Hey my DA Friends,

I know I haven't been able to be on here as much as I used to.. but I still would like to keep my promise and make another "Tribute to DA members" picture like I did for when I hit 10,000 page views ( click the link to see --> [link] ) and when I hit 25,000 page views ( click the link to see --> [link] ) because I appear to be getting close enough to 50,000 now that I should start preparing the drawing.... but I need to know who's in it to prepare it and I don't have as much time as I used to though to go through and pick out the members of DA that are on my watch list to add to the drawing. So I was hoping this time I could ask you...!

If you would like to have yourself or your DA Persona be in my 50,000 pageviews tribute if you could please note me or comment here in my journal saying you'd like to be part of it and including a link to a drawing of your character you or a friend has done for you, or with a description of your character included in your comment or note.

Thanks guys and hope everyones doing well here and getting the exposure you want, or the print sales, education, or inspiration you desire... and all those well wishes!

NOTE TO ANYONE WHO STUMBLES ACROSS THIS JOURNAL: If you want in on the tribute but your new to finding my page... That's o.k. You can still send in yourself as a suggestion. All you have to do is watch me and say you want in! Also, because my tributes are about the DA community, you can also send me a note or a suggestion for another artist you admire a lot, or you feel a lot of people in the DA Community admire. I'm open to suggestions, but can't promise anything. Also, It'd be best if you turned in your suggestion for you or a friends character/persona being drawn before I hit the 48,000 mark so I have ample time to decide where everyones character goes and then ink and colour it all in. I like to release my DA tributes RIGHT when it hits the kiriban so I'm going to prepare the drawing for it slightly ahead of time by apx. 2k pageviews.

PS - Don't forget to check out my websites at...

[link] <--- CONCEPTGALAXY.COM

[link] <--- MY MYSPACE

[link] <---- MY CARMEN FAN SITE

I don't think I'm ready to return to DA full force yet.

I love Deviant ART but it's just too distracting and seems to be counter productive for my goals right now. I think that's the reason I've been avoiding it while working on the material for the "Oh, Captain!" graphic novel, and the other secret projects. Even though I'm drawing quite a bit I just don't feel like uploading anything here. I know myself better then I used too I think, and I know that I like attention, and when I don't get it I feel like it's because what I did wasn't interesting enough. I nearly flipped out when I uploaded 5 new pics and one of them got absoloutely no favs. I was like wtf. because I was really happy with the drawing when I uploaded it, but then when no one seemed interested in it I felt this urge to take it down and did. It had nothing to do with if I actually thought the drawing was a good drawing or not.. it was just because it didn't get enough attention.

When I don't get the attention from my art I want my brain automatically processes that it's because I must not be interesting enough... and when I'm not interesting I'm not an artist... and then comes the downer thoughts of how I'll never be as awesome as half of the 16 year olds on here. Even though I KNOW that's not the right attitude to have as an artist, it just happens. Even though in the real world I know that I am doing pretty good for myself... I'm being invited to cons... people purchase the artwork... I'm being hired for more and more little gigs and projects... I allow myself somehow to get lost in this little world of self loathing when I go on here and see another artist who is more popular online then I am. I find too often I log onto DA in a good mood and then by the time I log off am totally depressed.

Then my mind searches for ways to get a "pick me up". Find that attention I need to feel good enough to get back to work on the art. I start thinking of fail proof ways to get attention instead of just drawing from the heart and soul what I really want to draw... I draw FAN ART. It's the sad truth. Draw some half way decent fan art and submit it to a club and suddenly people are all over your gallery and your amazing. Now, I love drawing fan art, love seeing fan art, but feel like.... when I'm on here, that sometimes I think up fan art to draw just because I feel this need to put up new fan art to get attention... not because it's what I feel like drawing... and that's not good.

So, I'll come back to Deviant ART and be more attentative with my gallery ... I dunno.. whenever I feel like it. I thought I'd just post this for my friends who are on here and wondering what happened to the whole "I've officially returned to DA" journal post and then not posting anything past the first 5 uploads. I've realized even though I now have access to a comp at any time, I still have no desire to be on here at the moment. My focus right now is just SO set on the convention projects I've been fortunate enough to be hired for, and providing those things that I promised to do and never got around to before. I'm tired of being all talk. My heart and mind is set right now on getting the "Oh, Captain!" graphic novel out, getting my professional website looking really good, and creating the Carmen Sandiego Doujinshi for V.I.L.E. Headquarters --> [link] I swore up and down I'd make over... a year ago? How long has it been? I want to provide results rather then promises... even if it is gonna seem at first while I'm doing the work like I'm just a ghost who's never gonna really come back.

Anyway, just thought I'd update you guys on that, since I said I was coming back here and then havne't been really doing anything except lurking in other galleries and randomly fav.ing stuff that makes me smile. If you were hoping we could stay in touch more often with me coming back online again regularly, that's still totally possible if you have myspace or MSN messenger. I'm on myspace everyday while I work so I can listen to my play list and tend to leave MSN on as well. So feel free to friend request me on myspace (Send a message letting me know who you are on DA though so I can connect the dots!) or you can Private message me and we can exchange MSN info.

PS - Don't forget to check out my websites at...

[link] <--- CONCEPTGALAXY.COM

[link] <--- MY MYSPACE

[link] <---- MY CARMEN FAN SITE

Quick Update on my Life: So, A few things happened that go a little something like this. Since Janicon, some people seem to have gained a li'l bit of interest in the work I do for conventions. I am excited to announce that I have already been signed up to three new projects as a Show Director, two of which must remain secret for now, and one of which the theme has already been announced, and I am discussing openly with anyone interested here. --> [link] Now, In order to work on one of these projects I signed up for, I needed to move to Tennessee, and fast, so I did. I am now working in my own "home office" of sorts, so I will once again be able to be online regularly as I work. Hooray! It also gives me the time and ability to work on both my website(s) and my artwork again, since I've gone to Seasonal at Universal again. (It's hard to stay full-time when you live 13-15 hours away depending on traffic). ^.~ So, I'll be returning to touring the con scene starting (if all goes according to plan) in March of 2008.

None of this would have mattered though, since for months now, despite how I'd try to force myself to get over the artists block, I couldn't seem to motivate myself to draw much of anything except what I was required to for the Storyboards of "The Next Comedy Icon" pilot project I was brought in on this past summer.

But then it happened.

Right before I left for Tennessee something happened that completed my check list.

Here's the check list for those who are interested. I think many an artist could relate.

1. Strong Dissatisfaction with old work... CHECK.

2. Clean out half my DA Gallery because my dissatisfaction with my old work is so strong that I can't stand the idea of people looking at it anymore, and I know I can do better then that... CHECK.

3. Having the time to draw again... CHECK.

4. Having a reason to draw again... CHECK.

5. Finding a "muse" or source of inspiration again (Thank you!) ... CHECK.

6. Having the desire to draw again (finally!) ... CHECK.

7. A photo of my me and my muse together to look at whenever I get lonely, lazy, or depressed because of not being able to see him now that we're physically far apart from each other, to perk me up and remind me what he said and how and why I got that spark of motivation and inspiration back, so I stay on course... CHECK.

8. Paper to draw on... CHECK.

9. Pencils to draw with... CHECK.

10. A Scanner to scan in pictures with (at last!)... CHECK.


NOW... The only thing left to do is start uploading the new drawings I've been working on to my DA Gallery! Ahhh.. but... What's this? Would you look at that! Just LOOK at the time. It's nearly two in the morning. I should stop staying up so late, and get a proper nights sleep! So, I guess I'll have to put off uploading new deviations until tomorrow evening after I take care of some... errands I really need to run.


Until then... my friends... I must say... it is NICE to be back online full time again...

and I cannot WAIT to get back on track here!

EDIT: O.K. Figuired out how to get the new scans in from the new scann-ar in the program available to me here.. which is Corel Paint Shop Pro. Which I have NO FREAKING IDEA how to use, because I've always used photoshop and it takes me FOREVER to learn even the most basic things on computer. So, bare with me, if you notice my first couple of scans come in "wierd" because I'm not really good with Corel's veron of the magic wand yet, (for cleaning up smudges and dust) the crop tool seems to be less forgiving then photoshops, and sizing images is done a whole diff. way.

PS - Don't forget to check out my websites at...

[link] <--- CONCEPTGALAXY.COM

[link] <--- MY MYSPACE

[link] <---- MY CARMEN FAN SITE

Well... See for yourself!

Watch the entire "Time Warped Wonderland" cast of my show do the weekends finale number to "The Time Warp" (appropriately) at Janicon's Closing Ceremonies. --> [link]

See how Kefka and Carmen first meet up and team up for a most VILE take-over plot at Janicon at this link. --> [link]

See Wesker from Resident Evil hack into the Tekkie6000 system for the VILE purpose of helping Carmen hijack the con! --> [link]

Kefka taunts con-goers through the Tekkie6000 video monitors that Carmen and Wesker have hacked into. --> [link]

Gannondorf swears his alligeance to VILE in exchange for the ability to manipulate time as well as "the meddlesome ocarina wielding elf" does. --> [link]

An epic Pokemon battle takes place like no other! --> [link]


And check out these reviews from those who attended!


SOME REVIEWS FROM COSPLAY.COM


ChibiKitsune says: I loved the Mad Tea Party. I totally got video of Ifrit doing "I'm a Little Tea Pot." I wish I'd guessed one of the charades - my friend and I wanted to run up and do the Ginyuu Force.

Yume Nezumi says: I had a great time at Janicon, I was impressed that they did such a good job for a first year con. And to all the people who did the skits in the opening and closing ceremonies and everything in between, you guys were awesome. Everyone did such an awesome job. Especially Kefka, Harley and Ifrit. I loved you guys so much. XD The opening ceremonies are the reason I have over 400 pictures of Janicon. I got a whole bunch. ^.~ I dunno how many'll actually turn out, I warn you, because my camera seems to hate dark rooms, and the two white wigs and one yellow shirt in front of me didn't help a bit. But I did get a bunch. Though it'll be a while before I can get them all up on photobucket. I'll try to do it as soon as possible, though!

Vea says: I hope everyone had a good time at Janicon -I was really impressed. For a first time, it really surpassed my expectations.

Fyrebyrne says: Janicon was fantastic, I had a great time minus the time delays to, well, everything (minus the Death Note panel ). My favorite part of the entire con was the scavenger hunt. Me and my gumshoe partner Dave (or as The Chief would call us, Zach and Ivy) had such a blast, the hunt made the con for us. It gave me (and her) something to do when my gf was stuck at the kimono fashion show or voluntering. If you saw the closing ceremonys, Dave was the one on stage, she was the one w/ the chronoscimmer.

EvenStar1 says: So this con was great for a first year. It was definately worth driving 11 hours to get there. Overall great weekend and I got to see alot of people I don't get to see that often. Definately will be coming back next year.


A LINK FROM THE JANICON FORUMS TO A THREAD STARTED ABOUT OUR "TIME WARP" FINALE --> [link]



AN INTERESTING LJSEEK REVIEW/SUMMARY OF OPENING CEREMONIES SHOW

"I'm missing a few pieces since I had to leave early today, but the story of the con originally led us to believe that there would be a sort of Alice in Wonderland theme to the events...they led us to believe that, but then Lucca Ashtear came in speaking techno babble about how she and another Alice somehow ended up...uh...here? To clear up some of this confusion, the Acme Detective Agency came in to warn the staff that the con was suspected to become the victim of a network takeover, effectively putting the weekend in the hands of another entity. They scoffed at the Lead Agent's claims until Carmen Sandiego came in with Albert Wesker (w/Umbrella Agent) at her side to begin their takeover. Of course, these two are just thieves. When in came right down to it, they needed somebody EVIL to fill in the gaps, which of course meant Kefka Palazzo would be the next to stand at their side. The mighty jester requested a reminder as to why he was providing his services to Carmen when she revealed she had something called a Chorno Skimmer which would allow him to travel in time. His goal? Go back in time and kill Sephiroth's creators so he'd resume his rightful role as the pinacle Square villain. For the meantime, he called Ifrit in to supplement the villain ranks (and treated it like a cute little pet to boot) with Harley Quinn following in, and in The Joker's abscence, turned to supporting Mr.K for the festivities. Furthermore, Gannondorf arrived to help fill in the ranks, but walked off in tears after being called a "pathetic emo loser" by Kefka and suffering a slightly less than epic loss against Link. At this point, we've got a fair sum of heroes and villains standing on the stage (The Acme Agency amounts to quite a few agents), but the good guys are still outnumbered...until Waldo (As in "Where's") walks in. Carmen is scared out of her mind, because Waldo's been actively stalking her. When several disturbing details about his activity comes to light, even Kefka gets freaked out by this guy....and at some point, Carmen gets over it. Using the Chrono Skimmer, she turned her attention to convincing Japan not to trade with America (No stateside manga....AAUUUUGH!) and using her control over the con to make it more about Japanese history (and there were some panels pertaining to such culture), To keep this short (and for the fact that I couldn't be at closing ceremonies), the goal was apparently to overturn the effects of the Chrono Skimmer in some sort of event..."

(To see the rest of what this poster had to say click [link])

So what do you think? Were you there? Did you like it? Dislike it? Like certain things but not others? If you weren't there does it look interesting enough that you might think to go next time I do an Interactive themed event/show like this? Have any ideas you'd like to suggest for me for what you'd like to see at future cons? Because at this rate, with how much fun me and my acting troupe (of sorts) had, we are all ready to take on another project of epic proportions... after a few weeks of rest that is.

PS - Don't forget to check out my websites at...

[link] <--- CONCEPTGALAXY.COM

[link] <--- MY MYSPACE

[link] <---- MY CARMEN FAN SITE

Love conventions? I'm hosting one this November in Jacksonville, Florida. I'll be directing all the Entertainment events, and we will be doing something no other con has done before. Convention attendees will participate in a fun event we have labeled my "Interactive Wonderland". If you'd like to reserve your ticket you can do so through the Janicon website. --> [link] - Steph

Cats and Pandas

Will reside in a fancy little hotel

While my grunts capture time and space from Belle

In a world of my own



and they'll cower

when they see my clown's unlimited power

We'll control the seconds, minutes, hours

No longer lonely in a world of my own



There'll be villains

My Yakuza will wake the sleeping samurai

and the emperor will believe my little white lie

within that world of my own



I might sound like a babbling crook

but soon detectives you will understand

No more wishing things could be my way

because soon this world will be my wonderland

Check out my websites at...

[link] <--- CONCEPTGALAXY.COM

[link] <--- MY MYSPACE

[link] <---- MY CARMEN FAN SITE