Trying to add a back walkover to the movement repetoire.  I can bridge back and bridge up, but have never been able to walk over without help.  Starting with a back walkover using raised ledges for support seems to be getting easier.  But still a ways to go before I’ll know if the real thing is doable, not rushing it.

A back handspring would be the ultimate goal, but that one has always been out of reach.  But I’m pretty sure it’s mostly a mental block, the natural fear of being upsidedown.  I’m not a trained acrobat, so I know there are limits without formal learning, but just want to keep experimenting with other movement maneuvers I can learn to add to the more martial ones.  Maybe more capoeira drop-ins would be good to keep the body guessing when there’s breaks in the schedule.

Schedule this term has been packed on purpose (funny that I still think of the year in terms sometimes)
In addition to the full time at work during the week,
Mon - tai chi, kickboxing
Tues - art history
Wed - kickboxing
Thurs - art volunteering
Fri
Sat - kickboxing
Sun

Leaving not so much space during the work week for full-on artwork time.  This next term, hope to get a bit more time to work out some pieces I’ve had floating around since there’ll be breaks in the art classes.

Got a surprise invite to see Raine Maida at the Starlite Room last night.  Wasn’t sure of his newer stuff and hadn’t seen him live before, but he’s an amazing musician and the show was good and loud.  Didn’t recognize Chantal Kreviazuk as the keyboard player until she was introduced.

Not much time anymore for games on message boards, but still a couple of sketches for some friends:

sketch1

sketch2

Update to Pure Spec site.  Neat that they have Monte Cook arriving, met him once briefly at the one Origins I went to in Columbus.

Also an invite to the Manitoba Comic Con to keep in mind... don't think I can make it since it's so close to Pure Spec, but something to keep in mind.

And some info on the project with Pied Piper.  Hoping that one keeps rolling.

Got some caricatures out of the inbox at least, trying to move on to some portraits for a bit.  Art History class and ArtStart is a nice exposure to a wider range of styles than I might otherwise look at.  An ArtStart session on Art Therapy coming up soon which I'm looking forward too as well.

Trying to check out a capoeira class next month at a local club.

Some videos for motivation: 1 2

For the longest time, I thought of myself as only a kung fu guy, and that would be all.  I tried other styles, but they were more in a dilettante way, just dabbling to see.  I trained wushu for nine years, and when I stopped at 21 or 22, I never thought anything could take its place.  I had taken up judo for two years in university, but considered it supplemental still for the most part.  But now as of this post, I've studied Chen tai chi for about 6 years already, and muay thai for 2.  All of a sudden, though previous styles are still practiced recreationally, the idea of a primary art doesn't have as much weight.

Being my first experience and base, nothing will ever replace kung fu, it colors everything I do in this area of my life.  But at this age, I'm starting to see you keep growing with the things you've been led to.  You can't be afraid to drop your steel sculpture back into a fire becase you're afraid of losing something.  Not when what you can still create will be just as good or better.

It's therapeutic in some fashion to try new arts, pick up what you can and see how your skills fit in.  It's like a metaphor for a lot of things, I guess.  How with time, things that took up a huge chunk of your life can become relatively smaller by virtue of continuing on after where your brain had stopped envisioning.

Quick points.

Caught up in some caricature commissions, didn't know that would be a popular item in the company.

Got a cover in the works for Rob Kuntz, will have more when we see how that pans out.

Otherwise just busy - reminder to self about ArtStart sessions coming up and in the new year.  And more courses at the Faculty of Extension, maybe Art History and Visual Design next.  Never took art history, I never had the interest or need, but if it's a core course, maybe there's something to it.

On the other branch of interests, beginning a schedule with taijiquan once a week, muay thai 3 times a week, and dodgeball (what an intense sport) once a week.  I'd still like to hook in some fight club meets to round out the sparring and judo grappling.  Will see how this balances out though.

Did get one fight meet in summer:

"Fight Club - 1 Sept 2007
This worked out well today; the sun didn't let us down for working outside. Was just V, S, and me, but gave us time to cross-train stand up, clinch, long reach, and grappling. Started off with techniques exchange and ended with sparring standing and groundwork. Ended up going 3 hours without feeling it. No serious injuries, everyone's still pretty.

We should try again for another get together, though it will be tight now that school and other classes are starting for people. Even once a month to get together and trade ideas is a good experience. And a few more people would allow multiple things going on. Keep in touch on it."

It's interesting to see how people react when out of their comfort zone, a grappler boxing, a boxer grappling.  I've always tried to be well-rounded enough to feel comfortable in different positions.  Wushu forms made me comfortable on my feet and in the air, though not directly practical, it combines well with everything else I've done since (has come in handy for dodgeball).  Judo and wrestling with cousins taught me me not to overly fear (or underestimate) getting held or thrown.  I knew my weakest range was the striking and bridging which I'm improving through the kickboxing focus.

Not that any of us are going to sacrifice our lives to become pro pugs or UFC junkies; tai chi reminds me of the other side.  The experience of breath and movement in everyday actions and to be thankful for it.

Busy, but not much to update online.  Will be showing some pieces at Pure Speculation this month.

Revamped some older pieces to Frankenstein an image for a contest invite (LINK)

Probably won't be teaching at ArtStart again til the new year, same with art courses at the Faculty of Extension.  Still not sure if it's worth going for the full certificate since it involves courses I might not otherwise take like Art History.  Then again, might as well go forward with it and see what I can learn.

Sketch for a possible mini concept (LINK).

Getting to on more logo stuff on the corporate side.  Should study more on how to simplify images to convey information quickly.

Done for cousin's WoW group: Team Friendship.

(LINK1)

(LINK2)

Sketch for friend (LINK)

Finished running my first art sessions for inner city children. Since regular ArtStart programs don't run in the summer, this was a special activity day at a different school.

I had them create their own animals by combining two real life animals.  Some got creative and started combining with fruits and plants and vampies.

At the end of the first session, one little girl gave me a hug and another gave me a picture as a gift. Haven't worked with elementary kids like this in a long while; almost forgot how important it can be.