charcoal dept. sounds like there is an official “department”, but in reality, its just me. I’ve decided to give my charcoal drawings their own space, separate from the rest of my work by giving it its own department at this esteemed 1 man company.
In the past, my charcoal pieces were mostly based on real-life references. Much of my inspiration comes from the legendary photographer Edward Curtis, who spent his life traveling North America to document the diverse Native tribes. Without his work, much of North American history and culture might have been lost to time.
When I decided to create this collection, I could not decide which drawings would be the identity of the drop. In the past, I always used references, aiming to depict them as accurately as possible, though I’d often add subtle creative changes to make the figure more striking.
For this Drop, I thought I would try something new and create my own “characters” in charcoal. They do not exist, except for in the “what if” world I am building in my head. Meet Lightning, Loco Leroy Johnson, and The Wendingo Man.
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The Horse Spirit known as “Lightning” is an untamed force of nature, a pure embodiment of power and pursuit of freedom that pulses through all living things. Depicted as an ethereal Mustang charging through storm clouds, Lightning is the essence of speed, strength, and raw energy. A protector to those in tune with the natural world, and a harbinger of redemption, Lightning represents both the chaos and the clarity of the wild. For those who walk closely with nature, it is not just a spirit—it is a divine presence, a symbol of the unyielding drive to break free and embrace the endless horizon.
Loco Leroy Johnson is a man forged from the unforgiving dust of the frontier. He’s a wild man, and blows his bounty money on whiskey and cigarettes. His priority is chasing a thrill. He takes the jobs no one else dares. The impulsive decisions always seem to work, like luck is on his side. It’s said that his name “loco” comes from being the sole survivor at the Alamo. His past is a trail of regret and poor drunken decisions, but his drive to chase “Lightning” and his goal to catch the elusive Wendingo Man, keeps him going.
The Wendingo Man comes from the Algonquin myth of the “Wendingo,” an evil spirit comparable to the boogeyman of the West. He is a shadow that haunts the frontier. It’s said that lions and bears flee from his presence. Settlers and tribes alike fear him. A relentless hunter, an unkillable monster. They say he was raised by wolves and belongs to no tribe. Though seen as a monster, he only hunts the corrupted. The Wendingo Man worships “Lightning” as the divine creator, and his next target: Loco Leroy Johnson.