Updates, and Ink and Fairydust

I thought I would let you know the results of those tests I kept talking about- I have carpal tunnel and nerve damage in both hands and elbows. Excellent news for an artist right? Oh well. Thankfully, my left hand is the worst, which is good because I am right handed. Will my right hand get worse? Probably. It's already given me issues for a long time, but we will cross that bridge when we get to it. God has taken care of me thus far- I don't see any reason to doubt Him now.

Also, the next Ink & Fairydust is out! Featuring a lovely cover by Mary MacArthur. There are a couple drawings inside done by yours truly that I have already posted on this blog.

I have a crazy month art-wise ahead of me. I have another commission, my Arthouse Sketchbook Project, and the next issue of Ink & Fairydust to illustrate before the end of the month. I work best under pressure, so in some ways I am excited, just as long as I get it done in the end! Time for the montage music.

I hope you all are having a blessed Good Friday, one of my favorite days of the year, and that you have a lovely Easter!

God bless and happy Easter!

“From one thing, know ten thousand things” -Miyamoto Musashi

“Under the sword lifted high, There is hell making you tremble. But go ahead, And you have the land of bliss.” -Miyamoto Musashi

Now, just why am I quoting an ancient martial arts master? Because the next article I have to illustrate for Ink and Fairydust Magazine is about weapons. And, well, because any excuse to quote Miyamoto Musashi is good enough for me. 

I fancy I am the middle one...

“Do not sleep under a roof. Carry no money or food. Go alone to places frightening to the common brand of men. Become a criminal of purpose. Be put in jail, and extricate yourself by your own wisdom.” -Miyamoto Musashi (just because it sounded cool?)

More such quotes by him:

“The only reason a warrior is alive is to fight, and the only reason a warrior fights is to win” 

“When you decide to attack, keep calm and dash in quickly, forestalling the enemy...attack with a feeling of constantly crushing the enemy, from first to last.” 

“Perception is strong and sight weak."

“To become the enemy, see yourself as the enemy of the enemy” 

I had fun with this drawing. 

Dianthe Illustration

Here is another illustration for Ink and Fairydust Magazine. Well, I haven't actually heard if they will use this drawing particularly, but I thought I'd show you what I have been working on allllllll day. This is the second version- the first had an ink splatter on her nose.

This was a mix of ink, watercolor, and touch-up with Corel Painter X.

This coming issue is on mythology. This drawing was for a retelling. Shew. Now I have to do an illustration about weapons! Hopefully I won't splatter ink on this one, and take all day doing it.

Ink & Fairydust: Fairy Tales!

Hello! I am proud to announce and display Ink & Fairydust Magazine (click on the link!). This issue is special to me for 2 reasons: 1) it's about fairy tales and fantasy, which are always the best topics, and 2) because, ahem, well, I illustrated the cover and one of the little fairy drawings inside. This is my first time illustrating something published, so, I am rather excited about it. I am so glad to be a part of such a fun project with such lovely people.

And, of course, we need a quote about the topic. Here is one by Mr. Lewis that I found recently:

“Critics who treat 'adult' as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.” -C.S. Lewis

Fairy Sketch and a Fun Project

As you may know (I don't remember if I actually told you or not) I am an illustrator for Ink and Fairydust Magazine, and I recently did this little pen and ink sketch for one of the illustrations.

Recent news? Well, I have a new macbook and I am trying to teach myself some graphic design/digital art basics, and I discovered Doctor Who:

I find both of those things very exciting. Harry Potter and Doctor Who all in one year- what will Mary discover next?
      Also, a friend recently directed my attention to this fun looking project. I am going to try it out I think. Not that I need another project to barely finish, but, I do my best. It's a fact that you just never know what will become of things- even the unfinished ones.
   In the mean time, I continue trying to develop my skills through Drawing Tutorials Online.

God bless! I hope you all have a lovely new year of 2012 (not sure where the following quote came from, but I found it from a friend).

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself." - Neil Gaiman

Updates Updates

Well, in addition to my anatomy/drawing lessons from Drawing Tutorials Online...

Quick sketch of form light on a cast. Isn't that cool! No, I had NO idea about such lighting techniques before.

.... I have also added these two little activities:

I am illustrating for this lovely magazine for young ladies.

And I am participating in this little project.

Am I crazy? With that last one definitely- I haven't finished a story since I was 8 at least. Hopefully I have moved beyond stories about wild ponies who run victoriously in the Kentucky Derby.