http://browse.deviantart.com/journals/?order=5&q=by%3ANightblue-art deviantART RSS for in:journals sort:time by:Nightblue-art en-us Copyright 2013, deviantART.com Sat, 18 May 2013 02:19:09 PDT deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://st.deviantart.net/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Two-Years-371732185 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Two-Years-371732185 Tue, 14 May 2013 21:03:02 PDT Two Years? nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2013 ~Nightblue-art
"I told her I don't know if I'd ever actually want children.  She just wouldn't understand.  She wouldn't stop going on about how great it is to be a parent."  I continued typing.

"Well, it shouldn't feel like a burden."  My husband, working awa ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/New-Year-One-Word-Sketch-Fest-345932893 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/New-Year-One-Word-Sketch-Fest-345932893 Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:59:31 PST New Year One-Word Sketch Fest nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art
To help and join the fun, simply reply to this journal with one word of your choice - verb, noun, adjective, whatever.  I will then do a sketch inspired by this word, or a combination of this word and one other word, and reply to your one-word with a link.

Please do not spam with a lot of words.  If you want to post more than one word, please wait till I get to your previous word before posting a new one in a separate reply.  If you submit a bunch of words together, only the first ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Please-Help-If-You-Can-335698699 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Please-Help-If-You-Can-335698699 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:47:07 PDT Please Help If You Can nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art
Here's his health blog from the last trip to Germany: http://cowandcheesehealth.blogspot.com/

And below is his fund raiser.  Please help financially if you can, every dollar count ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Sleep-is-for-the-weak-332823214 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Sleep-is-for-the-weak-332823214 Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:53:37 PDT Sleep is for the weak! nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art
It'll be like the good old days.  It'll be nice. ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Family-vs-Career-332662263 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Family-vs-Career-332662263 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 23:14:24 PDT Family vs. Career nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art
A friend once joked that when women reach a certain age, a trigger in their brains would suddenly flip and they'd suddenly want kids.  My recent doubts, however, were not inspired by such a "flip". & ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/11-Years-329134869 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/11-Years-329134869 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 09:03:26 PDT 11 Years nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art
I had never seen anywhere so flat, coming from the rolling hills of Dalian, China.  The roads were so wide.  There were giant cattails planted in the median.  In strange moments like this, you remember the weirdest things.  The streets were spotlessly clean yet void of people.  Having no concept of "suburb", for many days, we got up groggily from the foam mattress on the floor of our new and empty apartment, looked out to a quiet world with almost no pedestrians, wondering if somehow 911 scared everybody into hiding.

We brought a small pot with us.  A ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Going-to-Gamescom-320631705 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Going-to-Gamescom-320631705 Sat, 11 Aug 2012 22:36:02 PDT Going to Gamescom nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art
So, holy cow... I'm going to Gamescom :)  It's said to be the largest gaming convention in the world, larger and crazier than E3 even.  I'll be doing live demos there as well... a bit nervous about it, and very excited!

I have never been to Germany before, unless Frankfurt airport counts.  I can't wait to see the famous architecture there!  Taking off tomorrow night.  Be back in a week! ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Lots-and-lots-of-good-thoughts-Update-315593561 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Lots-and-lots-of-good-thoughts-Update-315593561 Wed, 18 Jul 2012 20:57:31 PDT Lots, and lots of good thoughts (Update) nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art
He's been very positive on his blog updates, even joking about the tests he's taking and the procedure he's about to go through.  His equally courageous girlfriend of 5 years married him upon learning of the cancer, and knowing the long-term effect it'll likely bring.  I'm n ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Back-from-Seattle-312943471 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Back-from-Seattle-312943471 Fri, 06 Jul 2012 07:38:35 PDT Back from Seattle nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art
The single biggest reason: they have the best market I've seen in any city.  Going in, I pictured nothing but counters above which fish randomly fly around.  Boy, there were so much more.  The most colorful stands are the vegetable and fruit vendors, with all merchandise arranged in a farmers'-market-like ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/A-Fluid-Industry-306455585 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/A-Fluid-Industry-306455585 Mon, 04 Jun 2012 23:24:25 PDT A Fluid Industry nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Big-Books-300781321 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Big-Books-300781321 Tue, 08 May 2012 09:40:03 PDT Big Books nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art
The old man in worn, green army jacket eyed me, waiting.  For some reason, he didn't look very friendly.  I m ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Will-Work-for-Freedom-297078404 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Will-Work-for-Freedom-297078404 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:43:56 PDT Will Work for Freedom nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art
My first reaction is to feel incredulous that in a country of freedom, some people have so little of it.  I knew I would never put up that crap, and ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Two-Eight-Not-Sixteen-289805471 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Two-Eight-Not-Sixteen-289805471 Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:26:55 PDT Two-Eight. Not Sixteen. nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art
Looking at the number 28, which represents my age now, I kind of wish I could somehow cleverly work in some sort of ancient Chinese maths and shave a couple of years off.  Only if real life worked the same way with word games...

Anyhow, I like to use new years and birthdays to reflect upon my progress, so here's ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/GDC-288738174 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/GDC-288738174 Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:05:52 PST GDC nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art
I'm also hoping to reunite with some good friends.  The game industry is very good at scattering people across the country... or even across the globe.

Last but not least, any excuse to go to San Fransisco is awesome.  I love the city because it reminds me a lot of my hometown, with all the street cars, pedestrians, and seafood.  The Chinatown there feels l ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Recent-reflections-286512730 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Recent-reflections-286512730 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:48:47 PST Recent reflections nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art 2. "Why am I still trying so hard now that I've got the financial means to live a normal, happy life?"
3. "I'll never catch up to the artists who just 'get' things, especially the ones who already have a huge head start and/or are so much younger than me."

1. I want my prize and can feel the want burning in my guts.  The irrational magnitude of this want is my greatest strength.
2. Even though I work in the game industry, I am still very much an aspiring artist.  Complacency will have to wait.
3. It doesn't ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Year-of-the-dragon-281066194 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Year-of-the-dragon-281066194 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:33:09 PST Year of the dragon nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art
That said, this is probably the first time I actually spent Chinese New Year completely alone.  Mom is halfway across the US from me, husband is out of town for his job, and roommates have been a thing of the past.  Well, maybe this happened last year too... but for some reason I actually felt a bit lonely this time.  I guess getting older i ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Busy-280093865 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Busy-280093865 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:03:13 PST Busy! nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art
The first time this has happened to me was right after my graduation and first real job.  I was so overjoyed by the sudden freedom that I greedily and ambitiously started taking side projects.  Then I panicked as I got completely overwhelmed. I ended up bowing out of one of the projects, forfeiting any pa ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/New-Year-277091591 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/New-Year-277091591 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:42:20 PST New Year nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2012-2013 ~Nightblue-art
I'm proud to report that although I failed more often than not in my last year's resolution to draw/paint for at least 2 hours for fun every day, the goal stuck in my head throughout the entire year.  As a result, I drew or painted a lot more than I would have otherwise.  So this year I'm keeping the same resolution, and will aim for a higher than 1/3 success rate :P

My 2nd resolution is to fill in my planner every day - not about future plans, because I really suck at planning - simply to record what kind of productive stuff I managed to do that day.  This will help me stay honest with m ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/3-AM-and-high-on-coffee-274188981 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/3-AM-and-high-on-coffee-274188981 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 03:32:34 PST 3 AM and high on coffee nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2011-2013 ~Nightblue-art
I feel like I have just walked out of a 3-year art block.  I have no idea what happened, but about a week ago, I suddenly found myself not afraid of painting (and screwing up) anymore.  Maybe that's why I'm still awake now, playing Pandora on my speakers while noodling away in Photoshop.

I never felt particularly gifted comparing to all the super talented badass artists out there.  I have always believed that my greatest gift is my motivation, and that I will only get to my next goals by wanting to get there more than anybody else possibly could.  I worried ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Premium-Membership-272690251 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Premium-Membership-272690251 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:26:36 PST Premium Membership! nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2011-2013 ~Nightblue-art
Update: Mystery solved!  Thanks :iconmanabreakfast: :) ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/October-Again-263313842 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/October-Again-263313842 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:48:05 PDT October Again nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2011-2013 ~Nightblue-art http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Last-day-as-an-unmarried-woman-255159596 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Last-day-as-an-unmarried-woman-255159596 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:07:44 PDT Last day as an unmarried woman nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2011-2013 ~Nightblue-art http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/The-value-of-freedom-251292343 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/The-value-of-freedom-251292343 Sat, 06 Aug 2011 00:02:59 PDT The value of freedom nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2011-2013 ~Nightblue-art
"If a foreclosure ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Art-theft-220951026 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Art-theft-220951026 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:00:33 PDT Art theft! nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2011-2013 ~Nightblue-art
Their deviation: http://zogater123.deviantart.com/art/The-divine-war-colored-220841780
The thief went through the trouble of r ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Month-of-no-video-games-219166463 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Month-of-no-video-games-219166463 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:31:33 PDT Month of no video games nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2011-2013 ~Nightblue-art
Right now is a particularly stressful time for me - I have crunch at work, freelance project(s), personal projects, getting ready to move, and a wedding to plan.  On top of that I'd like to spend some time getting my other real life stuff together and get some quality time with my soon-to-be husband.  Between games, personal art, and wo ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Three-times-nine-equals-220235784 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Three-times-nine-equals-220235784 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:45:56 PST Three times nine equals... nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2011-2013 ~Nightblue-art
Progress that happened between the last birthday and this one:
1. Got a lot more comfortable with my art.
2. Did my very first professional-ish illustration pieces (WoW trading cards.)
3. Half of my personal life came together - figured out where I'll be in the next few years at least, and finally united with my guy and started to feel like a real family.

Old and new challenges still on my plate:
1. Figure out how I can get my mom to live closer to me.  She brought me up almost single-hand ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Happy-Lunar-New-Year-221131565 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Happy-Lunar-New-Year-221131565 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 09:41:13 PST Happy Lunar New Year! nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2011-2013 ~Nightblue-art http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/R-I-P-Clement-Sauve-221284654 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/R-I-P-Clement-Sauve-221284654 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 11:37:38 PST R.I.P Clement Sauve nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2011-2013 ~Nightblue-art
This talented artist passed away recently all-too-early at age 33.

I have not known him personally, and I have not seen his art until yesterday.  His works are so full of life that I almost feel a disconnection when I realize that the artist is no longer here.

It's a heavy loss and my heart goes out to his family and friends.  I hope, however, that when I look back into my life and work the moment before I die, I can feel a fraction of the fulfillment he must have felt.  This is a man who knew his passion and followed it on a joyful, wild rush through life. ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/2011-New-Year-Journal-221885269 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/2011-New-Year-Journal-221885269 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 17:06:35 PST 2011 New Year Journal nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2011-2013 ~Nightblue-art
What happened in 2010? Let's see...

- Got to see my favorite game studio for the first time.  I was floored by how big it is.  The pristine business buildings took me aback but the people in it seemed crazy enough to be normal game developers rather than corporate big wigs.

- Moved halfway across the country to work for said studio.  I was so wr ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Engaged-224054778 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Engaged-224054778 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:21:10 PDT Engaged! nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2010-2013 ~Nightblue-art
This is much more romantic and surprising than I could have imagined.  I'll have a hard time snapping out of the 7 ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Getting-rid-of-the-paper-in-scanned-images-226177669 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Getting-rid-of-the-paper-in-scanned-images-226177669 Mon, 17 May 2010 22:37:44 PDT Getting rid of the paper in scanned images nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2010-2013 ~Nightblue-art
You can stop reading now if you are going "what the hell are you talking about," or "duh?  Didn't you know???"

But in case you are new to photos ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Twenty-six-years-old-227506022 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Twenty-six-years-old-227506022 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:23:47 PST Twenty-six years old! nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2010-2013 ~Nightblue-art
My last birthday journal is all about art development... I guess that bit hasn't changed.  I've gotten pretty comfortably tunnel-visioned into simplifying my professional goal into "get better at art."  I got better in the past year I suppose.  And most importantly, the ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Amazing-227720787 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Amazing-227720787 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:02:00 PST ... Amazing. nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2010-2013 ~Nightblue-art
Pleasant weather, palm tress, beach, seafood, wide roads, clean neighborhood, views of hills when driving 5 minutes to work.  As if this is not enough, I feel like I've melted right into my new team.  The atmosphere is really warm here, everybody is very friendly and nice... and most importantly, casual.  I experienced none of the awkwardness I was expecting in a new company, especially one so big and seemingly intimidating.  Inside its business-like, pristine ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Up-up-and-away-227879310 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Up-up-and-away-227879310 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:42:35 PST Up, up, and away nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2010-2013 ~Nightblue-art http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Last-late-night-at-Red-Fly-227941265 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Last-late-night-at-Red-Fly-227941265 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:57:35 PST Last late night at Red Fly nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2010-2013 ~Nightblue-art
It's been an amazing journey here.  Every assignment was a learning experience, and I can see progress in each and every single painting.  Is it silly to leave something like this behind?  A little I suppose.  But I guess I didn't join the game industry because I was being logical.

Now to brave the unknown.  Tomorrow will be my last day here, and I will soon be clearing o ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Something-Very-Cool-Just-Happened-FOR-REALZ-228073262 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Something-Very-Cool-Just-Happened-FOR-REALZ-228073262 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:57:10 PST Something Very Cool Just Happened (FOR REALZ) nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2010-2013 ~Nightblue-art
I am moving to south California in a couple of weeks, and will be working for the one company that made me practically foam at my mouth since high school - Blizzard.  I will be an associate environment artist for Diablo 3 starting later this month.  The former 2 similarly titled journals were made when I found out I passed my art test and when I scored an on-site interview, respectively.

Thinking back, September through November last year has melded into a large ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Something-Very-Cool-Just-Happened-continued-228449779 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Something-Very-Cool-Just-Happened-continued-228449779 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:39:55 PST Something Very Cool Just Happened (continued) nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2010-2013 ~Nightblue-art
No, it's still not a baby.  Go back to painting, M0AI. ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Great-blog-228565275 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Great-blog-228565275 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:19:18 PST Great blog nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2010-2013 ~Nightblue-art
http://radhowto.blogspot.com/2009/12/word-of-encouragement-to-bad-artist.html

Here's my beliefs that was echoed in this blog:

There are people with natural talent to draw, and I am not one of them.  However, in the long run, it doesn't matter.  It'll just take me a bit longer to get there, but I'll still get there if I just work ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/You-know-life-is-good-when-228612395 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/You-know-life-is-good-when-228612395 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:37:35 PST You know life is good when... nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2010-2013 ~Nightblue-art
I guess it's time to do a late new-year's journal.  The past year was the first year of my career in the industry that I very much suspect I'd be committed to for life.  I think I've matured a lot during the one short year, and I've become much less worried and fearful about my future.  Here are the highs and lows of the last year:

- Started working as a 3D and UI artist.

- Learned my limitations when I struggled to juggle three freelance projects - a full-time job really does take big blocks of time away with no room for negotiation.

- Moved away from home, and qui ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Something-Very-Cool-Just-Happened-229167228 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Something-Very-Cool-Just-Happened-229167228 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:17:10 PST Something Very Cool Just Happened nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2009-2013 ~Nightblue-art
Sorry if you are reading my journal and scratching your head.  If all goes well I will be talking about it soon... gushing about it, till you get tired of it :)

Unrelated... I'll be flying back to China this weekend and visit my home city for the first time in about 5 years.  I'm looking forward to the trip, other than dreading the plane trip... and worst of all, airline food.  Maybe it'll work out for the better and I'll actually ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Feeling-like-an-actual-professional-229317881 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Feeling-like-an-actual-professional-229317881 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:58:01 PST Feeling like an actual professional nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2009-2013 ~Nightblue-art
Then today, a very weird thing happened.

I FELT LIKE I KNEW WHAT I WAS DOING.  Not just trying to do my best.  No panicing.  No looking at the work in progress and getting frustrated.  It was completely weird.  I felt completely free and in control.  I knew it wasn't going to be a butt-kicking, ground-breaking piece, but I also someh ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/OMG-Tablet-PC-230773590 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/OMG-Tablet-PC-230773590 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:31:51 PDT OMG Tablet PC nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2009-2013 ~Nightblue-art
So Last week I drove down to Fry's and gazed at the cheapest HP tablet PC they had, which was roughly $1k with tax.  Then I remembered a website I used to go to but haven't for a long time - e-bay.

Anyways, $800 and a week later, I got the much-anticipated FedEx package with my new (refurb) Fujitsu life book tonight :)  No more excuses for not doing digital paintings from life... Spent most of tonigh ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Leveling-Up-231065060 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Leveling-Up-231065060 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:39:21 PDT Leveling Up? nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2009-2013 ~Nightblue-art
I have no idea what exactly compelled me to sit down for 12-15 hours per week for 3 week straight and keep my focus on one single painting.  Maybe it was the economy and the recent layoffs, I really don't know.  Regardless, somehow I was ab ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/The-last-winter-231294459 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/The-last-winter-231294459 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:37:55 PDT The last winter nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2009-2013 ~Nightblue-art
Our planned Friday dinner carried on because the reservations were already made, but one of us was missing.  We talked, ranted, joked and laughed... and wished somehow today could be undone.  Today seemed so long ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Reflections-of-a-Newbie-231362588 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Reflections-of-a-Newbie-231362588 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:51:48 PDT Reflections of a Newbie nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2009-2013 ~Nightblue-art
I go to a local life drawing group every Monday, and started getting to know an industry veteran who is not a whole lot older than me, but has been working as a concept artist for over ten years.  He liked to talk sometimes - about art, about his job, sometimes content, but often, he expressed a sense of disillusionment.  From my perspective, he has a lot of things I aim to have: a full resume, good artistic skills, and a steady posi ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/A-Weird-Day-232091633 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/A-Weird-Day-232091633 Tue, 26 May 2009 22:51:38 PDT A Weird Day nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2009-2013 ~Nightblue-art
Coming back from the memorial day long weekend to work, I was shocked by a very disappointing piece of news.  Can't talk about it... but since this has become the only place I keep journals nowadays, I figure I'd take a note of it for future reference.

The day picked up a bit as I became busy - I think I actually like to be in a little over my head, this way I feel extra productive and don't have time to second-guess what I do.  By tonight, I was sitting at home, happily working on stuff for work, having a really good time.

Then... after getting stuff done and some internet chatting, I guess the adre ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/My-first-professional-game-project-now-announced-232442036 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/My-first-professional-game-project-now-announced-232442036 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:40:26 PDT My first professional game project, now announced! nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2009-2013 ~Nightblue-art
The game is titled: Food Network: Cook or be Cooked.  It's a wii game that aims to teach people to cook, rather than focusing on strings of cooking minigames.  Here's an article on IGN about it: http://wii.ign.com/articles/977/977517p1.html .  The screen shots are from an earlier build of our game, and the art for the UI (user interface)is created by me.

While I'm a huge fan of fantasy and sci-fi and anythin ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Art-notes-from-conceptart-org-workshop-232807879 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Art-notes-from-conceptart-org-workshop-232807879 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:32:09 PDT Art notes from conceptart.org workshop nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2009-2013 ~Nightblue-art
Click above for the notes I took from the Massive Black/ Conceptart.org workshop (top of page 2 ).  I got very tired and my wallet was hurting a lot.  I normally hate making big purchases, so I didn't think I'd be saying this... but it was actually worth it.

I don't know which was more important - listening to awesome people talk, seeing badass people work, befriending other artists, meeting my online mentors and friends, or throwing my crap out there for all to see and critique again - I came back with a lot of things to digest, a ton of motivation, and some renewed confidence in my work ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/More-6-year-olds-in-Miniskirts-Please-232966327 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/More-6-year-olds-in-Miniskirts-Please-232966327 Sat, 21 Mar 2009 08:31:12 PDT More 6-year-olds in Miniskirts Please? nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2009-2013 ~Nightblue-art
If you clicked the picture above, you probbaly know what I'm talking about.  Mattel is making the Spanish-speaking, animal-rescuing girl ranger into... Dora the Socialite, who wears miniskirts and lipgloss.

What's next?  Diego the workout maniac?  Diego the playboy?  Dora the child peagent?  I assume that she would also lose her trusty, unfeminine backpack and gain a purse or two, 100% customizable.

I'm not a fan of Dora by any means, but I've always appreciated cartoons that don't stick to the lazy stereotypes.  I guess this is one more that bit the bullet.  Who needs to rescue ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Two-and-half-decades-old-233110041 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Two-and-half-decades-old-233110041 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:33:40 PDT Two and half decades old nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2009-2013 ~Nightblue-art
I guess half of the goals were complete.  I'm settling down into my spot at the beginning of a career ladder that I'm eager to climb, filling my days with things I want to do or things that will take me closer to my goals.  I learned how to make my art somewhat presentable.  I still don't like my art, but I don't hate it either, which is a big improvement.  Overall, I'm pretty happy with where I ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/So-Vegas-233405357 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/So-Vegas-233405357 Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:50:12 PST So... Vegas! nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2009-2013 ~Nightblue-art
It was pretty nice getting out of my daily routines for a change, and being able to spend almost two days with my boyfriend was awesome.  The hotel we stayed at was very comfortable and had a great view of the strip, and we had a lot of good buffet.  We watched an incredible show involving water, fire, smoke, and all kinds of great lighting and dancing.  At long last, I've laid my eyes on the small patch of the world that seems to solely exist for people to have fun.

While I had a great mini-vacation, though, I couldn't make myself like Vegas.  I t ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Finally-finished-reading-Harry-Potter-233676761 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Finally-finished-reading-Harry-Potter-233676761 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:53:39 PST Finally finished reading Harry Potter nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2009-2013 ~Nightblue-art http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Chinese-New-Year-233706272 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Chinese-New-Year-233706272 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:54:47 PST Chinese New Year nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2009-2013 ~Nightblue-art http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Moving-to-Austin-233924644 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Moving-to-Austin-233924644 Sun, 11 Jan 2009 08:34:03 PST Moving to Austin nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2009-2013 ~Nightblue-art
I'm looking forward to my first real job... on the 15th.  I guess I'm a bit nervous about it but mostly I feel too happy for this to be real.  In a week or so I'll probably be sad because I miss family and boyfriend... but ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/I-ve-done-it-234302644 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/I-ve-done-it-234302644 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:04:16 PST I've done it! nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2008-2013 ~Nightblue-art
The ceremony was the day before yesterday.  My relatives and several industry friends attended, and we went out to dinner afterward.  I only attended the first ceremony that contained only the Guildhall people.  It turned out to be the most enjoyable official gathering I've ever been at.  We had fun listening to two very well-done speeches (kudos to my art lead and his fuzzy hat), and watched the video that showcased our crazy, musical, Nerf-gun-wielding cohort for all to see.  It was a very good moment, and the best way I could wish t ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/11-days-till-graduation-234455868 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/11-days-till-graduation-234455868 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:39:36 PST 11 days till graduation nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2008-2013 ~Nightblue-art
This feels strange.  In the short year and half I have gotten used to the school and feel at home with its crazy schedules and cozy workrooms we call "pits".  I have gotten used to seeing the same people everyday, work with them, play games with them, and go get food with them.  We are a weird adopted family that commiserates and celebrates everything together under the same roof.  It i ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/The-surprisingly-sad-ending-of-the-job-fair-234734321 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/The-surprisingly-sad-ending-of-the-job-fair-234734321 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:34:53 PST The surprisingly sad ending of the job fair nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2008-2013 ~Nightblue-art
I was in a really good mood last night, after returning from the party.  It was then where my mom told me that Roxie, a dwarf rabbit I've kept in the backyard and the sweetest, gentlest creature I've known, was not doing well.  In fact, when mom saw her behind the bushes in the morning, she was not moving at all, just k ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Tomorrow-Job-Fair-234757800 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Tomorrow-Job-Fair-234757800 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:12:23 PST Tomorrow... Job Fair! nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2008-2013 ~Nightblue-art
Feels like the night before the lottery :)  Keeping the ticket in my hand, wondering if I'll be disappointed in the blink of an eye, at the same time hoping good things would happen.  Well, I guess I'll know tomorrow. ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Job-hunting-starts-235034384 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/Job-hunting-starts-235034384 Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:01:43 PDT Job hunting starts. nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2008-2013 ~Nightblue-art
I have been gone from dA for some time, and will likely disappear again.  If you have questions, comments, or even job leads :P  here's where you can reliably find me and my stuff.

My portfolio: www.grace-liu.com
My conceptart.org sketch book: Click here.

Here's good luck to ]]> http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/End-of-A-kon-and-artist-block-236605839 http://nightblue-art.deviantart.com/journal/End-of-A-kon-and-artist-block-236605839 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:36:51 PDT End of A-kon and artist block nonadult journals/personal Nightblue-art http://a.deviantart.net/avatars/n/i/nightblue-art.jpg?1 Copyright 2008-2013 ~Nightblue-art
However, during the slow hours in between, I found out that I felt like drawing again!  For the three weeks or so before A-kon I could not concentrate on making things happen.  I felt tired of my drawings and paintings, disappointed at my distance from people at conceptart.org, and all that good old artist low stuff.  (Anybody else ever get these?)  But as I sat at A-kon doodling to pass time, fully expecting myself ]]>