Guest Article: The Honor is Mine

by Russel Frans
July 9, 2025

It was more than 25 years ago. With stars in my eyes, I wrote a letter to my favorite illustrator. He had shown up in more than one of my favorite collectible card games by this time, but Legend of the Five Rings was really where I came to love his work: Personality after personality with stunning poses and fierce battle scenes, actions that felt utterly epic, and great castles in sweeping landscapes. His name was William O’Connor.

I honestly didn’t expect a response. It was fan mail. I told him he was my favorite illustrator and sent him some samples of my own drawings on my own made-up CCG cards, cut out of poster board. I basically told him I wanted to be like him when I grew up.

But I did get a response. About a month later, I got a tube in the mail. It had a signed, personalized print of his piece “the Green Knight” and it had a letter telling me I had made his week and giving me all kinds of sage advice on art study and practice. I still have that framed print on my wall. I look at it as I write this.

When Jeff and Jeremy put out the call for artists, I felt as though I still owed Bill for that advice and the print that he gave me oh so long ago.

Though L5R would come and go from my life over the years, my love for Bill’s work would persist through other CCGs and his work in Dungeons and Dragons, among other efforts of his. And, across literally thousands of images he made, one of my all-time favorites remains the original art for Oni no Okura.

Obviously, her art resonated with the players, as well, as she would continue on through two more experienced versions, and complete an epic redemption arc in the storyline, the likes of which no oni had partaken before.

So, here I am, so completely honored to have the opportunity to provide the art to “Shrine of Honor” for the Onyx Lives! Project. I depicted her statue in red stone, striking a serious pose (as honor is a solemn pursuit), with some approximation of the kanji for “honor” depicted hanging from the temple behind her and Japanese Camellia flowers surrounding her. The art was done in acrylics and Sharpie on a canvas board, 7” x 9”. I hope everyone enjoys!

And, as I said: the honor is mine. This one is for you, Bill. Rest in peace.

This card image is now available for download in our Community Contributed Art section of our Drive, under Russel's name.

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