So Anime Boston is over. I had such a blast! Shared my table with the lovely and talented Kori Michele. I always forget how awesome conventions are until I get to do them again. AB is HUGE and awesome! I spent just about as much money as I made, but I'm perfectly ok with that!
Another down side to the convention is that I now want to spend all my time playing Final Fantasy VIII. I blame these lovely folks for that:
Now that the rush to get ready for that is over and I have a little time before I get to scramble to get ready for Portcon Maine, (and I have recovered from my crazy 25th birthday party bus adventure) I have my down time to get back to the studio- I have a lot of work to do, and now that spring is in the air, I am feeling the motivation to get it done!
Quick Christmas card I whipped up for all my final fantasy nerd friends. Hope you all have a happy holiday! I'll be back after the madness to make this blog awesome with more sketches, artwork, news, and less ramblings. ENJOY!
I've decided to sell over 15 of my fan-art pieces that have been just sitting around in my studio. I would love to see them go to homes where they will be displayed somewhere other than my ugly portfolio file folder thing. If you're interested in any of these pieces, just send me an email!
js@jayshay.com
I accept paypal, personal check & money orders! Shipping is included in all prices.
also, sorry for all the deviantart links- I didn't feel like reuploading all the images to blogger, because I'm lazy! Click on any image to see a larger version.
Penelo is 9x12 and created with Watercolor, Ink, and Colored Pencil. She as a little ink scribble in the top left hand corner (not shown) And yes, I know her colors are wrong.
Ed & WInry (with kitty) from Fullmetal Alchemist, Steampunked. They are also 9x12, though the actual "live area" of the painting is 9x10. Watercolor & Ink
After what was most likely an epic battle, Makoto repair's Chibiusa's damaged Sailor Scout uniform. 9x12, live area of painting is 8.5x9.5 Watercolor & Ink
I have mixed feelings about selling this one, because Pride & Prejudice and Final Fantasy VIII are 2 of my brother's favorite things! If you want this one, you best love them both as much as he does, lol! 9x12, live area is 9x9.5 Watercolor & Ink
The only reason this one is so much more than the others is because I LOVE IT SO MUCH and the only way I'm letting it go is for a good price. Seriously, I might change my mind in a minute and not sell her! WAH SHE IS BEAUTIFUL! 12x9, live area 11x8.25 Watercolor & Ink
Zutara $40
Zuko & Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender, 9x12 Watercolor & Ink
So these last few weeks have been very strange for me. We had a death in the family that put most of my work on hold for the most part, but I'm starting to get back on track now.
Previously, I signed up to be part of Ohayocon's Artist Alley, which is a non-fanart alley (which seems weird to me, being an anime convention and all) So I've taken the opportunity to design my characters as adorable little chibis :) Not sure what I'll do with them yet... magnets? Stickers? keychains? any ideas? who knows... but look how cute!
I've also thumbnailed through Chapter Five! How accomplished! Right now I'm finishing up the watercolor panels that I had to re-do for chapter one, and it will be complete! That will feel good to have it finally fully finished.
On another note, I recently had a little breakdown (as all artists do) on the direction (or lack there of) that I am going as an artist- and a person in general really. But I've taken this as an opportunity to change things in my life. I'm currently looking into a new waitressing job at a more upscale establishment which will provide me with more money in less hours, opening up more time to dedicate to my art. Right now I feel like all I do is work at the restaurant, come home, and sleep. I also got offered to room with a few friends of mine, but considering my financial and home situations, I've decided now is not the best time. Perhaps next spring I'll finally get out on my own again. That will be nice.
In other news, I have also been wasting my time drawing fanart. So it goes...
It's been a while since I blogged here! Anyway- last month I attended Anime Boston- my first real convention selling my stuff. It was SO much fun. I did a ton of fanart for it, which was both fun and distracting. I've had a hard time getting back into the swing of my original art as a result, but I'm getting there. One thing all this fanart has done is helped my practice with my watercolors. It's also gotten me a few commissions, which helps out with the purchasing of more art supplies :D
Now I'm gearing up for the Maine Comics Arts Festival May 23rd. I wanted to have the first chapter of Ravenstar ready, but I don't want to rush it and be disappointed with the result. I'm still pushing to have it done in time, but the print turn around window is closing rapidly! I may just have a little preview book available instead. It's looking good so far, so I want to keep that quality!
I've also been working on some new pieces to put in my gallery. That's kind of on the back burner right now until I get all this comic business out of the way! But I have been cranking out a few good pieces.
So yea, That's what I've been up to lately. If you're in or around Portland on the 23rd definitely come stop by MECAF and say hi!
Digital Color! I'm learning! Those of you more skilled in the digital realm, what do you think? I'm pretty impressed with how it came out, so I'm happy :)
I know I've been doing a lot of fan art as opposed to original work lately, but it's fun and keeps me entertained so I'm not going to stop. I just need to work faster to have more time to do everything!
On that note, I did finally get my airship for my comic more or less figured out. I showed it to my Dad who went to school as Mass Maritime Academy and thus knows way more about ships than I do. He had some good input that helped out a lot, such as:
"What is that?" "The Kitchen." "The what?" "The Kitchen." "The WHAT?" "....the galley?" "There you go."
Still needs some tweaking, but this is the basic final version... I think, haha
Sadie's birthday was yesterday. I made this for her! If you haven't seen "My Neighbor Totoro" or "Avatar: The Last Airbender".... WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?
sooo... I read the entire Fullmetal Alchemist manga (as much as is published) and watched the entire anime, movie, and started the new series all in the last two weeks.
So this is my fanart for Kori's AniMECA book project. I'm probably going to scrap the digital (which isn't finished) and try it ink washed. I think that'll look better (and more like what I do, normally)
