sketch blog

Japan

2011-04-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

Book Cover done!

2011-03-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

finished! I'd really like to glue it to my copy of the book.. :<

Book Cover Design: The Hero and the Crown

2011-03-27T21:55:00.001-07:00

Stressing about my grad film again, but have other assignments from my other classes to worry about.

So first is the cover for Illustrating Literature I've been working on, for The Hero and the Crown - Robin McKinley. (Previous post is one of the inside illustrations but I think I'll be redoing that one if I have the time.)

my wip, it's almost done! Just need to add the back cover text and finish coloring Aerin. It's one of my favorite books I read back in middle school! I recently read The Blue Sword as well, and I like it more than this book but I wanted to paint red flame hair haha. This is also my first time trying to draw a horse, I think I was successful? Definitely need to practice drawing ALL sorts of things when college is done.

Next, I've decided to submit something for the art for Japan auction thing over at http://tsunami.cfsl.net/ . I've managed to work it into my school projects, so I'm pretty sure I'll get it done before the deadline. I encourage other artists to submit! 50 selected entries will be auctioned off and the profits will be donated towards aid for Japan.

The Hero and the Crown

2011-03-04T01:18:00.000-08:00

novel illustration done for class, from The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley

decided to keep things simple (and for lack of time)
totally having art block
much nicer looking on monitor than printed

Little Bo Peep

2011-02-03T21:31:00.001-08:00

nursery rhyme illustration assignment, but was rushed because I need to work on my grad film.

Illustrating: Nursery Rhyme

2011-01-19T02:28:00.000-08:00

so I've decided for my illustration project to illustrate a scene from Little Bo Peep.

Little Bo Peep story

Little Bo peep has lost her sheep
And doesn't know where to find them.
Leave them alone and they'll come home,
Bringing their tails behind them.
Little Bo peep fell fast asleep
And dreamt she heard them bleating,
But when she awoke, she found it a joke,
For they were all still fleeting.
Then up she took her little crook
Determined for to find them.
She found them indeed, but it made her heart bleed,
For they left their tails behind them.
It happened one day, as Bo peep did stray
Into a meadow hard by,
There she espied their tails side by side
All hung on a tree to dry.
She heaved a sigh, and wiped her eye,
And over the hillocks went rambling,
And tried what she could,
As a shepherdess should,
To tack again each to its lambkin.

I never knew it was so.. graphic. hah, this will be fun! Not sure yet which part of the rhyme I'm going to illustrate.

Sherlock Holmes Headshot Sketch Dump 1

2010-06-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

I want to draw more from this movie <3

6/25

2010-06-25T16:39:00.000-07:00

today's sketch. another concept of my OC Aria (possibly Red Riding Hood spinoff)

Some changes

2010-06-25T00:59:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Very long time no update, but that will change.

It seems every school semester I just become a hermit or something.

But this year will be different, I will keep this blog updated. Since I'll be planning my senior animation short film, I'm going to have lots of research, concept art, and etc to work on. Not to say I'll post everything here, but some stuff :)

Since last July I tried to do the 1 full cg/day for 30 day challenge and failed, I'm going to take a little step and do 1 hour sketches /day for 30 days.

That means...
some changes are in order for this blog:
- I'd like to upload more sketches, so I don't spam my deviantart.
- Other cg art I get done that for some reason I don't want to put anywhere else. (Maybe it's not amazing or something)

Basically more image heavy and less text.

First thing to do while on break is to organize all the stuff I've done for school and put them up.

J-Fest!

2010-01-25T01:29:00.000-08:00

I'm so behind with updating here D: So sorry!!!

Over the weekend I was at J-Fest (Douglas College in New Westminster). It was soooo amazing! Thank you to everyone who dropped by my table!

I think I really do prefer smaller cons like J-Fest over larger ones, somewhat less claustrophobic lol But I felt like I got to know everyone that passed by~ It was really nice.

Other news? I do have some Valentines Day items coming to my shop soon, but other than that I'm just working hard on drawings and school :D I really want to work super hard so my table will be FILLED at Anime Evolution later this August. I'm super excited for it <3 Expect loads more artwork as well as more jewelry and other cute things!

Origami Kiseki

2009-11-29T14:19:00.000-08:00

I didn't want to write it over on dA in case it biases the image or get me "pity" comments, so here is the story behind it~!

Originally it was just going to be a birthday gift for my friend who has been in the hospital for.. about 2 years now. One day I was visiting and she had an origami crane set so we folded some.. Well in my case I "tried", apparently I'm one of very few asians who FAIL at folding origami D: She also asked me to draw on her whiteboard in her room whenever I go visit. Drawing on whiteboard is like 100000 times harder than drawing on paper and pencil, I always felt that I wasn't drawing anything good for her... so I really wanted to actually draw something DECENT :( She's been having a bad bad year and I never know what to get her for her birthday...

Then I found out Kiseki Magazine was holding their contest around the same time as her birthday, and figured hey I might as well enter! Of course I failed to finish for her actual birthday, but I think she'll forgive me. (I hope)

Also this month, I wanted to challenge myself.. Back in October I had a Miyazaki movie craze and rewatched almost all of the ones I love. I was twittering about it and another friend (who I highly respect her tastes in entertainment) said that her favorite was Whisper of the Heart. I never saw it, so I gave it a try. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this film now, seriously there's not other film out there that I know of that has such a strong message of working hard like this one. So I wanted to try and challenge myself the same way Shizuku does.

I really wanted to do 1000 cranes in the pic, but lack of time and didn't want to clutter it too much.. So I think I'll tackle the theme again later on and actually fit 1000!

Now to tackle that mountain of schoolwork I've put off... only like 2 weeks left!

Poupée Girl & Cyber Monday Sales!

2009-11-26T21:30:00.000-08:00

long time no post!

Recently I've gotten into this Japanese site called Poupée Girl. It's like a avatar based site where you post photos of clothes, accessories, and other items you own to get "ribbons" to buy things for your avatar to wear. It's so much fun! I don't even consider myself to be a fashionista of any sort, but it's fun to photograph the clothes you own and look at it all!

Plus, the artwork is super cute and lolita :D

If you happen to have one and want to add me... this is my page I'll add you back~~

------- SHOP NEWS ------

BLACK FRIDAY - CYBER MONDAY SALE in shop! Fri & Sat selected items will be on sale, and on Mon only I'll be offering FREE SHIPPING!

I don't do free shipping offers that often while I'm in Canada, it's hard to do with our 2cm rule and silly International prices. So take advantage while you can ;D

After the holidays are over I'll be working on new designs (for the illustrated plastic items) and many of the current ones will be discontinued. They're getting make-overs!!!

Some school stuff :D

2009-10-30T23:42:00.000-07:00

So I've pretty much been MIA this month, here's why.

Our assignment was to model a shop we liked, and so I did a inspired version of the shop "Cupcakes" here in Vancouver (I'm not kidding, it's called Cupcakes and they only sell cupcakes / cake.)

This took like 3 weeks of my life and I wasn't even "done" when I handed it in... Like it has all the requirements our professor wanted but I wanted to add so much more! More textures and more objects but just no time to do so.. maybe later.

Modeling all those cupcakes at odd hours everyday made me realllllly hungry. :( And you can't see it in my images (I'll make a vid later) but the cupcake stand in the last image spins it's three dishes~

Etsy Seller: Jaravee

2009-10-03T18:40:00.001-07:00

I'm taking a break from working on my film script, and thought it'd be nice to do a new Etsy Seller post since I haven't done one in a while~

Jaravee on Etsy is one of the CUTEST amigurumi pattern sellers I've found. She has a large variety of dogs and cats and other cute things to choose from :) Even if you don't know how to crochet, you can still buy the already made dolls by msging her!

super cute!

I'm sorry Photoshop.

2009-09-23T15:24:00.001-07:00

I need to draw.

and spend some time with Photoshop. Oh Photoshop, I'm sorry, I'm currently having an affair with Maya and After Effects.

it's been almost 2 months.

I'm sorry. :(

I'm also sorry too tablet. I still haven't named you and I've ignored you as well.

SALE

2009-09-18T21:42:00.001-07:00

BUY ONE GET ONE HALF OFF SALE!

at my store http://rairen.etsy.com til October 2nd :) This applies to 3rd and 4th and +++ items too, but only on the lower priced!

So if you bought 1 $20 item, and 2 $5 items, it would apply to the 2 $5 items~

I don't do sales often so take advantage while you can ;D

After sale is over, I'm going to work on finishing the items I've been thinking of in the back of my head~~

10 things about me

2009-09-13T17:25:00.001-07:00

Here's another one, though this one is because it was a class assignment!! (For scriptwriting class -- I'm excited for it even though I'm a complete n00b at writing stories.. but hopefully the class will help me write my script for grad film!!!) 5-10 things per question.

1. What I LOVE:

- 1920s - 1930s
- Fantasy genre
- Sci-Fi genre
- solving mysteries or puzzles
- mythology
- fairytales
- victorian
- steampunk / clockwork

2. What I HATE

- inconsiderate / rude people
- the smell of smoke (any kind: incense, cigarette, fire, etc), it makes me cough really badly & nauseous

- the smell of cooked bean sprouts
- stereotyping
- people who don't try new things / learn new things
- being talked badly within earshot or right in my face as if I wasn't there

3. What I FEAR

- failure
- reaching my limits / standstill
- not trying
- drowning
- ocean / water at night
- not having dreams (goals)

4. What I BELIEVE

- given the chance, people can change
- trusting my gut / instincts
- karma
- optimism
- success is 30% talent, 60% hardwork, 10% luck

5. What I VALUE

- family & friends
- hard work
- honesty
- patience
- life / living things

6. What I WANT

- to achieve my goals / dreams
- travel the world
- become more hardworking
- exceed my limitations
- to learn more

7. What I KNOW ABOUT

- being bilingual // opposite cultures
- running online business / selling own work online
- cooking
- technology (though always learning something new)
- cute things/ brands / artists/ how to make things cute

8. People who made a difference in my life

- parents: for having me, letting me be who I want to be, supporting me financially

- older brother: for being my on call tech support and getting me into videogames and animation when I was little

- Celeste: for becoming a best friend before I had even met her in person, telling me about ECU, always there when I need help. Awesome music/movies/etc tastes!

- Ariyana: for throwing crayons at me and being my friend since 1st grade, even though sometimes we don't keep in touch.

- Emma: for being an awesome friend who also despite us not keeping in touch that often, is still the same girl I became friends with back in middle school.

- Kim: taught me to appreciate what I've got, even the bad things because it could be a lot worse. My friend who's only 23 and often stuck in hospital due to Gardner's Syndrome (genetic disease)

9. Discoveries that made a difference in my life:

- deviantART.com
- etsy.com
- conceptart.org
- Ragnarok Online (mmorpg // online game where I met Celeste and Kim)
- art of Camilla d'Errico
- Bobby Chiu's podcasts

10. Decisions that made a difference in my life

- moving to a new country across the continent for uni (leaving behind everything I know to explore something new)
- not majoring in psychology or foreign languages
- my parents for moving the family to the US when I was young
- not wasting my time with fun "distractions"
- thinking for myself and never being a "sheep"

16 random things about me :D

2009-09-01T23:52:00.001-07:00

I saw this on Hatsukoi-san's blog (can't call her anything else cause I've always known her as Hatsukoi from ufocatcher.com)

I'm going to skip the part of taking a photo though ha ha ha my hair looks terrible right now (I'm growing it out and refuse to get it cut)

1. I love the smell of warm clean laundry right out of the dryer. I wish I could bottle it up.

2. I keep a list of all the things I've ever read/watched/listened/played so that if I ever develop Alzheimer's I'll be prepared. (Okay not really, but I do have a bad memory) Also if I ever have kids, I want to share these with them.

3. I love love love shumai (dim sum), it is one of few foods that I could and would eat everyday if possible. But only if they are made in a certain way. (Other foods include Takoyaki, Chicken Pho with basil)

4. I like looking at and drawing pretty (sometimes naked but always wicked cool) females because I aspire to be an awesome woman myself. That and many of my favorite artists are guys and what do guys like more than to draw sexy women? I'm completely straight--- my hope is to get a guy who likes me because I can draw sexier women than he (or a guy) can, thus making me sexier (LOL does this make sense)

5. I'm really really REALLY shy in the real world, which might be seen as conceited or cold but I'm really not :( I just feel awkward in a lot of situations. Something that I'm trying to change. This is why a lot of my friends are the talkative kind, because they can do my share of talking too! I'm much more comfortable being quiet and just listening.

6. I get realistic dreams of everyday life that make me wonder if they really happened upon waking up. (This goes back to #2, since I have a bad memory)

7. Once a dream from the night before really happened. It was surreal.

8. I can have dual personalities. I blame this on being a Gemini, and being Chinese raised / American grown. Very polar opposites in culture.

9. I like salty foods better than sweets.

10. I like rainy days when the sun is out.

11. I love looking at stars and a full moon.

12. If there was a fire, I would grab my blanket that I've had forever, my laptop, and my external hard drive. Out of everything I own, those three are irreplaceable and priceless to my existence. (and my fran & balthier figures too I bet)

13. I get easily addicted to mmorpgs. When I retire, I'll probably spend the rest of my life in one. (If that is I have no kids/etc)

14. I haven't been able to wake up at 6am ever since graduating high school. It's much easier to stay up to 6am than it is to wake up at 6am D:

15. I love cats. I want to start a cat cafe when I have my own place

16. I also love the smell of clean warm spring/summer breezy wind.

Etsy Seller: PeekoApparel

2009-08-31T17:03:00.001-07:00

Was looking through my favorite sellers list this week, and can't believe I haven't blogged about PeekoApparel

She makes these lovely dress shirts out of upcycled or reconstructed gentlemens' shirts, and they're sooooo cute! Kimono sleeves are awesome too and her items all have this rock & roll meets classy lady appeal. (Obviously because Brooklyn is both of those so her items are too)

This season will be shiny shiny.

2009-08-27T22:02:00.001-07:00

My new lovelies up in shop :D Found these hand mirrors recently and ohhh they're to die for! I even bought a pair just for myself cause I can't choose between them... silver's so shiny but black's so classy and Anna Sui like!

These will be limited though, I don't know how much that supply store has in stock.. and I can only get so many without breaking my own supply savings haha

be on the lookout for more items this week + next week! Won't have too TOO many new things up once my college courses start up the 2nd week of September :(

Etsy Seller: SoapyChica

2009-08-25T14:39:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned that I've been on a handmade soap craze lately, and look at what I found today!

made by SoapyChica over at soapychica.etsy.com , this soap just SAYS princess soap! So adorable! Great for lolitas again, or anyone wanting to spruce up their washroom space. Totally great as a guest soap.

I love her other items, especially her wing soap:

and her floral hearts:
really just a lovely store with fabulous soaps! Plus she's one of few sellers who actually has fair shipping prices to Canada from the UK!

(So many US sellers overcharge for Canadian shipping, even though I know it's not that much more than to the US -- I've shipped from both sides c'mon.)

Ikea Love

2009-08-18T19:16:00.000-07:00

ooohhh!

I'm planning for a trip to IKEA this weekend, before the local bus 98bline discontinues it's route (due to the new Canada Line skytrain) and browsing the site and found this:

it's a photo frame, so perfect for a victorian or lolita inspired room. Oh how I lust for it D: (I've been getting into Victorian and Lolita stuff more these last few months.. I'm not sure why haha I guess I'm becoming of age hahaha)

For $40 it's a snatch! Such a fast way to make a room elegant~!

New Shop Developments

2009-08-17T21:23:00.001-07:00

I've been having a spell of insomnia these last couple of days, and last night (this morning I guess) I started thinking about what I want my shop to be. Right now it's kind of an eclectic mix of illustrated plastics, polymer clay, and kawaii & lolita items. I remember when I started doing this seriously back in November last year, I only wanted to have my illustrations for sale....

So for the last 6 hours or so, I've been toying with the idea of opening a second shop on Etsy that would focus only on non-illustrated items that are "elegant" and would fit in more with lolita, victorian, and possibly bohemian than the rest of my illustrated stuff. Also this would be a shop for the more refined / older population of Etsy that my current "kawaii-ness" might not appeal to..

I'm a little worried, I spent quite a bit of savings on supplies for this new shop, but I really do think it's the right decision! (Considering the new line of items I want to make won't mesh too well with my current shop..) But also this means I can focus on doing more illustrated designs for my main shop, so I'm really happy about that! I'll be much happier once I can get this urge for this second shop out off my back and running, so that I can go back to illustrating more :(

The shop will probably be up around mid September~ I've gone back to my original Etsy Shop name Jubilant & Sorrow except with a small change: it's just Jubilant Sorrow now.

The original idea was items that are lovely, elegant, but bittersweet because they are for women who have EXPERIENCED life, it's ups as well as it's downs. I wonder if that makes sense? Like everything comes as a double sided experience?

I thought about "Bittersweet Melodies" as a name but I think that's a bit too long for Etsy.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted on it! I'm really excited to work on it, and can't wait for my supplies to arrive (ahhh Canadian shipping is killing me). I'm also working on some new scarf designs for the winter season! I'll be making my Squid scarf again, and new "Tag-A-Long" scarflette buddies inspired by bobbin4apples' Longbottoms. I'm so happy that those lovely girls are letting me borrow elements of their design and incorporate them into my own~ I'll try not to do too similar designs as best to my ability, but I do want to make my own version of a bunny & teddy scarf :<

Etsy Sellers: DirtyAssSoaps & LoveLeeSoaps

2009-08-17T00:57:00.000-07:00

Keep H1N1 away with these handmade soap yummies.

There was a recent thread on the Etsy forums for reasons to buy handmade soap. Now to be honest, I never thought about buying handmade soap cause well, Dove has been pretty good to my skin (and hair).

But looking around in Etsyland, I've found several reasons to at least *try* handmade soap.. as soon as my 9+pack of dove is gone haha. I really can't believe some of these are soap, they look so real that I just want to eat them!

Strawberries dipped in chocolate - DirtyAssSoaps

Strawberry Frosted Cupcakes - LoveLeeSoaps

Hostess Cakes & Oreo dipped in milk - DirtyAssSoaps

Flan - LoveLeeSoaps

Click on the pics to their respective stores, man oh man I plan on buying a ton of the flan and hostess cakes (WOWeee at how realistic that is, I just want to eat them!)

New items!

2009-08-05T17:10:00.000-07:00

New Angelic Wing items in shop today :)

I just love how they turned out! (Especially the hairclips, the metallic gold were such a find!!)

Also I was playing around with packaging design last night, and I really love how that came out too. I'll need to buy the proper paper though for the translucent wings (I was using a plastic paper that's too expensive to use as packaging). I might just use this for all my earring packaging in the future hehe

Or at least use them to display earrings at the cons I'll be going to next year.

These wings aren't really new or anything, lots of the other plastic sellers have these wings too but we all have different styles~ I made mine with a somewhat yellow/gold border -- like from CCS (Sakura's egg wing costume)... still one of my favorite costumes of hers :)

Sailor Moon & Lumiere's Heart

2009-07-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

I've been rewatching Sailor Moon (in the English dub, still have to watch it in subs) I can't believe how much I've forgotten and how much I've remembered from it.

Apparently I never watched Sailor Moon S but I watched Supers? I wonder how I skipped that whole season? (At least I think I skipped it, because the dubbed voices don't seem familiar unlike the first two seasons)

It's great to know I still love the same characters as I used to (Molly/Neflite, Sapphire) but ahh re-watching it makes me want to collect Sailor Moon items :( Like the star locket!! That goes for $300 USD.... OTL I think it'd be so pretty though..

another photo..
---------------

My new shop item, Lumiere's Heart (a mirror) is kinda inspired by Sailor Moon's crystal locket. Wish it had magical powers though haha

I wanted to add wings to the back of this, but then it wouldn't function as a compact mirror.. it'd have to be left on a vanity hmm.. Maybe for the next mirror I make?

note to self

2009-07-14T18:07:00.000-07:00

draw Hiyori in her Vizard form/ with Hallow mask on
draw Nelliel Tu (older / centaur form)

if I don't have it on my to draw list yet >:(

catching up on some Bleach episodes while I'm waiting for class to start (came to school super early to meet up with someone, but they canceled)

ep 213 + 214 are so funny hahahahah

30 Day Challenge Start!

2009-07-02T11:33:00.001-07:00

So I started the 30 Day Challenge my classmate is hosting over on dA yesterday (sc-parade.deviantart.com)

I think I'll be pretty busy this next month. My goal is to break into my new tablet, and to get used to sketching lineart on screen. (I usually sketch on paper)

Also hoping to try out a ton of poses, since I tend to stick to the same ones... and try out some of the tips of the tutorials I've faved.

Going to be working on new shop items too! I'm planning to renovate it completely; new photos for all my current items, new banner! I'm no longer going to brand things for Jubilant & Sorrow, I think it's probably confusing for people.. So it'll just go as Rairen as an extension of more of my art.

---------------------------

My first piece for the 30 day challenge... is weird. I know it's weird. haha but I'm somewhat happy at it's weirdness. (look here)

But I don't like I've gone back to the same front pose, I need to practice more :(

Avatar Live Action Movie..

2009-06-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

still waiting on that Trickster fanart contest results :(

Anyhoo, today I found out Avatar: The Last Airbender is going to be made into a live action movie.

After looking it up and watching the trailer, I'm extremely disappointed. I'll still watch it anyway to look at the graphic effects, but really, I'm seriously disappointed.

If I ever take another media culture course, I'm definitely writing a paper on how there are no representations of Chinese (and other East Asians) in "Western" films that do not include kung-fu, mafia, and villains. (Maybe one execption, comedy films.. but definitely never main characters)

Avatar is completely inspired by Chinese culture (and I'm not just saying this because I'm Chinese); the bending is like tai-chi, they even use Chinese characters (kanji), and most of the characters look Chinese too (hello fire nation, earth nation, even some of the air monks too -- though that could be more Thai or Buddhist)

AND YET DESPITE THIS, there are NO Chinese people cast in this film. It might be a shortage of Asian actors, but I kind of doubt that.

I think Cosplayers do a better job than professional costume designers..

Dev Patel shouldn't be Zuko. Zuko is , for one, very very very very Chinese looking, so are his father and sister. Not to mention he is light skinned (okay this sounds racist now D: ) But he is!

I wonder why directors can never adapt a good story, animation, and stick to the original vision?!!! They want to make things better, but they fail!

--- It almost looks more like LOTR meets Gladiator, it doesn't look as fun + funny as the animation now D:

long time no post!

2009-06-10T19:14:00.001-07:00

So I bring a wip as an apology haha,
this is something I'm working on for a contest~ Hopefully I'll be one of 6 artists to win 8)

Anyhoo, been busy with this and readings for my Humanities course. I'm trying to also get started on Gaia Commissions, a drawing a day (good quality one that is), and starting to pack all my things into boxes for storage.

Busy busy!

I'm a bit sad I'm not going to be at AE this year, so many of my favorite artists from dA are going to be there! But oh well --- there's always next year! (and I'll be starting work on that stuff later this summer, going to have PLENTY of fanart to choose from at my booth in 2010!)

Free Shipping!

2009-05-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

free worldwide shipping right now in store :D

also sneak preview:
I said I was working on an Alice in Wonderland set~ This may or may not be Chesse, (Chesire Cat).... this was supposed to be a Siamese kitty (in color) but I might just change her to the Chesire cat~

hairclips!

2009-05-11T19:39:00.000-07:00

Lovely Hairclips up in store tomorrow~ more to come!

long time no update for

2009-05-05T21:52:00.000-07:00

Jubilant & Sorrow (my etsy shop) that is,

so I'm here to post about it today 8D

I haven't been updating with new designs the last few months due to school, but now that it's almost a month into my summer break, I'm here to let you know new designs are coming!!! (As soon as my supplies of little trinkets arrive)

What's coming:

+ hair clips of existing designs (first in eggshell clip color, because white's my favorite color, then other colors coming later)
+ elegant pins of new artwork
+ alice in wonderland series
+ new designs of: angelic & devil themes, more kawaii animals, and finally robots!
+ possibly 12 new elegant zodiac females & males art (you may have seen my aries wip)
...
AND 12 "kawaii" styled zodiac sign designs for cell phones / necklaces / hair clips/ rings

I'm super excited, since there's not much to do back home except play video games, eat, and watch tv really. So I'm really excited to get working on these new designs :)

Last but not least, I'd like to feature this little thing I found today on Etsy's front page..I think it's super cute and would totally wear it if I ever get married (it's really funny too) 8D

oh yes, new banner for this blog is coming too.

my first purse / pouch / bag!

2009-05-03T17:39:00.001-07:00

okay I'll stop spamming,

I was working on this so I wanted to update

my first try at something with a zipper, and it was hand sewn cause apparently my sewing machine can't handle something as thick as this OTL.

Next time I need to make the inside more neater, or even just put lining in there. Though I don't know how that'd work mmmmmm

this is what I've been doing >___>;

2009-04-30T23:53:00.000-07:00

I've been kinda sick the last two days, either with allergies or just a stuffy nose (not oink oink flu I hope)

so I've been working on this haha and actually breaking in my bamboo and using it to draw directly on laptop --- so this is actually my first all digital piece ever D:

mine's not as awesome as some of the others but .......... Larvitar was worth it 8D

hayz I finished one

2009-04-29T22:56:00.001-07:00

amazingly enough, I actually did a semi-background for once D8

even more amazing for me, I didn't use a reference.... I guess staring at my green pepper plant everyday helped lol

must must must practice more backgrounds!

Summer Begins and May Goals

2009-04-24T23:47:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to not be lazy ever since coming home, I'm juggling 2 drawings at the moment (but ohh I really am being lazy.., playing too many video games and sleeping in way too much)

Been trying to look for a part time job, but it seems no one is hiring? Probably doesn't help that I'd only be seasonal help and not long term. D:<

I hope I'm able to get a job by next week though, if I want to take that extra course I'll need it +___+

I wonder how good online applications really are? Someone told me that's just how most places hire now, but I really wonder if it's better than in person?

I also got a new tablet, a Wacom Bamboo (it was on sale for like $25), and because it's super new I'm too nice to it, unlike my Aiptek which I scratch at that with the pen like crazy..

Goal is also to get an Intuos 4 this summer, but that depends on le job @_@

Anyone doing anything interesting this summer? Any tips on seasonal job applications?

Lazy Days

2009-04-15T19:00:00.000-07:00

I've decided, I'm totally moving (providing there are places for rent for cheap / around the same price as my current place) when I start the new semester.. when I'm back and my roommate is back.

I don't think it'd be fair of me to move out when she's not around and get a new roommate for her without her meeting them...

But yes, I'm currently thinking of moving to apartments near Joyce station (there's one building that I'm in love with right next to the station) and in a high rise mm ♥

I would do this now, since there's a lovely listing up on craigslist, but I can't D: I hope there'll be good ones later on like in September or October..

If my roommate's around in July / August, maybe I can find a really good place like I did with my current place.. I found this place around July too~

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On another note, I was cleaning and got sidetracked yesterday and started this:

I dunno if it'll look cool or not, but I had these interesting buttons just sitting around so...

upcoming print & maybe aceo

2009-04-11T18:14:00.001-07:00

After I figure out the right papers to print this on, I'll be putting it in shop~!

On another note I'm really frustrated with my neighbors, and now my roommate too. I hope that because I'm deciding to tough it out, that something good is on it's way into my life? (I'm a believer of when your life is totally frustrating, something good is about to come..)

I hope D:

Animation Final

2009-04-09T12:53:00.000-07:00

hurrah, one of my final animations this semester, though I wish I had more time to fix things but it's turned in (I'll probably fix it later this summer after I'm not sick of looking at it)

everything was done by me, from drawing- sound design. (It was fun to record our own sounds & find sound effects *___* )

part of the class's anijam, hope to get a copy of the final one to post up~!

-____-

2009-04-06T03:26:00.000-07:00

I don't like to post too many entries about personal life problems, but I need to vent..

I'm really thinking of moving again, although I love this apartment, I can't STAND my neighbors and their marijuana smoking.

I've asked the managers to do what they can, but their smoke is still leaking through the doors and into my apt...

So I'm thinking this summer when I'm back, I may move out. It's really a shame, it's such a nice address and area, so I'm hoping either the neighbors get kicked out or stop smoking inside.

It makes me physically sick, nauseous, shakey, unable to breathe and sleep. So yeah, why put myself through that just so I'm closer to school?!

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Edit: On a happier note, I know what I want to do for my grad film. *______* I can't wait to start working on it this summer! I'm not sure yet though if it'll be 2D / 3D / both.

Etsy Seller: imyourpresent

2009-03-29T17:29:00.000-07:00

I've been watching this seller for a while now, I just love her clothing! But sadly her stuff is slightly out of budget for me to spend on clothing, so maybe some of you out there who do have the money can pay her shop a visit ;D

I especially like the first dress, such a nice color combination +___+

her shop is over at http://imyourpresent .etsy.com

The Evil in Me

2009-03-29T01:40:00.000-07:00

HURRAH, I FINISHED ♥

Work in Progress~!

2009-03-27T00:59:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I've done art that's not for school or for J&S, so I thought I'd update with a work in progress pic!

This is a work in progress entry for a contest: If you were a villain, what would you look like?

Okay so it's not really villain-y, but I don't believe I'd be an all bad/scary villain anyway~
Trying some new things with Photoshop, tutorials are really helpful... and it's great to learn from! I haven't used custom brushes in a long time, hopefully I can make my own this summer instead of using other people's!

Funny thing, I actually like the first image more than the last.. I dunno I just like simple, clean, flat coloring...

Need to finish this before the 30th haha.. I hope I can OTL.

Etsy Seller: Em & Sprout

2009-03-21T18:13:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the last day of my Lucky Clover Event (until next year of course~!)

So I'm procrastinating at school (can you blame me, it's Saturday and I'm at school working on projects?) and browsing Etsy (it's become an addiction I swear) and guess what I found?

These lovelies:

They are by Lindsay of Em & Sprout and they're just to die for. All meant for outdoor wear, they are super super super super SUPER cute! She also takes custom orders! (I know I'll be requesting a pair from her in the future :D )

Just too cute!

4 days left~

2009-03-19T02:27:00.000-07:00

So only 4 days left til my Lucky Clover Event is over for this year~ (Read the entry below for full rules)

It's very simple though, basically:

For any Puking Patrick item bought, you'll get 25% off your next future purchase.

For any other item bought, you'll have a random chance of discounts for your next future purchase.

Just in case I didn't make it clear ~ I probably could have made it simpler |||| OTL.

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Other news, I've been killing myself over one of my final projects. We're doing an anijam in one of my classes, and it'll be shown at the end of the semester to local Vancouverites.

I'm pretty excited,

but I'm also terrified. So far there has been a lot of work each week, and I feel like I'm not going to get it done on time like with my last animation. (Which btw, is still not done, and I'm like 3 weeks late?) Though that one was the longest and toughest one yet, but I should get it in this week even if it kills me..

The weather has been insane, there were 2 days where the day started off raining, then it snowed, then it was super sunny like summer, and then it was windy. (Like a whole cycle of seasons in one day)..

I probably failed that Media History paper, (I was still writing it in class the day it was due..) but I managed to put words on that and turned it in before class was over haha. But seriously, that is the worst I've ever put off papers, but what did I expect, I REALLY hated the topic (political comment / criticism from a film). Which I cannot do, I know nothing, and don't care for politics at ALL. I ended up writing about Capitalism (is how little I care).

Just a couple more weeks and the spring semester is over~! I can't wait :D (Just so I can spend some time making new items) It really annoys me when I have so many ideas and don't have the time to express them all..

St. Patricks Day - Lucky Clover Event~

2009-03-04T00:42:00.000-08:00

I will start this event Sunday March 8, and it'll end March 22nd, if you wish on participating in this event, please make sure to not purchase until Sunday when I start~ Otherwise you'll miss out :(

It'll essentially be a contest/sweepstakes/lottery event, and there are a few ways to enter:

+ With any purchase of any of my Puking Pat items (which will be in store when I start this event) you will automatically get a sticker or card of Pat.
+ Random chance with any purchase of any current items in store; if you're lucky, you'll get a sticker or card of Pat with your package~
+ Random chance for being a past customer to get a Pat. (I will not be contacting you since that violates Etsy's TOS, however I have a record of all my past customers and will be checking if you made another purchase)
+Random chance for any of the above, you may receive a sticker or card of one (or more) of the following:
- a rainbow
- a 4 leaf clover
- a beer glass

So what will these items be used for you ask?

+Each item (Pat, rainbow, clover, beer) will have a different value of sales % placed on it:
- Pat : will be 25% off your next purchase OR free shipping.
- Rainbow : 20% off your next purchase
- 4 Leaf Clover: 15% off your next purchase
- Beer: 10% off your next purchase

Yes I will be giving out more than one to some lucky folks, but it's also possible you might get none at all~!

Also, these event items will not expire, but they are limited to one time use. Once you redeem them, they will not be accepted again. (For each sticker or card, there will be a number that you can either convo me / leave in the message to seller on checkout.) I will be keeping record, so don't think you can cheat ~! ;D

Puking Pat will only be in stores until the end of this event, but I am hoping to do this every year ~ (and for next year, the event will be earlier so that everyone has a chance to receive a Pat in time for St. Patrick's Day) You are welcome to save this year's event prizes and combine them with future years as well~! (Just don't lose the redemption number!)

But please note, I will not accept a combination of 2 Pats or more in a single item order. You are allowed to combine Pat with everything else except himself. (More info on this in #4 of the questions below)

I am also going to be listing Pat over at my Dawanda shop~ (Regardless of which store you buy from, you can also use it in the other store. So if you buy from my Dawanda, you can also use it for your next purchase on Etsy and vice versa.)

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Some questions you may have:

1.) So what's this event about in less words?
- Basically, it is a buy one - get extra discount(s) on future purchases~!

2.) But why would I want discounts on future purchases?
- Maybe I have items you want now, and other things you like later on~ Maybe a friend or loved one might want something~

3.) Why aren't you just offering a sales period instead of doing all this? What's in it for you?
- I could just offer a sales period, but I'm all about having fun (regardless of what I'm doing). This to me is WAY more fun than just having a sales period, since it's all based on luck & chance~

4.) Are there any rules?
- The only rule that I have (and this is also to prevent people taking too much advantage over this event offer) is that you are NOT allowed to combine Pat with another Pat in a single item order. HOWEVER, you may do this if you are ordering more than 1 item, with a limit of 2 Pats per invoice. You may combine Pat with however many of the other event prizes though~

5.) How are you going to choose the discount prizes for each customer?
- I'm going to do this as fairly as I can:

I'm setting a number for all the participants (which may increase if there are more customers than I expect). These numbers will be your redemption numbers~

As for the random chance prizes, I am filling a bin with a lid with slips (each having the prize written on it) and with each slip, I will write either "STOP" or "CONTINUE" on their paper slips. Once I take a slip out, it'll be placed aside until I reach a stop, and then everything taken out will be put back in for the next prize card.

The prizes for each round (from above) will then be stuck on event cards, and when a customer purchases something from my store, I will randomly pick out a card from a deck~

6.) I can't remember all this! How can I find this post or the rules again later on?
- Don't worry~ For each purchase I'll send out a very easy to understand pictorial representation of this info ;D

Plane ticket reserved~

2009-03-02T00:22:00.000-08:00

46 days until this semester is over = " = and I get to go home for a long well-deserved break.

ahhhh I wish it would come sooner~!

I have so many ideas for things that I want to make for J&S, but no time because of schoolwork and deadlines :( So I really can't wait until I go home and have NOTHING to do except my ideas ~

Reading break always screws me over, cause it makes me think I'm on vacation when I'm not.. (cause during the Fall semester there isn't any) and so I let my work ethic drop cause I think I can slow down D:

I barely finished my entry for the Darkstalkers Tribute, barely :< It's not as done as I want so I might do more if they ever ask for my entry to be included~ well I might even do more if they don't just so I can put it up on dA and actually have it "done".

Can't believe it ~

2009-02-28T20:09:00.000-08:00

I'm in a treasury!!!!! :D

need to stop aha :(

2009-02-27T14:05:00.001-08:00

Totally just bought way too many supplies.

Oh well ♥

So much for having broken even hahaha, now in debt again, but I think these supplies are very good buys :D

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EDIT

no more buying, must save up for my Intuos ; ^ ;

ugh.

2009-02-25T19:15:00.001-08:00

I hate it when ground beef makes me feel like puking. ugh.

It only happens sometimes, and other times I don't have any problems, don't know why though. maybe it's only frozen ground beef..

But ugh.

ugh.

paypal shipping labels = ♥

2009-02-24T15:37:00.000-08:00

I think I'm in love with Paypal Shipping.

Granted I don't have a scale, so for other things I've never shipped before I'll still have to take it to the post office, but Paypal Shipping makes me really happy.

I don't like going to the post office since I'm very awkward and shy and I always feel the postal workers give me strange looks :( So to be able to print off the customs declaration and just tape it to my package is really nice! I don't even have to go to the post office, I can just drop it in a mail box.. :D

So hurrah, until the next package I haven't sent before, I'm totally using Paypal's shipping labels ~ ♥

(This'll also make it easier for when I'm back home and unable to go to the post office everyday.)

Finally

2009-02-19T19:09:00.000-08:00

Okay I need to stop posting random things everyday.. but I found this today and it made me feel like all my insecurities about going to ECU disappear ~

Reality of Going to Art School

I had a lot of insecurities my first year cause I thought (and sometimes still think somewhat) that I went to the wrong school, that art school is pointless, but I'm glad I picked something now based on location and where I feel comfortable with. I especially agree with the top three, and I'm also really happy that I decided on a school that offered a degree instead of just a diploma or certificate for number 8.

When I went home this past winter break, my parents, specifically my mom, gave me a lot of grief for choosing a 4 year school when I could have taken a 1-2 year program. I'm glad now that if she ever brings it up again, I can tell her that degrees are better than not having one, cause I can have an easier time working wherever I might want to go.

This list also makes me really happy knowing that I'm not being stupid by not going to all the parties and stuff that's around school. I'm glad now that I'd rather be working on my stuff or assignments than going to parties on weekends.

It's a really interesting thread, I encourage everyone interested in / taking courses already at an art school to read it.

Note to Self

2009-02-18T20:55:00.000-08:00

Have to remember this for later

http://www.machinarium.com/

Etsy Seller: Bobbin4Apples

2009-02-17T13:17:00.000-08:00

Today as I was browsing through Etsy to see if animal scarves are popluar or not, I found fellow cute seller Bobbin4Apples (shop here)

Their "Longbottoms" series and "Mochi" series are so cute!!!! I wish I knew how to knit, since I think knitted scarves look better than crochet : P

They even have a red panda scarf! Theirs looks more like a Red Panda than mine haha~

Super cute, when I have the money I'm probably going to buy their teddy scarf, it's super adorable.

TEST RUN - I GOT HIRED? :D

2009-02-16T12:00:00.000-08:00

I think I might be hired!

Well he's already giving me stuff to do, and supposedly it's a test run so maybe I'm not official yet but eeeee :D

so I'm working for Njoo (Njoo.deviantart.com) You can still see his hiring info in his journal lol

It's fun so far, I'm image gathering and it's a lot of concept art, with weekly themes.. if I wasn't so busy with animation in school & J&S, I'd totally try my hand at those weekly concept art.. but there's some amazing people *O*;;;

He thought it'd be super boring but lol I get to look at tons of pretty art so I don't even care if it's "boring" and the job doesn't pay much ITS GOOD KNOWLEDGE that I'll probably need in the future :D Plus it's also building on my own image archive ~

really really REALLY.

2009-02-14T00:45:00.000-08:00

I really really really really really really really really really really hope that I get hired to be his art assistant.

It won't pay much, only like $4 / hr, but :

a.) it's all online so I can do it even during class lol
b.) it's easy work
c.) his art is AMAZING. I'd give anything to get insight on his process and stare at his stuff all day while editing sizing and stuff like that.

I remember back in middle school and early high school I used to want to be a mangaka's art assistant.. I still want that somewhat, only I figured it'd be really hard to get to be one in Japan...

ahhhh I really hope he hires me ; ___ ;

Procrastinating..

2009-02-10T16:31:00.000-08:00

I'm procrastinating and writing this post... I'm going to regret it later on tonight and tomorrow... -"-

Today I'm going to post about Kana of CoquelicotSalon, I recently bought a pair of her crochet'd gloves and love them~! They're super cute and super original and makes me wish I sold them too ;D But then that'd be idea stealing...

This bottom pic is the one that I bought~ Super cute and just warm enough for some of my small pocket sweaters~

Everyone should get a pair 8D

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On another note, I can't wait to make it through this week, will be updating with more polymer clay items & some ACEOs hopefully ~ ♥

Tomorrow!

2009-02-06T23:35:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is the Artist Meet! I hope I'm in the mood to draw... especially since I'll be bringing my animation homework ahaha...

Lately I've been networking & promoting like crazy... makes me feel like I'm whoring myself out.

I think I broke Remy's water filter.... there's a crack.. it's still circulating but the water doesn't seem to be getting any cleaner... I guess I'll leave it on overnight and see what happens .__.;

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Edit:

In some ways, I'm still a 12 year old |||||orz.........

meet went well (I think) though I am seriously inept with meeting new people........ I never know what to say and when I do say something it's totally unnatural and not in the moment and probably random and eavesdropper-y. ="=

But still I had fun, met many people who were already working and in the industry so it was nice to know what it's like for them since they've graduated and all.

I get too nervous for these kinds of things though... I should just get locked up in a studio and just draw all day ha ha ha.

Supplies & Sellers

2009-02-02T01:09:00.001-08:00

I really wonder how I'm going to fund my extra semester of school with my spending habits.........

Went to Deserres today, and bought scrapbook paper! I don't actually scrapbook, but I use these as my backgrounds for J&S items. I really like the Rococo inspired ones and although my photo doesn't show it properly, the black one at the end is this really nice glossy black and purple-black stripe paper. (I bought that for my future items for guys :3 )

I also bought some polymer clay (I've been wanting to try it out for months now) and I've probably spent all the money and then some that I've earn thus far, but that's okay.... more supplies = more items = more customers (I hope) ; ^ ;

mmm I'm excited for Anime Evolution's badge contest.. I wonder what the rules are? I hope I'm eligible to enter, even though I won't be attending this year.. I'll be in Maryland :D

I'm also excited (nervous) for my first artist meet this coming weekend, I've never been to one of those, and I hope I'll be creative enough... I can never seem to draw when I'm nervous ah..

Last but not least, I've had these favorited for a while, I thought I should give a shout out :D They're both super adorable... I really want that chicken hat haha

The fuzzball is by Zygopsyche and the chicken hat is by honeybunnies

one day...

2009-01-30T19:15:00.000-08:00

one day I'll be able to afford one of these... *____* (or rather have justification to spend that much on a doll) Though the doll above isn't buyable.. but I'd love to make mine look like this (at least the face + makeup and hair color) T^T

robot 3/4 walk finish!

2009-01-29T13:06:00.000-08:00

Here's my final for my first 2D animation assignment this semester, still doing 3/4 walks, but it's super good practice for me.. Cause I have issues with weight displacement and timing @_@;;;

I don't really like sharing my past stuff cause it's mostly really boring practice stuff, but this semester we're going to be doing lip syncs and other more "interesting" stuff so I'll try to post the ones I'm somewhat happy with :D

Song is "Freedom" by Clazziquai + Christina Chu

craft robo looks cool :o

2009-01-29T05:24:00.000-08:00

taken from etsy's the storque videos~ I wonder if you can feed it other things besides paper (like cardboard or something)

Hoooray!

2009-01-26T18:13:00.000-08:00

I was checking out other blogs today,

and my Red Panda scarf got featured over at Super Cute Kawaii !! I'm so happy hooray hoorah!

2009 Horoscope (MSN)

2009-01-21T00:30:00.000-08:00

"You're known for having a sharp mind, a keen intellect, and a fantastic imagination, and it will be fertile, prolific, and colorful for most of the year. Venus and Neptune, both planets of the arts, are in Aquarius, trining your Sun Sign at the beginning of the year. You might create your masterpieces in the time-honored way, but for at least some of the time, you might choose to work on a computer. In fact, if you're not careful, your friends and family might have a difficult time enticing you to leave that computer. If you're in the throes of inspiration, keep at it, but if you've run out of energy, don't force the issue. Go with them."

hahahahahahahaha.. this was actually somewhat accurate for a "year" horoscope (at least so far)... I have been working hard at J&S and school stuff, and mostly on the computer as well~ I also haven't really hung out with my friends or roommate because I just want to work on stuff.

I hope my creative spell stays for a little while longer, I don't want to have another art block ;__;

New Ring~!

2009-01-18T00:41:00.000-08:00

New panda ring over at J&S~!

I've just been on a roll with designs, mostly because I procrastinate on my homework since working on J&S is more fun~! (Well my homework is fun too it's just I need a break now and then from it since it takes a lot of concentration to flip between pages, stare, watch and re-watch, draw, etc for hours..)

I can't wait to get my shipment of earring hooks, once I do, you'll be seeing lots of earrings in my store :D

Coming soon is the final dino of my dino set, (I'll probably retake some photos and have it be an actual "set" over on my deviantart.) Also coming soon is a farm set featuring a cow, chicken, and an unknown~

hurrah hurrah

2009-01-17T00:34:00.000-08:00

So I decided on my domain names,

http://www.rairen.com
http://www.jubilantsorrow.com

however, I'm thinking I'll probably just keep rairen.com after one year, we'll see. (I'm thinking I won't need Jubilant & Sorrow as a separate domain, I could just link to etsy though rairen.com) But I'm not sure yet, I'll think about it~

right now the two sites just redirect to my deviantart and etsy, but hopefully (most likely during the summer) I'll make actual pages for them.

but hurrah hurrah, having an older brother really helps when it comes to technology.. (I should know how to do this myself but it's so easy to rely on what he has already.. D: )

holy hell #1

2009-01-15T03:19:00.000-08:00

it's a phrase I've been uttering all day.

This is why:

these are done by Aranwen over at dA and etsy, they're absolutely stunning! I can't wait til I get back to Maryland, get a part time job, and save up for this beauty (or possibly a custom order).

Sometimes being an international student with no job sucks :( Here's to hoping my own etsy business picks up!)

new items~!

2009-01-13T18:08:00.000-08:00

spent most of the day making these, hopefully I'll have more time this weekend to do more :( not enough time ahhh.

the triceratops and elephant aren't up in shop yet, but will be in a couple of days.

I think I'm getting better at taking photos of my items? They seem to be a lot brighter and sharper this time around~

first project back ~

2009-01-11T19:59:00.000-08:00

eheheh

first back to school 2D animation project ----> 3/4 robot walk cycle XD

I'm going to LOVE this semester. :D It's a happy-go-lucky robot that likes poutine and wants to try vanilla milkshakes. (seriously this is what the prompt given to us was)

and for music choices, I have a few: (strangely most of the choices are from ff7)

- Rufus' welcoming ceremony (hello, being in tune to music for this part of the game much?)
- cinco de chocobo
- gold saucer (may be too fast though)
- yuffie's theme (decendent of shinobi)

the non-ff7:

- s'il vous plait - fpm

S'il vous plait was the song that immediately came to mind when first assigned this project but listening to my music this weekend made me think of most of those ff7 songs.. (piano version of course, to make it kinda honky-tonk style 8D)

Gold saucer would be nice if I had to make this into a narrative, the end sounds like triumphant music. Either way I'll need to pick before wed night... I'll upload it if it turns out good :D I think the robot design I came up with is cute, albeit a bit improbable if made into a real robot.... gears as arm joints don't exactly work... (plus it's chubby)

possible domain names

2009-01-04T14:40:00.000-08:00

been thinking of registering domain names to redirect to my etsy and dA... but I'm not sure what to name it...

jubilantsorrow.com is for sure I'll take soon..need to ask my brother on a good domain registering service :<

but hmm

rairen.com
rairen-artworks.com
rairen-art.com
or something with my full name? seriously, coming up with an artwork alias is hard. I'm probably going to pick something with Rairen over using my real name though. (I don't like my name mm)

break almost over

2009-01-02T11:03:00.000-08:00

mmm

being at home drains my creative energy and work ethic D:

also I've decided that I'm not going to do AE artist alley this summer, instead I'm going to come back home for the summer from April to possibly July if my roommate takes care of Remy... I'll need to ask her when she's going to go home as well. But yeah I decided this because I don't think I'm ready this year to sell all that I want to sell and I don't want to be unprepared again, and I also want to come back home and find a summer job (I wonder if anyone would hire from April to July?)

Anyway instead of doing AA this summer, I'll be working on Jubilant & Sorrow stuff at my own pace, so I think that's a good idea to skip out on AA this time. Plus they STILL haven't refunded my money from last summer so I'm not really in the mood to give them more money ~_~; This way I'll be offering US shipping for J&S for a good amount of time during the summer, and maybe get more buyers? Hopefully ^_~

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On another note, part of my blogging of artists, I'd like to talk about Daigo Okumura ~

Daigo Okumura is I think the artist behind the new designs for Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World (Knight of Ratatosk). From what I read, the original Tales of Symphonia artist, Kosuke Fujishima, was too busy to work on the game so Okumura drew the designs. Personally, I like Okumura's style more than Fujishima's, the coloring is better too. I wish they would come out with an artbook for this game.

Whatever company (I think Namco Tales Studio) who did the in game graphics and textures is also what I look up to. The monster designs are incredibly cute, and coloring and textures of environments and characters are good too.

It's been a while since my brother played any video game so I know this one's good, it reminds me a lot of the Mana series (but that's due to Norse Mythology) and I loved the Mana series, so I'm quite fond of this game too. I just hope that my brother will finish it before I leave to go back to Vancouver. I want to know how it ends. It's too bad we don't have a gamecube, I'd like to play the first Tales of Symphonia D:

Here are some images from the game: (to be used as my own reference as well when I fanart this)

I think I'm going to compile a huge art dump of all the monsters I like from this game (I'm drawing them of course) in fashion of the pokemon art things I've seen on dA. This is gonna be a huge art project for me though.. I like almost half the monsters in this game .........

and fyi, I'm now a fan of Richter x Aqua :P

baked gingerbread men~!

2008-12-12T07:01:00.000-08:00

so I'm wide awake, stayed up to clean & pack for my flight back home to MD, and I decided to bake up a batch of my soon-to-come gingerbread men.. but this bake failed, for some reason they're uneven and have a ripple through so I'll have to figure out what I did wrong when I come back.. (the 6th..)

no idea if I'll have an oven to play around with back home so for the next couple of weeks, most of the items I'll put in the store will be printed. :<

new items for J&S

2008-12-02T21:32:00.001-08:00

all right, it took me a bit longer than thursday.. :<

first set of winter holiday magnets, featuring a white reindeer, santa, and an angry snowman~

I really need to figure out my lighting for photos. D:<

canada post shipping :(

2008-11-27T00:22:00.000-08:00

So I found out today as I went to the post office to get a quote on my items, and it turns out that I can't ship by oversized lettermail because my packages are a few mm more than the restricted size :( This is really a turn off for selling rings! It's not like USPS where there are many options to choose from (affordable ones at that), AND THIS IS FOR WITHIN CANADA?

I could understand if this was International shipping but within Canada? I paid like $7 CAD to ship something just to another zipcode today, and I wondered : why didn't I just find where the address is, take the bus, and put it in the mail box myself? D:

shipping within Canada is expensive !

Baa Bah

2008-11-25T11:39:00.000-08:00

Last new item for this week, Baa Bah. This may be part of the zodiac set I'll be doing later on.

I'm thinking of categorizing my listings by Jubilant and Sorrow but then again I'm going to have more emotions on these cuties than happy or sad..

Will be uploading the dino set next week so please stay tuned!

Shi and Ku

2008-11-24T19:34:00.000-08:00

New items in Jubliant & Sorrow ~!

Shy bunnies Shi and Ku are looking for their new home! These cuties are approximately 2cm by 2cm, and are on adjustable silver plated rings.

handmade by me!

Luminere finally gets Evolution!

2008-11-24T01:10:00.000-08:00

this is a day late, but I finally got Evolution skill for my kitty on Trickster~! HURRAH, it's only taken me what... 6 months? (well technically 8 if you count from when I started the game) :D

It makes me happy lol, I've been waiting for this skill for a long time.

I'm terrible with mmorpgs.. I'll only play for good art or something new (sprite change for this), super addicted. I wish I could play Lineage II still.. and Flyff (to get that billposter sprite) --- I guess I'll be playing over winter break.

I wonder when my generation gets old / elderly, will we just be playing mmorpgs until we pass away? Or will we be too senile..? I'd love to do that once I retire ahahaha just play videogames all day long >:O

-------------------

Other news, my printable plastic started off kinda iffy, but now I've figured out the right temps and time to bake it at, so I'll be uploading new stuff tomorrow and later this week~!!! I hope people like them... I'd really like to get my Etsy Shop selling again ;__;

Moonlight Sonata to Silence & Noise

2008-11-22T00:45:00.000-08:00

Well I was thinking of stuff to put in my portfolio and one of the things I was thinking about is character & story development (concept). I'm not even sure they are looking for that this year but until I check, I'm writing some thoughts here.

Now before I was going to name my little story with Aria and Bane, Moonlight Sonata. Now I still like that name but I'm starting to wonder whether or not it's a bit far fetched and too fantasy? Like she's a siren who's partnered with a werewolf.. it's a bit weird right?

But anyway I was thinking I could also name them Silence and Noise, or even Silent and Noise. Bane would become Silence / Silent, and Aria would become Noise. Or maybe vice versa for interesting character development. >_> (Aria as a siren who can't sing lol, wouldn't that be interesting? Or she lost her voice and is searching for it..?)

I dunno, it's definitely something I'll need to think more about, because it could be really interesting if I decide to work with it.

Jubilant & Sorrow - Melancholy Mushroom

2008-11-20T22:19:00.000-08:00

It's ready for purchase~!

Reopened my shop today, will be updating more this weekend~ Please check it out at my etsy store Jubilant & Sorrow~

:D

earphone clip on accessory

2008-11-19T13:25:00.000-08:00

still researching into this, still can't seem to find a proper clip on material (to clip onto the earphone). The one I mentioned before is made out of bio-ceramic silicone but how the heck am I going to get my hands on that? >___>

I need to come up with some way to make handmade clip on thing so that they are considered handmade D:

I wonder if there are any design students in school that might have an idea or someone I can ask about this. Hmm..

DECIDED

2008-11-18T15:14:00.001-08:00

So I've decided on a name for my Etsy shop :D

ready?

Jubilant & Sorrow

you'll feel lots of jubilance when looking at my items and you'll be in sorrow if you don't buy them! 8D

it's inspired by all the opposite naming by Urban Outfitters brands ---- Silence & Noise (I love this one), Sparkle & Fade, Coincidence & Chance.

I'm also thinking of Lustre & something or Luminous & Dull, but I dunno I like both of the words Jubilant and Sorrow so I think I'm going to go with that :D

Testing out my sealers this week / weekend, hopefully shop will be open on Sunday!

idea but no idea

2008-11-14T12:30:00.001-08:00

I have this idea to make earphone attachments, but no idea how to execute it..

Like I need something that can attach to earphone buds, like

however I want to attach bigger things to it..hmm I wonder how I can make a mold out of something to make these things. (I want to attach something like big big plastic wings.)

silly-cyl

2008-11-13T17:29:00.001-08:00

I'm thinking of starting a new dA account : silly-cyl

but I dunno, cause I really like my current one (Rairen) I just think silly-cyl is a funny way to incoporate my initials in..

I dunno

Well I signed up anyway so in case I do later on and someone takes it lol.

experiment day #1

2008-11-11T00:09:00.000-08:00

Experimented with shrink plastic today!

Note to self:

place plastic inbetween two sheets of brown paper
set heat to 250, bake longer
do not spray close to plastic, spray further
don't sandpaper for sharpies

need to buy bigger jump rings
need to try inkjet shrink plastic tomorrow
need to rent out a better camera.

the image is really poor quality >_>; I'll take a better one when I get a camera with better zoom in D:<>__>;

Lumière & Lucent because most of the things I'll be selling will be jewelry, charms, and little trinkets made out of plastic. (It's translucent) They will be attached to shiny things (Lumière = shining)

I wanted to name my store Silence & Noise, but since that's already a wonderful wonderful WONDERFUL clothing brand from Urban Outfitters, I didn't want to attempt to get in trouble D:

Re-opening Etsy

2008-11-07T22:21:00.000-08:00

So I'm in the process of re-opening my Etsy store, and trying to figure out a name.

The things I plan on selling will include:

✖ cute plastic rings
✖ cute and sophisticated plastic necklaces
✖ original art bookmarks + prints
✖ original keychains
✖crochet + knitted
✖ possibly stickers

anyway I am hoping to open up the shop again before December. Hopefully I'll get it open despite being busy with school mm..

morn creations

2008-10-21T02:27:00.000-07:00

awesome backpacks and bags... i'm going to get either the shark one or the two teeth monster one at some point :<

KANEHSATAKE: 270 Years of Resistance

2008-10-08T11:51:00.000-07:00

Today we watched this documentary in class, and I don't like to watch these things because then it gets me really depressed living in a "democratic" country. Also being an animation student I like to ignore these issues because my world is like a fantasy dream, but every now and then it really hits me hard the stupidity of people in power.

It's really messed up, and you'd understand if you watch this film; how stupid people are, how governments are messed up, how STUPID the whole concept behind national pride. (Especially if you live in NA) The land did belong to First Nations people, and then the whole thing with Thanksgiving is messed up, pretty much all holidays are just conspiracies to brainwash the masses.

Basically the documentary covers what happened in the 1990s when there was plan to build a golf course A GOLF COURSE on First Nation's land (that's already restricted to begin with). FUCKING GOLF COURSE?!

If you haven't watched this yet, I strongly encourage you to, it really opens your eyes up and humbles you too. I'm already humble to begin with so watching this just made me feel horrible.

it's steampunk

2008-10-03T12:53:00.000-07:00

For like a year now I've been into gears, specifically clock gears, and now I know what that genre is called :D It's called steampunk, which in a general understanding of it: old school steam operating technology fused with present technology. (Neo-Victorian)

Main example is FFIX and FFXII, they both have that steampunk feel to some of the cities and machinery. (Probably more so FFXII, Arcades?)

Anyway I was browsing around for steampunk and I came across this:

I have an obsession for gear wings, (am planning to get a back tattoo of some) so I saw this and was really amazed *O* It just looks so cool~ I wish I could have one of these, really want to make my own, but I wonder what it was made out of. Would be really wicked if it was made out of metal.

Another artist I keep forgetting to post about is a local Vancouverite Cory Fuhr, I pass by his gallery on Granville Island everyday I go to class and wish I had the money to buy everything D:< His sculptures are metal and most have gears..

woahhhhh gaia online

2008-07-30T22:57:00.000-07:00

I'm so amazed.

Gaia Online came out with my IDEAL sprite item. just wow. I never would have expected them to do it but ahhh so happy. (The only thing I don't like about it is the legs area, it makes it look more like a harpy not an angel D: )

BUT AHHH I'M SO HAPPY. This is what my OC looks like~ The hair is a bit different, but I'm happy :D The wings would be longer but ahhhh so happy~

photo manip - i love clockwork people, i will make a legion of them.

2008-07-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

so many blogs (had to start one for a course over at liucy.wordpress.com (aha get it? "Lucy" -> Lucy Liu? oh it's so funny my name can be arranged that way)

anyway this update is of a photo manip that i had to do for that course (more process stuff can be found there i'm just posting here mm)

on another note, i'm getting my hair cut on friday.... D8 i hope it turns out okay.

a few months no posting..

2008-06-25T23:42:00.001-07:00

will be updating more after tomorrow, last day of summer courses until july~

will edit this tomorrow, and will post up some of the animations i've been doing the past couple of weeks for class.

as well as some person project stuff :D

Lineage II Kamael

2008-03-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

I really miss Lineage II, totally want to play it again D8 But no, school comes first.

Anyway I thought it would be cool to have these to reference to, I'd forgotten how much I love the art in L2. Maybe I could have one of the sisters look something like this class : The Kamael.

MS designs II - Aria

2008-02-15T16:40:00.001-08:00

So I was playing around with Gaia Online again, made my account look like the design I had in mind for Aria haha. (Well with some things different obviously, she doesn't wear that hat or skull pin.. nor does she use guns -- well I haven't decided yet so hm I guess I'll contemplate on that).

I'm thinking of giving her the bar code tattoo, and possibly something like a musical note tattoo on her arm where the star one is.

The outfit is slightly different than my idea, but there's not many revealing outfits on Gaia haha

MS designs

2008-01-17T12:10:00.002-08:00

just some designs for Aria (the middle image is actually supposed to be one of her sisters). I drew the one on the right first but wanted to elaborate the face so I did the one on the left afterwards. Yes she's wearing kinda a slutty outfit but she's a siren, she can get away with it D:

more posting later when i'm finished with these images (fully colored)

note to self - moonlight sonata

2007-12-18T18:06:00.000-08:00

Bane has a butler type man named Locke, who is also a werewolf but is not part of the lineage of Fenrir like Bane is... Bane should have a couple of brothers --- haven't decided how many.

Locke is older than Bane.

Bane + Locke meet Aria in a town where there is a sacred music box treasure. Bane is going to be a thief of some sort perhaps and when he comes into town and sees Aria performing in the street, he sends the mayor or something a note saying that he will steal the town's treasured Aria. (Everyone thinking it's the music box but it's really her)

So Aria is for some reason confined in this town, she cannot take a step past the town's entrance, and is unable to fly. When they arrive in the town they try to figure out the mystery as to why this is so.

(I was thinking perhaps there is a spell cast on her or something.) Aria's father should be a magician, and her mother a siren who broke the rules by helping those who came to the village / island instead of leading them to their deaths... (She was curious / amused by the father's magical powers and helped him escape)

man, I get some really great ideas when my mind just wanders before I sleep. It seems for now I am calling this story Moonlight Sonata but it's still undecided. Any suggestions?

Character Design Research

2007-12-04T01:08:00.001-08:00

Some research on my characters' designs.

Today I was just browsing sites and came across this fanart of Black Cat from the Spiderman comics (Marvel). The actual character looks much different without the ears or short hair --- at least from the other pictures I saw. But this one was really cool, it made me think of a wolf instead of a cat (what with the moon in the background and all)

So I'm archiving this for later when I have to design Bane's relatives haha. (Although I don't believe there are any female werewolves... but it'd be cool to have one in the story somehow? Probably his sister or even as another love interest --- ohh love triangle yippee! How ironic is it that I would write up a love triangle? -- when it usually makes me really sad too D:

But no worries, B&A will end up together in the end because I support unorthodox relationships and impossible pairings haha.

Of wolves and sirens.

2007-12-01T21:35:00.000-08:00

So have you ever had a vivid dream or a vivid imagination right when you're about to fall asleep? It happens to me a lot, I have these crazy ideas right when I'm about to sleep (sometimes giving me insomnia), which then I proceed to dream about. When my dream gets interrupted, I wake up remembering everything I was dreaming. It's kinda weird, and quite handy and cool. But then sometimes I don't know if I dreamt something up or if it was real. (A lot of the times I dream about real life people that I know, and it gets a little confusing at times)

Anyway, recently I've been dreaming about these two new characters of mine, or rather characters who have chosen me to be their narrator / outlet. When I dreamt them, they didn't have full names or a background, but now I've done some research and decision making and here they are:

Bane Fenrir ----- (still need to give him a last name alias)
a male werewolf. Instead of changing to those weird half man half wolves like other werewolves in the media, when he changes he becomes a big BIG black wolf. I haven't decided if it's because all werewolves in this alternate universe change to large wolves, or if it's just those of Fenrir's bloodline. Fenrir in Norse mythology is a big wolf and is partly the inspiration behind Bane. But even though I borrow the name from the Fenrir in Norse mythology, the story has nothing to do with Odin and ragnarok (well not yet anyway, I might reference it later though haha) Bane is the son of Hati (also known as the moon hound).

wolf form: He has yellow-white (haven't decided which) eyes when in his wolf form. black fur. 2 piercings on his left ear.
human form: Black hair with either blue or hazel contacts (to hide the yellow eyes), the 2 piercings on his left ear, tattoos on his back and possibly his arm. May or may not have a scar on face (probably not though)

Aria (has no last name, is based off my gRO v5 character but only in name and hairstyle)
a female siren; off white / cream white hair, either grey blue, blue, or grey or black eyes (a lot of ors... I still haven't decided, will see how those colors look later), has human ears but they are very small and under her wing ears (wings located around human ear location, not on back) hears out of the human ears and those are very very sensitive. Her hair and her wings protect her ears from loud noises. Also has two piercings on her left wing. Long wavy hair but usually put up in the back, only lets it down when in a safe environment. Wears very revealing clothing.

As a siren, she has obviously a very beautiful singing voice. however in my imagined world, there are different levels of power of persuasion in their singing. This is usually passed though family bloodlines like magical powers etc. Aria is the strongest of the living sirens. She has two younger sisters, one who is a half siren (sister 1), one is a harpy (sister 2). (Okay this might not make any sense so I need to explain some stuff mm)

Sister #1
has only one ear wing, which is also much shorter than full sirens. She wears her hair to the side, and also has long wavy / curly hair. However unlike Aria, she has a darker creamy coffee hair color. Her eyes are the same color as Aria's. I'm thinking of making her name start with a C since Aria = A, Bane = B. haha or maybe her name should start with B too. She is the weakest of the 3 sisters, being only half siren and half human. Her singing power is not as strong as Aria but her skills in weaponry are just as good. (She's rather irrelevant frankly haha)

Does not wear quite as revealing clothes as Aria, wears a helm to make it appear that her ear wing is part of a Valkyrie helm or fashion hair accessory.

Sister #2
is a harpy, she has the face of a woman and body of a woman --- but her arms are part wing , and her legs are part claw. (Like you know how there are scales on mermaid hybrids? I'm making a bird hybrid) She flies much faster than Aria being more birdlike, she cannot sing. (She's a death advocate, haven't decided if she's a death spirit like some harpies are or if the realm these characters are in are in the future) One cannot hear her approaching. Although harpies are considered quite ugly (gorgon head and bird bodies), my version of harpies won't be too ugly.

Has stark white hair, and same eye color. Skin is quite grey-white. (Almost looks transparent or ghostlike)

The World
so this is a bit confusing right now because I haven't decided if I want all of them to be living in a magical world where werewolves and sirens and harpies coexist with humans (like secret of mana) or if this all takes place in a futuristic world where humans start experimenting on human clones with animals. Or genetically alter humans. hmmm yeah I need to think more about the story plot D:

In either case, Aria in some way shape or form runs off with Bane after meeting him on a killing mission (of some sort, she's an assassin of sorts) she does not kill him on site because her way of killing involves singing first to lure the listeners into unarming themselves (her singing is so powerful that it can affect all adults, and some animals. Children are not included because children are innocent.) Anyway Bane at that time was in a cage / prison, she let him out because he seemed unaffected by her singing. (Because he is neither full human nor full animal -- he is exactly half, other werewolves are more one or the other and could be affected)

If the world is a futuristic one, then I would take some inspiration from Underworld and a little bit of The Matrix?... and Aria and Bane are experiments who have managed to escape from their cells? The sirens would be like the police force, trying to hunt the bad experiments that have run off (like Bane) Aria would be rebellious because she's in love with him... etc, Sisters are not fond of Bane. hmm. OR all the human hybrids are resisting full humans and they have to help hide Aria and Bane (since sister 1 is more human than siren) and sister 2 could be working behind the scenes somehow?-- like in the skies or something patrolling or hmm.

Anyway, it's a lot of information and stuff that I need to figure out.. I would LOVE to make a comic with this but since I suck at telling stories it might not happen; it might just be a bunch of a series of drawings that I make D: Or maybe I might make something relating to this for my graduation animation project. (Although that would be wicked, it would be really ODD haha, but maybe.) I'll post drawings on my deviantart soon, since I really want to draw all this out! I have to admit that it's very inspired by Fran and Balthier (FFXII) and Underworld. Possibly a touch of the Mana series. I just love werewolves!

If I make this into a comic, I'll need a title D: No idea. Maybe something like Moonlight Sonata haha (actually that's not bad. I wonder if I could use that legally though? Since it should be a sad love story, and the song is really REALLY sad sounding to me D: )Or Moonlight Waltz.. or Moonlight anything regarding music.. hmm Need to do more research on Norse Mythology (man it seems I have an obsession with it, in the games I like everything is based off Norse) I also need to listen to more classical music ahhhhh <3

Artist Find #4 - Imperial Boy

2007-09-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

Today's post is about an artist that I've actually been watching for quite a bit now, I'm just now posting about him because I have been lazy D:

Imperial Boy is a Japanese artist, who creates these amazing city scenes. I first found out about him in one of the volumes of Robot, and was just amazed. I definitely aspire to be able to draw cityscapes like him one day, I've got a lot of work to do!

Imperial Boy's website : (http://tksn.web.infoseek.co.jp/)

Artist Find #3 - Camilla d'Errico

2007-09-06T10:56:00.000-07:00

She was at AE selling her prints :D She is the artist who draws the Avril Lavigne manga and is soon going to be the new artist for Nightmares and Fairytales which makes me really happy. Granted I still love FSc's work the most since it just fit so well with the underlying theme to N&F, I really like Camilla's work too. There's something ethereal about the people she paints.

I love this style, the sort of "wet nose" painting style, usually defined by pink or red noses and cheeks. Since not everyone paints traditionally, the use of this "wet nose" style on like photoshop or painter (etc) is something I really love. There's a lot of dA artists that have a similar coloring style and I hope to be better at it in the future :D

Course it might just be how painters color, not necessarily different from the masters. I just want to name it differently?

I'll be sure to buy her prints next time at AE if I have the money! I would buy these two prints as well as her Tanpopo manga ;A; (www.camilladerrico.com)