December. It's the end of the year and now it's the end of an era. *kessalia , the moderator of the Monthly Gargoyles Character contest [link] has decided that December will be final challenge for MGC. Over the past few years, artists have grown up and moved on and interest slowly waned for one of the longest-running art contests on the Internet.

I had some great times with MGC and entered it as often as I could because competing with younger, more talented artists forced me to improve my own skills. I went from just drawing with Prismacolors to using markers and learning Photoshop and to even using a tablet. It's good to stretch yourself and to see just how far you can push your own limits.

My challenge to you is to enter the last ever Monthly Gargoyles Character contest. Kess has made it easy -- you can do any of the past contest challenges. (Preferably one that you didn't enter or win but exceptions can be made if you want to do one that you entered but had a better idea for later. *L* Like me.)

Mommy Spike wants YOU
to enter this month's MGC
[link]

So let's get drawing!!

SUNDAY NIGHT ART CHAT: If anyone is interested, there will be an art chat in Station Eight [link] every Sunday from 7pm EST to 11pm EST. We'll be talking about what's selling and what's not, as well how best to promote your art!

NOTE FROM THE ARTIST:
PLEASE do not COLOR or MODIFY my art work!! The best way to improve your own art is to practice, practice, PRACTICE!


See the Ariana & Kirin AMV on YouTube: [link]
(And big kudos to *Mizukiki for making it!)

I got my box o' art back from Necronomicon yesterday. I sent sixteen.
Fifteen came back. Needless to say, I was crushed. I emailed the ASD to let her know that my box had arrived and asked what I could do to improve my sales. (This can be very tough -- brutal honesty is not for everybody.) It turns out that art sales in general were poor at Necro. She sold more from the print shop than the art show however I did get a nice surprise.



"Coyote Garage" was bought by none other than Patricia Briggs! I'd left instructions with the ASD that if Ms. Briggs saw the pic and liked it, that she was to be given it as a gift but Ms. Briggs insisted on buying it! She said that the coyote in the pic is exactly as she pictured her in her head and that she would be putting "Coyote Garage" in her office.

How cool is that, I ask you?

SUNDAY NIGHT ART CHAT: If anyone is interested, there will be an art chat in Station Eight [link] every Sunday from 7pm EST to 11pm EST. We'll be talking about what's selling and what's not, as well how best to promote your art!

NOTE FROM THE ARTIST:
PLEASE do not COLOR or MODIFY my art work!! The best way to improve your own art is to practice, practice, PRACTICE!

MGC [link] has a new topic:
See the Ariana & Kirin AMV on YouTube: [link]
(And big kudos to *Mizukiki for making it!)

The fifth chapter of Koiji, that is.
[link]

I was writing along this morning and realized that I was on page 16 with no sign of slowing down so I decided I'd better split the chapter for an easier read.

Enjoy!

SUNDAY NIGHT ART CHAT: If anyone is interested, there will be an art chat in Station Eight [link] every Sunday from 7pm EST to 11pm EST. We'll be talking about what's selling and what's not, as well how best to promote your art!

NOTE FROM THE ARTIST:
PLEASE do not COLOR or MODIFY my art work!! The best way to improve your own art is to practice, practice, PRACTICE!

MGC [link] has a new topic: Back in Time -- the 1880's. Imagine your favorite Gargoyles character in the Victorian age or as a Southern Belle!

See the Ariana & Kirin AMV on YouTube: [link]
(And big kudos to *Mizukiki for making it!)

The summer rolls on -- we had a couple of weeks of unseasonably cool wet weather in North Texas which was a nice change from the normal blast furnance it usually is at this time of year. The boys are appreciating because they've started band camp this week and it's a lot easier marching when the temps are NOT up in the triple digits.

Writing: I've been making use of my boy-free time by hammering away at the next chapter of Koiji. I've had WGML open a few times but Koiji wants to write itself and my job is to keep my fingers on the keyboard.

Art: Anthrocon was a great success -- I sold more than I expected for a first-time con and may do it again next year. *L* Only next year, I'll know to send much smaller pictures -- AC has narrower display panels that most shows that I do. Speaking of which, I've got Fencon (Sept 18-20) and Necro (Oct.) coming up so I'll need to get cracking on art for those shows as well.

SUNDAY NIGHT ART CHAT: If anyone is interested, there will be an art chat in Station Eight [link] every Sunday from 7pm EST to 11pm EST. We'll be talking about what's selling and what's not, as well how best to promote your art!

NOTE FROM THE ARTIST:
PLEASE do not COLOR or MODIFY my art work!! The best way to improve your own art is to practice, practice, PRACTICE!

MGC [link] has a new topic: Back in Time -- the 1880's. Imagine your favorite Gargoyles character in the Victorian age or as a Southern Belle!

See the Ariana & Kirin AMV on YouTube: [link]
(And big kudos to *Mizukiki for making it!)

If you're headed out to Anthrocon over the Fourth of July weekend, be sure to drop by the art show. My friend Spotweld has generously offered to agent for me so I have three panels in the show. I don't know how I'll do but I'm going to give it a shot.

In other news, I got a job! I'm working the framing shop at Michael's, picking up some new skills. It's only part time but that's okay. The important thing is that I'll be able to pay a few things off and sock away some money for the boys' college fund.

Always a good thing.

SUNDAY NIGHT ART CHAT: If anyone is interested, there will be an art chat in Station Eight [link] every Sunday from 7pm EST to 11pm EST. We'll be talking about what's selling and what's not, as well how best to promote your art!

NOTE FROM THE ARTIST:
PLEASE do not COLOR or MODIFY my art work!! The best way to improve your own art is to practice, practice, PRACTICE!

MGC [link] has a new topic: California Goyles

See the Ariana & Kirin AMV on YouTube: [link]
(And big kudos to ~Mizukiki for making it!)