R2-KT's Art Gallery

R2-KT has been fortunate enough to make friends with some pretty cool people. Artists in the Star Wars community have paid her huge compliments by gracing her likeness in their own style. Their talent and graciousness is beyond words - special thanks goes out to them. I only wish we could feature their work in a place worthy of it. But at least we can share it with the public. Thanks, everyone!

Tsuneo Sanda

World-famous Star Wars artist Tsuneo Sanda has been a big supporter of the 501st Legion and was inducted an Honorary Member by the Japanese Garrison. He has also been one of the biggest supporters of our family since Katie was diagnosed with cancer. Her story touched his heart and he has created a number of works in her memory. These are screen shots from his website telling of his experiences with this story. Soon I will post images of the artwork he has created of her and of R2-KT. Truly magical, just like everything Mr. Sanda does! You can see the incredible world of Sanda on his site, www.sandaworld.com

Allison Sohn
A few years ago I created the Droid Hunt game to raise the excitement level at conventions and allow convention attendees a chance to interact with Stormtroopers. It's been an incredible hit. So when R2-KT appeared at San Diego ComicCon to herald the release of her action figure, the 501st featured her on their Droid Hunt badge for the show. Allison Sohn was cool enough to lend her talents in creating the badge, which she poses with here. She is a lovely person and has a fantastic take on life. I'm sure she and Katie would have really hit it off. You can see more of her work on her website, www.allisonsohn.com

Katie Cook
Artist Katie Cook created this irresistible caricature to have it presented to me at Motorcity Comicon 2008. The original, like much of the art showcased here, hangs on the wall next to R2-KT herself. Katie was inducted as an Honorary Member of the 501st Garrison and we are glad to have her! You can learn more about her work at the website www.katiecandraw.com . You can also read her reaction to her induction on her website here: http://katiecandraw.typepad.com/ (Scroll down to the May 15, 18, and 19 entries for 2008).

Julien
February 2008: The French Garrison invited me over to attend the Migennes Toy Show. Little did I know that Julien, one of their members, spent the convention in an OCP uniform (from the movie Robocop) putting the final touches on a portrait he created of R2-KT as imagined in Paris. One of these days I hope to tour the girl around the globe, but for now this is a beautiful way to imagine her in the city of lights. Thank you, Julien!

Christopher Weaver
July 2008: I was contacted while in Japan by a freelance artist who wanted to do a character key of R2-KT. Character keys are reference pictures done for animation characters. I thought the idea was a great one, especially considering R2-KT's upcoming appearance in the Clone Wars movie. So I've included a copy here. As you can see, R2-KT shines on celluloid! Thanks, Chris! Here are some words from the artist himself:
"I enjoyed the idea of the character keys that Acme was producing but I really couldn't get behind the small size and the art really didn't appeal to me. So, being that I work as a graphic designer/art director I decided to do my version, for my daughter...Albin, thank you for creating R2-KT. It's a wonderful thing that you have done, and I'm sure it means so much to many kids and families. R2-KT will now be joining R2-D2 in my daughters new bedroom."

Dave Filoni
July 2008: R2-KT makes her big screen performance in the Clone Wars animated movie! Dave Filoni, the director of the Clone Wars, had heard about R2-KT's story and instantly wanted to put her in. I was privileged to meet him in Japan during the Celebration Japan event and thanked him personally. He's a great guy, super talented, and very personable. I was thrilled to know Katie's story had touched him and that her spirit would live on in the Star Wars universe alongside the great characters we've come to know and love!

Tod Allen Smith
September 2008: Again out of the blue, I was contacted by Tod Allen Smith, Star Wars artist commissioned by Norvandell to produce Star Wars Galaxy 4 series sketch cards. He informed me that one of the cards he would like to do would feature Padme's niece, Pooja, a precocious little child with curly brown hair and big apple cheeks. You can see an entry showing Pooja in the Wookieepeida here (just click on the picture):

Anyways, he asked me if it would be okay for him to use my late daughter Katie as the basis for his interpretation of Pooja. I am pleased and thrilled to include this link to the what the card looks like (again, just click on the picture):

Link to the site where Tod revealed his news.

Tod said it was no coincidence that Katie is surrounded by troopers - he wanted to convey just how the Legion embraced her when she was sick. It is a beautiful image and really brings a smile to my face. I am sure Katie would have LOVED to be a princess surrounded by her troopers.

In Tod's words: "I have a daughter, and after reading the story on the back of the blister card, I could not help but think how I would feel, and there was no second guessing doing this card for you. I have R2KT at my desk un-opened, so when others stop by cubicle, they can see it."