The Life of an "Artiste"

Being an artist is not as glamorous as one would think. This is mostly because myself and many of my peers never sleep. Visit an art school sometime, you'll see what I mean. While I may not be exactly sure why some of my artistically-inclined peers don't sleep (some things are better left to the unknown), a major problem I have is that once I start a drawing, I can't stop. I say to myself, "Yeah! Wow! Look at this sketch, it's gorgeous! I can feel the passion flowing through my veins! God, life is great!" and then look up and go, "Oh Jesus, is that the sun?" I had such a dilemma tonight. Even now as my body aches for the comforting softness of my bed (God, I'm making it worse), I'm sitting here writing in my blog. I have other motives, friends. I will show you what keeps me up at this hour. Behold!


But that's not all. I spent a good portion of the evening coloring this:


Now, this whole thing started out harmless but apparently there's a Pan's Labyrinth sketchbook contest that will be judged by del Toro himself, and with a little over a month to scrounge together some fan art I really want to enter this thing. So there you have it.

Also, Venture Bros is GO for SEASON 3!!!! I am a happy little bunny, even though it currently feels like there is a vengeful imp poking holes in my stomach with a pitchfork. Time to sleep!

Pan's Labyrinth: A Film Review by Erin L. Fusco

HOLYSHIT.

Hooray!

I learned how to do something in Illustrator and I was pleased as punch to crank out a piece of art and try the new technique. Hint: it has something to do with linework. Check it out!

And a shiny nickel to whoever knows who this is.

It's Always Sunny

... in Philadelphia. This is where a big chunk of my family is from, and this is also one of the greatest television shows ever to grace the small screen. Ohmygod. Major awesomeage. Watch it now on YouTube, or TiVo it. It's on FX. If you don't think it's funny, don't even tell me. I'll just get upset.

Meh

Last night I had a dream that was Looney Tunes meets film noir. It's too bizarre to describe, but good lord, it was interesting.

Earlier this week was the third time I was in the same room as Beck (to my knowledge, at least) and man, was that cool. I managed to get into an exclusive taping of a show for Yahoo! Music. How did I do it? Myspace. Thank you, Myspace, for making my life a little bit cooler.

Other than that, been busy reworking my portfolio, freelancing, the whole bit. Man, I wish I had more to say but I'm too hungry to rant.

From My Soul

Sometimes people ask me, "Erin, do your days of nonstop art making become tiresome? Do you not long for a different means to express yourself?" When I am asked this, I chuckle, sit the person down on my lap, and tell them, "No, my friend, for you see, I am a woman of many talents and passions. In fact, I once was a poet."
"A poet!" they cry, in disbelief, "Do tell me more."
I proceed to tell them of my days as a lass in regular English class. (By the way, that last sentence rhymed and I didn't even mean for it to. I still got it!). Behold, a work I penned:

Rectal bleeding
I have no phone calls.
Heavens to Betsy
Spark plug!

Meat chilling in the cooler
The answer is "green"
Put it behind your legs
Warm Suzanne Somers night.

Sean Penn frightens me
Elegance to the touch
Raspberry Jam pie
Turn around.

Sandbag sunrise
Towering walrus monument
Chicken in a trash can
Take off one sock.

She turned into a salt lick
There is a hair in my eye
The Albatross!

There you have it. A masterpiece, formerly unseen by the eyes of men, here for you to enjoy. Embrace it, for within its cryptic lines lie the very secrets of love, beauty, and the human soul.

Crappy Feet

This didn't actually happen, but this is totally what would happen if this happened.

Candle Jack: WIP

This bastard is taking me about ten thousand years to finish, but seriously, look at it. It's gorgeous. Hooray. I think I'm going to sleep.

Don't Say His Name!

Sometimes I like to take a break from drawing what I should be drawing by drawing a drawing that I want to be drawing. And I've been wanting to draw this one for awhile!




So I did, here's the blue sketch. Hopefully I can set some time aside to color this puppy because I think it'll look really cool finished up. Just don't say his name. But if you do, try to show him the drawing and let me know what he thinks of it.

Back When I Was A Genius: Part I

Here is something I am going to start that I can only hope will turn into an ongoing installment of historical findings from my past. Turns out my grandmother and mother have oodles of scribbles and writings from the days of my youth. When I mean youth, I mean things I created when I was around 2-4. My Mum procured a stack of said creations and showed me, and I felt the immediate need to share them with the world. Ladies and Gentlemen, for your consideration, I give you...




Okay, starts out simple enough. I was a kid who liked to draw dinosaurs and Christmas trees on any tablet of paper I could find. But then, things start to get a bit cryptic.



"You are good. You are nice. For you will cook delicious rice. Ricebowl, Erin"

Now this is definite proof that from an early age, I found myself attracted to people who would give me food. To this day it is not uncommon for me to shower someone with poetry and flattering remarks to get them to provide me with sustenance. What can I say? I'm a whore. Also, I like how my earliest cursive is pretty much identical to how my cursive looks now.



The Head: I'm the head today.
The Not Head: When's my turn? You always get to be the head.

This is where these things start to get a little weird. I'm sure my parents were a little disturbed that their sweet daughter was conjuring images of, well... whatever the hell that is. But that would be nothing compared to...




"I'M COMPLETELY BLIND"

Jesus. Now even this send a chill up my spine. On one hand it's funny, on the other hand, really eerie. There is a huge part of me that wonders where these images came from in my impressionable little mind, and then there is another part of me that goes, "I wonder why I'm not that creative anymore".

That's all for now. Hopefully more will be on the way. In the meantime, it's Christmas time at Disneyland and that makes me happier than you could imagine.

California:

The only place where your neighborhood ice cream truck comes rolling down the block in the middle of November.

Oh, wow.

So how is it that I never noticed that there is a little button that allows me to post a thumbnail of an image and then you can click it and it opens in a new window for your viewing pleasure?

Jesus.

Well, since this is an exciting discovery for me, here comes some art!



This actually happened.



So did this.



And that's all I have for right now, sorry. Haven't had much time to work on personal art, but I can tell you that I'm making a piece of fan art that is going to be quite nice when it's done.

Love Letter 2

Dear RPOMC,

Thank you for making me the happiest girl alive.

Love,

Erin

A Love Letter

Dear Red Pre-owned Mini Cooper,

Hi, it's me, Erin. I came by and drove you today with my parents. How are you? I'm writing this letter because I have something to get off my chest. I know this sounds silly... But I think I love you. I knew it from the moment I laid eyes on your Chili Red exterior and sat on your gorgeous two-toned leather beige sport seats. You've got 17" wheels and rally lights... I like that on a car.

Plus, that white top with the panoramic sun roof? And, oh, how can I forget the Xenon lamps. I don't mean to be forward, but... That's hot.

I know your previous owner beat you up a little but it's no biggie. I'll take good care of you, baby. If you don't have an iPod adapter and your plastic seat-backs are scuffed up... It's okay, we can work through that. All that matters is our love.

I'd really like you to come live at my house. It's great here, and I have more car care accessories than you could ever dream of. I know it seems crazy but I know we can do it. I think what I'm really trying to say is... I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

Or at the very least, until your extended warranty runs out.

Let's drive off into the sunset together.

Forever Yours,

Erin

Harvest Moon DS

I managed to play Harvest Moon DS for a whole five minutes before I realized that is it overwhelmingly unlike "Friends of Mineral Town", which was very simple. No, the DS version has a plethora of new things to offer its victims, including:

• A cat
• Ducks
• A new, huge town
• An evil witch
• A mermaid
• One homeless man
• One mad scientist
• One doctor with a robot eye
• A black Sprite with an afro

My big dilemma right now (aside from figuring out how anything in this game works) is figuring out which girl I want to marry. Do I choose the sassy girl with the short punky red hair? The blond who looks like Winter from Girly? OR THE MERMAID NAMED LEIA (hard to resist that one, although I think she'd have to live in a pond). I don't know, the Mermaid is sounding like the coolest option.

There goes my life. Thanks a lot, Harvest Moon!

Joy!

There's nothing quite like your life-long artistic idol and influence giving you a big hug and telling you that he's proud of you. This is what happened yesterday when I attented Doug TenNapel's presentation on pitching and story development. What an amazing three hours it was!

I know this is a bit late but I don't think I can express how sad I am that Steve Irwin is gone. I feel like someone very close to me has died, even though I hardly ever watched his show. I guess that just goes to show you what an amazing influence he had on the world, even if you weren't completely aware of it.

Character designer opening at Cartoon Network. The question is, do I apply? And also, how do I get there if I do? Frustration becomes your close friend when the lease on your car is up in a few months and you can't drive anywhere because you're going to get raped for every mile you drive over your designated mileage. OOGHH!!

I have to go draw monkeys, or something. Pigs, maybe. Some animals. My portfolio has a serious lack of hilarious/loveable animals.

Today started out great and then turned into a big flaming heap of badness. I don't really feel like elaborating on that but you get the idea.

I'm going to bed.

"I have no problem with that"

I know everyone out there loves Arrested Development, but I'm sorry, it is about fifty times funnier if you actually live in Orange County. When they talk about John Wayne Airport or the Pageant of the Masters or when Buster gets lost in Santa Ana and thinks he's in Mexico, that stuff is hilarious because you're like, "Oh my God, I totally know where that is because I LIVE HERE."

Also, can anyone tell me what the hell "Mike Judge Untitled Comedy" is? It's playing in a few theatres near me and my curiosity has been piqued.

Vault Disney My Ass

Why is it that normal, real copies of Disney movies that have been "put back into the vault" cannot be found anywhere? Man. I've got a copy of Sleeping Beauty that I weasled from Blockbuster and an Emperor's New Groove disc from eBay that was shipped to me from Thailand. I don't want a gaggle of black suits knocking down my door to confiscate my copy of Robin Hood. Disney must be a lot of fools, for whoever is manufacturing these near-perfect copies of their movies in a jungle sweat shop in Malaysia must be making a boatload of money.

Buy the Farm

I am practically peeing my pants 24/7 waiting for Harvest Moon DS to come out. It would have been out a week ago but God hates me so it has been pushed to a Sept. 12 release. Right now that feels like it's about a thousand years away.

RRGGhH!! Why am I denied vast fields of corn and the ability to milk a cow with a stylus? I am counting the days.