Well, apologies for any inactivity (like anyone watches this, anyway). 

Unfortunately I lost my deal with the California Wolf Center due to some unexpected financial issues. They told me to contact them back in six months to see if things are better, as well as to work out something (if they are "better"). I'm still working with Mission: Wolf in Colorado. 

Other than that, there isn't anything going on (unfortunately).  

 Well, some of you know the great news. Some of you don't. So, I will tell those who don't. ^_^ 

I have, so far, recieved the approval from the California Wolf Center. They will put some "test work" in their gift shop to see how they sell (that is, after I finish them). So I'm going to use that $45.00 check from my grandmother in Santa Clara to buy new art supplies! But, go figure, I need to travel a bit more. The local Hobby Lobby, formerly at the Danville Mall, has relocated. Damn them - they have the best supplies in the county and they moved. U_U 

So, the CWC will be putting some test-work of my art in their gift shops (so you know, they're in Julian, California). I'm actually very pleased that my work will be up for sale in such a populous state - I mean, it's California. Let alone, the CWC is right in there (not too far from Fresno, and close to L.A. and San Diego). Being such popular tourist destinations in southern Cali, I expect to at least get 5 sales in the first week. If not, oh well. 

Also, Mission: Wolf seems to really want my artwork. This time, they're in Silver Cliff, Colorado. Of course, they are 999 miles from Springfield - which is over 1,000 miles from Catlin (I'm not too sure of the exact distance). I am very enthused to work with both. Someone suggested to me that I sell duplicates to both. I won't. 

Why? Because I will most likely be drawing their resident wolves (for the animals' fans). Each center doesn't, for one, have identical wolves. For two, the wolves don't have the same names. Therefore, I will be personally creating art for them individually. However, I can personally commission someone's favorite wolf at a different organization (that I don't work for). How so? Send me a picture of it/them, tell me what you want (while following my commission guidelines) and I'll draw it up for you. Of course, I can commission your personal characters, as well. 

Other than that, there's almost nothing going on (quite literally). I was on Flood Detail for Tilton, Illinois on Saturday (June 6) for the lot of my day. Not a lot happened there (thank god I found no leeches or ticks!). 

Wwwweeelll since "blogging" bores me to high hell, I'm cutting this short. Have fun yous. :]

As some of you may know, I've been drawing all of my life. All of my life. So, my improvements have been major, and are still going. So, when I recieved a critique on my pride and joy, "Did You Hear That?," I was happy. The fellow artist who enlightened me with the crit has long-been a favorite "critiquer" of mine. 

However, my morale for my new-found favorite (yet unfinished) image was soon crushed. She pretty much called it my "worst piece ever," pointing out the eye and muzzle mistake. Now, I like the kind crits - the kind that are: "well, your anatomy is off here and there but you can fix it by..." It's crits that are like that which hurt, and make me want to demolish - not only the person, but the artwork itself. I know, for a fact, that no one will comment to this and further help me. I really don't see the point. 

The artist then went on to tell me, basically, I have no chance in selling my art [yet]. I've been trying to get some sort  of contract with a wolf sanctuary or something, with no luck yet. Which is what brought this up. I, then, talked about having a booth at a fair or the Newport Antique Car Hill Climb and Flea Market in Newport, Indiana. That idea was pretty much shot down, as well. 

Of course I know that there's still room for improving. Anyone who has followed my art (even if not closely) can tell that. I made a huge leap at about 15-16, yet I feel attacked because I'm not up to par with one artist. However, having respect for that artist, I won't hold it against her. But, having that respect, it also made it hurt all the more. 

*Sigh.* For the second time I'm ready to give up drawing. I work so hard to impress people, to make them happy (as I have done all my life, being the "baby girl" of the family). Yet, this is what I get? Those "no, it's great!" comments I've gotten have been from less experienced artists, and I'm not too sure if that would "count" properly. -Sigh.-

 As some of us may know, Youtube has been sued for copyright infringement by Viacom. (Click "Viacom" to view the article.) 

So, my final question for the popular video website. What will become of the members? As far as I can see, users with a disclaimer on their video(s) should not be punished. However, those without a disclaimer, or not claiming ownership to the material, should be hastily removed. What was rudely overlooked? The users with the disclaimers who carefully created their videos as fans to a movie/show/band. Is not allowing this material punishing those members? Indeed so! For those users, and many more, they use YouTube to listen to their favorite songs and get a look at well-made (and in some cases not-so-well-made) videos of their favorite movies, series, and so forth. 

I can understand YouTube/Google's concern with videos directly stolen (such as official music videos, movie clips, and so forth). Now I, amongst many other users, have to suffer for that many who decided to take something. Most people on YouTube would download clips outside of YouTube/Google and remix it. Adding new music, timing it. This is a "fan video," and is very much appreciated by other fans (especially those amazing videos). 

At first, some videos appear as a black screen with "Sorry, This Video Is Not Longer Available" (or something to that effect) atop that tiny little viewing screen. At first, members would wonder why YouTube has suddenly decided to smack their users in their faces. Well, that lawsuit would explain that very question. As stated in the article, Viacom is "seeking more than $1 billion in damages." What damages? It's not like the copyrights infrineged have been thrown on the doorstep of Viacom in the matter of a flaming turd. The only real damage is Viacom holding out their palm in hopes of gaining a buck for upkeep. The "damages," however, could also refer to their embarrassment or court fees. 

Hearing about Viacom's distress, however, made me sit back with a smile (call me a sadistic bitch, if you will). Nothing makes me smile more than someone whining about material they don't own and taking it to court. How far does this lawsuit stretch? If I understand correctly, it is ViaCom owned clips (such as Comedy Central). 

However, if Viacom is sueing YouTube, why not sue everyone else? There are people who take screen captures, pictures, and so forth to make them into various media. Consider this: that Jeff Dunham's Peanut cute little avatar. Why not sue that person for having it? I mean, hell, they don't have permission! 

Personally, I could spend hours making my videos. So, will those hours go to waste because YouTube has lost a lot of money, and is afraid of losing more? It's all about money now-a-days. Without it, you're either dead or in prison (speaking of death, did you know that there's a death tax?). Whatever people have to do to get money, they will. Including the death tax, family members must pay a tax for any object(s) they inherit (sp?) from their deceased family member or friend. Pathetic. 

To end this rant, I disclose that America is heading in Soviet Russia's direction. It's only a matter of time before they give us a bedtime. They've already made living nearly impossible, nor do they follow the constitution (and, the government cannot legally force you to pay taxes). However, if you don't - where do you end up? Of course, Prison! Because you're not lining someone else's pockets so they can afford their maid and you can't afford gas. 

(How did my rant about Viacom/Google/YouTube end up about Taxes?)

Oh, and don't be surprised if I "randomly fall off the face of the Earth." It happens to everyone who speaks out against what America is going for.

Figured I would need to, yet again, re-price my commissions. I looked back at some, and thought that "this one is still a little high." This is, more than likely, as low as it'll go (except I might change the simple later on).

The "complex" is my Print Style; for example, The Stalker or King of the Forest. It's detail-oriented, and as realistic as my style gets.

Prices:
Simple Prices (and categories)
Simple sketch: $1
Simple ink (no background/color): $2
Simple ink (color): $3
Simple ink (color and BG): $5

Complex
Complex Sketch: $3
Complex ink (no background; “lineart” ): $6
Complex ink; color (no BG): $8
Complex (color and BG): $15

Simple Originals: $20.00
Complex Originals: $30.00

To order, e-mail me at thehollowinks@yahoo.com with the following:

1.) Desired pose(s).
2.) Character visual reference.
3.) Desired background (optional).
4.) Mailing address (if you want the original).
5.) Payment (Cash, or check? No paypal).

For each additional character, add $2 to the price per character.

For example, if you want a one character complex ink, no color, the price will be $6.00. If you want two characters in that picture, the price will be $8.00. See? :]

I'm really hoping that this will get me some commissions. Right now I'm using art supplies that I can't afford to replenish (they're dying - fast). I need some sort of profit (even if small) to get some new ones - mainly lining pens and new Prisma Color pencils. :\ Maybe even some acrylics and watercolors; cray pas and other goodies. I want to expand - and I'm not getting too far with Crayola colored pencils and TETRA ink pens.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Current Commissions and Progress:
DrewTheWolf; Selene: Finished- Awaiting delivery.
====

To see my art, you can go here: http://kirada.deviantart.com/ , where I have the buttload of my art. Since I don't have a bank account, I do not accept Paypal - cash, check, or money order only (for now). 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As an update, it's my friend Damien's 27th birthday! I was going to draw him some Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children fanart in hopes to get it to him, but no way could I get an amazing picture done in six days (especially since it  usually takes me four to create a simple sketch; shaded; with a BG. But I got DrewTheWolf's done last night :D ). 

Also, my sister might (might) get terminated from the Fire Department. She was "sexually harrassed" by a fellow Firefighter Cadet, but since she's over 18 (he's only 16), they suspended them both and there's talk of termination. 

Other than that, not much has been going on. A little staying up late, more nothingness. OH! I finally got my CPR Certification card! :D I'm sooooo happy! Also, by the end of this year, I will officialls be a firefighter. *Dances.*

 Well, as you may or may not have noticed, my artistry is growing. And expanding. 

     I seem to have less and less time to draw wolves for the sake of Balto Sourcians (who, by the way, I don't like about 45% of them). Most of them are art theives, too young to care, or just... too young. 

     I find myself drawing more and more "adulterated" images (i.e. sexual, gorey) or I just don't care to upload to Balto Source. Why? People don't seem to really like my art there. Or DeviantArt/SheezyArt, for that matter. I know a few people really enjoy it (why, I don't know), but others I feel like they say "oh, it's so cool" just so they can get on a moderator's good side. Or, even for art themselves! 
I've worked hard for the 143 gallery favorites I have there on Balto Source. Hell, I rarely get a comment any more! So, what's the point in posting my art to get constructive criticism when I don't even get those lame comments ("that's nice" and "that's awesome/cool!") I hate so much? 

     I also find myself growing short with the immmaturity that is Balto Source. Really, I get the point of the site. I was annoyed with them even before I became a moderator. My suspicion as to why is, because I'm possibly bi-polar and I'm still in pain (from  when I cut my finger, got 6 stitches, and 3 weeks later had them removed). I think most of it is my own personal dislike for younger children (I find even people my age and sometimes older to be very immature).

     Or, maybe I just miss my fiancee. I don't know. :\ Well, time to tie this up. See you all on the other end of the turtle.