BurnTheMidnightOil

Hello minions!
First, I'd like to thank the lovely people who've stopped by recently and faved my work, I'm eternally grateful to you. I may not be able to thank everyone personally, just so you know, your +Fave'ing my stuff means so much to me and I will always be appreciative for it.

Second, I've been taking digital painting classes at Chris Oatley's online art academy (chrisoatley.com/), worth every $18/mo/for 18 months in GOLD. I wish I could make his name sparkle and spin in glitter then explode in a shower of fireworks! *runs off to make stamp!* Let me repeat: I LOVE THIS CLASS!!! 
I can honestly say that in one hour of being on his site and Ctrl+Paint.com (ctrlpaint.com/library) I've learned more than I have HOURS of trolling the internet for tutorials.

Wow...just a completely new way of thinking about digital/traditonal art and how it's applied. You meet so many amazing artists both here on DA that have signed up and you see the work they're doing after they've been through the class and it's just so inspiring and incredible!

If you haven't already, sign up for Chris Oatley's ArtCast (his podcast) and just listen, I mean really LISTEN, everything he has to say is open and honest and real about working in the competitive digital concept art/animation/visual effects world. This guy works for Disney/Pixar! He knows what he's talking about! His whole point of view is to just help the average person become the best artist they can be both on the screen and with their co-workers. Even if you're a freelancer, everything he has to say is applicable. Then go to the PaperWingsPodcast (www.paperwingspodcast.com),it will change the way you think about visual storytelling (eg. webcomics, graphic novels, storyboarding, illustration, writing!!). OMG, I cannot stress it enough. If you want to level up your digital skills, these are the places to do it.

Are you a Chris Oatley Magic Box student? Show me your work! I'd love to comment/critique it in return for comments/critique on mine! Link to your DA/Tumblr page or DA Note me with your Magic Box user and I'll comment back!

Third, I'll be revamping my DA/Society6/Tumblr profiles soon, both to reflect the new work I'll be posting and to organize my online areas for easier navigation. I'm an aspiring animator and I want my digital domains to show that I mean it. I may eventually create a professional profile on DA or a personal website, but for now I'll just revamp this page. I'll still post about the things that matter to me, my #IronDruidChronicles group is very important to me and I'll do my best to maintain it in between work and other obligations.

On my DA profile, I'll be organizing my folders better, as well as deleting some old stuff I don't want on here anymore. Please don't be offended if I delete a deviation and you no longer see it in your favorites. I will still keep my knitting/Etsy Shop/AKKERANI stuff here, but I'll make better pictures of my work and ask soon for opinions on my presentation.

Society6 is a great community of online artists. If you're on Society6, tell me! I'll follow you, and spread the word through +Promote buttons like crazy if you do the same for me. I'm also open to collaboration! More info on my profile: society6.com/BurnTheMidnightOi…

Recap: Thank you lovely Watchers and random +Fave'rs on DeviantART!
Chris Oatley is the BEST TEACHER EVER! Seriously, this guy needs a statue of recognition.
I'll be revamping my profiles and stay involved in my book group, while still creating the work you've come to love and will soon see new material!

Thanks for reading! Would love to hear your thoughts on this rant/discussion, and your links! Would love to see your recent work!
Peace,
Allison

society6.com/BurnTheMidnightOi…

Hi everyone! Use the link above to get FREE SHIPPING* on products in my Society 6 store!
Promotion expires July 14, 2013 at Midnight Pacific Time. *Offer excludes Framed Art Prints, Stretched Canvases and Throw Pillows with insert.

Promote me and I'll promote your shop link back on my DeviantART front page!

Awesome people on Society6.com!

Fantasizereality: society6.com/AshleyB
JM Creative: society6.com/JaleesaMcLean
Evgeniy Nesterov: society6.com/EvgeniyNesterov
Katie Payne: society6.com/KatiePayne
Elke Balzen: society6.com/ElkeBalzen

Check them out! A load of talented artists there!

Drop what ever you're doing and click these links. I swear to God it will change your life, and how you think about art.

First: Chris Oatley - Disney Concept/Character Artist chrisoatley.com/become-a-profe…
I firmly tell you I will be attending Mr. Oatley's painting class very soon. I salute you sir.

Second: Paper Wings Podcast (also with Chris Oatley) www.paperwingspodcast.com/
This is the BEST. PODCAST. EVER. The ULTIMATE RESOURCE to not only comic art, but sequential art/animation/etc you could ever wish or hope for, including how to PROFIT as an artist.

Third: Noah Bradley - Finally, an HONEST guy to set you straight on how to make living as an artist.  www.noahbradley.com/blog/
This man's writing is not only refreshing, practical, and honest, it's REAL.

Fourth: Rachel Aaron - a bright light in the depths of the Internet, her writing will inspire you - thisblogisaploy.blogspot.com/

And the Fifth isn't a weblink but a question I asked myself, and which I think (if you're an aspiring artist) should ask yourself:
What would you do if you had nothing to fear?

It's something I should have asked ages ago. For a long time, I've asked myself as an artist, what is holding me back?

To tell you the truth, fear. Mind numbing, muscle locking, irrational fear. The fear of being unable to afford an art school, which is apparently overrated in the first place . The fear of rejection, while plausible, real even, is unfounded. And I'm sick of being miserable. No longer will I mentally hear the venomous words"You can't." From now on, I'm saying, screaming out loud, on the top of the world, "I will!"

My secret dream has always been to learn more about art, and specifically animation. The very first film I ever saw in theaters was "Toy Story". I have cried at every Pixar/Disney movie since. I dare you to laugh.
So now I'm taking a step to a very bright and open future. I'm saving up for this: www.animationmentor.com/

My question to anyone who stops by this journal, and is moved to comment, tell me: What would you do if you had no fear? And, What are you going to do about it?
Tell me your secret dream, whether it's a change of career, a new artistic project, an as yet unrealized untold story (for artists should be storytellers with their artwork), and what you will do RIGHT THIS MINUTE to MAKE IT HAPPEN.
-BurnTheMidnightOil

A Love Affair With Yarn

If you've read my journals, you'll notice that I have a lot of interests. For the most part, I'm a crafter. I love knitting and creating works of art in yarn as my hobby, a thing to do to keep me sane.
It's a passion that has brought me to the place I'm at today, a love of color, and creativity, paired with a desire to show people that they have potential to do the same.

When I found AKKerani here on DeviantArt, I thought I'd hit the fiber-art jackpot: a love of fashion combined with a passion for spreading awareness about mental health and anxiety, and other socially minded causes. We're here to say that people suffering from very real problems like anxiety or mental health diseases are not alone, and that they can find help through proactive activities like knitting or crocheting.

Making A Difference

I'm writing today on behalf of AKKerani to say that we need help. We've grown significantly over the past few months with followers and awareness but we'd like to do more. In this digital age where if you're not trending you're not existing is a stigma that can cripple small businesses like ours.
But it's not about the numbers, it's about the story we're trying to spread, to be a little blessing for someone. Currently, we're trying to create partnerships with other like-minded organizations such as ActiveMinds, To Write Love on Her Arms, and other mental health awareness groups making positive changes in the lives of so many people.

Seems like everywhere you look, celebrities and big-business owners are jumping on the socially-conscious bandwagon. Good for them, I'm all for helping your fellow human beings, reaching out and saying, "I care. I will stand up for this cause." It's also called being responsible for the world you live in. But showing you care doesn't necessarily mean you have to run after the latest celebrity trend. (Although, if we could get Tyra Banks' attention, that would be pretty sweet. )

I'd like to show you AKKerani: www.akkerani.com/
I'm so happy to be a part of a small group of people who are so creative, so passionate, so absolutely incredible to be around because it gives me an opportunity to do something good for someone else. And the best part is we're people just like you who love to create, share, and inspire others with our art.

A Call to Action

I won't lie, we do need to sell our products to survive. But you don't have to buy something to show you care.
Right now, AKKerani needs a voice. Your voice.

I want to do something really amazing. If anyone here on DA who sees this post and says, "Wow, this is awesome." I'd like to hear from you. I need 3 people. Just 3 people to do one simple thing: Use your voice. We've all heard of the Ripple Effect, and 6-Degrees of Separation.
Say hi on Twitter, re-post our articles on Facebook, +Fave/Journal about your favorite AKKerani things here on DA, or show-off our flower hair-clips on Pinterest.

You coming to our website shows that our cause means something, that you do care, that believing in the little knitting-group-that-could is as simple as a comment, a +Fave, a Tweet.
And that's simply amazing. And that's what really matters.
Our followers prove everyday that there is strength in numbers, but it's the voice that truly makes the change. And once you speak up, it'll spread on its own, coming back to us tenfold, and touching other groups that need the same support.

And when you're ready, you can buy something, for yourself, for a friend, for someone who needs their spirit lifted. To tell them that they are not alone. To proudly wear something we've made and say, "This place is great. You should check them out." That's it. That's all it takes to make a difference.

So spread the word, we'd love to meet you, and know that we're here to help.

Leave me an awesome comment below, I'd love to hear from you.
-Allison

Hi there!

This is my latest submission to Threadless, for the World Wildlife Foundation Challenge, my entry is called Nowhere to Hide and features a snow leopard.
beta.threadless.com/wwf/nowhere-to-hide/

Preview here on DA:burnthemidnightoil.deviantart.…

Stock photo credits to HOTNStock here on DA: hotnstock.deviantart.com/art/S…


I would appreciate your vote and support for my design. THANK YOU!
-Allison