Coin-Operated Press FurZine issue is out!

Coin-Operated Press FurZine issue is out!

https://coinoperatedpress.bigcartel.com/

FurZine is 20+ pages of Furry art, photos, poetry & prose! 

My short story, “Fall Season” & 2 of my illustrations from my ongoing cat sword & sorcery series!

[Print] 

FurZine - £6.00 - £7.00

https://coinoperatedpress.bigcartel.com/product/furzine-1 

[Digital] 

PDF - FurZine - £3.00  

https://coinoperatedpress.bigcartel.com/product/pdf-furzine

The Art of Plugging Away

Wow, I haven't done an 'The Art of Plugging Away' post for a hot minute, huh? 

[This post originally on Bluesky] Episode 4 just needs 3 pages left before I migrate files to FireAlpaca for coloring, sfx, and finishing touches! [Bsky]

*Rant time* There's ppl on FB who actually know me IRL, and there's a few family members & folks on Twitter who know me IRL. So, I'm going to vent here: I work a 5pm-1am on average with this webcomic. 

Whether it's scripting, character design, storyboarding, learning my chosen software, I need to do this.

I've tried to work a 9-5. I've tried different jobs over the years. But I work a few months. I may even work a few years with a handful of jobs. But the same things always ends up happening: my mental health tanks. I get depressed, social anxiety, panic attacks, etc. Or this chronically-ill body gives out on me, somehow.

 

I realized from 2017 (right when I finished and graduated from a master's program) that I just am too neurodivergent and chronically sick to work like others. And maybe some of these jobs were just too toxic for me. 

Regardless of the whys, working to self-publish my artwork and writings is my last shot. I don't know what more to do. I don't know what else to do.

So Much Is Happening...

Looks like my furry K-pop art will be merging with my Pride Month art. Too much has happened this month and I couldn't keep up my own prompts. This is why I also stopped doing official art prompts.

So many social media to Upload, Update, and Upgrade...

I have not posted anything new to my Instagram account since New Year's. 

I decided to give my phone a break and had looked up last year how to post to IG from a computer and can I say the directions and steps were RIDICULOUS. 

I don't know what kind of nonsense Instagram is trying to pull, but I just posted four new pieces of artwork I did during the week of Christmas. 

And I didn't even have to do a third of the steps Instagram posted on their official page. Maybe some IG employee is trolling but I got those done. There are still more but most of the latest have been posted.

Also, DeviantArt upped their already A-Game to an A+. It is SO MUCH SMOOTHER to upload to the DA account and the old way was actually nice...

Blogs have been updated, website needs a new host and upgrade, will soon post new art prints to Gumroad, and there are a few online subscriptions that need canceling or I roll them back to free. 

Anyhoo, I'm working on some personal paperwork and trying to make some big changes to my social media and freelance work for 2022. Make sure you keep an eye out and I'll try to stay in touch.

PEACE, Dear Readers.

Graphic Novel WIP coming along

Since restarting the graphic novel project from 2018, I realized as a creator I can better pace the main romance and love story between the main couple. I always include romance or intimate love in all my stories but the humor for a slice-of-life romantic comedy works even better for me in graphic narrative form.

I have plans to either traditionally or self-publish this work-in-progress. I have my equipment for other single illustrated one-time projects but for this particular comic, I do plan to get some digital equipment in order to complete it faster. And by completing, I'm talking about being able to finalize each "episode" or "chapter" within this vast story. 

 It's so warming to see a comic I'm amateurly posting/online "publishing" and it's already getting critical feedback from other writers. For the hundreds of pages I posted on Instagram, I've received so many positive comments and even readers telling me their Team Yanina and Peter!

I know my blog has been wordy and text-heavy lately. I will post some draft work from the Summer to Winter graphic project. Just continue to bear with me and my adventures in being a creative writer and illustrator.

And continue to support the love story between Yanina and Peter! Thank you, my dear readers and take care.❤♥️😍💖❣💕💘 

Animate Your Life

I watch a series called "Anime Supernova" which showcases rising star animators in Japan. I still like cartoons and animations as an adult. I also like overseas and foreign cartoons/animations.

I had an art teacher in middle school whom I couldn't stand. She wouldn't really teach us and she let the bullies run the classroom. I often got in trouble with her, not because I was a bully, but because I dared to stand up and fight back those bullies.

With Mother's Day was coming up, that's when she was teaching us how to use a kiln and make our own pottery. I wanted so much to make something but the jerk told me I was in trouble again and allowed the idiots in the class to make drinking mugs for their mothers while I had nothing for my own mom.

The experience hurt me so much that I shied away from pottery for a long time. The only good thing that moron teacher did for me was have us watch a lot of foreign animation shorts. A lot of my classmates were bored by this, but I ate it up. She did this instead of actually teaching, but I didn't care. While in that darkened classroom, I could escape. Dream. There were no troublemakers. And no bad teachers. Only imagination.

Years after I moved on, that teacher gave my dad a message that I must keep in touch with her. I refused. Anyway, I got better art teachers for 11th and 12th grade as well as in community college.

Book covers As Art Galleries

Since I'm uploading art on this blog and will upload to my DeviantArt account later this week, I wanted to talk about how book cover art has influenced and continues to influence me to this day.

I don't wish to get into a long discussion but I will split these blog posts into a mini-series by focusing simply on ONE particular science fiction series.

'The Rowan' Anne McCaffrey (pb)

During my community college days, I 'discovered' this paperback in the college bookstore.

These were the days before college/university bookstores were still owned by their schools.

Done by the artist known simply as Romas, his full name is Romas Brandt Kukalis, he has done mostly front covers mostly in the speculative fiction field. As a very young art major, book covers became my art galleries and I not only devoured the stories but also 'ingested' the covers!

Here, what I can only assume are the hardcovers:

(Hardcover version)

(Hardcover version 2)

Dynamic, huh? Still a fan of these covers. The heroine's/shero's strength of character, her superiority/insecurity complexes, the distinction of her authority, the outfit and fashion of her time period, and her potent psychic abilities seemed to radiate from the paper.
Now, why do I speak on this?

 Well... Most of my reading material have become 'classics' and therefore, in need of updating. While I can't complain that books need re-editions and updating like everything else, I'm a little troubled by a lot of contemporary cover art. Back then, different genres had different 'looks', different aesthetics. And while things weren't perfect, and plenty of speculative fictional books were given a bad rap in poor-looking artwork, book covers that didn't tell a story, there were still gems and once you looked at enough bookshelves, you began to tell, even if the book was stuck on the wrong shelf, this was a romance, this was horror, this was a thriller, this was comedy, this was memoir, fantasy, suspense, etc. Nowadays, it seems book cover art is suffering from sameness.

(Updated cover for 'The Rowan')

Take a look at the updated cover art for The Rowan now:
Nice cover. Nice art. Sigh. But I don't feel anything, and if I didn't recognize my late favorite author's name, this would be the cover to any other genre. As an emerging author who may have books published one day, I feel kind of sad that my cover won't be distinct and unique from others. Because, as a new name, I will already have obstacles to get my titles out there, and as a lifetime reader and lover of books, a bland front cover will prove to be another obstacle.

Nothing Is New But It Is All Unique

Sick and tired of hearing from fellow creatives that they must avoid creative media in order not to be influenced. We are ALL influenced by *something*.

Vincent Van Gogh collected over 400 Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e) and even copied some of its elements into his work.

Art can't happen in a vacuum. It's just not possible. Even those not formally art-trained and may live in the most isolated insular and homogenous community will still create art that shows influence from many elements. 

Take for instance the profound artwork of an incredibly talented individual I saw on a Facebook art group page: his work reminded me of early protest art of 70s vinyl record covers. I pointed this out and he said explained he lived out in the bayous, hadn't gone to art school, and never received any formal training, but he immediately got what I meant of what his work reminded me.

Something inspired him. *Influenced* him to create the way he did and how he did. Though he was in a sense of the modern idea that he was isolated, he was still influenced and inspired by what was around him. By his environment, his experiences, his life. And it became something that reminded me, a total stranger, of something else entirely. Yet, he GOT what I meant.

I'm not saying we are being hacks. What I'm saying is it's okay to acknowledge and not feel ashamed to own up to one's influences. And even if one doesn't know what the influences are, do know that they are still there.

Whenever I create something: whether an illustration, a scribble, a cartoon, comic strip, short story, word list, essay, or this blog post, I like to play a game to try and recognize what inspired me or influenced that particular piece. I'm not saying to do this. I'm just weird.

It is essential to know that while there's "nothing new under the sun", what makes an art 'original' is how it's filtered and distilled by its bearer, its creator. Because we are all different, because each one of us is unique, and because we are all affected by outside and inner forces, the art will be singular, authentic, and genuine.

Going back to basics

Buying paper and sketchbooks as an artist is more complicated. After using last of birthday money at my local art store that I need to return the 9 ×12.

Saw a 7 × 10 stack next to that and realized I should've bought two of those instead of purchasing a new 9 × 12. Want to down-scale.
Have been creating a lot of art on this paper but I remember for many years creating on standard 8.5 × 12. So using a 7 × 10 isn't a stretch.

This particular sketchbook paper isn't just any paper. This is Canson, a paper company established in 1557! I've been using their paper for years (Not as long as they've been in existence. Haha) and this sketchbook is for mixed media, 98 lbs, and acid-free.
It brings out vibrant color on designer markers and especially watercolor, which I am now using with my beloved color pencils.

I remember creating a lot of my early works on regular 8.5 x 12 and so I'm returning to those days.

The new skills will bring new creativity and it also has technical practicality. It's easier to scan on my 3-in-1 copier machine or on my mom's copier via wi-fi.

This will make life easier to take pictures and upload to my social media and scan/upload to my online art portfolio account.

"A quarter of an inch"

If asked what is the favorite among my art supplies, it would have to be this. Yes, the answer surprises even me. People know I have favorite types of pens, I know which are my go-to nibs for calligraphy, I even have my favorite color pencils, design markers, the weight of sketching paper I prefer.

 

My T-square

0.05 micro (black ink pens - preferably Staedtler)
Calligraphy nibs #4,5, and the double-digit plain nib (will either be 99, 00, etc.)
Prismacolor (color pencils & design markers)
70 lb-100 lb Canson (paper for all types of graphic art mediums)

But what it all boils down to is this T-square. In junior high, it was one of a few items I needed for my toolkit in Draft/Graphics class. It was a half-semester course, if I remember correctly, with Woodshop being the second half of the term. Led by Mr. Pool, we were given geometric shapes to draw in 3-dimensional form with all sides visible. My classmate, and friend, could always draw shapes perfectly.
"Not an inch off. Good job!" Pool would praise her as he went around each table. We had those draftsmen-type desks that professional animators, cartoonists, and fine artists used.

"Uh-oh. You're off a quarter of an inch here and here! And 3/4 here, too." Pool would always tell me.
He would mark up my paper with his red pen.
My friend, who sat next to me, would get an A+ and I would get Cs. Few art-related classes frustrated me as much as this course and I grew jealous of my friend's ability to craft perfect shapes. Yet, she was so nice, sincere, and humble that I never reached pure envy for her. I worked harder but couldn't achieve her seeming perfection. However, we were friends outside of class, which was an achievement for me at the time, and when I mentioned that she could become an engineer with her drafting skills, she actually looked annoyed by my suggestion. She told me she wished she could do illustrations as I did. That was some consolation.

My T-square became a repository for my creativity while sulking away in Graphics class. No where did this important drafting tool draw so much attention than when I began to scribble on it. A few other kids wrote their names, crushes, a boyfriend/girlfriend, and maybe a symbol or two, but, I did much more. Having a mad crush on the rapper/dancer M.C. Hammer at the time, especially because of his breakout track "U Can't Touch This!" became my motto and doodled the pop culture catchphrase all over the T-square in pencil with some in ink. If you look closely, I even drew Hammer's likeness in cartoon style!

I had planned at the end of the half-semester to erase most of the scribblings, but the more my classmates admired or despised my artwork, the more I drew on the T-square, not knowing at the time I was using it as a catharsis for my daily anger, frustration, isolation, and terror at being bullied and not having enough friends.

Even Mr. Pool took a look at my sketchings on the T-square and made what sounded like approval hums.

Mr. Pool is now long gone. That 'perfect grades' friend? Whose face and kindness I now vaguely remember but have long forgotten her name. We lose track as human beings.

Other art supplies have been used up, disposed of, thrown out when they dried, cracked, became old, or simply outlived their usefulness have been numerous over the years, but the T-square remains...

When I have my own professional studio, I mean to hang it up in a place of honor beside my desk. To remind me, no matter how far I come in life, of the dork who wore over-sized glasses, had a scrawny body, and who scribbled out her infatuation for M.C. Hammer on a drafting tool.

P.S. I still wear glasses, albeit, more fashionable and better-fitted to my face. I'm heavier now. I'm still a dork. :)

8/9/16 - More musing... A rant here and there

Some people don't seem to understand why I write fiction, why I write fantasy, why I work in anthropomorphism, or why do I read SF/F at all.

I don't know what to think. I do know on some level why I do the art that I do. I know there's a lot for me to say and if the characters looked too familiar, readers might shy away. SF/F brings up the ideas and discusses the topics many normally won't talk about. But once dressed in animal or nonhuman, it becomes easier to get away with speaking about taboo subject matters and controversial topics. I can use such devices and literary genres to tell the stories about mundane things.

I often don't want to tell people where I'm published because of their reaction. The statements can be any number of superficial magazines that they think my submissions are better suited for but this advice couldn't be further from the truth. No, I've learned that some of my writings are categorized under sub-genres. I consider them speculative fiction. That means they aren't mainstream and because of this, my works may be found online or purchased directly from the publisher.

Don't look for me in The New Yorker or other such mainstream and coveted titles anytime soon. I also find a number of women's magazines foolish and some men's magazines even worse. Right now, and you can say I'm limiting myself. I've heard it all before, but I'm better off where you may find me: niche, sub-genre, speculative, mixed genres, and mostly nerdy.

2016 was tough...

Right now, I'm at my hairdresser's house, typing this. The hair dryer just finished. 2016 has been a rough year and I look forward to 2017 with anticipation and trepidation.

I'm concerned, frustrated, and angered by the political climate in this country. As a creative person working in the profession, there is a real concern that the present administration will cut funding for the arts. It's what many in political circles do when they lean more towards conservatism and are not moderate or progressive.

This angers me because it will directly affect me and many other creatives (aspiring/intermediate/professional) while ricocheting to other industries tied in.

What I can do is continue my art, become more civically aware, educate others, and turn away from those who are narrow-minded, obstructionistic, and who actually believe that because they have the same rights as I, can try to take away mine because I am NOT in their group. I hate being political but when I know there are fellow citizens out there threatening my way of life (healthcare, reproductive, education, government funding, etc.) and the lives of others, I'm going to FIGHT. And FIGHT as an artist/writer/creative I will.

Inktober 10/30/16 - Submission #26 and #27

Antonio Castellano(c)

Stacey's father. He's a Pullman Porter! An important job that played a historic role in establishing the Black middle-class.

Hobart Hankin Jr.(c)

My guy Castellano's Roma father. And with him, I conclude my Inktober adventures.

 

Thanks everybody for the support, thumbs ups, loves, and encouraging words. 

This is Inktober, the last day of Inktober 2016.

'Til next year, God willing.
 

More Inktober coming up!

Already sketched out my ideas for today, last day for Inktober 2016. I'm sketching the protagonists' fathers next. Will need to stop by art store to stock up on black designer marker and some Staedtler pens (if I can as they're pretty pricier than the designer markers).

Inktober 10/30/16 - Submission #24 and #25

Margarita 'Rita'(c)

Beatrice(c)

Stacey's mother and Castellano's youngest/baby sister. Inktober is helping me recreate updated looks for many characters. My last submissions for tonight. Inktober 2016 finishes tomorrow.

Inktober 10/30/16 - Submission #23

Angela(c)

Here's one of Castellano's sisters. I killed my black designer marker. Now I must buy two this week. So I had to use alternate colors and it worked out well!
Stacey's mom is coming up. Wait for her. This is Inktober 2016.

Inktober 10/29/16 - Submission #22

Gina(c)

This is Castellano's mom. My last Inktober for tonight. I'll be drawing Stacey's mom tomorrow. I was going for 5 pieces but I'll settle for two. By the way, this is illustration #23.
Night, you guys.

Inktober 10/29/16 - Submission #21

Redmond aka "Redboy"(c)

Another character for Inktober.

This is my New Orleans Jazz musician! My first illustration of Redmond. 

Inktober 10/28/16 - Submission #20

Dorothy aka 'Dot'(c)

After work, will do more Inktober submissions. 

This is illustration #21! Another character from Depression-era novel. She's at home. I now realize I should have outlined her shoes in red only and without black ink. Oh well. This is Inktober 2016.

Inktober 10/27/16 - Submission #19

Hortense(c)

5 more days before Inktober ends. My submission of a character who is in my novel and also in my published short story "Night Sounds". I know one person who will be happy to finally see this person visually. Hope you won't be disappointed.