Re-Introduction!

Welcome back, readers, to the new Ryusei Works art blog!

The image above, which I'm kicking off this blog's return with, is the new official Ryusei Productions emblem in the updated "RyuseiScope" logo, to be used in video projects. Still TohoScope/ShawScope/Famous Studios-inspired, but much, much better-looking, IMHO! (I love the rotating "ring" in the new logo with the bi-lingual "Ryusei Productions" engraved on both sides.)

Now, let me introduce myself...

I'm John Paul Cassidy. I'm originally from Bronx, NY, now residing Richmond, VA. I'm a lifelong fan of Godzilla and other Japanese monsters, Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts, and Jim Henson's Muppets. These works, among other productions on the big and small screen, as well as comic-books and childrens' storybooks, greatly inspired me to become an artist. I drew a lot as a kid, drawing my favorite characters, and I even aspired to be a filmmaker, mostly in the special effects department.

Over the years, I've watched tokusatsu (Japanese special effects), anime (Japanese animation), cartoon shows, movies (both animated and live-action), and I've even collected toys, DVDs, CDs, books, and all other things that not only do I love, but they inspire me as an artist.

I would love to continue to experiment with my animation and filmmaking techniques, but I also love cartooning and sequential art. In my opinion, unlike filmmaking and animation, comics can be the most personal form of storytelling, in both words and pictures. Also important is design (characters, settings, logos), which is a talent I enjoy as well. Especially when I tell a story with sequential art, it helps to know what the characters look like.

Aside from drawing my favorite characters, I became inspired to make my own, as well as my own stories. In the coming posts, I'll talk about my most personal creation, Rekira, as well as show some pictures of the related project I'm currently working on.

In the next posts, I will start off with a parade of fanart of my favorite characters over the years!