http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:AenTheArtist&section=today deviantART RSS for by:AenTheArtist en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:29:24 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/28802960/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/28802960/ Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:15:58 PST

LIVE

Hey guys, just letting you know today will be a full day session, with a short break 3 hours from now.

Then it will follow into the wee hours of the night.



LIVE EVENT

Today I'll be workign on a Final Fantasy XI tribute piece, left over from 's Friday session, and inking two sequential Pages.

Fun!

UPCOMING EVENTS

All times in Central Time, Mexico City (GMT-6)



OPEN SLOTS

SLOT 1 - Private Comission
SLOT 2 - Open
SLOT 3 - Open

Note me with your requests!

PRICES

SINGLE CHARACTER PENCIL SKETCH ------------------ 10$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS PENCIL SKETCH FLAT RATE -- 25$
SINGLE CHARACTER INKED SKETCH ------------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS - COLORS --------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS, INKS, COLORS -------- 30$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS INKED - FLAT RATE ---------- 40$

FULL COMPOSITIONS - PENCILS ----------------------- 50$
FULL COMPOSITIONS - INKS --------------------------- 70$
FULL COLOR COMPOSITION --------------------------- 100$

CHARACTER CONCEPT ART (Simple) ------------------- 20-40$
CHARACTER CONCEPT ART (Full Workup) ------------- 40-70$
WEAPON CONCEPT ART --------------------------------- 20-40$
(Note me for details)

COLORS FOR SINGLE CHARACTER SKETCH ------------ 20$
COLORS FOR MULTIPLE CHARACTERS SKETCH -------- 40$
COLORS FOR SINGLE PAGE COMPOSITION ------------ 40-50$
COLORS FOR MULTIPLE PAGE SPREAD ----------------- 80-90$
DIGITAL PAINTING --------------------------------- NO SERVICE YET

Purchases 30$ and above require a down payment of half the receipt, and the rest upon completion.

Purchases below 30$ require the full down payment on the moment of the elaboration of the comission, informed with consent by the artist.

All transactions handled via Paypal.

REFERENCES FOR SKETCHES, INKS, AND FULL COLOR WORK

*AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/28359251/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/28359251/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:30:21 PST

LIVE

Picking up where I left off yesterday, before I was gripped by the demigods of sleep!

See ya there!

NEW FORMAT FOR LIVESTREAM

I'm happy to announce my recent stint with the Mexico City Advertising Industry is over, and Comission slots are once again open. Not that it matters, you deadbeats never buy anything.

I keed, I keed... actually I have been getting some comissions through this page, just not by DeviantArt users. Apparently, it's better advertising for people outside this market if you can believe it.

Anyway, after resting up I decided to treat myself to a day off, which I spent in exhaustive scientific experimentation: I 'adquired' and saw, back to back, all six Harry Potter movies, guage the effect of bad fiction on the physique and psyque. I catalogued the results with extraordinary findings, which I published on facebook upon completing each film.

The following are my exact recordings:

Stage 1: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Oh, Hermione, I can see you're going to be an unconscionable bitch for six straight films. Right off to a shakey start...

Oh, and what's with Voldemort living in the back of some dude's skull?! I can see J.K. Rowling was a Total Recall fan...

Mood: bemused, Sanity: in check, Blood Pressure: 120/80.

Stage 2: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Quittage has to be the dumbest game ever.

Elaborate rules, complex maneuvers on 3 planes, intricate teamwork… does it matter when all it takes is for ONE dickhead to get a golden little shitball and end the game? The mind reels.

Mood: dumbfounded, Sanity: strained, Blood Pressure 138/87

Stage 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

What's up with this bullshit discrimination against muggles? Wizards would do well to remember that although we muggles aren't mana-versed, we have nuclear science.

Let's see you 'Expelliarmus' a fucking ICBM hurdling at you at 1500kph.

Mood: offended, Sanity: holding, Blood Pressure: Spiking

Stage 4: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

I have grown fond of Hagrid, the gamekeeper with a severe pituitary disorder.

But somehow, I can't take Voldemort seriously as a villain. It doesn't matter how many 'volds' and 'lords' you insert into your title, if your name ends with 'Mort', you sound about as threatening... as an insurance salesman from Topeka, Kansas.

Mood: unimpressed, Sanity: barely here, BP: climbing

Stage 5: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Finally, things are getting semi-entertaining. But, alas, I am left with a bitter taste in my mouth, for though I prayed she wouldn't, in the end Rowling proved she is a complete hack by using the ever over-used plot device of 'The Chosen One'.

And I'm still waiting for someone to kick Hermione in the teeth.

Mood: Bitterly disappointed, Sanity: Dwindling, BP 118/78

Stage 6: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Loved it, it's got it all! Moody directing, bathroom gunfights, personal injury, even a metaphor for cocaine abuse! It's enough to forget Rowling's use of literary clichés.

Still, I am very angry with Harry for passing up playing hide-the-pickle with the hot black chick f...rom the diner to go galavanting with that pedophile Dumbledore.

Mood: fun, Sanity: huh? BP: Stroke

Anyway, this obviously inflamed a good deal of my circle, as they are ardent Potter fans... teens and venerable adults alike.

My beef with Harry Potter is not the quality of the books, but the fact that people, kids and adults alike, rave about how it's the literal top of the fantasy literature hill. It's obvious that they don't read anything beyond mainstream.

I know this for a fact because any adult who can read how in book the author uses time-travel as a plot device and not feel insulted is either a idiot or has the literary faculties of a child.

I mean, they're great stories, and it's great material for movies, but you can't ask a well-read adult with the great classics under his belt, like me, to take time out of serious books to read J.K. Rowling's fluff.

When you've witnessed the first rising of the sun and the arrival of the host of Feanor upon Middle-Earth, wept with King Priam as he begged Achilles to part with the body of his son Hector, and trembled before the dread roar of Cthulhu as he summons the abyss of the ages...

Well, you'll be hard pressed to take Harry Potter as serious fiction.

Oh, and read on to find out the coming Livestream... ]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/28195461/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/28195461/ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:57:32 PST

NON-STOP LIVESTREAM TILL DAWN

Today I'll be literally plowing through 3 straight comissions, completely live!

Stop on by to see me lose my mind and succumb to Red Bull overdose!



Direct Link ---> [link]

LIVE EVENT

Monday 1:00pm Advertising work 'till Teusday 9:00am-ish

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sleep.



OPEN SLOTS

NO OPEN SLOTS 'TILL NEXT WEEK!

PRICES

SINGLE CHARACTER PENCIL SKETCH ------------------ 10$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS PENCIL SKETCH FLAT RATE -- 25$
SINGLE CHARACTER INKED SKETCH ------------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS - COLORS --------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS, INKS, COLORS -------- 30$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS INKED - FLAT RATE ---------- 40$

FULL COMPOSITIONS - PENCILS ----------------------- 50$
FULL COMPOSITIONS - INKS --------------------------- 70$
FULL COLOR COMPOSITION --------------------------- 100$

CHARACTER CONCEPT ART (Simple) ------------------- 20-40$
CHARACTER CONCEPT ART (Full Workup) ------------- 40-70$
WEAPON CONCEPT ART --------------------------------- 20-40$
(Note me for details)

COLORS FOR SINGLE CHARACTER SKETCH ------------ 20$
COLORS FOR MULTIPLE CHARACTERS SKETCH -------- 40$
COLORS FOR SINGLE PAGE COMPOSITION ------------ 40-50$
COLORS FOR MULTIPLE PAGE SPREAD ----------------- 80-90$
DIGITAL PAINTING --------------------------------- NO SERVICE YET

Purchases 30$ and above require a down payment of half the receipt, and the rest upon completion.

Purchases below 30$ require the full down payment on the moment of the elaboration of the comission, informed with consent by the artist.

All transactions handled via Paypal.

REFERENCES FOR SKETCHES, INKS, AND FULL COLOR WORK

*AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/28044687/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/28044687/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:46:32 PDT

WHAT'S GOING ON?

I've never been really good at opening up so forgive me if I seem a little dry. The word seems appropriate as I seemingly ingested a lethal amount of alcohol last night.

After I blatantly disregarded my Livestream schedule, I basically took this week off to play some Twilight Princess with a borrowed Wii and let off some steam. My demanding schedule has begun to take its toll on me and I needed some videogame R&R to cool off.

Another thing that has been taking it's toll on me is a pretty severe case of loneliness.

I've always dealt with some pretty severe rejection issues with women, but lately they have been getting much worse. Basically I've gotten to the point that opening up fills me with uncontrollable rage, and I end up insulting friends and getting into fights with the wrong sort of people.

And my drinking habits don't help.

I'm trying to deal, and get back to my work schedule. Though I'm hurting, the way I've always dealt is to focus on work, which is probably the only thing I take joy in lately.

I know I've been neglecting my Livestream. To be honest, I'm just not feeling it lately. I know we had a great inking session with a talk that just got really cool and you all got to know me well, but maybe that was because inking allows me to talk. Penciling pages is way too cerebral for streaming.

So I figure I'm going to limit Streams to my inking, coloring, and sketchbook, so we can communicate better and have some fun spitballing sessions like last time. I've added a livestream section to my journal which I will update before a session to let you guys know something cool is happening.

I really want this to work and I promise I'll try to hold my end better. Not only are Streaming and DA becoming a good source of income for me, but it provides me with a rare happiness I don't get anywhere else in my life. I want to keep it going, because... well, I'm tired of being hurt and angry all the time.

And just like that, I'm furious again...



LIVE EVENT None at the moment
UPCOMING EVENTS Scheduling



OPEN SLOTS

SLOT 1 - Open
SLOT 2 - Open
SLOT 3 - Open

All slots open.
Note me with your requests!

PRICES

SINGLE CHARACTER PENCIL SKETCH ------------------ 10$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS PENCIL SKETCH FLAT RATE -- 25$
SINGLE CHARACTER INKED SKETCH ------------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS - COLORS --------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS, INKS, COLORS -------- 30$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS INKED - FLAT RATE ---------- 40$

FULL COMPOSITIONS - PENCILS ----------------------- 50$
FULL COMPOSITIONS - INKS --------------------------- 70$
FULL COLOR COMPOSITION --------------------------- 100$

CHARACTER CONCEPT ART (Simple) ------------------- 20-40$
CHARACTER CONCEPT ART (Full Workup) ------------- 40-70$
WEAPON CONCEPT ART --------------------------------- 20-40$
(Note me for details)

COLORS FOR SINGLE CHARACTER SKETCH ------------ 20$
COLORS FOR MULTIPLE CHARACTERS SKETCH -------- 40$
COLORS FOR SINGLE PAGE COMPOSITION ------------ 40-50$
COLORS FOR MULTIPLE PAGE SPREAD ----------------- 80-90$
DIGITAL PAINTING --------------------------------- NO SERVICE YET

Purchases 30$ and above require a down payment of half the receipt, and the rest upon completion.

Purchases below 30$ require the full down payment on the moment of the elaboration of the comission, informed with consent by the artist.

All transactions handled via Paypal.

REFERENCES FOR SKETCHES, INKS, AND FULL COLOR WORK

http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/27741944/ Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:17:48 PDT

LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE UPDATE

Hey guys!

It seems I'm going to have trouble keeping up with my regular schedule of 12:00 pm Central for livestreaming.

Right now I'm live, but I think it would be a good idea to point out the time I'll be guaranteed to be on is from 4:00pm central onward.

That way I don't waste your time keeping you guys guessing what times I'll log on. Still, if you'd like, you can log on at 1:00pm, which I am pretty certain I'll be on, but no guarantees. 4:00pm is your golden hour.

Also, soon I'll be setting up up a third section to this journal to describe my current schedule and upcoming events, if any.

Thanks for your patients and I'll see you all at my stream
Click here to join the fun! ---> [link]




OPEN SLOTS

SLOT 1 - Open
SLOT 2 - Open
SLOT 3 - Open

All slots open.
Note me with your requests!

PRICES

SINGLE CHARACTER PENCIL SKETCH ------------------ 10$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS PENCIL SKETCH FLAT RATE -- 25$
SINGLE CHARACTER INKED SKETCH ------------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS - COLORS --------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS, INKS, COLORS -------- 30$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS INKED - FLAT RATE ---------- 40$

FULL COMPOSITIONS - PENCILS ----------------------- 50$
FULL COMPOSITIONS - INKS --------------------------- 70$
FULL COLOR COMPOSITION --------------------------- 100$

CHARACTER CONCEPT ART (Simple) ------------------- 20-40$
CHARACTER CONCEPT ART (Full Workup) ------------- 40-70$
WEAPON CONCEPT ART ----------------------------- --- 20-40$
(Note me for details)

Purchases 30$ and above require a down payment of half the receipt, and the rest upon completion.

Purchases below 30$ require the full down payment on the moment of the elaboration of the comission, informed with consent by the artist.

All transactions handled via Paypal.

REFERENCES FOR SKETCHES, INKS, AND FULL COLOR WORK

http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/27735284/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:01:50 PDT

LIVESTREAMNG TEST - LIVE

Guess what, people! I was able to get my hands on an old HPPC to install procaster on, and an old webcam, so we're up and running on live drawing!

Do me a solid, everyone, and pop on over. I'm calibrating my mic and camera, so I'd love the feedback so we can get the best quality.

Come on over! It'll only be a few mins. No drawing tonight, just testin!

Click here ---> [link]




OPEN SLOTS

SLOT 1 - Open
SLOT 2 - Open
SLOT 3 - Open

All slots open.
Note me with your requests!

PRICES

SINGLE CHARACTER PENCIL SKETCH ------------------ 10$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS PENCIL SKETCH FLAT RATE -- 25$
SINGLE CHARACTER INKED SKETCH ------------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS - COLORS --------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS, INKS, COLORS -------- 30$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS INKED - FLAT RATE ---------- 40$

FULL COMPOSITIONS - PENCILS ----------------------- 50$
FULL COMPOSITIONS - INKS --------------------------- 70$
FULL COLOR COMPOSITION ---------------------------- 100$

Purchases 30$ and above require a down payment of half the receipt, and the rest upon completion.

Purchases below 30$ require the full down payment on the moment of the elaboration of the comission, informed with consent by the artist.

All transactions handled via Paypal.

REFERENCES FOR SKETCHES, INKS, AND FULL COLOR WORK

http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/27670274/ Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:54:32 PDT

NO LIVESTREAMNG IN THE NEAR FUTURE

I regret to inform you all I won't be able to Livestream the coloring of my Witchblade commish, or any other work, in the following week. As a Mac user, I'm unable to use Procaster.

The good people at Livestream inform me that they are to release Procaster for Mac... in the following month -.-

So I guess I'll just have to wing it and ask for critiques. I do think I'm better then I expected.

Gotta thank for her livestreams



OPEN SLOTS

SLOT 1 - Private Comission, Witchblade Piece
SLOT 2 - Open
SLOT 3 - Open

2 slots open.
Note me with your requests!

PRICES

SINGLE CHARACTER PENCIL SKETCH ------------------ 10$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS PENCIL SKETCH FLAT RATE -- 25$
SINGLE CHARACTER INKED SKETCH ------------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS - COLORS --------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS, INKS, COLORS -------- 30$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS INKED - FLAT RATE ---------- 40$

FULL COMPOSITIONS - PENCILS ----------------------- 50$
FULL COMPOSITIONS - INKS --------------------------- 70$
FULL COLOR COMPOSITION ---------------------------- 90$

Purchases 30$ and above require a down payment of half the receipt, and the rest upon completion.

Purchases below 30$ require the full down payment on the moment of the elaboration of the comission, informed with consent by the artist.

All transactions handled via Paypal.

REFERENCES FOR SKETCHES, INKS, AND FULL COLOR WORK

http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/27610950/ Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:54:35 PDT

I'D KILL FOR A WHOPPER

Fasting is a practice with great cultural background. It is a ritual long practiced throughout history, in that it purifies the subject and elevates our senses, bringing us closer to God.

Knights would fast and pray for an entire night before putting on armor.

Moses fasted for forty days and nights back to back before God came to him with the ten commandments.

I myself am fasting to purify my body... not of sin or guilt, but of the tiny, hellspawned intestinal incubus who is currently turning my organs into liquid shit.

As a person who refuses to partake of the pharmaceutical industry's libations and rememdies, my only course of action is to abstain from ingesting anything except water. I am feeling... a little weaker, and yes, the appeal of junk food grows by the hour.

But I am stronger then nature! My only solace is picturing the little bugs in my small intestine slowly die of starvation... Calcutta-esque renditions of my duodenum, with the little buggers gasping, "Foood... fooood..."

I delight in the anguish of mine enemies.



OPEN SLOTS

SLOT 1
SLOT 2
SLOT 3

All 3 slots open.
Note me with your requests!

PRICES

SINGLE CHARACTER PENCIL SKETCH ------------------ 10$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS PENCIL SKETCH FLAT RATE -- 25$
SINGLE CHARACTER INKED SKETCH ------------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS - COLORS --------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS, INKS, COLORS -------- 30$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS INKED - FLAT RATE ---------- 40$

FULL COMPOSITIONS - PENCILS ----------------------- 50$
FULL COMPOSITIONS - INKS --------------------------- 70$
FULL COLOR COMPOSITION ---------------------------- 90$

Purchases 30$ and above require a down payment of half the receipt, and the rest upon completion.

Purchases below 30$ require the full down payment on the moment of the elaboration of the comission, informed with consent by the artist.

All transactions handled via Paypal.

REFERENCES FOR SKETCHES, INKS, AND FULL COLOR WORK

http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/27428954/ Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:59:55 PDT

PAGING ALOYSIUS E. NEUGHBERG

Heh... get this.

I'm curently in the process of selling off my old videogames, consisting of a vintage Super NES with Games, an N64, and the entire Final Fantasy Series on PSX and PS2, all black label and near mint condition. This will all fetch a bundle and return some liquidity to my assets, the bulk of which are, ATM, tied up.

I think to myself, "What better sales outlet then eBay? It's pratically part of popular culture, like youtube and Google.

As I set up my account, I was shocked and offended to sea the name 'Aen' was taken.

Wierd, I didn't realize my completely made up fantasy name was already a part of world data flow.

That, or I will have to go find Aloysius Eugene Neughberg of Macon, Georgia and make him choke on my fist.

FML



OPEN SLOTS

SLOT 1
SLOT 2
SLOT 3

All 3 slots open.
Note me with your requests!

PRICES

SINGLE CHARACTER PENCIL SKETCH ------------------ 10$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS PENCIL SKETCH FLAT RATE -- 25$
SINGLE CHARACTER INKED SKETCH ------------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS - COLORS --------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS, INKS, COLORS -------- 30$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS INKED - FLAT RATE ---------- 40$

FULL COMPOSITIONS - PENCILS ----------------------- 50$
FULL COMPOSITIONS - INKS --------------------------- 70$
FULL COLOR COMPOSITION ---------------------------- 90$

Purchases 30$ and above require a down payment of half the receipt, and the rest upon completion.

Purchases below 30$ require the full down payment on the moment of the elaboration of the comission, informed with consent by the artist.

All transactions handled via Paypal.

REFERENCES FOR SKETCHES, INKS, AND FULL COLOR WORK

http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/27378147/ Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:05:23 PDT

COMMISSIONS SLOTS COMPLETELY OPEN - CARE TO BID?

Good morrow!

I thought this would be an opportune moment. Also, I am in desperate need of quick cash, and no whip stings like hunger!

So let's help a brutha out and get some work done. I'm itchin' like a hound to work my ass off!

And why do I sound like a used car salesman from Tennessee?

I hope you all find my prices reasonable. I am taking a huge hit on it, as I want to promote sales.



OPEN SLOTS

SLOT 1
SLOT 2
SLOT 3

All 3 slots open.
Note me with your requests!

PRICES

SINGLE CHARACTER PENCIL SKETCH ------------------ 10$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS PENCIL SKETCH FLAT RATE -- 25$
SINGLE CHARACTER INKED SKETCH ------------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PECILS - COLORS ---------------- 20$
SINGLE CHARACTER PENCILS, INKS, COLORS -------- 30$
MULTIPLE CHARACTERS INKED - FLAT RATE ---------- 40$

FULL COMPOSITIONS - PENCILS ----------------------- 50$
FULL COMPOSITIONS - INKS --------------------------- 70$
FULL COLOR COMPOSITION ---------------------------- 90$

Purchases 30$ and above require a down payment of half the receipt, and the rest upon completion.

Purchases below 30$ require the full down payment on the moment of the elaboration of the comission, informed with consent by the artist.

All transactions handled via Paypal.

REFERENCES FOR SKETCHES, INKS, AND FULL COLOR WORK

http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/27287114/ Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:07:51 PDT
Another glorious season of dastardly diagnoses, drunken disorderedlyness, and overall nastiness towards stupid people.

You can see how this hold a certain appeal to me.

*SQUEEEEEL*

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/27156747/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/27156747/ Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:44:47 PDT
I know I'm suppose to talk about prospective projects, future opportunities, and start promoting current achievements.

I know I'm suppose to take a lighter approach regarding comics that makes it to my hands for consumption, and ingest each opus as a whole; a symphony of numerous movements, meant to be judged once the orchestra sighs it's final sigh and the maestro takes a bow.

@#$& that, I'm gonna vent.

My major malfunction with Fathom; and subsequently Aspen comics.

During this recent Comiccon, as we all know, various comic books were made available, completely gratis, to passerbies, so as to encourage the selection of new and unknown titles

Among numerous Avengers and Wolverine issues, I picked up a copy of the late Michael Turners Opus Generi (original work, for the layman).

The number's lineart was rendered by the talented (no pun intened) Talent Caldwell, so it was much more attractive to the glancing eye.

I was drawn in by premise, amused and enticed by characters, and ensnared by the art. The writing was slightly bordering amateur, but I forgave some the clichés.

All in all, it was going well. I was enjoying the book and seriously considering becoming a recurring customer of Aspen Comics.

Then they introduced the character of Cannon Hawke.

Cannon.

@#&*ing.

Hawke.

...

I'm not making this up. There is a character out there called Cannon Hawke.

I had a small aneurysm when I read that. I lost my balance and nearly fainted from the sudden hemophatic shock. A Cloud Strife cosplayer had to help me stumble to my feet.

After a couple of Red Bulls, I recovered my senses and threw the book in the trash.

I thought the 90's were over. I thought the Max Powers, Trent Steele's, Chuck Steaks and Shanes and Masons and Carters of the entertainment industry had all but died. I thought all the cliché cool-guy names had gone out of employ.

Then Cannon Hawke comes and deals an insult to my intelligence as a reader, writer, and overall entertainment consumer, that can only be likened to a violent throat stabbing.

No disrespect to Mr. Turner's grand body of work, but I cannot read a book with a character called... I'm not even gonna write it. Fathom is now more noxious to me than radioactive waste.

Now I am done venting. Thank you for reading.

San Diego

Went great. ArchEnemy and Darkhorse interested in me, I'm in the fall catalogue for comic orders for next year.

My book Hardcopy #1-#3, a miniseries that will be published by Committed Comics, is due for Spring release. Best work I've ever done

Visit [link] for details

Need sleep, Cannon Hawke killed my brain.

...zzzzZZZZZZzzzzz...

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/26234330/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/26234330/ Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:39:33 PDT
It will hurt like flaming hell, but it will go away in a couple hours.

Note: I am back from San Diego but have yet to post a serious, in-depth recap of the con. I probably won't for a few days because I am seriously worn out and tired.

This is just to cleanse the journal palate. I'll be back in a few

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/26070258/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/26070258/ Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:21:28 PDT
I'm staying at Hostal Cat, a hostel on 14th and E Street! If anyone wants to hang out at the Con, drop a comment and let's get together at the DA booth.

Should be good for a laugh, and maybe a drink.

Cheers! Good luck to all at the con

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/25819870/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/25819870/ Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:31:58 PDT
Me? I'm oing the San Diego rush - insane pressure.

Let's all put on our game faces, and show what we got! I expect everyone to bring their 'A' game!

Let's nail those pages and etch our names in the pages of history!

*vomit*

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/25227764/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/25227764/ Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:35:12 PDT
**UPDATE**

10 - "I'm from the future! Listen to me or we're screwed!"

9 - "I'm you from another universe, only I'm as evil and twisted as you are good and wholesome!"

8 - "Me, dead? My good fellow, that was merely a clone!"

7- "Crap, we've time-traveled! Let's completely ignore the butterfly effect and try to fix everything by doing everything possible to return to the present, no matter how hilariously anachronistic!"

6 - "I just fought my way through army of thugs, a hellish security system, and sacrificed a veritable clown-car of my valued companions, but I won't kill you because I now realize revenge won't solve anything!"

5 - "I'm rich and you're poor... society will never accept our love!"

4 - "I died, but it's a flexible un-death that will make my eventual return easy to justify! Mr. Jordan, have you met Mr. Wayne?"

3 - "We insult each other at every turn, we're opponents in our professional arenas, and we've managed to completely screw up each other's lives with underhanded emails and incriminating pictures. Let's get married!"

2 - "Oh, no! I just found out I'm the product of a twisted genetics experiment! I now realize my life is a lie, and I feel the compulsive need to validate my existence by destroying the world!"

And last, but not least, the eternal classic!

1 - "Luke, I'm your overused plot device."

Honorable mention by for coining the biggest cliche in RPG fiction:

"Long ago there was a ancient evil that was sealed away and now a group of inexperienced youths must succeed in destroying it where entire elite armies failed!"

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/25145224/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/25145224/ Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:30:02 PDT [link]

*contented sigh*

It's been a good month. These are the kinds of pick-me-ups that get me by.

It's hard enough being, a lonely, bitter, brokenhearted yet psychotically violent pencil-jockey. This makes it worth getting up, walking 3 feet (ok, I'm not a fan of driving) and picking up the pencil.

Thanks for watching, everyone. Anyone going to San Diego, I'm buying the first round

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/24988305/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/24988305/ Wed, 27 May 2009 21:33:31 PDT
I'm so happy

To my buyer: keep your identity secret! Forever will our exchange be engraved in the sea of electrons.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/24832258/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/24832258/ Mon, 18 May 2009 23:52:32 PDT
Since my firs Dev page was an utter failure, due to my mediocrity, I'm tickled at the prospect of my first 10k pageviews.

That's why, to ensure more and more views, I figure I outta put in my good karma.

Anyone who emails me a screenshot with the 10k hit will get a free character sketch of an original character. I'm sorry, but it has be an original character, either yours or someone elses (I'm not in the mood to draw Wolverine or Spiderman). If you don't have an original character, pick someone else's that you like (like 's Kuta, for example), or you can pass the coupon on to a friend.

If I like the character, I may ink and color it. No guarantees on this, depends on how fun the character is.

If no one gets me the 10k screenie because they didn't notice, I'll accept the closest number.

Good luck, everyone!

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/24773179/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/24773179/ Fri, 15 May 2009 16:25:29 PDT
We have a precarious health situation down here in Mexico. I understood 20th Century Fox's decision to delay the release of X-Men Origins: Wolverine down here.

It was delayed a gentleman's two-weeks.

Despite being a die-hard geek, I wasn't angry. Just slightly annoyed, but understanding that a serious disease was flying off people's noses and snot into innocent bloodstreams.

Couldn't have people crammed into movie theaters while this was going on. Nope. Hugh Jackman had to cancel his trip down here for the release.

The situation has calmed down a bit. Theaters have reopened, business has resumed, etc. People are still sick, but we're managing.

That's why I was unbelievably infuriated at Sony Pictures', Warner Bros. subsidiary on movie distribution in Latin America, to postpone the release of Terminator:Salvation for two months.

Two.

F@#$ing.

Months.

A June 5th release date pushed back to July 31st, on account of "unknowns regarding the flu epidemic in Mexico City".

It's... the... FLU!!! What incertainty could there frickin' be? We have the flu. Just give us some antivirals and some cold mango Shasta and we'll be fine.

Look... just, put some celluloid of the film in some crates and send it to Tijuana. Hell, we'll meet you half-way, leave it on the TJ-San Diego bridge and we'll haul the shit away with burros.

...

Fine. You leave me no choice. I'm copying this journal to an email to Warner Bros. with the following ultimatum.

If the time between the US release and the Latin America release of T4 exceeds the gentlemanly two weeks, I will pool my savings and proceed with the following.

I will download a bootleg of the film, buy 50000 recordable dvds and rent 50 DVD burners, burn the fil to said DVDs, rent a frickin' blimp, and just distribute that shit all over Mexico City.

People who haven't even heard of the movie will see it.

I'm that serious.

I mean, it's not like they can find me. I live in none of the addresses I'm booked for, so they can't subpoena me, and I don't pay taxes.

...

I probably should not have mentioned that.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/24632526/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/24632526/ Thu, 07 May 2009 09:53:19 PDT
Drinking Problem

A lot of you are going to find me easier to listen to. Maybe it's the fact that I'm drinking about 90% less, and I've supplemented 50% of my caffeine intake with green tea.

...

Stop laughing. I'm not kidding.

Seriously, for a while now I've been avoiding the fact that I have a drinking problem.

Yep. My name is Aen and while I'm not an alcoholic, it's been pretty obvious that I do drink too much.

It use to be worse, I use to need to down some beers while I hit the drawing board. I knew right away that that was a slippery slope, so I cut that shit right then and there.

But, recently, I realized that even when it IS time to drink, moderation is always a good thing. Let me illustrate a quaint little scene.

11:00pm - Aen is at a party. Aen Meets a tattoo laiden beauty with a body that could make George Michael spooge in his pants.

11:30pm - Aen turns on the charm. Said charm filters through Beauty's loins. Beauty is rearin' to go.

12:00 - Aen is passed out on the floor from too many seemingly harmless lagers. Beauty lust goes without satiating. Aen is forced to beg for beauty's number from a friend. Aen goes the rest of the weekend with a raging boner.

Not good. I draw the line when my drinking impedes unyielding, physically destructive sex.

So... yeah. Seriously, less drink amounts to a lesser need for coffee, and reduces hangovers, which impede productivity.

I'm happier.

Work

Still trudging on, trying to feed myself (and my vices), while pumping out pages for my impending rise to comic Godhood. I'm really getting into the swing of things.

I've learned not to let panel layouts get in the way of my creativity and use the freedom my editor allows me. In fact, sometimes panel layouts can actually help guide and speedup the process. Just don't view them as necessities and let your style and sense of self guide your hand.

It's something I'm still learning, but refreshing, once you let it into your creative process.

Life

Doggy died. I'm cool, he went out peacefully and we had a good time.

Bro-bro got married. Honeymoon in Bali for a month. Got key to his house in one hand, beauty's number in other.

Booooiiing.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/24138758/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/24138758/ Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:51:19 PDT
I'll post a better update soon. Just thought I'd stop by and let everyone I'm still kicking.

Oh, and let everyone know about the wonders of marker therapy.

Check my recent devs.

Talk soon!

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/22906049/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/22906049/ Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:34:32 PST
As you can probably tell, my regular posting has gone to hell. This is due to the fact that I have begun to work for

So I'm going to refrain from posting the pages. I didn't sign an NDA or anything, but I think it's more professional to let them decide what to do with the product.

Plus, maybe that way I can get you moochers to buy a copy once it comes out.

The script I'm working on is amazing! I'm having more fun working on it then a dingo in a maternity ward.

I apologize for my hostility and infanticidal metaphors, but I am hung to the over...

If I can't get some pedialite and aspirin in me soon, you all have my permission to come to my house and shoot me in the face.

/sigh... I guess a hangover is God's way of reminding me I'm a whore.

Next week I'll talk a bit about the project. Either that, or my next of kin will post my obituary and/or suicide note.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/22239538/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/22239538/ Sun, 28 Dec 2008 08:56:14 PST
I have, however, been lucky enough to have been invited by my good brother-in-law to spend a couple days, including New Year's, in Valle de Bravo, a beautiful lakeside retreat a couple hours north of Mexico City.

My parents, my brother, and my sister, who is 7 months pregnant, are also here. It would be nicer if my mother weren't a pathological control freak. Seriously, she's not clichéd enough like some other mothers; she has actually staked a darker territory. She ferrously holds on to the illusion of control like a 17th Century catholic priest holds on the belief of immaculate birth (which is of course, an oxymoron).

Anyway, it's beautiful over here. I swim every day, the sun never hides, I've been doing some great sketches for my January gig, my sister pre-natal contractions flaring up at 5:00am.

I'll give you a second.

Yep. My third niece, named Isabella, was born this morning, weighing 1.15 kg at 42cm, 2 months premature.

During the whole two hours, I was shitting Tiffany cuff-links. Then we get the phone call that everything was a-ok.

Phew...

I've allowed myself a small moment of celebration, but with a premature child you have to remain vigilant.

Things look great, though.

So, how's your day going?

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/21971321/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/21971321/ Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:37:18 PST
ARE YOU?

1. Perfect?
Far from it.

2. Tall?
Average.

3. In your pajamas?
Yes.

4. Left handed?
No. What, do I look like a freak to you?!


LAST:

1. Friend you saw :
Old high school friend I serendipitously bumped into today.

2. Talked to on the phone :
Landlady.

3. Person to text you:
A customer.

4. Was today better than yesterday?
Hell to the yeah! But today I'm paying for it.


FAVORITES:
1. Number: 8

2. Color(s): Black and gray.

3. Fruit:
Cantaloupe.

4. Place:
Bar.


EIGHT EMOTIONS:

1. Are you missing someone right now?
As much as I hate to admit it, yes.

2. Are you happy?
Not really.

3. Are you sad?
No.

4. Are you bored?
Never, there's always something to do.

6. Are you nervous?
Nope.

8. Are you tired?
Never. Aren't you gonna ask me if I'm pissed?!


ABOUT YOU:

1. Real name?
Alvaro

2. Nick names?
Aen

3. Eye color?
Sewer green.

4. Zodiac sign?
Aries FTW

5. Male or female?
All beefy male goodness.

6. Slut?
Oh, totally.

7. Smart?
Beyond what your feeble mind can grasp.

8. Hair color?
Very dark brown approaching black.

9. Long or short?
Semi-long.

10. Sweats or Jeans?
Jeans.

11. Phone or Camera?
Camera, I hate phones.

12. Drink or Smoke?
Both.

14. Righty or lefty?
Righty, sometimes amby.

FIRSTS:
1. First best friend?
Can't remember.

2. First crush?
Can't remember.

3. First pet?
My lab Peso.

4. First big vacation?
Cancun. First summer getting laid all the time.


CURRENTLY:

1. Eating?
No.

2. Drinking?
Water.

3. I'm about to:
Tag some people.

4. Listening to?
Cocteau twins.

5. Plans for today?
Sleep in and prepare for a day of intensive commission completing.


WHICH IS BETTER WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX?

1. Shorter or taller?
Don't care.

2. Romantic or spontaneous?
Spontaneous. Unpredictability turns me on.

3. Sensitive or loud?
Loud.

4. Hook-up or relationship?
Hook up.


HAVE YOU EVER:

1. Drank bubbles?
Yep.

2. Lost glasses/contacts?
Never, I've just started using them, and only for inking.

3. Ran away from home?
Yeah, once.

4. Broken someone's heart?
I think so.

5. Been arrested?
Yeah, public inhebriation.


DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

1. Miracles?
No.

2. Yourself?
Probably the only thing I borderline believe in.

3. Heaven?
No.

4. Santa Claus?
Yes. There had to have been a first, at least, then come the imitators and mythology.

4. Love?
An illusion.

5. Do you like someone?
Not anymore. Whenever I begin to have those feelings again, I drink them away.

6. Do you believe in God?
Yes, but not in the mainstream way.

7. Answered the truth on all questions ?
Why would I lie?



Q: What was the first thing you did this morning when you got up?
Scratched my nethers.

Q: Do you have anything bothering you?
People who take forever to change lanes.

Q: What's the last movie you saw?
Appaloosa. I like my westerns dry and slow.

Q: Where is the last place you went?
Movies.

Q. Do you smile a lot?
I laugh a lot, so yeah. The human condition is a joke to me.

Q: Do you wish upon stars?
No.

Q: Are you a friendly person?
When my anger subsides, yes.

Q: Where did you sleep last night?
Some girl's floor.

Q: When was the last time you cried?
Believe it or not, this exact day last year.

Q: What was your last thought before going to sleep last night?
I wish they wouldn't moan so much.

Q: Rate life as of right now one being bad ten being great?
9. It's hard to tell, but I'm optimistic.

Q: What do you hear right now?
Roommate's TV.

Q: Does anything hurt right now?
My prostate.

Q: What's your favorite month ?
October.

Q: What did you do last night?
... you still haven't figured it out?!

TAG!

<... ]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/21801735/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/21801735/ Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:22:10 PST
Still, I am filled with a deep, solemn sense of longing. Something has happened to me this past month that has left me an incomplete man. I feel saddened, almost brokenhearted, by having been able to only taste the grandeur of one of the greatest works of art I've seen.

I bought Firefly on DVD.

If you're a sci-fi fan, and you haven't seen Firefly / Serenity... get off your ass. Download it, I don't care, Joss Whedon has money. Just see it.

Then feel crestfallen and cheated at the fact that they cut it short at 14 episodes.

Lord, I know I don't believe in You... well, I do believe in You, I'm just of the belief that You don't give a flying fuck about the poor race of infectuous miscreants inhabiting this gravelly, backwater planet.

Just please, I beg of You... Bring me another season of Firefly. Reveal Thyself to the dickheads at Fox, smite them repeatedly until they get Joss Whedon and Tom Minear on the phone and beg them for 22 more episodes.

If You do, I will convert to any religion You deem most clearly represents You. I mean, for Your sake, it won a You-ddamn Emmy!

Oh, and see if you can make Kung Fu Panda 2 happen anytime soon. I love that shit.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/21338581/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/21338581/ Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:30:23 PST
For a long time I remained skeptic that Senator Obama had a shot at wininng. I remained jadedly faithful that racism and conservativism would not let an black man with radical ideas reach office.

I was wrong.

I guess I am the one most in the wrong. Even though I have American citizenship, I didn't make the sojourn to vote. Less points for me. I've never really felt American or Mexican in my life (the troubles of being a half-breed). But I really felt this election affects me more than any other in my life, either Mexican or American.

I guess after eight years of a bible-thumping monkey behind the wheel, even the most on-the-fence of us jumped ship.

Well, I guess it's time for a change. I mean, I've always been a moderate left-winger, I won't lie. And with 20-20 hindsight, I guess everyone now realizes the dangers of unregulated spending.

I think Senator Obama has a good bead on how to get us all out of this financial muck. People have accused Sen. Obama's policies of approaching socialism.

Well, I think I speak for the poor, the 401kers, the IRA-hoopers that we could all benefit from eating some beats and steamed cabbage and shooting vodka in the snow for a while.

Hell, let's play this by ear. It's gonna be a great 4 years of change. Pray it's for the better.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/21287382/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/21287382/ Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:38:19 PST
It provides much more enjoyment to adults then to children. Children, so pure in their innocence, have no need to put on faces for the everyday world.

I'm not saying I do, but let's be honest, who the hell does act like their inner selves in this world, other then a few special people?

Ah, Hallow's Eve... It gives women an excuse to wear skimpy outfits, and lets me act even more like my inner sociopath. It's a bustling buffet of booze, butts and boobs. And it sounds even better when you can alliterate with the best of them

Happy Halloween, people. Remember, loosen up once in a while for your health, and a good dose of anarchy does wonders for one's psyche.

I mean, why so serious?

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/21031338/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/21031338/ Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:39:58 PDT
I have just recieved the biggest commission of my life. 5 posters for a videogame store chalk-full of iconic video game characters.

You hear that? That is the sound of me squealing like a 15 year old who just saw Justin Timberlake in the lobby of her daddy's hotel.

This presents three great opportunities. First, it will provide a great deal of info for my paying customers when I open my commissions slots. Second, the varied content will allow me to greatly develop my style and portfolio. Third, it puts me in an extremely comfortable financial position.

Now I can put down that deposit for the apartment I wanna move in to!

That, or a crazy weekend of ale and whores.

Look forward to these posts! I think I'll be doing my best work.

LEEEEERROOOOYYY JEEEEEEENKIIINSSS!!!

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/20878535/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/20878535/ Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:41:02 PDT
I pretty much shut the door to my latest gig.

DId I screw up? Am I suppose to eek out a living forever and make crap pages just to slowly and painfully segway into the industry? The thing is, I have no idea what to prepare next for my samples... I have a couple things in mind, but in this sense, my own editorial stubbornness is my worse enemy.

I'm venting my frustrations by working my ass off getting back to basics. I'm sketching faces, bodies, objects, animals... everything I can think off, carefully studying myself and slowly watching my style poke through the mud. I realize I won't get anywhere until my art shines by itself.

I'm taking solace in the fact that my style, my soul is starting to show itself, little by little, in my stuff. But there's still a lot of work to put into it.

Sometimes, you just gotta remind yourself of what's under your shoes.

I need some opinions...

Is it a good idea to keep style references of my own work? The way I work out a torso, an expression, a feminine eye? I'm starting to clip out stuff from my sketchbook, looking for the stuff that says 'Aen' all over...

You guys think this this a good way to go? I mean, I'm not like Ramos or the Kubert brothers, who've had a strong influence in their lives by another artist (Meglia and daddy, respectively). My style was anime, and I threw that out a long time ago.

It's wierd... the hardest person to study is almost always yourself...

Oh and for all you quill jockeys out there... Recently, I've made the brush my bitch. Seriously, I think all downtime in NY was spent mastering my Yatsumoto Brushes and my Pentel Brush Pen (a must-have, btw, guys). Then I proceeded to ink some of my old stuff... In one word, wow...

Anyway, enough massaging my ego. The point is, now when I grip the pencil, It's like the work is prepped for inking. I think I finally put myself inside the inkers mindset... tight enough to not make mistakes, loose enough to keep your lines smooth and organic. I took out some old blues from my inking book to work out my brush. I was very happy with the result. I think I'll put one page up soon.

Inkers, how did mastering the brush affect your pencil work, if any? I'd like some insight into the whole experience.

I'll be putting up the bet results of my foray into inking, as soon I crop out what is consistent my high (read:self-serving) standard of excellence.

So, please address these issues, my friends, for my own sake.

PS - I hate the crow quill pen. The lines are temperamental, the nib almost always rips up a bit of the paper and keeps it on the tip, creating an undesired effect, and the thing I hate the most: the reservoir has so often leaked out mid-stroke, I'm starting to think it is a tool of Satan.

The only time I actually use it is for crosshatching. My feathering is actually coming out better with a brush.

Get back to me.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/20667700/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/20667700/ Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:17:33 PDT
[link]

The world just a little better.

***/EDIT***

I'm in a starbucks having a Pike Place Roast on my apple MacBook on 42nd street, in a brand new armani Blazer and slacks and boots, with my Zucchero Headband.

I'm so posh it make sick...

This city... it's so powerful. It has the greatest effect on me. The energy I'm feeling is unlike anything I've felt before. It's like it's mainlining pumping hot joy into my rectum.

...

Yeah, city also makes you a little gay.

I haven't actually bought anything yet. Among my shopping list is several books, art supplies, clothes, etc., but work first. I'm about to head off into a kinko's to prepare my marvel submissions.

Wish me luck, more on the weekend.

PS - People, I'd like some suggestions on the nightlife. My dad's business trip coincided with mine, so we're hanging out until like, 9, 10. At the end of the night, we share a scotch, and he hits the hay. Then I hit the streets.

Any good bars, clubs, etc. you all can recommend? I'm open to anything. Seriously, I'm the kinkiest fuck you'll ever meet. Outside of homosexuality and defecation, I'm up for anything.

...

Forget a said that.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/20622228/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/20622228/ Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:45:12 PDT
What I was not ready to cope with the, uh... let's say disappointment.

My latest bit of samples were very sub-par, because I wasn't really connecting with the writer. He was one of those 'anel-by-panel' guys, with a penchant for constrictive rundowns. In other words, telling me how to do my job. I don't dig that. It makes it hard to do my job

I wanna send out a heartfelt message out to aspiring comic writers everywhere. We graphic artists know how enthusiastic you are about getting your creations down and tailoring them to your exact specifications. I get it, I too am an aspiring writer. I'm just giving my pencil/inks career my full attention at the moment

Look at it this way. Your work is your baby. You take care of it, you nurture, make it grow. You are skeptic about other people handling it.

However, once the baby gets into his preschool years, you gotta put the kid into school. Meaning, you're going to trust the better part of it's growth and education to teachers, people trained and certified to educate children by an institution.

You can't tell them how do their jobs. You can't trundle into the classroom and make unreasonable demands for your child. If you don't like, do it yourself and homeschool the little fuckers.

In a team effort, you gotta give the other guy room to play around with your stuff. Like it or not, he/she is gonna put his own spin on it. And, like it or not, you're gonna have to cope. It's not artistic license, it's not creative narcissism, it's just giving your teammate some elbow room.

Anyway I sent the sample pages with a polite email to the editor saying that I wasn't really getting on with the project, and that if there was something else I could start on. Needless to say, I did not include my boundless rage on the fact that I wasted 2 weeks of my life wrapping my head around a project that I couldn't connect with, just to produce utter shite I won't even upload into my scraps section.

The email hasn't been answered yet, and I'm starting to worry.

Lesson learned, I guess. Now I know what I can and can't work with.

I think I've been going around with the whole 'breaking in' quest the wrong way. Mario Guevara offered me a pertinent bit of wisdom when he said I should seek out projects that I connect with emotionally. That's when an artist puts out his best work, and that allows you to make your product stand out from the rest.

I tried sending this guy ---> [link] a line on his line of comics-in-production and asked for a read of the script. I saw the characters, and I thought "Now THIS I can really connect with." I foolishly got my hopes up of getting a collab opportunity where I could produce pristine work where I can really show off my grit.

Sadly, the guy never answered my note, and I had to read on his journal that someone else got the job. No biggie, I know that it's his choice on who he picks for the job. It's only a little disappointment I'm dealing with, and I deal with that all the time.

It's the fact that he didn't even take the goddamn common courtesy to answer my note that pisses me off. I mean, for fuck's sake, tell me that I'm an asshole, insult my mother, I don't care, just put it in a goddamn note. At least you show me that you care that much.

Oh, well. Not to be a prick, but with that kind of attitude, the guy won't get far in life. No one gets by on raw talent, and without courtesy and professionalism you don't get anywhere.

That much I know.

So, I guess the main bullet points of this post are:

a) Aspiring writers, don't tell the artist how narrate, unless they ask for it. Just describe what happens, pin the story down, and let the artist decide how to pick the shots and how many panels to place. Don't be afraid to make lively descriptions. The more information and ambiance you give us, the better. Just please, PLEASE, don't give us panel rundowns, unless we aks for it.

You don't tell me how to do my job, I won't tell you how to do yours. You don't see me walking into Burger King and knocking the spatula out of your hands, do you?

b) Answer your mails and notes, people. Even if what you have to say isn't particularly courteous, it's even more of a discourtesy to not do so.

c) Don't work on anything that doesn't resonate with your style and/or feelings. You won't be proud of the result, your style won't be recognized, and you will be wasting your time. God knows the... ]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/20458779/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/20458779/ Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:11:01 PDT
Laugh until you cry.

Thank me later.

I think now I have perfected the art of imitating the Scottish accent.

Dinnae worry, laddies, I won' be soondin' loik this forevah. I got booglies to rojah.

Sigh... I thought I would get a break after wrapping up my latest series of pencils, but now I gotta tackle my San Diego gig spot on.

It's just samples, at the moment, but something tells me I'm gonna get the job. I'm getting the panels spot on and the script is very well written, except for an overly ambitious first page which rocked my head for a couple of days.

I'll probably be inking these, too, so it'll be my first inked gig.

To be honest, I'm kind of neutral on this. On one hand I really want this because it's my first US gig. On the other hand, I really don't want to dive into the whole 22 pages a month grind just yet. I feel more inclined to do what I said I'd be doing in this journal entry ----> [link]

So right now I'm in a total state of professional neutrality. I can take or leave anything that comes my way.

On an upbeat note, this year's ANG Con at my university went incredibly well. I met incredible artists, and rekindled friendships with some of them. Among the guests were Sean Galloway ---> [link] , Axel Medellin ---> [link] Humberto Ramos and Paco Herrera, as always, Peter Kuper, Jessica Abel, Mario Guevara, among others.

Mario's work was Eisner nominated this year. He had some increbidly ego-boosting words for my work, as well some pointers. All and all, I feel I have accomplished what I set out to do a year ago: elevate my work's quality to professional level.

We ate, drank, laughed, cried. Among our sponsers were Microsoft, who set up a Hummer with 2 TVs and Guitar Hero in the back.

Nothing like getting your ass kicked by Humberto Ramos on Reptilia. I don't know whether to consider it an honor or an epic fail.

So... what's up with you guys? Talk to me.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/20288218/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/20288218/ Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:14:16 PDT
What? That's not a gay breakfast.

Shut up.

In any way, the morning called for something different then my usual reading/writing I start out with to get my brain working. Something is... different.

It's made be look back at the last couple of months and... I gotta say, the usual turmoil and anger that boils under my tranquil, tank-top wearing facade is, well, gone.

I'm more than a little scared; anger has always been my driving force. Anytime I do something amazing, either professionally or otherwise, is because I'm pissed off because someone said I can't.

A psychiatrist once diagnosed me as a "borderline personality with unreasonable ire-driven expectations".

The guy is still peeing blood. Fuckin' shrinks.

Well, suffice it to say, I don't think that's a part of my life anymore. People tell me that I'm nicer, calmer, sweeter. With the exception of my road-rage, of course.

I mean, pick a lane, for fuck's sake.

All that's left to drive my Himalaya-high ambitions is belief. You know, belief? That little, rock hard slab of faith that's left when you distill your mind and soul down to the core? When your insecurities, fears, likes, dislikes, conceptions and misconceptions are gone and you all that's keeping the riptide from pulling you down is the shaky emotional foothold you have on your mind?

Yeah, that. Belief. I think I can define it as putting a person's entire faith into a single idea. Belief = faith in a paragraph.

I suddenly want to tell you what I believe. Anyone who will hear me of course. And you wouldn't be reading this if you weren't lending an ear... or eye.

Shut up.

See? I'm still the same guy. There's just more of a part of me and less of another part.

I want us all to take moment and examine our faith. I want us to distill our cores into the stone, and put in a single paragraph in that little white square below the 'reply' button. I want to hear your beliefs.

Please take a moment, I need this.

Here's my belief.

I believe that, in every person's life, there comes a moment where you will make a decision that will change the lives of the people around you. It may be one life, or billions; an entire planet. Or maybe just a stranger that fatefully entered your life. But to do so will come with the greatest sacrifice imaginable. You will have to destroy that which you hold dearest, your highest principle, your most prized possession, your place in the world, your raison d'etre.

Until that moment, that choice comes, there is only one question you have to be asking yourself.

Will you be ready? To forgive when forgiveness is impossible? To jump when the void opens its jaws below you? To run when your legs are broken and breath when your lungs crumple like burning paper? To speak when the silence swallows all other voices?

Will you be ready?

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/20157563/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/20157563/ Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:25:57 PDT
Ok, I know, doggy barks a big game.

Anyway, that's on indefinite hold.

The reason? An email from one of the recipients of my submission packets for the SDCC, the contents of which constitute an unpassable opportunity for me.

I would like to sit down for a bit and do some comissions and pinups for a while, catch my breath.

But looks like I'm back to panel-factory frontline for a while. No matter, there's plenty of time for lighter things. But for now, this is too good to pass up.

I won't say for who I will be toiling away the following weeks, because it's not a concrete thing. But it's solid and worth putting pencil and brush to to paper for.

It's not that I can't say, I just rather not. I don't like getting my hopes up and Lord knows I like to talk.

So, the samples will keep coming and you can bet you'll keep seeing new stuff from me. It just won't be flashy or pageview-grabbing. But you can bet it'll be good. You'll also be seeing the debut of my inked pages.

Let's get to work. The world awaits.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/19933230/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/19933230/ Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:40:58 PDT
I haven't had a headache this big since I downed 10 Irish coffees in poorly ventilated warehouse.

What the hell?! I use to have a computer engineering scholarship before I got into design; this should be cake for me, for fuck's sake!!!

I'm just informing the legions of my faithful watchers (yep, all 4 of you) that there are good things to come.

I probably won't post in a couple of weeks, I have more stuff on my plate then Al Roker at IHOP. I won't be making a single post in my journal, barring another atrocity like the Batman/Superman Yaoi affair.

I can still taste the vomit in my mouth.

Here's a list of my to-do's.

1- Finishing my current list of pages and submissions (those will be posted as they come out).
2- Making a long overdue Pixel ID. The portrait came out ok, I'm just wierded out by the pixel drawing process. Trying to find a way to bypass the process through photoshop.
3- Making a nice CSS for my Journal (ow, my head...).
4- Pumping out a month's worth of buffer of school work in a whole weekend so I can engage the aforementioned items.
5- Working out a nice commissions menu.

Yep, I'm opening for business soon. Basically the CSS and the pixel ID, along with purchasing a year's subscription, are basically the business face I'll be putting on. I'll also be putting up samples of the items on the menu, like comic pencils, grayscale pencils, inks, cel colors and scaled colors, so you know what you're ordering.

The reason I'm doing this is, aside from making a bit of cash for beer money, is to vastly expand my pinup portfolio. The studios I'm submitting to don't ask for pinups, which is ok by me, but it would be unwise to not have a decent amount of pinups to match. I need to prove I can do covers and posters as well.

Problem is, I have no idea what do them about. Lord knows I'm a fan of almost everything the geek world has to offer, so I figure I'd let you guys decide for me.

Due to the reciprocal nature of the arrangement my prices will be extremely affordable. A basic pencil rendering starts off at 30$ USD, the most you will pay for a cover with 5-6 characters, inked and colored with a decent background, is 80$-90$ US, depending on the specifics. And that includes logos and logistics.

Am I not merciful?!

So, start thinking about what you'd like. I accept references and concept art, and I'll draw anything (with certain exceptions I'll be indicating later). Friends get discounts, and prices will start to rise incrementally depending on how business goes.

I'll be taking these commissions after I clear my list. I know I'm being presumptuous by assuming you can't wait for me to grace you with my God-like talent, but please don't send me any requests just yet.

If I do, I'll let my eager-to-please nature get the best of me, and start working on it, and fall behind on my dues, and then I'll be late on all my dues, and next thing you know I'll be snorting lines just to keep up, then I'll have to check into rehab and-

Well, you get the picture.

I'll take requests in order of submission once the next post is up, which will be entitled 'Open For Business'.

So... see ya in a couple of weeks.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/19872221/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/19872221/ Sun, 10 Aug 2008 01:50:23 PDT
I know many of the people who say this usually are, deep down. I cannot overstate the fact that this is not the case.

Ahem... I. Am. Not. Homophobic.

Not.

Homophobic.

I am not homophobic.

I am completely and complacently tolerant of the gay lifestyle, and have many gay friends of both sexes who I consider very warm, open and kind people.

I am an open and militant proponent of gay rights, which is dangerous when you're in a male-dominated, deeply catholic, conservative country.

Hurray for homosexuality.

An even bigger hurray for lesbians.

Ok, then.

That being said, I move on to the following.

Please stop the yaoi.

I beg of all of you, the whiny, despondent, Naruto-ganking, Simple Plan-listening, Tsubasa Chronicle-watching females that inhabit DevArt.

Stop.

Please stop.

I would ask you to take a large, blunt object and strike yourselves in the forehead until you smell burnt toast, but considering you sex-habits, or lack thereof, something tells me you'd enjoy that.

I mean, come on. Anime yaoi is ok. The characters look girly and androgynous anyway, and there are so many it's hard to truly to bond to one. It lends itself to Yaoi, to be truthful. Hell, I'd consider a byproduct. I enjoy Naruto, but I'm not particularly miffed when a see some NaruSasu action made by some wannabe on Dev.

But THIS is where I draw the line -----> [link]

For fuck's sake... Not Clark.

Not Bruce. Anyone but Clark and Bruce.

Do Hal Jordan, he's totally gay for Bart Allen. At least THAT'S less of a kick in the crotch

It didn't gross me out, mind you. it just offended me. And not by the gay shtick. I'm offended by the blatant usage of Superheroedom's oldest and most revered icons to fulfill someone's fantasy.

The sad thing is, the art is actually pretty decent, which makes it even more insulting (much to the artist's credit, of course).

Hell, I don't care if it was a commission. Both parties are guilty. Who the fuck asks for something like this?!

Thank God Shuster, Siegel and Kane aren't alive to see this. That would be one hell of a Shabbas.

Hey, I'm as turned on as opposite sex homo-erotica as anyone, but you don't see me slashing icons and penciling female comic icons doing the hot and sweaty.

Some of you are thinking "But Aen, you just drew a piece where a couple of lesbians are ruttin' like dachshunds. It's right there on your recent devs, ya big hypocrite!."

(Do stop by and see the piece, I'm quite proud of it.)

True, I do sometimes engage in female homo-erotic art. But bear in mind they are nameless, idiosyncratic constructs, not established icons like Wonder Woman or Supergirl.

I think about it, but I don't offend DC fans by drawing it.

That's just wrong.

Some things in this world are sacred.

Believe me, I'd be just as offended as Jean Grey giving Emma Frost some deep cunnilingus.

I'd be a little turned on, but no less offended.

Fucking Yaoi.

I need an aspirin.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/19666307/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/19666307/ Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:28:41 PDT
I'm actually happy. The critique I got mainly consisted of storytelling, and not on my art itself. I'm glad I've reached this point, and I know now I've got what it takes (every editor I talked to asked for a submission, including a few not doing reviews )

And this industry is so huge, I know it'll have a place for me.

I feel dizzy just from talking about it.

But, after looking upon the massive mountain I've yet to climb, it's sheer size hit me like a brick. But now, I want to climb it more than ever.

You'd think the con would intimidate some people, stunt some of their ambitions. It only inflamed mine even more.

It's a long way to the top, but now I realize once I get there, it's gonna better then anything I could ever imagine.

Basically, the things I need to to improve are toning down my rendering to not clutter up my pages and give my prospective inkers an easier time, distilling the panel's art to its purpose, and using blacks to direct my reader's eyes.

My goals? I wanna eat the fucking world. And now I'm armed with the tools to do so.

PS - I'll be posting a couple new submissions and a tantalizing page from my sketchbook tomorrow. For now, sleep.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/19429534/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/19429534/ Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:14:51 PDT
Well, Here we are, a week away from the world's largest comics convention.

I feel like I'm in the eye of a hurricane. Whirling around me are my hopes, dreams desires, fears, insecurities... my entire sapien mind.

Yet, I'm taking some time off now. I'm here in Queretaro, chilling with my parents a while, taking in some relaxation and good vibes from my loving family. It's almost enough to take my mind off the whole thing.

I feel extremely lucky in saying I won't be going it alone. The great and extremely successful artist Humberto Ramos is doing me the great honor of showing me the ropes in the con game, telling me how to move, act, and think.

I can't tell you how it feels to have one of your greatest influences as an artist chum around and lend you a hand.

I ALMOST feel like I don't deserve it.

Then I open some of the newer Star Wars books from Dark Horse... and stand in awe at the mediocrity of some of these pencillers. Most are great, don't get me wrong. But then I look at some Inuyasha imitator drawing Zayne Carrick and I can't help but think "That should be me doing the pencils/inks."

That's why I'm almost certain something good will turn up for me. I've got some awesome samples, both pencils AND colored (Thanks, [link] !), and going to draw some more this coming week, which I'm sure will be awsome. I do my best work under pressure, fortunately AND unfortunately.

Anyway, good luck to all of you, my aspiring colleagues attending the Con. I hope you are all as successful as I'm gonna be, and I that you forgive my blatant, almost arrogant, optimisim.

This is only the beginning.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/19292347/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/19292347/ Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:51:09 PDT
Stop looking at me like that.

No this isn't the scotch talking. It holds my mike, but it ain't doing the talking.

I cannot overstate my happiness and artistic inspiration at this point. It's been a long time since I've been in such a perfect and symbiotic relationship.

How did we meet, you ask?

Well, I have to say that she came into my life through an acquaintance. But they weren't seeing much of each other, and weren't really going through the good parts.

I gave her some of my time. We started seeing more and more of eachother, until something beautiful supernova'd into my dark and cold universe.

When we come together, it's like sweet music plays, and we never tire ourselves out. My fingers and hers strum to the same beat, the same phrases, the same pulse.

People are awed at what we are doing together.

I cannot not be abundantly generous with her. For our one month anniversary, I used my hard earned cash to buy her a 12-string telecaster for her band.

Yeah, I amaze even myself sometimes.

Her name is Aranxa (prononced a-ran-cha). She is from Valencia, has red hair and an ass you could mold centerpiece off.

She is my character on Rock Band.

Let the hilarity ensue.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/19194239/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/19194239/ Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:31:35 PDT
It's 2:20am, raining like the rapture, and I'm walkin' home, drunk as a skunk.

I'm intoxicated even as a write. It's amazing I'm able to remain coherent.

Hey, I'm educated.

I'm driving home after letting some harlot off at her doorstep. As usual, I go waaaay to fast and fuck up my left-front rim.

As I'm changing my tire, I have to pay bribe a cop with my day's wages so he doesn't haul my ass off to the slammer for drunk driving, allowing some six-foot lifer to call me 'Nancy' as he has his way with me.

Yes, bribing cops is a day in the office down here in Mexico.

Anyway... Faith and Begora! My spare is also deficient.

I'm gonna file suit against Chevrolet when I sober up.

Its too late to call Triple-A, but yet I'm so close to my house.

So I leave my car in an inconspicuous space and walk home, taking in the delightful weather.

...

You can chide me later on the evils of drunk driving.

It doesn't matter. It's not gonna hurt me too much, and the night before this, I happened to draw the page I have ever drawn in my life. I'll post it later today (after a refreshing walk to the local Kinko's.)

For now, join in my cursing of the local law enforcement corp.

Fuckin' pigs.

PS- You'll notice my mood still says lust. Something is up with DA that won't let me change moods. But, I'm always horny, so it's not a total lie...

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/19037100/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/19037100/ Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:03:23 PDT
Some of you may have heard, the rest of you, I'll inform in my oh-so-wholesome fashion you've come to worship, or hate, me for.

George Carlin just fuckin' died.

I was always a big fan of his work. He, among the trials I endure in everyday urban life, has helped shape my overall cynicism.

You're asking, "Why would you be grateful to someone for making you bitter, untrusting, lugubrious and violent?"

a) Because I'm smarter for it.
b) Because he makes me laugh at it.

Seriously, am profoundly grateful at comedians like Chris Rock, Lewis Black and the late George Carlin for making me laugh at this world gone wrong.

'Cause if I wasn't laughing, I'd be torching it.

So please, pour yourself a stiff drink (or a ginger ale if you're a pussy), raise your glasses, and toast to the man who rubbed our 7 favorite words into the faces of the genetic defects, who deserve to be strangled in front of their children, that are responsible for turning our beloved planet into a fucking shopping mall.

Long live George Carlin.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/18839796/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/18839796/ Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:39:26 PDT
Not when you're fighting a bad stomach flu and you're on your last nerve. Movies are the last thing on one's mind. I'm better now, and my justified vacation week is over.

I think the only thing I cranked out in the last week was Sneak Peak at Page 5. The rest of the time I've been relaxing. Listening to music, going through stacks of new comics, and reading some new books on anatomy, structure design, etc. Anything that'll help me improve.

I'm aching to see what my style evolves to after this. Every time I take a break and do a serious study session like this, my style not only improves greatly (in my perspective, of course) but I start doing things I never thought I could do or would be interested in doing.

I'll be picking up the pencil full time again tomorrow. For now, I'm taking out my freshly healed body out for a night of drinks and wanton, hip-busting sex.

Oh, anyone go out and see The Incredible Hulk yet?

I'm going to go with the cautious yet encouraging opinion.

IT'S TOTALLY FUCKING SHITCOCK LOCO PUMPING-BOILING-HOT-JOY-INTO-YOUR-RECTUM AWESOME!!!!!!!

Forgive my hubris, but I cannot overstate my complete and utter satisfaction at Mr. Leterrier depiction of the most popular green giant. It offers a completely delicous mixture of drama, humor, emotion, and gut-wrenching, adrenaline-pumping, wanna-stand-up-and-assault-other-movie-goers-in-the-theater deastruction.

Yes, today is overuse-of-truncated-yuxtapositions-of-adjectives-and-adverbs day, in case you're wondering.

***SPOILER WARNING***

It was amazing how well the movie conducted the Hulk's rage into my mind. My heart was literally racing during the final battle between Banner and Blonski. The sheer impact of Hulk taking that squad car, ripping it in two, wearing the halves like knuckles, and tearing into the Abomination with sheer animal fury was simply carnal and delicious. Leterrier succeeded in tapping into my most primal core and putting me into the Hulks boiling psyche.

I tell you, I myself was only a dose of gamma radiation away from going green and rampaging through downtown Mexico City. Can you imagine the headlines?

"Hay un puto gigante verde desmadrando Polanco!" Good times.

The ONLY thing that struck as a little off-timed was Stark's cameo at the end. I would have preferred it go after the credits, keeping with easter egg-laying tradition. Some will disagree with me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that The Avengers are coming to the silver screen. I'm thrilled that the characters are coming together and the miniverses are merging. I love easter eggs and little filmic teasers.

Just don't make it SO overt. I really think it underminded the drama of the movie a little. I think the Hulk is probably the most tragic, or at least troubled, superhero in the marvel repertoir, and the rhythm of the movie kept that totally in mind until Stark walked in with his Gucci suit and martini breath saying there's gonna be a new movie.

The only thing missing was Nick Fury saying 'Aw, snap!"

In contrast, a brilliantly executed easter egg was General Ross' comment on the WWII-era Supersoldier Program that he was trying to modenize using gamma ray testing. This is a great nod towards a future appearance of Captain America. THAT is how you pull off a good easter egg.

***SPOILERS END HERE***

Anyway, it's an amazing film and worth your money, both for the ticket and the DVD (GLEE).

Marvel did a great job apologizing for Ang Lee's raping of the character in the first movie.

Seriously, I think the guy took the a script, some Hulk comics, expensive CGI and flavor-of-the-month actors, ate it, and shat it all out on celluloid.

And Mr. Lee hasn't been eating his fiber.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/18476070/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/18476070/ Sat, 24 May 2008 08:50:13 PDT
Work is same old same old. Family is nonresponsive.

Seriously, there's more activity in a greek pantheon.

Anyway, I've been trying to get back into the dating scene lately. Much to my detriment, I'm afraid.

Luckily, I've been intelligent enough in my life to not expect anything out of this particular area of my life.

"Blessed is the man who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed."

Levites, in the Book of Leviticus.

Smart guy, that Levites.

I bet he never had to deal with judgemental harridans who set the odds against you.

Then again, he had a whole chapter of the Old Testament named after him.

I bet he would've loved to read [GM]Dave.

All in all, I have a great family to fall back on. Last night my brother and I went to grab a drink and watch Indiana Jones: KotCS.

We had mixed feelings about the film.

For someone who thought Spiderman: Brand New Day was a literal sodomization of the character, I didn't think the movie was all that bad.

It went nuts at some point. Spielberg wasn't able to contain Lucas' batshit loco insanity and keep it from seeping into a mid 20th century ambianced film.

But I ended up having a lot of fun, and my childhood wasn't horribly raped. Maybe felt up a little, but not raped.

I'm gonna go watch the rest of the trilogy now while I update a few pages of my current project. I'll post a page I want you all to say tomorrow.

Have fun, people. Life is short.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/18249604/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/18249604/ Fri, 09 May 2008 22:28:43 PDT
I have been having the most BIZARRE dreams lately. This is specially horrid for a person with superhuman three-dimensional thinking and visualization capacities.

I know, I'm bragging, but rest assured that, aside from numbers, I'm a moron in everything else in life.

Well, one was normal, but coming in a very bizarre time in my life.

I would really like to share these dreams with you in hopes of surfacing my hidden emotions and desires.

By the way, if I go gay, I'm killing you guys.

Here goes.

Dream #1

Diane, you're gonna love this one...

One night, I was hit with the unrelenting desire to play Final Fantay XI again. I dreamt that my character, named Aenkelle also, was magically restored to me with everything I left him with, a set of Ares gear (I looked it up on FFXIclopedia... it gave me an instant erection), and the 100 000 000 Mog bonanza jackpot.

I then set upon to kill montrous enemies in epic battles once again. I saw myself executing a one man light Skillchain and defeating Vrtra or another wyrm.

When I woke up, I realized my patholigical addiction to FFXI that I worked to so hard to get over was making a desperate ploy to resurface into my psyche.

I think it's because my life has been so uneventful lately, and so dug into the grind of breaking into the comics industry, that I sublimated this boredom into my long-repressed addiction.

Your thoughts, doctors?

Dream #2

I was walking into an Irish Pub with an enormous thirst. I find a friend from high-school in a booth. I should mention that he always wanted to be a cop. I then find him in peak physical form in a dark blue police uniform, with an HK USP in his holster, a thick mustache and gray hairs.

I should also mention that in the booth he was sitting with Christopher Walken, Jonathan Pryce, and John Ritter. I spent the time sucking up to Walken, chatting up Pryce, and ignoring Ritter, except for when I asked him, "Weren't you dead?"

The background music was Low Rider. As in, all my friends know the low rider.

I have no idea what to make of this. Help me.

Dream #3

This one is less bizarre but a little more harrowing. I was in a Tokyo bar and I got into a fight with some Yakuzas. Needless to say, I CQC'ed their asses into oblivion. I was like Solid Snake, Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris all rolled into one rambunctious ball of 2-fisted 2-legged awsomeness.

The last Yakuza standing came at me with a knife. But instead of performing a final feat of combat godliness on his ass, I froze. I couldn't move. And then the fucking Yak proceeded to stab me in the balls.

Yes. Right in the twins.

This isn't too disturbing in-and-of itself, but what freaked me out is that my imagination went out of its way to simulate the pain of what a punctured testicle would feel like. I actually felt the knife enter my pelvis.

I then proceeded to walk out of the bar, bleeding profusely, and yelling "Tasukette kure yo! Hayaku!" to random Japanese passerbies.

The only thing I can conclude from this is that I have masochistic tendencies, which is not really new to me, but the depth this depravity has sunk to is reason for alarm. If you have another diagnostic to add, don't keep it to yourself.

Dream #4

This one I'm gonna keep to myself since it goes into a very dark place.

Let's just say that picking up prostitutes and then beating them to death with a baseball bat and hiding them in my trunk will probably be my MO if I ever become a serial killer.

Help me.

Please, help me.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/18147511/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/18147511/ Sat, 03 May 2008 11:06:31 PDT
For as long as I can remember, Spiderman has been my favorite comic book character. I think I began reading comics at a tender age simply out of Spidey fanboy-ism.

My love of drawing began with me trying to imitate Dragonball Z illustrations, yeah. But my love of comics... oh, that was all Spidey.

I'm of the opinion that once a character becomes so loved and embraced by it's public over a period of time, it ceases to become property of its parent corporation. It becomes a global cultural property.

It not only exists on paper, or whatever medium it uses, but in the hearts and minds of all the people that follow its adventures.

So why is shit like Spiderman: Brand New Day allowed to run print? Why did Marvel suddenly have an itch to destroy my most beloved childhood character?

WHY?! *sobs*

**SPOILER WARNING**

It's all right by me when Marvel decided to terminate Peter and MJ's marriage. Joe Quesada believed that Spidey would relate better to people if he were single again.

I don't understand how, personally, if I wanna see Spidey single, I'll read Ultimate Spiderman but... Joe's been running the books pretty good during his tenure, and I won't argue against his editorial judgement.

But he jumped the shark like drunken bimbos jump on my crotch when he and J.M. Straczynski penned out the script to Brand New Day.

It makes me wonder why they went through all the trouble of events like The Other and Civil War to create drastic changes in Parker's powers and superhero-hood, just to negate these changes by abusing, yet again, the reality-warping plot device.

It's the same as watching a story unfold in devastating ways, only to realize it was just one of the characters having a dream.

It's a kick in the crotch, one way or another.

I understand the use of the reality warp device in some situation.

Take House of M. They used it to reduce the mutant race's numbers to dangerous levels by using the Scarlet Witch to alter reality.

I little hoaky, maybe, but with brilliant results. The new situation mutants find themselves in adds a whole new depth of drama and ominousness to the mutant plight, setting up for great events like Messiah Complex.

That shit was brilliant. Bravo, Marvel, bravo.

But Brand New Day... that was just disgraceful.

Seriously, has Joe Quesada gone completely farkakte?!

**END SPOILER WARNING**

I'l end my tirade by saying this:

You will never... EVER... catch me butchering one of my characters like this, should they become popular in the not-so-far-off future.

Because, at that point, they won't belong to me anymore.

They don't.

Belong. To. Me.

They don't belong to me.

They will belong to you, my adoring public.

And you guys will come first, always. That's how great a guy I am.

Stop laughing.

Geez... believe me, when I'm in charge, shit like this won't happen.

Not on my watch.

Hail the future God of comics

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/18107916/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/18107916/ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:29:19 PDT
I have in my hard drive fresh scans of my latest pencil work for the comic I'm doing the pencils for.

It's definitely the BEST work I've done in my life. This is probably the first time the fabled 'artist's sting' doesn't kick in immediately. You know, the feeling that all you produce is total crap?

It kicks in after I admire my work a bit, read some comics made by seasoned pros, and call myself a obsequious charlatan.

I'm doing my best to convince my employers to let me post a portion of these gems. I'll try to have something up by the end of the week. I'm trying to sell the fact that uploading on my page will allow veterans to observe and critique my work, ensuring greater quality.

Pffft... if only they knew it was purely for my own relentless egolatry.

Seriously, though, I really want other pencilers and inkers to critique it. I'm ThAT serious.

I'll do my best to remove the leash that is so firmly lodged in my rectum and post some goodies in a couple of days.

Hang tight, people.

Oh, by the by, I have gone ahead and set up my weekly blog. You can visit it here [link]

Be warned: this is a much more in-depth look into my chaotic psyche then my Dev journal. It will be a more profound probing of my life. Hilarity, along with soul-numbing torture, may ensue.

Another note: Iron Man hit theaters today in Mexico, two days before its US counterpart. I won't reveal any spoilers or anything here (not that it has anything shocking to reveal, it's your standard Marvel story-retell).

I just want to say that it was an amazing movie, I had a boatload of fun, and I'm glad to see Marvel is on the ball again after the double train wreck that was Spiderman 3 and Ghost Rider.

Go see it. If you're a harsh Marvel-savvy comic-to-film critic, you won't be dissapointed. It really lives up to the hype.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17918280/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17918280/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:19:34 PDT
I LOVE MAKING COMICS.

The freedom, the experience, the sheer artistic effort. The rush you get when you absolutely NAIL a page, and your writer/editor's jaw drops and takes you out for a drink after a hard week's work ,ah... it's better then sex.

Yes, I went there.

It makes the long hours, the swollen fingers, the chronic insomnia and the weight loss (not the good kind) worth it.

Seriously though, I've lost about 3 kilos since I started this gig... I don't understand how some of those heavyset artists keep their weight.

Lay off the twinkies guys. Stick to the Red Bull and then let Hero's Initiative buy you a new kidney... heheh, j/k.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17889221/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17889221/ Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:10:46 PDT
Some of you may have noticed I've taken down a lot of artwork concerning a character with goggles, a gun, and stun batons.

Weird looking guy, that one.

My employers asked to remove any leaks concerning this project. They gave a slap on the wrist, for I was not permitted to post material pertaining to the project.

Hell, even mentioning who they are would make the bomb implanted in the cerebellum to go off, granting me the peace that eluded me in life.

It's not a major comic book studio. It's not even a profit-oriented entity. But they are fucking huge, nonetheless, and their name is gonna look spiffy on my resume.

Just imagine the organization less likely to produce a graphic novel. Get a pot running, and we'll make a game of it once they allow me to reveal shit again.

It's just a little frustrating. I guess this is what a career in comics entails. Still, I see a lot of experienced pros here n Dev post relentlessly.

Is it recent stuff, or older material from issues already published?

I often ask myself how that matter is handled. If any of you veterans out there read this,I could sure use some illumination on this conundrum.

On to matter two...

Coffee has gotten a lot faggier lately. I walk into a Starbucks and see people ordering those little ice-coffee beverages.

It makes me weep for the ancient ethiopians who first invented the drink. Yep, coffee was discovered/invented in Ethiopia.

When I ordered a hot mocha, a got a warm cup of piss. When I asked for a HOT coffee, I got a slightly warmer up of piss.

Here's some of the discussion that ensued between me and the cromagnon biped Starbucks hired to serve me coffee..

Aen>> My coffee still isn't hot.
Attendant>> Sir, we set the machine on extra-hot, sir.
Aen>> You mean it's set on gay.
Attendant>> I'm sorry sir, that's as hot that machine makes it.
Aen>> Listen, fucknut... may I call you fucknut?
Attendant>> Sir, that's very innapro-
Aen>> You're gonna go back there and make my coffee hot with the expresso machine. You're gonna run every drop of this cup of warm urine you sold me through it until it's hot.
Attendant>> I need to know how hot you want it, sir.
Aen>> Let's see... pour some of it on your hand. If you don't get a red, swollen welt, it's not hot enough.
Attendant>> We're not allowed to-
Aen>> Look, fucknut, I need this weapons-grade hot. You understand? I need you to turn this beverage into a fucking weapon.

He turned around, went into a room in the back, and turned my coffee into lava after this. He was very relucant to do so.

My guess is he was forced to bleed a goat, draw a pentagram, and channel the very flames of hell into the carton cup.

That's probably against company policy.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17800105/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17800105/ Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:10:07 PDT
Think about it for a second... you agree, right?

To continue, I would like you to please pour yourself a stiff drink to enhance your ability to cope with the stroke-inducing stupidity, and read these to articles, in order.

[link] and [link]

I know, right?

Undoubtedly, most of you in the art community have a heavy exposure to video game culture, and, at some point, owned and obsessed over a game console, a particular non-online game, or MMORPG.

Hey, I was FFXI's bitch for 3 years. I had to drop it because for a comic artist having a video game console or playing an MMORPG is pretty much the same as acquiring a drug habit.

But, hey, those were good times, and a good portion of my soul is still that of a videogamer. I still play Smash Bros. with a friend on Saturdays.

So you can tell these two harridans have seriously offended me with their articles.

I won't go into a tirade about how seriously wrong and offensive these two morons are. I'll let [GM]Dave do that in his two posts about it in these two following [link] and [link] .

Read it.
Laugh.
Gain insight.
Thank me later.

I prefer to discuss the general ramifications of free online media. The internet has become a powerful tool of free speech. It has given us the key to a world of opinions and perspectives.

Alas, if it weren't for the idiots.

If there's anything worse than a retard, it's a retard with an opinion. And if there's anything worse than a retard with an opinion, it's a retard with an opinion and an internet connection.

Seriously, people who post this crap seriously underestimate their ability to offend, annoy, irritate, and induce self-mutilation with their tripe. The whole time I read these two pieces of refuse, I ran a knife across my arm, asking myself at what point I would have the courage to press down.

We should think about what the internet has done. It gave idiots like these two harlots a medium in which to infect us with their speculative statements an d offensive tirades.

We have entrusted the H-Bomb to a pack of spider monkeys.

Technology is a bitch.

PS.

Videogames are, in fact, an art form. Not up for debate, people.

Videogames express emotions, relate feelings, and have aesthetic value. Just because there are crappy videogames, there is no reason to say they are not art.

I've heard N-Sync, and you don't see me saying music isn't art right?

I don't know where this off-topic statement came from. It just occurred to me during the soul-numbing torture that was reading these two articles.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17748550/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17748550/ Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:47:33 PDT
There isn't a lot of room for creativity when you're trying to sell crap to morons with too much money.

Most of what I put on here is stuff I think really expresses myself. You won;t catch me putting up my promo work here. I'm not proud of it.

I don't think a prostitute would be proud of the day's lays.

For a year now I've been preparing myself to take on the massive struggle that is breaking into the international comics industry. I say 'international' because, well, like Humberto Ramos said when asked about the mexican comic industry... "What industry?"

In Mexico, if you make a living out of comics, you ARE the industry. That's how tiny it is

I realize when it comes to NA in comics, I'm just your average fish in the ocean.

But I'm just a guy with a dream. I don't money, I don't want fame...

Well, I do want fame, in a way... It's my fantasy to have fans come up to me in conventions and ask for sketches and tips.

I think it's the noble way of wanting fame, don't you agree?

So, my mission statement, in a nutshell, is to make my living solely off comics. I don't care where or how, I just want to wake up and feel excited about my job. It's my life, my dream.

That's not asking much, is it?

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17629311/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17629311/ Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:00:50 PDT
]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17572067/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17572067/ Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:14:07 PDT
Generations have come before us, passing us a dual genetic/mimetic legacy that builds upon itself. There's barely a professional artist who hasn't improved upon his predecesors. Just compare Jack Kirby to a, let's say, Jose Luis Madureira.

I'm not bashing Kirby, heavens, no. There is, however, an undeniable abyss between the skill of the two. One always has to be the pioneer, though, and that legacy never dies.

Also, there's barely an artist who has not cultivated a fictional universe with their art and prose. We all have our "babies" we would like to have shine, one day. We all have a chance. Few of us, however do it right. Either because of poor planning, or legal procrastination, people's life's work gets ripped off, or forgotten.

That is NOT going to happen to me.

George Lucas and Star Wars, Stan Lee and the Marvel Universe, J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter... they all did it right, and now look at them. They all took the right steps to insure their babies would thrive in today's cutthroat world.

So I urge all of you, my colleagues, my competitors, fellow artists... don't let your babies die. Do what I did.

Put your shit down on paper, ALL of it. Concept art, prose, scripts, everything. Put it in a binder, grab 50 bucks, and walk your little selves to a copyright office.

Don't think just because you post your crap on Dev your stuff is magically recognized by copyright law. That little 'C' next to your names don't mean shit if it's not on paper. What most dev users don't know is that once your stuff gets more than 500 thousand hits, it enters public domain, and a legal grey area (according to the Clinton legislation).

I could stroll over to a Dev user with 5 million hits and rip his stuff off, if he hasn't paid his legal dues. It's alright if your a comic book artist who draws already-made concepts and characters.

The DevArt ToS isn't that strong a legal precept, people.

Dev is NOT going to stand behind you if you go to litigation. They have neither the cash, nor the time, and certainly not the good intentions, to put their ass on the line for you in court. I'm not bashing Dev, I'm just being realistic. This is good site. It's a nice, caring site.

But they don't have the skin for the shark-tank that is copyright law, in my humble opinion.

So please. Don't post your original characters and stories online, if you haven't copyrighted them. Don't half-ass things. Protect your baby.

Everything on this site pertaining to my baby, Ethereal Devoid, is copyrighted. Every pinup and piece of concept art is on paper, recognized by international copyright law. And it cost me less then the equivalent of 100 US dollars.

So choose. Your future, or Smash Brothers Brawl and a second Wiimote.

Why am I on this rant? Simple. Recently, a few colleagues here in Mexico have had their stuff recently ripped off by a major design studio. Since they never copyrighted, the law was not on their side.

It's sad, I know. You have to empty your pocket in order to have the law stand behind you. But, hey, no one said is was going to be easy. Besides, if that hack Rowling is sitting on half a billion dollars from Harry Potter royalties, I'm going to get my dues.

Fucking Harry Potter. Never thought you could get rich peddling manure.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17413397/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17413397/ Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:08:14 PDT
]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17203441/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17203441/ Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:40:33 PST
Again... "Ain't Life a treat?"

For all of those who enjoy hearing my stupor-enhanced ravings, pull up a chair. For those of you who don't, fuck you! Go get laid or something.

I've just come back from another enriching event; a fucking fashion show. Fucking undernourished pre-pubescent women trying to get back at daddy by wearing clothes a chimpanzee would have the sense not to wear.

I'm having a tiny aneurism as I write this.

I mean... people are starving 'round the world... kids in Africa wake up to enlarged, stented abdomens, provoked by starvation, and we're here spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on clothes worth 4 dollars in raw material?

It makes me weep. Ad I hate myself for barely realizing this just now. I'm part of the whole fucking thing. I feal soooo unclean...

I'm gonna shower after this. I won't sleep if I don't.

The more I attend these events, the more I realize people are morons. We spend years of our lives paying to satisfy our abandonment that we don't realize we're feeding a greedy pig-fucking machine with our lonliness...

Ok, that got heavy, but you get my point...

Ok, headache.

Sleep.

Now.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17145722/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17145722/ Sun, 02 Mar 2008 09:06:58 PST
I'm a born penciller, I'd say, and I'm pretty decent with Photoshop. You'd think that would be enough to put in some killer comps on my dev. The good comps I usually end up doing at work are good stuff, since I work with some pretty talented people. The bad thing the stuff either falls under license, under an NDA, or workman's collab. So I can't put it on my dev.

If I could clear the hurdle on Inks I could color some of my work and produce great quality. Sadly, Inks and I don't get along. I have the hand for it, but neither the eye nor the patience, and least of all the time.

I'm looking for a talented inker with free time on his/her hands looking to expand his/her portfolio. I dropped this guy [link] a line but he hasn't answered. He's done some decent things with old Pro's work.

So... uh...

Look, people, I usually don't act the supplicant but I'd really apppreciate some slack here.

Stop laughing if you value the joke between your legs >

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17018195/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/17018195/ Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:39:51 PST
I just got back from one of those experiences that never fails to irritate me. I can't express how much I hate trying to get into a packed nightclub. I swear I would never submit myself to the ordeal. And tonight, like an Alzheimer's patient, I am before the gaming maw of a pube-packed hellhole.

My prize? I beautiful, sensual, voluptuous woman who may or may not have had too much to drink. Mind you, I had the honest intent of behaving like a true gentleman.

Stop laughing.

Anyway, my drinking is starting to have take it's toll on me, though it has cured me of many of my recent emotional ailments. I'm starting to ween myself into sobriety once again.

I have a couple of things on my sketchbook I'd like to upload soon. A shot of Snake facing Metal Gear Rex that I think I penciled in pretty good comic quality, and a practice shot of some lawyers conquering the world.

I haven't been uploading lately because most of the things I've been doing imply tacit non-disclosure agreements. Among these is concept art for an animation project, and concept art for a comic book character the UN in Mexico commissioned a local writer to do. I was lucky enough to be chosen as the penciler and co-creator.

My first professional gig! I couldn't be more excited. This way I won't show up in San Diego telling the pros to give me work with my dick in my hand. I'll have something under my belt.

Keep in touch people. The year got off to a rough start, I'll admit.

But I'm feeling better already, just writing about it

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/16232305/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/16232305/ Wed, 02 Jan 2008 22:31:49 PST
I am not prone to emo-ness, I can assure you. But sometimes, weakness rears its vulgar head and one need excise the demons lurking in his/her gulliver.

Yes, today's accent is old victorian.

Now that Murphy's laws have taken their oversized dicks out of my mouth, I suppose I can put to rest my grievances against the fairer sex and advance professionally, which is what I should have been doing all along.

On the bright side, I found a place to live.

On the not-so-bright side, I destroyed my inked Punisher piece immediately after scanning it. Because of this, it wasn't a total loss. However, I did want to donate all of my originals to charity auctions once I become the God of comics.

Well then. Time to grab 2008 by the balls.

"And space holds the promise of hope for men and women, spanning the stars between our worlds..."

That's from the script of...



Coming soon... pfft, yeah, right.

PS: If the link didn't work... next time.

]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/16186906/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/16186906/ Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:58:28 PST
Ok, let me, first of all, warn you.

This is going to be a profoundly annoying look into how frustrated and unsatisfied I am with my joke of an emotional life.

You will laugh. You will cry.

You wil want to kill me.

You will want to kill everyone around you, and then, ultimately, yourself.

If you're game, pour yourself a scotch and pull up a chair. If you're feeling a bit more lighthearted, go see [link] dev.

I've been single for nearly 5 years. Yes, five years.

Yes, it's THAT easy.

Don't confuse that with celibacy, people. I'll not have you calling me a eunoch. Honestly though, I think if I were gay, I'd be happy and in a stable relationship. It's THAT much easier to get along with men. In the end, I do give my loins a healthy workout quite often. I'm not saying I'm a Don Juan. I'm just honest, open, aggressive, and more often than not, funny. That and a decent looking mug.

In Mexico City, that's more than enough. If you share my qualities, and are not getting laid, you are either dead, a necrophiliac, or in the qwrong town.

Again, it's THAT easy.

Then, you find someone. Someone that borderline gets you. Someone that cares for you. Someone who holds you in high regard. Someone with an ass and a rack that would make your crotch so hot it could solder chrome ( I think I have that on videotape).

You would think I am lucky. A woman with half a brain, a body and a half, great looks and personality, and you're very close to.

Oh, you would. Pfft.

Oh, I'm sorry, am I leering menacingly at you? My apologies.

Anyway, I am insanely and psychotically in love with this person. I use these words to describe it because I would literally kill myself, travel across the Styx, lay seige to the gates of Hell, overthrow the dark ruler of that place, use the vast reservoir of souls at my disposal to bore a wormhole between the two worlds, and return to end the days of humanity on earth, for her.

Whoo, what a mouthful.

Sadly, it cannot be. This person is not attracted to me "in that way". Yeah, I got the "just friends" speech. How fucking depressing.

It's my fault in the end, I guess. I created an unrealistic expactation and placed it upon her in an unforviging manner.

We had words some time ago. Frankly, I don't know where the hell the relationship stands. I'm still extremely confused. That and the fact I got in a HUGE fight with my brother, who I happen to live with, and now I have to move out, kind of piled up on me. I've been in a bit of a depression these past few weeks.

To my horror, I lost my ability to function professionally. It wasn't until yesterday I picked up a pencil and started cranking it out again. Also, it was my best friend who violently put my out of my depression and sat me down, verbally abused me, and told me draw... ya faggot.

You can tell I'm a nutcase because it's only verbal abuse, negative encouragement and drill sargeant attitudes that make me stop pitying myself.

I'm really scared of heartbreak, man. I mean, thank God this happened during vacation. What happens if it strikes during crunch time? When my whole career is on the line? WHAT THE HELL DO YOU DO THEN?

Christ... it really affects your self image when you can't even get the woman you love to love you back. I've always been proud of myself, of what I do. An IQ of 173 (I'm not joking), I speak 5 languages, I can run a mile in less than 6 minutes... now this.

And people ask my how can someone go through self-mutilation (I was a burn junkie at some point). Well, now you know.

Depressing, huh? I hate to do this, especially on my dev, which is for my professional life. But I just have to vent a little.

People (mostly women) tell me I have to develope the ability to separate my friends and lovers, my emotional and intellectual sides. Y'know what I say to that?

FUCK YOU. I've gotten where I am today because my head, heart and cock are one. Because I always went with my gut no matter the situation. Because my feelings are what make me a good artist. Because it's people who put the whole of their heart into all the aspects of their life who really get far in life. FUCK YOU, I'm not changing.

Quite frankly, I don't know what happens now. Am I over this girl? Or am I just going through the anger phase (which is REALLY fun, in a sick way)? I don't know. I honestly don't know. I still love her. it's the "in love part

If she's reading... yeah, I wrote about it. What, I can't share my nervous breakdown with the world? That's what the internet is for, stupid.

I didn't mean that.

Ok, maybe a littl... ]]> *AenTheArtist http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/15378257/ http://AenTheArtist.deviantart.com/journal/15378257/ Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:42:22 PST
The ANG conference at my college went... better then I could ever imagine.

Here were the comfirmed guests, from both Mexico and the US (Great Britain if you count Paul).

Time Sale (Heroes, Batman: Dark Victory)
Marc Waid (Kingdom Come and Impulse, I think)
Humberto Ramos (Impulse, Spec. Spiderman, Wolverine, X-Men)
Paul Jenkins (Spec. Spider-Man, Wolverinerigins)
Bachan (Vinny, El Bulbo)
Sergio Aragonés (MAD Magazine strips, Groo)
BEF (El Bulbo)
Micro (Micro)
Tony Sandoval (El Cadaver y el Sofa)
Paco Herrera (Venom, Peter Parker: Spiderman)
Leonardo Olea (not too familiar with him yet)

If I forgot anyone, sorry. No disrespect, guys, really.

It was amazing to eat, walk, talk, and learn from the great ones of the comic industry. I now know more then ever... this is what I was born for. Marc, Paul, and Humberto gave me some great advice that I plan on seriously following up on.

They told me basically, I have what it take to go pro. There´s just lots of things I need to work on Marc told me to work on my pencilsm and Paul told me to grab a sketchbook and just sketch stuff I hate drawing. Check and check.

They were very critical and encouraging at the same time. This makes me believe that the comic industry tries to nurture new talent. In the end, they were all great guys with great personalities and very acute intellects (especially Paul).

Humberto gave me some great advice on managing planes and volume. Bitchin'.

Now, I have a proffessional goal. Next year, I'm going to the San Diego ComicCon and seek advice and a job. Lot's of people are telling me it can't be done and that's not the way to break into the industry. I just respond by quoting something Paul said, which struck a cord within me... "Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who're gonna do it."

So basically, until next summer, it's gonna be pencils and inks and comics and graphics and eating and breathing and fucking and maybe some more eating.

I have to prove I can draw anything, anytime, anywhere. I'm not quite there yet. But I'm armed with some great books Paul and Marc recommended, some great advice, good contacts, and enough zeal to short-dick the pope.

Look out, San Diego.

Aen is coming.

And he's pissed.

]]> *AenTheArtist