Prints Are Available for Purchase

     By popular demand, 12x16 signed prints of some of my illustrations are available for purchase. The print(s) will be rolled in mailing tubes and you can pay securely with a credit/debit card via Paypal. They can be had for the low price of $15.00 each (plus shipping). Just click on the "Add to Cart" button under your selection on the side column here: 

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For the time being, only these illustrations have been made into prints. More to follow. I am open to requests as well.

Quiet Desperation #4, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Quiet Desperation #3, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Sophia Cacciola and Michael J. Epstein, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Golden Bloom, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Arlo Guthrie, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Dan Burke, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Hugo (2011): An Homage to Georges Melies, and French Silent Film

     In Hugo (2011), great modern director Martin Scorsese pays stunning tribute to one of the great technical innovators of Silent Film, and a pioneer in the medium, Georges Melies. It is fitting that the film uses the best, cutting edge 3D technology of our time, as it is almost surely a path Melies would have taken if he were making movies today.

     Hugo Cabret is a young orphan living in a Paris train station in the 1920's. He diligently fixes and winds all the station clocks from behind the scenes, having been left there by his uncle, who had taken Hugo in after the death of his father. As long as the clocks are in working order, no one has any reason to believe he is there.

     The only things he has to remind him of his father are a notebook and an automaton, which seemingly has the ability to write, but is broken.

     Hugo, determined to fix the mechanical man, steals parts from a toy shop in the station, run by a bitter old man (Ben Kingsley).

     After he is caught stealing, he must work off the debt, and in the process, befriends the man's adopted daughter. The two become inseparable, forming an adventurous team, sneaking in to movies...

     and eluding the station inspector, who is known to hunt down and capture orphans...

     Hugo eventually fixes the automaton, but it will not function without a special key. The girl has the part he needs, and the two activate the machine, eager to see what message the automaton will convey.

     The automaton's subsequent clue sends them on a detective spree leading them to find early silent film director, Georges Melies, a master of dream-like films whose work is believed to have been forgotten...

Hugo- movie trailer

The Quiet Desperation Sitcom Illustration Series

     From late November, 2011 to late January, 2012, I created a series of illustrations for the web sitcom (formerly of MyTV), Quiet Desperation. As the show is constantly evolving and including new cast members, I'm sure more additions will be made to this series. But for now, here are the completed works...

Quiet Desperation #3, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Quiet Desperation #4, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Quiet Desperation #5, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Quiet Desperation #6, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Quiet Desperation #7, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Quiet Desperation #8, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Michael J. Epstein and Sophia Cacciola: Art and Music (Songs that Inspired the Illustrations)

Michael J. Epstein and Sophia Cacciola, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library- "Civil Engineering"

DNFMOMD- "Episode One: Arrival"

Holy Ghost

The Motion Sick- "30 Lives"

Grace Kelly

Don't Stop Believing (cover)

Michael J. Epstein, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Sophia Cacciola, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

visit: http://michaeljepstein.com/

A Snowy, Musical and Artistic Evening with David Massengill

David Massengill, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

     On Thursday, March 1st, Janet and I ventured out in the snow and ice to see Folk musician, songwriter, artist and storyteller, David Massengill perform. After the show we three hung out and discussed many topics of note... my art, David's art and music, and little stories about aliens, spaceships and Jesus in an Asylum... and he gave me some helpful tips on playing the mountain dulcimer.

David Massengill and Travis Simpkins

for info on David Massengill, dates, etc. visit :http://www.davidmassengill.com/

David Massengill- Riders on an Orphan Train

David's classic 1992 album, Coming Up For Air with his own cover art

David Massengill- My Name Joe

Joan Baez covering David's original song, Fairfax County

David Massengill, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Man in the Attic (1953): A Classic "Jack the Ripper" Film

     There has never really been a Hollywood film about Jack the Ripper that has just stuck with the facts of the case, stayed within the perimeter of what is known. Such is the nature of movies, I suppose. This film, Man in the Attic (1953), is certainly flawed in that respect, but if taken on it's own merit, is quite enjoyable... even by today's standards.

     Jack Palance plays a shady pathologist seeking lodgings in the home of a couple who have decided to rent out some of their space due to hard economic times.

      At first his weird habits are viewed as nothing more than being mildly quirky and eccentric, and he is quite welcome.

     He has the habit of staying out until the wee hours of the morning, but he attests that it is essential to his work, and early suspicions are dismissed. However, a string of gruesome murders has been terrifying the White chapel district, with the murderer, Jack the Ripper, preying on low-life women, whores and malcontents.

     The lady of the house has her lovely young niece, who is an actress in a sexy dance stage-revue, stay with them. Palance's lodger is smitten with her and while courting her, confides in her regarding his love/hate relationship with his mother, who used men, drove his father to suicide, and ended up a prostitute.

     More murders take place, and the lady of the house begins to suspect Palance of being the Ripper after he burns his surgical bag and some clothing covered in blood. Scotland Yard is closing in, thanks in part to the detective who has eyes for the pretty actress as well. The walls seem to be closing in on Palance...

     Will his true identity be discovered, or, as many in the film think, will the Ripper never be caught?

Man in the Attic- movie trailer

Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet (1965): Classic B Movies

     The set-up of Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet (1965) begins simple enough... The year is 2020. The moon has been colonized and now, for the first time, humans are prepared to explore Venus, because the planet is "so much like our own."

     A space shuttle carrying two human astronauts and a robot named "John" lands on the surface of Venus and almost immediately loses radio contact. 

     Fearing the worst, a recovery team comprised of three more astronauts is launched and sets out to find them. Upon landing, they find themselves in a hostile environment. There is water and the planet can sustain life, but the existing lifeforms are those of prehistoric creatures and plants that attack the men right off the bat. 

     No humanoid life seems present, save for the distant ringing of a female voice and the far off glow of lights, the source of which is not immediately apparent. The men set out in their lunar car to find their friends, but come under attack by a pterodactyl over a body of water, and are forced to submerge their car. 

     Under water, they discover remnants of a past civilization of intelligent life. The rescue mission continues and that vague human female voice persists, forcing themselves to ask the question- "Are there still other people on this planet?"

     

Brief clip of Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet

     It is obvious in watching this film that it was originally intended for an over seas market, and some American voices were poorly overdubbed later for marketing here. The special effects are hokey, but I like that kind of thing.

Currently Accepting Portrait Commissions...

     If you are interested in commissioning me to do a portrait, send me a message with a general idea of what you'd like to have done (with a reference photo attached*) at email: travisliam@aol.com

    I will be able to estimate a price based on the info and photo provided

(simple, single subjects are very affordable, starting as low as $50, prices increase relative to quantity and complexity).

* it is integral that the photos be clear, with decent lighting (no bright flash)

Sarah Lee Guthrie, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Tony Norris, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Quiet Desperation #8, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Shawn Fogel, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Susan, Louis and Mario, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Dan Burke, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

The Outlaw (1943): Risque Classic Cinema

     Shot in 1941, The Outlaw wasn't allowed to be shown in theaters until 1943. Even then, it was pulled shortly after it's release, banned, and was not given a decent chance with audiences until after WWII in 1946. What was the problem? The hangup? The reason to be bashful?... quite simply... Breasts! Howard Hughes' fascination with Jane Russell's boobs, and his dedication to capture them perfectly on film, drove the censors crazy. It may seem trivial now, but in the early 1940s, such things were very taboo. The Outlaw is often cited as an example in discussions on the dangers of censorship, and, if for no other reason than that, it has earned a well deserved place in film history.

     Doc Holliday has come to Lincoln, NM is search of his stolen horse. It is soon learned that the thief is none other than Billy the Kid. In a showing of mutual respect, the two become friends (but argue over the ownership of the horse throughout the film). When Billy is shot and wounded by Pat Garrett, Doc takes Billy to his ranch to recuperate. Doc's beautiful girlfriend, Rio, played by Jane Russell,  provides medical care for the wounded Billy despite her hatred for him.

     While Doc is away, the nurse/patient relationship quickly becomes a love affair.

     Upon hearing of the betrayal, Doc is not pleased. The rest of the film carries the characters through a psychological maelstrom as they try to elude Pat Garrett and try to come to terms of trust amongst each other...

The Outlaw- movie trailer