Today, we've got artist, illustrator, animator, architect, sculptor, and now jewelry designer, Craig Elliott. (I know, enough already!) We've been big fans of the guy's work for years, met him in person at Spectrum Live, and he was totally amenable to coming on the podcast and chatting with us.

Craig’s clients include Disney, Dreamworks, Blue Sky, and Nickelodeon. Films he's worked on: Hercules, Mulan, The Emperor’s New Groove, Flushed Away, and The Princess and The Frog (just to name a handful).

You can view his printed work in the esteemed pages of the Spectrum annuals, as well as in his new art book: The Art of Craig Elliott. And said art book is available right now through its publisher, Flesk Publications. We encourage you to go and scoop one up today. It's good stuff!

Craig covers quite a bit in our conversation about his background, training, his professional choices, and his thoughts on art and being multi-faceted. He was a delight to talk to, and we hope you enjoy listening in.

- SWAiN

What can be said about Jason Felix (pardoning the obvious pun) is that he is "that cat'" In fact, a wonderfully talented cat who has worn many hats artistically in his eighteen year career.

The roll call of companies he has worked for is voluminous: Electronic Arts, Blur Studio, Hasbro Inc, Wizards of the Coast, Del Rey, Lucas LTD, Atari, Broderbund Software, The Learning Channel, Mattel, Sega, TSR, Upper Deck, White Wolf Studios... to name a few. And he has often done so in capacities that most seasoned vets seldom have the opportunity to.

I first met Jason at WonderCon back in 2004, while he was working on the upcoming StarCraft Ghost video game. He was an affable guy, very giving of his time, and not to mention, the first concept artist of regard I had ever spoken with. We talked about his work with Christopher Shy and how much those collaborations emboldened me to renew my own artistic pursuits.

And as much as I perpetually go on about the 2005 ConceptArt workshop being a catalyst for my personal growth, my conversations with Jason have been equally influential on the kind of talk that ultimately became SiDEBAR. So, having him officially join us on the podcast feels very much like home to me.

It was an entertaining and inspiring chat, 'Nation. Hopefully you'll agree.

-DWiGHT

**Below are two frames taken from the opening title sequence of the David Fincher film "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". Felix was contracted to work on the sequence through his associates at Blur Studio.

We finally did it! Dwight and I finally sat down and culled together all of our memories from Spectrum Live. Twas a huge undertaking, too. Especially considering our brains were still blown by (not only) the incredible amount of art we saw, but also, at how positive the whole experience was.

SFAL was a lot like a 'fantastic art nuclear bomb' going off in the middle of Kansas City (I'm not kidding). And yet there wasn't an ego in the house, folks — art was the star of the show. Everyone in attendance was there to have fun, buy and sell some amazing art, connect with other amazing artists, and just soak up the vibe.

I called the whole weekend magical once before and I'll do it again here. Hope you enjoy the recap.

(And 2013, you better watch your ass 'cause we're coming back!)

- SWAIN

**Once more, we gotta thank Arnie and Cathy for bringing us aboard for this first year event. We had a ball. They were both guests on SiDEBAR back in October of 2008 and it was pleasure to finally meet them in person. Also, thanks to the Spectrum Live staff and all the volunteers. They rocked! And as it pertains to this episode, many thanks to the talented folks who kindly jumped on the mic with us: Tyler Davis, Bregelle Whitworth-Davis, Scott Quick, Travis Lewis, Jason Felix, Kristina Carroll, Kirk DouPonce, and Ron and Vanessa Lemen.