I’ve actually wanted to do this for a couple of months now. Though I still love both pieces featured in the former top banner, they’re both a little out of date. What’s more, the old banner listed my title as Writer-Illustrator, though, for some time now, I’ve referred to myself as a Write-ist (Writer-Artist). So, I decided to finally take the time to create a new banner image. Read more… ›

Sorry, folks. Things are just a little crazy this week. I didn’t have much in me for a proper blog entry. However, I noticed I hadn’t update my Fantasy Art page with Chadhiyana: In the Company of Shadows cover (my newest Chadhiyana project–a graphic novel–if you didn’t know). So, I added it. It’s one of my favourite paintings I’ve done to date. You can check out the art, again, on the Fantasy Art page. Though, better yet, you can start reading the graphic novel on chadhiyana.com, if you haven’t already. It’s already five pages into Chapter I (after the Prologue). See you next week!

The death of a loved one is always a trial. Physically and emotionally the experience affects us profoundly. However, it is a very necessary step in our living relationship (or lack thereof) with the person. Through death, we come to terms with the deceased and begin to see them in a new light. We somehow understand them better. Given, the experience is not always a happy one. Many lose someone they would otherwise, given the opportunity, happily get rid of. (This is one of the many things which the Chadhiyana series will focus on.) However, in most cases, after death, we come to realise something about the person we hadn’t been cognitive of when they were still alive. And thus, we equally learn something about ourselves. Read more… ›

Last week was rough. I had little motivation on account of dealing with the deaths of my grandmother and grandfather within three weeks of each other, and so, for the first time in years, I got very little done. It happens to us all, but the important thing is to pick ourselves back up and keep moving. I’m doing just that. I’m back to work this week, recharged and refocused, with new plans for 2014. Unfortunately, after last week, I’m little behind. Read more… ›

As some of you may have read in my post on December 18th (Reflections on 2013), amidst the final weeks of a wonderful year, I was very recently dealing with the death of my grandmother, Patricia J. McCabe. On Sunday, January 5th, my grandfather, Carl Melillo Sr., passed away. Under the circumstances, I am taking some time to come to terms with and grieve both losses. That said, I will still do my best to get page 1 of Chapter I of Chadhiyana: In the Company of Shadows completed for next week (the title page posted just yesterday on chadhiyana.com). Please be patient. Your understanding is appreciated during this difficult time.

Happy New Year J. M. DeSantis fans! Stay tuned for new stories, art and projects from the writer and artist this year. Also, don’t forget to check out J. M.’s graphic novel, Chadhiyana: In the Company of Shadows on chadhiyana.com as it moves into Chapter I. Let’s all make 2014 an amazing year!

I’m not a particularly superstitious man. I’ve never been sensitive to black cats, broken mirrors or Friday the 13th, yet I was never able to shake the sense that the day on which I graduated from Pratt Institute had somehow cursed my career as a writer and artist. May 13, 2005 was a sunny day, but it was a Friday. Since then I heard many say how much they enjoy my writing or my art, but it never seemed the vast majority were catching on (especially editors). Given there have been successes along the way, but nothing that I would consider substantial. That said, if ever the curse existed (and if one believes in numerology), the year 2013 has at last broken it. Read more… ›

As I wrote last week, it’s not often I have a show or public appearance between the months of December and March (though, perhaps November and March would be nearer the mark). There doesn’t seem to be much offered in the way of events during the cold months, and so I often work through the Winter in quiet hibernation. However, a few weeks ago I was contacted by artist Teresa DeFabrizio from the Art Garage in Montclair, New Jersey about exhibiting in their latest gallery show, Fan-Tastic. Having previously enjoyed the experience of participating in their Pet-icular Poses show in June of this year, I was quick to say yes, despite my very busy schedule of late. The show runs all month long, and this past Friday was the opening reception for the show. Read more… ›

Typically, I don’t see much activity between the months of December and March (that is, as far as conventions, shows and events are concerned). Thus it was I decided to take the time to update some of my galleries and the writing section of the site during the months of November and December. However, as it would happen, an event has presented itself: my work is being featured in the Fan-Tastic gallery show at The Art Garage in Montclair, New Jersey. Read more… ›

It’s been a while since I updated the writing section with new content. Not since early last year when, before my life became consumed with Chadhiyana, I had a few new short stories published in various anthologies from Static Movement and Norgus Press. Anyway, today it’s more Chadhiyana. I’ve been meaning to share the scripts from the first two Chadhiyana stories (A Saviour in the Dark and Chadhiyana and the Serpent—still available in the comic, Chadhiyana, on IndyPlanet.com). Never mind I’m always looking for ways to call more attention to my writing. So, what better solution to all of these problems than to upload an excerpt from the first Chadhiyana story, A Saviour in the Dark? Read more… ›