by Graphics Editor Jordi Ensign

pencils by John Nadeau inks by Jordi Ensign

     Hi there! I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Jordi Ensign and I have the distinct honor of being the Graphics Editor & Contributor for this great Star Wars E-Mag that you've been paging through. A lot of hard work and sweat and time goes into this beauty of a project, most of that time is spent by Ye Old Pain--uh, Ye Old Editor, Lee Brown. The other half is spent by me, scrambling to get graphics done that are tailored to each new article. If you took a quick scan of the Table of Contents, you'll realize that Echo Station has grown by geometric proportions.

WANTED: ARTISTS & CONTRIBUTORS, DEAD OR ALIVE
     My point is this: the bigger this magazine grows, the more we need you, fans of Star Wars, to help us put this baby together every two months. Every one accounted for here as contributors have a special interest in Star Wars, be it the books, or comics, or toys, or the art, whatever. They each have a desire to be a part of this great magazine, and are willing to put aside some personal time to put it together. But we need more people. We have a great staff of regulars that we can count on for information, but we need more ideas. And I need more people willing to contribute art, or be willing to take on assignments. With each issue I realize this more and more; I cannot do this alone. I think a greater number of you may think that your drawing ability is below standard, or that you fear criticism. Another section of you may be thinking that, well, someone else will contribute. But if everyone thinks that someone else will do it, then no one does.

     I am not a harsh critic, I promise you. I've been in the comic business for seven years, and the art business longer than that. I've had my share of crticism, constructive and destructive, but I weathered it and learned from it; it's the only way to improve your skill. The first thing you have to learn is that constructive criticism is not an attack on you personally; it is not an attack at all. It's an objective opinion on how your work has affected another person. Your task is then to compare what you intended with your piece with how it was actually interpreted. It's a constant attempt at balance: what you want to say with your art, and what other people see when presented with it. In fact, the more you expose your art to the world at large, the quicker you learn this lesson, and the quicker your skill can improve. Destructive criticism will not be tolerated, and you won't hear it from me at any time. Every one has the potential to become greater than they are, and to simply say, 'This stinks', or 'I don't like it', doesn't help anyone concerned. So this is my promise to you: I will give you all my years of industry experience to help you attain a greater level of skill and presentation. You can be a part of Echo Station if you will take the first step. That step is sending me samples of what you can do.

IS THIS YOU?
     I need people who can draw a little on the computer, who have a good eye for color, whatever you think is your shining point so far at your level of skill. Show me what you've got and do your best to blow me away. Don't assume that if you paint, or if you do pastels, or whatever medium you like to work in, that I wouldn't want to see it. I'm looking for variety and energy, not necessarily just pixels.

     If you're interested, there's no excuse for not submitting. Don't think it would be impossible for you to participate because the level of the computer technology sitting on your desk might be below average. To let you know where I stand, I have a 486 PC, with a handful of simple Paintbrush programs (under $40), a Graphics Workshop program that was pulled out of a Shareware Forum on CompuServe, an Icon Maker program that was pulled from there as well, and a sheet-feeder color scanner (about $200.) I don't have a fancy set-up by any standards, but I have the willingness to push these programs to their (and my) limits.

TECHNOLOGY NOT AN OBSTACLE
     The same can hold true for you; where there's a will, there's a way. You can Email me samples at Jordster@compuserve.com. If you don't have scanning capability, you're still in the ballgame. I have fax capable software, so it is possible for you to make a color copy of non-computer art and fax it straight to my computer (just Email me first so we can make arrangements.) Plus, we can easily arrange to have your work converted to computer form with a color scanner.

     I need people who understand the importance of a deadline. If you have any intentions of trying to make a living with your art, whatever it be, the first lesson you have to learn is that most people will want things from you on a schedule. It's a tough lesson; it took a while for me to learn it, so I have patience drawn from symapthy. To draw on command takes a lot of dedication and energy, and it may take a little time for you to get used to it, so don't fret too much about it. I'll do my best to walk you through it. Be honest with me about your pace, how quickly or slowly you work; if you're honest about it, then we won't have problems. If you work slowly, well, we just schedule you for a project way ahead of time. If you can work quickly, we can use you for last minute additions. There's room here for everyone.

FEATURED ARTIST - "SLAVE I"
     Which brings me to this issue's feature artist, James, or as he is better known on AOL, Slave I. James painted this great shot of Boba Fett and his ship on canvas with acrylic paints in three or four weeks, working only nights and weekends. He's 27 years old, and has a full-time day job working for U S WEST as a Graphics System Specialist. He considers his painting a basement hobby, something he does in his spare time. He'd like to be able to do his paintings full-time, and is in the process of contacting a number of different companies by sending out samples. He was also recently contacted by Paramount to be in the bidding for a four poster series for Star Trek. We at ECHO STATION wish him the best of luck, and our thanks for letting us share his paintings with our readers!

ONE LAST THING:
     Until next issue, as someone once said, "Vaya con huevos", go with eggs. Yeah, I know, it's weird......but so am I.

(Comments and contributions should be sent to Graphics Editor Jordi Ensign at Jordster@compuserve.com.)