NCWCCC Anthology: Too Much Sun (with Bit and Dot)

I made my contribution to next year's NCWCCC Anthology. I really like doing anthologies because it gives me a reason to try out something different, or something I've been thinking about, without having to dedicate more than a few pages to it.

This one has a robot (Bit) and his mushroom friend (Dot) and they are small and go on a tiny adventure. The theme was fortune cookies, so that's in there too (but play second fiddle to the robot and mushroom!)

Mushrooms

I've noticed that mushrooms are making a comeback, I was thinking about that when I drew this

This week has been roller-coastery, to say the least. At least this time I don't feel like it's an isolated event, just me, roller-coasting around - naah, it was the whole country. I called my sister on election night, and got her voicemail, and when she tried to call back the system was down. See! Everybody! My mom left me a voicemail the next day "Happy Obama Day!" (I saved that one).

I've been working on finishing up all my outstanding gift projects, and starting some more for Christmas. Though I'm not entirely sure who wants a Kraken shirt or weird cuff links for Christmas, I've been using the Christmas deadline as motivation to refill my etsy shop.

Speaking of: I'm probably going to go to the Handmade Market on Saturday, and hit up the Flea Market while I'm over there, is anyone else planning to be there?

Platypenguin - Ball point pen drawing

I find ball point pen drawings really endearing. Over my years at school, I've gotten particularly good at hatching and cross-hatching with pens that are meant to be taking notes.

Anyway, this is one of my favorite ball point pen drawings, done while in a meeting at my former job (graphic designer at Lulu). I thought since it's a weird little creature I just can't stop looking at it!

Costumed Sketch Night: Kaiju theme!

Costumed Sketch Night was last night, and we had a Kaiju Big Battel-inspired evening!

Top-Bottom, left-right:
Annie as The Scarlet Pimp
Nick as Dandy Diabolico
Alison as Lucha Lolita
Will as Doctor Boxagon




A big thanks to all of my models! We had a great time, and didn't actually destroy as much of the city as it seems (if anybody needs a small cardboard city, I have one available). Thanks to everybody who helped build the city, also! This was the last Costumed Sketch Night of this year, and they will resume January 29, 2009 at the usual place.

Don't worry, I did sketches too!

If you'd like to see more, I'd suggest starting here since I did some ridiculous running commentary.

Costumed Sketch Night: Grab Bag Theme

Annie and Will Waltz

You guys know the drill! Last night was Costumed Sketch Night, and despite the fact that I hadn't promoted it at all (and didn't even remind people) we still had five people show up.

Since I'm putting a large amount of effort into the next sketch night (Daikaiju/kaiju themed) this one was a lot less theme-structured. Fortunately, I know people who will just show up with outfits and props at the drop of a hat.

HUGE thanks to Annie, Nick and Will for showing up and modeling! You all did a great job (and I like that you guys help me think of poses, too!)


Twenty Minute Sketch: Pouting and Drinking (Annie, Will, & Nick)

Since we had two people in formal wear, and Nick in... a panda hat, we ended up pitting Nick against Annie and Will a lot. Or performing as their black sheep. Though, judging from the funeral in the last pose, there was a lot more drama going on than we ever knew!

I hope some of the other artists scan their sketches and put them online. Would it offend any of you guys who usually attend if I asked to take pictures of your sketches to post online (duly credited of course) at the sketch night? I'm trying to figure out a way to have other people's images in the Costumed Sketch Night photo pool without necessarily forcing them to have a flickr account or anything similar.


Costumed Sketch Night in August: KAIJU THEMED!

Next sketch night details:
Wednesday, August 27
7 - 9 pm
at Camelot Treasures (251 Grande Heights Dr., Cary, NC)
$3 admission (and tipping the models is encouraged - since we don't pay them)
Theme: Kaiju

Batwings and Dolls

Bookmark Design for Wunderkind Etsy shop (1 of 2)

I've been doing a lot of random work lately. This freelance job dropped in my lap, and I loved their work so much I couldn't pass it up.

Also, I've been working on finishing up any and all unfinished "gift" art that I'm supposed to do, so I can stop feeling guilty about it. I'm almost done, thank goodness.

Of course, costume-related, there's been a few outings. Check at the bottom for a pic from the latest Clockwork Ball (featuring some kid's costume Dark Knight wings I've customized).

It made me feel slightly better about missing the crazy costume-fest that is/was Comic Con. Oh well. Supposedly, I'll be there next year.

There, now you're all updated!

Clockwork Ball outfit with Batwings

Complete non-sequitir:
I really like the way Paul Simon uses the word "pocket" in his lyrics.
"He was a poor boy, empty as a pocket with nothing to lose"
"A pocketful of mumbles, such are promises"

All because I woke up with "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" stuck in my head

Costumed Sketch Night: Fairy Theme

Our model, Brittany

Last night was a really fun Costumed Sketch Night - and crowded! We had the most people turn out that we've ever had (which is good, but means I need to do a better job of spreading out the chairs).

We only had one model, Brittany, but her fairy costume was so elaborate, I don't think we'd have time to draw anything else. My friend Ruth (former co-worker at Camelot Treasures) knows Brittany and worked with her at the Renn Faire. She emailed me a picture of her in her fairy costume and was like "YOU NEED TO DRAW THIS" - and so I did.


Two Minute Sketch with Bow & Arrow

The theme was Fairies, but since we only had one fairy, we had a lot of props (and she had a lot). Again, her costume was amazing - she had a pan flute, and a bow and arrow - all kinds of cool stuff to play with!

I did a lot of drawings, but I am thinking of trying to simplify my style some for the next one... or at least doing some underlaying scribblyness in light pencil and then overlaying it with ink. Oh wait! You guys don't care! You can see all the pictures and sketches from Sketch Night here


Next Costumed Sketch Night has no theme currently, so if you have suggestions, let me know!
July 30, 7 - 9 pm

Theme suggestions so far for next month's Costumed Sketch Night: adventurers/safari, kaiju battle, traditional Japanese clothes, villains, vampires, Trekkies, zombies, togas/Greek