Legolas and Pippin

I just got these two sweet sketches in the mail yesterday, thanks to Ian Doughty (itd64 on the Scoundrel Message boards) and a trade we worked out. They cost me a really nice Katie Cook Galadriel sketch w/quote, and one of the nicest Chris Henderson LOTR sketches I've seen (subject was Sam and his wife and was just beautiful), but it was worth it to me for the Durons. Ian was great to deal with and I wouldn't hesitate to do so again. I didn't have a Legolas before, so when I saw this one I really wanted it. The Pippin holding the Palantir, well that's just Mike picking another great scene from the movie and making it come to life. I love it.

I still haven't had any luck picking up any Durons out of any product other than LOTR. I'm pretty sure Mike did Heroes2 and Star Wars: Clone Wars, so I can't wait for those two releases. Here's hoping Mike's computer problems get fixed soon. I miss seeing new entries to his blog. Thanks for reading... Dave

Gimli and the Urakai

Finally, something to write about! Though not from a lack of effort, I had been unable to pick up any new Michael Duron sketches for the past few weeks. Finally a breakthrough! Someone had posted 4 Duron sketches for one day auctions, so I was hoping to snag a few for my collection. There was one extremely nice color sketch of Smeagol and Deagol fishing that was won by a fellow Scoundrel Art Message Board poster named Ian... I found out who he was because the next day he saw my post looking for Duron sketches and sent me scans of 8 that he had. I was drooling. I worked out a deal for two of them (yippppeeeeeeeeeeeeee) and I'll be posting them when I get them, but in the meantime I was able to pick up these two beauties for a bargain (see enclosed scans). I love Mike's interpretation of Gimli in this sketch, especially the big nose contrasting with the small eyes and mouth.. what an awesome sketch! I'm not sure if it was the subject matter, but I picked up the Urakai getting it's head sliced off (with the added "sound effects") for a great price ($4.99 starting bid... ended up being the only bid). I thought it was cool.

Just an added note... I hope Mike doesn't mind but my avatar on the Scoundrel Art Message Boards is Gimli's head from one of his sketches that I bought (my favorite sketch.. see past posts). It took me FOREVER to finally get his head small enough for Scoundrel to let me use it as my avatar, but I think it was worth the effort.

Here's hoping Mike gets his computer up and running soon. It sucks that his computer crashed, but in the end we're all going to end up the winners when we see his Star Wars Clone Wars sketches that he's had extra time to work on. I've got my fingers and my toes crossed that I'll pull one in the case that I ordered. Thanks for reading... Dave

Rollin....

I picked up a great trade via the Scoundrel Art Message Boards this week- a color Michael Duron sketch from Masterpieces II that he entitled "4 Little Hobbits Rollin Down A Hill" (picture enclosed). I made the trade with David Tapia (knmdave on the Scoundrel Art Message Boards) and was very satisfied with it (quick shipping and great communication). I gave up a Shia LeBeouf autograph but he threw in another sketch card (a Carly Monardo.. thanks to the message boards for helping me identify it), so I think we were both satisified with the trade. That brings my Duron sketch total to 11, two being colored. I'm not sure what's up with Mike- he hasn't posted on his site since May 9th, but hopefully all is okay and (if we're lucky) he's just been busy working on more sketch cards for us to enjoy. Thanks for reading...

Dave