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Articles by John Picacio
The Invisible Parade: A Guest Post by Leigh Bardguo and John Picacio
The Invisible Parade: A Guest Post by Leigh Bardguo and John Picacio On Día de Muertos, Cala is reeling after the death of her beloved grandfather. But sudden unexpected visitors send her on a daring mission in which she discovers the healing powers of grief, hope and perseverance, even in the darkest of times. Read on for an exclusive essay from Leigh Bardugo and John Picacio on The Invisible Parade.
The Invisible Parade|Hardcover
The Invisible Parade It’s time to join the party! Adventure awaits readers of all ages on Día de Muertos in this stunningly original and lushly illustrated tour de force about family, love, and overcoming grief from #1 bestselling superstar Leigh Bardugo and World Fantasy Award and Hugo Award-winner John Picacio. Everyone in the neighborhood was getting ready for the party. Everyone knew somebody on the guest list. . . . This was the day the dead returned.
Something in the Way: AI-Generated Images and the Real Killer
When I began my career as a science fiction/fantasy/horror artist back in the ‘90s, illustrations on book covers were created by illustrators. Or I should say, by human ones. Even back then, change was coming. It was in the wind. Before that, comics were my first love, my first language. I was a child of the 1970s. Superhero comics were my first memories.
The Visitor: Kill or Cure
For over 25 years, the Wild Cards universe has been entertaining readers with stories of superpowered people in an alternate history. The visitor comes… but she needs to be invited in. Ever since she woke up in the hospital with the ability to generate heat, Ruby Johnson, a.k.a the Dragon, has built a reputation as an unstoppable force of nature. She makes her living as an assassin for hire, but one day she comes across a benevolent ace whose powers she vastly underestimates.
Selected 2019 Works
For those seeking one-stop summaries of eligible work for the 2020 awards season, I hope this curated gallery is helpful. Here are a few of my selected published artworks from 2019 for your consideration. ‘La Palma’ • Product illustration for the Loteria Grande Card • Client: Lone Boy • February 2019 • Media: Graphite Drawing / Digital Finishes.
Naked, Stoned, and Stabbed
The Wild Cards universe has been thrilling readers for over 25 years. “Naked, Stones and Stabbed” is an fantastic new tale from acclaimed sci-fi writer Bradley Denton, about the hidden truths revealed when a Who concert goes haywire. Freddie’s looking for answers. Freddie’s also a bit unconventional: in his looks, in his music tastes, and oh yeah, he’s also a nascent ace who can manipulate sound. But he’s got a gig as a roadie for The Who and the opportunity of a lifetime in New York City.
NINTH HOUSE
I envy you. Most likely, you haven’t read Leigh Bardugo‘s Ninth House yet. Congratulations. That means you have one of 2019’s most gripping reads awaiting you. Meanwhile, I have read it — and that means my favorite read of the year is now in my rear view mirror. But wow — WHAT a book. This novel is going to be talked about. Oh boy, is it going to be talked about. And emulated. And adored. For many, it will be transformative.
Loteria | On The Front
Heads up, Original Art Collectors — here’s a list of some of my prized original artworks available now. First come, first served. I suspect some of these will go very quickly. Many of you are interested in the Loteria Originals. Eleven of them have already sold at the price range below, and I’m grateful that those belong in the collections they do. ‘La Campana’, ‘El Corazon’, ‘El Pescado’, and ‘El Nopal’ are available.
The City That Never Sleeps
For over 25 years, the George R. R. Martin’s Wild Cards universe has been entertaining readers with stories of superpowered people in an alternate history. “There’s never a shortage of people other people want dead.” Spector felt on familiar footing now that he saw the entire game. All a hit man wants can be as simple as a bottle of bourbon and a time to dream, but when you’re Spector, the work never ends. New York, New York December, 1986 Spector knew he was being followed.
The City That Never Sleeps
For over 25 years, the George R. R. Martin’s Wild Cards universe has been entertaining readers with stories of superpowered people in an alternate history. “There’s never a shortage of people other people want dead.” Spector felt on familiar footing now that he saw the entire game. All a hit man wants can be as simple as a bottle of bourbon and a time to dream, but when you’re Spector, the work never ends. New York, New York December, 1986 Spector knew he was being followed.
How to Move Spheres and Influence People
For over 25 years, the Wild Cards universe has been entertaining readers with stories of superpowered people in an alternate history. An outcast learns how fit in at her school and much more in Marko Kloos’s short story “How to Move Spheres and Influence People.” T. K. hates a lot of things, but at the moment, it’s how she becomes the #1 target during dodgeball at gym.
Fitting In
For over 25 years, the Wild Cards universe has been entertaining readers with stories of superpowered people in an alternate history. “Fitting In” by Max Gladstone shows how everyday people can step up to become extraordinary. Robin Ruttiger tries—he really does—but his lot in life falls way shorter than his expectations. A failed contestant of the superhero reality TV show, American Hero, he now works as a high school guidance counselor to reluctant students.
Constellation Nebraska
Memo to sf/f pros and fans: DO NOT SLEEP ON NEBRASKA. I was the Artist Guest of Honor at Constellation 9 in Lincoln, Nebraska this past weekend. It’s a small sf/f convention — the kind that pulls a modest 350-person attendance and serves a ‘big tent’ approach to fandom, celebrating art, books, films, TV, anime, gaming, cosplay and more. However, in all of my years of attending conventions, I’ve never seen a show with bigger heart. How big are we talking here?
“There Is Another.”
On January 24th, I created The Mexicanx Initiative to sponsor Worldcon 76 Attending Memberships for a few deserving Mexicanx sf/f professionals and fans to attend the con. It was an idea I imagined when I was named Artist Guest of Honor last August, and the idea quickly became a ‘thing’ as some amazing friends and allies joined in, until we fully funded 50(!!!) Attending Memberships to Worldcon this summer.
Artists Becoming Authors and the Future of Graphic Storytelling
I’ve been illustrating covers for major science fiction, fantasy, and horror publishers for two decades, but after I won my first Hugo Award in 2012, I decided to start creating my own worlds and stories. In between cover jobs, something was building—I was inspired by the icons of the classic Mexican game of chance, Loteria, that I grew up playing with my family. So I started drawing.
When the Devil Drives
For over 25 years, the Wild Cards universe has been thrilling readers the world over. Once an assassin and spy, superpowered ace Noel Matthews confronts unexpected enemies after discovering a dead body on the job. Now in development for TV: Rights to develop Wild Cards for TV have been acquired by Universal Cable Productions, the team that brought you The Magicians and Mr. Robot, with the co-editor of Wild Cards, Melinda Snodgrass as executive producer.
Austin, TX: Winter Is Coming!
And so is Loteria! Alright, Austin — so I know the temps are hitting 90 degrees right now, and it definitely doesn’t feel like winter. That’s for sure. So where are my Austin-area Game of Thrones fans? You out there? If you’re glued to every episode like I am, then you know that the series finale is coming soon! BREAKING NEWS: I’ll be appearing in Austin the day before on Saturday, June 13th to talk about the show with fellow fans at Dragon’s Lair (2438 W.
[GUEST POST] Play THE LOTERIA MATCH GAME with John Picacio (Part 6 of 6)
John Picacio is a World Fantasy and Hugo Award-winning illustrator who is currently reimagining Loteria, the classic Mexican game of chance. His first Loteria artworks are now available as a set of large-format, special-edition cards from Lone Boy. Welcome to the sixth and final installment of The Loteria Match Game, sponsored by SF Signal. I’m your host, John Picacio. How many of you know the game of Loteria (AKA Mexican Bingo)?
[GUEST POST] THE LOTERIA MATCH GAME (5 of 6) by John Picacio
John Picacio is a World Fantasy and Hugo Award-winning illustrator who is currently reimagining Loteria, the classic Mexican game of chance. His first Loteria artworks are now available as a set of large-format, special-edition cards from Lone Boy. Welcome to the fifth installment of The Loteria Match Game, sponsored by SF Signal. I’m your host, John Picacio. How many of you know the game of Loteria (AKA Mexican Bingo)?
[GUEST POST] THE LOTERIA MATCH GAME (4 of 6) by John Picacio
John Picacio is a World Fantasy and Hugo Award-winning illustrator who is currently reimagining Loteria, the classic Mexican game of chance. His first Loteria artworks are now available as a set of large-format, special-edition cards from Lone Boy. Welcome to the fourth installment of The Loteria Match Game, sponsored by SF Signal. I’m your host, John Picacio. How many of you know the game of Loteria (AKA Mexican Bingo)?
[GUEST POST] THE LOTERIA MATCH GAME (3 of 6) by John Picacio
John Picacio is a World Fantasy and Hugo Award-winning illustrator who is currently reimagining Loteria, the classic Mexican game of chance. His first Loteria artworks are now available as a set of large-format, special-edition cards from Lone Boy. Welcome to the third installment of The Loteria Match Game, sponsored by SF Signal. I’m your host, John Picacio. How many of you know the game of Loteria (AKA Mexican Bingo)?
[GUEST POST] THE LOTERIA MATCH GAME (2 of 6) by John Picacio
John Picacio is a World Fantasy and Hugo Award-winning illustrator who is currently reimagining Loteria, the classic Mexican game of chance. His first Loteria artworks are now available as a set of large-format, special-edition cards from Lone Boy. Welcome to the second installment of The Loteria Match Game, sponsored by SF Signal. I’m your host, John Picacio. How many of you know the game of Loteria (AKA Mexican Bingo)?
[GUEST POST] THE LOTERIA MATCH GAME (1 of 6) by John Picacio
John Picacio is a World Fantasy and Hugo Award-winning illustrator who is currently reimagining Loteria, the classic Mexican game of chance. His first Loteria artworks are now available as a set of large-format, special-edition cards from Lone Boy. Welcome to the first installment of The Loteria Match Game, sponsored by SF Signal. I’m your host, John Picacio. How many of you know the game of Loteria (AKA Mexican Bingo)?
The Look of Loteria
When I was a kid, I played Loteria (AKA ‘Mexican Bingo’) with my family. If you know how to play traditional Bingo, then you know how to play the game. Bingo is played with random selections of letters and numbers, but with Loteria, it’s the shuffle of a fifty-four card picture deck that creates the agony and the ecstasy. These cards can do so many fun things. Curanderas (fortune tellers) use them as a personal ‘tarot’ to tell fortunes. My grandma used Loteria cards to play concentration games.
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