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Some cliche somewhere said that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words.’ This has proven to be the case for me and especially when it comes to fan art. I have always sought out great fan art and have wanted to share it with as many people as possible. “Awesome Art” is the outlet for that passion. In this column, I will showcase the kick-ass artwork of some great artists, with the hopes that these artists get the attention they deserve. That’s the aim. If you have any questions or comments, or even suggestions of art or other great artists, feel free to contact me at any time at theodorebond@joblo.com.

The Boy and the Heron by Conor Fenner-Torra

Castle in the Sky by John Dunn

Howl’s Moving Castle by Raf Banzuela

Kiki’s Delivery Service by Conor Smyth

My Neighbour Totoro by George Townley

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind...

Merchandise is a key revenue stream for digital creators -- made all the more crucial today as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has put a halt to Irl gatherings and performances, and while video ad rates have been ebbing and flowing. However, in what may just be one of the biggest problems for creators you’ve never heard of, countless online video professionals are seeing their merch businesses pilfered by rampant counterfeiting.

The artist Ross Tran, for instance says that merch comprises 30% to 40% of his total income. When counterfeit backpacks and other items touting his artwork started showing up in the Philippines and other foreign locales, it was flattering but also somewhat alarming. Luckily, Tran said, his fanbase does its best to report counterfeits whenever they pop up.

Vy Qwaint and Chad Wild Clay, too -- the hosts of a kid-friendly, spy-themed YouTube series that nabs a staggering 300 to 400 million monthly...

Ross Tran, a YouTube creator who has amassed 1.2 million subscribers -- and 1,500 Patreon supporters -- on the strength of his digital animation videos, is embarking on the next chapter.

On his channel, Ross Draws, Tran shares visual how-tos and breaks down his animation process, having previously served as a character designer on Disney’s 2014 feature Earth To Echo. Now, Tran is set to launch his very first crowdfunded book. Titled Nima, named for its protagonist (pictured below), Tran developed the project on Kickstarter, where he successfully raised $170,000 from nearly 3,000 backers -- and pre-sold roughly 5,000 books.

Nima, which Tran says was inspired by his own childhood adventures, is not a traditional comic book or graphic novel. Instead, Tran describes it as an ‘art of’ book that serves to provide a glimpse into the development Nima’s world, including key scenes, characters, locations, and moments. The book will comprise 176 pages of scribbles,...

I just came across Ross Tran's art piece of Overwatch's Sombra, which lead me to discover his amazing portfolio of work. There is a kinetic energy to all his work. Many of them feature a gorgeous glowing magical quality with blooms and light trails. I've picked my 25 favorite pieces to collect into an artist spotlight. Tran will have to be an artist to watch for in the future.

You’ve gotta check out these incredibly cool pieces of Powerpuff Girl and Metroid fan art created by Ross Tran. The renditions of these characters are so damn rad. But the videos that came along with them, in which we see the artist create the pieces, are absolutely hilarious and wild. The videos of watching him create this art are entertaining as hell and something you don’t want to miss out on. This guy is wicked talented and he has a crazy fun personality.