JOE LACEY
  • HOME
  • ILLUSTRATION
  • GRAPHIC DESIGN
  • PAINTINGS
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT

Illustration Blog

/bläɡ/ noun – a regularly updated website or web page.

8-bit Cosmos

5/11/2023

0 Comments

 

Zoom into 8-bit Cosmos!

Sci-Fi tales of computer technology by Joe Lacey
The book,
Picture
Get ready for an adventure beyond your wildest imagination!
You have questions. Outer space has the answers! Modern-day social media and AI technology are brought to life in the Sci-Fi tales of 8-bit Cosmos. For we all know, without fiction, there would be no science.

Transport yourself to a mind-blowing universe of cosmic computers and amazing aliens!
Illustrated in classic 8-bit pixel art!


• Cheer for Captain J. Peg as he defends the 8-bit Cosmos with his Galactic Interstellar Fleet!
•  Cringe in terror as the evil robotic zombie Botnet seeks to destroy the 8-bit Cosmos!
•  Relax at the Space Bar, groove to the wild wavy sounds of the Funkisites, and party with a dancing banana!
•  Journey to alien worlds to see the future of social media, crypto banking, AI art, and chatbots!

With 90 pages of amazing B&W pixel illustrations and imaginative stories, 8-bit Cosmos is a must-read for anyone who loves science fiction and the unbelievable history of computers.

Written and illustrated by
Joe Lacey
Forward by
Demetrius P. Idle, PNG/UFO
 (Planetary Nebula Guide / United Future Oddballs)
Photo of author and illustrator Joe Lacey with his book
Joe Lacey reviews his book "8-bit Cosmos."
A two page story with pixel art illustrations of the Search Engine and a dancing banana used for space and time travel. From the book
Six 8-bit pixel illustrations of science fiction antagonists and villains from the book
Captain J. Peg, Ensign Joyce T'ck, Dr. Eplica, Mr. Chips, The GIF Renderer, and Harald Bluetooth.
A two page story with pixel art illustrations of the Followers who are weird aliens with clear empty dome heads. From the book
Six 8-bit pixel illustrations of science fiction antagonists and villains from the book
The evil robot zombie - Botnet and his army of Spambots, the Queen of 8-bit Space, Cryptobot, Kitkot, and Modem.

A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR
Photo of author and illustrator Joe Lacey with his book
"You don't want this book. You NEED this book!"
Simple pixel illustration of a CD disc with the number
I made my first book, 8-bit Kingdom: Medieval tales of computer technology  because of my love of classic arcade games of the 80s and my interest in mythology and folklore. When I completed the book, I knew I wanted to do another that would take place in outer space. Two years later, 8-bit Cosmos: Sci-Fi tales of computer technology was completed!  This book explores more deeply our modern-day social media and technological advancements (or setbacks depending on how you look at them.) It's also quite sarcastic and funny. If you've spent any time on social media, or interacted with an AI chatbot,  I think you'll enjoy this book. Believe it or not, I drew all the art by hand using a computer, but without the use any AI technology. Amazing, I know.

Simple pixel illustration of a man running away and a man with a spear.
There's something joyful in those little jagged edges and square circles moving around the screen. They have an innocence and are loaded with personality and often humor. When writing and illustrating 8-bit Cosmos, I strove to bring this personality and humor to each page.

I made the art board 160 x 160 pixels in order to preserve that classic arcade feel. It’s impressive just how much character and emotion can be expressed in even the smallest pixel art image. A great amount of information can be delivered just a few pixels. Thirty pixels can depict a heroic fighter or cowardly person. It all depends upon the exact placement of the pixels. A pixel placed high - the character is happy, a pixel placed low - the character is angry. The idea of simple pixel art is actually an oxymoron. It can can be quite a challenge placing the correct pixel in the correct location to achieve the correct effect.

So, zoom into the 8-bit Cosmos! A collection of tales that blend retro gaming, personal computing, and social media all illustrated in classic 8-bit b&w pixel art!


The book 8-bit Cosmos: Sci-Fi tales of computer technology
Click HERE to purchase 8-bit Cosmos: Sci-Fi tales of computer technology. Or at your choice of bookseller worldwide or special order at you local bookstore!
The book 8-bit kingdom: Medieval tales of computer technology
And while your there don't forget to, BUY 8-bit Kingdom: Medieval tales of computer technology! You can read more about 8-bit Kingdom HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pixel illustration of artist and illustrator Joe Lacey dressed in a sci-fi space suit.
Joe Lacey is an illustrator and graphic designer for toys and books. He's created 8-bit pixel art and animations for video game cartridges, toys, apps, and casino games. Despite his appreciation for computers, he does not want to talk to one.

Prior publications include 8-bit Kingdom: Medieval tales of computer technology, Famous Illustrators of the Golden Age Coloring Portfolio (Diner Mighty) and Lyrics by Lennon & McCartney Coloring Songbook (Crayola). He co-authored the award-nominated The Musical Touch of Leonard Nimoy with his wife Darlene. His work on the books Necco: An Epic Candy Tale and Necco:The Archive Collection received special recognition from the Cambridge Historical Commission for their historical and cultural importance.
0 Comments

8-bit Kingdom

7/29/2021

0 Comments

 

Welcome to 8-bit Kingdom!

​​Medieval tales of computer technology by Joe Lacey
8-bit Kingdom Medieval tales of computer technology coloring book by Joe Lacey available at Amazon. 8bit Kingdom is illustrated in classic 8bit pixel art.
A 90 page story book you can color!  Illustrated in  classic 8bit pixel art.
AMAZON BUY NOW BUTTON for 8-bit Kingdom Medieval tales of computer technology coloring book by Joe Lacey
The modern-day computer world is brought to life in the medieval origin tales of 8-bit Kingdom. In this land of magic and science the modern computer age is born. Because we all know without the use of magic, there would be no science.

Journey to a wondrous land of computers and dragons
Illustrated in classic 8-bit pixel art!


• Wizards use computer programming to cast spells and fight evil!
• 
King Octavious the Eighth ushers in the modern computer age -
over 1,200 years ago in the year 800 P.C. (Post Computers)!

• The Malware Monarch and his army of hideous ogres, storm worms, and hackers maliciously attack all that is good!
• Fantastic creatures fill the skies, seas, and cosmos!
• Ancient artifacts reveal the origins of computer technology!

8-bit Kingdom is not a coloring book, but rather a book you can color. Think of it as bedtime stories for the computer programmer and the video game geek. After all, everyone loves timeless tales of good vs evil.

If you are a self-professed “computer nerd,” a fan of role-playing adventures, a retro fantasy video game enthusiast, or just plain love stories of dragons, dungeons, and wizards, 8-bit Kingdom is the book for you!

Written and illustrated by
Joe Lacey
Forward by
Pinchus Pixelton
Professor Emeritus
​Centralis Processui Universitas / C.P.U.
Picture
Joe Lacey reads from his book "8-bit Kingdom".
8-BIT Kingdom Princess Dos and the silver disks of destiny
Princess Dos and the silver disks of destiny.
Coloring book page sample from 8-bit Kingdom Medieval tales of computer technology coloring book by Joe Lacey. Giant octopus attacking the sea port, Tekncal Sea Port.
The "Tekncal Sea Port" of 8-bit Kingdom.
Coloring book page samples from 8-bit Kingdom Medieval tales of computer technology coloring book by Joe Lacey. Images of Sir Verr - the knight who never sleeps, dragon shield, King Octavious the 8th, goblins, the Malware Monarch, and dungeon with spooky kooky men.
A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR
8 bit pixel art of computer chip
I made this book because of my love of classic arcade games of the 80s. There is something joyful in those little jagged edges and square circles moving around the screen. They have an innocence and are loaded with personality and often humor. When writing and illustrating 8-bit Kingdom, I strove to bring this personality and humor to each page – with pixels!

8-bit pixel men. One man running away. One man brave and holding a spear.
I made the art board 160 x 160 pixels in order to preserve that classic arcade feel. It’s impressive just how much character and emotion can be expressed in even the smallest pixel art image. A great amount of information can be delivered just a few pixels. Thirty pixels can depict a heroic fighter or cowardly person. It all depends upon the exact placement of the pixels. A pixel placed high - the character is happy, a pixel placed low - the character is angry. The idea of simple pixel art is actually an oxymoron. It can can be quite a challenge placing the correct pixel in the correct location to achieve the correct effect.

So, welcome to 8-bit Kingdom! A collection of tales that blend retro gaming, personal computing, and fantasy role-playing all fully illustrated in classic 8-bit pixel art! I hope you enjoy reading it (and maybe even coloring it) as much as I enjoyed writing and illustrating it.

​Purchase 8-bit Kingdom HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
8bit pixel art of author and illustrator Joe Lacey. Pixel art depicts a man with a long curled mustache and goatee wearing a crown and a monocle. He is dressed in 19th century royal attire with medals and epaulettes.
Joe Lacey, author & illustrator
For ten years, Joe Lacey worked as a pixel artist and animator. His work can be seen in the Fisher-Price game cartridges for Pixter, which include Monster Shop and Dino Draw. He also created the art and animation for a number of casino-styled online video games and interactive educational apps.

In addition to digital games, Joe creates art for toys and books. Some of his publications include Famous Illustrators of the Golden Age Coloring Portfolio (Diner Mighty) and Lyrics by Lennon & McCartney Coloring Songbook (Crayola). He co-authored the award-nominated The Musical Touch of Leonard Nimoy with his wife Darlene.

Joe currently lives in Los Angeles, California and prefers movies without CGI. His favorite video game is Joust.
0 Comments

Publishing Award Nomination

1/24/2020

0 Comments

 
The Musical Touch of Leonard Nimoy nominated by ARSC for Excellence in Historical Research
​I am proud to announce that my book The Musical Touch of Leonard Nimoy: His fascinating musical career and discography by Darlene Lacey and Joe Lacey has been nominated for the 2020 Association for Recorded Sound Collections Awards for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research. The book is available in print and e-book editions at Amazon.
ARSC Eligibility criteria:
The work must contribute significantly to the advancement of knowledge and/or appreciation of the role of recorded sound in the establishment and preservation of our cultural heritage.

Nominated works must deal with historical subjects, defined as pertaining predominantly to periods at least ten years prior to the year of publication.

The works must embody the highest standards of research: accuracy, thoroughness, ingenuity and originality in research and analysis, and a logical and accessible presentation.
The winners will be announced by September, and the awards will be presented during a banquet at ARSC’s annual conference in May 2021. Additional information about ARSC, the awards, and this year’s conference may be found at www.arsc-audio.org

ARSC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and study of sound recordings.
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Joe Lacey illustrator

    Joe Lacey

    I produce illustrations and creative idea solutions for toys, packaging, publishing and advertising.


    ON SALE NOW!

    ADULT COLORING BOOKS by Joe Lacey

    Picture
    8-bit Kingdom: Medieval tales of computer technology • BUY NOW!


    Famous Illustrators of the Golden Age Coloring Portfolio • BUY NOW!


    Categories

    All
    8 Bit Art
    8-bit Art
    Activities & Games
    Advertising
    Avon
    Awards
    Beatles
    Books
    Character Design
    Christmas
    College Art
    Coloring Books
    Crayola
    Crayola Kids
    Editorial
    Fisher Price
    Fisher-Price
    Food Industry
    Halloween
    High School Art
    Illustration
    Illustrators
    Magazines
    Monsters
    Package Design
    PEZ
    Premiums
    Product Design
    Publishing
    Robots
    Seinfeld
    Silly Putty
    Sports
    Toys
    Valentine's Day
    Vintage
    Wilton


    Illustrators

    • H.R. Geiger
    • Vernon Grant
    • Alex D. Palmer

    Links

    • Candy Wrapper Museum
    • Dan Howe - Artist
    • Dachshund Rescue

    Archives

    May 2023
    April 2023
    October 2022
    July 2021
    March 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • HOME
  • ILLUSTRATION
  • GRAPHIC DESIGN
  • PAINTINGS
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT