Pyramid As Viewed In Tethered Phases: Clockwork Atomics x324

Many of these drawings are of nothing in particular. Almost more of an visual/conceptual exercise. Start with a classic geometric form (a pyramid) and deconstruct it while keeping it whole. Create an object that has no definitive outside planes. Or one that is shown to be moving through itself in space. The general idea is that it is both inside out and not simultaneously. Which for me is the answer to the question of how do you get a bigger object in a smaller one. At any rate it is a hell of a way to kill time.

Orrery Of A Binary System With Five Orbiting Bodies: Clockwork Atomics x326

I would have to say that my favorite mechanical device is still the Orrery. An orrery is a model that shows the relative positioning and movement of astral bodies/systems. They can be highly detailed clockworks and are beautiful to watch. Many of my drawings have their genesis in orrerys. If not in subject then in the movement of the machine and its parts.

Folding Instructions For Turning A 2D Plane Inside Out: Clockwork Atomics x313

I remember one of the more enjoyable (maybe the only one) standardized tests I took as I child was one that tested aptitude. If I remember correctly (which I most likely don't), I performed amazing well in areas that had to do with spacial relations and reasoning. And did really poorly in areas that dealt with mechanics. The spacial part definitely played out in both work and my past times. But for the other it did not matter in any way as my fascination with mechanical devices only continued to grow. (Possibly due to my subconscious inability to understand them fully). Who knows?

Vergeltungswaffen-4 (V-4) Spacial Compression/Collapsing Engine: Clockwork Atomics x347

The Germans developed some scary technology for the time during the war. Even more frightening were the weapons and tech that never made it off of the drawing board. Tapping into every niche of scientific and arcane knowledge the projects that were discussed surely exceeded even the most wild imaginations and nightmares. This idea is continued in Mike Mignola's excellent Hellboy books. Many of which feature impossible machines and weapons.

Quantum Atomic Heart Of The Machine Of Apokolips: Clockwork Atomics x353

I borrowed a little from Jack Kirby here. A very very little but he was the genesis. The sculpting lines/tubes around the sphere gives volume and adds an element of primitive tech. Jack used vaguely similar line structures especially in his depictions of Apokolips and its technology. I have never been able to mimic his art to any degree of satisfaction but it continues to serve as a point of inspiration.

Omni-Directional Cathode Ray Emitter: Clockwork Atomics x297

A predecessor to the numerous death ray machines to come (I still lay the blame at Flash Gordon's feet). But it is the play between archaic and advanced tech that I continue to explore. Making something advanced with primitive items. One part Da Vinci and one part the Professor from Gilligan's Island.

Dr. Frankenstein's Electrical Accumulation Engine: Clockwork Atomics x359

One of my favorite sets in film is the lab of Dr. Frankenstein. I never get tired of the look of his equipment. Not sure I understand any of the devices but I love em. This design partially borrowed from those machines. On a side note: this napkin is from Morton's in Georgetown where I ran up a surprisingly large tab without realizing it.

Jet Turbine Directed Sonic Array: Clockwork Atomics x346

At some point I started adding metal plating/housing to the machines. I think this was an attempt to conform more to the idea of what a Steampunk design should be. But ultimately I gave up on making this a major component. I felt it just didn't work as well. It made the machines feel too solid. This also features a 2D front array as part of a continued experiment primarily inspired by the ray gun designs from WETA.

Astrometric Diagram Of Gravimetric Forces On A Ternary System: Clockwork Atomics x295

The majority of my early drawings were either mathematical diagrams, alchemic structures, or astrometric relationships. While that has changed and I now work almost exclusively on drawings of the machine or my new obsession concentric circles (its more interesting than it sounds), I occasionally return to the diagrams. I find them relaxing and enjoy immensely the under-drawing that occurs when working on napkins. The sketching is non correctable so whatever happens happens.

Edison Vacuum Tube Compression Death Ray: Clockwork Atomics x348

More death rays. Never never can be enough. Sadly this drawing is kinda fucked. The right 2/3 is perfect and then I ganked it. For some unknown reason I thought it would be cool that the final focusing array should be flat. Flat as in 2D. This was not a good idea. My attempts to correct this (over draw) were semi-successful. It still looks a bit blocky. But I just love the right side and I learned my lesson...sort of.

Tesladyne Dynamic Ionic Centrifuge: Clockwork Atomics x293

One of the most important elements in my drawings is the feeling of movement. The gears grinding and meshing with each other along with parts of the machine in motion. Circular rotation in the machines has developed from the gears spinning to an array that moves to my current drawings that in which all parts move. Granted they would have to move through each other. However, the contradiction of the machine's possible functionality and the impossibility of the spacial relationships I find extremely appealing.

John Cleves Symmes Jr.'s Hollow Earth Model: Clockwork Atomics x321

I love this theory. It's been kicking around as long as there has been written history. The idea that there are secret areas and hidden parts of the world is almost a dead thing. It's a shame really. Much of pulp fiction entails the exploration of the lost parts of history. I feel that the resurgence of pulp fiction's themes is the desire to regain, even superficially, some of the mystery that is gone from the world.

Da Vinci's Newtonian Dynamic Particle Death Ray Cannon: Clockwork Atomics x341

Part telescope, part clockwork, part gravity well. All super weapon. What's with all the death rays? Too much Flash Gordon as a child I guess. I blame my parents. When I was 10 they gave me a beautiful book of the newspaper comics from the 30's. It was one of my first exposures to the retro futurism and continues to effect my ideas. While the drawings and designs I produce are not Steampunk in the strictest sense, I like to think that they share a certain flavor. The idea of old or primitive technology being used to produce advanced tech is highly attractive to me. There is a certain beauty to the slightly archaic designs that never fails to catch my eye and heart.

NYC's Queensboro Bridge (59th Street Bridge) In Four Dimensions: Clockwork Atomics x290

NYC has many bridges and several are quite famous. The 59th street bridge is not one of those but it is one of my favs. I see it everyday from the train and I never get tired of it. It reminds me of something that would be built from an Erector Set. I just love its structure I guess.

Mapping Stress Planes In A Crystalline Cube: Clockwork Atomics x320

Gem cutting has always amazed me. Being able to get to a hidden shape by fracturing the whole kills me. I don't know if its true but I remember hearing stories of jewelers studying a stone for a great length of time before beginning. The matrix or crystalline structure of a solid object showing it's inner working is beautiful. Admittedly it might be in part to my being a fan of the Inhumans. Karnak rocked.

Archimedes' Death Ray Powered By Micro Singularity: Clockwork Atomics x325

Death rays. Who could ever get tired of these things? It captures the imagination with both thoughts of power and destruction. The idea of siccing devastation from afar upon an enemy is by no means a new idea. While not always called a death ray, the general idea has been around for at least the last two thousand years. Archimedes supposedly created such a device. Modern testing shows it would most likely brown bread rather than cause an inferno of death. But the idea and desire was certainly there.