Monthly Archive for January, 2009

An unlikely hero… in black!

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on January 31, 2009
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Kat Johnston Art: An unlikely hero is the title of this piece... and... that's it!

The third day of testing my new ‘thirty cents for a pack of five’ pens - this time, giving black a whirl. I like it! Luckily, it actually takes a fairly tragic pen for me to dislike the black of the black. The blues and the reds are far more difficult to get just right.

I’ve named this one ‘An Unlikely Hero’, though oddly enough, I don’t know quite what happened to propel her to hero status! Perhaps it has something to do with that little headdress she is wearing… or maybe it has something to do with the way she ended up with that birds-nest of a hair style. Either way, I have a feeling that the way she became a hero is as unlikely as her seemingly heroic nature. Perhaps she is an accidental hero? A hero of chance?

Perhaps she is a secret princess who was raised as a pig-herd in an adoptive family, while only finding out that she must rise to hero status because she exhibits the royal family’s hereditary birthmark and the kingdom can only be saved by her? She found a sword lodged in a stone and went ‘Oh, that shouldn’t be there! Let me find the right spot for this,’ and lugged it home? Ok, so that’s more of a princely thing, but I say that there is no harm in flipping the tables every now and then. Stories of enterprising princesses-to-be appeal to me.

Ah well… as with some of my other pictures, I don’t always get a perfect read. We’ll see how I go tomorrow.

Testing the red… slightly disappointed.

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on January 30, 2009
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Kat Johnston Sketch - I'm testing out the red pen today.

I must admit, when it comes to red pens, I adore a nice, deep, rich, blood-red shade. This shade? Welllll… not quite what I love. It is nice and all, don’t get me wrong, but not the perfect colour of red I crave.

I find it rather funny just how much the colour of a pen can influence just how I draw with it. The colour, the flow, the amount of variation I can get between one pen and the next… I do the majority of my sketching in pens. I enjoy them so much. If you screw up, you screw up - you either start over or try to salvage it, and either way it will eventually turn out ok, or at the very least, you have one more picture to toss onto the ‘maybe not’ pile.

From the bold, even distribution of colour in a picture like this, to the subtle shading and tone variation of pens with a less ‘wet’ ink, I am constantly delighted by the amount of ways that this simple stationary item so often passed over can transform a simple sheet of paper into something stunning, or evocative, or playful, or sweet… I’m sure I’m not the only one that starts clapping their hand delightedly on the way to a big stationary shop, am I?

Just testing out a new pen… don’t you love blue?

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on January 29, 2009
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Kat Johnston Sketch - this is maggie... I was testing out a new pen.

I was wandering casually up and down the aisles at the supermarket no more than a block away from my home, perusing the shelves stacked full of various things splashed with a gaudy display of imagery supposedly intended to urge me to buy them, to set them above and beyond their paler, dowdier cousins. And yet, there tucked away in a dusty corner of the stationary section with a home-brand label on them lay a set of ‘5 gel ink pens’, rather modestly sealed in their little plastic pocket. They were thirty cents. I needed them - not need need, but wanted nonetheless.

Therefore, after stuffing my basket full of all the strict necessities (you know… feta, lettuce, a kilo of stuffed green olives…) and my thirty cent set of gel ink pens, I paid for my goods and headed home. The groceries went away, lunch was prepared… two turkey salad sandwiches, in case you were curious… and I skipped downstairs, plonked my plate down, took a delicious first bite and reached for my sketchbook.

You see, the fun thing about new pens, is finding out just what their quirks are, quite what the colour is like… quite how you’re going to use them. You see, not all pens are created equal - the smooth, confident strokes of one just may not feel comfortable with another. On top of that, there is the colour - the blue of this particular pen makes me all gooey on the inside. Its a perfect, rich, gorgeous shade of blue, rather than a pale, washed out imitator of such a brilliant hue. Oh the disappointment of finding out that that perfect looking pen has uninspiring ink! Such things are a travesty.

Anyhow… above was the test piece for one of my five gel ink pens… though I really only need to test three - luckily for me, for my thirty cents I got blue, black and even a nice looking red!

On the Sanu front, I’ve just released my new set - two sets, actually, though they are really the one split into two parts. The bunny featured just a couple of days ago is the focus, which, if you buy both parts contains a massive 28 pieces. Here’s a couple of images of them, for those who haven’t checked them out in store yet.

Sanu Stuff: the signage for the Cameo set part 1.

Gotta love a jewelry set that comes complete with mini top-hats and finely detailed eye-patches, yes? Well… I think so, anyway. Sorry, you may just have to zoom in close to see any detail on these ones… I told you the other day they were small!

Sanu Stuff: The second image for the Sanu Cameo set... this time, part 2!

Mmhmm. This is a post.

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on January 27, 2009
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Kat Johnston Sketch: oh yes... you've guessed it. She's not incredibly pleased right now at all, is she?

No Sanu stuff today, just a quick sketch which is probably an all too good reflection of my mood from the early afternoon onwards for various reasons. Luckily though, some comfort lasagna and peppermint tea can do well to sooth a little grumpiness… especially when it comes with a side of cat-cuddling.

I’m keeping this post short today - I think it might be time to lure the hubby to bed for some snuggles rather than sitting in front of a computer for even a minute longer.

Please excuse the mess as we remodel.

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on January 26, 2009
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Kat Johnston Sketch - look! Its a little bitty owl. Isn't he ohhhh so cute? I think I need to do some more owls...

I actually meant to draw this little picture earlier today, but it was not until James inadvertently reminded me by doing something absolutely unrelated to either owls or baths that I remembered that I had to. You see, last night I was taking a nice relaxing bath, sans bubbles, and dozing away. Entirely focused on nothing in particular, my head lolled to the side and a little owl popped out at me from the tiling.

His eyes went wide, quite startled at being found within the unevenly glazed surface of ceramics stretching along the wall. ‘Oh, oh my!’ said he, fluffing his feathered wings, ‘I certainly didn’t mean to disturb you.’

‘Oh, no bother,’ said I, ‘Please, sit a while and talk with me?’

So he did, and it was rather an interesting conversation, when all is said and done. There is a lot that a little owl within a tile knows, for although he exists only by a trick of the light and stray smattering of a darker shade upon light, he actually seems rather well versed in the ways of the world. That said, he is an owl. They’re meant to be smart!

Sanu Stuff: a close-up of a work in progress... a locket with a difference.

Ok, talk of bathroom banter with imaginary owls aside, onto a little bit about Sanu today. The picture above is a capture I took today of a little something I’m working on - a cameo set featuring a bunny I recently put together for the project. Although in this image it seems of a relatively decent size, it is as tiny as can be - I do so love to torture those teensie tiny prims, I do!

Its a lot of work, but I have to say… the results are just as I wished them, at least at this point. Elegant, refined, ridiculously over-detailed with teensie tiny pieces and a touch of humor to boot. Well… that’s Sanu for you!

Not Quite There.

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on January 25, 2009
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Kat Johnston Sketch - Some days... I'm just not quite there.

Know how there are some days that you’re just not quite there, despite every effort you’ve been making to get with the program? Today’s just one of those days. Eh. They happen. And there is somewhat of an upside, when you think about it: without a ‘meh’ day, this little girlie would not have been drawn! And I think she’d be rather disappointed if she were left in the far less trafficked back rooms of my mind. At least I make it nice and cozy back there for them… and make sure they have plenty of cookies!

Ok, onto the Sanu stuff for the day! For those SL readers, if you haven’t heard about the Greatest Love Gridwide Hunt yet, where have you been? I’ve been accepted into the hunt, and will be participating by offering my own little present for all of you celebrating this season of lurrrrve. That said, I’ve actually made it with a duel purpose in mind: while it is decorated with love-hearts, I do believe that it is suitable for all-year-round type wearing. Themed seasonal hunts are all fun and all, but I have to say, I hardly ever wear a generic Christmas costume after the Christmas season is over - same goes with Valentines.

Therefore, just for you, here is a sneak peek at what I’m going to be giving for this hunt: a monocle and Marilyn piercing set, each of which is offered in 6 colour combinations, just for a nice amount of versitility. Keep an eye out - the hunt starts soon!

Sanu stuff: A close-up of my offering for the hunt item for the Greatest Love Gridwide Hunt.

Ice-cream, Ice-cream, Ice-cream!

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on January 24, 2009
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Kat Johnston Sketch - Mmmm, delicious, wonderful ice-cream. Wait.. is she going to be able to fit all that in? Eep!

Melissa is a cutie, isn’t she? She has a thing for ice-cream and has just created the most brilliant ice-cream ever. However, is she really going to be able to eat it all in time? My bet is on no, but I’d sure be willing to sit back and smirk as she gave it a go!

Ice-cream two days in a row? Yes! I barely posted an image here of the new 350 members gift for my Sanu when along came another lot of people to swell the numbers over the 400 mark. Therefore, it was certainly time for another quick gift. This time I went for ice-cream again (ice-cream and sushi are my two current obsessions) but with epic proportions - seven scoops, with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry on top. Phew! Its now available in my group ‘Sanu Collars, Jewelry and More’ in Second Life, for all who are interested. After all, virtual success must be celebrated with as many people as possible.

So, without further ado, let me present to you an image of the item in question - a meeting of virtual and reality, which makes my mouth water and gives me the urge to to scoot to the freezer and grab a scoop of my own favourite flavour (choc mint, in case you were curious). That’s all for today folks.

Sanu in Second Life - Ohhh, what's that there? A huuuuge ice-cream defying gravity? Why yes, I'll have one of those!

Alex is unimpressed. Not everyone likes ice-cream.

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on January 23, 2009
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Kat Johnston Art - When you get into a food fight, not everyone comes out on top... even if it is fun, ice-cream in your hair is not good.

I’ve been making some fun things recently - one of them has been an ice-cream in Second Life that sits atop your head and has a few drips scattered on the face. Its cute! However, not everyone is as dignified as I. This is Alex. She’s not a fan of having ice-cream messing up her hair, let alone her make-up. Suggestive as those little splatters are on her face, I swear I was thinking of ice-cream… nothing else, naughty people!

I adore that she came out with a curve to her lips, lending her the start of a wry smile… a gleam in her eyes as she tries to resist showing her amusement. You know those times when despite the fact that you should be furious with someone, you can’t help wanting to laugh at the same time? When someone else’s infectious humor starts weaseling its way in even though you should be shaking your fist? Well, this is one of those times. For all that Alex here is grumbley, she’s quite amused at the ridiculous predicament she’s in too. Who wouldn’t be?

And now to give you a peek at the item in question. The group for Sanu in SL has now peaked over the 350 mark - I celebrate each 50 with the release of a special gift, which in this case, happens to be ice-cream. Mmmm… tasty purple ice-cream… with a bunny on top! Yum!

*Sanu store group giftie! Yes, its ice-cream. Yes, there is a tiny little bunny perched on the top! With a flag!

Pip’s Quest: an epic tale of love, loss, and bunnies.

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on January 22, 2009
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Kat Johnston - Pip's Quest: an epic tale of love, of loss, of bunnies and pretty little love-hearts!

So, since I’ve started integrating the Second Life me and the Real Life me into one nice big mega-me… perhaps you’d like to see what I’ve been doing, huh? I know I sent you onto my Second Life flickr account yesterday, but hell, this deserves a post of its own.

One of the fun things about Second Life is its ability to set up events such as these: hunts. With the opening of my new online store, I set up an interactive story which leads participants towards fun prizes, while following ‘Pip’s Quest’. Long story short, Pip is a bunny whose heart has been broken. It is up to the hunt participants to comb over an island I’ve created to find the pieces of his shattered heart and put it back together again. Each piece of the story gives a clue as to where the next piece is hidden. Fun, huh? Well, this is the signage which was done up for the event… a little rushed, but not tooo bad, either.

The story itself is presented in 10 parts and does come with the obligatory happy ending. It was written on the go, so its not as polished as it could be… but its just a bit of fun, really - never meant to take the world by storm. Since most of my current readership here probably won’t ever get the chance to read it in the game, I’ll post the first part here just for you! Please enjoy part one of Pip’s Quest.

“There is a tale among rabbits which is unlike any other, about a young buck by the name of Pip. Pip was a shy lad of tender years, still learning what it was to be a rabbit of his kind.

Though fully grown, he was still unsure of himself; had never revealed to his childhood companion Chloe that he adored her in more than a friendly way. He thought Chloe was the most beautiful doe in the warren, and for that matter, the world.

The moon rose above the water one evening, as he sat perched upon one of the over-sized toadstools that dotted the green of his home. His ear twitched, and drawing in a deep inwards breath, he bounded across to his secret love who was picking wildflowers nearby.

‘I love you!’ he cried, his little heart fluttering wildly in the hollow of his chest, ‘Chloe, I love you and I want you for my own!’

Chloe raised her head, a smile curving her mouth, her laughter dancing upon the evening breeze. ‘Oh Pip, you are a joker. Thank you so much for making me smile. Here. A little blue wildflower for your coat.’

Pip feigned a half-smile as he accepted his gift, pretending as best he could that his confession had been just as she said, a silly joke to make her laugh. But it had not been. His heart had been shattered.

‘I must go,’ thought Pip. ‘I must go, and gather them together again, else I shall never be complete. But this is no small task. Perhaps if I think on it, I will know best where to go next. I know this quest is urgent, but perhaps some meditation is in order before I continue on.’ He spied the zen gardens just a few hops away - Pip had started his quest.”

I swear, I haven’t dropped off the face of the Earth.

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on January 21, 2009
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Kat Johnston Art - Look! Its sushi, and it has a little heart in it. Cute, huh?

No really, I swear. I’m still alive, able, and back. I have been nigh on beaten by my husband (figuratively, not literally) to hurry up and update my blog. For someone saying ‘I’ll post a thing a day,’ I have left a rather large gap in my posting, haven’t I?

Lets blame the holidays or something, shall we? Ok… no excuse. It just isn’t allowed. Truth is, I missed a couple of days because things got busy, and then afterwards, well… I let it slip. I’ve had my mind so much on something else that I’m doing, that this slid by the wayside for a couple of weeks. But… I’m going to make up for it!

I’m not sure if this is a good move or not, but I’m going to clue you in on a little something. You know how I’ve posted a couple of images of things that I’ve made in Second Life? Well, I’ve started actually getting half-way serious about it. Since October last year, I’ve been toying around with setting up my own little Second Life business, and the past few weeks I have been absolutely absorbed in what I’ve been doing there, which has been setting up a proper main-store for my shop.

What do I make? A little of everything, from suggestive food, to jewelry, to, well, bunnies! Just a little of anything that has come into my mind - I’ve been creating it and have been just enjoying myself far too much for words. So, with this post, and to make up for the fact that I’ve not posted here in far too long, I’m going to give you a link my flickr account for the Second Life me, where I post pictures for my store Sanu, among other things. I’ve done the internal debate as to whether I should combine my ‘real’ identity with my avatar’s, but the fact of the matter is… they are the same person, and I really don’t mind people knowing one, the other, or both. Besides… i

So, without further ado, please let me present Sanura Sakai, the Second Life me. There’s heaps of pictures that I’ve submitted here, and this flickr group contains pictures submitted by both myself and others regarding Sanu products. You might also want to check out something like this, one of the recent blog posts where my items have been featured.

Ohhhh, I know its geeky… but… well… maybe you might find it amusing! And at least it lets you know that I’ve been doing something creative, huh? That’s all for today folks… I’ll be back again tomorrow. This time, I promise it.