Words from the Creator
Weds July 29 2020 Updates; Tribute; Lore; Adaptation; Thanks
Updates
Sat Aug 1, 10:50pm – Delivered: 10 pages original comicbook art.
Box of bristol 11 x 17″. Animation cel : Portrait of She-ra.
The tropical storm, is now a Cat 1 hurricane. Not expecting much comparatively, yet – 21 mph – 30 winds; rain for next few days( likely past by Tues). Power crews have already mobilized, to restore power as soon as it goes out. Each year, there is less time with power outages.
Spent the day doing physical tasks ( mowing, moving heavy furniture, boards, ect – laundry, aquarium cleaning; securing items in yard). Should have time to do studio art tomorrow.
Last night I read a masters thesis on cel animation preservation: temp low, no humidity; acid free, unbuffered, glassine ( or tissue paper) between cels ( so they don’t stick); the polymer becomes hard, over time, so keep cels ( celluloid acetate; or celluloid nitrate and camphor, 1914 – 1950’s- flammable, unstable) from flexing, rolling- acid -free backing board- acid free, tape corners to an acid free board; handle with cotton gloves ( animators gloves); store out of light – if framed, use anti UV film ( or glass); Put in polypropylene ( not mylar – the paint will stick*), large sheet music/Large Life Magazine size ( or Treasury comics); store in archival museum box; oxygen absorbers; ventilated ( or increases deterioration ) poly bags; Itoya portfolios (also for original art); or in drawers; lying flat ( stacks with 5 cels**- no weights on top) remove from storage for 48 hours, once a year.
*even though Disney stores cels in mylar. most collectors advise against mylar, because if the temp is warm, the paint will be lifted
**Some experts in the museum storage business, suggest stacks of 10; some collectors suggest upright
Fri July 31, 10:04pm –
Delivered: 20 x 24″ & 12 x 16″ archival linen canvas board* (Blick). 13 Bristol (11 x 14″)**.
*for acrylic painting ** for inking, color pencil
Shipped: 7 pads of 300 series ( 24 sheet) 11 x 17″ Bristol board.
9:27pm : spent 3 hours preparing plywood hurricane shutters ( 20 pieces). Tomorrow expecting possible tropical storm – and 4 days of rain.
Covid-19 anecdote
Interesting, the remarkable difference of tone, when interacting with customer service people; some are extra generous and patient – and others seem to have their sullen and disgruntled feelings amplified; in higher contrast – as a result of the myriad things going on in the world.
Passing of a pet.
An immediate relative was in mourning over the passing of a beloved pet cat*
* (11 yrs old approx- who were rescued from a chemical factory; the oldest of a litter of 3; 2 cats surviving; it was determined a blood clot).
Considerations over whether or not I, or other members of the family would pay them a visit, however, we suddenly realized, were quite narrow – and weighed against the risk; determined unnecessary.
Large cel order (15 animation cels)-
Sorted out payment timing* ( not interesting – but it became the focal point of several morning worth of concentration, and persistence, calling several agents – frequently being on hold for 40 minutes**, between 3 institutions, and editing a written description, of a convoluted process. The seller appreciated it, assuring me he had no problem waiting till next week. A tedious amount of cross referencing went into procuring the 15 cels:
*Resolved policy/timing ( ect) regarding large pending order. I expect to work in the studio uninterrupted soon. Yesterday evening I push mowed 2 feet high grass for 3 hours.
**I continue working in the studio, till they pickup.
MOTU: Masters of the Universe
I grew up with He-man cartoons – I was amazed so many diverse and quality originals were up for sale. His collection had some of the best quality during my two day search.
I am archiving all the vintage comics ( 1940’s to present) I can afford, each month. So future generations can appreciate the styles I admired.
These cel animations will be scanned in 1200 dpi, photographed (24MP), and posted in online galleries – and I will use them to base reproductions, and reference for new original work.
Voice Actresses
I contacted the Main Voice actress, whom I have 700 words, broadcast rights pending order – and gave her an ETA of 4 – 6 weeks. Which I figure is the time it will take, to process current deliveries, get ahead in studio art, and have time to spend 4- 8 days working on the script:
Correspondence to the voice actress:
“Hi. I’m still planning to get you a script.
Hopefully by mid Sept, ( if earlier, I can update: and message here, that I have begun script editing again.)
Details:
I am a full time visual artist. I work really fast, and often get weeks ahead – that’s when I work on scripts.
[I used past 2 weeks spare time – however; reference gathering: cel animations/ original comic pages; that can inform the art]
Processing deliveries,might take 2 weeks (scanning, photographing, storing: 100’s of items), and catch up my studio art in 2 -3 weeks.
When I get ahead with studio art; I plan to spend 4 – 8 days totally concentrating on the big picture of your script: as it intersects with 5 other stories.
I am trying to both make it worthy of your talents; and the amount of time I will end up spending, putting it together; advertising, promoting it as a brand. ( and want to take the time to ensure I keep the dialogue to match illustrated pages, and not too redundant, or cheesy)
I took into consideration your feedback – from my first order ? Which I appreciate.”
The voice Actress I submitted both parts of thermidor ( over 4 weeks ago) is now out of office, and did not reply to an inquiry about ETA *).
*I will assume she won’t deliver, if there is no response within a week after she is back in office; it’s possible she is still feeling under the weather – she has no other orders in her queue, and indicated on her profile , a general apology for not replying to messages. Meanwhile, there are plenty of other actresses working, and that can read the script.
4:01pm – 2 packages delivered.
Original comic book art:
(2 pages) Tom Grummett: X-men Exiles #2; (Norm Breyfogle) Invisible Girl Black Tide #7 pg 1.
Shipped:
White Devil Catherine Horror Manga page ( Japan) ( 7 total manga shipped 4 days ago*:
*require signature: may be a delay – generally, they reschedule delivery, and I sign a slip
ETA Delivery Sat 9pm – five pads 200 series (24 sheets) Sequential. Shipped: 3 cels (MOTU: Scorpia , Teela; Ghostbusters. ETA delivery She-ra skylanders cel Mon Aug 3. ETA Delivery She-ra ( UK) cel Fri Aug 28 to Sept 2 Weds. ETA delivery Spectre 18 pg 6 2002. Mon Aug 3 Tues Aug 4 . ETA 2 Conan cels with background. Tues Aug 4 to Thurs Aug 6. Shipped: Captain Nintendo: Princess Lana (2 cels), and MOTU: Evil Lyn ( 1 cel) ETA delivery: Aug 5.
Greg Land ( 25%- images) Ironman (2013) issue 6 page 8, you can click on the 25% images, and they open now.
Thurs July 30, 2020: 5:40pm – 4 packages delivered.
(2 pages) Original art, Ron Lim: Xena ATFO 1 Pg #19, Xena ATFO 2 Pg #21, original pages. Bristol board, and canvas board. 13 pads of 11 x 14″ bristol board.
43 comics from Lone Star comics ( mycomishop.com).
[ Spent most of today, calling agents, regarding timing of payment for orders, to a seller. To inform, of delay related to policies – unbeknownest to me, which have delayed his payment.
A tedious procedure of waiting to speak to representatives, and clarifying policies, to resolve. Currently, all parties have clarified, and tomorrow morning, I will see if all proceeded as expected.
If not, no big deal. I have 3 alternate procedures, and informed the seller, out of courtesy. The funds are there, its a matter of transfer procedure and timing ect,.. Hopefully, tomorrow morning, it will be as expected, and I work the rest of the day, in the studio on new art ideas and illustrations.]
I read about storing cel animation (heat, and UV; and cels sticking together are things to protect them from) . Listened to the past weeks’ news while I scanned the new comic art.
Weds July 29, 2020 ; 4:08pm Delivery Updates (I can later make list of orders enroute: cel animation and original comic art pages). Opened, scanned, photographed and stored 3 pages of original comic art ( Norm Breyfogle, Tom Grummett, Greg Land) ( 12:15 am)
Honoring Legends
Story Telling
I see some efforts, by creators, that seem to denigrate women, with narratives that seem to come from a perspective of fear, resentment, and being deprived of healthy sexual relationships with them. Maybe that is where they come from, and is valid for them.
I always create, in the fashion of the ‘gore’ of Nightmare of Elm street ( Wes Craven). And, just to honestly frame the context and motivation: as a kid, seeing blood, guts and dismemberment Always horrified me. It was something I would naturally flinch from. Not something I would want to remember or see. Because it terrified me, and was so unsettling, I thought about ways to prevent such harm, and it motivated me to get stronger*
*; ie, because in the show, its only the strongest, and most humble that survive and overcome.
Adaptations
Artist Business models:
Artist: Sean Patty:
I saw some business models, like Sean Patty: his commission rate, and type of art, along with photos of himself. His work is somewhat edgy, yet his photo accompanies his work, and he has sold original art, and there are lots of commissions to his name circulating.
Mainstream Brand*:
*with Pre code horror version.
What I’m considering, is setting up another website, for my original characters, and present them as mainstream. Under a brand* Then start posting redrawings and studies based on the original art**
*( to be announced).
**[ I purchased 28 pieces – 11 x 17″ : an additional 3 pending: 3 bidding open auction]
With a patreon, for the nude, GGA style presentations.
And a Subscribe star, with another brand, for the Pre-code -horror.
Pre-code horror:
I have enough templates, that if I just ink and color*, I could have an above average presentation.
* ( without trying to find more poses, expressions)
I have more templates planned, however* – there is much potential for improved presentation.
*and since pre-code horror is a field, with few approaching it professionally, and less support than mainstream,
Gratitude