Today is even colder than yesterday!  Augh!  Charlotte stayed home...twenty below zero (windchill...the actual temp is a balmy -1) is just too cold to be out & about.  July feels very far away right now.  Summer is like a dream I had once.  I'm living in a frozen world.

I have a neat commission; a lion like this...

but in the green & brass "verdigris" colors...as if it were an old bronze lion statue.  I think it's going to be very neat!  I probably won't carve all the little hairs 'cause a statue would be smooth, and I'll put accents of bright bronze on places like the nose, forehead, ears...places that would remain shiny from being touched.  Oh, it's going to be fun to work on!  Cutting & carving it today, maybe shaping too. 

I sent out a half-dozen inquiries for press ops yesterday.  One magazine wants to photograph my masks.  The last photoshoot "opportunity" was such a hassle...I'm not sure.  Still, it's an opportunity & I shouldn't balk at that.  I've seen my brother in action & learned from him that if only 10% of the opportunities you reach for actually turn into something solid, you're doing pretty good.  So...yeah.

Guess what happened?  My favorite ninja fisherman got married last week.  ^_^  So very sweet, and he sent a picture to a fansite I used to frequent.  Unfortunately it turned into a big fuss over who had the picture first and who wasn't sharing information, which led to all sorts of unhappiness.   It's seriously got me down...not that Nagano-san got married, frankly I couldn't be happier for him!  But, all the fannish drama, it upsets me.   It's so completely unnecessary.  I've utterly withdrawn from the fandom for now, 'cause all the jealous craziness is just about as far as you can get from the energy and light I felt when I was in Japan.  The idea of people typing away in a fury, in a dark room, pouring bitterness onto a computer screen...it sullies the memory.

I know a few of you guys read this journal from time to time.  Forgive me for bowing out.  I'm not deleting any accounts or anything dramatic like that ( I have taken a page from my buddy Res and instituted the "No Drama Policy")...I just need a bit of a break.  I'm so disappointed that I can hardly breathe when I think about it, and when I can't breathe, I can't create.  Trying to remain reasonable when confronted by irrationality...it saps my energy.  I found myself starting projects and quitting halfway through them yesterday...all I could do was PR work and a little remedial basic pattern cutting, & that's okay for a day or so but not good in the long run.

I haven't had a true creative "block" in years...they are terribly painful things for an artist to go through.   Even through all the health woes I endured last year, my muse stayed intact.  I think the last time my love died, it was after the battle with Cirque (when I told them to take a hike).  Ultimately that all worked out, but it took three years for a resolution.  If I remember correctly, it was meeting Res and joining LJ ( and making this mask! ) that pulled me out of my funk.
 
So in short; meeting people, sending gifts and opening up feeds my muse.  Negativity, jealousy and bickering kills my happy, and I guess I'm like Peter Pan; I need my happy thoughts to fly.    I was looking through my Sasuke pictures the other day and I found this:
...me and David Urbina, clowning around just after arriving at the Sasuke set.   You can tell how thrilled I am to be there.  Just seeing that picture and remembering that day makes me smile all over again.  ^_^ 

So!  I'm holding onto the light and energy!   No more drama.  Bright blessings, Nagano-san, on your wedding!  Now your dragon mask will be a wedding gift too.  I really ought to make something for his wife...I remember her from Sasuke, squishing through the mud in oversized fisherman's boots, she was adorable.   So much love and fun and positive energy in the world...it shouldn't be wasted.  
 
I have things to make!  Leather to order, lions to cut out, ducks to line up in a neat productive row...  Busy busy!   

From: [identity profile] golden-meliades.livejournal.com


Fandom bugs the heck out of me. Any fandom...ALL fandom. Actually the lone board I frequent (it's SB of course) is very decent, plus I'm about the oldest there and when I 'yell' at people they mostly just shut up...but the way people keep their sources secret and act like they've done something to be proud of if they find a bit of information or a scan first, ugh...it's an embarrassment. I posted a thread and deliberately put every single source I knew into it so that EVERYONE who goes to that board will now have access to all the same sources, even if they're newbies and don't know the SB ropes, yet.

But really, almost all the people at this place are pretty mature...there's no drama. Occasionally a spoilsport comes along and tries to make trouble, but we pretty much crush their spirit right away. :D

I actually laughed out loud when I typed that. Ugh. I think I might be turning into some kind of manga-esque villain.

Makin' stuff is good. I have to get organized and get makin', too. I've got lots to work on, as is probably evident from my latest post.

From: [identity profile] merimask.livejournal.com


It's a conundrum, being part of any fandom. You're bound to make connections (which is good) but then you're also bound to see goofy stuff (which is bad). When people I like behave badly...it just upsets me terribly. It's exactly as you say; an embarrassment. It sort of obscures all the good reasons you became a fan of that thing in the first place.

Better to like what you like the way you like it & let that be enough. Right? ;-)

LOL...you do sort of sound manga-esque (I can see you shaking your fist & glowering as you "crush their spirit") but as long as it's in good fun & keeps peace on the message boards, it's working.

Oh my busy bees we are! But busy is good.

From: [identity profile] kls-eloise.livejournal.com


I can't wait to see the lion.I would think that a statue would have the hairs carved into the mane, and perhaps just a line of them to deliniate the portions of the face (where you have color changes,) but most of the face would be smooth. Too nifty.

We were just about -1 when I got up this morning to nurse Charlotte. Happy winter! Just think - February is yet to come!

From: [identity profile] merimask.livejournal.com


I think that's exactly how I'm going to do the lion; bold carving for the mane but less tiny details on the fur, so it looks more like a statue.

Heh! You can afford to say "happy winter"! You have fireplaces & wood-burning stoves (which I covet). Baby-kisses for baby Char! My Mom thinks your Christmas card is the most adorable thing she's ever seen (I agree!)

From: [identity profile] kls-eloise.livejournal.com


Ah, but I felt this way about winter even when it was just the central heat to keep me warm! It's those sturdy Minnesota forebears, don't ya know?

But the fireplaces and woodstove are pretty damn nice.

Glad you all liked the card. Every so often I get a good picture.

From: [identity profile] ramblinsuze.livejournal.com


Ah, the drama llamas. Feh. I can't stand that stuff, either. Walking away is the best solution. You can always pop back later and see if things have calmed down again.

From: [identity profile] merimask.livejournal.com


Drama llamas, hee! Yeah that's what I'm doing; it's everybody-out-of-the-sandbox time. A few days, a week...whatever. It's important that I don't allow myself to get all wrapped up in the silliness. I need to stay happy & creative.

From: [identity profile] golden-meliades.livejournal.com


Sandbox! (Probably my favourite icon. I lub Kyoko...though she's clearly not lubbin much on Ren right at that moment.)

From: [identity profile] zannachan.livejournal.com


A lion statue mask would be cool. That sounds like a cool commission.

Ugh. Sorry to hear about the online drama--and its so pointless and juvenile. If I were on that list and had information about Nagano-san getting married, it would have made sense to me to want to share that information so that everyone could celebrate. But I'm happy for him that he's getting married. And I love the idea of the mask being a wedding present.

From: [identity profile] merimask.livejournal.com


The lion is my weekend project. Pictures when it's done (hope it turns out as neat as I think it will!).

Drama is never fun. It just makes me sad when I'd rather be happy for Nagano-san.

From: (Anonymous)

Happy Thoughts! Happy Thoughts!


I'm waiting with bated breath to see this new creation. A thing I want to ask.. maybe you've answered before for someone.. what is the average work time you put into a mask? I know... each one must be different.. I'm just curious.

Sorry your "happy" got sullied. So glad I was out to lunch that night. I didn't see any ugly posts and I don't want to know. To me, it's like it never even happened. Except that some folks aren't there now who used to be. And I'll miss the way it used to be, but I'll get used to it. :) At least I can still find you here.

Take care,
hhollyd (or SKW if you prefer)

From: [identity profile] merimask.livejournal.com

Re: Happy Thoughts! Happy Thoughts!


I made some serious progress today on a couple big projects, including this neat lion mask. Hopefully I will finish soon so I have something to show for my efforts!

I'm glad you always know where to find me Holly. ^_^ I'll be around...

From: [identity profile] pamwax.livejournal.com

Forgive me for bowing out.


We will miss your face around the place. There were those of us who really thought you knew about the wedding and that the mask was your wedding gift. Either way I know Nagano is going to love and cherish it. Don't let it all get you down. Think happy thought if at all possible in all that cold and please come back and visit us someday.

From: [identity profile] merimask.livejournal.com

Re: Forgive me for bowing out.


I knew of the impending wedding (through the grapevine of course) but not when it was. I actually have delayed sending the mask because it would be impolite to send a gift to Nagano-san & not his new wife (I'm making something pretty for her too). As ever, my scary-good timing prevails and my gift of gratitude will double very nicely as a wedding present. ^_^

From: [identity profile] unadesaintluc.livejournal.com


Oh wow! I LOVE the lion mask!!!!!! Have you done a white lion mask?

From: [identity profile] merimask.livejournal.com


You know...I never have done a white lion but I certainly could! It would be stunning, I think.

From: [identity profile] tricia612.livejournal.com


LOVE the drama llamas! I've always heard "Save the Drama for your Mama." Stay away from anything that blocks your creativity and concentrate on good things that enhance it.

You know I love the bronze, aged look so I'm really looking forward to seeing the mask. Take care.

From: [identity profile] merimask.livejournal.com


LOL..."Drama Llamas". Like real llamas, they spit and are nasty. ;-)

The lion is coming along nicely (along with a few other projects, including my revised letter to Nagano-san)...red wine, as always, remains a wonderful agent for attitude adjustment.

From: (Anonymous)


Meri, LOVE that pic. David looks so happy too! Weird camera angle though... I know how tall he is and how tall you are not, but in the photo you seem so close in height! Another honeymoon in Midoriyama shot! LOL

I'm just catching up all life myself.

From: [identity profile] merimask.livejournal.com


Isn't that pic kind of cute? I feel like I look like a tiny peanut next to David (which is easy since he's easily over 6 feet tall & I am so...not). He's sort of leaning & scrunching too. That was a perfectly wonderful day in every way.

Did you get my letter? It is EPIC. I hope it's not too long.

*smooch* Enjoy the danicing (so jealous!)

From: [identity profile] silver-scars.livejournal.com


Awww, Nagano-san got married! :) Congrats to him; that's awesome.

Anyways, the real reason for my comment is-- I do PR for a living! So if you ever need some help on something or have a question, send it my way.
.