Updates and News

5-17-2001

Thank you for visiting. First, I must apologize for the lack of updates. Things got a bit overwhelming after this site was launched in August of 2000 despite a lot of help from all the talented people who helped put this site together. Six months later and with much embarrassment, I am finally pleased to post some new work including new animation, artwork, painting demo, studio pictures, plus a couple of surprises. I hope you enjoy them!

The new animation test of the OVA robot was animated and modeled by Carlos Fernandez. You can view his wonderful work in the animation section along with the original teaser. Also special thanks to Marcos, the developer of the Arnold global illumination rendering software.

Since so many people have asked and I shamefully neglected to mention earlier, I would like to give due credit to the sculptors and modeler of the two Robota maquettes on this site. The robot model of Kaantur was sculpted by John Duncan and painted by Kim Smith. The Juomes maquette was sculpted by Tony McVey and the female figure by Mike Murnane. Kim Smith painted Juomes as well. Many thanks for their great work and apologies for not mentioning them earlier.

In other news, I'm please to announce that this Site has been selected as a finalist in the SXSW 2001 web competition www.sxsw.com. Congratulations to Red Industries and everybody who worked so hard to put this site together! Special thanks to Warren, Pam, Taylor, and Anna. Please look at this site's production credit for the names of the other people who share this honor.

After enjoying a brief break from Star Wars late last year to focus on Robota, I am now back to the Star Wars universe and continuing work on Episode II. During my "leave" I worked on Robota and completed, to date, 46 paintings and dozens of sketches. With approximately 22 paintings left, I am still maintaining my painting schedule of one a week until this summer to meet the publication deadline.

Also, late last year I had the good fortune to start working with noted and highly regarded Hugo and Nebula award winning author Orson Scott Card writer of End's Game and countless of other novels. Orson Scott Card will be working on the novelization the Robota story.

Robota was included in the document "Robots Among Us" produced by Termite Art Productions. This one hour documentary about robots in fact and fiction aired on the Discovery Channel in November of 2000.

I will be making an appearance as a guest "Storyteller" on the new Jim Henson's Production "Telling Stories with Tomie dePaola." This half-hour series which premieres in 2001 on cable and is aimed at parents and children will be hosted by best selling childrenÕs book author/illustrator Tomie dePaola.

On March 15th I gave a presentation at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas. Many thanks to all the wonderful people there who made me feel at home!

Last, I am pleased to announce that another Robota animation teasers is in the works!

That's the latest news for now. Thanks for all your great feedback and support and please visit again.

Doug Chiang
5/17/01