It’s the weekend and I have the very great pleasure of sharing a professional Star Wars artist with you this week. Joe Hogan has documented his determination and drive towards becoming a professional artist and his story is one that makes you get up and dig out your old project boxes and give them another go! So please enjoy this small pick of Joe Hogan’s Star Wars art:

Awesome title image made by Joe Hogan!

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

- Hey, all! My name is Joe Hogan and I’m a 25 year-old up & coming Star Wars artist from Staten Island, New York. I’ve been blessed enough to do a lot of art for the Star Wars community throughout my still very early career, including TheForce.net, Rebel Legion, the 501st, the Hughes the Force fanfilm, and sketch cards for Topps’ Star Wars Galaxy series 6 and 7.

Twinsunz Digital cinematic scene - The Detention Blook Shoot-Out! - Joe Hogan

Twinsunz are old acquaintances of us here at TORWars as I had the pleasure of interviewing them back in July for That’s No Moon – It’s Art By Twinsunz.

How long have you been drawing/painting/designing? What got you started?

I’ve been drawing for about 20 years, but only seriously for about 7. I didn’t start to take it seriously until I had to think about going to college, and art made the most sense to me because I’d much rather follow a career that I loved instead of one I hated but paid well. Once I got to art school, I was lucky enough to learn just how much I loved doing what I do, and from that point on, I worked every day towards being a professional artist.

Twinsunz Digi sketch card, for winning the OT contest! He's in his ANH duds, as requested. - Joe Hogan

Do you always use the same mediums?

After graduating the School of Visual Arts, I invested in a Wacom Cintiq, and fell in love with working digitally. With the exception of traditional sketch cards and the occasional commissions, I typically work in Photoshop from start to finish. The Cintiq/Photoshop combination are just the formula that help me hit my sweet spot, but I do occasionally dabble in Flash and Illustrator as well.

This one is for Sakiko-art for the contest. She decided she wanted Shaak-Ti, but couldn't decide wich version she wanted: Clone Wars/Prequel version or The Force Unleashed version....so SURPRISE! She gets both! Kinda! - Joe Hogan

What attracted you to Star Wars?

Star Wars, for me, has always been about leaving the moisture farm and finding yourself. Abandoning your comfort zone and doing what you think you can’t do. Sometimes you feel like you can’t lift the X-Wing out of the swamp but you just have to remember “Do or do not. There is no try.” Science fiction or not, Star Wars is a very real-world reminder that you can do anything you’re determined to do. “Hughes the Force” director JC Reifenberg constantly reminds me that Qui Gon said it best: “Your focus determines your reality.” Star Wars has constantly inspired me to chase my dreams, and now my dreams are to chase Star Wars. It’s like an awesome cycle that’s constantly energizing itself for me.

Page 2! Fordo and his squad have touched down on Dathomir, but what's waiting for them? The title of the story is the (dead giveaway) clue! - Joe Hogan

Do you have any plans for Star Wars: The Old Republic?

While I really want to jump onboard the game, I’m not sure I’ll be financially able. A monthly fee and a busy schedule that might not justify said fee are weighing me down on the purchase just yet. But I do want to get it if I can gather enough scratch!

Maul, Obi-Wan (Genndy series), Quinlan Vos Kyle Katarn, Mara Jade, Luke Skywalker (Shadows of the Empire) Darth Bane, Yoda, Jerec (Dark Forces II) - Joe Hogan

Do you do commission work? If yes where/how do you want people to get a hold of you?

Just when I got done complaining about the financial woes of an artist! Hah, yes, I do indeed accept commissions, and all the details can be found in a journal in my DeviantArt. If folks have any questions, they shouldn’t hesitate to contact me through DA, or by shooting me an email at JoeWTFHogan @ gmail DOT com, I’m happy to answer any and all questions!

The third digi sketch card prize for the clone contest, for Kabukikillah46 - Joe Hogan

Do you have a favourite among your images? And why that one?

I think the banner I did for TheForce.net’s table at Celebration V will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the first time I got to do Star Wars art for a client, and was also the first time I felt like I was taken seriously as an artist. The folks at TFN are amazing people. The banner also led to meeting Grant Gould, who’s been so awesome with helping me find Star Wars work because that’s the kind of dude he is. But that’s a story for another day! Anyway, walking into the exhibit hall and seeing my work on display 8 feet wide gave me chills, and I’ll never forget that moment. Plus, it’s also a scene from my favorite of the saga, The Empire Strikes Back.

GUH, FINALLY! Here she is. This, my dear friends, is going to be the 8 foot wide table banner for my friends at TheForce.net at Celebration V this August. - Joe Hogan

Will we be seeing any SWTOR art from you?

I’ve got 200 sketch cards waiting to be tackled in Topps’ Galaxy 7 series, and I’ll actually be doing a few TOR characters to celebrate the upcoming release. Which characters exactly, I’m not sure, but I’ll definitely let you know once they’re approved by Topps to show the world!

She was heavily inspired by the Clone Wars style Nightsisters (because, frankly, she is one...but she glows as has weird voice powers!), and I really wanted her to feel like something that belonged in-universe. It was super important to me that she looked like something that belonged in Star Wars. - Joe Hogan

I would like to share an except from Joe’s 2 years Anniversary post on deviantArt. I really wish I could show you the whole post here since it is a very inspiring read! I can only warmly recommend you follow this link back to read the whole thing:

Every speed bump has been a learning experience, every failure a new opportunity, and every success a victory I’ve been privileged to share with you and all of my supporters. I take no credit in my early success as a commercial artist, because it’s OUR victory. Every single person that complimented my work, gave an honest critique, commissioned my for work, bought my first self-published art book, or simply told me they believed in me — NONE of this was possible without each and every one of you. Make no mistake, I’m far from out of the woods. While I knew this was the right path for me back in my first post here, 99 posts later I can say “I told you so” with all the confidence in the world…thanks to you all.

Padme Amadala Skywalker: No woman knew more woe than the wife of the galaxy's plague, and the mother of its last hope. - Joe Hogan

So now, in my 100th post on this blog, I’m older and wiser, and the experiences I’ve been blessed with over the past two years have been nothing short of the best time of my life. I also beg you to follow my example and chase after YOUR passion as if you only had one more day to seize it. Whatever your goals are, however unachievable they may seem, you can do it. If you have to settle on another job, never, EVER, lose sight of your dream. Do what you have to do to keep reminding yourself that it’s a temporary situation and you have the power, sometimes over time, to change it. I’m living proof that any idiot can end up where they want to, as long as they work hard, are kind to others, and stay focused on the prize.

More art trades! This one was a request from Nemonus. It's everybody's favorite prequel sithlord, and her own original character Morn. I tried to do a little digging on her page for some back story of the "relationship" the two had in her fan story, and it seems like there was a little awkward tension there. I figured Tatooine would be a good setting for an awkward moment, as it's pretty barren. For some reason, it seemed like a good idea. - Joe Hogan

Anything you would like to add?

To the folks like me who are having trouble getting started, the best advice I can give is to do your best to reach out to the artists that inspire you. Most of them are super busy, but I’ve found that 99% of the time, they’re super nice and typically take time to answer any questions you may have or give honest critiques. Don’t be shy but be respectful of their schedule and whatever they tell you. Most importantly though, take to heart what they have to say because they’re in their position for a reason. They’re going to tell you like it is, and the advice they give you will definitely help you get closer to whatever your goals are. And of course, they had to start somewhere too! They’ve been through the stage you’re going through now, so they aren’t going to steer you wrong. Develop a thick skin and keep pushing towards doing what you love!

This one's another commission for a good friend of mine, Scott Meyer! He was kind enough to get me involved with Rebelscum's unnofficial Celebration V party, where I got to meet a lot of great people! I'm actually working with one of the Rebelscummers now, but that's a hush hush deal for now! Some content to come soon... Anyway, Scott wanted the ol' Jedi mind trick scene, and i had a blast doing this!! - Joe Hogan

Thank you so much for sharing both your thoughts and art with us here at TORWars, Joe!

You can see more (much more!) of Joe’s art in his deviantART gallery and if you want to learn more about commissioning a piece from Joe Hogan you can check out his journal post: Commissions Closing Soon!