New Computer! —
I ordered my new computer today! I ended up NOT getting any of the ones on my list. They just weren't affordable. I could keep saving up, but this has to end somewhere. I got a custom HP 15" laptop with an i7 processor. It should be here in less than a week. The HP rep I talked with said "Congratulations! I'm very happy for you!" Yeah, okay, whatever.
I can't thank you all enough for the over-the-top donations to my computer fund! I also have to thank Olivia Munn who taught me that my fans MAKE me the success I am, so I'll never forget you!
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I've recently had a handful of other artists ask me for advice on various things (ok, honestly, I've given some without being asked), and although I'm no expert or authority or anything, I DO have plenty of things to say about what works for me and what doesn't. I'm sure you other artists do, too. Send me your tidbits and let's put together a list!
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Carissa —
I had another visitor yesterday! Carissa Montgomery came to town for L.A.W. Look at that shape!!! 0.0
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Orc Girl —
This is what I worked on last night. It's an Orc girl caught in a Draenei DP!
This is the last piece to go into the new Complete 2011 collection!
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Annabelle —
Model 'Annabelle' came by today! She did a shoot for my friends over at LeagueofAmazingWomen.com. I hadn't seen her in like 3 years. Annabelle does custom shoots for KobeCustoms.com.
Edna Krebappel —
"In 1976, the poster featuring Edna was a best-seller, sales estimates ranging from over 5 million to 8 million copies, with some estimates as high as 12 million."
— Simpsopedia
I drew this last night during my live session. Another one of my little 20-minute commissions, and my very first Simpsons order! What fun!
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New Computer? —
For months now, I've been saving up to buy a new graphics laptop, and I'm close to actually going through with it. I'd like to have some input, though, on what I should get. Here's what I'm looking at.
Battalion 101 X7200: Serious overkill! Dual hard drives, dual video cards, USB3 support. All wonderful! But twice my price, and Bill-Me-Later turned me down. Should I keep saving and wait for this? Does anybody have experience with these machines?
Alienware M17x: This is what I've had my eye on the whole time. Does anyone have experience with AlienWare? Is it just another Dell?
Qosmio X500: Easily affordable and the largest screen size at 18". I've had good luck with Toshiba, but I know some people haven't. Is Qosmio reputable? (Also, I just heard from Greg Pallast that Toshiba built one of those faulty nuclear plants in Japan.)
If anybody has any feedback, let me know!
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Miami WizardCon —
Two weeks ago, I took a train down to Miami to see some of my comics heroes. When Steve Gerber died a couple of years ago, I was horrified that I'd never met him. He was THE most important comics writer in my young life, and he was gone. I'd managed to meet Jack Kirby, Dan DeCarlo, Dave Cockrum and a few others before they left us, but that was all coincidence. When Gerber died, I realized I'll really need to go out of my way if I want to thank these guys for their work!
When I saw Jim Starlin and Michael Golden on the guest list in Miami, I had to go. It wasn't all that far. A little expense, a little trouble. Worth it!
For me, Jim Starlin is very important. Captain Marvel #31 was THE first comic book that made am impression on me. Even today, I consider it one of the single best comic books ever made. Hands-down THE template for "cosmic sagas." And yet, somehow, I forgot to bring my copy to Miami! I had to search the dealer tables. With today's bottomed-out comics market, it wasn't too hard to find, nor too expensive. And so, I got my autograph!
The week before, I'd gone to a small show here in Tampa to get Frank Brunner's autograph and I bought a sketch from him, too. I feel like I have to buy something from these guys. I see so many fans bringing in stacks of comics to get free autographs, which I think is rude. Anyway, Jim had some original drawings there, and I watched one of the fans in line ahead of me thumb through them and pick a couple. Then he pulled a roll of $100 bills out of his pocket AND PEELED OFF SIX OF THEM! My heart sank. I couldn't afford anything like that.
I settled for a copy of Jim's $50 coffee table book. Which IS a coffee table. (And I lugged it home, Jim!)
It was the same story with Michael Golden. His original art was astonishing! But way out of my dollar range. I got his book, too.
I'd met Bill Sienkiewicz years ago, and watched him draw a commission for me. Learning experience! Met him here again and bought his sketchbooks. Also attended a discussion with him and David Mack, which was very enjoyable.
I spoke with David Mack afterwards and thanked him for some of the things he'd said. Like how artists aren't adversaries. He was THE nicest guy. I mean ridiculously nice! I hated to tell him I'd never read any of his work. (Its true!) His response was to give me a pile of free books. Nice guy!
I was VERY pleasantly surprised to get to meet Scott Thompson! Kids in the Hall has always been one of my favorite shows. He's created a graphic novel called Danny Husk: The Hollow Planet. It's... weird. (His San Diego video is weird, too...)
Other stars at the con: Ernie Hudson looked awesome! Burt Ward did NOT. Nicholas Brendon didn't bother to shave, but Clare Kramer looked amazing. Denise Crosby had met me in the mid-90s, and she REMEMBERED!
Artists I noticed: Scott Blair, Echo Chernik, Danielle Soloud, Valentina Crespo
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New (used) Monitor —
Replaced my CRT monitor yesterday. My good old 20" failed after years of good service. Had to settle for 19" because I didn't want to pay the asking price for a 21". It's surprising how much screen space you lose to that ONE inch! I've had to crank the resolution up even higher than I had it before. SO high, I had to increase the text size. My eyes are doomed!
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Wonder Woman art set —
I did these 8 quick commissions over the last week as a fundraiser for Diana Knight's stolen iPod (and other stuff).
To order the set, send $6 by Paypal to d [AT] d-productions [DOT] com, and Diana will send them to you! Include a note that says "Ultra Fem sent me!"
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Hollywood Always Shits on Dick —
They do it every time. They take a Philip K. Dick story and make a movie that doesn't resemble it. I just saw Adjustment Bureau, the new Matt Damon movie, and I wasn't impressed.
A couple of review quotes I read beforehand summed it up nicely, I think:
And I would add:
Yeah, really... it was THAT unprofessional.
The problem with adapting Phil Dick stories is that they're usually really short and only meant to introduce an idea, and often they're just jokes, the hope being that you'll realize it's dumb to contemplate the implications because it's pointless. And we can't dismiss the fact that, like every writer of his ilk, Dick was writing mainly for the money. Enjoy it, but don't tell me it's DEEP. Cause it ain't.
Especially if you change it.
Just go read Dick's stories, okay?
P.S. - Dear movie-makers: Emily Blunt is lovely and appears to be a strong young actress, so you really oughtta give her some professional makeup attention. I mean, when the big pivotal scene arrives, I should NOT be thinking, "Oh, she doesn't look good." And the bruises on her arms shouldn't be the most memorable part of ANY scene.
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Wonder Woman LIVE ART! Tonight ONLY! —
Tonight, starting as soon as I finish this announcement, I'll be doing live quickie commissions for $25 each, all funds going to Diana Knight to help replace her stolen iPod. The ONLY subject allowed: WONDER WOMAN!
Come see! And participate!
http://www.watchtail.com/view.php?v=ultrafem
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Superheroines —
If you've been following me for a while, you'll remember these two. They have new costumes! Here's the work in progress.
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