I'm really lucky.

Many of us, myself included, have to sometimes choose between making a living and doing what we love. It's a rare and treasured exception to be able to do both at the same time. So it was as I was working with MJ Scott and Bennie Smith on the Complete Commander project. I got into graphic design because I truly enjoy the medium, and it's a double-win to able to use my skillset for something related to Magic: The Gathering.

The side effect of all this graphic design work focused around Commander was falling in love with the format. I had created a Commander deck last year, played a couple times, and then tucked it away quietly while I continued on with Standard. The combined influence of working shoulder-to-shoulder with Commander enthusiasts such as Bennie and MJ and the release of new Commander (2013 Edition) decks meant that I had the format on the brain constantly. It wasn't long before that influence crept into my artwork . . . 

 . . . “crept” being a bit of an understatement.

There are ten pieces that I created in the throes of a Commander-induced frenzy. Many of these images represent my personal favorites among the legendaries, with others thrown in for flavor. While the Kargan Dragonlord isn't a legendary creature, he does have a legendary pose. Nothing speaks stronger of the Commander format than an armored, spear-wielding badass riding a gigantic dragon into combat.

Though it's almost time to take the wraps off the project after months of intense work, you can still keep up with the proceedings at the Complete Commander Blog.

I look forward to shouting all the details down from the mountaintop in the near future. Until then, as always, enjoy the pretty!

(All of the wallpapers are available in a variety of sizes on Gathering Magic's Flickr!)