Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Time to get back on the ball...

Ive been in quite the slump lately. The wife and I were in a car accident a week before my 38th b-day and it put a lot of things in perspective for me again. I spaced getting pics of the car after the fact but looking at it the other day, I'm surprised my wife didn't even have a scratch. An elderly lady blew through a red light and as fast as it was, things could be a whole lot different for me today. Don't think I could handle it if something had happened to her.

So I'm gonna try to get back to the place where I just have fun with life and embracing all that it has to offer. Id like to give pointers or tips etc., so that this is more of an informative blog for people who want to just enjoy the ride with me. If you have any suggestions on something other than a drawing demo feel free to let me know. I don't think myself an expert but if I can give back anything to anyone who is getting their feet wet and want some info by all means hit me up with suggestions.

On to the dump. First I cleaned my office and got it all comfy cozy to work in. ( At least for me )So pics to show you before I mess it up again...some doodles next and a lil bit of animation. I'm not thrilled with the way the animation turned out, but I learned a lot from it. So on to the next one. Thanks for swinging by.









46 comments:

RAWLS said...

Mel, my friend... your office is crazy!! Especially the cat using the computer!?!?!
Great work my friend, love the guy on the treadmill, and nice anim!

Anonymous said...

So good......

Jason Newkirk said...

u dont have enough toys...heh cripes dude...haha keep it up with the goodness...

Unknown said...

nice office! And great sketches!
I'm glad you and your wife are ok.

Vee (Scratch) said...

Good to hear you survived!
Want to get out of the slump. Just draw, doodle or scribble for fun. You never know what you may discover.

Or take cue from that cat. The cat is ready and willing to create amazing stuff. Did the cat secretly draw one of these cool pieces?

Richard Oud said...

He Mel.. it's good to hear things are allright with you and your wife. Must have been pretty scary sir. Anyway. you've got a great spirit and I like were you're heading with this blog change :)

Dumps look great as usual.. the animation feels really awesome actually... he maybe moving a bit to much (i kinda like it more when characters act a bit more within a pose) but the body mechanics are great! Anyway, talk to you soon sir.. have a great one!

Andy Latham said...

Hey Mel, I'm sorry to hear about the car incident, but I'm glad it has put you in a good state of mind!

Your pictures and animation are fantastic as usual. Contrary to what Richard Oud said, I think the movement work really nicely. There are countless axamples of animation that sticks strictly to poses, and that's great, but it's nice to see some variety :)

I'd very much like to see advice and stuff here as well as great drawings. You know that I'm still learning myself and I'm always looking for new sources of inspiration. I'd really like to see a breakdown of your methods. Everyone has a slightly different way of approaching an animation, and it would be nice to see yours. Maybe take it from initial thumbnails if you do them, going on to a blockout of the key poses, then onto more fully animated stages?

But first and foremost, keep enjoying life! I'm sure your work will reflect it :)

Andy Conroy said...

MEL! Man, good to hear from you! I will watch intently for these drawing tips. then i will use them. then i will be better.

aintshakespeare said...

Nice office. That does look cozy.

Great drawings too. I like the guy with the red shirt and I love the bug.

Unknown said...

man your office looks great... i wish i had all those toys and a cintiq! I really like the guy on the treadmill and the guy in the red shirt - great stuff mel

Mehdi Shiri said...

really awesome

Simon Scales said...

Hey Mel...awesome stuff mate - loving the office pics - gotta get me a cintiq!!!!

Unknown said...

Great collection of artworks !!

Andre Barnwell said...

Dang Son! lookin gproper. I really liked the animation and the sketches are always fun.

Reed Eriksson said...

Mel,
Sorry to heart about the accident. I'm glad you're all OK. Its amazing sometimes that seemingly "bad" things in our lives can actually turn things around for the better.

The artwork and animation looks great! As you usual, you make me jealous. :D I enjoy the poses you come up with. Keep up the good work.

Oh, and by the way, you almost put John Lasseter's office to shame. :D

Anonymous said...

ha ha ha ha I absoutly love your room!! that is great! man I love coming by and seeing tall the great stuff, you rock Mel!!

Vanhoozerbot said...

Mel,

First of all, I am glad to hear that you and your wife are ok. Those types of moments really do make everything a bit clearer.

Secondly, your office rocks. Your toys rock. Your awesome Cintiq rocks. Your cat rocks. And in case you didn't know... I am a HUGE fan of your work. Your characters have so much life and bounce to them and your animation is always really good.

I guess what I am trying to say is... hold your head high man. You are extremely good at what you do. None of us are "experts" so don't beat yourself up about it. And feel good about the fact that MANY people would love for you to share any tips that you may have regarding this art thing that you do. :)

Your fan,

JV

Ryan Khatam said...

That insect is frightening. I dig the new blog layout.

Jörn said...

Lol ... think that all home-offices look the same. The bugs are looking wonderfull slimy.

Ken said...

Hey dude, hope you and your wife are ok!

your sketches are great...and thats one crazy cool office...

I couldnt view your animation for some reason tho grr!

Nelson Dániel said...

Mel...really very cool office, looks great. And great drawings too.
Your Fan.

Adrian Lubbers said...

Glad you guys are O.K.!
Love the office too. I always think mine is too cluttered but you take the cake my friend. As for advice... come to my blog and fire away!!! I would love some critques on my work.

tinylittlesandra said...

Hey -
So glad your still with us! I've been in a mad mangled car crash as well, and came out without a scratch.. really does make you thankful!

Your work is inspirational - as always! I'm impressed with the thought you put into your office, it looks great.
I'm dabbling in 3d myself at the minute, when I get something worthwhile showing, I'll drop you a link, would really appreciate hearing what you think.
Stay well ,and alive! :O)

Javier Giangiacomo said...

Really glad to hear you're fine from your accident. Love your office, I'm from Argentina and here's is impossible buying toys (and Cintiqs), so anytime I take a look at american artists offices my wife starts to hear my blaming at the US Dollar/Argentinian Pesos currency. Thanks for sharing your art, man. Take care,
Javier.

Pointpusher said...

Glad you could both walk away from the accident unharmed. I hope the little old lady was OK too. The office is sick, and so is the art (as usual). What you wrote about appreciating life is great to see written in a place like this, so thank you. Annnnnd, if you're still taking suggestions for demos etc. well, how you approach posing might be a good one. Be cool Mel.

Ken Chandler said...

Glad nobody was hurt bad. Hope you're both well.

Love your pad Mel! Great collection of toys! I esp. like your Orc-ish guys in armor (the busts). Too cool!

Jon Diesta said...

I'm glad things turned out alright, man. In a silver lining kinda way, I really love those moments when life gives you a reality check and makes you want to make each moment thereafter count so much more...

On a lighter note...
Awesome stuff man, as always, and I can't wait for you to do a demo!

Reed Eriksson said...

Yo, Mel!....how about some advice on poses and line of action. It seems (judging by what I've seen of your animations), that poses are definitely one of your strengths.

Daryl J Lyall said...

Mel! That is one Sweeeeet Office!!! Glad you and your wife are ok after the accident and really looking forward to your next posts, your work is inspirational to me and i guess im trying to find a way to start off in art/design.. loving what your doing so far :)

Kyle Marshall said...

Glad to see your back drawing......and that is one hellova crazy office...love it!

xenos said...

mel, whatever that car accident didn't do, an earthquake in your office will surely finish. seriously?

don't mind me, i'm just jealous. its called "cintiq envy", i believe.

anyhow, good to hear you're all good.

Anonymous said...

Hey Mel,

Looks like your getting back in the swing of things. I'm happy to hear you and your wife are safe and sound too. Car accidents can shake you up quite a bit, literally and emotionally. Loving the new work. The last piece of animation you did, holds really well, especially to the principles of animation. Strong poses, timing, expression. Your genuinely interested in whats coming out of his mouth. I think for me what distracted me was some of the poses didn't seem to mirror his facial expressions or reflect his frustration. Plains Trains and Automobiles is one of my favorite flicks, glad you chose dialog from there. I would suggest, if you ever return to the piece, too really push the boldness of his statements, and also try and express the helplessness or exasperation of the situation, meaning all of this bottled up frustration pouring out of him, while he is quite the "Jerk" (reference intended) for saying it. Again great stuff Mel. Sorry for the long post, was just so happy to see all the new work and your sweet animation pod.

Stay Well Mel
Holden

Unknown said...

Fine words and excellent art!

Kyle Poling said...

Happy to hear that you both are ok from the accident - count your blessings. Great office, hope to have a space like that someday, nice sketches too!

C.B. Canga said...

cool office. nice drawings on this blog.

Tom Scholes said...

Mel!

you are not in a slump dude, snap out of it man! And come visit. I have a story to tell you.

Anonymous said...

wow.
life..huh

glad to hear you are both o.k.
Nice studio!!! "comfy" is the word:)

of course- nice drawings; glad to see more!

Terrie Spencer said...

Okay, I have officially gone through every page of your blog. What a rollercoaster ride over the years. The will of God will never take you where the hand of God will not protect you.

Your work is amazing and I am extremely jealous of your talent. I wish I could get the images out of my head and onto paper...but it just doesn't work as well for me as it does for you.

I haven't entered anything on my blog yet, so if you want to check out some of my work you can visit www.myspace.com/tsgraphics

Keep up the great work and God bless you.

Unknown said...

I'm not sure if you've been tagged already. Anyway you are tagged now,
check the rules from my blog...

Matt Jones said...

Great drawings, great workspacehope you can get back on track & keep drawing. 'Bon courage' as theFrench say!

Unknown said...

If my office looked that i'd never leave

gemini82 said...

I'm lovng the office man

Alex Deligiannis said...

Wow man. The office looks great and normally I'd comment about how I'm jealous that you have more Mighty Muggz than I do, but really I'm just happy to hear you are ok after the accident! Hope your Thanksgiving was a great one and you were able to enjoy some of that new perspective ;) All the best!

Samanta Erdini said...

I want to be in your room... Its like a Party over there..
and Yeah.. Also like a museum! please let me go!!! :D


Sam

Dave Dick said...

I just glimpsed some sort of utopia... Your office is nuts! As usual your drawings are super wonderful. My advice is to keep having fun with your art - instruction is very valuable but never as much as inspiration :)

Parka said...

Your office is packed! So cool.

And there are tons of icons on your desktop wallpaper!