From zombies to anime, steampunk, comics and sci-fi...they're WISCONSIN CONS!!!
(I posted them in order of dates. Also, if information is N/A, I couldn't really find the info for 2011.)
Anime Milwaukee in Milwaukee - http://www.animemilwaukee.com/
Topics: anime
Activities: cosplay, panels, video programming, rave, exibit hall, AMV contests, children's programming, video gaming, maid cafe
2011 Date: February 18 - 20
KitsuneKon in Appleton - http://kitsunekon.com/
Topics: anime
Activities: cosplay, dance, panels, AMV contests, vendors
2011 Date: February 25 - 27
No Brand Con in Eau Claire (first anime convention in WI)- http://www.nobrandcon.com/
Topics: anime
Activities: AMV contests, panels, gaming
2011 Date: April 15-17
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NakamaCon in Madison - http://www.nakamacon.com/News/
Topics: steampunk, anime, anthropomorphic
Activities: N/A
2011 Date: May 27 - 29 (Safari theme, con trying to go entirely anthropomorphic)
WisCon in Madison - http://www.wiscon.info/
Topics: sci-fi
Activities: panels, bake sale, auction, art show, vendors
2011 Date: May 26 - 30
NADW Con in Madison - http://www.nadwcon.org/
Topics: sci-fi
Activities: charity auction, masquerade, gala banquet, vendors
2011 Date: July 8 - 11
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Geek.Kon in Madison - http://www.geekkon.net/
Topics: anime, sci-fi, gaming
Activities: AMV contests, talent show, masquerade, masked ball, mixer, panels
2011 Date: September 9-11
TeslaCon in Madison - http://www.teslacon.org/
Topics: steampunk
Activities: N/A
2011 Date: November 18 - 20
Daisho Con in Steven's Point - http://www.daishocon.com/
Topics: anime, gaming, sci-fi
Activities: panels, online contests
2011 Date: N/A
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Edge Comic-Con in Edgerton - http://www.edgecomiccon.com/index.html
Topics: comics
Activities: N/A
2011 Date: N/A
WausaubiCon in Wausau - http://www.facebook.com/WausaubiCon?v=wall#!/WausaubiCon
Topics: anime
Activities: N/A
2011 Date: N/A
ZombieCon in Milwaukee - http://www.zombieconx.com/index.html
Topics: zombies, horror
Activities: N/A
2011 Date: N/A
Monday, January 17, 2011
PROSE - The SteamPunk Artist of Wisconsin
It's Monday. I'm cold. I'm bored and looking for something light to do when my son's homeschooling doesn't demand my attention. So.
I'm going to start drawing SteamPunk-style! Picking up my old habit of drawing; but with a new spin on it. I'm interested in the lines and mechanics that the topic reveals in the artwork; rather lack of...in artwork I am coming across nowadays that is SteamPunk. You could get some totally awesome designs from just studying the drawing of mechanics alone and combine that with spectacular characters of various degree. But does anyone go that extra mile? Not really. I've seen one element really pop out in a picture, but lack in the other elements of SteamPunk. I would like to try and go that extra mile. This blog is dedicated to the SteamPunk artists of Wisconsin :) (Unite!)
"Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Specifically, steampunk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them; in other words, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne or real technologies like the computer but developed earlier in an alternate history." - Wikipedia.org
It is a chance for the artist to delve into something new and change a style of painting or drawing to include the detailed and the daring.
Find out more about SteamPunk here:
I highly suggest you look over all pages for a very thorough response to this question!
How to Start Drawing SteamPunk-Style
Disclaimer: This DIY Drawing SteamPunk-Style is suggestive only; it is the opinion of the blogger and not really based on anything else like advertisement or favouritism :P It is basically how I'm going to be drawing.
The four elements of drawing SteamPunk style are (in no particular order):
- Mechanical. Learning how steam-powered mechanisms work and how they look like is important in designing flying, land-roving, nautical or the useful tools used on one's person.
- Characters. The artist should learn what styles of characters are generally used in SteamPunk. They are primarily the Aristocrat, the Gadgeteer, the Scientist, the Explorer, the Officer, the Citizen, the Air Pirate, or the Ragamuffin. What would a Victorian aristocrat look like? What would they wear? What tiny details of his garb or personal belongings reflect on his lifestyle? What is the difference between an air pirate and an explorer? Ect. It is learning how to draw the hairstyles, the shoes they wore, how to draw textures and include colours that pertain to the Victorian era that also make your characters really stand out as SteamPunk toons.
- Scenery. The Wisconsin artist learns all about cool things of Wisconsin that can go into backgrounds or be incorporated into a character's pose or actions. Maybe behind a gadgeteer toon's figure is a steam-powered car rolling down the world's first speedway, the Milwaukee Mile, in West Allis. This can be applied to where ever you live; I suggest local scenery because where you live is where you can get the best opportunities to create realistic scenery.
- History. Learn your history, noobs. This is where what ISN'T SteamPunk and what IS SteamPunk can really be defined for you in what your designs convey and negate the majority of negative feedback you might get in your artwork given by your fellow SteamPunk fanatics.
History
I'm going to start drawing SteamPunk-style! Picking up my old habit of drawing; but with a new spin on it. I'm interested in the lines and mechanics that the topic reveals in the artwork; rather lack of...in artwork I am coming across nowadays that is SteamPunk. You could get some totally awesome designs from just studying the drawing of mechanics alone and combine that with spectacular characters of various degree. But does anyone go that extra mile? Not really. I've seen one element really pop out in a picture, but lack in the other elements of SteamPunk. I would like to try and go that extra mile. This blog is dedicated to the SteamPunk artists of Wisconsin :) (Unite!)
What is SteamPunk, you ask?
"Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Specifically, steampunk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them; in other words, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne or real technologies like the computer but developed earlier in an alternate history." - Wikipedia.org
It is a chance for the artist to delve into something new and change a style of painting or drawing to include the detailed and the daring.
Find out more about SteamPunk here:
I highly suggest you look over all pages for a very thorough response to this question!
Wikipedia - Steampunk
Tor: SteamPunk 101
What is SteamPunk? A Subculture Infiltrating Films, Music, Fashion and More
The WriteRunner: What is SteamPunk?
The Clockwork Century
The Gatehouse: SteamPunk
Tor: SteamPunk 101
What is SteamPunk? A Subculture Infiltrating Films, Music, Fashion and More
The WriteRunner: What is SteamPunk?
The Clockwork Century
The Gatehouse: SteamPunk
How to Start Drawing SteamPunk-Style
Disclaimer: This DIY Drawing SteamPunk-Style is suggestive only; it is the opinion of the blogger and not really based on anything else like advertisement or favouritism :P It is basically how I'm going to be drawing.
The four elements of drawing SteamPunk style are (in no particular order):
- Mechanical. Learning how steam-powered mechanisms work and how they look like is important in designing flying, land-roving, nautical or the useful tools used on one's person.
- Characters. The artist should learn what styles of characters are generally used in SteamPunk. They are primarily the Aristocrat, the Gadgeteer, the Scientist, the Explorer, the Officer, the Citizen, the Air Pirate, or the Ragamuffin. What would a Victorian aristocrat look like? What would they wear? What tiny details of his garb or personal belongings reflect on his lifestyle? What is the difference between an air pirate and an explorer? Ect. It is learning how to draw the hairstyles, the shoes they wore, how to draw textures and include colours that pertain to the Victorian era that also make your characters really stand out as SteamPunk toons.
- Scenery. The Wisconsin artist learns all about cool things of Wisconsin that can go into backgrounds or be incorporated into a character's pose or actions. Maybe behind a gadgeteer toon's figure is a steam-powered car rolling down the world's first speedway, the Milwaukee Mile, in West Allis. This can be applied to where ever you live; I suggest local scenery because where you live is where you can get the best opportunities to create realistic scenery.
- History. Learn your history, noobs. This is where what ISN'T SteamPunk and what IS SteamPunk can really be defined for you in what your designs convey and negate the majority of negative feedback you might get in your artwork given by your fellow SteamPunk fanatics.
Mechanical Drawing
Mechanical drawing is very important to the SteamPunk artist. Any idiot can draw a circle shape (even badly-drawn) but can any idiot draw a bolt and have it look like a bolt? If you can't get mechanical drawing down, I suggest you stop trying to draw SteamPunk style and just stick to illustrating children's books. Not that that's bad, either, we do need someone to continue drawing hungry caterpillars for our wee ones :)Mechanical Drawing
How to Draw SteamPunk Machines
Wikipedia - Steam Engines
Crabfu SteamWork Toys
Airship and Blimp Resources
Wikipedia - Airships
Wikipedia - Zeppelins
Wikipedia - Sumbarines
Wikipedia - Steam Car
How to Draw SteamPunk Machines
Wikipedia - Steam Engines
Crabfu SteamWork Toys
Airship and Blimp Resources
Wikipedia - Airships
Wikipedia - Zeppelins
Wikipedia - Sumbarines
Wikipedia - Steam Car
Characters
This name generator is pretty cool when needing names for drawn characters, characters in a text-based game, writing stories or coming up with a new title for yourself in cosplay:History
By the 1830's, factories began to use steam power instead of water power. Many machines that were driven by steam were powerful and cheap to run. Also, factories that used steam power could be built anywhere, not just along the banks of fast-moving rivers like they had been before. As a result of this, American industry expanded rapidly. At the same time, new machines made it possible to produce more goods at a lower price. These more affordable prices attracted eager buyers. Families no longer had to make clothing and other things in their homes. Instead, they could but factory-made goods.
Jules Verne's SteamPunk WisconsinWikipedia - Victorian Era
Victoriana
Wikipedia - Timeine of Steam Power
More links will be added as I continue my artwork and research :)
This is Sophronia Rosse Paxton, airship merchant's daughter, out.
Victoriana
Wikipedia - Timeine of Steam Power
More links will be added as I continue my artwork and research :)
This is Sophronia Rosse Paxton, airship merchant's daughter, out.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
LIFE - Embroidering Hope
To create artwork on cloth often takes time, knowledge of your craft and patience. I was embroidering today and with every stitch, snip of the threads and puncture of cloth, I was thinking of my future and what it would hold.
Not so long ago everything looked so bleak to me and suddenly, doors and windows both opened up when I embraced my faith rather than denied it. *snip snip* Hrm. Snow white. The colour of rebirth; the colour of my sleepiness converting to rebirth. The clouded past clearing to a bright and crisp December morning blanketed by day-old snow. Blue, my noble and second favourite colour. Blue like the eyes I wish I was born with; always envied. *draws the thread up through the cloth in long, repetitive movements* Blue, like the oceans I want to cross so very soon! Blue - the colour I want to wear when I get married some day. *carefully cuts the thread and rethreads the needle with*...ah purple. The best. What has seen me through since I was a child. I look forward to seeing my future painted with this one; whether in my childrens' imaginations or in the scenery of my home.
I wanted to sew silver threads into this piece, but I cannot bring myself to it. Silver is the colour of the unknown, the part I will leave up to Someone far bigger and greater than myself. I won't imagine that part; the part where I give up my concerns of tomorrow to Him and life continues onward as I hone my faith. I won't imagine that part because it leaves room for me to live for today and appreciate the blessings I've got before the day is through.
My rather jumbled thoughts for the evening.
*sets aside sewing for today and turns out the lights*
Not so long ago everything looked so bleak to me and suddenly, doors and windows both opened up when I embraced my faith rather than denied it. *snip snip* Hrm. Snow white. The colour of rebirth; the colour of my sleepiness converting to rebirth. The clouded past clearing to a bright and crisp December morning blanketed by day-old snow. Blue, my noble and second favourite colour. Blue like the eyes I wish I was born with; always envied. *draws the thread up through the cloth in long, repetitive movements* Blue, like the oceans I want to cross so very soon! Blue - the colour I want to wear when I get married some day. *carefully cuts the thread and rethreads the needle with*...ah purple. The best. What has seen me through since I was a child. I look forward to seeing my future painted with this one; whether in my childrens' imaginations or in the scenery of my home.
I wanted to sew silver threads into this piece, but I cannot bring myself to it. Silver is the colour of the unknown, the part I will leave up to Someone far bigger and greater than myself. I won't imagine that part; the part where I give up my concerns of tomorrow to Him and life continues onward as I hone my faith. I won't imagine that part because it leaves room for me to live for today and appreciate the blessings I've got before the day is through.
My rather jumbled thoughts for the evening.
*sets aside sewing for today and turns out the lights*
Sunday, June 15, 2008
...you cut me open, and it's draining all of me...though they find it hard to believe...I'll be wearing these scars for everyone to see...I don't care what they say, I'm in love with you
They try to pull me away, but they don't know the truth...
My heart's crippled by the vein that I keep on closin'...you cut me open
Will I ever feel that again, true love, hope and light-hearted faith? Feeling absolutely, utterly beautiful? Finding more joy in my life because I have a strong relationship?
I am in doubt. Maybe don't have any more doubt left, just no faith in the ideal. Yes, ideal. Maybe that's all it ever was.
They try to pull me away, but they don't know the truth...
My heart's crippled by the vein that I keep on closin'...you cut me open
Will I ever feel that again, true love, hope and light-hearted faith? Feeling absolutely, utterly beautiful? Finding more joy in my life because I have a strong relationship?
I am in doubt. Maybe don't have any more doubt left, just no faith in the ideal. Yes, ideal. Maybe that's all it ever was.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
LIFE- The Incandescent Maiden
Incandescent =
She is beautiful, and age twenty or so. Her hair is long, thick and heavy. Her eyes sparkle though they are a plain, dark brown. She has a big smile, and full lips. Soft hands, though worked by time with lines and markings across the skin. She is middle-sized, but content with that - no marks mar her stomach yet.
I watch her. She is in front of the mirror, pinning up fake flowers into her hair and fastening feathers with ribbons. She's happy, and it shows on her round face. The Maiden is funny-looking, but not to me. She wears worn out jeans, is barefoot and an old gown with long sleeves and a dirty skirt hem. After adjusting her locks, she turns her head from side to side to admire her handiwork. Lovely! She is such a little girl still.
She stands, and I am afraid she may run away, the flowers falling from her hair. She does not. She simply discards the black, worn mirror and clambers up a nearby tree, bare feet curved slightly over each board nailed to the trunk. I know she cannot see me. She does not know, and won't for years to come - so I tread across the grass, the ground a little cold beneath my bare feet.
Settling against the tree's thick trunk, the Maiden withdraws a small, worn paperback from a sagging pocket in her gown. She settles down to read. As she turns the pages, one of her hands reaches up so that her forefinger may push large, square pink glasses further back up her nose.
I smile a bit. It must be nice to be her. She has responsibilities, yes. But she has freedom to dream, freedom in her mind to reach out towards things she will not have. Or may have yet. She does not know - all she should do is just be young. Plucking the mirror from the ground, I brush a few blades of dewdrop grass from the handle. Dare I?
Once...not too long ago, I ...well. Thought I lost the Maiden within me. Thought that I stabbed and killed a part of me that I was selfishly saving, clinging to, when in Texas, there was nothing left to sacrifice on behalf of the survival of myself and my son. I was afraid to look in the mirror. My eyes got teary. I pushed the glasses up my nose.
There was a time I set the mirror down, forgetting. Not caring what was reflected. I was simply lost. I looked up, my gaze snapping to attention. She was gone.
I panicked, slightly, jaw agape to speak words. Before I uttered a sound, I saw her run around from behind the tree and zip into the house, the screen door banging loudly behind her.
I turned the mirror over in my grasp. Closed my eyes.
And today I looked into the mirror. I saw white hair that won't stay colored, streaking my thinning locks. But my hair is still soft, and healthy. I saw a face worn by time, but it is still round and full of color. I stared into the mirror - and saw a body I am not proud of. One marred by the marks of motherhood, although it is a vessel of life. One I want to get straightened out so that it does not cripple me at a young, so young age.
I saw. I saw my heart mended, after a period of absolute grief, pain and suffering. I owe that largely to my friends this last year. I saw confidence in myself as a mother, lost and gained both abrupt in manner. I see...a Maiden who wears ribbons again. And flowers. And I see....I smile...because I see...a dreamer again. A butterfly, and a gypsy. A princess, no, but a beautiful woman on the inside.
I see the Maiden again. Though wiser, and older. Not polished, nor waning, but incandescent...
| 1. | (of light) produced by incandescence. |
| 2. | glowing or white with heat. |
| 3. | intensely bright; brilliant. |
| 4. | brilliant; masterly; extraordinarily lucid: an incandescent masterpiece; incandescent wit. |
| 5. | aglow with ardor, purpose, etc.: the incandescent vitality of youth. |
She is beautiful, and age twenty or so. Her hair is long, thick and heavy. Her eyes sparkle though they are a plain, dark brown. She has a big smile, and full lips. Soft hands, though worked by time with lines and markings across the skin. She is middle-sized, but content with that - no marks mar her stomach yet.
I watch her. She is in front of the mirror, pinning up fake flowers into her hair and fastening feathers with ribbons. She's happy, and it shows on her round face. The Maiden is funny-looking, but not to me. She wears worn out jeans, is barefoot and an old gown with long sleeves and a dirty skirt hem. After adjusting her locks, she turns her head from side to side to admire her handiwork. Lovely! She is such a little girl still.
She stands, and I am afraid she may run away, the flowers falling from her hair. She does not. She simply discards the black, worn mirror and clambers up a nearby tree, bare feet curved slightly over each board nailed to the trunk. I know she cannot see me. She does not know, and won't for years to come - so I tread across the grass, the ground a little cold beneath my bare feet.
Settling against the tree's thick trunk, the Maiden withdraws a small, worn paperback from a sagging pocket in her gown. She settles down to read. As she turns the pages, one of her hands reaches up so that her forefinger may push large, square pink glasses further back up her nose.
I smile a bit. It must be nice to be her. She has responsibilities, yes. But she has freedom to dream, freedom in her mind to reach out towards things she will not have. Or may have yet. She does not know - all she should do is just be young. Plucking the mirror from the ground, I brush a few blades of dewdrop grass from the handle. Dare I?
Once...not too long ago, I ...well. Thought I lost the Maiden within me. Thought that I stabbed and killed a part of me that I was selfishly saving, clinging to, when in Texas, there was nothing left to sacrifice on behalf of the survival of myself and my son. I was afraid to look in the mirror. My eyes got teary. I pushed the glasses up my nose.
There was a time I set the mirror down, forgetting. Not caring what was reflected. I was simply lost. I looked up, my gaze snapping to attention. She was gone.
I panicked, slightly, jaw agape to speak words. Before I uttered a sound, I saw her run around from behind the tree and zip into the house, the screen door banging loudly behind her.
I turned the mirror over in my grasp. Closed my eyes.
And today I looked into the mirror. I saw white hair that won't stay colored, streaking my thinning locks. But my hair is still soft, and healthy. I saw a face worn by time, but it is still round and full of color. I stared into the mirror - and saw a body I am not proud of. One marred by the marks of motherhood, although it is a vessel of life. One I want to get straightened out so that it does not cripple me at a young, so young age.
I saw. I saw my heart mended, after a period of absolute grief, pain and suffering. I owe that largely to my friends this last year. I saw confidence in myself as a mother, lost and gained both abrupt in manner. I see...a Maiden who wears ribbons again. And flowers. And I see....I smile...because I see...a dreamer again. A butterfly, and a gypsy. A princess, no, but a beautiful woman on the inside.
I see the Maiden again. Though wiser, and older. Not polished, nor waning, but incandescent...
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