Saturday, December 29, 2007

SOME FIRES KEEP BURNING

I wanted to refrain from putting anything about my personal views other than art in this blog but I'm compelled to do otherwise with recent developments in the world political climate.

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan on Wednesday is a tragic loss when free elections and talks with President Pervez Musharraf were so close. With her political measure weighing in with moderate Muslims in Pakistan for women's rights, Bhutto's was a strong voice much needed within a historically mysogynistic culture.

After escaping a previous assassination attempt and her recent political incarceration, a potential communication process with current powers and upcoming elections seemed to signal a positive, much needed change.

Heinous murders of leaders such as Benazir Bhutto must be avenged with the articulation of justice in the form of the punishment of those responsible.

As al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility, this surely will further fuel the fires of the United State's open-ended and nebulous "War on Terror." Geographically Pakistan is to the east of Iran, with its own controversial policies of nuclear activities and religious fundamentalism. Such a relationship, Pakistan's nuclear armory, and the continuing instability of the area by Islamic fundamentalist military factions could expand the front of the "War on Terror" on the premise of nuclear capable Islamic fundamentalist alliances, whether between regimes, terrorist factions, or both. Be aware of the Bush Administration's inevitable statements regarding any imaginable scenarios.

Some fires keep burning, they whip and consume, with designs that serve only to sustain entropy. But other fires burn, and they burn within the breasts of those that must persevere for good when all seems lost, when a guiding, vigilant fire is extinguished by madness and hatred. And these fires keep burning, flaring in the face of chaos with a light that bolsters these fires that come together, once diminished by loss, but gaining strength in union to light the way toward positive empowerment and essential justice.



Wednesday, December 19, 2007

...grant me the Serenity to accept...

This line up is of character re-designs for the movie Serenity. It was the first assignment for fall semester '07 (just finished!) in Concept Art for Movies and Video Games. The class was taught by Tin Salamunic (linked on right), a talented, dedicated and ambitious artist.

Left to right, they are as follows: River Tam, Simon Tam, Kaylee, Jayne Cobb, Wash, Zoe, Mal, Inarra Serra, The Operative, Book and Mr. Universe.

Last night when I first tried to post this I had a long description of all the characters, my thoughts, design decisions. It took me a while to type. Then the router crapped out on me and left me with half of the first line. I would re-type those descriptions except that I have to get back to looking for jobs.

Maybe I'll set something up for future posts.

Monday, December 17, 2007

BRING ON THE BAD GUYS!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner...!

I won the Velocity Comics DRAW! contest this past Friday. The theme was "Bring on the Bad Guys!" I knew what I had to do as soon as I heard the theme. I cranked out this piece in 3 days time with reference, blueline pencils, inking, and digital colors in Photoshop with a Wacom tablet. I was stoked to feel worthy of those votes. And I got to clear out the majority of my comics pull box to bring home some choice comic books. Books like Dark Horse's BPRD, Umbrella Academy, Lobster Johnson, also some hard to find MiracleMan back issues by Alan Moore! Score!

Oh yeah. And I've finally graduated from VCU! I'll be receiving my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Arts degree in the mail some time. I'm finally free of that place! But then come the student loan payments....

Now if I could just get a job.