Howdy folks! Last week, the Countdown to
Grand Prix Atlanta brought you the event’s Registration Rewards, the Commander Celebration badge, and our Special Guests and Events. Today I’ll kick off the second week of
the countdown with a look at our artist lineup and Guest of Honor!
Guest of Honor: John Avon!
British illustrator John Avon is one of the legends of Magic art. From his debut with the famous
Mirage Mountains
to the after-and-before beauty of Tranquil Cove, his landscapes in particular and his art in general have been met with acclaim.
Originally trained in oil painting, as a commercial illustrator John Avon switched to the acrylic airbrush technique that frustrated him but also won him Magic fame. More than a decade ago he put physical paint aside
in favor of pixels, letting him get similar artistic results with much less hassle (and thus bringing more Magic art to the world).
Paint on left, pixels on right.
Beyond his dozens of famous basic lands, notable John Avon-illustrated cards include:
Ancient Ziggurat
– A favorite of multicolor creature decks.
Darksteel Citadel
– A key Affinity component getting a new lease on life with the artifact-heavy Magic Origins set.
Maelstrom Pulse
(Modern Masters/Grand Prix printing)
– A staple of Modern Jund and Abzan decks.
Mikokoro, Center of the Sea
– A favorite of “group hug”-style Commander decks.
Murmuring Bosk
– A popular “tri-land” that’s a Forest and thus fetchable.
Opalescence
– A quirky enchantment that found a spiritual successor in Starfield of Nyx.
Riptide Laboratory
– This land’s ability to bounce Wizards plays well with Snapcaster Mage and Vendilion Clique.
Simic Growth Chamber
– Along with the rest of its bounceland cycle, it’s a key component of the Amulet Bloom Modern deck.
Supreme Verdict
– The uncounterable Wrath effect key to Modern control decks.
Thespian’s Stage
– Best combo friend of Dark Depths and a key Legacy player.
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
– A current Standard manabase staple that also has a firm home in Commander powering up Cabal Coffers.
Vedalken Orrery
– A gameplay-transforming staple of Commander games worldwide.
Check out all the cards illustrated by John Avon
!
John Avon Signing Times
| Friday, November 13 | Saturday, November 14 | Sunday, November 15 |
|---|---|---|
| 10am – 12pm2pm – 4pm | 10am – 12pm2pm – 4pm | 10am – 12pm2pm – 4pm |
Artist Alley
Pete Venters
Pete Venters began making art for Magic with Antiquities and has created more than 250 illustrations for the game. Among his most iconic cards are
Crosis, the Purger, Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker, Massacre, Survival of the Fittest, Tendrils of Agony, and Zur the Enchanter, subject of a Grand Prix Atlanta
playmat!
Please note that Pete Venters will sign anything purchased from him for free, but charges $1.00 per signature otherwise.
See more cards illustrated by Pete Venters
!
Pete Venters Signing Times
| Friday, November 13 | Saturday, November 14 | Sunday, November 15 |
|---|---|---|
| 11am – 1pm2:30pm – 7pm | 10am – 12:30pm2pm – 7pm | 10am – 12:30pm2pm – 6pm |
Winona Nelson
Winona Nelson made her Magic debut in Innistrad block and won immediate recognition with works such as Rakish Heir, Sharpened Pitchfork, and
Bruna, Light of Alabaster. Among her most notable recent cards are Chandra, Pyromaster, Prophet of Kruphix, Tragic Arrogance, and Voice of Resurgence.
See more cards illustrated by Winona Nelson!
Winona Nelson Signing Times
| Friday, November 13 | Saturday, November 14 | Sunday, November 15 |
|---|---|---|
| 2pm – 6pm | 10am – 6pm | 10am – 6pm |
Anthony Palumbo
Pennsylvania artist Anthony Palumbo has achieved recognition in both fine art and illustration circles. His notable cards include Commander rare
Infernal Offering, Soul Sisters staple Serra Ascendant, the Magic Origins printing of Sylvan Messenger, and Battle for Zendikar rare
Beastcaller Savant.
See more cards illustrated by Anthony Palumbo!
Anthony Palumbo Signing Times
| Friday, November 13 | Saturday, November 14 | Sunday, November 15 |
|---|---|---|
| 2pm – 6pm | 10am – 6pm | 10am – 6pm |
Clint Cearley
Texas artist Clint Cearley debuted in Innistrad and quickly became a favorite for his captivating illustrations. Among his notable cards are
Grapeshot (Modern Masters), Intangible Virtue, Notion Thief, Propaganda (Commander), and Battle for Zendikar rares Dust Stalker
and Fathom Feeder.
See more cards illustrated by Clint Cearley
!
Clint Cearley Signing Times
| Friday, November 13 | Saturday, November 14 | Sunday, November 15 |
|---|---|---|
| 11am – 5pm | 9am – 6pm | 9am – 6pm |
Jason A. Engle
Jason A. Engle’s work has appeared on a number of notable Commander cards, including Avatar of Slaughter, Curse of Chaos, and Siege Behemoth. His Magic Origins card Herald of the Pantheon is an intriguing option for enchantment-themed decks.
See more cards illustrated by Jason A. Engle
!
Jason A. Engle Signing Times
| Friday, November 13 | Saturday, November 14 | Sunday, November 15 |
|---|---|---|
| 10am – 6pm | 10am – 6pm | 10am – 6pm |
With five great illustrators and John Avon as the Guest of Honor, Grand Prix Atlanta will bring the
fun for Magic art fans, so don’t miss your chance to meet them!
Tomorrow:
Ken Crocker covers all the awesome side events at Grand Prix Atlanta!
Previous Grand Prix Atlanta Blogs:
Countdown to Grand Prix Atlanta: 7 Days Out – Commander 101!
Countdown to Grand Prix Atlanta: 8 Days Out – Special Guests and Events!
Countdown to Grand Prix Atlanta: 9 Days Out – Upgrading Your Experience!
Countdown to Grand Prix Atlanta: 10 Days Out – Choosing Your Experience!
Countdown to Grand Prix Atlanta: 11 Days Out – Grand Prix Atlanta Overview!