2015 Updates

Hello one and all, and happy much belated new year

I do apologize for my relative inactivity on DA as of late. Aside from a few drawings that had graciously allowed me to use the members of the CCS podcast for, I've not posted much of anything. Literary or artistically.

One reason being my new job had been kind enough to give me an abundance of hours, and thankfully this has allowed me to begin putting a few things in my personal life into order: student loan payments and hopeful driver's ed courses are within my grasp and will hopefully come into fruition if everything goes as well as I hope. I hope by this time next year I'll be that much closer to where I want to be, which is a self sustaining and capable young adult. Driving and all. Fingers crossed.

And reason number two is...well, the annual artist/writer's block has come back and with full force. While I have drawn a few things that I've wanted to for some time, and need to digitalize and post soon, aside from doodling I've been in a bit of a funk creatively. I'm not too sure whether or not it's been where I've been so preoccupied with my personal affairs or if it's been a result of me becoming boring, but inspiration is a fleeting thing that I find is becoming harder and harder for me to attain. It seems like every time I try to create something, two hours later I find myself hating the product, drawing or writing, that I've produced. Granted this has always been a problem and I don't know if it is for anyone else, but I just feel sometimes like I'm becoming boring and predictable. Also, sometimes I feel rather discouraged when I see the amazing and unfathomable progress my artistic and literary peers have made within the past few years, and it feels as though I may have either peaked too soon or my abilities are lackluster. At times I question if I have the skills or even motivation to pursue a profession in writing/animation/comics, given that I am predominately self taught and there are, quite frankly, more creative and talented people out there struggling to make it on their own terms. Or maybe I'm just being too harsh on myself, but I can't help but envy at least a little how talented all my artistic friends are as opposed to my meager abilities. Not to mention commissions, both on DA and on Facebook, have once again ran dry despite my best efforts to keep the whole commissions deal alive.

I am still taking commissions and drawing/writing, make no mistake. It is a part of who I am, and in reality I will never stop creating. I suppose I'm just in a bit of a funk is all.

So, for 2015 I'd at least like to make some improvements: both in the realm of art as well as personally.

I want to at least begin evolving my style in both realms of literature and art. I don't know whether or not this will mean more digital pieces, since they tend to hold more favor and result when posted as opposed to my more traditional works. However I am curious to see what you all, my friends here on DA, would like to see more of, and what you'd want to see change.

At the moment, project Collage is officially closed, but the characters are still open for my own use(the ones I've chosen to keep) and a possible Collage 2.0 could very well be in the works if I can find a coherent way to keep all the characters together. However, against my standard practice, I will not take down any previous endeavors of my work, as a testament to both wanting to improve and breaking an admittedly annoying habit of mine.

I am working on a horror character, the likes of which are completely new to me, as well as wanting to improve upon my sci-fi character Crooked Sixpence and make his story, Barista which will be redone and remade, much more coherient and much less...well, let's just say reading back on that story I could have done better. I may be bringing back Hel(Perchella), Jerico, Dr.Roswell Swinburne, and a tweaking of Hue Manuel. But, I would love to know for those who have either seen all my original characters, good and bad, or have been interested in Project Collage if these characters are worth salvaging. As I said before, the horror story will be made in due time, but if anyone is more well versed in the genre of horror than I am, I would love advice on how to set up an atmosphere to make a person truly afraid The sci-fi story was a risk, and oddly enough I found I quite liked the change from fantasy/anime-esque to science fiction/anime-ish. It was refreshing, so maybe a change in genres might do me some good every once in a while.

Also, for those interested in both my depiction of Snow White and Rose Red, The Princess and her Six Swans, and my original fairy tale Seven Princes, please let me know if you'd either want to see more art of them, or perhaps another remake/original fairy tale. Because to be honest those were quite fun as well.

Leave me a message if you'd like of things I could do to improve, or advice on how to remain inspired and interesting.