Emerald City Comic Con

Next weekend is the Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, WA!  
I'll have a small sketchbook available, with a silly title.  It'll have the regular Billie, unicorns, banana cat sketches, and Harpy Gee, a failed cartoon pitch.

   

I'll be at table D-17 in artist alley for whoever wants to bug me.

As for what Harpy is...

"Harpy Gee" was a personal project I started towards the end of working on "Teen Titans".  I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but I was having fun drawing Harpy the green haired elf, and her group of friends she went on adventures with.
Harpy is a young elf, who has the handicap of being unable to fly or use magic, which she learns to use to her advantage in a world full of magic users.  She runs away from home, and gets a job working at an item shop in a small village, and begins taking on all the local jobs that no one else would ever want to do.  Be it teaching the local brats, or defeating the stinkiest and meanest  barbarian.  She also has an indestructible pet goblin cat named Pumpkin, who devours and keeps any tools she may need.  Just like a real cat!

A few years back when I was having trouble finding work, a shorts program started up at Cartoon Network, called the "Cartoonstitute".  Feeling like there was nothing to lose, I pitched Harpy, and found those running the program very supportive!  I had to brave one of my worst fears: STORYBOARDING.  I made a clunky animatic on my tired old Dell computer, music gratefully used with permission from "The Oneups!"
In the end, the shorts program went in a different direction, and Harpy was shown around to a few other studios.  I don't think it'll ever happen, after being told, "Make Harpy a boy", "put her in highschool on Earth", "it's too scary", "it's too cute", "boys won't watch it", "make her an animal"... but I learned a lot from pitching, and have a good idea on how to put a presentation together.  I'm not bitter, but I don't think I will pitch something original again for a long time.  It's seems like time is better spent making a book, or making a film and putting it on youtube.  Hopefully there will be some free time this summer, it'd be fun to draw these characters again and try making a Harpy mini comic.
Much learned from pitching Harpy has been useful in current projects I've worked on, especially much of the DC Nation shorts.  As scary as making a cartoon is, if I have to storyboard, I know I can do it.  If I have to direct, I can do it.  The production won't catch on fire, people won't lose their limbs, asteroids won't come tumbling to Earth, and zombies won't come out of a dark closet and eat my brain.  It'll be ok!
Hard work and guts!

I'm also curious how the next few years are going to be for female characters in animated tv shows.
"Legend of Korra" just started on Nickelodeon, and is amazing!  Lauren Faust did an excellent job with the current "My Little Pony" and "Super Best Friends Forever" shorts.
I've been really happy getting a chance to work on Amethyst too. Sword fighting magical girls is right up my alley!

Now that I'm starting to have a life again, it's time to figure out what the next book will be about.  Banana Cat, Smudge, or Harpy?

Sea Foam

Quick doodle, life will be returning to normal soon.  ^u^

Oh, and I'll be on a podcast tomorrow, 9:30am Pacific, 12:30pm Eastern.

http://www.livestream.com/comicsaregreat

...with Dan Mishkin and Jerzy Drozd!

Hello! DC Nation!

Hi again!  Guess what's on tv this coming Saturday morning on Cartoon Network?
:D
....
CARTOONS!   YAY!
If you like shows for human and alien children, please watch March 3rd, at 10am.
The block has full episodes of Green Lantern and Young Justice, and in between are some extra goodies.  I don't know what exactly will be airing, but it's likely there will be a new Teen Titans short.   I was given the opportunity to storyboard two of the shorts, and did character designs with Derrick Wyatt and Danny Kimanyen!  A lot of the old Titans crew helped out.
The drawing above was done at a hotel in Seattle, as I was having a panic attack trying to draw these characters again, and procrastinating doing thumbnails for my first Titans storyboard.
I turned down boards on the original show, because storyboards always freak me out, it's always super hard for me.  My brain has a hard time with them, but the last couple of years I've had to try out of necessity.  It's good I did, even though I wish I could be a storyboard genius, it has affected how I design and draw, and I'm very thankful for that!
Teen Titans was also the first tv show I worked on, and it's also made me feel like an old lady!  My blog began while on that show, and Starfire was the first post!  It's been seven years....jeez........

Other important events for MARCH!!


Wondercon, Anaheim, CA  March 16-18


I'll be helping out at the Immedium booth in the small press area!  Billie the Unicorn and other fun kid's book from an independent publisher!  I will draw in books!  I might not be there all weekend, so I'll post more info soon.  Other artists and authors will be there too, so please stop by, especially if you have little ones.
Also there's a DC Nation panel March 17!  I'm going to try to attend for moral support.  :D
(Also really really want to go to Disneyland...)




Emerald City Comic Con, Seattle, WA


I'll be at artist alley, table D-17.
  Not sure what I'll have ready, haven't had much time for sleep lately.  Most likely Billie.  Hopefully a sketchbook.  Probably napping.  My Dad might hang out with me.  Stop by if you want to hear stories about his potato friends.  'Cause he's a real farmer and all.






.....and about the other stuff I'm working on.  I'm full time doing designs on Scooby Doo Mystery Inc. right now, while finishing up some "Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld" on the side.  
DC is going to reprint the original comics from the 80's, and it's up for pre-order on Amazon!

I highly recommend getting a hold of this book, especially if you like fantasy and brave princesses!  I do not know what the future holds, but I love drawing those characters.  Go on and give the original creators their props!

"Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld" 

Squishy Heart

Today is for squishing.

Not dead yet, nope nope nope

Not yet anyway... let's see if I survive this month.  HA HA.
Went to Tokyo, saw friends, visited some nice people at some studios, came back, and designing on three different projects right now (or more like four).
I took photos in Tokyo, but forgot my digital camera, so I used a disposable.  YAY they still make those.  Once I finish off the second camera and get it developed, I'll post them up.  Hopefully my thumbs won't be in the photos.

So updates and some art:

"Life...Dreams...Hope...Ultros"

For the Super Button Mashers show in Chicago, Feb. 11, 2012. 

Full artist list and info here: Super Button Mashers

Here are the few things sketched that aren't work related. 

We saw this jolly fellow at the Dragon Quest Cafe in Tokyo.  He was really excited to add more points to his card.  He also had a little racoon fanny pack.  He is awesome.

That's it for now.  Looks like the scanner is starting to die, getting weird streaks in everything.

Will post more in March.  Hopefully some of the stuff I worked on will be airing on Cartoon Network by then.  I don't really know. Berfs.

Holly Jolly Jingle Robot

Another year almost over!  I'm going to visit Tokyo one more time this holiday season.  Next year I'm staying put!  Excited to visit some animators and friends, going to miss my family and cousins back home.  Sorry guys!  ;_;

Here, have a Samus.  She's a poster that comes with the Bad Dudes Metroid arrange album.

METROID ALBUM!

There is also a poster from Steph Laberis, and a comic by Maximo!  Goodies!

I'll post back in a couple of weeks.  I can't wait till summer...
Happy Holidays! 

"Billie the Unicorn" storybook app!

 The "Billie the Unicorn" interactive storybook app came out late Friday!   Mobad did an excellent job on it, and I'm not just saying that because it's my book.  There are so many easter eggs and hidden treats to find.  I'm still discovering new things!
The book can be read alone, or there is an option to read along with a voice over.  Touching individual words will be pronounced in English.
Ami Goff at Mobad worked very hard separating and layering the art.  The characters move, the backgrounds have depth.  She put a lot of love into this, and I'm really thankful for all the care she gave the book!  Hopefully the app does well, so new projects will come of it.  Namely a certain cat made of bananas...
At the moment, the app is only available for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, but who knows what the future can bring. :)   It's still available as a hard bound book, for those who love the feel of turning pages.
Thanks again for everyones support!!

The app is available here!!!                      ★☆★★☆★★☆★★
                                                                                       ★☆★★☆★★☆★★  

★☆★★☆★★☆★★ ★☆★★☆★★☆★★ 

 ★☆★★☆★★☆★★ 

 ★☆★★☆★★☆★★ 

In the meantime, I haven't been drawing much of anything that isn't work related.  I'm also going to Tokyo again at the end of the month.  Good stuff going on!

Fairy Music

I made a music playlist!  I made a hideous monster drawing for a friend!  Continue on, if you DARE!!!!

"Doc Bizarre, M.D." by Joe Casey and Andy Suriano!

Andy Suriano was nice enough to ask me to contribute a pin up for his new book!  It's about a doctor who makes house calls for monsters and creeps!  It is not a book for small children, but for a comic book fan of a more refined taste. Preview Here Includes character designs and lots of extra art!

My soundtrack I've been listening to thru October and November.  It is a good to have music when on a quest through a magical land!
Song time under the cut!  Clicky clicky!

Amethyst of Gemworld

Hey guys!
WB Animation approved me to share this clip with you.
To clear up the confusion over this part of the DC Nation commercial:
She is getting a short.  I am working with a group of fantastic people to put this together.
I animated the clip on short notice, and color help came from Claire Lenth, video composite from Will Feng.
It's been rewarding and a lot of fun to work with such a great team.  Later in 2012 you'll get to see our efforts!
Thanks for all the support over the years.  I never thought I'd get a chance to work on something so magical.
(Oh and the Titans shorts are coming.  Super excited about that.  I've been working quadruple time lately, XD)




Here's an unused animation cycle for you internet! animated on paper, colored in photoshop.  :)  My obsession with gifs has paid off.

Topsy Turvey

Anyone going to CTN Animation Expo in Burbank, CA in a couple of weeks?  I'll be sharing a table with Steph Laberis!  Our table T-81.

We will also have a sketchbook available, half will be Steph's doodles and creations, and the other half will be stuff I have drawn.  It'll include a couple of pages of a project I pitched a few years ago, among Banana Cats, Tricky witches, and unicorns.  

Stuart Ng will be carrying "Billie the Unicorn", so if anyone is still curious to pick up a copy, or if you have an old copy you want signed, please bring it by!  I'll have some prints available too!

The other news is that everyone should watch the Green Lantern premiere on Cartoon Network this coming Friday, Nov. 11th.  I did not work on that show, but the illustrious Thomas Perkins did contribute to designs, among many other lovely people I owe my first born too.

I animated three seconds of a commercial that'll be airing inbetween that block, so watch to see what it could be!  WATCH TWO HOURS OF CARTOONS TO SEE 3 SECONDS OF ANIMATION.  HAHAHAHA!

Eat all the candies and get all the cavities on Halloween tomorrow.

Next week a couple of big updates, on what's been eating my time and brains the past few months!

A song I always thought would make a fun music video.
  iMonster - Lust For A Vampyr by JulianK

Pegapumkin

Catching up on drawings for family and friends tonight.  Tomorrow it is back to the other stuff!

Fancy Moo Cow

I went to the Los Angeles Fair.  It was very different from the Adams County Fair back home.  Did not find any elephant ears, did not see any cowboy boots, but there were a few cows, pigs, chickens, and sheep.  Still had fun.  I had a fried Oreo!

Trying to draw something unrelated to work on my lunch break, and trying to learn a new photoshop trick every once in awhile. Yay for learning new key commands.

This is not fire

I was sick all weekend.  Tried to make photoshop fire for fun.  Does not look like fire.  Maybe snot fire?

I was listening the "Wild Arms" opening while drawing this. Click and pretend it's epic, or something.

   

 Gonna go drink me some more of that thar Nyquil. Bye!

Magitek Armor

Something old colored and fancied up with photoshop.  Learned how to make snow with fancy computer effects!

The magitek armor was a random prop used in a flash show long ago.  Far, far away...

A Store has Appeared!

I've been slowly fixing up Billie's website.  It's now a little spot with links to various spots online, including where to find prints!  I'm testing out Zazzle
I'd like to offer one new print a month there, and then replace it with a new one the following month.  If anyone would like to request an old piece of art to be made as a print, please let me know.
No Fanart requests please.

I'm too busy to be able to make regular trips to the post office, so hopefully this is a good solution to those who've been wanting art.  :)

Still super busy at work.  Drawin' for da man, can't post any of it.    I did draw on some post-its early August.  These drawings are the few frivolous sketches I've pooped out in awhile.  It was a nice three day weekend for those of us in the U.S.

Park in the Walk

Going to try to draw one frivolous post-it a week, so I don't go nutzo.  Not that I'm already not nutzo.  Nutzo knots.  X/

I can't wait to see this!   From,

"Un monstre à Paris"

 

K bye.

Stars and Dots

Drawn during AX 2011.  Been so busy I haven't had time to just doodle.  I'm story boarding and designing on stuff at work, that I'm really excited about.  Making stuff with friends! Yay!  

Friendship Day!

August 7th at 12pm, I'll be signing and reading Billie at Kidspace in Pasadena, for Friendship Day!
If you have little ones, please stop by!
Kidspace

I was given a copy of Sketchbook Pro Copic Edition at Comic Con.  I don't draw digitally often, so I still prefer good ol' marker on paper, but I'm still going to play with this program.  When I have more time.

K bye!

Comic Con and Billie's Ancestors

Comic Con 2011 was exciting.  It was great being able to meet up with friends, the yearly San Diego summer break for nerds are always a chance to see old friends.  I still missed a lot of people, the floor is just too big, and with other events happening in the city I wish I could just clone myself.

I picked up a ton of beautiful new books, along with meeting new people, and new opportunities.

Thank you to all who took the time to visit our panels and stopped by for the signing Sunday.  The children's book panel on Saturday was full, and I hope it was helpful to those who came.  Making a book and project of your own can be a daunting task, but it's a wonderful feeling to have a completed little collection sitting in your hands.  Good luck to those who attempt the journey!

On Sunday I was signing at Tr!ckster, and was very happy to trade art with many talented people who came by.  I have to really thank the kind people that were running the pop up store.  I'm so very grateful to have had the chance to sign books and meet people from around the country and the world.  I had the lucky chance to meet an animator and artist I truly admire.

Yo Yoshinari stopped by with a copy of Billie, it was the high point of a week that was already amazing.  He was nice enough to give me sketch of Canti and Gurren Lagann.  I gave him a small sketchbook, but it was left accidently during the confusion of the signing.  Anyone out there have a way to contact him so I can send him a Thank You?  I hope I wasn't embarrassing, I was just very happy to meet him.  :)

____________________________________________

Now onto some old art that I showed at Saturday's panel.  Sorry I was a mumbling mess, I was really nervous.  Luckily everyone else had their game together!  Major thanks to Mike Collins, Eric Haeger, Eric Gonzales, Beth Sleven, and Steph Laberis!  Go bother them if you want to see what they presented.

Billie grew out of my 4th year film from college, in 2002.  The year I graduated wasn't a great time for 2D feature animation.  I was fully aware I'd probably never get to animate professionally, but not sure which path I should take once school was over.  I tried my best to learn all I could, and attempted to go into illustration.  I also had no idea on how to prepare a portfolio for TV animation, or even what type of jobs were available. Worrying about all these things was physically exhausting and I was burnt out before I graduated.  "Ooney Corn" suffers from severe Senioritis.

These crude scribblings were from 2001, first semester, when I was planning and trying to figure out what I wanted to make for my last film of my college life.

After graduating, I was one of a lucky few who found a job.  It was at a 3rd party video game company.  I think I acquired an ulcer there, it was extremely stressful. After nine months, they laid off most of their animators.  I didn't have any family or friends close by, and was feeling pretty lonely. So I decided to dump all my new free time into figuring out what my senior film should have been.  Felt it would be the best to make something positive of the situation.

In 2004 I was fortunate and found a job on "Teen Titans".  My coworkers at the time suggested I put  sketchbooks together for Comic Con.  Stuart Ng Books was nice enough to carry "Banana Cat", and Immedium contacted me if I'd like to make a children's book. I had an idea for a Scarecrow Princess, but I couldn't get the story to work.  It felt really forced to me.

About the time I figured out that I couldn't draw that story for 36 pages, I drew some unicorns for "The Unicorn Show" at Gallery Nucleus in 2006.  They were too much fun too draw, and they merged into all the drawings I had made after school.  

I wanted to make a book for my family and friends who'd stuck with me for so long, and I also wanted it to be for anyone who loves unicorns.  Young and old.

I made thumbnails and a script to pitch to my publisher.  These aren't part of the final pitch, just thumbnails.

I stopped working on it when I was unemployed 2008-2009.  Taking tests to find a paying job was eating up most of my time, and I also tried pitching to the Cartoonstitute.  I actually made a full animatic with music from The OneUps.  Even though I didn't get that final approval, it forced me to try story boards again, and it was enough to help get storyboard freelance.  Michael Chang was nice enough to let me try storyboarding on "Batman: Brave and the Bold".  Once I was working and learning new tricks, I redrew the layouts on Billie.  I had about four pages fully markered, but had to push the book back another year.  I was in two of my close friends weddings, and Batman was a high maintenance guy.  My publisher was very understanding and rescheduled my book.

These are all the colors I used just for Billie. I had a set of colors for each character figured out to keep them consistent.  I tried anyway.  XP

Not sure if I touched on any of this during the panel.  I blocked out what happened -_-.  I was also going to show a WIP trailer I had been working on for Billie.  The trailer was put aside last spring when some interesting events happened at my job.  It's all very good news, I'm just going to extremely busy these next few months.  Happiness!!!

In the meantime, here's the trailer I hope to get back to some day.  I drew the boards quickly in photoshop,  edited them together in premiere, and used the movie file as a guide.  The scenes that are animated are still rough.  I used the paint brush in flash, a rough pass, and a clean up pass.  I want to try coloring it in photoshop, but it's time consuming.  Maybe someday.

The music is WIP by Mustin and Kunal Majmudar of The OneUps and The Bad Dudes.  Please visit them and tell them you love them!!!!  

Sorry for the wordy post!