Tag: #SWAM

Another part of Star Wars art is iconography: the science of creating powerful and memorable logos, emblems, and symbols. The 501st Legion and other Star Wars clubs have done a great job creating a wide array of colorful logos to capture our attention. And today’s featured artist, Desmond Kaine Tay, has risen to the occasion to really bring extra magic to make everyone’s units and their emblems look better. The clean lines, the right colors, and design elements make fans know that these cats live in a galaxy far, far away!

Desmond has been drawing ever since he could hold a pencil. Inspired in equal parts by novels, manga, anime, comics and a Galaxy Far, Far Away!
As a young boy, his uncle would 1st spark the embers of his love for Sci-fi and Fantasy when he gave Desmond Conan The Barbarian and John Carter books, and various comics.

Desmond was first introduced to the amazing Galaxy created by George Lucas, when he watched Empire Strikes Back on TV. After that fateful weekend he would become a life-long fan, as he fondly recalls:

“I still remember after 1st watching Empire, I went kinda nuts in school, I kept gushing to my classmates about Darth Vader.It kinda annoyed one of my friends to the point she asked if I was some kinda Star Wars evangelist.”

Desmond would come to discover various Star Wars artbooks, Concept art, and Ralph Mcquarrie’s work. He would begin to draw his own comic strips, a lot of which would clearly show the influence Star Wars had on his early work. Desmond would later be inspired to become an artist, and would grow to become a self-taught Graphic Artist.

An experienced Graphic Artist who has worked from advertising, broadcast media, animation and even designed some toys. Desmond has produced content as far ranging as kids shows for television to posters for exhibitions and conventions.
Granted a Singapore Government Scholarship to study CGI where he learnt 3d Modeling and would meet someone who would become a good friend and would ultimately introduce him to the 501st Legion. He was happy to join a worldwide community with who he could talk about Star Wars all day!

Desmond would design his first patch for the 501st for the grand opening troop of The Sandcrawler Building in Singapore, of which, one would be presented to Geroge Lucas who was present to officiate the event. He also created an R2-KT patch for her visit to Singapore on May 4th for Star Wars Day, the proceeds of which went to charity.

Desmond has spent countless hours not just illustrating but producing physical works of art from the Star Wars Universe in the way of various costuming props and blasters. He’s made his creations come to life not only on the page but in spectacular 3D as blaster props proudly borne by troopers and costumers everywhere. He loves what he does and is continually creating art and props in his spare time.

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!

Star Wars Artist Month canvasses the entire galaxy for the brightest and most creative. Sometimes that search takes us into the professional realm, sometimes into the fan realm, and sometimes BOTH!

Russell Walks has soared with this masterful works but he’s always been close to the fan community. In 2002 I was at Celebration II and he walked up to the 501st table and presented me with a gorgeous original of a Stormtrooper with the simple slogan of “501” beneath it. He said “I respect what you guys do and it inspired me. Please add this to your archives.” I was blown away. Who does this?! Amazing and so gracious. Bu that’s Russell. He’s so nice and so cool you wonder if he knows just how elite his work is? Well, we’re here to say it: his work is elite. And we are so thankful for him and what he’s given us.

BIO:
Although his original career goals included both becoming bionic and joining Starfleet, Russell Walks eventually decided that his destiny lay along another path, and chose art school over adventure.
Since beginning his career as a professional illustrator, Walks has created art based on licensed properties for clients including Lucasfilm, Paramount, Marvel and DC, while his award-winning children’s themed work has appeared in a variety of books and magazines.
Walks is also a successful painter; his personal work has won both regional and national acclaim, and hangs in private collections throughout the world.
Currently living in Montana, Walks spends his days drawing, painting and counting himself lucky that he actually gets paid for doing what he loves.

Why Star Wars:
Because for me, Star Wars is about more than laser blasts and lightsabers. It’s about friendship and honor and nobility. It’s about doing the right thing, even when it’s hard, for no other reason than because it is the right thing. It’s about following one’s bliss, and finding the one thing you’re made to do, and then putting in the work necessary to do it well.
And ultimately – for me – Star Wars is about the idea that it is never too late – That there is always an opportunity for redemption.

My Favorite Pieces:
It’s hard for me to pick favorites – Each finished piece is special to me, and I try to love them for what they are, flaws and all. That said, I really, really love working in the classic Star Wars universe. I guess the original movies speak to me the loudest, and working with those characters is like spending time with old friends.

http://russellwalks.com/for-sale

Inquiries for pieces that do not appear on the for-sale site: http://russellwalks.com/contact

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!