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thegreatsurvey · 1 month

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Col. Cricket, Father Mara, In Thee We Pray.

11x14"

Charcoal on painted panel.

#drawing #draw #science fiction #illustration #fantasy #milwaukee #scifi #art #horror #grotesque #sketch #colonel cricket #rickety cricket #always sunny #iasip #iasip fanart #its always sunny

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thegreatsurvey · 1 month

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The Gang Saves Philly from Fat MacZilla.

11x14"

Acrylic, pencil, ink and alcohol ink on panel.

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thegreatsurvey · 2 months

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The Pullman 600.

12x48"

Acrylic on panel.

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thegreatsurvey · 2 months

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W113 Front End.

18x36"

Acrylic on canvas.

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thegreatsurvey · 2 months

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I'd lived on the plains my entire life but had never seen the base of the tower. Besides it basically standing as a monument to the ruling structuralists, the entire idea of a tower invalidated our existence as plain-tenders, thus negating any curiosity or good will amongst the plainards it otherwise might have attracted. Providing a one-stop shop for travellers and outsiders, the commercial potential for a tower was obvious and not under dispute. The problem was that it not only stole the vast majority of commerce from the plainsmen's communities but essentially acted as a de-facto extension of the ruling state, dissolving the autonomy that had brought the plains their unique history and makeup. There's no need to cultivate the sands when the tower can provide the sustenance needed, constantly resupplied through a never-ending parade of vehicles and caravans. There's no need for a herdsman's knowledge when food is provided, slaughter-free, from one of a thousand restaurant options. There's no need for time-tested cultural tradition when the tower can import the latest and greatest technology and entertainment at a moment's notice. It's not necessarily that a tower and the Plainards couldn't co-exist, its that the structuralists don't want to and see no reason for an "old-fashioned" way of life. When a tower (or a hundred) can provide everything a population needs while also offering absolute control and oversight of the wild lands to the ruling class, there's no wonder why the tower system continues to grow or why the plainsman's reign in the region will soon come to an end. Today we travelled the last few miles to the Rift and, for the first time, glimpsed the base of the monumental structure. Our request for entry will soon be accepted and for the first and possibly last time, the Plainards will step off of solid ground.

#drawing #draw #scifi #fantasy #great survey #milwaukee #science fiction #illustration #moebius #art #tower #desert #short story #sci fi and fantasy #handmade #pen and ink #traditional media

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thegreatsurvey · 3 months

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The Official Black Forest Bosch Fuel Injection Pump Shop sign.

24x24"

Acrylic on metal sign.

#drawing #illustration #draw #milwaukee #art #classic car #black forest #mercedes #mercedes benz #classic benz #bosch #fuel injection pump #bosch legacy #benz #handmade #painting

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thegreatsurvey · 3 months

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Porsche Viola.

16x20"

Acrylic on canvas.

#art #painting #paint #acrylic #milwaukee #porsche #porsche 911 #classic cars #cars #car art #auto art #automobile art #classic car #classic porsche #purple #violet #viola #porsche colors #purple 911

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thegreatsurvey · 3 months

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Underwater.

Starring Kristen Stewart and Vincent Cassel. Directed by William Eubank.

#drawing #science fiction #scifi #fantasy #illustration #draw #great survey #art #underwater #kristen stewart #monster #vincent cassel #poster #poster design #movie poster

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thegreatsurvey · 4 months

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The Ridge Tunnel Complex. Though vast and featuring outlooks throughout the Essek ridge, a few small windows and manicured towers are all that reveal the existence of the Ridge Tunnel Complex to the uninformed passerby. With entrances hidden amongst the valleys and cliffs, disguised by boulders and mainly unmarked, the tunnel complex was always meant to be a somewhat secret outpost for the desert militia. While it's become a moderately popular destination amongst spelunkers since it was abandoned after the Essek Campaign of Forscur almost eight decades ago, the vast majority of entrances remain hidden and the windows high in the cliffs, making entry a daunting task even for the experienced caver.

#draw #drawing #illustration #science fiction #fantasy #milwaukee #great survey #scifi #moebius #art #artwork #sketch #freehand #no eraser #ridge #tunnel complex #tunnel #derinkuyu

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thegreatsurvey · 5 months

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The Rotunda.

The Rotunda was a grand 'residence' just beyond the foothills that was largely ceremonial and, other than a few stays from the random traveling statesman, is occupied almost entirely by the custodial staff and caretakers. It spanned over thirty floors, not including the vast multi-story cellar, which featured every comfort and amenity one could likely imagine, along with ballrooms, suites, lounges, libraries and dressing rooms that one would expect in a wealthy retreat.

Though highly fashionable for its first hundred and twenty years of existence, The Rotunda is now viewed as a representation of the opulence currently disavowed by the latest generation of ruling families. It still features the occasional party and gathering, but it's use as a state symbol has been largely left behind.

#drawing #illustration #draw #fantasy #milwaukee #art #great survey #scifi #happening elsewhere #science fiction #architecture #black and white #moebius #world building

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thegreatsurvey · 7 months

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The Small Island. Living on the Small Island is considered an honor, though the realities of the situation make it more like an obligation than a duty members of the public are clamoring to take on.

It's only a month stint and necessities like food and water are provided daily, but it's also a month away from the comforts of home carrying out a largely ceremonial role where your only real company is The Chiliad Tree which, while storied, provides little conversation. Hundreds of years ago the honor was restricted to the clergy, even at one point hiding the tree within a small perimeter wall to prevent secular eyes from a glimpse, but over the years the grip of the church relaxed and the republic, in its various forms, took over the main governing roles, including protection of the Chiliad Tree and access to the Small Island. Today it's a bit like jury duty. Many citizens dread the monthly lottery and, though a peaceful break is welcome, an entire month is a bit long to be away from your daily responsibilities for most. Some families treat it as a coming of age moment with sons and daughters volunteering when they turn 18 as way of connecting with the past and instilling a sense of community and dedication. Finally there are the few clergy-members and worshippers remaining that continue treating The Chiliad as a relic, appearing off the coast of the island for prayer, volunteering regularly to care for the tree, and occupying the island for their ceremonies and rituals about 50% of the year. Many petitions have been proposed to return The Small Island and The Chiliad Tree to the permanent care of the church, but, as in most circumstances, the republic is reluctant to relieve any control.

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thegreatsurvey · 10 months

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youtube

Check out the making of "Sea Birds" over on my Youtube page...while you're at it give me a follow and whatnot!

#drawing #illustration #science fiction #draw #scifi #fantasy #milwaukee #great survey #art #happening elsewhere #timelapse #video #making of #in progress #work in progress #sea bird #cruise ship #Youtube

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thegreatsurvey · 10 months

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The Sea Bird is a massive floating community built for the booming South Sea tourism industry, currently in its third decade of service. Initially planned as a large, but much more typical floating casino-cruise ship, the size and design became excessively large and more flamboyant over its decade of development as obscene amounts of money were poured into the project by a never ending flow of investors desperate to cash in on the innovative behemoth.

At launch it could hold 7,258 passengers and 2,112 crew while staying at sea for four months at a time without outside support. About a decade into service, the utilities and fittings were updated, living-areas expanded, and its propulsion system dramatically upgraded. Today almost 10,000 passengers board the bird, where they are presented with a never-ending cavalcade of entertainment and dining options, lavish accommodations, and an experience specifically tailored for comfort and relaxation.

Though faced with enormous construction costs and daily expenses, the Sea Bird has proven extremely popular amongst the upper class and rarely sails with an empty suite, making it one of the more profitable floating cities on the south sea route.

Sea Birds.

12x12"

Acrylic on panel.

#drawing #illustration #science fiction #draw #scifi #fantasy #milwaukee #great survey #art #happening elsewhere #sea birds #seagull #birds #birdwatching #fleming #dan flem draws

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thegreatsurvey · 10 months

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The Protoype.

16x20"

Acrylic and alcohol ink on canvas

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thegreatsurvey · 10 months

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The Old and New Observatory

The old and the new observatory stand just a stones-throw from each other, about 340km from the eastern edge of the k’Patnas Cliffs, so-called as the Observatory Plain is an ancient lake bed formed inside a crater suspected to be from the mythic War of Twelve.

In the east, the cliffs soar up to 843 meters, blocking solar winds and preventing most cloud cover from the area, creating an almost perfect environment for astronomy especially during winter when just a flicker of Solas rises and falls for about 35 minutes each day.

The old observatory stands on a peak which originally formed a small island in the lake. The new observatory was constructed on a man-made mound to the old observatory’s south with a long processional staircase leading to its doors. The initial plans called for a towering base for the new observatory that would rise to the height of the surrounding cliffs, double that of the original, but a pseudo-religious reverence for the thousand-plus year-old observatory had developed and the dedicated clergy and followers disagreed with any structure even approaching its peak. One pylon for the planned behemoth stands in ruins to the west of the new observatory indicating the massive footprint of the intended megalith, not to mention the strength of the opposition from the locals.

While the new observatory was intended to replace the old, it was never a truly realistic proposal. The original had become more of a temple than a place of science, hosting spiritual leaders, ritualistic gatherings, and becoming a place of pilgrimage for a wide variety of mystics and immaterial worshippers. The telescope still functioned but the findings were used to further religious and spiritual interests rather than scientific. In a way, the two towers stood in opposition to each other, each performing, essentially, the same task, but the stewards molding the findings to their own particular needs.

The community surrounding the old observatory is passionate, but welcoming. Anyone is allowed to claim their spot on the plain and begin their own journey, given they do so without disturbing the journeys of those around them. The new observatory is also open to the public and contains a state-of-the-art astronomical museum, in addition to labs, offices, and a small boutique hotel. They charge 49 kren for a day pass, 79 and you get a shuttle in and out from the nearby town.

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thegreatsurvey · 10 months

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The Distant Temple, called so because most will only ever get as close as the riverbank, sits atop a crumbling column of stone at the edge of the Vrychithmós Falls and hosts a rather secretive congregation, not known for much mostly because no one ever leaves, and rarely anyone ever enters.

Occasionally one or a small number of people will be seen scattered amongst the rocks, apparently collecting something, but other than that, lights at night and chimney smoke, no other signs of life are seen. At some point in the recent past a massive modern antennae was added to what's assumed is the church's spire, but no one in the surrounding villages has reported seeing any part of the process or selling any materials of that sort or scale.

The random passing adventurer, enamored by mystery and myths of wealth and indulgence will attempt to reach and enter the temple. Most come back gasping for air, sopping wet, defeated by the merciless rapids, whirlpools, and torrents. The rest go over the falls. A small handful have made the crossing and scaled the cliffs, climbing the stairs and disappearing into the structure, but nothing is known of their fate. As it was said before, no one ever leaves.

#drawing #illustration #science fiction #draw #fantasy #scifi #milwaukee #great survey #happening elsewhere #art #black and white #landscape #architecture #waterfall #scifi art #science fantasy #sci fi

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thegreatsurvey · 10 months

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Großes Blau. 12x12" Acrylic and alcohol ink on panel

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