Sal V Cloak

Sal V Cloak

Artist, Illustrator, Concept Designer + more

Senior Concept Illustrator / Senior Artist / 20 yrs

Minneapolis, MN

Hire Me

comic book artist

The Ape Cemetery

Generalist Artist

In the Keeper's Shadow

Co-Director, Tech Designer, Artist

War of the Worlds - Live Radio Theater (2013)

Concept Artist

Troll Bridge (2019)

Production Designer

Terry Pratchett's Guards Guards!

Production Designer

Terry Pratchett's The Amazing Maurice (2022)

Creative Designer

Terry Pratchett's Mort

Creative Mayhem Specialist

Cult of the Month

Lead Creative

TBS (2008)
Sal is an artist, illustrator, concept designer, and multi-disciplined audio & visual artist from Chicago with over 17 years of experience. He works on local and international film, game, print and theater projects. He is a co-founder & creator of the Anvil Art Forge group, which has been dedicated to the development and cultivation of not only craft, skill and technique, but of self, mind, and approach to the creative arts.

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Sal has also been working with creatives (from starting emerging artists to established professional veterans) directly under his Artist DOING/BEING Mentorship over the last couple of years, which will be opening to the public via his upcoming Patreon.

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His skill set includes painting & sculpting in traditional and digital formats (2D/ 3D), creative development and execution from conceptual and planning stages, production design, pre-production through post-production, and additionally creates motion and sound design.

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Sal also has a decade long background in software and advertising where

he designed and deployed several web-based platforms (using SaaS Agile methodologies) as part of a team, and was regularly contracted to develop new advertising media concepts and campaigns.
Work History

  • Fulltime Freelance Artist

    TheDarkCloak - Artist, Creative Ronin & Multimedia Ninja

    February 2003 - Present
    Golden Valley, MN

    My freelance work often requires permutations of my creative skillsets, beyond the initial concept art, illustration and visual development that I offer.

    ◘ Experienced in all creative phases from pre-production through post-production, for Page | Stage | Speaker | Screen | Skin | Sculpt | Polygon

    ◘ Creative and design for digital, print, film, animation, games and live performance while managing project budgets, contracts, and timelines which in turn allow me to provide exemplary customer service, whether working alone or as part of a team.

    * Illustration, concepts, pre-visualization, storyboards, paintings, and designs.
    * Music composition, sound design, voice work.
    * FX make up, sculpting, and other practical fx disciplines.
    * Production & project management tools used included: Trello, Shotgun, Zoho and others

  • Lead Artist, Creative Director, Production Designer

    The Historic Mounds Theatre

    July 2007 - January 2016
    Saint Paul, MN

    I've been the lead artist, creative director and technical/production designer for several live shows at this venue including three Terry Pratchett plays (Mort, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, Guards! Guards!), A Christmas Carol Radio Play, War of the Worlds - A Live Theatrical Radio Drama, Night of the Living Dead and a Night of Radio Theatre. Worked with Steve Larson on creating all the sound design for sound effects & ambient sounds used during live performances, the radio theatre shows also included a live foley sound effect team on stage. Also created background images and animations for video projections during the show. Coordinate with director and actors for any practical and audio effects sequences that occur during our productions.
    Additionally, I also create illustrations/graphics for our show posters and other promotional materials, as well as video trailers created for some of our shows.

  • Creative Director | Graphic Designer | Lead Artist

    BillboardPlanet, LLC

    November 2006 - November 2015
    Golden Valley, MN

    Responsibilities include producing creative mock ups, concepts, logos & icons, marketing/ branding & identity, magazine advertising, ad creative for client campaigns, website, motion graphics, large format printing, UI & system design, contract maintenance. Company works closely with advertising companies nationwide and abroad in all Out-of-Home meda, in all traditional and alternative media, including digital.
    Also work on & manage projects with developers & system engineers, involved with system testing and problem solving, structure design, and more. Very involved with pitches and contract processes, both with clients and 'behind the scenes'.
    Company Clients have included: Anchor Bay Productions, Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel, Hard Rock Cafe, Burger King, Southpole Authentic Clothing, Peachtree TV, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, TBS, Flanders Precision Air