Album Cover/ Optimism

     Well, I guess I did keep up this time on updating my blog. The two pictures below are of an album we had to create for a  band we made up. My dad helped my come up with the idea to do a Slendermen version of the early Beatles. The title of the album is an actual Beatles song, and then I chose a few others to go on the track list for the the back. I had a lot of fun drawing these, although it was very time consuming. Once I get the resources, I would like to burn a disc with all these songs on there and place in the album artwork.
     While the majority of this post is on my album cover, I also just want to add a side note that I hate pimples. It may be hard to understand for those who do not have to deal with them, but they are a constant nuisance for me. I hate having to constantly wash my face, and still have large whiteheads pop up all along my forehead and around my mouth. If any of you have this problem, I highly recommend that you try Proactiv. It is a little pricey, but it is the only thing that works for me. Everything else just gets rid of the little black-heads and such. Glad I'm not stuck with them forever.
     If acne is a problem for you, just remember to stay on top of it and don't let affect your confidence. Whether it's talking to the person you like, or just trying to fit in at school, pimples are only one thing people are going to see. Try and focus on other things about yourself that really stand out. If you can focus on the positives, then you're going to be able to accomplish so much more. Although you should not let pimples bother you, it is still important to maintain good hygiene. If you do not try to take care of yourself, then it's harder to feel that you're the best you can be. Take it from me. I know what it is like to feel self-conscience about your appearance. What's important though is that you do the best you can to take care of yourself, and be pleased with the other good qualities you have.
     The easiest way I try and maintain a positive outlook is by spending lots of time with my friends. With them, I don't feel self-conscience or isolated from the rest. If there's something that is bothering you, talk to your friends about it. That's how I got over my fear of Slendy. I made a story on how Slendy is my roommate, and he owns a babysitting service over in the woods. (I'm thinking about posting cartoons that expand on this story later on.) If you can make jokes like this, it's easy to maintain a higher energy level. Learn to laugh at yourself. Be a kid. It's okay to be mature and realistic, but in order to maintain a good level of sanity, sometimes you have to be a little insane. If all you need is a good laugh, then revisit my page. I plan to post funny moments and cartoons in the future to add a little life to this page.

Front Cover

Back Cover

Artwork

    Lately I've been really busy with schoolwork and friends, so I apologize that  I haven't been posting very often. This year for 9th grade my school offered a commercial art class as an elective. For this semester, we've come up with several different assignment that I've really enjoyed working on. I plan on posting them later on.
    A few of them may be somewhat confusing if you are not familiar with the Slenderman. It is a supposed legend of a tall, faceless man in a suit that roams the Earth and stalks humans. The most common type of person he stalks are children. Often times he is depicted to have tentacles emerging from his back. For the past 5 months or so I've become really interested in him and the creativity used to manifest it. If you wish to find out more about Slendy, there are "documentaries" on youtube.com. I say it with quotations because none of it is real. The Slenderman was a creation from an art contest that won, and was posted on the internet. Soon a story for it was created, and a YouTube channel, Marble Hornets decided to make a movie similar to Paranormal Activity depicting the Slenderman. These videos eventually led to the creation of the downloadable game, Slender. Ever since the game came out, the Slenderman has increased immensely in popularity.
    Although there are a few pictures that I have drawn, we mainly focus on using tools similar to Photo Shop, so we've worked on improving, combining, and creating several pictures. If you are interested in this program, you can go to pixlr.com where you can use it absolutely free. Whether you're a fan of Photo Shop, and don't like how expensive it is, or just want a cool drawing program, then I suggest you check it out.
 
  Thanks again for visiting my page!


This was one of the first projects we worked on. We had to create a collage of photos to spell a word, or our last name. The photo below it is from last year's Christmas.

Oddities

   Lately as I've grown older, it's become harder for me to enjoy cartoons the same anymore. Every now and then I might watch something for a minute or two, but for the most part I've had to expand into channels like Science or Discovery Channel.
   Tonight I had some trouble finding something to watch, so I decided to just watch this show, "Taboo". In the past I haven't really enjoyed watching it, but the show started talking about this kid Nathaniel. They introduced him as being any other kid. The only problem was other children's conception of him.
Later they showed an image of him, he had a larger frontal lobe, his eyes were almond-shaped that the outside corners drooped, and he seemed to have what looked like cheekbones pushed inward, and extended outward.
   As I watched, I felt pity for him. Other kids would constantly stare, point fingers, or call him a monster. Later they further described that he had no mental disorders. In fact, Nathan's only difference for his peers was his appearance. The show progressed and gave glimpses of how he reacted to this treatment, while also giving a perspective from his parents point of view.
   Throughout all of it, I was appalled on how the other parents had reacted to Nathan's face. I understand that their is going to be some discrimination to others wherever you go, but these are grown adults with their nose high, disgusted at him, while removing their child from the playground. Being an adolescent, I completely understand people's redirection of their own insecurity, but I find it shockingly ridiculous  that these older, mature citizens are, to simply put it, bullying, this little kid.
   I wanted so much to be able to meet Nathan and get to know who he really is. To show him that he really is an amazing kid, that he should pay no attention to how others may treat them. He, just from watching this episode, is really inspiring to me. i would love to write a story taking a child with the same disease, and create him into this extraordinary character. I am just infuriated by how immature, and disrespectful some people can be.
   Next year, I'll be student body president, and I campaigned with a promise to be there for my fellow classmates with a willing ear and helping hand. I won't stand for bullying going on in the school. Every student should be able to experience the joy of being welcomed with opened arms to school. My vision of school is a chance to escape home and be surrounded by people your age who you can feel comfortable and accepted. Obviously there are going to be those who want to cause trouble, but if school can become a place of mental zen for them, an "escape" from whatever troubles them at home, then i think you shall see a change in their social interactions with others.
  Hopefully, I'm not the only person who has this ideal. I do not see those with a disability or disorder as being different. One belief I've held is that there is no "normal" in human appearance or behavior. Those who call themselves perfect are hateful of others who they don't see as their ideal person. They judge themselves based on their opinions of the rest of their society. I do not see myself as perfect. I am not very athletic, pimples plague my face when not treated constantly, I argue with my siblings, do not always agree with homework, I do not have a belief in religion, (though I respect others that do), I once viewed myself as being overweight and acted upon it so, and I cannot specifically classify my friends and I.
   I'd like to change the world somehow. Whether through my art, my writing, or my speaking. Although I do not have a specific idea in mind for a career, my path revolves around that ideal to make this world better.

Summer Vacation

The Answer to All Our Prayers

   It has been a while since I've visited this blog, and it looks like so far I've had 100 views. That's pretty good. As of today, it's about two weeks into summer vacation, and I'm loving it, although my brain has been hardwired like a robot thinking that every Monday is school. Later I wake up and realize the truth that the only thing special about tomorrow is garbage day.

   

  because it's summer, I've been having trouble finding things to take up that time. I have gone to several parties, which created memories I soon hope to illustrate. (if I ever get around to it.) 

For my birthday, my mom, who lives in Indiana, now Las Vegas bought me Kendo lessons for the month. For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, Kendo is Japanese fencing with bamboo swords. Next Tuesday will be my 4th time. If it wasn't for this class, my idea of time would be worthless. I barely can remember what day it is. 

   As much fun as that class is, I only have it twice a week. To pass the time along, I spend most of my time drawing, like the picture above. (Which is unfinished,but is created using the software my friend, Cierra suggested.) While I draw, i sometimes spew out random nonsense either for no reason, or out of frustration at the computer. This show Hetalia (SPONSOR) is full of useless, hilarious nonsense that I sometimes repeat when I sit alone at my desk. As lonely as art can be, I'm glad that I work alone. I feel as if I'm lonely in the woods. Free to shout and yell as much as I want. Even the smells are realistic down here. It even has bear poop! Wait. That's a present form my dog for not taking him out in time. Yup. My basement is very forest-like. 

 Well, until next time, my name is Taylor, my drawing is incomplete, and I love the lovely weather here. Goodnight!

School Life

Because it is the end of school, we have to take our end of the year tests lately. The math and English CRTs weren't bad, although the science one is a bit tricky. As a kid, I've always dreaded the spring testing, and I guess I still do now. The only reward I get from this is the satisfaction knowing that school is nearly over. As of today, I have seven more days left, except for my cousin, who I believe gets out tomorrow. As much as i wish to freak out and scream, "Aghhh!!!! That's not fair!!! I wanna get out tomorrow!!!! No! No! No! No!" he probably has to go back to school in like July 31st or something.

Is it just me, or does it feel as if we are all losing more days in the summer? At my school, the first day is halfway though August. What happened to the good old-fashioned time when school started on the first day of September and ended on May 31st? Plus, you have these new track schools were students go all year round. Although I understand the benefits of not having that long break period, I think nearly every kid enjoys having 90 days to relax and goof off while it's nice outside.

Drama at school is another thing as well. Summer Break offers a chance to escape that. Most of the times it's grades, worrying about maintaining a certain average, but another big thing can be friends. No matter which school you go to, there's always going to be rumors spreading, gossip about that guy dating what's her face, and worst of all, bullies. Summer may be the only escape from these people. Obviously your going to find jerks wherever you go in life, but middle school is the worst. Parents know that from experience, and kids my age have to learn the hard way. It's sad, but very true. Now pimples are showing up on faces, and we are rapidly growing. Insecurity creates attention, at least that's what a bully thinks. At home and with friends, you don't have to worry about that.

Luckily I don't really have to face the extreme problems other may have at school with this particular problem. Regardless, there is nothing like spending time with friends at the amusement park or jumping into a pool on a summer day. All this week, I keep repeating, "seven more days, seven more days."

Thanks for reading!

P.S. Does anyone know of a good computer software for coloring pictures? I'd like to expand more on just colored pencils for my drawings.

The Beginning...

   Well, this is my first time using a blog site. As you may have read above, this is my online journal. What the difference is between this blog and other online teen journals is that I don't plan on updating you guys for every time I fart, or have an AMAZING SHOPPING TRIP or whatever. As much fun as that may sound, that's not who I am or what this blog is about. The purpose for this blog is to really just express my everyday shenanigans and gain some sanity from this crazy mixed-up life we all share.
   Besides just writing about the random parts of my life, I plan to illistrate some of my moments as well. By this, I mean adding short cartoons to visualize my humor or interesting plot points during my posts. Just as a heads up, my style is anime, or at least my version of anime. I'm not that bad of an artist, but I'm still practicing my skills.
    I understand not everyone shares the same love of anime as my friends and i do, but i use it for it's uniqueness and humor as my style. In the future, I also plan to post some of my past artwork as well just for your entertainment and to keep track of my drawings. Although lately anime has been my main focus, i also enjoy drawing cartoons and pretty dramatic battles. Yes, i understand that may sound geeky, but hey. I hear geeky is the new cool. Plus, my drawings, at least in my opinion, are very detailed and complicated. The only thing I need to improve on is perspective, and stop using stick figures.
   I plan to update this at least every couple of days, but if that is not the case, then i might be working on an illistration to go along with it. Writing and drawing are something i really enjoy, and i hope you get the same enjoyment from this as i have with creating it. The future holds many wonderful things, and I look forward to post more on this blog.
   Peace!!