Still Here, Still Fighting

... Don't worry your pretty little faces, I am still here. I have been out of town, had my life put on hold by a stomach flu, etc. I am thiiiisss close to going to my local university to get my bachelors of fine art with a concentration in graphic design, and maybe a minor in creative writing. I have been emailing and calling and emailing about financial aid, a living situation, etc. So far I have next to no answers, but I have hope! I am so so close! No, this school is not my IDEAL art school, but at this point I think being strong means taking what I can get, and if it weren't for the fact that I may have to commute an hour one way everyday at first, I would be very happy. With my health issues, I know that's gonna be tough, but I don't really know how to give up on this, so, I will keep fighting.
      I just wish I could keep up with this blog in the mean time. I am trying my best to draw in-between all this madness, but I am not producing much that's worthy to put on here, to be perfectly honest. Mostly anatomy tutorials and gesture drawings, etc.
    But if you only knew! I have classes coming up soon! Classes! As in, I will have something to work on! Something to make me feel like I am making progress! I have been kind of stuck at home with health issues for two years now, feeling like I am getting nowhere. But, this lil artist still loves her art, and she isn't beaten yet. She has this foolish tendency to be obnoxious enough to have the audacity to keep going.
     Oh, yes, I get frustrated with the seemingly impossible task of finding money and a job and a living situation, but I can't help but hope that it's all getting very close now. Something is coming. Even if it takes its time arriving, whatever it is, I will always be here, and I am always looking for a way to do what I believe I should.
    I am so excited! Wish me luck, and of course, pray for me as I pray for you. You must be the most patient followers, and I do appreciate you. Very much.

P.S.
      Oh, and I am working on a story for Mouse and Dragon, and maybe Spider (Mouse is a kind of regular on my blog, when I actually blog, for those of you who don't know. Dragon and Spider aren't so much, but I love dragons, so, there you have it.) I have always thought they needed a story, and proper names, so now I am slowly slowly fabricating a world for them. I have no idea when it will be done, but if anything, I hope to finish something that I can at least illustrate a few scenes from someday.  

P.P.S.
        For a bit of added inspiration, here is an amazing speech given by Neil Gaiman on the making of art. Especially if you are an artist of some sort, click on this link. Keep making good art, no matter what.

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!

A Beautiful Musical Blog

written by my lovely friend, and very talented musician. I love her dearly, and I wish the world could know what she is doing for it by simply existing. She is a musician, and on her blog, she discusses music of all shapes and sizes. You can get some good ideas and thoughts on music, individual musicians, and simply beauty and art in general.

I love you Mimi.

Image by Eredel/DeviantArt

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent” -Victor Hugo


“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.” -Maria von Trapp


“Ah, music! A magic far beyond all we do here!” -Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Miyazaki is at it Again!

      I am sure some of you are familiar with The Borrowers by Mary Norton? Well, Miyazaki is doing a spin off of the books with The Secret Life of Arrietty.

I am so so so so SO excited! I have never actually read the books... I have always wanted to, and I have watched a movie or tv version with Ian Holm when I was little. Anyway, the point is, I think this is rather perfect! You've got a lovely little British-like book series about little people who live in houses and collect, or "borrow," things from the "human beans," such as scissors for weapons, and a japanese movie maker who excels at lovely and gentle details. 

      Now, there may be some kind of new age spin to it all about protecting the environment that's not in the books, but still, I will take what I can get. And most likely, I will be taking my little sis to see this. I will probably enjoy it more than her, but it may be a good opportunity for some sister bonding time.

Below is the official trailer, which I haven't watched yet, but I imagine it is decent. 

If you are not tempted yet, here are some lovely adorable movie stills:

And NO WAY! It's Miyazaki's birthday today! (or, for ten more minutes at least- it will be midnight soon) Happy Birthday Miyazaki!

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

A Bit of Magic for the Holidays

I found this monstrously cute dwelling on Mark Shea's blog. Do yourself a favor and click on it.

.... Ahem, however, I'd rather do without the compost toilet. I've actually had to use one of those before. I don't plan on repeating the experience.

Christmas is Coming!

And an update: as you can see the title has changed, as the purpose of the blog has been tweaked. If you want an explanation click on the "About" page.

Alright then, now for some fun:

Yes, it is ridiculous. I like the pattern on the vest there Jeffery. Now his way of singing will be in your head whenever you hear the songs he used. You're welcome! I love spreading joy! I love Julian Smith.

Now for something a bit more appropriate for Advent:

If you don't know the The Civil Wars, fix that. I am not usually one who likes folk or country versions of traditional Christmas songs, but this is lovely- because The Civil Wars style is lovely music itself. So it works. In my opinion at least.

I Have Been A Bit Under the Weather...

... and that has hindered me in my work, but not in my looking.

I found these two young gentlemen and their blog, the Crimson Phoenix, and I absolutely love it. Not only are their drawings creative, but their names and comments as well. For me, I find it a refreshing blog to look at.

On the Crimson Phoenix blog, I found the blogs below that I LOVE:

Cory Godbey, and

Justin Gerard.


Ugh, my "non-drawing post tag" is about to be the top one. That can't be good.

Angels and Dragons....

... Some of my favorites. They never stay away long.
    Well, I am still working on my friend's (Miss Emily) commission. So far, she has half an angel. If that. I rather like him.

So... are those anatomy lessons paying off? (What are you talking about Mary? There is hardly a body here at all.)

      Oh, and my scanner is fixed. That was kind of important. I'd like to say that the wretched contraption was the main reason I haven't been posting much, but that would be a lie, unfortunately. A false lie. (King and I anyone?)
    The. Point. Is. I have a scanner, and I was able to prepare that second dragon sketch I mentioned before.

Alas, there is still a shadow. But I would have to tear the page out to get rid of  it, and that did not sound ideal. Wretched spiral bound sketchbooks!

   The dragon is reading Knightboy: Dragon Slayer with Mouse as before mentioned. I copied this out of Me and My Dragon, as also mentioned.

   I recently joined Drawing Tutorials Online and I am rather excited! I have only been a member for less than a week, but I can tell you that I recommend it very much. You can find sample videos on youtube if you would like to check it out. Just search for "drawing tutorials online" or "Matthew Archambault" and you should find it. He is quite an amazing teacher, and is well learned in both traditional art and computers/graphic design/illustration, etc.

Fascinating....

This makes me want to scour the comments on youtube of lovely videos to see what's being said.

My blog is about art- but over all, hopefully, about beauty.

Meago/deviantart

And of course:

"Beauty will save the world." -Dostoevsky (and I STILL have not read that book.)

BadCatholic Tackles Death Metal.....

... and he's brilliant as ever.  I mean, not to be a fangirl, but yes, I am linking to him again (and probably will again and again). And not to steal anyone's thunder, but I have totally thought what he said is so true! Those goths... they have no idea what dark means. They haven't even thought to imagine it's beautiful depths. You know, really, I mean, dead seriously, everyone longs to be Catholic so bad- they just don't know it yet.
    I know that I personally love darker things, but only darker things that have depth. The artist in me wants to somehow combine love, suffering, sacrifice, even death somehow in art. But as Marc mentions, today, death metal and the like are boring. They lack depth. They lack courage. I apply this to art. Type in "sacrifice" in the deviantart search, you get some model chick, half dressed, with some sort of blood substance somewhere, has too much make up, and is strewn across some decrepit looking structure or other with a pitiful look on her on her pouting lips. Nice. (Side note: not to completely bash deviantart. I use it myself right now, and for better or worse -usually worse- you can find what you want on there, and it does serve as a convenient free gallery for ones use and exposure. For now.)

I sympathize with them. I really do. If I weren't Catholic, had a life, a good family, etc, I would probably be one of them. I pity them.
    For what it's worth, here is what my emo/goth side produces:

Like Great Drops of Blood. Agony in the Garden.

I would like to think there is some difference. But of course, I am always learning. Both as a person and as an artist- while trying to combine the two in my art. Somehow.

Tips and Ideas!

    I read this lovely book called Entwined by Heather Dixon. Miss Dixon was raised with 10 other siblings I believe, and I think her blog is cute, witty, and a nice little place to see some refreshing creativity.

Anyway, on her blog, she is currently discussing the Delsarte method, which I had never heard of before, and I think it is very interesting.

 Here is part 1 of her crash course.

And here is part 2.

If I understand correctly, there will be a part 3 in the future.
Of course, one could always read the book of Delsarte's system of expression, but for now, I am very grateful for Miss Dixons quick, precise presentation. Thanks Heather!

Now, after looking at her blog again, I want to read Mary Poppins myself. Birthday present anyone? My birthday is coming up.

This Brings Me Much Joy....

.... and I hope it does for you as well. Absolutely fetching! Beautifully prepossessing! Aesthetically winsome! (ok, enough vocabulary practice.)

Click here! Click here!

Click on "archives" and enjoy. Thanks Emily.