Stellar title, yes? No, oh well. I write half aware, here and on my actual work related projects (do not do this). So I have been neglecting my fan fiction readers and it is an atrocity, I also have been neglecting my editor, neither of which I am proud of. It is stupid to commit to too many projects at once. So, here's a shout out to all those who think I have forgotten them, I haven't and I'm getting to you, I promise, I promise... and don't hate me, and I'm punishing myself, I'm promise (no Arrested Development or Mojitos). I've decided to take five minutes and mind vomit on you.
Now that we've covered me being neglectfully evil, I'd like to move onto something called Androgyny. I don't like it, man, I mean, honestly I don't really care if you're a he or a she or an it, but given current social protocols it helps to know. It would have helped to know especially when I was in the service industry and approached a guest with, "How are you doing today, ma--erm, sir--erm, friend?" You don't know how many times teenage boys foiled me with long hair, and I totally humiliated myself by calling them "sweetie" as they looked away from me... it had that condescending effect that made me look like a jerk and simultaneously made them aware of their confused sexual appeal--unpleasant for all parties involved. ANYWAY!! Sometimes I'm sent art, for fan fictions, for original fictions, by really wonderful people who read my work. I love seeing how what I've described comes to life visually, but at the same time I worry about the effect an image can have on readers. I was asked recently why I haven't shared most of the art.
I don't know about you, but I read all the Harry Potter books before I watched the movies, now if I'd watched the movies and then read the book, I would have envisioned the characters as they were in the film instead of what my own mind was able to concoct from Rowling's words. Point is, I enjoy letting the reader explore the world and characters for themselves, though at times I do gush over fan art. I bring up androgyny because it seems the feminine artistic default, and though I dearly love sharing what has been shared with me, when an individual sees an image, especially of a depicted character, it can often color the way they henceforth perceive the character when they read. And with all the kindness and love in my heart I have to say, ladies, boys don't look like girls--not usually. I am not the hottest artist, when I draw people they all look like women so I really can't say anything.
With this in mind, I want to announce that I will be sharing original fan art, but for readers to note that each picture is an original depiction of the artist and not necessarily my perception. And that's fine, because I want you to see the world as vividly and uniquely as you see it. Please note, however, I'm never going to prance around with an "not-approved" stamp, because well, that's just uncool.
Explanation over I can now share with you the art that so inspired the discussion. Original Art of the Day by M.Ira
**To be honest, I wish I could go in with a sharpie and draw angry eyebrows, because this character is not the least bit woeful or angsty, but everyone it totally at liberty to draw what they'd like. I love you M.Ira <3**
To highlight the androgyny discussion M.Ira has created the following. Her original drawing was done via stylis on a virtual interface and treated with various Photoshop filters. The first image below is roughly the original sketch with a texture filter, we note here that he still looks coarse:
Now that we've covered me being neglectfully evil, I'd like to move onto something called Androgyny. I don't like it, man, I mean, honestly I don't really care if you're a he or a she or an it, but given current social protocols it helps to know. It would have helped to know especially when I was in the service industry and approached a guest with, "How are you doing today, ma--erm, sir--erm, friend?" You don't know how many times teenage boys foiled me with long hair, and I totally humiliated myself by calling them "sweetie" as they looked away from me... it had that condescending effect that made me look like a jerk and simultaneously made them aware of their confused sexual appeal--unpleasant for all parties involved. ANYWAY!! Sometimes I'm sent art, for fan fictions, for original fictions, by really wonderful people who read my work. I love seeing how what I've described comes to life visually, but at the same time I worry about the effect an image can have on readers. I was asked recently why I haven't shared most of the art.
I don't know about you, but I read all the Harry Potter books before I watched the movies, now if I'd watched the movies and then read the book, I would have envisioned the characters as they were in the film instead of what my own mind was able to concoct from Rowling's words. Point is, I enjoy letting the reader explore the world and characters for themselves, though at times I do gush over fan art. I bring up androgyny because it seems the feminine artistic default, and though I dearly love sharing what has been shared with me, when an individual sees an image, especially of a depicted character, it can often color the way they henceforth perceive the character when they read. And with all the kindness and love in my heart I have to say, ladies, boys don't look like girls--not usually. I am not the hottest artist, when I draw people they all look like women so I really can't say anything.
With this in mind, I want to announce that I will be sharing original fan art, but for readers to note that each picture is an original depiction of the artist and not necessarily my perception. And that's fine, because I want you to see the world as vividly and uniquely as you see it. Please note, however, I'm never going to prance around with an "not-approved" stamp, because well, that's just uncool.
Explanation over I can now share with you the art that so inspired the discussion. Original Art of the Day by M.Ira
**To be honest, I wish I could go in with a sharpie and draw angry eyebrows, because this character is not the least bit woeful or angsty, but everyone it totally at liberty to draw what they'd like. I love you M.Ira <3**
To highlight the androgyny discussion M.Ira has created the following. Her original drawing was done via stylis on a virtual interface and treated with various Photoshop filters. The first image below is roughly the original sketch with a texture filter, we note here that he still looks coarse:
She later sent me an alternate version of the picture after it had been treated with a watercolor filter and softening details. He's lost a lot of weight and has that gaunt, sad look. Both images are amazing, but the image below hits androgyny on the head for me. It's lovely, lovelier than the first in fact, but it's interesting to note how the different Photoshop filters change the character of an image... Or in this instance, the character of the character.
What I do like about this piece below is the vagueness and freedom for open interpretation.Thank you everyone for your art <3