Short Break, but first.....

Of course, holidays always have a way of interrupting anything you might have going on personally.  Work also did not spare it's interruptions into my private life in the last quarter of 2015.  With the recent changes at work, and with my husband being back in school, I found it necessary to scale back my volunteer efforts across the board, perhaps with the only exception being Mr. Connecticut Bear (because in this case only, the most is at stake).  Taking time back did allow me time to contemplate what was really important, and where did I want to spend my time.  Hence, this blog was brought into existence. 

Between all the goings-on of holiday preparations, time out for hubby and I, and preparing for the upcoming Mr. Connecticut Bear events, I did manage to keep one part of my brain in my self-guided Animation School.  The next lesson I'm supposed to do involves drawing cartoon character toys from multiple angles to learn how they exist in space.  The online lesson has you working from their photos of toys.  I decided to hunt down some actual PVC figures since most of the toys I have are either action figures or robots, which wouldn't apply.  I've discovered a line of Hanna-Barberra figures that were made in the 1990's by Miniland.  The first arrived right around Christmas-time.  The rest are on their way from Portugal... the one I have is Hucklberry Hound.  Top Cat, Peter Potamus, Wally Gator, and Magilla Gorilla are on their way!! (eBay and I need to stop meeting like this).

The original exercise called for drawing Top Cat, and since looking over the exercise, I've become a bit Top Cat-obsessed.  I just picked up the Top Cat Complete Series on DVD, and I'm studying it like mad.  I also had to take some time out to design, ink and paint a few of my own characters with a similar feel.  These guys are code-named "Sailor Cats".  Who knows if I will end up doing anything with them, but for now I wanted to share. 

 

 

I suppose you could say I made a resolution to draw more this year.  It's really more than that.  I resolved to first finish what I said I would do... and that is to produce a bigger Mr. Connecticut Bear.  After that, it's draw more, read more, write more.  I'm reading three books right now:

Debra Jess:  Blood Surfer

Ben Bova: New Frontiers

Arina Tanemura: The Gentlemen's Alliance Cross Vol. 1

I figure the best way to keep my brain pliable and creative is to put more good stuff in it.  So there's where we are right now.  Winter Break will be over soon.. and then, back to my animation lessons!