Whewie

I know, I broke my promise when I said that I’d start updating more. The good news is I have kept myself busy with creative projects. The bad news is I haven’t gotten much further in film production. This month has been crazy for me in terms of 3D builds and getting stuff ready for Youmacon. Luckily, the next few months are clear and that’s going to be the crunch time for school (before the January semester begins).

Anywho, this weekend is Youmacon and I’m really looking forward to it. The only thing I am waiting on is the new buttons I ordered last week. Other than that, prints are ready, and I’m about to make some cute little signs to go with everything. For more information on the products that will be available, please visit the Youmacon link on the top right hand side.

I’ll be taking lots of pics and will update this blog each day while I’m there. Talk with you guys soon!

<3

hay gurl, haaaay

I made a last minute decision this past weekend. It was pretty tough- one of those ones where you wake up in the middle of the night about and ask yourself, “did I make a mistake?” Curious yet? Probably not but I’m not but I’m going to tell you anyway. I decided to take this semester off from school. *Pause*… Yes I’m going to go back. Please don’t start lecturing me telling me it’s my “last year and all”. Honestly, that is a huge reason why I am doing this, amongst others…

1) More time to work on my final film. I changed my story last minute and because this is what is going to represent me for some time, I need to put everything I have into it. It needs special care and I wasn’t feeling to sure about myself- pushing it out in just a year and all when I’ve only taken one animation class. I’m planning on purchasing myself a little $250 animation light box and going to town on my skills. Of course I’ll post everything and anything on my blog because feedback is very important to me. My old story felt distant. It wasn’t my baby and I wasn’t looking forward to doing it (sounds wrong). I shouldn’t feel this way about my senior project. Just sayin’.

2) Financial issues. Creditors are not confident in handing out loans due to the economy. Since most of my insurance benefits were taken away this past year from GM, I am going to be an independent on taxes this next year. How does this benefit me? I get more financial support from the state which means I a more likely to get a loan since the amount borrowed will be less than originally requested.

3) Self discovery. I don’t know who I am anymore. Every year that I have been at CCS I’ve had a boyfriend. Something that I remember an ex saying in a past relationship that has stuck with me is I need to break-up with myself. I can’t be jumping around like this; insecurities with myself, of being alone and looking for unconditional emotional support. It seems I’ve be going through school as a drone and not really enjoying it. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love what I do but I don’t ask myself “why do I do it” and “how it reflect on me as an artist”. These are important, especially since the work I’ve created thus far will be going into a portfolio I plan to pass on to the professionals.

4) Free time. I will be able to work on personal projects such as Saviors of Amity and other illustration work. I met up with my writer not to long ago over sushi and he’s just as excited as I am. We’re ready to do this and it will be such a strong portfolio piece for both of us- it just has to happen.

Anyways, I’m sure there are many more results in my decision but these are the main ones. I promise to take advantage of this time and actually do something with it. This summer, I let things get away from me. I should of did more drawing, planning, and all sorts of things. Shoulda, woulda, coulda, but I didn’t. I had the most depressing and emotionally draining time. It feels good to finally get back to “normal”, whatever that is. I lost my boyfriend, I had an untraditional relationship, my promising job screwed me over, and I was financially drained. Most would agree that there are worse things out there but when you’re alone and the weather reflects the opposite of what you’re feeling, in my opinion, it makes things worse with these situiations.

Well, I hope everyone is looking forward to my future endeavors and when I say “look forward to more frequent posts”, this time I mean it.

Mel

remember when the boys were all electric?

Hai! Yeah I’m still around- just been getting stuff finished up on Second Life before the semester starts in about a week. I did eventually come up with a revision for my story. I need to really get it typed and some story board drawn up. I’ve just been so preoccupied with other things that I’ve put it off until the last minute. Sigh.

Anywho, I thought I’d post a sketch idea for my new main character as well as Kitty N from Bust-a-Move. I’m going to clean K.N. up and sell as a print at Youmacon- I hope there are fans of hers out there o_o.

Things have been amazing so no worries. Just been with people I love and doing the things I enjoy the most. Once the story is written up and such, I promise to post it here to get some feedback.

Mel

Yes, hello

I’m still alive! Sorry i haven’t posted in a month but I went through a lot of odd changes and thinks I am finally where I want to be.

Nothing new with school yet. Still waiting on some information to see if I am able to get a loan or not. For now, I’ve been working on my store Sugar Skull and now designing hair for Atomic in Second Life. Been needing the cash so that’s basically what I’ve been up to.

Rat Girl is still on my list along with Saviors of Amity. I’ve just been focusing on trying to make an income. Next week I’ll start on a sketch or two for Youmacon and/or do a page(s) for Rat Girl. I gotta get back to drawing before my summer is gone and it’s time to go back to school.

Here are a few images of ads for my shop Sugar Skull just so you can get an idea I’ve what it’s about:

Anywho, hope you enjoy and I shall make some more posts soon.

Mel

sugar skull

Here is the logo of my new store I’ll be opening in SL:

Hope you like.

Mel

update

I know, I’ve been horribly lazy with updating my blog so I thought I’d better take care of that today.

Yes, I’m still working. I needed a long break from everything related to Unlimited Cyko due to some… umm… issues. Basically, what has been happening is I’m really short on cash and was depending on this job to be my summer income (since I was promised payment in the interview). Though I respect Varian (my boss and owner of UC) deeply as a person and think he’s doing a wonderful thing, I feel the financial situation there is unstable due to some past events I shall not bring up at this time. When promoted as the Artist Resource Manager, I was assured I’d be receiving pay every week for my hard work as well as pay for the Illustrations I’d be pumping out. Due to the lack of contracts, my sister (a paralegal) suggested that I stay away from U.C. until there is a written agreement or I receive compensation for my work. Until then, I will not be returning to the company but I plain to stay in contact with Varian and those I met while there.

Please don’t presume that Unlimited Cyko is a bad company. Once their publications are out there, I encourage you to support them in anyway you can. There are outstanding people associated with business and the last thing I want to see is them fail due to bad publicity. The thing about being an artist is you really have to watch your back. To be honest, I’m an easy victim and trust too many people. Because of this, I often get taken advantage and well, walked all over. This time I’m going make sure it doesn’t happen.

Lately I’ve returned to Secondlife to open another virtual store. I made a pretty good income with my last one named “Eat Rice” and because I have bills to pay, I thought I’d give it a go again with a different genre and name. Once I progress on that project, I will make certain to share the information.

I still will be working on “Rat Girl” but at a much more leisurely pace. I have some people commissioning me for projects and since they’re paying upfront, that is my main focus. I’ve kept in contact with Dave (writer and creator of “Rat Girl”) over the U.C. situation and he’s been nothing but supportive. I plan to meet with him next week to discuss future work with him as well as releasing some finished pages.

Also, “Saviors of Amity” is for sure still happening. If it takes me to publish the piece, I will no doubt do it. It’s beautiful written and I know it would do very well amongst comic book fans. More on the project will be posted in the beginning of fall.

I’ve run into a situation with school. Seems since the economy has gotten tougher so has getting a loan. The worse part is, this is my last year and if I can’t find some sort of financial aid, I wont be able to finish. Is it devastating? Of course, but I haven’t given up hope. When I need to start to worry is when September comes and I still have no resources. Sigh, my luck.

Anywho, here is a logo I’m working on for Hely and her Deviant Kitties virtual hair store. I have stuff I’m still going to be adding to it but I was really digging the kitty and wanted to show him off:

Hope you like and appreciate the update. I’ll make certain to continue to remain on top of posting, regardless of what funk I’m in.

Mel

sea shells

Hey everyone. Sorry I haven’t been keeping the blog up-to-date but I’ve had a very “antisocial” week. Just a lot of things to think about and really needed to rest from drawing. I promise to make a fresh post by the beginning of the week.

<3 Lots.

Mel

nom nom kenny

Here is a very quickie sketch of Rat Girl’s husband Kenny. He’s a scientist and well… that’s all the info you’re going to get. I sent it off for approval but I’m really digging this man. I would hide out in a pet store and make kissy face with him any day.

Guuush. Just wait until he has to take his coat off in an issue. The girls will be baking some cream puffs that night. Mhmmmm!

Haha, hope you like.

Mel

progress

Last night I started sketching out a rough layout of the first issue of Rat Girl. I’m really digging it so far and have kept some great comic books around me as inspiration. Tonight, my goal is to push out five more rough pages as well as a sketch of Kenny’s (Rat Girl’s husband) design to submit for approval. When I get to that point, I’ll make certain to post it for everyone to see.

Wish me luck and check back tonight.

Mel

worky turkey

Heading to work today to help out Varian with some stuff. I wont be able to touch Rat Girl (teehee) until tomorrow- I really have to push out some penciled pages to be able to make critique this Friday. Sigh. The stress is starting to whisper in my are. It’s like “Looo, bish! You so ain’t got no time.” Luckly, I know how to back talk. Pfft.

Alrighty, I guess I’ll take a shower and rinse away the stink- though some claim it never goes away.

Mel