MTG: Aunt May (2023)
An Homage to Rockwell
The original painting for Aunt May is available here.
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I was thrilled to be contributing work to Magic’s Spider-Man crossover set. Like many artists in my generation, comic books were definitely part of my childhood. When I eventually picked up paints and started moving more in that direction, I moved into the adjacent space of fantasy illustration. Comic book artists live the next block over, in a sense. And yet, the work each does is largely fenced off well enough that artists rarely move back and forth between the two worlds. For my own, I never made a full-press effort to get involved in the comics industry. So it was extra cool that I was going to be allowed to create in that world for a bit from my position as a Magic artist.
Which is why I actually laughed when I opened up my assignment email from Art Director Stephanie Cheung, and saw the name of one of my first two pieces: “Aunt May.”
In a world of badass monsters and larger than life characters, Aunt May is probably the most everyday character I’ve worked on in this game. And I loved it. First, it was a main story character, and one that goes back to the roots of the legend. Second, it activated some aspects of illustration I never or rarely get to use in the genre I typically work in.
I was to portray her serving up a plate of wheatcakes, not much else was outlined other than there should be a framed photo of Uncle Ben on the wall, placing this in time after his death. It was the work of a moment to connect her retro vibes and the scene in general to one of my favorite American painters, Norman Rockwell. And you’re not wrong to see his, “Freedom From Want,” as a strong influence here.
I really wanted the scene to have a soft, nostalgic feel, like a memory of one’s grandmother. The bright morning light blooms over the figure. I had a friend pose for her, though I had to trade her hair for May’s characteristic long silver.
I knew that for some of the hardcore fantasy base of Magic’s players, having a character like Aunt May in the game would be unwelcome and galling (well, for those who were not themselves comic fans as well). As an illustrator, these Universes Beyond sets have been a wonderful way for me to speedrun illustrating so many of the properties I loved when I was young, properties I didn’t think I’d ever get to have a hand in, in part because the companies and usages are so far from the work I do. So taking this illustration and creating it completely in earnest was a pleasure to do.
Gameplay-wise, I was surprised to see how she is now my 3rd card illustration within the “Soul Sisters” themed decks. I have no problem with this: the other cards—Soul Warden and Martyr of Sands, have been perennial fan favorites. Aunt May isn’t quite as strong, but if she fits into some decks alongside those other two illustrations of mine, I won’t be mad!
