As Star Wars Artist Month wraps up, we salute all the artists who have agreed to be featured in our first year of festivities. Today we showcase a true workhorse of design, Bobby Henley. Ever since he saw lasers and robots and wizards he was hooked. His work is a bold expression of his love of all things Star Wars. His work for the 501st Legion and its members have made him ubiquitous in the fan community. Sharp, dazzling designs make every member feel as if they are a brand name. It takes a real heart to capture the magic of Star Wars and Bobby really does that and more!
Tell us a little about yourself:
“I’m your basic geeky nerd with dreams of robots and spaceships, so I was immediately hooked when SW debuted in ’77. (I’m as old as the Falcon. LOL) Star Wars for me, started this lifelong crush that was constantly reveling new ships, characters, (Empire Rules), and just a world that for as beat up and flawed as it was, I would love to be part of. You just felt like part of the family was there as soon as Luke, Leia and Han showed up. Ready to kick in the lightspeed and off to another world. I still can’t get enough.”
“So for me, drawing and illustrating just progressed into Star Wars. So many comics and toys and novels to broaden my imagination, and it made it so much fun. Meeting and becoming a Stormtrooper later in 2001 with the 501st, was just the icing on the cake. I haven’t looked back since. The people I’ve met, and collaborated and worked with are some of the greatest fans and friends I’ve ever known, and that makes it just so much more fun to have that type of excitement. I truly love doing what I do, and I couldn’t imagine any other life I would rather live. Thanks everyone for your support over the years and the lifelong friends I’ve made. The Force is with us Always!”
“My personal favorite SW achievements so far, was having my Droid Hunt cards accepted into the Lucasfilm archives by Steve Sansweet, and having one of my Star Garrison logos fly into space and orbit the Earth! When I found out I was just speechless.”
Tell us a little about your process:
“My process normally takes someones sketch if possible, or even some ideas they’d like to see and I will come up with a proof to show them. Sometimes, it’s right on the money, and that’s awesome. But everyone has their own vision of how their design should be and I respect that and work with them until it’s ready to go. It’s truly a collaborate effort and I’m happy when the design is loved and ready to go. I am a traditional pen and ink style Comic Book cartoon style artist, so taking rough sketches to final inks is my favorite palce to be. Digital is your friend to clean everything up and see color & effects. It’s just as fun for me to see the final outcome when it’s colored and finished. I just love it!”
For more of Bobby’s work check out the links below:
https://bobbyhenley.portfoliobox.net/
https://www.teepublic.com/user/bobhenley
Many thanks to our partners at Jedi News, Fantha Tracks, Rebel Scum, Force.Net, and Bantha Bricks for supporting SWAM 2020 and sharing our posts. What a great way to share the magic of the art community! Check them out and see just how big the galaxy really is!
