*gadren

First of all, happy Independence Day! The USA is 232 years old today!

So, it has been one year since I updated my "journal" here on DA.
This last year has shown marked improvement in my art, and I encourage you all to go through my gallery to give me constructive criticism to keep my progress going.

I graduated from college in June (and also turned 24. What's sad is that I couldn't remember how old I was there and had to do the math...) so now I have a BA in studio art.

I just received my acceptance letter to CSULB's graduate school of business last night, so I'm quite pleased (though a bit disappointed by the number of friends who seem to give a crap). I know business is quite a leap from art, but I hope to one day be an art director, or even maybe start my own comic studio, so I think the business skills are something I should pick up.

While I go to school, I will also be working full time at my new job as an ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) Therapist. Yeah, yet another branch in a completely different direction... but I really wanted to do something for a couple years that actually helps people in need. (What can I say, I'm a real-life multiclass character.) I wanted to also sign up for some more art classes at Gnomon, but I've already got a 90 hour a week work+school schedule coming up... If I'm dead by 2009 from exhaustion, at least you guys know why.

Probably gonna have to deal with some drama at the end of summer as I cut off contact with some of my crappier "friends"... I'm spending too much time right now on people who think they are the center of the universe, time that could be better used towards other pursuits.

Finally, I've been sending lots of article proposals to Dragon Magazine. Hopefully at least a few will get accepted, and at least one actual article will get published. Once I have an "in" (and after I've finished with the character designs), I plan on proposing a new comic for Dragon called Rogue's Gallery, set in the 4e D&D world.

Basically my plan is to be completely financially independent with my own place to live, have a masters degree, drop any dead weight "friends" and strengthen friendships with the real ones (and figure out which is which), and get started on my true career path all by the time I'm 27 (and maybe even find a nice girl to love).

That or die trying.

Happy Independence Day.

Ok, so I had my final photo critique today.
Someone can say pretty much anything to me in a critique and I won't get offended.
But what REALLY pisses me off is when people don't even look at your work.
I put sooo much time into this project, and when it was my turn to put it up, literally three people in the whole class even bothered to get up and take a look.
The instructor ASKS if everyone came up and took a look, and everyone's like "oh yeah." I felt like giving them all the finger.
So then the instructor is asking for input, and there's almost none, even from people who responded to nearly every other piece put up. I heard a girl in the back (who I *thought* was my friend) make some snarky comment. I responded to all but three pieces, but only three people in my class even gave me the courtesy of a thought.

Its just so disrespectful. Really just hurt my feelings.

I just got notice from Disney that I was not one of the 10 interns selected for their summer internship program.
So sad...

So, I just applied to an internship Disney Studios this weekend.
Everyone wish me luck! To be honest, I don't think I'm nearly good enough for the internship, but maybe I'll get lucky and there'll be some kind of position open for me.
For those curious what files I sent:

These were sent as examples of my character design abilities:
Sci Fi Merlin: [link]
Merl Dalf the Mage: [link]
Jessica: [link]
Penny Turn-Around: [link]
Aging Witch: [link]
The pencils for the aging witch: [link]
The gestures for the aging witch: [link]

These were sent because they requested Life Drawings:
Carlos: [link]
Anita: [link]
Jessica: [link]
Me: [link]

These were sent as examples of coloring/shading abilities:
Megas: [link]
Raven: [link]
Spell Blade: [link]

These were sent as an example of my 3D work.
Chess Pieces: [link]
Lake: [link]
Red Dragon: [link]
Maces: [link]

And finally, a short reel of animation pencil tests by me:
[link]
To watch, you have to click on "download" on the left.