We are back!

        Hello my friends, we are back from our trip to Troy/Detroit. We had a wonderful time and met some really awesome new people. I got to hang out with a new friend and drink a really expensive bottle of wine and made a fair amount of money. I will start at the beginning.

      At first, we thought we where in trouble. I knew that "Confusion" was a Science Fiction convention, but I was hoping that it would have some Media, Horror, Anime and Fantasy thrown in the mix. Nope, just Science Fiction. And it is a well documented fact that the Sci-fi crowd does not like "Horror" overall. There are a few exceptions, but we are talking overall. After we got set up on Friday, I watched many people walk by our table, not saying a word, but looking horrified to see Zombie Kitty's eating a dog. lol.  Madison and I just looked at each other and keep saying, "Oh man, this was a Bad decision.  (But fear not, our next convention is in April and it is a horror media convention called "Motor City Nightmares" and we know the fans will love my work there)  So Friday we spend sitting at the table bored out of our minds. I did a lot of sketching. lo 

   
      After the dealers room closed down I went to check out the art show, which the con didn't even advertise they had one. Then, on top of that, it was in a very out of the way obscure place in the hotel. There wasn't even a sign pointing to where it was. When I found it, it was very small. There was probably about 10 artist in the show. A couple of the artist I knew. There was a couple of ladies sitting at a desk where you first come into the room. I went to them to ask why the art show wasn't advertised. Well to make a long story short, the con is ran by a sci-fi club and apparently there is a lot of politics going on in the group. In the end the art show and and local artist suffered because the President of the club is a, well, I wont use the word I am thinking of.  But here I am being attached by Cthulhu!!!!

     So we returned to our room disheartened. If I knew I could have gotten my money refunded at this point, I would have came home. We just knew for sure that this was a bust.  So after a sleepless night  (the room had this cool noise maker that sounded like there where crickets and frogs everywhere. It helped drown out all the parties going on down the hall from us. lol)  we return to the dealers room on Saturday morning. I talked with a few of the other dealers and they told me that they hadn't made any sales either. At least that made me feel like we where not alone. Again, the day dragged. I had a few people come by and talk to me, but I couldn't help but snicker at some of the onlookers walking by us, sneering at us  like we where the scum of the earth because we dare brought scary things to their little convention.
     Late in the afternoon, some of the young folks started to trickle in, and they where cool. They stopped at the table and talked to me, loving the work. Most of them promised they would come by on Sunday and pick up some prints before they left, and they did.  Then our Friend George P. showed up, and after the dealers room closed down we had a really nice dinner and we went to his room where we treated to a 20 year old bottle of Port Wine. I don't know if you have ever had Port wine or not, but it is awesome. It is a sipping wine that carries a kick and is delicious. George told us all about his new web cast TV show and was showing us the props he was having made for it. This was a real treat. Once the show starts airing, I will tell you more and give you the link to it. It is going to be like a media show based around all the cool things like horror publications, music, movies, TV shows and so much more. He also showed us a good many photo's he had taken of the area. They where awesome!) George also bought 2 paintings for a very good price. So with that we made 10 times the money we expected to make just form that, but now I have to get busy paintings because every one of the oils I have ever done has been sold. 

    Then comes Sunday, and sure enough all the folks that said they would come back and purchase prints did, and that was another several hundred dollars. Also Lisa and Brent drove up from Ohio to visit with us. Brent made me a lighted etching  of my painting "Heaven and Hell" It is inside of a shadow box, and when you turn it on at night, it looks like moonlight is coming in through the stained glass window. This has to be the coolest thing that anyone has ever made for me. Getting to meet Brent and Lisa in person was a real treat as well.
     I do and did vow that pure science fiction conventions are off of our list. I mean this one didn't even have any Star Trek, Babylon 5, Dr. Who, Browncoats or nothing. I did see a couple of Steam-Punker's walking around, but this convention was BORING!!!!  Madison went to a few of the writer panels and she said the writers where good, but the audience was really bad, asking bad questions and all.
    We did spend a few hundred with the dealers we made friends with and got some cool stuff for us and the kids.

    We got the girl a fox tail and some leather studded gloves. I sure hope she doesn't beat her brother with them. lol We also got her a "Killer Bunny" from "The Holy Grail" We got one for the boy as well.

  We also had a spectacular view from our 17th floor room....

  So overall we had a great time, although I came back with the "Crud" I think I got really worked up over this thing and then it was a huge letdown, so emotionally I crashed. I slept for the first days we got home and I am just now getting to move around and do things again. My back was also killing me from the incredibly comfortable bed at the Marriott, and the folks at the hotel where awesome. The best thing about the con was the Con Suite, it was really one of the best i had ever seen.
    Now I have 3 months to get ready for MCN's  So between now and then I have to finish the Steam punk painting, a couple of book covers, a Dark Fairy Piece featuring Tilly and hopefully a Vamprilla piece featuring Suzi and lord knows what else.
    Right now i have to put together a new light for when I paint and clean my palette and get busy. Next week I am going to buy a better Drawing table. It will be half price and I have been drooling over it for a while now. lol
    So until next time, Peace and Blessings. "May the Darkness Comfort You"

Balance is a must.

       Hello my dear friends. I am sorry, but this will be a short blog. The next one will be after I return from "Confusion" and hopefully we will have lots of pictures and lots of wonderful news. I have calmed down a great deal from last week and I am now very happy and excited about  this coming weekend.  But before I forget, here is "Cerberus" It is finally dried and I was able to scan it.  Prints will be available by the end of the month. I will let everyone no as soon as I have them ready. I will have a few with me at "Confusion" though.

   Folks on Facebook have really shown this one a lot of love. I have gotten over 100 comments from my 2 FB accounts and people have pre-ordered prints. Now that makes an artist like me happy. lol
    I think one of the things I am looking forward to the most is people from Facebook that are coming to Detroit to meet me and Madison in person. If you can make it to "Confusion" and come up to me or Madison and let us know we are Facebook friends or you are a reader of this blog I will give you one of the old Dark Angel prints from about 3 years ago for free. Just because we're friends and we appreciate your support so much. So if you can make it to the con, don't be shy. It really sounds like it's going to be a great con and I can't wait to meet and make a lot of new friends from Michigan and Ohio.  We are looking forward to getting involved in the area Sci-fi clubs, Ghost hunter clubs, and just cool people to hang out with. 
    One of my new friends George, will be hanging out with me at the show the weekend and I am looking forward to meeting him as well as my good buddy Lisa and her main squeeze. Madeline is coming to. Lots of our friends are showing up. It is going to be a blast!
    One more quick thing is that if your on twitter, you can find me there as well. Look for Nick Rose 2011!  Well my friends, I am wore out and need to get some sleep. I love you all and will see you when we get back. Peace and Blessings. "May the Darkness Comfort You."

Kicking arshe everyday.

       Hello my friends. If you had any idea of how much I have on my shoulders right now, you would be freaking more than I. I do apologize for not having the normal amount of art or lessons on here right now, but when i tell you I am swamped with work, please don't take that lightly.  The piece below is something I have been working on for a little while now and it is designed to be a challenge for me. It is supposed to be  a romantic, steam punk dramatic piece that pushes my painting skills to the limits. Unfortunately it will be mid February before I can start painting it.  As soon as I get back from Confusion, I have a very important book cover to knock out. So here is the pencil work so far, but it is not done yet.

    I will show you a finished version of the pencils when I am done, because the pencil version will be a print as well as the painting. I do regret that I have been able to paint as much at the moment, but you have to understand that we have been making so many prints, trading cards, postcards, greeting cards and so on, that it takes a huge amount of my time. But the good news is after this Confusion, I will have a good inventory of products to sell that I will only have to worry about replacing what I sell after each con, and I should be able to do that within a week I hope. If not, we're getting seriously rich. lol  But seriously and honestly, we will be at that point easily within 2 years.  I'm not bragging, I'm just saying. Our sales blow every ones minds, including mine.
     Sadly. the problem with most artist is they think way to small. They only worry about paying the rent and buying supplies. If you have a business mind, it is not hard to figure out that you can make millions if your skills are good enough.  The key words here are "good enough"  
     Lets make one thing plain, my goal with this blog is to teach artist and to be honest as well. I want to give you hope, but you can only have that hope if you put HARD work above all else. If you don't, then get use to poverty. I am not being mean or conceded, just honest.  I could have done this several years ago, but no, I tried to help losers and greedy old men, and that was my downfall. IF YOU WORK YOUR ASS OFF YOUR WHOLE LIFE TO MAKE YOUR DREAM COME TRUE, DON'T FEEL SORRY FOR LOSERS THAT CAN'T DO IT ON THEIR OWN, BECAUSE THEY DON'T DESERVE IT. LET LIFE GIVE THEM WHAT THEY DESERVE. YOU ARE THE ONE THAT EARNED FAME AND FORTUNE, DON'T TRY TO GIVE IT TO LOSERS THAT DON'T DESERVE IT. THAT WAS A VERY HARD LESSON FOR ME TO LEARN. BUT I DID.
     I am sorry if I sound harsh and arrogant by saying that, but trust me I walked in the shoes and was hurt on levels most of you can't understand. I just pray that you listen to me, because I know most of you have big hearts, and I pray to whoever that you don't have to suffer what I did because I was a fu*king fool.
     These days I work from the time I wake up (seriously) until I go to bed. I do make time for Madison and the kids, but other than that I work none stop. If a friend calls, they are put on the ear phone thing. I do love my friends and make time for them as well, but to do that, I have to work and talk at the same time.
      The thing is and I want you all to understand is that i still love you all, and honestly I haven't changed outside of the fact that I have to work so long, and for every single day. I am looking forward to Confusion, but the truth is no one knows who the heck Nick Rose is up north. I am nervous and just wondering how people are going to take me here. We'll know in 2 weeks now, so lets keep our fingers crossed for good luck please.
     I don't know if I will blog again before Confusion, if I do it will be short. The truth is I am very tired. I have been working 7 days a week and a average of 12 hours a day. I am not myself. I am trying to do to much. I love you all, and please forgive me for sounding like a madman. Peace and Blessings. "May the Darkness comfort you"

Happy New Year!

      Hello my dear friends. How are you all?  I am just now getting over another bug, but no worries. Those that have been with me for a while no that my health is an ongoing issue and has improved 1000% percent from this time last year when I was in the hospital with pneumonia 5 times. I was in the hospital a total of 8 times the whole year, and now the last 4 months, I have been getting healthier and much stronger. My lung function has improved so much that they took away the oxygen machine and tanks!  Once again, I have beat the hell out of the odds and did what they said I couldn't do. It's the story of my life. I refuse to give up. I refuse to quit. I refuse to little minds influence me. I refuse to die until I have done all that I can as a man (I sure am glad I don't have to have a baby, that would be a bitch.) and learned all that I can.
     I would like to Congratulate my Niece Christina and her husband Jay on the news of #4. The first 3 where the cutest girls you ever seen, so Jay is pulling for a boy this time. lol One of my goals for this year is to go and visit with Christina and her family. Much love to the Park family. We love you dearly.
     On another front, I was informed that this blog is ranked 13th in the world (13TH IN THE WORLD, can you believe that?!?) as far as artist blogs go. I would have been thrilled to be in the top 1000. Here's the proof  and if I had listed this as an Illustrator's blog, it would be ranked number 2. But the truth is, I see myself as an Artist and I am growing more and more into that. I have to tell you I was floored and didn't have a clue. That explains why I am getting all the folks wanting to put ads on here, but for now I am only allowing just the one. The one that when you click on, The Shriner's Children's hospital gets a penny.  So don't forget to click on it my friends. Most of the people that want to put adds on here, the truth is, I don't like their products or endorse it. An now with all the Managing, Agenting, and just HUGE business going on my behalf, I am saving my endorsements for the people that are going to pay big bucks to the charities of my choice, minus the proper Managing fees.
    With all the just amazing and exciting things going on, I am trying to stay focused on 2 things right now. The first is Confusion in 2 weeks, and the next is Tilly, Dave and Andie coming to visit!!!! Tilly and Andie (Dave is Tilly's main squeeze) have become a huge part of my life and career, but I know I keep talking about them, so I'll chill on that and move to other things.
    Sorry about no art this time, but I've been down, like can't get out of bed down. But now that I am back we'll have new work next time. My Facebook and Twitter friends may have noticed that I took down the icon of Mr. Voodoo that I used for so long to identify with "Nick Rose" Well, some of the changes going on are that we are not putting the name of Wicked Kitty Studio out front anymore.  We are only using it for tax purposes and INC. Nick Rose is the name that is being branded, and now they want me to show my real face, so if you have never seen me, here I am..... The real Nick....

    
        This picture was made last year when I was being filmed for a documentary. I don't have the goatee thing going anymore, just a moustache.  I'm guessing we'll being doing some more promo pictures in the near future. Maybe Tilly can take some of me.... hmmmmmm.  
      If you haven't been to the website lately, I have redone it, and Prints are for sale on there once again. The site and the work that is there reflect the new direction I am heading in. Most of the old art is gone, and only with be available through limited collector cards I am hoping to have finished this month.
     Everyone keeps asking me "Nick, what are your plans for this year?" and I say, Hell if I know. The last 2 years I had a plan, and life blew them all to hell. Life gave me 10 times more than I had dreamed off, so this year I am saying, let's just enjoy the ride and paint as much as possible. Honestly, I think most people put to much pressure on themselves to "Accomplish" this goal or that one and by doing that, they are setting them selves up to fail. So don't do that. Just work on something you feel like you need to improve on, one day at a time. You know what I do?, I put a sign on the wall in the studio of what I want to improve on, and see it everyday, so it stays in my mind, and over time, it happens.
    Another thing I want you all to think about is this. I have a lot of friends and many of them are celebrities (Hell, they (the Media) tells me that I am an International Celebrity., when did this happen? I still fell like the same ole Nick.  See, being a Celebrity is no big deal)  but you all know me and know that I hang with all my peeps. But there is not a one of you reading this that cannot live my life or the life of someone else you like. But you have to work it. You have to learn all you can about your passion and see yourself as the person you want to become. BELIEVE IN THAT.  Don't let no one step on your vision. But you must work hard, study, learn and most of all, be patient. I know alot of folks have very boring jobs. I installed Carpet for 30 years of my life, but I had a dream, and I gave up a couple of times, but I always came back to it, and now look where I am.
    No matter what you do in life, you can improve yourself. It takes work, and yes it is hard. After working your arsh off for 10 hours a day on your normal job, you have to make yourself keep working on your dream from that time till you go to bed. You have to give up your weekends. It is not easy. I missed a lot of things in life to get here, but now, I am going to be able to enjoy those things. The main one is to see the world. I have even started studying the languages of countries I want to visit. 
    At 53 years old, I learn everyday. I love to learn. Audio books are the greatest invention to ever come out in my world. I can learn about anything while I paint, or just read (or have read to me) a book. I either read a art book at night or work on sketches. I am always improving the person I am. If I had been lucky enough to been raised by educated people instead of white trash, I would have learned to love learning when I was young. The only thing I learned as a child was how to install carpet and hate people because they weren't white. Yes, to this day I am very bitter about this. I have moved past it, but will never forget. I did overcome my circumstances, and you can too my friends, all it takes is to find the love in your heart instead of the hate that some people seem to want to infest us with.
    My friends, so many wonderful things are coming and I want to share them all with you. You have all followed me and cheered me on and I will never forget that, ever. May this Year hold magic, wonder, prosperity, and Love for all of us. Peace and Blessings. "May the Darkness comfort you."