While I haven’t posted a roundup post of my recent art so far this new year, I’ve been busy pushing my current limitations as an artist. And while I continue to push forward with my ultimate goal, I’m still making too many mistakes to feel comfortable publishing any of my attempts at drawing Harrison (one of the chief characters from Crossroads). From the moment he emerged from the depths of my mind, I have wanted to capture that manic grin of my mad scientist (given the setting, he’s more of an alchemist). Despite inching closer to my lofty aim, I invite you to enjoy a collection of my doodles, liquified textures, and name plaques. I originally published these pieces during the week of January 3rd for my patrons. But after seven days of exclusivity, I reposted them in my DeviantArt gallery, and now I am bringing them to my blog. Sit back and enjoy the artwork below. As always, click on any image below to get a better look at the picture...

While I’ve written a handful of Dramas, I’ve found that the storylines are difficult to uncover. As with any blanket statement, there are exceptions such as Second Chance and Simple Pleasures. But I’m always game for a challenge, so last Saturday I started trying to work through a storyline, but after many false starts I went to NYC Midnight and searched for a prompt for the Drama narrative that refused to start...

When last we left Rylan and Annabelle, she was ecstatic that her husband woke up from the coma gripping him. Despite Annabelle’s concern regarding his desire to nap, Rylan got some sleep before the doctors pushed him into therapy and the detective came to take his statement. Over the course of a couple weeks, Rylan dedicated himself to his recovery. And all the hard work pays off as he walks out of the hospital, though he ignores his doctor’s advice concerning a severe cough...

Despite the long trek across unfamiliar terrain, Fenton and his squadron discovered the crash site of their ancestors. Upon gathering all the intelligence they could from the ruins, Fenton leads his team away from the failed colonization attempt. Weary from their long journey and investigation, the soldiers’ unease from the absence of wildlife continues to mount...

Fresh off his conversation with Marcus and Talia, Nathaniel dispatched them to collect Bret. While they took a train north, Nathaniel hopped on a southbound one to visit with Natali. Nathaniel convinced her to travel west and extend Kethra the same invitation to meet with all the regional leaders with great effort. When all four leaders arrive at the capital building’s burnt-out remains, Nathaniel proposes an alternative plan for survival...

To round out 2020, I posted additional name placards, more work that used the liquify tool, and a somewhat old doodle I made of a mage mixing things in his cauldron. And while I love the work that I’ve done, I still have my eyes set on a loftier goal. I want to draw characters from all of my stories. And while I attempt to draw characters, I’m still a long way from being satisfied with that work. While I develop those skills, I still need to smile with the work I’m doing. And those smiles come from the doodles I’m posting, though I’ll be shifting that process...

With Burnout and Second Chance published, my focus snapped to the only remaining piece of flash fiction for December, a Fantasy. From the moment the monthly poll closed, I knew that this narrative would explore Darren’s home. I cracked open my notes for Darren Gilbert’s life and thumbed through everything, and I located the notes for the story where Darren stumbled upon his home. While I’m eager to tell that story, it’s not one I want to publish on Patreon. So, I thought about some other storylines I’ve written, and I chose to highlight an interaction between Darren and his oldest friend, Roland...

The leadership of Aurora has completed its colonization of the Aurorian system. While Olyver has pushed for the Federation’s creation, Quinn and Caitlin have delayed the process until the planets have become self-sufficient. Now that each of the new worlds is thriving, Quinn and Caitlin invite the leaders to Aurora as they seek to complete the birth of the new Federation. However, each of the new governments is wary about the fledgling Federation’s leadership and placement...

My focus for art last week was to fully explore the liquify tool. I’ve been posting some compositions of liquified clouds, and the last of those early pieces has been uploaded to DeviantArt. Aside from the liquified textures, I have completed another nameplate, this time for my niece, and a couple of other doodles. Finger Claws was one of my initial uses of Autodesk SketchBook, and it was a fun experience. While the Android app can create some fun pictures, it’s not ideal when all I have are my fingers...

Over the last installments, a former shipmate orchestrated Rylan’s beating, and a detective informed Annabelle of the crime. From that moment on, she’s spent every waking moment with her unconscious husband. Over the next few months, the doctors try to get her to leave, but she uses her family’s influence to take up occupancy in Rylan’s hospital room. Her constant presence compels the doctors to redouble their efforts to rouse Rylan from his coma...

When I finished writing Burnout, I turned my attention to the second piece for my patrons, a Drama. When I collected the results of the poll, It’s A Wonderful Life must have been in my mind because I gripped that thread and let my mind build a tale off that premise. While I knew the rough strokes of the narrative, I needed to flush out the details. So, I turned to NYC Midnight and plucked a random Drama prompt, placing my tale in front of a foreclosed home. When my fingers started typing, my mind twisted the required prosthetic into a pair of crutches, but thankfully I’m not submitting this to judges...

From the moment Maxwell dumped Wayne with his former roommate, Darren does everything he can think of to avoid his arrogant and distant relative. As the weeks churn, he alters every aspect of his life except for his classes. The teachers refuse to make further alterations to their classes to accommodate the childish behavior. With that avenue removed from him, Darren continues to isolate himself from Wayne and his classmates. So, the rumors of a new student never reach Darren’s ears...

A couple of weeks ago, I picked up my stylus and started making some doodles. While they are fun to make, I wanted to learn how to make a marble design. With that desire entrenched in my mind, I turned to YouTube and explored the vast collection of videos on the subject. After going through a handful of videos, I started working with the liquify tool, and I’m excited about creating these organic pieces. While I’ve added the liquify tool to my arsenal, I’ll continue using and mastering the tools I’ve already added...

For the first time since I started doing these polls, I’ve instantly had an idea for each of the three genres selected for the month. When I announced the genres for December, I mentioned that I was going to draw inspiration from Die Hard. But aside from that rather general statement, I needed some context for the rough plotline tumbling about in my mind. So, I turned to NYC Midnight and plucked a random prompt for Action Adventure. With a smile, my plot points quickly and roughly fell into place...

After landing the vessel, Jarvis enlists Dyrk’s help in cataloging the exotic wildlife using the ship’s sensors while the remaining crew establishes their basecamp. Meanwhile, a small squadron, led by Fenton, one of Jarvis’s closest advisors, head into the forest to explore and catalog their ancestors’ crashed spaceship. Fully expecting to encounter some outlandish creatures, members of the team is uneasy with their uneventful hike across the unknown planet...