Photoshop Creative

Feature in Photoshop Creative issue 82, page 11. 

Thanks to Simon & Co in PC for the feature and Eva Makesh for the lovely image. 

Some day I will be a page 10 lady! 

Happy Holidays as well folks! 

Be bad! 

Advanced Photoshop 89

An Asarlai Maistir is now a page 11 girl!

You can see the original here

Be bad!

Interview with Steve Emmet

Steve Emmet asked me to do a interview of 

The Importance of Book Covers

Mina Carter has also been interviewed so you get two of us ;-)

It gives a good insight to those who are planning on self publishing 

or those that have no idea what goes into cover art and the process.

Be Bad Folks!

New Adventures

I have some exciting news that comes from the land of fantasy!

More of that when I can disclose it! :-P Yes I be evil! 

In other matters you must go read

Mrs Darcy Versus The Aliens by Jonathan Pinnock 

AND

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austin & Seth Grahame-Smith

Now as ye know I am a hard core fantasy lass. But minions! I got these two last week and I havent stopped laughing since! Now I do like Jane Austin - I had to do the obligatory Leaving Cert (honors now!) Emma malarkie. However, if you like Aliens, Zombies and Ghosts you got-ta! Nono! You REALLY got-ta!

My next one shall be 

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

I cant wait! Especially for Halloween! Class!

 

OMG

Google +

Google +....they they OMG all my images are GONE from the blog!! 

*HEADDESK* 

I now hate Google + as much as Facebook!

Here I am anyway on stupid Google +

NOT HAPPY!!!

Musetouch Interview and Showcase

Musetouch Visual Arts Magazine Issue 12 has done a interview and showcase of my work! 

They called me Oddness......They be correct huh? 

Go see and read! Tis all free kiddos! 

Be Bad!

Master Series

So as some of ye know I am in the process of a "Master" series. 

Last night I uploaded the latest one

An Asarlai Maistir

The Magic Master

On Deviant Art I got the following comment which in my opinion doesn't need any trinkets or bells. 

It's just as it is. So enjoy! 

Simply gorgeous in every respect. The mood of powerful magic being afoot here is fantastic. Entirely nebulous, however, at just what manner of mysticism the Lass deals in by way of how she makes her bold appearance on the stage. There is a sense of the dark about the literal Lady, and the way all these bright exploding lights flow in front of her with the intense illumination behind her, it seems almost as if she has just broken irresistibly through a barrier of light and the shattered radiance is still flying through the air before her as when you come on an accident and the wheels are still spinning.

~ Tom aka drigulch

Imagine FX 69

IFX Issue 69

ENOUGH SAID!

Who could have imagined! ME!! in IFX! *pay pass out with happiness*

What magazine you want into? Imagine FX

What issue number would you like? 69!

18+ images: A fine line between art and not?

A few things happened this week that got the wheels in my brain turning. (Yes it hurt!)

I've been thinking long and hard about what constitutes a 18+ image. Now you have the usual nipples, fanny, dick, and models in various states of arousal scantily clad.

Then you have the various sites which all have their own 18+ rules and regulations however most are the same. These are taken directly from the various sites I picked at random:

Flickr

Safety Level
Safe - Content suitable for a global, public audience
Moderate - If you're not sure whether your content is suitable for a global, public audience but you think that it doesn't need to be restricted per se, this category is for you
Restricted - This is content you probably wouldn't show to your mum, and definitely shouldn't be seen by kids

Deviant Art

Contains Mature Content
Nudity
Sexual Themes
Violence/Gore
Strong Language
Ideologically Sensitive

Art Limited

Adult content must be checked for explicit nudity, sexual scenes, violence and/or all restricted contents. Administrators can mark content as "adult content" if necessary without asking permission. A picture tagged "adult content" won't be available for the general public, non-registered visitors.

RedBubble

Not Safe For Work Filter
Many browsers of RedBubble access the site from the workplace. In light of this we have implemented a filter called Not Safe For Work (NSFW). This filter can be activated when uploading an image or at any time by editing a work (see below). We ask people to activate this filter for any material containing nudity, strong language or other material not appropriate for the work environment.

Now theres a common theme. Your educated, yes we get it. 

So it was to complete amazement that 

Was the subject of a 18+ warning. 

 Excuse the language but

WHAT THE FUCK!! As I pee myself laughing hysterically at the wee 18+ sign!

I was talking to another artist, who does the most beautiful photographic nudes - she is just stunning and her work is amazing. I have nothing against nudes, I appreciate nudes in all forms (shut up ye dirty gits! We all know I have a thing for the men! *snigger*) apart from the vulger "oh heres a pic of a girl with her legs akimbo GWC shot" *upchuck* images. She had a issue on a different site and in fairness, I seen the shots, there's nothing showing - not even a glimpse of a nipple! She was heavily slapped and I do think this is wrong for her and her wonderful shots. She has no comeback, they have just done it without even listening to her reasoning. Bit shite huh?

Onto a topic close to the heart - Book Covers, Violence and Nudity

If you look at the UF/PR covers there is blood. There is much more than on Lanny there. There is a lot more flesh than my friends shots especially in Alpha male series covers.

If you look at the more erotic covers - heck, theres pubes showing in some male frontal shots and it's honky dory.

One cover artist in particular (ok yer cleaver, you know I stalk them) uses quite a bit in their covers and they are never ever slammed or warned.

Double standard much because they are well known? DAM THEM!!!! So jealous! :-P

All these covers are in bookshops and children can see them on the shelves. Not so much the erotic stuff as they are generally "in the back corner" but the more risque - for lack of a better term - UF, fantasy and paranormal covers are on display for all to see.
Oxymoron?

I try to be responsible though - some images I have ARE 18+, some are on the border. When or if in doubt they go to 18+. Responsible people will do that.

So where does the line lie?

My head hurts! Off I go!

Be bad!

Suspense Magazine Pt 2

I'm currently shoving my face with Shelbourne meringue's and a cuppa! Tis the nicest thing EVER!! 

1) it doesn't talk back

2) ask when your done training

3) ask when your done working

4) moan when your tired from 2 and 3

5) the sugar content gives you a high that = a orgasm (and dare I say a decent one at that?) 

Right back to the point!

Suspense Magazine tears are in! So I'll show some of it  including some nice quotes from the article. 

To buy go HERE Its April 2011 

 A recent return to the art world, she battles with what she feels is a waste of ten years of talent where she took the route of science instead of heeding the call to art school. After getting to know a small slice of this very talented and funny woman, we would certainly disagree.

The personal ones are the “Gothic Fantasy meets Narnia.” You can tell them straight off as I’m working from my own imagination, creme eggs and not confined to a brief. I do love the badass chicks and the boys with swords!

 

The Best: You must learn the inverted high pass selection! ~ Eva Ubani, fashion retoucher.

Yes Eva - you got a mention coz yer me BIOTCHn'BUDDY!

I get the oddest looks. I think they expect me to have a beret or something on and talk in a French accent, not a country, Irish accent that sounds like a cross between a pirate and a leprechaun.

Want to read more - go buy it! 

Oh and 

Isn't she pruddy?? I think she is! Just posting her without the text coz well - shes so pruddy!

BE BAD!

Suspense Magazine

Back in February I contacted Suspense Magazine enquiring if they would possibly like to feature my work. I'm never that hopeful about such things - I still think the majority of work I put out is shite so yeah I HAVE ISSUES people!! 

Anyhow! On Facebook they had a voting contest as to which cover people could pick.  Lets just say myself and Shannon the Creative Director had much laughter at the "Vote Wars" as we've called it. Unreal!! I'd rather not do it again! :-D

Below is the one that was voted for:

Bit of a obvious choice hay! 

There was a bit of a rush on as I was due to be in Junes issue, but I was brought foward. I was hoping to make some more nice gothic/horror manips for it but only got time for one. 

Since I am such a nice person here is a sneak peak

For those who want to know its titled

"Buaileoir"

I can see everyone running to Gaelic translation machine *evillaugh* 

Myself and Shannon had a SERIOUS *twitch* moment when I sent the final of it. We wanted to pull the cover that was voted for and use this instead. But WE DIDN'T! I still however am twitchy re her. I think she would have been even better. I'd also go lezzer for her and ye all know how much I like my men!

So anyway yeah - magazine is on sale in April and can be both bought in e-format and print (for us heathens) 

HERE

Be Bad Kiddos!

Daily Deviantion Award (No. 2)

Holy whatsy Batman!! 

I was awarded another Daily Deviation Award on Friday the 4th March

for

Is Alleacht agus an Ainmhi

It was a commission done for Yucel of Cultured Woman LLC and Stephanie Six is the beautiful trapped fairy.

It was just fantastic to be awarded it.

Advanced Photoshop Magazine (80)

I've been interviewed for 

Advanced Photoshop Issue 80 

which is on sale now in stores and online.

Usual malarkey of cremes eggs, fantasy, My Little Ponies and my very overactive imagination is discussed! I'm also a page 10 girl now! *evillaugh* 

Interview by Cultured Woman

Yucel (aka Cultured Woman) has done a interview on his blog with me 

HERE

 

I discuss fantasy, reality and these 3

I particularly love this line of

"Whether male or female....her work is rich with strong dominant characters"

Coz like ye all know I'm a sucker for the dominant alpha's! 

Right! Im off!

Be Bad!

Etopia Press Feb Releases

Two new releases for Etopia Press

Divolino by Steve Emmett

 

This was meant to be a routine girl in cloak cover. Meh! 

I much prefer this. I drew on a lot of personal experiences making this as I just LOVE Italy. 

When I grow up I'm moving there!

Blurb:

The chance to build a dream home on a private island in Italy’s most beautiful lake offers architect Tom Lupton the fresh start he’s been yearning for. But when he arrives with his family on Diavolino, he finds the terrified locals dead set against his arrival. The island, whose very existence has been shrouded in secrecy for half a millennium, has a dark history that no one cares to remember, and as their opposition to Tom grows, so grows a brooding evil that will lead them to the very doors of hell…

Steve Emmett Website

______________________________________________________

Sunlight by C.L. Bledsoe

Many many sunflower pics were gone through until I found "that" one that was just perfect. 

Blurb:

What’s the most boring place in the world? The farm. After his mother’s death, Sol is sent to spend the summer with his aunt and uncle, but with no cell service and only an old dinosaur of a computer, Sol’s not sure how he’s going to survive. But his boredom is interrupted by strange sounds at night, the discovery of a mysterious cave, and stuff that starts to sound an awful lot like a bedtime story his mother used to tell him when he was small… that just might be true...

C.L. Bledsloe Blog

Etopia Press Jan Release - Debra Kayn

Latest book release from Etopia Press  is 

Where There's Smoke

by the ever witty

Debra Kayn

It can be bought direct off Etopia and Debra has an exerpt on here site. 

Here's the blurb:

One hot fireman, one bossy Irish Setter…one woman whose dreams are about to come true…

When Amber Bailey inherits her estranged aunt’s old house, she’s sure it’ll be the perfect spot to open her pet daycare business and settle into a life her family will finally approve of. What she doesn’t count on is the cold shoulder she gets from her neighbors whenever she mentions her aunt’s name, or having to get a safety inspection on the old house before she can get a business license. Whoever heard of building inspections for a glorified dog house?

Gregg McKee runs his life the same way he runs the fire department…full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes. He didn’t even mind the angry calls from the neighbors about the crazy animal lady stuck in the tree—pulling her out gave him the perfect excuse to turn on the charm. But when she doesn’t follow through on fixing a code violation he issued, he realizes he might lose her forever. What’s he supposed to do with a woman too stubborn and independent for her own good?

This was much fun to do! Hot firemen? Heck yeah! 

It was fun to incorporate the smoke into the cover since its in the title. 

Fire for me is easier, but so didn't work in this case . 

Anyhow all book addicts go read and download!

Interview and a Contest from Author Steve Emmett

Minions! 

Steve Emmett has interviewed me about cover art, life and creme eggs! 

We talk about his upcoming release Diavolino on Feb4th from Etopia Press

You can read all about it 

HERE

and be in with a chance to win a signed A3 copy of 

Be Bad!

Happy New Year & Beann Sidhe Clann!

Happy new year everyone! Hope your all recovered and well! 

Now!

Beann Sidhe Clann or Banshee Family was yet another slight mistake! 

Kelly Ealy puts these pics up and she is very tolerant of me and my smurfmaking! Especially in this one as the wee girl is her daughter Adrianna.

I've done a few for her now and she knows the score! 

I do love most of her shots, they are like perfect in exposure and her models are always stunning! I never really have to do much to them which is always a bonus.

So I was STRICTLY doing a RETOUCH (see top right hand pic below) 

and added in a blue adj layer to see what would happen. 

* INSERT SMURF MOMENT HERE*

 Yeah - it actually was easy enough to put that well known photo from stock exchange in 

and because I was a lazy cow just blended it into the grass. 

The hardest part was Laura New's dress and getting the tonal gradient right over it. 

REALLY hard and well lets just say messing with upwards on 6 adjustment layers 

at a time is so much fun!

NOT!

Was done over most of October as I was very busy with Annie and Etopia but I think its 4 - 5 hours work and only around 80 or so layers. 

Be bad kiddos in 2011!! 

I'm gonna take over the world with sticky chocolate toffee pudding with lashings of custard! 

muahhhhhhhh!!!