Club High Castle Pre-Pandemic

Here's to hoping 2012 is a fantastic year! Well, it looks like Blogger is not in EST! It is definitely 2012 here in GA!

A look at my 2011 resolutions! I'm listing my old resolutions and spilling the beans on if I actually accomplished them or not. Read at least 3 books Try 8 books! This resolution was made out of a 6 month period in 2010 when I read nothing, and that scared me. I wanted to get back into reading, and this resolution did exactly what it was supposed to do! Here are the books I read: The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester The Watchers Out of Time by HP Lovecraft and August Derleth The Hot Zone: A Terrifying True Story by Richard Preston Buck Alice and the Actor Robot by Walter Koenig Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo Brave New World by Aldous Huxley All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque The Forever War by Joe Haldeman Do one art project per month Woot! I've been tracking this one each month on this blog, so this is a given! I made a collage to show my progression for 2011 Favorite book read in 2011 Buck Alice and the Actor Robot by Walter Koenig 2011 pi...

Thus concludes my New Years resolution to create at least one piece of artwork a month. I'm happy to say that I've been able to accomplish it. It's helped me keep my motivation going, and as a result, I've greatly improved on some areas that I've been wanting to improve on. I am going to do a "Year in Review" post sometime within the next few days, so keep your eyes open for it! Kurt + Blaine - Colored pencil on paper. This was done as part of a gift exchange on a site I frequently visit. This was what the person I got wanted. The characters are from the tv show, Glee. Ode to the Steelers - A gift for a relative! Colored pencil on paper I'm a Fish! - Another gift! Colored pencil on paper Mishi Whiskers - Colored pencil on paper. I did this as an experiment. I wanted to see if I could emulate a Disney style, yet keep it true to my personal style. I've never drawn an animal person before. It was pretty fun, and I'm happy with how it turned out...

~ Here's to hoping everyone has a fantastic day! I decided to celebrate the oncoming days off, cubicle style. Enjoy. "Ms. Mishi is not in right now. May I take a message?" "Mmm. Cokes." "Ah...Nothing like a good nap. I hope the boss doesn't notice that's just a hat sitting at my desk..."

~ Part II of November's post. November was such a creative month for me. I thoroughly enjoyed working on the things I did. I loved experimenting with new loom knitting techniques; here's to hoping my niece likes her baby doll! Captain, the warp drive is back online. Orders? Engage Photoshop, full speed ahead! Without further adieu, here is Part Two! Bester's Wife - Colored pencil She is the rarely mentioned wife of Alfred Bester from Babylon 5. His Summons - Colored pencil Based on a Babylon 5 RP I was in several months ago. She was summoned to a certain Psi Cop's office... Uber Mega Con - Colored pencil This was just a fun sketch I did at the spur of the moment. It's actually a redo of something I drew back in 2005. I'll have to dig up and find the older drawing...eventually.

I've been sick all weekend, so I will have to postpone Part II of last week's post. However, I was digging around and noticed that I had neglected to post a drawing in October. I had even posted a preview for it back in September. The preview: The completed drawing: Mirror on the Wall - Sketch to digital. Oh, Photoshop, how I miss thee.... Inspired by Babylon 5!

With the upcoming holidays, I've been a very busy artist! This update is going to come in two parts (I will post Part II next weekend). November has always been a creative month for me. There is value in the rush to find (or in my case, create) the perfect gift! On a sad note, my computer is starting to show its age. I've tried everything short of reformatting the hard drive and doing a complete reinstall of the OS. I can do simple functions, but using programs like photoshop is a nightmare! I haven't been able to do any digital pieces since then and have had to simplify my photo editing. I hope to have this issue resolved sometime next month. In the meantime, I am happily working on some traditional art pieces and knitting projects. Unrelated News: I updated the Gallery , FAQ , Needles and Pins , and How to Order sections. I, Talia - Previewed in last month's update! Inspired by Babylon 5! Pepper - Acrylic on canvas My friend adored him, and it made all the work I p...

I can't believe that October is almost over already! For once, I'm excited about Monday. They are letting us dress up for Halloween, complete with a potluck lunch. I'm bringing some candy so that I can get in on the goodie goodness. I'm going as a Jedi, sans the light saber (they have a strict "no weapons or fake weapons" policy). This was a creative month for me! Back to 2001 - Full version Itty Bitty House - Different angle, acrylic on canvas As seen in the previous update : I, Bester - Full version I, Ivanova - Full version Previews for November! Pepper - I guess this counts for both a preview and a drawing! I am going to paint this on canvas and give it to a friend at work for her birthday. I, Talia - This will be Talia Winters from Babylon 5 once painted and completed.

I've spent the past two Sunday afternoons working on what is now becoming a Sunday afternoon tradition for me. Who needs to buy miniature dolls when you can paint them yourself? Pick the fandom, and presto! I, Bester - Full version I, Ivanova - Full version

I’m trudging through a nasty cold right now, but the rest of this month has been fabulous. Disclaimer for the Babylon 5 fan art: Babylon 5 (c) J. Michael Straczynski. I did not create that universe, and nor do I own it. Remember this? I completed the digital version! Full/Large version “End Game” – based off of a Babylon 5/Psi Corps RP I was a part of. “Dream the Stars” – A watercolor painting I did just for fun Preview I’m always striving to improve my skills, so here is the sketch version of something that I will digitalize in October. Books read 8/3 – I finally completed All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque. It was an emotional book. There were instances where I had to put it down for weeks at a time. It was an excellent book, five stars. A warning: it is a heartbreaking read.

Oh my! August was such a hot month! I’ve been taking strides to get rid of the unwanted sort of busy, so for the month of August, I have had plenty of time to do what I enjoy most! What is old is new I wanted to clean up my old digital art technique; I used this month to play around with it. The three samples below show my progression as the month went on, and I am absolutely thrilled with how the third one came out! I first drew the pictures on paper, snapped pictures of them, and then uploaded them onto my computer. I did the “digitalizing” in photoshop. You can view full, larger versions of these on my DA account (I’ve included the links). Since they are all Babylon 5 related, I’ll just put the disclaimer here: Babylon 5 (c) J. Michael Straczynski. I did not create that universe, and nor do I own it. Full/Large version “Walking in the Park” - Based off of a short fanfic I wrote Remember this sketch in my previous post? Full version “Prelude” ...

I am losing the War Against Busyism ; it is such an unfortunate truth, but that doesn’t mean I was idle while waiting in the trenches. I was able to scribble out a few things for the month of July. A patriotic prelude to my new avatar Pencil drawings are such fun! I have plans to make a digital version of this ink sketch. I'm a Fighter Pilot - The image I created my avatar out of. It's too wide to post on here, so here's the link! 7/3 books read. Thank FSM for lunch breaks.

Looks like I put my foot in my mouth with that last post and the mention of a certain word, but have no fear, I pulled through. I was able to sneak something in. It was inspired by the stories of H.P. Lovecraft. Don’t know who Lovecraft is or what he wrote? Do have a click: H.P. Lovecraft - Wikipedia . He is my favorite author of all time. "Fish Girl" 10in x 10in | Acrylic on canvas

I’ve been busy, but in the good sense of the word! Now…let me just rub a rabbit’s foot, throw some salt over my shoulder, cross my fingers, pinch-poke-you-owe-me-a-Coke, and stop a black cat from crossing my path, because every time I mention the word busy, the unwanted type of busy throws itself my way, and I seem to jinx myself even though I don’t believe in silly things like that…Or do I? Here are some snapshots of this elusive, good sort of busy: Books read: Get ready….Start the drum roll, please! 5/3 – Yep, that’s right! I surpassed my goal. My New Years resolution did exactly what I wanted it to. I’ve made a goodreads account to help me stay this way. You can follow my profile here: Goodreads ! Other News: I’ve made some improvements to the right panel and tweaked the links a little bit.

I’ll occasionally post drawings (or other forms of art) for sale. I’m always striving to improve myself, and that means I end up with a lot of drawings lying around. ~ Sketchbook Fever Sale ~ All drawings posted below are $20 plus shipping and handling.