tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63075921706935285352024-03-13T09:14:34.777-04:00SketchpadWorks in progress and updates from Cam Norcross!Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-14277664714538689992021-02-19T15:36:00.001-05:002021-02-19T15:36:58.186-05:00A long time. A long time.<p> Well, hello there!</p><p>It's been a long time since <i>Don't Call Me Candy,</i> and as usual, I have picked up, put down, and put off multiple projects since. candicenorcross.net is no longer up, but Cam is alive and well. I still continue to do pixel art and worldbuilding for that far-off "sometime" of a finished work. And sometimes, I manage to put my perfectionism and ambitiousness on a shelf and just make things for me.<br /></p><p>My latest project with tangible results is <a href="http://brainbreakcomic.com/">Brain BREAK!</a>. This is a comic/blog I created after taking an anatomy and physiology class to meet a biology requirement, realizing I loved health sciences, changing my major, and tutoring biology for a year and a half. I found that my art skills and love of white boards was massively helpful to students who needed visual elements to complement confusing science concepts. It seemed like a good idea to make it more accessible.<br /></p><p>Currently I'm working and dreaming of a degree in medical lab science. How things change!</p><p><img alt="" class="wp-image-741" height="640" src="http://brainbreakcomic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/POST-thirdlineofdefense.png" width="340" /></p>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-62936720330532500032015-06-20T06:45:00.003-04:002015-06-20T06:45:20.679-04:00Validate me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GA7oBYYaGas/VYVEOo5xe6I/AAAAAAAABSg/BvjVSszQwRc/s1600/validate-me-035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GA7oBYYaGas/VYVEOo5xe6I/AAAAAAAABSg/BvjVSszQwRc/s320/validate-me-035.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<br />Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-72735109583747448212015-06-20T04:40:00.004-04:002015-06-20T04:40:41.885-04:00Let's try this again!Hey, you can love babies all you want. I just don't personally get the connection. Some ideas as to why.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fhg6bHbz8TQ/VYUm9u7QbAI/AAAAAAAABSM/p_JkUjWUvDo/s1600/babies-ii034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fhg6bHbz8TQ/VYUm9u7QbAI/AAAAAAAABSM/p_JkUjWUvDo/s320/babies-ii034.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
<br />Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-51366704034952727792015-06-19T14:20:00.003-04:002015-06-19T14:20:25.807-04:00Coping.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NmqhO6u_rtk/VYRdXQvJaXI/AAAAAAAABR0/bj-av8-xg40/s1600/coping033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NmqhO6u_rtk/VYRdXQvJaXI/AAAAAAAABR0/bj-av8-xg40/s320/coping033.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
<br />Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-91411701377132449052015-02-15T11:34:00.001-05:002015-02-15T11:34:11.626-05:00Heather Died: the temple!In my second video game (you can play the first <a href="http://candicenorcross.net/games/kitchen-saga.html">here</a>), you will visit the Miao Fa Buddhist Temple in Portland, Oregon. I had a friend go there to take reference photos for me, then set about re-creating as much of the temple as seemed reasonable for the art style. The real thing is gorgeous, with far more detail to look at, but... for the sake of time and sanity, I am watering it down a little. Still, I'm proud of the results.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fggSr0j6_Fc/VODJjNy-QTI/AAAAAAAABQA/Ax2FLC1QvY4/s1600/Temple%2BScreenshot.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fggSr0j6_Fc/VODJjNy-QTI/AAAAAAAABQA/Ax2FLC1QvY4/s1600/Temple%2BScreenshot.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In one segment, you will gaze into the eyes of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy. This was my favorite statue at the temple, so it was important that I recreate it. This one I did by whipping up an ink drawing, scanning it in, resizing, then resizing again to capture the pixely look. I draw the line at 500 pixels for my usual one-at-a-time method.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6VtuB6q15Jk/VODJy6M2rQI/AAAAAAAABQI/RZu-Py6Svok/s1600/Kwan%2BYin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6VtuB6q15Jk/VODJy6M2rQI/AAAAAAAABQI/RZu-Py6Svok/s1600/Kwan%2BYin.png" height="244" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I also created a Soundcloud where you can hear the music in development for this game as well. <a href="https://soundcloud.com/candice-norcross/sets/heather-died">Check it out</a>. Another fond discovery was a folk song/chant for Guanyin, which I was easily able to cover. Players might think it's just some Chinese-sounding thing I wrote, but damn it, I'm doing my research!Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-809437879110052602015-02-06T22:49:00.001-05:002015-02-06T22:49:15.044-05:00Buddha statues.A dvarapala, a Laughing Buddha, and a Kwan Yin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbkCcAthbHw/VNWLLR2O1tI/AAAAAAAABPM/nH9yQSJxbdk/s1600/buddha%2BStatues.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbkCcAthbHw/VNWLLR2O1tI/AAAAAAAABPM/nH9yQSJxbdk/s1600/buddha%2BStatues.png" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-52430490352728091842015-01-02T00:22:00.001-05:002015-01-02T00:22:29.844-05:00Bracelet time!Seed beads: they are incredibly versatile and fun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQ9FztiRUJ8/VKYqxL3Yl9I/AAAAAAAABJ8/I9lHaMED4ts/s1600/IMG_20150101_163508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQ9FztiRUJ8/VKYqxL3Yl9I/AAAAAAAABJ8/I9lHaMED4ts/s1600/IMG_20150101_163508.jpg" height="320" width="290" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tetris bracelet. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XVQosbw92v8/VKYqxMMjWrI/AAAAAAAABKA/v1gGXRYNJHM/s1600/IMG_20150102_001512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XVQosbw92v8/VKYqxMMjWrI/AAAAAAAABKA/v1gGXRYNJHM/s1600/IMG_20150102_001512.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And another that reads "CHIRP CHIRP!!!". (It's a long story.)</div>
Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-23437000785197414852014-10-21T18:56:00.003-04:002014-10-21T18:58:01.710-04:00More enemies.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pNgutBY6U6I/VEbk8XK2GhI/AAAAAAAAA-k/N2ilqTI1Dxc/s1600/enemies-2-test.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pNgutBY6U6I/VEbk8XK2GhI/AAAAAAAAA-k/N2ilqTI1Dxc/s1600/enemies-2-test.png" height="310" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Jerry (a "summon"), and some more kitchen baddies.Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-857103981633614162014-10-17T13:03:00.003-04:002014-10-17T13:03:48.355-04:00Main menu.Fear the spatula.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x_mlS0H6OQU/VEFL1XT_EvI/AAAAAAAAA-M/0jSQQHqXK7c/s1600/main-menu-splash.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x_mlS0H6OQU/VEFL1XT_EvI/AAAAAAAAA-M/0jSQQHqXK7c/s1600/main-menu-splash.png" height="296" width="320" /></a></div>
Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-59551470125301546592014-10-14T18:56:00.000-04:002014-10-14T18:56:16.336-04:00Kitchen pixels.Playing around with some concept art for an extremely short RPG. (Read: something that might actually get done.) The story? Culinary-themed. The major brainstorm that set me off was a boss that starts as the cute Grease Fire and becomes the Grease Elemental. Cue the dramatic music! (Preferably something from Final Fantasy 4.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJYrUdTpkTY/VD2pOTjajyI/AAAAAAAAA98/W2z1Oc0_u5w/s1600/kitchen-sprites-demo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJYrUdTpkTY/VD2pOTjajyI/AAAAAAAAA98/W2z1Oc0_u5w/s1600/kitchen-sprites-demo.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
I have been busy roller derby training, then recovering from a roller derby injury. Suddenly I felt like making art again, so there you go!Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-46947032377179383192014-06-25T13:50:00.005-04:002014-06-25T14:17:18.669-04:00Radical acceptance.I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately on what exactly it is that I'm doing. What am I trying to achieve as an artist? And can I really do it?<br />
<br />
Without this turning into a therapy session, I'll mention that when I was growing up, I came to the conclusion that I had to have a full-time career as an artist. <i>Had </i>to. I <i>had </i>to achieve something amazing, and if I didn't do that, well, no one would ever love or respect me, and my life would be a huge waste. I had to be the best of the best or I couldn't hold my head up. No pressure, right?<br />
<br />
I've been bashing this same cranium against the wall for a lot of years, trying to find the magic formula that would enable me to make art a lucrative, respected, "successful" facet of my life. But this has been problematic. First of all, I'm bipolar, so I naturally go through periods where I love things and want to do them all day long - and then hate the entire world and can't summon the energy to feed myself. Throw those extremes around every few weeks and it's difficult to stick to anything. Secondly? I'm not as skilled as I would like. I have a natural talent with the arts that I take for granted, and so I've never established a drive to hone or polish skills - I'll always be sub-par technically because I'm just not interested in being technically "good". Last, growing mentally and emotionally - as a means to survive - has meant trying to accept that I have a right to exist no matter how "successful" I am, and that the pursuit of some external source of validation just creates more distance between me and what really matters in my life. American culture places a lot of value on people who destroy their health, their families, and their humanity for the sake of achieving some abstract goal - but that just doesn't sit well with most people. Most of us would rather be comfortable, healthy, and modest in our lives, and that kind of achievement isn't worth it to us. We idolize some heroes that were total assholes, but it's OK because they made some good films, or wrote a good book. There's a lot there to think about.<br />
<br />
I've tried a lot of different times to pursue a lot of different art projects, but it would fizzle out after - at best - a couple months. I'd repeat this cycle over and over again without really taking in the lesson that's being bashed over my head. WHY ISN'T THIS WORKING? WHY CAN'T I BE A GOOD ARTIST? WHAT'S A GIRL GOTTA DO TO BE ADORED BY MILLIONS, HERE?<br />
<br />
This year, I had a renewed spurt of energy as I decided that THIS time would be different, and THIS time I would really, really try. (Like I hadn't been trying the other 1,000 times I had a great idea for an art project.) It's like attempting to ride a bike by waving your arms; flail as you might, you're not using the right kind of energy to get anywhere. Recently, I fell off the metaphorical bicycle and had to accept that - whether I admitted it in a placeholder image or not - I was taking a break from my webcomic.<br />
<br />
Everything I've read says that, if you want to be successful as a comic artist, you have to be doing it every day, and you have to keep at it for years before anyone gives a crap about your work, and you have to be able to slog through the monotony, page after page after page, and learn to enjoy it for what it is.<br />
<br />
I just published my first book in an attempt to validate my place as a "real" artist and know that, if I take a break now, it means that I just don't have the long-term discipline and chutzpah to be up there with my comic-creating idols. This is the time to be creating, and promoting, and showing the world everything I've got; but... I'm taking a break. I have too many other interests, and while meds and therapy are helping them to get a little further apart, the mood swings are a hell of an obstacle to overcome. It's disappointing, to put it mildly, to look at facts and say "Maybe this goal I've dreamed up isn't really healthy or realistic, and pursuing it is just hurting me". It's also difficult to not throw it away, cursing the heavens with something like, "Why do any art at all? What's the point?!".<br />
<br />
I know myself better than that, though. I've drawn comics since I was a little kid. I love reading 'em, thinking about 'em, scheming 'em up. Just because I'm not going to join the Mile High club of creators and sign merch at cons doesn't mean I'm not allowed to like a thing. I'm sure in another couple of months you won't be able to tear me away from my drawing table. I'll cycle in and out of it like I always do. And I will still have "fans" cheering me on and enjoying my stuff. It might not be in the millions, or even the dozens, but it's enough.<br />
<br />
This notion of my art career not being like OTHER people's art careers bothers the hell out of me only because I don't accept it. I realized recently that, the point of <a href="http://dontcallmecandy.com/"><i>Don't Call Me Candy</i></a> is that it's <i>my </i>stories, and reflective of <i>my </i>experiences. Taking a break because I'd rather be doing something like, say, training for roller derby, or creating pixel art, or baking cupcakes for my family, or playing video games, or hanging out with friends, is just that much more faithful to who I am and what I'm about. And when I look at all of the other stuff that I do, I realize I'm pretty cool, and those things are good, and worthwhile, in their own way.<br />
<br />
I'm not great at being a world-famous, critically-acclaimed, top-tier comics creator. But I'm pretty darned good at being me. What else <i>should </i>I be doing if not the things that interest me and make me feel good?<br />
<br />
Hopefully someday this act of "being me" will feel like "enough". Even now I've got tears welling up thinking about the things I could or should be, and how I'm a miserable failure.<br />
<br />
So, right now, I'm not making comics. I will again sometime - I don't know when. And I want to try to just let that be OK.Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-46971762817584497612014-06-24T14:21:00.004-04:002014-06-24T14:21:53.072-04:00Don't Call Me Candy now available at Schuler Books!You can now find my first book at <a href="http://www.schulerbooks.com/hours-and-locations">Schuler Books</a> in Grand Rapids, Michigan! They also have a ton of other excellent graphic novels, so why not check it out?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-clf65G_IMUY/U6nBmclJvlI/AAAAAAAAA9I/JIfgc-gEMn4/s1600/0622041338a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-clf65G_IMUY/U6nBmclJvlI/AAAAAAAAA9I/JIfgc-gEMn4/s1600/0622041338a.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
They put it next to Saga, for cryin' out loud. Now <i>that's</i> how you can make a girl happy.Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-39985535342455410922014-06-12T19:00:00.004-04:002014-06-12T19:00:54.092-04:00A return to pixel art.I'm going through one of those phases when I wonder what the hell is wrong with me investing so much time in comics, and I just hate them, and hate drawing, and WHAT IS HAPPENING, SO MANY FEELS.<br />
<br />
It'll pass. It always does. It's just part of my glorious brain chemistry cycle, or the wrath of a vengeful God, or whatever you're most comfortable pinning it on. I tend to just grumble the word "bipolar" and wait for it to pass.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, though, pixel art!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nyhx7Nh496g/U5owXGnAD9I/AAAAAAAAA84/NDQHanEqBs0/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-06-12+at+6.55.05+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nyhx7Nh496g/U5owXGnAD9I/AAAAAAAAA84/NDQHanEqBs0/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-06-12+at+6.55.05+PM.png" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Each alternating white/gray square is 32 pixels. Yes, I'm finally doing my art with actual game mechanics in mind. This will be the only house of this type in the game, so I don't mind that it's not really a reusable "tileset" and will be a slider puzzle when it comes time to put it in the game maker. My main goal is to get the house looking good, and I think I've achieved that.<br />
<br />Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-42306102186768836192014-05-18T22:57:00.003-04:002014-05-18T22:58:11.526-04:00*Blows dust*I've really let this place go, haven't I?<br />
<br />
Well. News!<br />
<br />
1. MY FIRST BOOK IS AVAILABLE TO BUY <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/187831883/dont-call-me-candy-volume-one">HERE</a>. It's a collection of the first year of Don't Call Me Candy strips. If you get your order in with the limited quantity, you get a hand-numbered edition and I will happily sign and write sweet nothings in it. I'm talking to local bookstores, as well, to see if anyone wants to carry some copies. If your store might be interested, <a href="http://www.candicenorcross.net/contact.html">drop me a line</a>.<br />
<br />
2. I am trying to steadily work on my fantasy comic, <a href="http://candicenorcross.net/tabrin/">Tab'rin</a>. There is not a regular upload schedule, but if you're into it, check it out once a week or so. I'm uploading it publicly to create some accountability for myself. (All too often I'll start doing the graphic novel "for real this time" only to become dissatisfied with the art and throw it all out. NO LONGER. For better or worse, the pages that are up are for keeps.)<br />
<br />
3. A dear friend of mine asked me to design a tattoo and she's going to have it done! Behold a stylized edelweiss. Did you know that the real thing is impossibly furry and even a little grody-looking? Anydangway, she is a big Sound Of Music fan, and I know there's more to the story of the flower than that, but that's for her to know and me to just shut up and draw.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wtBNVru59A/U3lyKYVfcfI/AAAAAAAAA8k/Ul7TNSxBPZw/s1600/edelweiss-blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wtBNVru59A/U3lyKYVfcfI/AAAAAAAAA8k/Ul7TNSxBPZw/s1600/edelweiss-blue.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-70382018916144498012014-02-28T13:48:00.005-05:002014-02-28T13:48:43.214-05:00Coochie coochie coo!Little Tab'rin likes the tickles:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4NTtLQkJGo/UxDZ9NFolkI/AAAAAAAAA8E/k0rHYxf8BwI/s1600/little-tabrin105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4NTtLQkJGo/UxDZ9NFolkI/AAAAAAAAA8E/k0rHYxf8BwI/s1600/little-tabrin105.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-65357669786665581792014-02-15T16:19:00.003-05:002014-02-15T16:20:24.353-05:00More blue collar fun.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzS-TOs27a0/Uv_aEh-2g3I/AAAAAAAAA60/n0SSFHJZwu8/s1600/!efficiency-numbers094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzS-TOs27a0/Uv_aEh-2g3I/AAAAAAAAA60/n0SSFHJZwu8/s1600/!efficiency-numbers094.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We may see a return to a regular Don't Call Me Candy schedule. I'm thinking about it.Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-13464488864494581532014-01-19T16:07:00.000-05:002014-01-19T16:07:21.902-05:00Minecraft!Yup. It got to me, too. The FRENZYYY.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d0CUbtqVRGI/Utw83r_WGLI/AAAAAAAAA6I/S7a12Jm00B0/s1600/tall-block.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d0CUbtqVRGI/Utw83r_WGLI/AAAAAAAAA6I/S7a12Jm00B0/s1600/tall-block.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I am building a city. All the structures are arranged more or less how I think a city might end up planned and lived in, socioeconomically/commercially. Because I am a huge nerd.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8w3PJ5taAH4/Utw851D2m-I/AAAAAAAAA6U/bxgcL9MJpjo/s1600/sunset.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8w3PJ5taAH4/Utw851D2m-I/AAAAAAAAA6U/bxgcL9MJpjo/s1600/sunset.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rich people houses!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36lnyW9Yuko/Utw85Uk0pfI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/wIEcoX8Uwjw/s1600/main-st.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36lnyW9Yuko/Utw85Uk0pfI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/wIEcoX8Uwjw/s1600/main-st.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Main Street, Anytown, USA.</div>
<br />
Along with what you see above, I have also built:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>An art gallery</li>
<li>A courthouse</li>
<li>A pub</li>
<li>A food cart</li>
<li>A butcher shop</li>
<li>A church</li>
<li>A corporate headquarters</li>
<li>A public rail (minecart) system</li>
</ul>
<br />
Again, because I am a huge nerd. It is so SOOTHING, though. Ermagerd.Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-33981204338576306472014-01-19T13:17:00.002-05:002014-01-19T13:17:21.349-05:00Spurt!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lka_yTyuPLA/UtwWlBBpnCI/AAAAAAAAA50/_bxQJEfNL5U/s1600/jan-19-a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lka_yTyuPLA/UtwWlBBpnCI/AAAAAAAAA50/_bxQJEfNL5U/s1600/jan-19-a.png" height="125" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IhbF9F_bCC8/UtwWlEsaPTI/AAAAAAAAA5w/cOIbsk6enyg/s1600/jan-19-b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IhbF9F_bCC8/UtwWlEsaPTI/AAAAAAAAA5w/cOIbsk6enyg/s1600/jan-19-b.png" height="121" width="320" /></a></div>
Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-86296108035818459012014-01-17T13:03:00.001-05:002014-01-17T13:03:22.995-05:00It's not easy being a working girl.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iqBks7rbVSM/UtlwVnQDneI/AAAAAAAAA5g/sT3SiUL6Vqw/s1600/Amstore+Comics+800px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iqBks7rbVSM/UtlwVnQDneI/AAAAAAAAA5g/sT3SiUL6Vqw/s1600/Amstore+Comics+800px.jpg" height="244" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-27426392456735781832014-01-01T10:15:00.003-05:002014-01-01T10:15:37.573-05:00Katamari prince.A body pillow case is hard to find, and I couldn't help but notice that the dimensions were pretty perfect for a homemade case anyway. My body pillow is now extra snuggly!<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hf0EdnOh7Y/UsQw0mcxK1I/AAAAAAAAA5M/bxSdTtWEn84/s1600/1231031434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hf0EdnOh7Y/UsQw0mcxK1I/AAAAAAAAA5M/bxSdTtWEn84/s320/1231031434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Look out, kitty! You're gonna get rolled up!</div>
Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-58584181312346609112014-01-01T10:12:00.000-05:002014-01-01T10:12:01.321-05:00Terra.Another friend wanted a Terra. While the FF4 field sprites fit a standard frame perfectly, the FF6 sprites are just those couple pixels taller, which poses a problem. I solved this by using Terra's crouching sprite. Fits in a 2.5x3.5" frame again! My friend and I discussed our love for struggling, emotionally charged green-haired heroines so it seemed an even more appropriate pose.<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S7zAS_EKi0A/UsQwCsIqHdI/AAAAAAAAA5E/IdqPMdvgcls/s1600/1527126_715296265148683_1216291126_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S7zAS_EKi0A/UsQwCsIqHdI/AAAAAAAAA5E/IdqPMdvgcls/s320/1527126_715296265148683_1216291126_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Poor Terra!</div>
Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-16841792484743541892013-12-14T20:13:00.000-05:002013-12-14T20:20:43.213-05:00Hear ye, hear ye.I have been on a little bitty bit of a cross-stitching kick lately. I did a Final Fantasy 4 "Rydia" for myself, and then Dark Cecil and Paladin Cecil for a friend of mine. Observe!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BifN5w-rt4E/Uqz_QiUL5jI/AAAAAAAAA4o/mR0IJrG4jQo/s1600/cecils059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BifN5w-rt4E/Uqz_QiUL5jI/AAAAAAAAA4o/mR0IJrG4jQo/s320/cecils059.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These take a godawful long time but compared to the stuff on <a href="http://www.spritestitch.com/" target="_blank">Sprite Stitch</a>, I consider myself a lightweight.<br />
<br />
And then, on Friday, I thought it would be a cool idea of create a coat-of-arms for my family unit. I changed my last name in my early twenties, and my husband took said name, so we really are a totally new unit. I figured it would be a good time to solidify our values and identity in a way that would be both bad-ass and a helpful reminder for the goals we want to strive for (before we get too cranky and old).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tglC4oLrWXs/Uqz_dyLfxOI/AAAAAAAAA4w/U6jRdqqBVbQ/s1600/coat-700px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tglC4oLrWXs/Uqz_dyLfxOI/AAAAAAAAA4w/U6jRdqqBVbQ/s320/coat-700px.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I spent some time in the SCA as a kid, so heraldic stuff is not entirely new to me. I think I took to it rather like a fish to water! The hours of research were quite fun and it's really amazing I didn't try to shove more symbols in. There are so many to choose from! I originally meant to put a cool crown/collar and chains on the ox but totally forgot about it when it came time to ink. Oh, well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Latin translates (if Google is to be believed) to "wealth (within) skill and knowledge lies". I wanted a real "working class" badge, with a hammer and star representing the quest for perfection through arts/crafts. The star also corresponds to the symbol for a third son, which is what my husband is. The 'X' pattern is a Scottish designation for the first generation of a coat. Shafts of wheat (in place of, traditionally, garish ribbons) and the wheel (in lieu of a helm designating rank) for progress, forward movement, and fruition. The ox represents fortitude/labor and the lion valor/achievement. The owl, of course, for wisdom and learning. Apparently there is a big difference between eared owls and earless owls, so I gave him ears. I will say that the one owl I saw in the wild was earless and pretty damned freaky. Every other culture of the world but the west is into them as harbringers of death.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jerry says that orange and blue is the best color combination EVER, so what choice did I have there?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What can I say? I love symbolism.</div>
Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-19161382149452509072013-11-16T18:44:00.000-05:002013-11-16T18:44:10.533-05:00On and off.Little bit here, little bit there.<br />
<br />
Here's me and my siblings as kids.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9FGu8AhyuPQ/UogDHIR9VQI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/fXXnRo-IJ_I/s1600/kids-pixel-showoff.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9FGu8AhyuPQ/UogDHIR9VQI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/fXXnRo-IJ_I/s320/kids-pixel-showoff.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-7650188326555887392013-08-15T21:03:00.001-04:002013-08-15T21:06:07.401-04:00Parallels.Something I ponder a lot about these days is character design and how much cartooning-down I want to do in general.<br />
<br />
We love big, inviting eyes and people that are something like 6 heads tall - because let's be real, when you look in a mirror and realize how tiny your head ACTUALLY is in comparison to the rest of your body, it's actually kind of unsettling - and all sorts of shortcuts that make storytelling potent and hyperhuman. We also like to look at characters with either far fewer details, so we can inject ourselves into them and find them more relatable... or far more details, because then they deeply enrich the world they inhabit and become the opposing forces we pit ourselves against.<br />
<br />
Long story short.<br />
<br />
I was sketching and did 3 different Mae'houns, sort of as a test of how detailed and non-detailed I could get, with my usual style there in the middle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WECG6N8sb5I/Ug16NEWwi7I/AAAAAAAAA2k/G2edHPEh1Ak/s1600/maes033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WECG6N8sb5I/Ug16NEWwi7I/AAAAAAAAA2k/G2edHPEh1Ak/s320/maes033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Also, you know, to prove this point to anyone who's interested.Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307592170693528535.post-38263513666728578432013-08-03T18:13:00.000-04:002013-08-03T18:13:20.752-04:00Uncharted Waters.Not only do I have a job right now, but that job utilizes the words "mandatory overtime". Also, I spend a lot of my "off" time playing an MMO - my first, because I was previously concerned that I am exactly the sort of person who would become completely absorbed in an MMO. Turns out I was right!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-grbordBdvns/Uf1-v862UWI/AAAAAAAAA2M/FrBzVXEBaA0/s1600/*zanzibar-adventurer030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-grbordBdvns/Uf1-v862UWI/AAAAAAAAA2M/FrBzVXEBaA0/s320/*zanzibar-adventurer030.jpg" width="162" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I'm enjoying gutting fish in taverns around the world while sporting the finest West African fashions. If you see the above avatar, say hi. I totally have some Quest Mediation Permits you can buy. There's some in-game economic humor. Snerk!<br />
<br />
Oh! And here are some of my co-workers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jQhkrGm-G1I/Uf1-vikyfKI/AAAAAAAAA2I/NBTUIRxWsM8/s1600/coworker-sketches031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jQhkrGm-G1I/Uf1-vikyfKI/AAAAAAAAA2I/NBTUIRxWsM8/s320/coworker-sketches031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm seeing a behavioral therapist right now, and it's a pretty positive experience. I've done a lot of really intensive talk therapy in the past, but this current school focuses squarely on my attitudes and self-worth. One of the main reasons I don't draw as much as I "should" (would, could, etc.) is that I put so much pressure on myself that if I draw at all, I'm going to Fail, so why bother? Perfection to the point of constipation. So right now I scribble Totoros on my work bench and doodle while I'm sailing in UWO. Just trying to get back into enjoying it and doing it when I feel like it.Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12881988915107187634noreply@blogger.com0