling to hear how well the film was received.

The Doll Hospital could not have been completed without the wonderful group of people who worked with me on this film; a huge thank you to the cast and crew for their time and effort. Everyone's contribution and cooperation added to the success of this short film and I could not have done it without any of them.

I am forever grateful, and could not be more thankful to each and every one of you! I wish you all the best always, and have a wonderful holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!

All My Best,
Melissa Kosar
www.kosforthreeproductions.com

http://www.mylifetime.com/fun-games/sweeps/vote-your-favorite#video

---

Again, thank you so much!!!

Look for The Doll Hosptital on Lifetime!

Top image © MyLifetime.com
Bottom image © 2008 Melissa Kosar

Please Vote... How Can You Resist this Face?

Hi Guys, sorry I haven't updated my blog since before Halloween. I have been in California, but when I get back, I have lots of news and work to share. Right now, I just want to keep everyone updated on my sister's short film “The Doll Hospital” that is in the running for Fan Favorite in the Lifetime Movie Network’s “Every Woman’s Film Competition.”

Thank you to everyone who has been voting or has forwarded the information on, . . . but she still needs your votes! She has been in the lead, but recently has been going neck to neck with the film that has been in 2nd place, which has just overtaken Melissa's film by just a few votes. Voting ends on November 20th which is less than a week away. So please, pass this onto all your freinds and family and continue voting through and on the 20th (I think it is once per computer per day). Please go to the following website address and vote for “The Doll Hospital” by Melissa Kosar:

http://www.mylifetime.com/fun-games/sweeps/vote-your-favorite#video

Thank you again to everyone for their support on this!! It is really appreciated!

Image © 2008 Melissa Kosar

Meeting Clive Barker...

I had the privilege of meeting artist, author, and filmmaker Clive Barker (Hellraiser, Nightbreed, and The Midnight Meat Train) at his one day gallery exhibition at the Packer Schopf Gallery in Chicago on October 26, 2008 after the 24 hour horror film festival Music Box Massacre IV that started the day before. It was a pleasure to meet this talented renaissance man, and I was able to get my book of his art Clive Barker: Visions of Heaven and Hell signed with an original drawing from the man himself. Please check out Clive Barker's art by clicking on his name above.

I was able to see a screening of Clive Barker's The Midnight Meat Train at the Music Box Massacre IV at the Music Box Theatre on the October 25th where I met up with Scott Licina and James Zahn of Fangoria Graphix, and where I first met Mr. Barker. It was incredibly intense and was roller coaster ride from beginning to finish; a suspenseful film with amazing cinematography. I recommend any horror fan or filmmaker watch this film.

For more information on this MASSACRED weekend, and to see some more pictures I took at both events, please see James Zahn's article at Fangoriaonline.com - here

Image: The Midnight Meat Train © 2008 Lions Gate Films

My Sister's Film Needs Your Votes...

Please pass this on to your family and friends...

As some of you may already know, my sister Melissa Kosar won 2nd place with her short film “The Doll Hospital” in the Lifetime Movie Network’s “Every Woman’s Film Competition” and was flown out to the Hamptons International Film Festival in New York where the film was presented this past weekend.

Now, it is time to vote for the Fan Favorite, and she needs your votes! Please go to the following website address and vote for “The Doll Hospital” by Melissa Kosar:

http://www.mylifetime.com/fun-games/sweeps/vote-your-favorite#video

I think you can only vote once per day per computer, so if you have several computers, please use them to vote the same day, and try voting again each day until November 20th when the voting ends.

You can see more of Melissa’s work on her website: www.kosforthreeproductions.com

Thanks for your help! It is really appreciated!

Image © 2008 Melissa Kosar

SATANIC PANIC Premiere Dates...

BE THE FIRST TO SEE MY CREATURE COME ALIVE ON THE BIG SCREEN!

The Independent Horror Creature Feature-length Film SATANIC PANIC by Marc Selz Productions will premiere on Friday, November 28, 2008 at The Westin Chicago North Shore 601 N. Milwaukee Ave in Wheeling, IL. There will be two screenings, one at 8pm and one at 10pm. Tickets are $5 each. Free popcorn. There will be a cash bar.

Tickets are available at the door and on pre-order. To pre-order, please contact: satanicpanicinfo@aol.com

I designed and created the Creature Effects (the pictures cannot be released until after the premiere). I also designed and created several Special FX Props, including the Sacrificed Animals and Satanic Ritual Dagger which can be seen on my website by clicking the above links. (The cloaked "goat-headed" guy in the poster is not the "Creature" - for those of you wondering - but that is the Dagger I created).

Read the latest SATANIC PANIC article on FANGORIA.com - here

View the Press Release on the Premiere - here

For more information, please visit: www.satanicpanicthemovie.com

Image ©2008 Marc Selz Productions, LLC.

Watercolor Life-Drawings...

90 Second Warm-up Poses (click to enlarge)

45 Minute Long Pose (click to enlarge)

30 Minute Long Pose (click to enlarge)

These are a few life-drawings I did in a class at the Elmhurst Art Museum which I took for practice. I'm not used to working this fast,... I have been spoiled by the American Academy of Art's 2 hour per day, four days a week life-drawing long pose (which I took advantage of the extra time). The charcoal was going pretty slow for me for this class, so I decided to use wet media to cover as much of the paper as possible in the short amounts of time per pose. It is definitely a lot looser than my regular style, but I feel it is kind of freeing, and helps to train the eye by moving fast and blocking in the shapes and shadows. I am hoping that this practice will help me get faster when I work on my tighter gouache paintings. For those of you who really know my work, I'd love to hear your thoughts on these pieces.

Meeting Thomas Blackshear...

Photos courtesy of American Academy of Art.

On Monday, September 8th, 2008, renowned artist and American Academy of Art Alumnus Thomas Blackshear visited the Academy as a guest speaker. Though I had graduated this past May, Rich Kryczka, the Illustration Chair and my Professor and friend, called me to attend. To my surprise, another renowned artist and American Academy of Art Alumnus, my friend Douglas Klauba was there (pictured in third image). Doug was kind enough to introduce me to Thomas Blackshear who honored me by looking at my portfolio. Rich, Douglas, and Thomas are very inspirational artists, check out their work by clicking on their names above.

Gargoyle Mask Production Line...

Today I was at Zagone Studios painting three versions of my latest mask for their 2009 line. I cannot share the new mask until it is officially released by Zagone Studios, but I will release the images as soon as I am able to. Instead, I will share a photo taken today of my Gargoyle Mask from the 2008 line. It is so humbling to see my mask on the production line, . . . I never get tired of seeing it! These masks are waiting to receive the rest of their hair in the back. Look for the Gargoyle Mask this Halloween at your local costume shops! I'm not sure which shops around the country will be selling them, so keep your eyes on the lookout!! Keep posted for the three new 2009 masks!