Setting Sail

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain

I quit my day job to become a full time freelance artist, an act which may seem ludicrous to some. I don’t blame them for their raised eyebrows. After all, why would any sensible person voluntarily give up the comforts of a monthly steady paycheck for a life of risk and uncertainty? Well, I suppose I’ve always been a nutcase but that’s beside the point. I think.

This is something that I feel I must do. I don’t want to just be another employee in a company. I don’t want to miss out on all the opportunities out there. I want to make a name for myself. I want more time for myself. I want more time for my hobbies. Heck, maybe even attend art classes if the finances permit or study on my own to acquire new skills.

For the naysayers and those who doubt my ability to handle such an undertaking: I do not have any illusions about the amount of work involved. If along the way I discover that the life of a full-time freelancer isn’t for me, I know I wouldn’t regret my decision because I would have never arrived to that conclusion unless I tried. I don’t think I would be at peace if I didn’t find out for myself.

So here’s to a whole new adventure!

Apokalipto

Saw this floating around on the net. Looks well done (by local standards) and something about that monochromatic dude with a hood reminds me of Left 4 Dead/Infamous (I just had to make a geek reference huh?).

A few words on District 9 (in short = EPIC!)

When I first saw District 9’s trailer months ago, I knew that I absolutely had to watch it. I’m not going to discuss what it’s about since there’s lots of info about the movie on the Net for that (I also don’t want this to be a very long post). Thankfully the movie did not disappoint. At all.

The movie seemed to have whizzed by fairly quickly which is a good thing, really. Once I catch myself glancing at the time and/or wondering when the movie will end, that spells trouble. Not once did I yawn and I was practically sitting at the edge of my seat throughout the entire film. In fact, I hardly even cuddled with my boyfriend because I was totally fixated with what was happening onscreen.

District 9 is awesome because it’s a smart and enjoyable sci-fi flick that not only makes you question important issues about race/apartheid/prejudice, it also manages to pull at your heart strings. Add to that an amazing performance by Sharlto Copley as well as top of the line special effects and action sequences that do not border on “overkill” unlike some other movies out there *cough*Transformers 2!*cough*. I’m even going to go so far as to say that this is one of the best movies that I’ve seen this year. Seriously. It’s got drama. It’s got action. It’s got heart. It’s got awesome alien weaponry. I could go on and on.

In the end, the movie makes one wonder what it means to be human and you would realize that it goes beyond physical/cultural differences.

I’m still giddy after watching it. In fact, I really wouldn’t mind watching it again. Hmm. This weekend perhaps?

 ——-

Some interesting posts from i09 about District 9:

5 Things You Didn’t Know about District 9

Is District 9 Racist?  (NOTE: I do not agree with blogger Nicole Stamp, thank you.)

Koi

Worked on this in one sitting entirely on Photoshop. Wanted to give it an old, painted feel.

I Can Has Video Game Job?

     It’s been a while since I made a post around these parts but I assure you, a lot of stuff has been happening to me (both good and bad but, unfortunately, I can’t divulge all the juicy tid bits). I will say this, though: I’ve quit my job as a Team Leader and Digital Colorist at IAS and have moved on to greener pastures. I am now a 2D artist for Gameloft which happens to be founded by the Guillemot brothers. Yes, the same founders and owners of Ubisoft. And I really just have to say, in the usual calm, collected manner that I’m famously known for: “HOW FUCKING COOL IS THAT?!?!!!11one”

    Getting into video games development has been a dream of mine for a very long time but I never actually took that first step to realize that dream. I suppose I got too comfortable in my previous job but thanks to certain, uh, “circumstances” I finally got the nerve to actually move on and take a risk. Surprisingly, it wasn’t long before I found myself with a new job. It all happened so fast, really. I was just starting to get used to my “vacation”, but I guess the Universe had other things in store for me.

     Oh, and if any of you have questions about the projects we’re working on, I’m afraid I can’t answer them. It’s all hush hush, you see. This is some seriously top secret shit we’re talking about here.

    I have to seriously update this blog. Will be posting some of my digital art soon! And, no, they are not work-related.

    (Oh. Lookee. I’m a nominee for the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards!)