Episode IV: A New Job

So, yeah, on Monday I had an interview for a job as Senior Science Tech at Cathedral School in Wakefield. It was not fun to prepare for (I had to give a 5 minute presentation on My Understanding of the Health and Safety Issues that need to be Considered in this Role, see NOT FUN) and I stumbled quite a bit when it came to the actual interview. However, somehow, they ended up offering me the job! I was in the process of taking one of our ratties to the vets with Kat at the time, so I told them I'd have to think about it because I had a lot on my mind right then, but after they offered me the same money as I'm on now, but term-time only, and with far less travelling I couldn't really turn it down.
We shall just have to wait and see what the new year brings, but until then there's always CHRISTMAS!
Criminy, only 10 days to go! I'd best get my arse in gear!

Cats and Dog

I'm glad my sister doesn't read my blog because otherwise I wouldn't be able to post these pictures I've done for her and her husband of their pets until after Christmas! She knows she's getting them (asked for them specifically, including the green backgrounds) but I still want to surprise her. Surprises are awesome.

I've tried to do something completely different from my usual affair using Open Canvas, not sure how well it's worked out, but it was fun to try :)

Panic Stations!

Oh man... I've been working on a bunch of pictures for Christmas presents and also a SECRET PROJECT recently, and time is getting a bit tight now, so I got up nice and early yesterday to get some digital painting done and DISASTER! My trusty Wacom Graphire 3(which I think I've had for about 6 years now) just would not work. I spent hours updating drivers and browsing for solutions to no avail, so I had to bite the bullet and got Kat to give me a lift to (the evil) PC World in search of a replacement.

After a bit of perusing I was torn between a cheap Bamboo Pen, for cost efficiency in this period of much spending, or an Intuos 4 S which had £20 off but at £179 was still not cheap...

Needless to say I plumped for the more expensive but ever so nice Intuos and all was well. I just have to let go of my dreams of a 3DS and Mariokart 7 for a while longer...

Steampunk Rabot

I've been working on some pictures of Rabot and Chad (who I've realised I haven't posted any drawings of on this here blog yet), based on an idea I had around this time 2 years ago. Man time flies...
Anyhoo, this hasn't got anything to do with that per say, but it is Rabot and with some quickly hashed out steampunk stylings to boot (well, he's made out of copper and brass and there's steam... plus GOGGLES. It must be steampunk if there are GOGGLES, right?)

Thought Bubble

Wow, what a crazy weekend. The Thought Bubble festival convention was back at Saviles hall and the Royal Armouries in Leeds again, so yesterday me, Kat (go and Give Yourself a Scone) and John "Jobby" Haworth all made the trip up from Wakefield on the 110 bus, at the ridiculously early time of 8:45AM. It was supposed to be 8:30, but buses being buses...

It's a great convention full of great people, and unfortunately I forgot to take my camera so I go NO PHOTOs, but we got to meet the delightful Timothy Winchester (or TIMCHESTER) again, and I bought some prints and things, including a kickass Link from the new Skyward Sword game by Abby Ryder.

Also, for the first time ever, the convention was over TWO days this year! Today was a bit weird because I went on my own as Kat had work, and Jobby was over in Sheffield. I'm absolutely full of cold, and I had massive social anxiety so apart from following the aforementioned Mr. Winchester around like a lost puppy for a bit I was on my own not really talking to many people/anyone (with the notable exceptions of Jon Lock and Nikki Stu)

Anyways, the main reason I made my way back there in the cold and fog this morning was because they were announcing the winners of the Northern Sequential Art Competition, which I managed to get an entry in for this year (just!)

Thanks for the title John

I really wasn't expecting anything, the field of entries was awesome, but I came away with 3rd place in the Over 18s category, winning me a bunch o' stuff and also my comic appearing in the Thought Bubble anthology next year! Excuse me whilst I do a little dance before collapsing.

The stuff I won

Right, now I'm off to draw Angela Lansbury for Angela Lansbury Week, and you should too. I'm sure The Timchester would be most appreciative.

More Halloween!

If my costume wasn't enough, here are a couple more pics! Woooo!

Zombie Katherine:

Brains...

 Totoro pumpkin:

Halloween!

Happy day late halloween everyone! Hope y'all had fun and got lots of sweets :)
Anyhoo, here's my costume from this year - from work in progress to finished. It took me about 3-4 weeks to get together, and must have totalled over £50-60 overall. So much for making it easier and cheaper this year...

Piranha!

Oh well, I'm pleased with how it turned out, even if the head is a bit oversized (I wouldn't have got it on otherwise!)