Hey,
So I finally got around to setting up a gallery account at DeviantArt. I really don't know what took me so long! Erhem, anyway, I plan to post, not only my older works and anthropomorphic stuffs, but also my hand painted feathers and any sculpture/model works too sometime in future. Being able to post different types and themes of arts was one of the things that attracted me so much to DevArt. Elfwood is nice for the fantasy, and Yerf for the anthro arts, but it will be nice to have multiple categories in which to enter work into. Btw, the URL for my gallery can be found here:

http://leopreston.deviantart.com/

Not much there art the moment, but hopefully there will be soon. It's so much easier to manage! ^_^*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hQAQmz5Bzg&search=Horatio%20Nelson

LOL*! What the hell was that?!

I decided to start up a new community here at Live Journal, one for feather painting artists and enthusiasts (because there seems to be a lack of places for these people to gather and discuss this specific branch of art.)

If anyone would like to join, you are most welcome (and if you happen to know of anyone who might like to join, please let them know). All the info can be found on the main page:

http://community.livejournal.com/featherartists/profile

Members don't have to be posting all the time, although I would like it to become a thriving community in time. Artists can just drop in to post their latest creation for some feedback or exposure etc... if they wish, and enthusiasts can hang around for discussions / general chat etc... Overall, I thought it was a nice idea. I just hope it takes off!

'Many of the scenes for the Da Vinci Code were shot around my region and recently I took a trip back to Lincoln Cathedral (which has provided me with countless inspiration and where the Westminster Abbey scenes for the film were shot), and found that many of the props from filming are still there.'

A few photos...

http://s80.photobucket.com/albums/j188/leopreston/

(Use 'jibberish' as the visitor's log in password and look at the Lincoln Cathedral Album.)

Courtyard_inspiration.jpg : On my last visit, I found that they had opened up a part of the cathedral that I had never been in before, and it was there that I found the inspiration I had half-heartedly been looking for for some time (the material realisation of which I didn't think existed in reality), concerning the shaping of the look and feel of a specific scene in the Armarniss novel I have been plotting/attempting to write.
In my book, Lance loses faith in his ability to continue with his quest, and in a moment filled with such loss, finds himself living a vision. In it, Lance finds himself in an unfamiliar environment, in the grips of a rain filled night. It is in an arched walkway, looking out onto a grassy courtyard, watching the rain falling on long forgotten tombs and headstones, that Lance comes face to face with the spectral figure who will offer him hope. I shall not say any more than that, but let it be known that when I was taking the photo, I had such a message of utter glee written across my face, that a kind American visitor stopped in her tracks and asked me what I was so excited about. I told her of course, and she seemed thrilled too! So here it is, the arched walkway. It may not seem much to you, but to me, I see many things taking shape.

Chapter_House.jpg: The Chapter House, where can be found around the entire circle surrounding, painted props for the Da Vinci Code, placed in each and every arch. I don't know what scene these will feature in, but I'll be sure to look out for them.

DaVinci_props1.jpg : Replica statues for the Westminster Abbey scenes.

DaVinci_props2.jpg : Close up of the detail on some of the hand-painted panes for each arch within the Chapter House.

God, what a crazy few weeks it has been (or, if you look at it from the academic point of view, you could class it as a crazy year instead). I found myself landed in such a stressful situation that, I must have done more work over these last few weeks than I have for the whole year! Not only did I have to get all my assignments finished for the end of year assessments, but I also had the exhibition construction to contend with (as well as the planning for the execution of my own board). Thankfully, all is now done and I can finally sit back and relax for a while, with time to follow my own interests, at least until the show period is over. The feeling for the need to rush around like a blue-arsed fly has been taken over by something new and more dreadful however, the feeling that I should be getting myself into gear and starting to look at my options. This will be my last year as a student if you haven’t guessed already and although I’ll be glad to finally get away from the university (sometimes I have really hated the place), I must admit that I fear what the future holds for me. I don’t yet know what my marks are for graduation, but I feel I should at least be looking around for jobs or, if I’m feeling really crazy, I’ve also been considering the Masters degree year (although this could be something I could go back to in the future if I decide to teach design). Only time will tell. Anyway, I have two photos of my finished exhibition board, and yes, that is a coyote. My personal stationery designs / portfolio web site (still in the works) follow a western Americana / dream catcher theme.

http://www.geocities.com/armarniss/Board1.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/armarniss/Board2.jpg

On a different subject, I realise that people aren’t always interested in what’s going on in an artist’s life here at Live Journal, and that seemingly the only thing worth commenting on / talking about is art dumps and stuff of the sort. So sorry that I’m often too busy with academia to be able to post art related entries all the time and that I write about what’s going on in my life / my interest of the moment, but that’s no reason to email me and tell me that I should be making purely art posts. I never meant for this to be just an ‘art journal’, rather something in which I could express myself about anything and talk to people who might have something to say on the subject. If my journal drives you away and makes you not want to comment, why even read it in the first place? Thank you Mr Anonymous!

Btw, Ok. Artsy stuff. I started a new sculpture. This is actually the first full body sculpture I have ever attempted and I have never before used Super Sculpey, so wanted to try it out. Sculptures I have attempted to do before have always turned out nasty looking, with fingerprints and wonky arms, and the good ones have always been just mini sized, heads or busts. I really don’t have that much experience in sculpture making, or the proper tools at that. This time, after making a small head prototype, I decided to try out the foil under-support and built my details up from that. The photos were taken before it went in the oven, as I didn’t trust that it would come out ok and expected it to melt, but it did come out just sweet and is now at the painting stage. So here it is, a sculpture in progress!

http://www.geocities.com/armarniss/Sculpt1.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/armarniss/Sculpt2.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/armarniss/Sculpt3.jpg

He’s a coyote with a ‘pony tail dude’ braid and a medicine bag. I intend for him to be a support prop on the stall that I will be selling my hand painted feathers (the date was moved from last year, I will get around to photographing some of my feathers at some stage to show you guys). If you’re wondering why his arms are outstretched, it’s because there are other details to add yet. He will be holding a feather fan in one paw at some stage.

That’s all for now really. I’m going to get re-stuck into my latest read ‘The Da Vinci Code’ (Originally I said I wouldn’t read it because I feared I wouldn’t understand it and that it ‘wasn’t my kind of book’, however, I reconsidered, and thought it best to read the book before seeing the film… the books are always better. Turns out it is my kind of book after all! I only wish there was some alchemy in there too.) It’s a really fantastic book I have to say! Which reminds me, many of the scenes for the Da Vinci Code were shot around my region and recently I took a trip back to Lincoln Cathedral (which has provided me with countless inspiration and where the Westminster Abbey scenes for the film were shot), and found that many of the props from filming are still there. (I was also ecstatic to find the existing inspiration I needed for a scene in my Armarniss novel, focusing on Lance’s ‘Dream of Avalon.’) Btw, I got some photographs of the props and will get around to posting them up.

Edit: Kymba kindly pointed out Photobucket as a more reliable host for my images than Geocities. If you can't see the images when you click on the links, try going to:

http://s80.photobucket.com/albums/j188/leopreston/

Use 'jibberish' as the visitor's log in password.

Cave laborem (Beware of work).

This week has been, so far, and will continue to be, absolute hell.

The worst part is feeling like you are all on your own to cope with everything. And the depressive surroundings make me want to scream 'shove it!' Bloody 'groupies', bloody so-called tutors, bloody institution! BLOODY PRINTERS!!!!

Malim praedari (I'd rather be pillaging).

One word: Wow! (or perhaps blimey... or even heck!)



So I went to see Jeff Wayne's 'The War of the Worlds' live show yesterday (at the Nottingham Arena) and jeez, would I have been majorly unhappy if I had not had the chance to go see it. I've been a huge fan of Jeff Wayne's version for far too long to miss out on anything Musical TWOTWs related.

I won't spoil it for the people who are still yet to go see it (and I know there are some people here on LiveJournal), so I won't blab about it continuously as I have done to my family and friends since coming back. Just believe me when I say that it was awesome!

Yes, they did have Richard Burton's talking head (my friend found his eyebrows funny for some reason), and the 40ft martian tripod that moved, smoked and shot 'heat rays' at the audience. Jeff Wayne was there, Justin Hayward and Russel Watson (my friend found his performance funny too... he liked throwing himself on the floor and falling about) were also there. The overall show is beyond words, but if I had to rate it I would give it a huge 10/10!

Technically, there was a no cameras, no videos rule, but every now and then you would see a flash or little squares of light from peoples screens as they recorded segments, so I thought what the heck and filmed myself. These are only very short clips, as my camera doesn't have much memory and the view isn't so good on the screen. The sound, however, is great as long as it works. The view was better actually being there unfortunately. These clips should work ok (mine viewed in Quicktime).

The view of the arena before the show started, just to show how absolutely packed out it was. The stairs should have had 'danger of death' stickers on them. You can faintly see the big white head that would have Richard Burton's face projected onto it. The tripod is up in the framework somewhere. Please excuse my nutty friend...

http://us.share.geocities.com/armarniss/Thearena.AVI

Segment from The Spirit of Man song, sung by Russel Watson (the crazy parson) and Tara Blaise (Beth, the parson's wife). This is in fact, my favourite song out of the whole album.

http://us.share.geocities.com/armarniss/Russelwatson.AVI

I do have one more video but it’s being a bugger to upload, so watch out for it soon!

----------

(Edit: Added; http://us.share.geocities.com/armarniss/Tripods.AVI )

Segment from early on in the show, when the tripod machine first comes into view, from somewhere above. I just had to try and get some of the lighting effects... and capture the cool sound!

I was discussing the FurryFans website with my sister today, with most of the chuckles caused by the 'Happy Wabbit' animation (http://www.furryfans.com/HappyWabbit.html) which still remains our favourite. It got us talking about alternative Happy Wabbit scenarios… what if? And so on. I proposed an idea and surprisingly carried it through. I don’t think my sister expected me to spend the time doing it either, but however lame the animation; it made for a few brighter moments:

http://www.geocities.com/armarniss/Happyburpfart.swf

You’ll have to excuse the ‘hangovers’ at the edges if you can see them.

I suppose I should take it as a compliment. They did put a credit in there for me, but it would have been nice if they had asked my permission first though:

www.amtgard-wl.com/library/nauticalnights.pdf

(Pg 25)

I hope everyone had a good Christmas and happy New Year...

I'm back to my old pile of work and not exactly enjoying it. *Sigh* Some new updates will be coming up on my Elfwood page soon. Look out for those if you wish to see the rare event that is me updating my artwork.


You are Hazel!


Which Watership Down Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Ta'ra for now...

Ok, so it's my last post before I break up for the Christmas holidays.

*Grins* So I did manage to get tickets to see the live tour of the War of the Worlds afterall. I'm so glad and it's now something for me to look forward to and somewhat aim towards.

'The chances of me going to see the show... are hugely better'.

Not much else to say...

I just hope that everyone has a merry Christmas and a happy new year! I'll be back hopefully with more arty goodness!

Why does this have to be so darn expensive?!

http://www.thewaroftheworlds.com/news/newsstory.aspx?id=33

I'm trying to arrange a concert trip for myself and a friend to see Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds for April next year and it's proving to be so bloody hard! Garh! I'm such a big fan of the musical version I think I might just die if I don't get to see it in person! *cries*

This is actually me venting my rant.

*Calms down and slinkers away... then bursts into song: 'The chances of me going to see this at all, are a million to one....'

What the?!

Ok, so I was absent mindedly surfing the artwork on Deviantart when I came across this:

http://www.deviantart.com/view/16570490/

I almost laughed myself off my chair. I love the concept, the composition and everything, but I figure it would be pretty scary to have a Napoleon clinging to your face... *Shudders* ^_-*

Just two updates to my Elfwood gallery. You can see them here:

http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/art/l/e/leonapreston/leonapreston.html

Now I can get some sleep...

It was fantastic and I would go as far as to say that it was probably worth the 10 year production effort.
The animation was so smooth that it almost looked computer generated and the way they got the facial expressions to change so seamlessly was amazing. The Corpse Bride bursting from the ground was by far the best scene, although I personally liked Victor's piano scene. The songs I don't think were as memorable as Nightmare Before Christmas, but it was a good film at any rate. Nice fresh take on the dead... not just lumbering zombies but exaggerated characterisations instead. Roll on Wallace & Gromit + Harry Potter!

Well I know it's late, but I hope everyone had a nice Hallowe'en and (if British), a great Bonfire Night!

I endeavored to go on a day trip to Calais from Dover over Hallowe'en, and having got there, found that it was as scary as Hallowe'en itself!

In all honesty (and I don't really want to insult anyone here, so forgive me if I do), I've never really liked the French. I find the French 'attitude' to be rather vulgar, arrogant and 'shoved-up-own-ass'. I can honestly say that there is absolutely nothing about the French that I like (all stems from my hatred in French classes at school and the further actions of the country towards Britain; not lifting the ban on our meat exports even when it was deemed safe, saying that our cuisine is nasty even though we have some of the best damned chefs over here...) Enough on that. I would like to mention that I realise not all French people are the same as the above. There are some genuinely nice persons, however the general 'attitude' stinks.

Anyway, btw, I went to Calais with an open mind, having never been to France before and rather hoping to come away with a different view. Far from it. I have had every suspicion confirmed and I can now say that I will never set foot on French soil again as long as I can help it (although I may well go again just to bottle up some soil and claim that I own a piece of France just to be a pain in the arse)!

Btw, So I finally saw the white cliffs of Dover, safeguard of Britain against Hitler's forces.... my photos came out wet and rainy... *curses*
The journey over sea via ferry was the most wonderful part of the entire trip. I took an old 18th century styled telescope with me and used it to look out at other people on other vessels (some waved). Remarkably, I wasn't seasick with all the swaying! The sunset on the way back to Dover was beautiful.

My first impression of France... industrial wastelands. Dry, brown grass and... errr.

Food. I went to a traditional cafe within the French mall we visited to do some supposed 'Christmas shopping'. The communication was too much of an effort and I ended up just pointing at things to make up the body of a salad. I thought I had ordered mushrooms... they turned out to be strange, parcel shaped cheese balls that tasted of 'nothing'. I have never in my life tasted tasteless cheese. Wierd. Most of the food was wierd apart from the pizza.

As for the people I met. I get the impression that the French don't like English as the primary language. I had heard that if you at least attempt and put effort into trying a little French, they appreciate it. I tried a few rusty sentences and then asked in English, and was greeted with harsh tones and stern looks that would make even Lance look cheerful.

*Sigh* To cut a long story short, there were many things that narked me off... having to line up for up to half and hour just to use the loo, the display on the mall walls, presenting some information about different countries (with Britain's description going along the lines of "contrary to popular belief, some of Britain's dishes are nice"). Insult. The most shocking of all though has to be what I found within every clothes shop I entered. Real fur. It's everywhere. Fur trims on coats, fur bangles, fur coats... they must be a major consumer of real fur (from blue fox, rabbit, raccoon)... Sickening. And everyone seemed to be wearing it. The teenage girls, also had some strange fashion sense (it was like 80's pop) and the teen lads seemed to have a trend going... to walk around indoors with a biker helmet on or with a white lolly-pop hanging from the mouth.

Erh! I'd had enough after a while. I didn't exactly want it to turn into a booze cruise, but instead let in to the temptation that most of the Brits there were doing. I went to the supermarket and got lots of low cost Baileys, Malibu etc... Yum. One nice thing from the day.

In the end, I had not done any Christmas shopping at all. I instead came back with hardened views and lots of nice spirits for the festive period at least.

Of France I will say that they can stay over there, as far away from me. I have now now had it confirmed that the same attitudes extend to Paris as well. In all honesty, I feel more of a kindred linkage to America than I do to France. They speak English for one, and Americans are also nice to talk with. Genuinely as interested in you as you are of them. *Grins towards US chums*

So this is the rant I wanted to get off my chest. What did I get out of it? Well a greater appreciation for what I have for one, and an appreciation for those I can really talk to for another!

Happy Trafalgar Day! Being rather sucked in by the Trafalgar 200 bicentenary celebrations, I thought I would share some scribbles.




Pacing along the deck of HMS Victory, Nelson reflects to his Captain and right-hand man Hardy his hopes for the situation:





Moments later…





*Raises glass* ‘Here’s to you Nelson old boy!’

Wuuuwrr... Snuffly nose, blood-shot eyes, tickly cough, pressure in the head... yep. I caught the bug.

I am thine own worst enemy. I said to everyone that I wouldn't be one of the first to catch the autumn cold. I was wrong. Those blondes who were coughing at the back of my head on the bus finally got one over me. Ewwr... I've been feeling dizzy for days apparently.

Ehw, well, I said I'd post last week, and in all truth I meant to write a long update on what's been going on but haven't quite felt up to it. I apologise for that. I'll get around to it eventually, but right now I feel like death warmed up. So much for being alive...

Someone named Neil who was doing some research for a project, asked me what was the most interesting thing that had happened to me between 2.00 and 3.00am in the morning. Taking into account one sleepless, work filled night, I replied; 'I once turned into a zombie'. It was true.


Aaah, glad to have shared that bit of pointlessness and pukey-illnessness with ya. Uwrr.....

'I'm-a gonna up-a-date-a dis-a soooon-ah! Yoo's-ah gonna have-ta wait-ah til next veek do'h...'

That's apparently spanglishyjarjar speech...

I know. I've gone mad. MOOHEEHEEHEEEEeeeeeeee!!!!



Yes. But I am alive.

War Of The Worlds was awesome... until the martians made their appearance in the basement. Goh! That kinda spoilt it for me. I'm too much of a H.G.Wells fan for re-works to be too far away from the description in his books... I'm gonna stick to Jeff Wayne's musical version. That's nearer and still set in London.

Anywho, just dropping a note to say, if you haven't seen it yet... you should!