Not art, but some cool stuff anyway.

Sorry that I've been lacking in posts. I have a number of things to post, but unfortunately will not be able to do so until I make friends with a scanner. In the mean time I felt I'd share some of the non-art discoveries I've made lately.

Most of the time spent away from the computer - a rather good amount actually - has been to work on my senior project. It has a bit of a steampunk-y feel to it, which you may or may not be able to tell from the two posts prior to this. It's fine if you don't, though, since those are the basis for the future steampunk awesome and not the actual style that'll be used.

While working on the project I was listening to the musical compilation "An Age Remembered", which is available for free at Post-Punk (along with a number of other awesome compilations). A good number of those songs serve as inspiration to the mood that the story takes on.

That compilation lead me to both the soundtracks from The Illusionist, The Golden Compass and Laputa: Castle In The Sky - all of which I've heard in the past, but never applied to the theme of my own work. Maybe it doesn't come out so much to others but a lot of this music - especially the more energetic/action based ones - serves as huge inspiration for the story and my direction in the art.

I'm a super visual person and never see illustrations in my head statically. The story I'm using for my senior project plays out like a movie behind my eyes, and various songs from that are definitely good soundtracks to the story I want to tell. One of these days I'll actually make a compilation available to download. ^^'

But my musical adventure does not end there. Due to my awesome friend Ali, I've been introduced to the cello work of Zoe Keating. A lot of her work is on youtube, so you should definitely look her up. I put her music on when I need something to zone out to, but don't want to put up with the distracting beats of techno. Her work is trancy and enticing, and definitely worth every bit of money you will inevitably have to pay to listen to her.

Another awesome artist/comedian also introduced to me by Ali would be Tim Minchin. Words do not do justice to how amused I am by his work but you should look him up on youtube as well. Do it!

I'll eventually be commissioning these fine folks for a tavern sign for The Four Whiskers. Their work is amazing, and you should totally go check it out!

Another really fantastic supply store for old-fashioned thread craft is Reconstructing History. They have a really wide range of historical patterns for relatively good prices, and a lot of old style notions, lace and ropes. Excellent if you're sewing a period piece or if you want a good pattern to make alterations to.

And one more awesome clothes-based site would be Urban Originals. Another site that Ali showed me, this one has some amazing boots for really low prices. Cheap, blank boots can easily - and guilt free - be modified into something steampunk or lolita, or any sort of period-style shoe. Much, much better then spending $200 on them. :P There are also some pre-made designs on there that could serve as awesome boots, also for very low prices. If you're ever doing costuming, check that out for sure!