Here’s proof that satisfaction is guaranteed when you commission a sketch. Not only did I get an email when the piece was delivered but an email full of photos posing with the sketch! This level of enthusiasm deserves recognition and here it is:

This gentleman is a fan of this project and was particularly keyed up about Ultra-Lad. So much so in fact, that I had to warn him that if he sent me any more ideas about the character, I’d have to credit him! In all sincerity, this sort of thing really makes me feel good…it’s not often that I get to meet someone this excited about one of my creations. Frankly, his enthusiasm is infectious and I am very thankful to have his support. Cheers, you are a Prince among men

Want to join in the love? Well, it’s a simple donation away. A $25 donation gets you a black and white sketch and a $50 donation or more gets you a full color sketch such as this. Please note, photos of you with the sketch are optional and public display of said photos is not required.

I recently received a commission for a color sketch depicting Ultra-Lad, y’know that non sequitur character from page 20? Well, here he is again in all his glory!

This is a fine example of the kind of color sketches I can do for YOU when you make a donation of at least $50. Have a favorite character or situation you would like to see me illustrate? Well, hit that there ‘donate’ button, add the appropriate dollar amount with your sketch request and click ’send’! Very soon you’ll be receiving a little piece of wonder like this in the mail.

What, you say, “you’re still hyping!?” YES, cuz this sketch request was very well timed as I am planning on developing this character further. Keep your eyes peeled because you’ll never guess where he’ll turn up next!

My hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada has their big newspaper called “the Spectator” or ‘the Spec‘ if you’re on good terms. It appears that I am because yesterday they did a feature on the Process and I. Reporter Doug Foley interviewed me and the result is the piece below. Thanks Doug and thank you, Spec!

Getting Personal Pays Off

Online comic book author-artist nominated for ‘huge honour’

May 05, 2008

Doug Foley
The Hamilton Spectator
(May 5, 2008)

Putting his life online has paid off for Joe Infurnari.

The Hamilton-born artist has been nominated for an 20th annual Eisner Comic Industry Award for best digital comic for his online story, The Process.

Winners will be announced at the Comic-Con convention in San Diego, July 24 to 27.

“This is a huge honour. It’s been exciting,” Infurnari said recently over the phone from his home in Brooklyn, N.Y.

“I would have to say the competition is very stiff.

“The Internet has thousands upon thousands of web comics with new ones all the time. I can’t imagine how they would sift though the submissions.”

The awards are named for comics creator Will Eisner, creator of the popular Spirit comic character. Infurnari said they are the comic world’s equivalent of the Oscars with a gala ceremony every year at San Diego’s Comicon International.

What caught the Eisner judges’ eyes was Infurnari’s ongoing story that began with a storm in a desert, and currently reflects his own struggles with diabetes.

“It has taken a more personal turn,” Infurnari said of The Process. “The storm really gets the ball rolling, something magical, a thunderstorm in the desert, and it introduces a little boy at the end who turns out to be me .

“And there is another storm coming, my low blood sugar, and it follows me as I leave the drawing table working on the comic to address an imminent health crisis.”

Readers can see for themselves at theprocesscomic.com.

Infurnari, a Sir Allan MacNab high school and McMaster University grad, said The Process has allowed him to work out a number of artistic ideas while showing his own evolution as an artist and telling a story at the same time.

Infurnari has been living in New York for almost 10 years after studying painting and printmaking at Yale University, where he obtained his master’s of fine arts.

He earned as spot as a finalist three years ago in an online contest, Comic Book Idol, and since has published several books and expanded into web comics.

The Process, which has been online about 18 months, began as a sideline story in another Infurnari web comic in 2006.

He said good response to the storyline gave him the impetus to pursue it.

“I’m trying to do something different and really push myself and force myself to think of things in a new way.

“Web comics kind of have this almost diary kind of aspect. My personal diary is the artwork I am trying to create and the personal story I am trying to tell.

“Someone said on the Internet that I take my whimsy seriously, which is true.”

Hey, Industry Professionals! It’s that time again where we all vote for our favorite Eisner nominees. This year, as many of you already know, I’ve been nominated in the Best Digital Comic category for this project, the Process. This is a huge deal to me. If you haven’t already read the comic, do so now! The journey starts here. When you’re done, head on over to the Eisner voting website, www.eisnervote.com and cast your vote for your favorites. If you took a shine to the Process and think it deserves wider recognition, I would very much appreciate your vote! Thanks for your support, everyone!

Since my incentive for donation, a desktop wallpaper, was given away to all subscribers yesterday, I thought it time to do another one. So donors to the site will now have an opportunity to download a new wallpaper! Here’s a smaller version of the image.

So please donate to the site and you’ll receive this brand spanking new desktop wallpaper! Don’t forget! Donations of over $25 get an ink sketch and donations over $50 get a full color sketch! If you didn’t win the free drawing, here’s your chance to get a piece of custom art delivered right to your door!

At your service…