Watercolor portrait of James Durham's character Art from his novel podcast: FETIDUS (Foundation for the Ethical Treatment of the Innocently Damned, Undead and Supernatural) : The Damned Heir\

I like this one. He looks a lot younger in this one, but it’s really cute and at the same time makes me think: That’s Art Blanchard!

Here's the description he sent me of his appearance:
"Art Blanchard -- Think Humphrey Bogart meets Jason Statham (with more hair)... early 40's, clean-shaven (on the mornings he shaves, otherwise often has 9 o'clock shadow), short, mottled, dark hair (a few silver strands up close), slighly receding hairline (but not much, not unattractive in any way), been around the block one too many times. Blue, startling eyes. They flash or glimmer sometimes, women love it and trust him. A good man trusts him, an evil man fears him.

Beat up, worn down, rugged, very manly, "slightly thick" (this is important... "thick", but not flabby in any way), strong (but not body builder or "fitness trainer" body in any way), yet slightly gaunt, slightly sunken eyes, but not unattractively so -- it's a contradiction since he's robustly healthy. Visibly strong, worn hands. He has a good "ticker" and can take a beating in an alley brawl and looks like he's had a few too many fights. He has a few visible minor scars, is sometimes seen with a small strip of medical tape over a facial cut (often under his right eye) or stitches from a fist fight. He has worn skin, lines of hard living and tragedy, long nights, and a man who has seen a whole hell of a lot of shit in his life.

Keep in mind that he has a rare form of zombieism -- an infection that sometimes gives him a slight craziness and lustful, possessed look, so he can be a conflicted paradox. Battling inner demons and hard memories, but with a shining soul of goodness under it all. He's like a worn out knight who has been on a quest for so long he forgot what he was looking for. Haunting in a handsome way (or handsome in a haunting way), good sex appeal if he weren't an asshole or didn't look a bit ragged sometimes.

Smokes cigars, doesn't much care for dressing according to convention. Would "clean up" quite well, in a rugged James Bond type of way, but never dresses that way (except on super-rare white-tie formal occasions). Has little care for fashion. Wears almost same outfit most of the time. Loves to wear a Fedora. Often wears a jacket. Often caries his Browning 9mm in a holster under his jacket."

To find out more about Art, go to fetidus.org or download FETIDUS for your iPod, Zune or other mp3 player via iTunes or Zune or off of the website.

Enjoy~

Art (C) James Durham

Done in watercolor. Touched up in photoshop elements 6.0