http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:dragonsong12&section=today deviantART RSS for by:dragonsong12 en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:08:56 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/28939406/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/28939406/ Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:43:38 PST

You may have noticed that neither comic has updated on Drunkduck today. This isn't on my end, however. Drunkduck is moving it's servers and all editing on the site has been disabled. Unfortunately that means that not only can't I update, but i can't post about it either.

So, anyone who's looking for today's updates, they're up on the PAT Firefly Cross site: [link] (Twisted Mirrors is linked in the blog post.)

Sorry for the delay!

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/28174607/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/28174607/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:57:58 PST Well, don’t worry, I haven’t suddenly become a Halo fan, in fact, I don’t really know anything about the games (not that there’s anything wrong with them, I just a-don’t own an Xbox and b-suck at FPS’s so I’d never buy it). These fanarts are from the webseries Red Vs. Blue, a machinema series based on Halo.
I’m starting to realize that half the reason I do fanart is to give me an excuse to babble about the things I love, what a nerd.
Anyway, the series is pretty random, and crass, but you can’t help but love the characters, even though they’re all horrible jerks. It’s pretty long at this point, but I still recommend. Especially when you start to get to the later stuff, there’s a shift to a more serious tone and that’s when I really started to love it!

Anyway, it’s machinema, which means the animation is limited to what the game engine can do, so you never see the characters without their helmets and you identify them by color. A guy named Luke McKay went through and designed his interpretations of what they looked like without their helmets.
I loved his designs, and wanted to try them, and I also wanted to give drawing the armor a try. So I did it and it was fun, but don’t worry, my gallery’s probably not going to be flooded with this stuff. Now that I got it out of my system, you probably won’t see it pop up again. But it was fun, and that’s what matters.

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/28106580/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/28106580/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:23:10 PST
So I actually don't mind much when people post my AMV's on youtube, being that they are just a fun fan thing and I don't have a youtube account anyway. These, for example, [link] [link] (sound's been removed on the second one). This doesn't bother me at all, because one credits me directly, and another at least admits that they did not create it themselves. That's good enough.

But THIS one posted my video, and I take issue with it: [link]
You might remember it from here: [link]
At first you could look at it as if they just haven't credited anyone, not that they're taking credit for it. Though it seems odd that they feel the need for a "fan-made" disclaimer, when it isn't even their work. But a friend of mine took it upon himself to comment, asking that proper credit be given, s/he deleted his comment. Which makes me kind of angry.
How hard is it to add a note saying "this isn't mine"? Granted, it's just an AMV, but I sank a LOT of hours into editing that thing. It took weeks! They aren't easy! I'd like people to at least acknowledge it!

My friend also did a little sleuthing and discovered that the other AMV they have posted is ALSO not theirs, despite the fact that they complain about the trouble they had editing it in the description. Yeah, I really feel for all the hardships you went through...jackass.

Now I'm trying to decide if I want to post this to art_theft on lj, or actually get a youtube account to post my videos (I really don't want too, it seems like more trouble than it's worth...).
Meh...I can't fathom why people do this, though. How can it feel good to get compliments for something that's not yours? My art may not be the best, but at least it's mine!

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/27337071/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/27337071/ Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:42:37 PDT
But I did go to the local Rennaissance Festival this year, and that was pretty fun. We watched the jousts and saw a 20 minute Shakespeare play. We saw a humorous weapon's display and browsed the shops.
There was one funny thing I wanted to talk about though. We went into an artist's gallery and while looking over his paintings and drawings, one picture struck me. I pointed to it and asked my sister, "does that look familiar to you?"
She looked and said "Yes, but I like yours better."
What it essentaily was, was this: [link]
Now, I don't in any way think the guy plagiariazed me (Despite what I may have inadvertently said out loud at the time ) because in the first place, why? In the second place, how would he have found it? And in the third place, it's really not that unique a concept. But it was still striking, take my image, make it in a sepia-toned rennaissance-style pencil, and turn it to a 3/4 view instead of head on and there you have it! (I wish I could show you guys, I found his gallery online, but he only posts his paintings, not his pencil work -_-)

...but even though his was technically a better piece by a long shot, I do think mine is more successful at the end of the day. Why? Because his is titled "defeated" which seems pretty cut-and-dry. In mine, the idea behind it is that he's at his lowest point, but has everything he needs to rise out of it. His wings are ragged, but still whole. That's the whole point. It's about hope, not despair. If I were going to do a picture like that titled "defeated", his wings would be shredded. Do you see what I mean? Now of course you can make up a whole scenario surrounding "defeated" but when you look at it with that title, you see only defeat. Mine invites you to think further, and so I am pleased with myself.

---

Unrelated, I went through my watch list today and removed a bunch of people, mostly artists whose work is really beautiful, but I have no real connection to, and so it felt kinda shallow. (To me, because I knew neither the person nor their subject, that's not to say they were shallow pieces because they defenitely were not!) But it was triggered by one in particular who has AMAZING art! ...but keeps posting these really ranty, paranoid, conspiracy-theory laced journals. Stuff like how the government is tracking us through the fluoride in your water...seriously? You think the government has nothing better to do than see what you're up to at 2 a.m.? I hate to break it to you, but your life is not that interesting.
Sorry, but good art or no, you're creepy, dude.
I also culled out old school friends who never post, and old webcomic buddies I haven't talked to in years.

It's nice, though, so I can slim down my watch list to things I actually want to see.

AND SPEAKING OF THAT!
I'm behind on checking deviations again. It seems like I have less and less available time as time goes on, but I'll go through and catch up on all of them again sometime this week.

Thanks for bearing with me, those of you that have! You shall hear from me again soon!

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/26205280/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/26205280/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:21:40 PDT

I took three costumes this year, you can see them at my livejournal: [link]

I don't have too much to say about it beyond that, but I do want to share one fun thing with you guys. Remember that picture of Chopper I did? [link]
Well, I printed it out in full poster size, but it didn't come out so well. The lines and the coloring looked great, but the colors were just plain bad. If you look at the original picture on here, it has an orange/brown feel to it. What I got from the printer was yellow. Like, if you took my picture, greyed it out, then put a yellow tint overtop. I was VERY disappointed with it.

To be fair, I don't blame the printers. I've worked with printers long enough to know that printers and monitors handle color very differently, and what you see isn't always what you get. I should have done a smaller test-print beforehand. It's really not their fault, but knowing that didn't make the picture look any better.

But I decided to put it into the art show anyway, since I had paid all the money to have it printed. I put it's starting bid at about a third of the cost of printing it, just hoping to get it sold.

The first time I checked on it, someone had bid on it at the starting price, which I was thrilled by, because that meant that it at least sold.
When I went back after the auction ended to check on how much it ended up going for, the price had tripled. This made my day, because not only did it actually sell, but more than one person had bid on it! And it payed for the cost of printing it! Imagine if it had actually been a good print!

So, it's a kind of lame story, but I had to share, because I went into it with no expectations. Pretty good result for how disappointed I was beforehand!

Also, I'm selling printed copies of the first six chapters of Twisted Mirrors. I only have ten copies total, but if you'd like one, check out this post: [link]
Anonymous commenting is ON, so you don't need an lj to ask for one. I just wanted to keep all the requests in one place and that seemed easiest.

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/25013226/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/25013226/ Fri, 29 May 2009 10:54:27 PDT
Sorry I'm so slow everyone. I will catch up, I promise, but what's really got me bummed is my own lack of creating stuff. I love doing the comics and I work on them diligently every week, but I wish I had the free time to just relax and kick back and get some original art (or hell, even fan art, I'm not picky!) done.

The secret project took up a lot of time, which some of you know about and some don't (since I only revealed it to friends on lj), I'm still not sure how I want to handle that from here, but this isn't intended to be a "pique you interest" type line, it's more to say, "I've been working! Just on nothing visible to youse guys."

With Otakon coming up in a few weeks, though, I'll probably continue to be fairly busy. There may be a few fanart posts, but until I get through that, I doubt there will be much else.

Anyway, I'm still here, still doing stuff, and I WILL get to check all my messages and catch up on all your awesome stuff! Just. You. Wait!

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/24461435/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/24461435/ Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:33:43 PDT [link]

Chapter list for those who missed earlier chapters:
[link]

There isn't a LOT that happens in it, it's Raum getting to know the ship and crew a bit more, as well as what he has to do. I tried to keep from throwing too many terms around in this chapter, but there are a few. I was eager to show off some of what I'd learned, but didn't want to make it too boring/unrealistic (He'd never remember all those words on the first day.)

I haven't gone back yet to clean up the first two chapters per everyone's advice. I still intend to, but the lure of writing new stuff was too sweet So since I haven't put that advice into practice, this chapter will very likely be repeating many of the same mistakes. Feel free to point them out to me again, because it'll make it easier for me when reviewing THIS chapter later, but if you don't, that's cool too! I need to learn from the advice given me.

This has been done for a little while, but I hesitated to post it because I wanted it to go up with 4...but 4 took to long so I posted it anyway. There was quite a bit of stuff, actually, that was to go into this chapter that got bumped into 4, partially because this chapter was running long anyway, and partially because I wanted 4 to move a bit mroe quickly, and having more things to get through in a rapid-fire manner would move it along quick!

There is something I'm concerned about, please let me know if I'm going a bit too far with Raum. I want to drive the point home that he's a small-minded and irritable little bugger, but I worry he'll go too far into unlikable territory. It's probably painfully obvious that he's going to be a (somewhat) dynamic character, but I still want the audience on his side, even if they disagree. So let me know if I push it too far.

Thanks for all the advice so far! You guys are awesome!

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/24255942/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/24255942/ Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:19:36 PDT

In the meantime, enjoy this commission I got of Sadryn! If you don't know him, he's the angry gray/blue bobcat dragoncat from my comic: [link]

The commission is here: [link]
Isn't he the cutest thing ever?

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/24039581/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/24039581/ Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:04:21 PDT Depending on the backlog, I'll reply when I get back. (I'll defenitely read all the entries, but replying might not happen ^_^; Sorry!)

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/23849539/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/23849539/ Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:49:35 PDT

It sometimes makes me kinda sad that I don't post stuff more often. Almost all my free time is taken up with working on my comics. I hate to admit it, but sometimes I really hate the comics.
Now don't start telling me to take a break or quit *waves finger* this isn't about that. I'm proud of my consistent update schedule, I'm proud that I've never missed a page, and I'm detirmined to see these projects through to the end. I've started so many things I've never finished, and these stories won't go on that list if I have anything to say about it! The work has ALWAYS been worth it!
But it doesn't leave me much time for other projects, or even just free time to goof off, and that wears you down after a while. I'm just venting a little bit to relieve some of that frustration and keep myself from doing something I'll regret...like quit

I've got one other big project I'm working on, as well as a series of pieces for Light-Tracer (I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN YOU!) and I still really wanna do a group picture of my pirate crew, (Chapter three is almost done! ) but it's all slow going. And that doesn't even touch on all the times I get the urge to just draw randomly and see what comes of it.
It's funny, when I started TM it was because I felt I was drawing FFC too much and needed something else to focus on, but now that's part of the problem!
It doesn't make me sad because I actually hate the comics, far from it, I love working on them. I just wish I had the time to work on some other things too, because variety is awesome, and I feel absent from DA a lot because of it, even though I'm here pretty much every day. Oh Well.

In other news, however, I spent a lot of money this weekend! How is that good? Well, I was having this problem: [link]
And I solved it by buying one of these: [link]
This makes me very excited indeed! inking will go a bit smoother now, methinks!

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/23489111/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/23489111/ Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:46:41 PST That's awesome, but I'm not going to be able to get to them all today! (especially since I imagine they're mostly journals which will require some attention.)

Anyway, I decided to go ahead and post the first couple chapters of the pirate story. I didn't edit them thouroughly, so feel free to point out errors you find, or if things don't precisely make sense. (In a kind way if possible, since I don't want to get all butthurt, and I know I'm inclined to do so with criticism, but I want the feedback)

There is one specific thing that I want some opinions on, however. As I was writing it, I felt the need to not refer to the main character by his name in the first part. I'm not sure why, it just seemed proper (even though I had him think his name, so it's known). But in the part immediately following it, I start calling him by his name. Obviously, this won't fly. But what I'm not sure about is, should I leave it ambiguous until he signs the articles and his name is revealed? Or should I just say "the heck with it!" and call him by his name throughout? I'm more inclined to the former, but he doesn't sign until near the end of the second chapter, and that's a long time to have to come up with other things to call him...but still, his name is a bit of a reveal, if you know what you're looking at...
As it's posted, it's the same as I first wrote it, because I wasn't sure which way to go. It WILL be changed. What are your opinions, would leaving him unnamed through the first two chapters be annoying? let me know!

Chapter One: In which there are very few pirates...(and is kinda dull - sorry!)
[link]

Chapter Two: In which there are many pirates, but few of them named.
[link]

Let me know what you think!

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/23248604/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/23248604/ Tue, 17 Feb 2009 06:57:01 PST I know I said ina previous entry that I'd start posting the pirate story - last week actually - and obviously I haven't yet.
The first two chapters are done, completely finished, but I want to read through them before posting them (Even though there's still a lot of stuff I'm not sure on and I'd like feedback from readers so that I can alter it, there's no excuse for grammatical errors! ) and I can't bring myself to do it.

I was feeling kinda...down...last week. Don't know why, life is good! Honestly! I blame the changing seasons, I think it's chemical. It's the only thing that makes sense...that or I've been happy too much and now my brain is compensating. (You never know!) Anyway, I've been worrying a lot about my stories - that maybe they're all just re-hashing of the same things - so I couldn't bring myself to read through it until I'd sorted things out in my head.

On the down side, it means a longer wait, on the up side, hey, I might have more than just two chapters done by the time I get this figured out.

(I should really probably change the story if I'm THAT worried about it, but I'd already set the entire thing out and got used to it that way...bleh)

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/23133865/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/23133865/ Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:15:21 PST
It's sort of a peer-interview project among the DD members. But it was kinda fun to just get to ramble on about my art and stuff!

If you're interested in reading my interview, you can see it here: [link]

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/22979694/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/22979694/ Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:45:39 PST
I'm drawing my inspiration for this from the adventurousness of Ducktales and Indiana Jones and the light-hearted piracy of the Monkey Island games. (What? No One Piece? As much as I love OP, it doesn't have the feel I'm going for, so no, I'm not looking to that for inspiration.) As you may be able to tell from these inspirations, this isn't going to be a grim and gritty, real life, hardcore sort of story. I'd probably classify it as "young adult" meaning it'll have violence, but won't be gratuitous, and that's about the limit. So if you're looking for something with that sort of thing, look elsewhere, I've always felt that it just gets in the way of a good story and bogs it down. I don't pretend this will be anywhere near as good as those things, they're just the inspiration.

Also, this isn't historical fiction by any stretch. I did a lot of reseach into 18th century piracy, but I did that to make the world seem whole, I'm not really striving for accuracy, the world they're in isn't ours and doesn't have the same land masses. You know how in Indiana Jones, the movies start off with things which may be improbable, but aren't impossible (like the boulder and other traps) and then by the end there's a magic box melting the faces off nazis? That's how this will likely progress too, it'll start off pretty straightforward and reasonable, but by the end it'll be full-blown fantasy, so again, if that's not your thing, you may not be interested.

Well, now that you know the basic set-up, let's get into some specifics, shall we? Let's look at our cast of characters:

Astor: [link] The Captain
Lamont, Kemp and Maris: [link] The Quartermaster, Second Mate, and Helmsman
Wyatt, Brand and Lyall: [link] The Master Gunner and Riggers
Seward, Maynard and Drystan: [link] The Cook, Boatswain and Boatswain's Mate
Garth, Digby and Gerwulf: [link] The Gunners and the Cooper
Hoyt, Balrdic and Kyler: [link] The Cabin Boy and the Musicians
Rayner, Haytham and Chance: [link] The Doctor, the Striker and the Ship's Cat
Raum: [link] The Main Character (but not the hero)
Eternity: [link] The Ship

Updates with links to the chapters will be posted in my Deviantart Journal, or you can go directly to the source at my Journal Fen Journal([link]) where all the chapters will be posted. (I'm leaving the anonymous commenting on, so you won't need an account.) And in specific, Here's where the chapter list will live: [link] .

I currently have the first two chapters written, but I don't want to post them yet, as I'm still have a couple of things I want to look over on chapter 2 (and chapter 1 has no pirates, so what's the point?). There's certain points I'm not sure I like, and I'm still trying to decide if it should end where I have it ending. It's not where my outline has it ending, but it was starting to run a bit long, so I cut it short. I'll probably post them sometime next week.

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/22881184/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/22881184/ Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:17:11 PST )

[link]

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/22690029/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/22690029/ Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:33:55 PST [link]

(Nothing else because this is an art site for Pete's sake! I'll not clutter it up with politics! )

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/22449595/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/22449595/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:16:28 PST
It's here: [link]
Nothing major, just like coloring in a coloring book. Fill in the lines. I added some simple shading, but that was it. Pretty easy to do, only took about 20 minutes.

...but everyone is gushing over it!
I keep getting calls from the other office, smiles and thanks from the higher-ups, excitement from the editors, even the cartoonist is happy! I love that people are so excited, but I feel like I'm cheating them. Anyone could do this with just a couple of minutes of instructions.
...not that I'm going to tell anyone that. Getting to color in Photoshop at work is freaking awesome! Plus it makes me a more valuable employee. *clings to her desk*

...oh...if anyone saw those reports about the water main break that stranded people on the road over Christmas...that was in our area, that's why the cartoon's about that. (You know CNN is having a slow newsday when...)

Hey look, they just sent another cartoon to color! Sweet! *runs off*

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/22067141/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/22067141/ Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:04:51 PST
SO! Here's a little post now to let you all know why I won't be commenting on things all week and to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thanks, you guys, for being there to help me out and discuss my crazy ideas with. You all are the best Christmas present EVER and I get it year round! So, regardless of you faith or beliefs, I hope that on Christmas (which I think we can all agree is December the 25th ) you're Merry. Kick back and enjoy all! Rena out!

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/21895975/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/21895975/ Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:12:57 PST So you can see it here: [link]
Along with the pictures that I got in return!

Other projects are coming along, though not as quickly as I'd like. 13 pirates are now designed and posted. Of the ones that are left, only one of them hasn't been drawn yet.
As for the story itself, I have entire outline done! It came out to 20 chapters, which for some reason, I'm uncomfortable with it being a round number, but I'm not going to add or remove anything to change it, so it is what it is.
I could start writing it now, but I'd like to get all the character images done first.

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/21812251/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/21812251/ Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:28:04 PST
Sweet!

That's it.

Enough's enough.

I'm done. No more attempts at con tables for me. This is ridiculous. This is the third time I've tried, and it's just not worth it. What's the point? I just can't figure out how people get into con after con when it's this hard to do so. They must know somebody.

Well, now I can save the money on the table and my ticket (I had no other interest in Katsucon, I don't want to go to that horrible hotel again) and on printing all that stuff. The whole thing was going to go into the negative, there was no way I'd even break even, it was just sort of to try it, so this'll save me quite a bunch.

All the projects mentioned in the previous (now incurably stupid) post will still be completed, but now I don't have to worry about a time frame, which is kind of nice. The mystery project will still get done.

It's just as well, really. I sorta have this view that when I get overly hopeful and look forward to stuff too much, I kinda deserve to get smacked back down into place, so I had this coming. XD

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/21693381/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/21693381/ Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:54:08 PST
A whole day to just relax, eat food, spend time with friends, and think about the things you're happy and grateful for!

I'm thankful for a lot of things this year, for my friends, my job, and for being the happiest I've been in a very long time despite the worries of the economy. Thank you, everyone! You guys all make life fun!

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/21577933/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/21577933/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:51:11 PST
For $40, I get a small table and one chair for the weekend, which is all I'll really need. The rules on the alley this year are really strict, crackdown on the buttons and absolutely no stickers allowed. I'm sure people will still have them (whoever heard of an Artist's Alley with no buttons or stickers for sale?!) but since it's my first one, I think I'll stay away from it. Mostly, I'm just going to have prints and do commissions (and one other project, but I don't want to talk about that until it gets just a bit closer to being done).

Things I'm pretty sure I'll bring:
FANART
Hitsuzen (Tsubasa) [link]
Uh...it's THIS way... (One Piece) [link]
Priorities (One Piece) [link]
Sharpshooter (One Piece) [link]
My Hero (Naruto and One Piece) [link]
Pirates Vs Ninjas: Fishing! (Naruto and One Piece) [link]
A Warrior and His Mighty Steed (Gintama) [link]

ORIGINAL ART - OTHER
Seeking Fate (FFC) [link]
Loyalty (TM) [link]
Harvest (TM) [link]
Intruders Sighted (TM) [link]
For Some Reason I Think of Home (none) [link]

THINGS I'M ON THE FENCE ABOUT
Yearning for Grace (none)[link] and Final Moments (is actually from a story, but one I've never posted) [link] both have the problem of being traditional art rather than digital. I still have the originals of both, so I could get really good quality scans, but it's still be a print of a scan (possibly of a picture) of a piece, and I'm not sure that'd be worth it.
Fall Reflections (none) [link] is a picture I still really like, but it's old, and it shows, and who'd really buy a fall picture in February anyway?
Dark Side (FFC) [link] and Storm Breaks (FFC) [link] are both a little too rough, I think...
And with Light and Dark (FFC) [link] the rough edges from accidentally using the pencil tool to color it makes me kinda wanna shy away from printing it.
I really REALLY wanna print Rule the World With Love (none) [link] but I'm not sure how that would go with copyright since I'm using BNL's lyrics...I'd credit them, of course, and they have been changed, so it MIGHT be covered under Fair Use, but I love BNL, and the last thing I wanna do is become an entitled fan brat who acts as if every work they enjoy belongs to them.

THINGS I STILL NEED TO FINISH
The One Piece Bookmarks [link] I'd like to laminate them too, I got some really adorably awesome bookmarks from Luco at Otakon this year, but I'm afraid of using them because I don't want to damage them. I'd like my bookmarks to get some use.
D. Gray Man fanart [link] enough people have asked me to finish it that I think I'd like to do so. Also, too much One Piece in the fanart section - I gotta mix it up! http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/21548488/ Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:23:40 PST
If this keeps up, my job will be infinitely more awesome.

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/21337919/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/21337919/ Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:44:15 PST Feel free to skip, I will NOT feel bad.

I love my country. I always have. I'm the sort of person who turns the station to all-patriotic music on the Fourth of July and who cries every time the National Anthem is sung (I totally do, it's so sad ) I don't talk about it much because being patriotic isn't much approved by most people, and I didn't want my friends in other countries to feel like I was trying to say America's the best. It's not. This country is full of flaws. But I love it, even with all its dents and dings, ugly stains and rusty spots, I love it here, because all those flaws helped shape it.
But today, after yesterday's events, I feel no shame and no hesitation in standing up and proclaiming "I AM SO PROUD OF MY COUNTRY! I AM SO DAMNED PROUD OF YOU, AMERICA!"

And it's NOT even the results that brought this on. I felt the pride growing LONG before that with all the reports of people standing in line for 3-4 hours in the rain just to have the chance to vote in this election. No complaints, no drama, complete patience and happiness that they had the chance to make their voice heard. In a time where it seems that cynicism and apathy are the norm, where no one cares anymore, and those who DO care only like to stir trouble, I have never felt more uplifted.
To every single person in this country who went out yesterday and voted - regardless of WHO you voted for - I love you! I love you all and I am so happy and proud and grateful to share this country with you! History was made yesterday, and every single person who voted, no matter what name they put, is part of that history!

On the results, I'm so impressed with everyone. We didn't merely elect a black president, we elected a president, who happens to be black, and THAT says more about the race relationships in the country than anything. The color of his skin didn't even factor in on my decision, and I believe the same was true of most of his supporters - the crowd was representative of ALL people! It's amazing!

To those who were dissapointed in the results - don't despair! You fought well and just as passionately as anyone. It was truly amazing! McCain's speech last night was beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes. I was reminded why I rallied behind him in 2004. Welcome back, senator, you were missed!

To those in other countries - thanks so much for the support! We hear so much anti-American sentiment, it gets so hard to even admit where we're from sometimes. But to get all the support and good wishes from people all around the world was truly moving. Thank you so much! [link]

Lastly, some great links:
[link]'s "Yes We Can" over the Obama speech
[link]
McCain's speech (The boo's take away from an otherwise brilliant and classy speech)
[link]
Obama's speech (The "yes we can's" started to sound like "Amens" )
[link]

We've got a long way to go, he's taking command of a sinking ship, but it CAN be saved, and the overwhelming support I've seen these two days really leads me to believe that anything IS possible. To quote the man himself "We are not merely a collection of red states and blue states. We are the UNITED States of America!" I love you all - both camps! This was truly amazing!

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/21238911/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/21238911/ Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:07:08 PDT
Posted some Halloween pics!
A pumpkin I carved in my scraps: [link]
Halloween EB costumes from the cast of FFC: [link]
And just for fun, here's an old halloween pic I did a couple of years ago, despite the bad drawing, it still makes me giggle:
[link]

Enjoy it! I'll be getting home from work late to settle in with dinner and Nightmare Before Christmas. Mmmmmm

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/21012527/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/21012527/ Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:44:42 PDT
[link]

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/20937082/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/20937082/ Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:43:06 PDT I was going through my portfolio and saw an old rendering in there and just started thinking...I haven't done one in ages? Why not? They're a lot easier than coloring everything. Maybe I should do one again...

...plus it'd be fun.

...man, I don't even think I have a single one here in my DA gallery...what's up with that?

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/20885968/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/20885968/ Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:48:51 PDT [link] and an update to the bookmarks I had previously posted the lineart for: [link]
But what I'm REALLY happy with art-wise recently is the coloring on the newest chapter cover for TM: [link]
I utilizing new method of coloring, and I'm really pleased with the results. It looks painterly. I didn't intend to use this style on the bookmarks, but it happened anyway (I couldn't help playing with it, it makes me sad because I think the bookmars would be better off cel-shaded, but after the work I put in, I don't want to change it now) but it looks really good on the cover, and that was my first attempt!

THANKS FOR ALL THE ADVICE, LUCO! [link] (everyone should go watch her right now, she's amazing!)

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/20563270/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/20563270/ Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:53:27 PDT
In honor o' this noble day, I've posted a pic o' me pirate cap'n in me "scraps". [link]
The rest o' the crew do be drawn, but I haven't gotten 'em colored yet, so ye'll jest 'afta be patient-like.

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/20436526/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/20436526/ Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:17:25 PDT [link] on my watch list posted a journal that she would select and feature three images from the gallery of anyone who posted. I was curious to see what of mine she'd pick and why, so I volunteered.

BUT! Recieving without giving kinda sucks, so I offered to do the same in return (plus it gave me an excuse/incentive to go through her gallery again). I'd like to pick the fanarts she's done for me because they're awesome, but I'm biased towards them, so they're off the list from the get-go.

So here's the three images I picked:
The Lemandi [link]
Reason: The lighting. The ghostly, moody, misty lighting. It's just wonderful! Combine that with an excellent pose on a detailed figure and we have a winner!
Contemplating Life [link]
Reason: Just a quiet, peaceful image. Plus, the fur is lovely.
Vishu - Portrait [link]
Reason: What, I need a reason to be impressed by that? The shading on the face really makes it come alive. And the texture of the skin. I feel like I'm looking at a living person living in a stylized world. I love it! (I can't draw faces like that - I'm floored! )

Man, I've been posting to this a lot more lately...my lj too. When did I become so damned social? (yes, I left up the info from the last one, it's still relevant - even the pirate! )

If anybody else wants me to feature some of their work, gimme a holler! I'd be glad to!

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/20388652/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/20388652/ Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:52:40 PDT Something not necessarily unique, but fun. (I envision it being more along the lines of the old Ducktales adventures rather than a traditional pirate tale.) I've been doing a lot of research on it, and have a lot of the characters fleshed out, though I haven't started writing it yet. I don't think I want to start it until I know for sure where it's going and since I only have a rough idea of the ending so far, it won't get started even though the beginning is pretty well set.

I'm posting this, though, because I'm wondering if anyone here has any interest in reading my writing? I'm not that good at prose after all, so should I post it, or just keep it to myself? And if I post it - where? I really enjoy my DA gallery, but my experience has been that this is not the best of places to post prose. Any suggestions? Maybe a sockpuppet lj account? Or is there actually a goor writing community?

Just wondering.

Regardless, I may start doing concept drawings of the characters soon. It's going to be prose, so I don't NEED to draw them, but it'd be fun. XD

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/20019857/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/20019857/ Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:01:20 PDT [link] (A), Takinawatonfa [link] (T), Meglynn [link] (M) and Wally_kun [link] (W). Appreciate their fine photography! These pictures are cropped, adjusted and otherwise edited! If you would like any of them, just let me know and I'll give you the actual full picture. If they are not mine, I will ask the people they belong to before giving it, obviously (or you can ask them).

YAY! I was a walf-man!

THURSDAY [link] One Piece and various cosplayers.
FRIDAY [link] Hitman Reborn and One Piece.
No Saturday pics, sorry -_-
SUNDAY [link] One Piece (shocking!)

Some additional con-related fun stuff:

For those of you who missed it: Kappei Yamaguchi sings the Sogeking theme song! [link]
For those who don't know Sogeking: [link] The original theme from the show! Yes, it is supposed to be cheesy! It's poking good-natured fun at shows like Power Rangers. I love the fact that he's really just standing there singing to himself and the other characters are "WTF?"

Also, carmelldansen. For those who do not know, carmelldansen is the stupidest dance ever. As an example, here's Clinton and Obama doing it [link] . (Obama looks girly XD It's because the original animation was two girls, but it just makes it funnier) And yes...that's it. You see the whole thing in a few seconds. No need to watch the rest of this, really (I don't know why it's so long.) But the stupidity of the dance is part of what makes it so funny.
...and of course, I totally did it at the con [link]
Somebody with a youtube account leave that girl a message and tell her the wolf person thinks she did an awesome job! (I refuse to get a youtube account - if I have one I'll upload my videos there. The quality is so horrible, but I'm weak!)

Enjoy if you feel like it! It was a lot of fun just acting like a goofball all weekend.

There should be some art soonish, I have one piece (snerk) finished and a couple of others in progress, so it shall hopefully be coming soon!

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/19770486/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/19770486/ Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:07:29 PDT
Please make sure to turn in your entries by next Monday!

The rules and specifications are still here: [link]
Or you can just see the last journal post.

Also, does anyone have any interest in seeing my stuff "in progress". Personally, I love seeing all the stages and how it all fits together for a final product, but that's me - and I get to see it anyway - would any of you guys be interested in my posting of stuff I'm working on before it's finished?

Let me know!

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/19242954/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/19242954/ Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:51:16 PDT
The prizes will be journals, with an original sketch by me in the front (I don't want to mess up TOO much of it for you! XD)

Basically, you'll have a five weeks to complete a submission based on the propts below for one of the comics, either art or writing. There will be separate contests for the two on each comic. Prizes will be awarded for first in each category, plus an overall "popular choice" prize for each comic. So that's six being given out total. (So if too few people submit entries, everybody could win! XD)

Here's the prompts:

Firefly Cross
Fanart
Draw two of the characters from FFC out just hanging out and having fun. Any two characters you like, and in any setting you like - at an actual event, or just lounging around. It's your call!

Fanfic
Write a character from FFC in a moment of great decision. It could be exploring something that happens in the comic in further detail, or just something you thin that character might be thinking about.

Twisted Mirrors
Fanart
That design-a-boetheri contest I've been threatening to have? Here it is! Design a new boetheri character! Remember if you use color that all boetheri have yellow eyes, and their fur will only be natural fur colors (no purple, blue, or green). For a glimpse at more traditional boetheri clothes, I refer you to these pictures [link] [link] but feel free to get creative and go further.

Fanfic
I mentioned in a couple of places in the author's notes the boetheri folk hero Grik-nor. Write a tall tale about him. Grik-nor's stories should show the importance or hard work, diligence, and perseverance, as these are the traits that boetheri admire. Feel free to use magic, mysticism, or spirits (something I haven't gotten into is the old boetheri belief in spirits that embody everything. The one Grik-nor story I've written myself involved the rain spirit.)

Please keep all submissions PG-13.

Submissions will be due August 11th. After which time I'll have some volunteer judges vote on the first place winners, and let you guys vote for your overall favorite.

All submissions will be posted on the sites with links back to you.

If you have any other questions, reply here, or E-mail me at dragonsong12@hotmail.com.

Thanks and good luck!

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/19145948/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/19145948/ Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:56:05 PDT [link]

I drew that four years ago...on a whim...because I was bored...I made it up as I went along...4 YEARS!

...so I'm thinking...maybe it's time for an updated version of it...something in color...with a cool post-apocalyptic background...I dunno, it wouldn't really be to try to "recapture the glory" or any crap like that (glory?) but when I look at it, I think "that might be fun to draw again..."

...I dunno...we'll have to see (or I have to think of a good pose - ALWAYS THE HARDEST PART! )

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/18927865/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/18927865/ Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:46:57 PDT
Two things:

First -
Part two of Ry's Backstory is (finally) posted!

You can read it here! [link]

Complete with illustrations by the fantastic Zoe Stead! [link]

This installment is far shorter than Part One and is chock full of WANGST! (What? Better it happen here than in the comic, right?)
(Part 1: [link])

Second -
On a somewhat related note, I've been wanting to start working on a story recently, and I'm not sure which one I should start on...

There's the world I've had in my head for a while which features Tattoo Guy ([link]). I really like the set-up and the world here...but I don't have a story to go with it...That's problematic. I mean, I could probably write quite a bit with what I have without venturing into the story proper, but I'm not sure I want to start work on something that I don't have a story ready for...On the other hand, this has been stewing for HOW long now? And I'd really like to work on it...and have an excuse to draw Tattoo Guy again. XD

On the other side, I've really been itching to write a pirate story...and that's something it's hard NOT to have a story for. (They're pirates! Give them a treasure and let them have at it!) I don't really want it to be Pirates of the Carribean, or Treasure Island, or One Piece, or Monkey Island (which is ironically based on PotC - the ride , yet very different from the movie), I don't want to just mimic these things I like, I want to put my own spin on a pirate story. I've been doing a lot of reading on actual pirates and the things they did, and have been making a lot of notes on proper ships and weapons and the functions of the crew. I don't want it to be straight realism either, though, I'd defenitely like to include some of the more fantastic elements - like sea monsters and curses - but anything I felt has been used too much or too sensationally will be avoided - voodoo, undead pirates, and the krakken.

I dunno, I feel like I have a lot more to go on with the pirate angle, but I also wonder if I put the effort into research and character design with the other world, would a story come to light? Maybe I should just research and plan the hell out of both of them and decide which I want to work on when it's all hashed out...

It's nothing important though, I'm actually a pretty crappy prose writer (see Ry backstories above XD) so I'm not looking to make any great work to be published, but it's fun to do, and it's not under deadline the way the comics are.
What do you guys think?

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/18558916/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/18558916/ Thu, 29 May 2008 11:50:45 PDT [link]) turned 6 years old this week. Six years of updating a page a week...and it's come pretty far! (20 chapters and counting! ) Every two years, I like to do a re-cap of how the art has progressed, so here's this year's:

[link]

Here's hoping it keeps on going!

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/18216936/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/18216936/ Wed, 07 May 2008 18:37:39 PDT
When I was unemployed it was so hard to make myself do anything. I was just depressed and miserable all the time. Now that I have a job again, making art is fun again! Whee!

There will prolly be more stuff in the future, but enjoy this for now!
There's three new deviations and two scraps. HOORAY THEY EXIST!

...I intended for this entry to be MUCH longer, but I just typed out all the description on those pictures, so I'm feeling lazy. I'll update this again later. Whoo.

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/17536657/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/17536657/ Thu, 27 Mar 2008 06:33:48 PDT I really INTENDED to keep up! But then I made that poast and did not check in once since! The crap?!

I got caught up in a WHOLE lot of real world stuff, and just fell out of touch. And whenever that happens, then I don't want to come back and face down the MOUNTAIN of messages before me.

Anyway, THIS time I mean it. No really, I do.
I'm going to try to check this at least once a day, and I'm going to start posting stuff again. I swear it!

...um...at least I'll try... ^_^;

I'm posting this prior to going and checking my messages, because I needed to get that out first. But I'm really going - RIGHT NOW - to go check them.

Sorry, I was a liar. And Sorry I've been so absent...and thanks for bearing with me. *bow*

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/16840613/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/16840613/ Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:38:24 PST
Humblest apologies to everyone. *bow*

I need to get back into the game. There's several pieces of art that I have either planned or started...nothing finished yet though sadly.
And I WILL get back to commenting on you guy's stuff - cuz it's fun!

...but mostly...I needed a new news post on my main page XD That last one was depressing me!

Sorry again for my absentness. I shall try to be around more often. *bow*

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/15887180/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/15887180/ Tue, 11 Dec 2007 06:20:10 PST
...I got fired yesterday...

So I'm kinda....under the weather...
Just when I was thinking (sunday, I thought this sunday) how good my life was, and how great everything was going...

Anyway, you can reply if you want, but I'd prefer it if you didn't, I really don't wanna talk about it. These notes are just a "well...this is how things are" type thing.

...I may be able to do some art for once now though...lord knows I have the free time ^_^;

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/15395558/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/15395558/ Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:16:34 PST
So when I'm not replying, it's not me going back to my former crappy ways! I swear, I will try to catch back up when I return! Try not to miss me too much

In the meantime, enjoy my new One piece pict. XD

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/14493878/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/14493878/ Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:48:38 PDT
...I was shocked by how well some of them came out considering how little actual work I'd put into them. And I was mildly frustrated that in many ways they looked better than my drawings of my own characters.

...so I sat pondering this for a while, and came to a conclusion that I've always known.

It's design.

I was always dissatisfied with my work and couldn't figure out the cause, but after doing these fan sketches I came to the realization that I can draw characters fairly well. I can illustrate. That's not the problem. The problem is in the design of the characters themselves.
As I say, I've always realized that my design skills were less than stellar. (and if you try to argue the point I call bull. XD It's been bad for years - flattery won't fix the problem ) And really there's nothing wrong with that. It's like a basketball player who's better at rebounding than shooting 3's. That doesn't make him bad, you just keep him under the basket. That's me. My weakness is design. The problem is though, I don't have a 3-point shooter backing me up. I have to play both positions...

...but for the first time, I'm noticing that other position that I've ignored for so long.

See, as I was drawing the fan-sketches, it was amazing to me how well all those characters are designed. How distinct every single feature of their faces were, how perfect their costumes suited, how amazingly individual each one was. I mean, you expect that sort of thing from CLAMP characters, it's what they're known for. But the One Piece characters are so simple and cartoony, I didn't notice until I was actually paying attention to draw them how incredibly complex they really are. And as I noticed that, I realized it was exactly what was lacking in all my own character designs. They were all so flat and similar - carbon copies of one another...yet if I could fix that, then I could probably portray my own characters just as well as I illustrated the characters of others.

...I'm not 100% sure where I want to proceeed from here. Changing characters too much too quickly would be confusing to people, and I'm not sure I could even if I wanted to. It's somewhat ingrained at this point. Maybe I'll start with character sheets and doing studies to figure out what works with what.

...but this all came as a bit of an epiphany, and I merely felt the urge to share my revelation. May it yeild good results in the future *raises glass*

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/14139148/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/14139148/ Sun, 12 Aug 2007 20:09:39 PDT
...I'm trying to get some more pictures done, but I just lack the time. So I don't know when this will update again. As I always say, I'll try to be on here more often...

...but I ALWAYS say that, and we can all see how well THAT worked. But honestly. I'ma try. Thanks for bearing with me.

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/12792605/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/12792605/ Mon, 30 Apr 2007 16:03:59 PDT
I can't cry on my livejournal because people there will just YELL AT ME for being stupid! I KNOW I'm stupid, okay?! I can't fricking help it!

Don't read this!

TODAY SUCKED! AND I HAD HOPED IT WOULD BE GOOD! AND IT WASN'T! THE GOOD THING DIDN'T HAPPEN! IT MIGHT HAPPEN TOMORROW! WHAT IF IT DOESN'T?! I CAN'T TAKE IT! I'M TIRED OF FREAKING CRYING MY EYES OUT EVERY DAY! I'M TIRED OF PRETENDING IT'S ALL NORMAL AND HAPPY AND SHINY! I'M TIRED OF MAKING DO WHILE EVERYTHING JUST KEEPS GETTING WORSE! I'M MISERABLE AND DEPRESSED AND I HAVE BEEN FOR MONTHS! I MADE A TOTAL ASS OUT OF MYSELF TODAY, AND I'M SO ANGRY AT MYSELF AND THE SITUATION AND EVERYTHING AND I DON'T FRICKING KNOW WHAT TO DO!

If this thing doesn't come through, I don't know what I'll do...it could fix everything! This whole downward slippery slope just PFFT! Gone! But if it doesn't happen...I'm so freaking scared! I can't take this anymore...I can't! And there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to, I'm just a freak! My left arm can't take it anymore either...and that just shouldn't be happening...

I can't even get the time or the energy to draw anymore!...I've already given up on any art opportunitites...it won't happen, why keep grasping at straws? This is my last chance as I see it. What if it doesn't come through? Oh God, what am I gonna do?


...on the plus side...this is an excellent mood to be in for writing the third chapter of Ry's backstory...MOODY GOTH ANGST FOR THE WIN!


....bleh...that helped some...

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/11018473/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/11018473/ Sun, 10 Dec 2006 14:32:50 PST
I cannot load ANY images on Devart right now. Viewing one picture in small takes about 20 refreshes of the page, and then the time increases exponentially to see it big. RAAARGH! It's so freaking frustrating....it's just not worth it...

...I can't even view the images i just uploaded...I don't know if they uploaded all right or not...I hope so. Let me know if there's any problems.

Thanks...and sorry...I'ma go kill Comcrap-er-Comcast.

]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/9866604/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/9866604/ Sat, 26 Aug 2006 20:52:44 PDT


hehe ]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/9653390/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/9653390/ Tue, 08 Aug 2006 18:35:20 PDT
...but...I ended up quitting the project.
Yes. Entirely my fault. Yes. I kick myself over it everyday.
The dude started getting on my nerves because he seemed to think that animation was something you could whip up in ten minutes. Well...maybe it is for some people. Not me. He'd get mad at me for not having things done each night, and I'd get mad at him for refusing to understand that I work two jobs and have two comics which are more important to me than the game.

Regardless of how annoyed it all made me though, the game was cool, the guy was brilliant, and the fact that you the viewer aren't playing an FFC game right now is completely my fault. And despite my rants on how annoyed I was, that's only one side of the story, if you ask him, I'm completely the screw-up. And I am. I admit it. It was cool and I blew it.

Anyway, I found some of the animations that I made for said game on my computer and decided to post them in my scraps section. So if you wanna see what might have been, feel free to check them out there. I should really try to contact that guy and get what of the game he had done if he still has it. (He probably doesn't) He had the first level all coded and it was really freaking neat.

Crap, looking at this stuff makes me feel like a jerk.

In other news, the new DA format really really sucks for flash, so the intro WILL look hideous. Fair warning. You just gotta pretend that it's cropped at the edges of the stage like it's supposed to be. ]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/9235323/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/9235323/ Fri, 30 Jun 2006 18:59:14 PDT

Okay...where HAVE I been? Short answer? Working.
'Kay, I know I've given that excuse before, but I work two jobs here. And with one of my job recently promoting me without giving me either a promotion or a raise (i.e. more responsibilities, more stress, no incentive) time has been very tight. Not that I have NO time, but after a long day of such...crap...I feel I have earned some r & r and thus waste my time playing video games, eating, and watching cartoons in the couple of short hours I have before I have to get up and begin the hellish ritual over.
In between all this, I've somehow managed to keep up with the two comics...and that's it. For reference, the pic I posted tonight is the first thing that I've done that wasn't comic related in literally months...

Added to all this is my internet...which has suddenly decided that I don't need to log into any forums (including my own) and that E-mail servers and livejournal are just TOO DIFFICULT to load. Not to mention that I can almost never view pics on DA anymore...they won't load. It's very frustrating/annoying. (I had over 600 DA messages waiting for me when I finally got in here...had to just delete them all...I knew there was no way in hell I'd get through them...sorry if I ignore someone! )

So I probably seem like some kind of standoffish bitch at the moment, ignoring anyone and everyone I can...and if that's how it seems...well...I can't honestly argue at the moment. There are ways to get around these issues and contact people if I wanted and I've had neither the drive nor the initiative to do it.

I won't make excuses for my absence. I can only say I'm sorry. And I truly am...I don't like ignoring everyone like this, but the internet is enough of a distraction and I'm far enough behind as it is...I have no idea how much longer it will go on, but thank you to those who bear with my constant silence and equally as constant whining and apologizing about it. You have no idea how much it helps (of course you have no idea, I never answer)

So....thank you ]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/7630589/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/7630589/ Tue, 17 Jan 2006 14:11:21 PST
...which of course makes it a flesh-eating zombie.

but what can you do?

Anyway, it's back up at its old DD site
[link]

I went back to DD because I really like that community, and the crash really wasn't their fault. In fact, they've been hauling butt to get everything back on track. I can appreciate hard work, and I support them.

In other news...I'm REALLY behind on commenting on you all's stuff.

Sorry 'bout that. I'll get there, I promise! I haven't forgotten you!
Thanks for bearing with me, those of you that have XD ]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/7280622/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/7280622/ Sun, 11 Dec 2005 07:55:06 PST
I've got all the pages saved to my computer still, but I don't have anywhere to put them online. If I post it on the FFC site, I won't have autokeen, and I'm not interested in having to make a new webpage for every single page I post. Also, I don't want to continue posting pages in my blog, since people won't have access to the archives, and unless you've been following along, it won't make much sense.

So until I can find a new comic site to host it on, there will be no new pages posted. (except for one last one put in my blog on the FFC site tomorrow) I'll continue to work on it, I don't have much else to do on thursdays, so I should be able to continue to do a page a week, but until I have a place to put them, they aren't going online. ]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/6781501/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/6781501/ Sun, 16 Oct 2005 08:40:09 PDT
Mostly it's being based on music. One line from a song that catches my attention, and I try to find a way to properly illustrate. I might include the line with some of them, not with others.

Anyway, that's what I've been working on lately, so you won't be surprised when they appear.

...then again, maybe you will be. Who reads journals anyway? *cackles* ]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/6337470/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/6337470/ Fri, 26 Aug 2005 20:47:14 PDT *works 12 hours*
*goes to bed to prepare for going to work tomorrow*


Bwah ha ha haaa!
Anhyhoo, you may have noticed that I like to upload DA pics in batches.
Expect a batch soonish. perhaps as soon as monday. ]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/4916123/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/4916123/ Sat, 26 Mar 2005 08:39:01 PST


A little club set up by one of the fine comic artists of Drunk Duck, it's just getting started, but it's a good place to hyp your work, or find new comics to read and meet other comic artists and writers.

Feel free to check it out! I did! ^_^ ]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/4694415/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/4694415/ Mon, 28 Feb 2005 15:51:55 PST
I hate my job...but I can't get another one because I'm so damned useless and inept. I can draw better than people who don't draw, but compared to ANY OTHER ARTIST I SUCK ON TOAST!!!!!!

My stuff is so goddamned awful. No wonder no one will hire me. I can't believe I went to school for art and THIS is the best I can do...I MEAN I FRIGGIN MAJORED IN IT!!!!!!!!

My stress level is through the roof because of my stupid job...I hate serving, I hate the stupid Belhurst castle, I hate all the customers...I hate it all, and I spend every day dreading the next day I go in and when I do go in I end up crying, but I'll never get out of it, because I have no talents and no abilities.

...and then I go online and annoy the hell out of everyone, because I have no life...
GAH! end. ]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/4005434/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/4005434/ Mon, 06 Dec 2004 18:00:27 PST
...well...I doubt this really gets read anyway, so I'm gonna vent some more steam...

I dunno...maybe it's my job. Maybe it's all the stress...but I haven't been feeling like myself for several months now...I have moments where I'm ridiculously happy, but they're getting fewer and farther between. I feel depressed, down most of the time, and I don't even know what I have to be depressed about. All I really have right now is my job and my comic, which isn't such a bad life. I work and get money, and in my free time I draw something I love. Only work is getting more and more frustrating every day - I just can't handle people anymore - and as for the comic...well...I'm feeling pretty jaded there too...I mean, I don't have very many readers to start with, and lately, even though I feel that the comic is far better than it once was, I seem to be getting more and more negative feedback. That's good, though, right? Constructive criticism will make it better, after all, and no one's said "this is bad" or "I hate it" it's all been useful...but I feel...I dunno...like I'm running up a muddy hill in the rain. I'm not getting anywhere, and I sometimes feel like I'm actually going backwards.

...but to those of you who may read this who may read my comic...don't worry (as if you would *cackle* don't I have a big ego?) I have no intention of stopping or slowing down the production of said comic. After all, I started it thinking that no one would read it - why should I stop simply because I've been proven right? It's a matter of pride now too...I want to actually finish one project I start in my lifetime.

...and this rant has rambled far from where I thought it would, and no where near where I actually wanted it...but at least I got to be all depressive and annoying in public yet again. Heh. Thank God for the 'net, right?

Well, until my next big brain malfunction - laterz ]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/3372322/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/3372322/ Wed, 15 Sep 2004 18:38:28 PDT Work = bad! Sleepy sleepy.

...brain at poop...


((Translation: My job is sucking out my will to live. I have little to no time for anything but working and cranking out pages for my comic...and I barely have time for the latter. This is why I have not been on DA much. It saddens me...cry...)) ]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/2623357/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/2623357/ Wed, 09 Jun 2004 18:32:21 PDT
that is all ]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/2422154/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/2422154/ Thu, 13 May 2004 16:03:31 PDT College has been very good to me. I went from a skinny little weirdo with no friends in High School, to being fairly well-liked by most people who know me here at college. I learned a lot from my proffessors, though I know there's a lot more to learn. Now, I'm a fairly sentimantal girl. No, no, I can admit it, I am. Which is why my reaction to this whole thing surprises me. I am about to leave the place I have lived for four years, the happiest four years of my life, and I feel..
...nothing. Not a thing. No worry, no regret, no sadness, just mild anticipation for what's to come. And you know what? I'm pretty happy. Not necessarily to be leaving, I love this place, and I love my friends, but I'm SO tired of school, and I feel like I've learned enough. I'm ready to move on.
I feel weird though, I feel like I'm supposed to be sad about this, but I can't bring myself to be, and I'm not going to dwell on it. ^_^
Thus, I move on! Look out world I'm -
...I'm...
....I'm gonna go home and live with my parents, bussing tables 'till I'm 40 %-}

...though God, I feel old... ]]> ~dragonsong12 http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/2223564/ http://dragonsong12.deviantart.com/journal/2223564/ Wed, 14 Apr 2004 16:19:39 PDT ...but apparently they did...the list of people who made the show went up, and my name was most defenitely absent from it.
I guess I really had that comming. I was starting to really think a lot of my own work, you're not supposed to get too attached, I've been told that for years, and it's always bad to get too egotistical about it. I've been humbled...shown I'm only human...and that my creations aren't perfect despite what I think of them. I really think in some way this is good, because now that my proverbial bubble has been burst, I can see the flaws in my work...I hadn't really seen them before. That's the main reason an artist should NEVER think too highly of their own work.
I'm not really sure what my point is with all this. Mostly that this happened, and it had an effect on the way I saw things. I don't suppose I should get upset over not getting into the juried show, but the reason I have is because I had myself convinced that it was a sure thing. In a way, I'm glad to have been proven wrong...
...but that doesn't mean I'm too keen to going to the opening of that show *chuckle*

]]> ~dragonsong12