Words to Live By

Some of us have both.

Pixels: 1920s Characters

Gentle Reader,

I was so proud of these 1920s-style character portraits I made that I just had to share them.

Needless to say, these are for a project I'm working on for my portfolio.

Ever Yours,
Fauntleroy

Inspired: Edith Head

Gentle Reader,

Edith Head was a Hollywood costume designer from the 1920s until her death in 1981.  Her designs were genius and her resume is beyond impressive:  chief costumer for both the Paramount and Universal studios, a favorite of the stars that she dressed, often asked for by name, a published author, a brilliant marketer, and ultimately the person to win more Academy Awards than anyone other female performer or designer--eight in total.  In fact, Edith was nominated for an Oscar every year from 1948 to 1966.

Edith was certainly among the most effective self-promoters in history.  In her younger years, while barely making it as an elementary school teacher, she billed herself as an art instructor in order to advance herself.  She didn't let the fact that she had only the most rudimentary knowledge of the subject get in her way.  No, she shored up her lack of art education by taking night classes on the sly, and apparently did quite well at it.

Later, when Edith went to Hollywood, she realized that her lack of a professional portfolio was holding her back.  Undeterred, she cobbled together a folder filled with designs and sketches that had been discarded by other artists, signed her name on them, and presented the work as her own.  Deceitful?  Well, yes, and I really can't condone it.  The point is that she knew she had the skill to back it up, and she had the guts to go for her dream despite the obstacles.  Despite her tactics, I can't help but admire her spirit.

Edith's philosophy can be summed up as follows:

• You can have anything you want, if you work hard and sell yourself.
• Be ready to sacrifice the accepted way of doing things in favor of whatever works for you.
• You design yourself.  So, design as many selves as you need to get by.
• And of course, dress the part.

Well!  Looks like I'm four for four.  How about you?

Ever Yours,
Fauntleroy

I have my first client!

Gentle Reader,

I am thrilled to announce that I have my first client for my fledgling content generation and marketing one-man show.  It is the acclaimed Autumn's Touch Cleaning Services here in lovely Omaha, owned and operated by my even lovelier friend Autumn.  Right now I am creating a simple marketing plan for Autumn including copy and designs for brochures, sales ideas and strategies, and also a developed LinkedIn profile if Autumn will allow.  It's very satisfying to have customer #001.  Here's to many more!

Link added 8/30/2011:
Autumn's LinkedIn Profile

Ever Yours,
Fauntleroy

Words to Live By

Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about.
-- Author Unknown

(Thanks, Jake.) 

A Poem

Gentle Reader,

Here is a poem that I wrote in college.  That would have been 1998 or thereabouts.  I don't think it's fit for publication, but I like it enough to waste post it here.

* * *

Princess and Dragon

She hears him alight beside her bed
then sees his wings by the light of her candle.
Now the same claws that rended shields
gently yet tightly affix to her wrists.
His tail forms a ring, drawing her closer
snout against lips and scales upon breast
pulling her toward the moon, the window
with talon, tooth, and horn in turn.

Being ripped so abruptly from the deep of sleep
she has no prayer of resisting.
So he takes her up, into wind and cloud
and far beyond forest, mountain, and stream
until come morning he lets them both fall
along with the dew to unfamiliar ground.

* * *

I think I was reading way too much Yeats.

Ever Yours,
Fauntleroy

UPDATE - Game Project: Afterlife

Gentle Reader,

Please indulge me while I post additional images from AFTERLIFE, my video game project.  Those who have been following this project for the past year or so will recognize that most of the screens show new content not included in the released demo.

Images: 

 

Oooh, atmosphere.

The gang's all here.

Burning the midnight oil.

Trouble's brewin'.

An unexpected friend.

I deal with gatekeepers in my job, too.

A little clirk-on-clirk action for you technophiles.

Links:
AFTERLIFE version 2 demo download
RPG Toolkit Site

Ever Yours,
Fauntleroy