I went to Italy 3 years ago after being obsessed with my art history and minoring in it in college. Everywhere I went (Florence, Venice, Sienna, Padua & Rome) I tried to find the guy that I could somehow like better than Michelangelo. In Florence I was smitten with Fra Angelico and Donatello but then I saw David and it just demolished everything else. I was on a Donatello kick and in the Duomo Museo in Florence and as I reach the top of a staircase, there is Michelangelo's last sculpture of Christ being taken down from the cross and a self-portrait as Nicadimus. I almost fell down the stairs.

The Pieta made me weep in awe that so much faith could be portrayed in a sculpture. The Sistine Chapel ceiling was also too much for my brain. The guy was unbelievable. And while I like della Fracesca, da Vinci, Botticelli, Mantegna, Massacio, Bernini and manny others (Titian), Michelangelo hit a high that only he could reach.

I will include my other list of artists I adore, but it's so damn hard and I start leaving people out and crap! Why'd you do this to me Scott?!!

Please excuse any speeling errors (I'm sure I'm leaving out many) I am listing 'fine artists' for now and not including fantasy art, comic art...)

These are my favorites (as a sculptor):
Joseph Cornell
Umberto Boccionni
Edward Keinholz
Alexander Calder

Giotto
Brunelleschi
Castagna
Raphael
El Greco
Albrecht Durer
Michelangelo Carravagio
Jan Vermeer
Rembrandt Van Rijn
Diego Velasquez
Francisco de Goya
Claude Monet
Edvard Manet
Paul Cezanne
Vincent Van Gogh
Di Chirico
Pablo Picasso
Georges Braque
Henri Matisse
Wasily Kandinsky
Marcel Duchamp
Joan Miro
Salvador Dali
Rene Magritte
Kurt Schwitters
Brancussi
Jackson Pollack
Willem de Kooning
Georgia O'Keefe
Nevelson
Frieda Kahlo
Sally Mann
Max Ernst
David Hockney
Francis Bacon
Andy Warhol
Frank Stella
Roy Lichtenstien
Charles Ray
Damian Hirst
Philip Guston
Rauschenburg
Jasper Johns
George Segal
Paul Klee
Walter Anderson

Illustration/Pulp Art/Fantasy:
Maurice Sendak
Bill Peete
Dr. Suess
Hildebrandt brothers
Frank Frazetta
Dennis Beauvias

Comic/Cartoon art:
Jack Cole
Will Eisner
Berni Wrightson
Barry Windsor Smith
Jack Kirby
Steve Ditko
Steranko
Carl Barks
Charles Burns
Daniel Clowse
Art Speigelman
Alex Ross
Frank Miller
Steve Rude
Don Martin
Al Jaffe
Gary Larson
Richard Corben
R. Crumb & his brothers
Wally Wood

All for now...

That's pretty deep Tydirium. I am not sure I was looking to get that involved in the subliminal references to historical events and the human condition... I like your ideas though.

I guess in a place like the cantina, this could be true. But I would say that if the Jedi are viewed as relics and outlaws, that view was created by the empire (calling a spade a spade...). So when the evil dictatorship of the universe began to unfold, people were either sold the idea through Nazi-esque propaganda or they kept quiet out of fear. The Jedi were the peace bringers, they upheld the law and they worked within a code that was respectful and good for the most part. They got a bad rap becuase the council had corrupt members that cursed them for their meddling. We know the Trade Federation abhored them and those that worked behind the scenes with the Trade Fed. also began to buy into the idea that the Jedi were meddlesome and to be wary of them and their kind.

The people that knew of them and that revered them were shut in and went underground. I would think that the rebel alliance told the legends of the Jedi and had hopes of their return. Rogues and villanous types were probably apt to view the Jedi as 'bad' due to the nature of their business.

The one that says something to me is Han Solo. He never saw the Jedi work and to him they are like mythology. He has been conditioned to believe in the concrete 'blaster at his side' and faith has been cast away. It is good that he begins to show his faith as his time with Luke and the rebels goes on...

What kinnd of pastels? Oil or chalk? I assume oil because the chalk pastel is much more difficult to get so smooth. But, if one is adept, they can do some pretty crazy stuff with the chalk pastel. I have experimented with both and each has its' own appeal to me. Oil is much brighter and dramatic in terms of color and easier to manipulate, smooth and blend. I like the chalk pastel because of it's sketchy feel.

This is a great piece Bob. I'd love to see more of your stuff, Star Wars related or not...

Shooting blanks?!!

We have tried twice and have 2 kiddos. An operation may be the only hope I have. And I have a feeling I'll be visiting the doctor soon...

Thanks!!!

I think what I'm getting at is that the stature and respect that a jedi deserves died with the old practice. I would think that they would live on in lore or stories at least and for some it would be hard to accept that they actually exist. They obviously do not want to get involved due to the display Obi-Wan puts on.

As far as the informant goes, he is reporting what? If it's that a jedi has appeared or exists, wouldn't be in the Imperial Trooper's best interest to report it to Vader? I don't know, I think the scene is great, but the reaction of the crowd could be more shocked in my opinion. They are used to violence, but a lightsaber & a jedi being there seems pretty rare. It also would have foreshadowed how important or revered the jedi used to be. But these are villany & scum and they trade horror stories. Shock isn't in their vocabulary. I just thought it was a moment that was important because it's the first jedi public appearance in a long time...

I like the top type treatment and think the bottom is too busy and the hard line type bookends for the cursive signature doesn't work. I also think the simple eye portrait is well stated and the top with the showcase of art is too busy. Let the art speak for itself and make it straight and simple and clean. Design your own logo or pattern or symbol and put it on the banner, but make it short and sweet.

If I was a teacher of yours, I'd ask for at least 10 different thumbnail ideas and type treatments. Stetch it and play and don't settle or do it to get it done. This is YOU, not school and I think you can do better. In fact I know it. Do yourself justice. Maybe you just use the signature and then a small site address across the bottom.

I found this and #2 the other day at my local comic shop! I think I read them both when they first came out until they basically fell apart. I saw this and I said, "NO WAY!" loud enough that people looked at me strangely (but that is not uncommon without commotion). The scan is cropped because my scanner live area is too small to get it all...

The Collector's Editions in Giant-Size Format were great whether they were Star Wars or something else. I got the pair (Star Wars (A New Hope) Adaptions #1 & 2) for $15! A deal in my book, but maybe not for someone without memories...

I also remember have a giant size Marvel Versus that had reprints of classic heroes duking it out (Hulk vs. Thor by Kirby and Spiderman vs. Silver Surfer by Buscema are the 2 I recall). I also remember a DC Giant with the Super Friends on one side and their respective arch enemies on the other as they propel themselves towards one-another. That was a classic!

Anyway, this is something I had before figures from what I can remember and it was nice to find them and be able to own and enjoy them again.