Singh, Jeff :: Dragonlady Commissions.

Dragonlady and Corto Maltese by Barron Storey

Artist: Barron Storey (All)

26 Comments - 4,954 Views - 4 Likes

Dragonlady and Corto Maltese by Barron Storey Comic Art

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Additional Images:

Extra painting

Journal pages

Back of Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	Dragonlady and Corto Maltese by Barron Storey
Artist:	Barron Storey (All)
Media Type:	Mixed Media
Art Type:	Commission
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	4,954
Likes on CAF:	4 5
Favorited on CAF:	1
Comments:	26
Added to Site:	1/9/2014
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Even as recently as a decade ago, I had not heard of Barron Storey. I had known his art in National Geographic (you know, those large, fold out rain forest pictures) since I was a child but had never realized it was his until many years later. It was humbling to learn about him and to begin to understand what a profound impact he had on comics. Although Barron has done very little comic work, his work as an illustrator had dramatic influences on the likes of Dave Mckean, David Mack and my all time favorite artist, Bill Sienkiewicz. You know those little trianges you see in the work of Bill and the Dave's... all homages to Barron the great.

I now own a few pieces from Barron. Most recently, I bought a few from a gallery show that I was unable to attend but viewed online. The gallery owner was quite friendly and approachable and so I figured there was no harm in asking about Barron doing a commission. I had no expectation of this happening but I had little to lose. I am still in a bit of shock that Barron agreed. Once the initial details were worked out, I was put in touch with Barron to work towards this piece. Before we had gone through the gallery owner and it was just adding a delay to the process. I was thrilled to be communicating directly with Barron.

The commission was to be the Dragonlady and Corto Maltese. A combination of my two favorite collecting themes and both characters Barron already knew.

There is quite a process Barron goes through for each piece. I was aware of some of it but to experience it first hand was very cool. It all starts in his notebook where he takes notes, does sketches and works out problems. From there things are transferred to a computer and an image is produced. This image is later transfered on to board or canvas and then repainted over in places. That is how he does things. True multi-media.

Working with Barron was a very interesting process. As he worked things out for himself, he would send me scans of pages and material from his sketchbook. All his original thoughts and processes are in these sketchbooks and they are items he does not part with. From there images are taken and reworked. Seeing him work through and solve problems as an artist that I can only begin to understand was fascinating. There were a few interuptions in the process for other projects but he always came back and kept me up to date. I didn't get to see the final piece until it arrived. Here it is, the Dragonlady and Corto Maltese.

I think it is a great piece. It is very much Barron but very respectful and faithful to the original characters and the artists. The piece is large and is a print out that has been repainted in many parts with layers and complexity added. In addition, Barron surprised me by removing two pages from his sketchbook to include with the piece from a little working strip he did. Also, on the back of the peice is a print out collage of many of the other images Barron used in working through the pieces. I was surprised at how much thought and work Barron went through to come to terms with the characters and to produce a piece that met both our needs. I think it turned into a lot more that he anticipated and I'd be surprised if he did a commission like this again.

On a different note, this piece as with other pieces I have of Barron's brings up a recurrent question that challenges me. Is art produced on a computer art? I know it is, but for an art collector the question becomes what is the original. If there is one and only one copy ever printed (like some of the Mckean covers), does that make it original. For me it doesn't but I am not saying that it isn't, it is just something I can't wrap my head around yet.

As an added late bonus, Barron sent me an additional painting on board of the same image reworked differently. I expressed some of my insecurity about digital images as I was starting to work this out for myself but it left Barron with the impression I was not happy with the end result(which as you can tell couldn't be further from the truth). To try and make up for this, he did this additional piece which is gratefully accepted but completely unnecessary.

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About the Owner

	Jeff Singh ( 7 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	November 2004
Last Login:	September 2025
Website:	http://www.art4comics.com
Country:	CANADA
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Jeff's Classifieds Jeff's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF Read More About JeffSingh

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Comments on this Artwork

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Davide G.
Member Since 2009

Posted on 1/9/2014

That's just awesome, Jeff... Congrats on this amazing work of art!

Felix Lu
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/9/2014

Still trying to process this. In the meantime, congrats!

Mike Niederer
Member Since 2010

Posted on 1/9/2014

Incredible stuff!

Chris K.
Member Since 2008

Posted on 1/9/2014

A beautiful piece of art - and the story of it's creation and your interaction with the artist only enhances it. You ask some very important questions about original art - and not just in the context of the comic world. I'm not sure I have an answer�but you certainly have me thinking.

J. Hiroshi Morisaki
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/9/2014

That's an excellent write up for a real jaw-dropper of a commission! Congratulations and thanks for posting all of it. What a way to start off the year!

Hart R.
Member Since 2004

Posted on 1/9/2014

That is one phenomenal commission! What a way to start the New Year...Congratulations Jeff!

Aaron N.
Member Since 2009

Posted on 1/9/2014

Well, that rather transcends the average commission project... to your query, if the artist agrees not to print the file out again, or better yet destroys it, I guess it would be a monoprint with additional handwork-- pretty much OA in my book. The back is pretty fascinating too. Now You just need to commission Jordi Bernet to draw the comic for which this is the cover, cause I really want to read it.

Steve Day Vich
Member Since 2007

Posted on 1/9/2014

I think you can officially open a museum of fine comic art now Jeff.

Andy Robbins
Member Since 2003

Posted on 1/9/2014

Great commission, but it's the journal pages and prelims that launch it into orbit. You could hang the finished piece backwards just to look at all the concept sketches.

Steven Ng
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/9/2014

This ia a beautiful piece. Your description of the process and additional images really add to the value of CAF. Thanks.

LB Jefferies
Member Since 2003

Posted on 1/9/2014

Yowza

Oystein Sorensen
Member Since 2005

Posted on 1/9/2014

Interesting piece(s) and interesting story. And interesting characters, of course.

Mark Levy
Member Since 2004

Posted on 1/11/2014

Love the story, the art...and it look like an original to me!

Alex B
Member Since 2008

Posted on 1/25/2014

Genius ! Congrats for this breathtaking piece !

John Rugr's
Member Since 2009

Posted on 1/27/2014

whooh i havent seen Barron do this in ages. The closest to this was a gift to Carl. So much detail and dept. Barron went 110% for it.. So much work so much effort/thought .. and once again a breath taking stunning piece of work/art. I remember seein him work years ago and it is intreged to see the proces and be a part of it. A brilliant artits with an extraodenairy mind.. Truly an amazing individual and most of all a very kind man.

max Rugers
Member Since 2004

Posted on 3/6/2014

wow, stunning piece!!!

Will K
Member Since 2006

Posted on 6/18/2014

It seems like the journal pages were meant as self-inspiration. The sketches are Barron Storey thinking "out loud". And if he was thinking that much on paper then there must've been a whole lot more thinking in his head that never made it to paper. So where to hang it?? I thought you already used up all of your wallspace but I guess that's a good problem to have.

Tim G
Member Since 2010

Posted on 1/11/2015

Simply outstanding and completely mesmerizing! The back side is phenomenal in it's own right. A masterpiece for sure. Congrats on this one Jeff!

benjaaman benjaaman
Member Since 2013

Posted on 4/1/2016

TOP !!

Malcolm Bourne
Member Since 2005

Posted on 8/14/2016

this is a master piece of craftsmanship!! I've got to know Barron over the last few years, he is a wonderful, unusual and warm, friendly genius.

Damon Wright
Member Since 2008

Posted on 12/2/2016

Duuuuuuude.

Simone Madd
Member Since 2015

Posted on 5/23/2017

cool!!!

benjaaman benjaaman
Member Since 2013

Posted on 7/1/2017

this painting it's stunning

Matt Todd
Member Since 2014

Posted on 2/12/2019

Masterpiece. Such a special piece and seeing the process and prelim pieces are amazing!!! Love hearing about your journey of acquiring this piece.

Olivier D
Member Since 2006

Posted on 9/4/2019

Fantastic one, can't believe I didn't spot this earlier....

Marc W
Member Since 2014

Posted on 9/10/2021

Fascinating work process, even the different interim steps are Masterpieces in their own right. And the final piece is Groundbreaking. Thanks for sharing this treasure.

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