Storm is another one of my favorite X-Men. I haven’t done as much artwork of her as I have for Nightcrawler, but she’s not that far behind. With this one the idea was to make her more of an African goddess.
Author: Daniel J. James
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Fanart: Marvel’s Loki
Loki is another Marvel character I like to draw. I keep coming back to this same pose every now and again to see my own progression. It’s been almost a couple of years since I’ve done this, so I may try my hand at it again soon…
-Daniel J. James-
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Ask the question…
I suppose it’s not just the question, but a series of questions I’ve been asking myself as of late.
Who is my most authentic self?
Who do I owe my most authentic self to?
When is it okay to put the mask on, and when is it okay to take it off.
Am I being less of myself when the mask is on?
To answer the questions…
Whoever I chose to be.
Myself.
There is no mask.
There is only you.
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The Story Continues…
When I wrote Pavilion Remembers: Halo Sky, I did so with no real expectations. I knew very little of where I wanted it to end up, and even during the writing process the characters pretty much took control and did whatever they wanted to and left me to clean up the mess. I understand now that this story is a good jumping off point for my other stories, because it is the one that has been the most authentically me. It wasn’t inspired by other properties that I love, or a continuation of the things I created as a kid, but it is a bridge for all that I’ve loved, all that I wanted, and all that is to come. When I sat down to write this book, I told myself above all, don’t edit myself. Allow the story and the characters to be who and what they are, and moving forward, I must give myself that same permission with the stories that are to come…
-Daniel J. James-
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Fanart: WarGreymon
I really need to start doing more Digimon fan art. The designs of some of the Digimon are really challenging for me, and I think practicing them will help me to get out of my comfort zone with creating. I’m really happy with how this one turned out, especially since WarGreymon is one of my top favorite Digimon!
-Daniel J. James-
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Fanart: Nightcrawler
My gateway drug into the world of superheroes and comics were the X-Men. I remember watching Spider-Man and his Amazing friends as a little dude, and being fascinated by Iceman. But when I saw the episode with the X-Men and I got my first little taste of Nightcrawler, I was obsessed. On top of being an amazing character, he’s just fun to draw! So here is just one of the many Nightcrawler fan art pieces that I’ve done.
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Starting over again… Again
Here I am, once again scrapping the ideas and efforts I put into making ASH 9/17 and the Pavilion Stories something I felt people would like. Something I thought would be eye catching and draw in a lot of people.
Hours and years gone.
It’s a little embarrassing to open myself up in such a way to share these things I’ve created publicly, only to have to pull back and say, oops, I’m going the wrong way.
I spent a lot of time and energy trying to redirect myself while on the wrong course and in the end, I just had to jump off and start back at the beginning.
The thing is though, allowing myself to think out loud and figure things out in real time has put me in a good staring position and also has brought to to the point were I really and truly want more for myself than to just make something I think people will like.
I want joy.
I want contentment.
I want authenticity.
I want to be happy with what I’m creating, and I want the right people to come on the ride with me.
While I still feel I’m in a bit of a compromised position, I understand it’s one I’ve come to naturally.
Most of my stories first came to me before I was a preteen, and now I’m working to reconcile these stories that are screaming for life with my own 40 years of living.
I’m also now coming to a place where I have to accept my own limits. I want to tell my stories in the best possible way that I can, though I have to accept that there are just some things that time and ability just will not allow.
One of the biggest mistakes I made, was I tried to make ASH 9/17 out to be some professional business thing, and really, it’s just me. And if it is to survive and thrive, then it has to be by me being authentic and true to me, who I am, and what it is I truly want and am able to do.
As I am writing this, I’m coming to a point where for the first time in a long time, I’m looking forward to creating again. I’m looking forward to sharing again. I’m hoping again.
Blessed be… I’m hoping again…
-Daniel J. James-
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Artwork of Daniel J. James
Some digital and painted canvas work I’ve done over the years
-Daniel J. James-
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ASH 9/17 