The Art of Plugging Away...

Ahhh... It's been a while since I wrote one of these.

shutterstock photo keyword writer

A lot has been happening with my writing. I'm applying for many writing opportunities, revising, editing, and then submitting. Being a nervous wreck as deadlines approach and I wonder will I be accepted. A short story was accepted, but a query letter's objective wasn't. *weeps*

 rgbstock.com photo by Arinas74

You may have noticed I changed the wording in the title and subtitle for this blog. I think it's more straight forward rather than so enigmatic with the previous title!

I also updated my website, "trimmed the fat," so to speak. I tidied up the wording, paying close attention to my Visitor Tracker on the main page. I've not only been getting visitors from the United States, but also a couple from overseas! It's both exciting and frightening, which is why I decided to tweak the wording and rearrange some of the icon links. Need to be professional at all times.

I'm also looking into more professional freelance writing so that I may supplement my income. The novel is now a 'working novel' instead of a 'novel draft' or a 'work-in-progress'. Its latest was at 580+ pages on the main manuscript. Still writing. Still researching.

I bring one book log (what I call my writing journals)

My two protagonists (c)

to my main job so I can use my breaks and in-between tutoring sessions to write some more. Stacey Hankin and Slasher Castellano are both fun protagonists to write about and that's a good sign to a writer. We need to feel sympathetic towards our characters, even our antagonists, or the tales would never be told.

Again, thanks for reading. As more writing adventures continue, even artistic ones, please watch this space!
The website is a focal point and my 'business card', but my blogs, especially this one, are a diary/journal that I use to keep readers in the loop.

Lastly, SUBSCRIBING to this blog is FREE! I may offer a newsletter in the future that will be attached to it. We will see.
And again, THANK YOU, Dear Readers.

A new short story accepted!

The literary journal Typewriter Emergencies has accepted a new short story based on my historical novel manuscript.

It's titled "Sleeping with Wolves" and will come out in May 2017! 

Before the story's publication, I will keep my readers and visitors posted. Once published, I will make available any URLs or links. 

Inktober 10/12/16 - Submission #8

My protagonists from novel. This piece needs so much more but I'm pressed for time. I think I made Slasher's paw too large though he has large paws. I do like drawing them together and writing about them.

Stacey & Slash Castellano (c)

My main characters - In color pencils

Remember I had to give my female protagonist a new look? Well, I did some months ago. Now, I wanted to take her look up a notch. 

Stacey

Here is Stacey done in that painterly style trendy during the late '20s and early '30s. 

Castellano

Back to my favorite medium - color pencils - and Prismacolor, one of my favorite art companies. I used no graphite pencils, no inking. Just a soft light use of color pencil for sketching and outline.

Here is Castellano also done in the same style. Both characters are now available on  CopperSphinx on Deviant ART ! 

*Both edited & cleaned up by the use of PhotoShop Elements on my Deviant Art profile page*

The New & Improved Stacey!

On May 9th, right on the cusp of completing my thesis, I quickly sketched my revamped 'Stacey' character. Her personality remained intact. I only did some more digging (pun almost intended but happily kept) into what kind of dog breed she came from. Here are the results. She made a hit on Facebook.

Materials used: Prismacolor designer pens and Uni-ball precision 0.5 illustrator pens.

Another revised sketch

"Slash" & Stacey in each other's arms (c) Carmen Welsh

Here is my story couple. Wanted to give the image a sense of those love scenes from 30s films. I updated my female protagonist's features and her hair. She got a "permanent wave" as they called processed hair then. Like how my male protagonist did not vary much.

In Summer/Fall Chic circa 1932 (REVISED & ORIGINAL SKETCH)

"Summer/Fall chic" by Carmen K. Welsh

I originally posted this on Dec. 21, 2011. (Orig. 5 1/2in x 8 1/2in.)

For those following the blog, there has been a series of pencil sketches (and I apologize, some have been so faint) pulled from the work-in-progress.

When updating, realized I was fresh off reading and reviewing popular1920s/1930s art movements, such as Art Deco.
Art in this period, was highly exaggerated, and with very angular, bold lines.
(Just check out Dagwood Bumstead from the "Blondie"(r) comic strips!)

This kind of caricature was also used often to portray celebrities and politicians in the glossy magazines of the time.

And the update (9in x 12in):

"Don't cry, honey." (REVISED & ORIGINAL SKETCH)

"Don't cry, honey." Pencil sketch by Carmen K. Welsh

I originally posted this on Oct. 29, 2011. (Orig. 5 1/2in x 8 1/2in.)

For those following the blog, there has been a series of pencil sketches (and I apologize, some have been so faint) pulled from my novel draft.

After some soul-searching and researching through Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalogues, I decided to do a dark pencil-wash. Kind of like imitating the black-and-white days.

And the update (9in x 12in):

"Don't cry, honey." Ink and pencil-wash by Carmen K. Welsh

Notes from the sketchbook

The post topic is originally from my notes in sketchbook, but first, a bit of news...

The FIRST DRAFT IS FINISHED! IT'S DONE! FINITOOO!!

Now that I got that off my chest, the long haul to edit the second draft begins...
**********

Stacey and Slash may appear as an ordinary couple, I mean, they're both dogs, right?
However, remember what I am trying to state: they are interracial (one is Black and the other is Italian).

Nowadays, many interracial, inter-religious, as well as intercultural couples, are considered very common and everyday to many folks.

However, such pairings were highly unusual in the 1930s, and even quite dangerous for the pair involved!
There was once what were called 'Miscegenation Laws'.

State officials, as well as other authority figures, had taken it upon themselves to keep, not only their own race, 'pure', but made it unlawful for other types of interracial couplings: this meant NO Asian/Black, NO Black/Native American, NO Native American/Asian.

NO ONE, under penalty of law, could marry OUTSIDE their race.
Even if couples were legally married elsewhere, in certain states, such marriages were considered illegal.
Furthermore, children born in such unions were considered (I HATE this term when applied to people) 'illegitimate'!

During both of the characters' development, not only has each had to fight against society's ideas about who can develop a relationship with whom, but oftentimes, the person has had to fight cultural standards, expectations, and identities.

With Slash, he struggles with his ethnic group's ideas of masculinity as well as how he must behave.
This is both within the gang subculture he has spent much of his adult life, but also the broader, wider culture he originates from.

With Stacey, she struggles with her working life, and with a society that has historically hampered, impeded, and hemmed in Blacks.
Throughout the story, she is underestimated, ridiculed, and misrepresented, by a society's need to separate the black individual from the post-modern world.

"I'm SO sorry!"

"I'm SO sorry!" 1st draft

"I'm SO sorry!" final draft

Here are two renderings of the same scene. The chapter this scene originates has already been drafted. 

Here, Stacey Hankin is looking for her friend, 'Slash', who, after being left for dead, the young woman found help for him. 

When he's mostly recovered, he disappears, leaving his forwarding address with their mutual new friend.

Stacey goes looking for him, and finds him recovering in his family house.

However, when she is led to him, he's sleeping and wakes up shirtless. Stacey is embarrassed enough to quickly turn away, much to Gina Castellano's amusement.

Did more research in order to render the clothing on both women. Also, by Stacey's dress, it changes the day the scene originally took place. Now, I may make changes not only to the next draft, but also within the story. *Sigh* The life of a writer/artist.

'Slash in a pensive mood' & 'Love ya, Baby!' sketches

"Slash Castellano in a pensive mood" & "Love ya, Baby!"

The above images are titled 'Slash Castellano in a pensive mood' & 'Love ya, Baby!'.

I apologize for the light quality. The next pics after SHOULD be easier to view (especially since some will be inked).

On the left is my titular character, smoking and deep in thought. This is a gesture drawing as I tried to capture the light ash dripping from the cigarette.

On the right is my female protagonist with the same male character 'canoodling' (Their word, not mine!). Do some folks still use this term?

Let me know what you think. More to come this week!

Stacey Hankin

"Stacey Hankin" by Carmen K. Welsh (c)

Here is my protagonist. Since her earlier incarnations (and there have been many, like 'Slash' Castellano!), I've tried to extensively research the hairstyles and headdresses from the 1930s.

"Stacey and 'Slash'" by Carmen K. Welsh (c)

This needs more explanation (Sorry that the sketch turned out so light!).

I had found the perfect dress that my female protagonist should wear for her first time at a 'Havana' club (Historical Note: Cuban culture, style and music was very much in vogue during the '30s). On her tail are 'bracelets' to match those on her wrists.
My male protagonist is in typical 'Cuban-club' style: cream suit jacket, black slacks, spats and slicked back hair.

"I'm marryin' him, Mama!"

"I'm marryin' him, Mama!" by Carmen K. Welsh (c)

In this scene, which I later refined thanks to a Sears & Roebuck's catalogue, my protagonist, Stacey Hankin, is really getting it from the confrontational, no-nonsense, Mrs. Beatrice Hankin. Stacey's just given the news she's engaged. Her mother does not like one bit the man the daughter is intent on marrying.

In another sketchbook, I've refined this scene: changes to both mother and daughter to reflect the 1930's look. I'm also studying the hairstyles among Black American women of this time.
I will post the refined sketch to this soon.