Journal~

Firstly, last entry of 2009! Last entry of 2009! Woooooo!!!

*Erhem* Secondly, I hope you all had a wonderful and most festive Christmas and I'm wishing you all the best for the New year! I hope you all have your New Year's resolution (or rather resolutions) at the ready. Personally, I'm a bit disappointed in myself as I don't feel that I kept my resolutions from last year, one of which was to create artwork that counts (I completely buggered that one with the whole art-block thing). So, once again, I'm going to add that one to my list and try to stick with it this time, especially as I'm aiming to work on the first few introductory pages for Sweeney Todd in 2010. The others are pretty standard... go on a diet (I'm so obsessed), be more positive, capture all the escaped gophers, rule the world. You know...

On a different subject, thank you to everyone who answered my polls recently! I know that they can sometimes be a little irksome, but sometimes I just want to know what your opinion really is. The DA pride one came about because I was browsing through the DA shop (as you do), looking at all the T-shirts and thought 'is this wear DA with pride?' It seemed like an interesting question to ask, and many people interpreted it in different ways, which was good.

Lastly, and on the subject of the marathon sketches, I recently updated the list and split those that are remaining into two batches. I'm hoping to work on batch 2 in January and batch 3 in February, thus finishing the marathon before moving on to shock-haired shavers. Also, the link to this list can now be found on my front page under 'art status' rather than in my journal (as I figured it was high time I used that little section for all my commission bits and pieces). I will of course, still notify people of any developments here.

Right-o then, here's to the New Year! Have fun but don't drink and run!

*Edit: Also, I've removed the link to Twitter from my front page. It's always rather bugged me, primarily because I only really use it while I'm at work (the company I work for are big on social media) and it doesn't really relate to what I do here. If you do still wish to look out for me though, my username there is 'leonakimeera' and you can find my page here: [link]

Journal~

Yes, you heard right, I finally updated my prints collection! Argh, I'm so sloooooow...

Regardless, 'Beware the Demon Barber' and 'To Die For' are now available to grace your walls (and scare your family members). Check them out!



*EDT: Testing new layout...

Music~ Would you like to listen while you browse? [link]


Quote~ “Hail divinest melancholy.” - Milton, John (1608-1674)

Journal~

I realise that I've been neglecting DA yet again and although I absolutely hate it when that happens, I do have my reasons. The main reason for my absence is that I'm currently rushing around like a blue-butt fly, surviving on many cups of tea and a swinging dose of Jazz, trying to get little bits and pieces here and there sorted before the year is out (they're actually big bits and pieces, but hey, what can I say? I'm short sighted). Of course, with Christmas also only around the corner... let's just say it's a kind of end-of-year pandemonium!

Thankfully though, I've been feeling the artistic vibe once more, after spending months just staring at a blank piece of paper and willing the motivation to come back. I know what my problem is; I often burn myself out (I realise now that working in a creative job all day and then coming home to continue with my own artsy interests can sometimes leave me pooped. I really need to work on the balance there for better creative harmony). I'm really feeling positive about Sweeney Todd once again and can't wait to get back into it next year (although I'm still working on that new page. It's become quite disturbing!) Of course I still have the sketches to do (people have been waiting ever so patiently yet again) and I'm determined to see them through to the end of the list.

That's pretty much my bag for the time being. So, sorting my art, making my plans, writing my Christmas cards... Bah humbug and howdy ho ho ho all the way!

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When? Where? Now? If you reserved a spot on the Sketch Marathon list for a lovely, stupendous, whimsical drawing of that whosawhatsit you've always wanted, then come on down! for you can keep track of all updates and my progress down the list by visiting the original journal entry here: [link] Oo de lally!

Music~ Would you like to listen while you browse? [link]


Quote~ “There are only two styles of portrait painting: the serious and the smirk.” - Dickens, Charles (1812-1870)

Journal~

Hey everyone, just a heads up! Two wonderful artists have opened up for commissions, so I thought I would plug their work here (because I'm nice like that, you know?)...

The first is Sean who is an absolute wizard when it comes to comic styled digital character art. It's the humour in his work that gets me and I love his character designs. Anyway, I could go on forever so... please check out his page if you're interested in a sketch or a full colour piece (and be sure to check out his comic Same Apt too!)



The second is Bryan . His works are painstakingly detailed and he is a sketch master. In fact, his works go beyond ordinary sketching as they have such depth, beautiful texture, amazing lighting and often hidden meaning. I have the pleasure of owning one of his pieces myself and I can tell you that I treasure it very much. Take a look!



*Erhem* And of course, there's Tiina from my last entry!

As for me, it's back to the Sketch Marathon list and the patient people I've been neglecting. *Sigh* Busy week = general argh! and that's the only way I can describe it. I'm sorry guys. I will make it up to you!

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Keep track of all Sketch Marathon updates and my progress down the list by visiting the original journal entry here: [link]

Music~ Would you like to listen while you browse? [link]


Quote~ “We shall not flag or fail. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.” - Churchill, Sir Winston (1874-1965)


Journal~

*Sigh* I've been neglecting this gallery again and I have no idea where the time over the past two weeks has gone! I had wanted to do a 'spooky' post on Halloween but somehow missed it (actually, I was having far too much fun!) Halloween this year consisted of absolutely no trick-or-treaters (maybe I'm too scary) and a scary movie night (Drag Me To Hell is an unmissable movie, seriously). Even Guy Fawkes Night felt a little half-hearted. Bah, maybe next year will be better. At least my resolve and motivation for next year is building up!

Anyway, I was going to share links to spooky videos, but I'll do this now instead. Be sure to watch them after dark (oh, and also be sure to look out for Catomaws).



[link] [link] [link] [link] [link]
Aaand you'll probably have seen these already, but they are brilliant so watch them again!: [link] [link] [link] (Not exactly spooky but excellent and moody all the same).

On a different note and concerning all sketch commissioners (Sketch Marathon, still running with limited wind), I'll be taking a break from these over the Christmas holidays (from the week Christmas falls on) and returning to them at the end of January. So far I've got into a routine where I note people for their payment when I reach them on the list and I'll continue to do this on the lead up to Christmas. However...

Important note to add: I understand that this is the time of year when we're all saving like mad for the expense of Christmas, so I'm now offering everyone on the list who are still waiting patiently for a sketch the option to go on a 'waver list'. This means that I won't ask you for payment until well after Christmas. If you wish to be placed on the waver list, please feel free to note me.

Well, that's it for now. I've been super busy with things other than art, so really need to get back into that. Next year will be the year for working on the Sweeney comic (or else I'll never start the damn thing!)

On a side note, I said I'd post a little mention for Tiina here as she is currently offering sketch commissions herself. Please take a moment to check out her art because it is undoubtedly amazing and her shading is truly beautiful.

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Keep track of all Sketch Marathon updates and my progress down the list by visiting the original journal entry here: [link]