Personal Choice Project – Post #1 February 10, 2010

Jeff Smith’s BONE saga has been a favorite of mine since I was 12. I love his art style, his storytelling skills, and his ability to tell a dramatic story with a sense of humor. I prefer the original black and white comics to the new colored versions since I grew up with them, and his drawing skills are so strong without colors.

 

I know very little about the Runaways, but the concept of an all-female rock band has always appealed to me. I have been thinking lately of making a story about band like that, and I already have character ideas but I’m still trying to decide on the plot. I am also trying to learn more about women in rock music, and why female bands are such a rare phenomemon. I am also looking forward to seeing the new movie about The Runaways this March.

My Hero, Pippi Longstocking October 23, 2009

So, since I can’t come up with much else to start my blog off with, I think I’ll talk about something fun!

A drawing from February of Pippi

I believe I was eight years old when I first discovered Pippi. Before then I had Barbie dolls and the Disney princesses serving as my fantasy role models. I loved to dress up in frilly pink dresses, twirl and dance around the room and sing about being rescued by Prince Charming. Then one day, I wound up with the first volume of Pippi Longstocking in my ownership. Maybe it was a birthday or Christmas gift, I’m not sure. All I know is that when I read it, it was a revelation to me.

Pippi was not at all like the heroines I was used to. In fact, she was their complete opposite. She was strong enough to lift a horse, had the weirdest hairstyle ever, and the fashion sense to match. She was not the type to sit around waiting for a fairy godmother to grant her wishes or for a prince to save her. If anything she was the one doing the wish-granting and rescuing! Pippi was brave, clever, creative, and absolutely independent. Above all, she had the one thing every kid wants most; total freedom!

From then on, I found myself looking for more stories with stars like Pippi, and making up stories and characters similar to her. I’ve since grown out of Barbie dolls and the Disney classics still have a nostalgic place in my heart. But the heroines like Pippi, the girls who go out there and make things happen, the ones who take the risk of being themselves, are the ones I admire the most.

So here’s to you, Pippi Longstocking, for proving to me that girls can and should live their lives to the fullest!

Oh, incidentally, I’ve decided to dress as Pippi for Halloween this year.

Hello, world! October 23, 2009

Hey, how ya doin’? This is my first time making a real blog, particularly the kind that is meant to serve as an online portfolio. In other words, I have no idea what I’m doing right now, and am basically talking to myself. What should I post? Class work would probably be good,  though I’d need to scan it in first. I have some of my animation work on YouTube, but it’s fairly old by now. Could I post personal work, too? Like stuff I draw just for fun? I’m overwhelmed by the limitless possibilities!