Crystal Ball

Hello friends!  Although I don't have a crystal ball, I wanted to talk to you about what 2021 looks like. The United States is still gripped by a pandemic, so a lot is in play. 

A year ago I was only months away from finishing my largest project ever. A gallery had offered to display my Tarot Series, I was talking with manufacturers about card production, and I was ready for a break. 78 Cards is a LOT to imagine and create!

Everything changed, of course, and soon after we moved away from downtown. The city had started to shut down, and we socially distanced.  The gallery that wanted to feature us  closed. Best lost his job. I delayed many of the paintings, or canceled them completely, depending on what was happening with COVID-19 numbers.

Of course, we were learning, adapting, and trying to stay safe. With no shows and no bodies to paint, most of my income continued to vanish, and we faced other hurdles.  

Despite the difficulties of the year, I was able to slowly whittle it down to four remaining cards. They are the Magician, the Three of Pentacles, the Three of Cups, and the Ten of Pentacles. I'm currently focused on the first. 

Last year also cemented my entry into Video Game industry. I became a concept artist for for Poorly Timed Games. After I drew designs for them, they turned them into gorgeous 3D models. We also did this cool body painting, ominously named The Cataphor. 

This was my first time constructing something with this material, so I learned a lot in the process. The next painting will be even more challenging.

All of the hard work I did with Poorly Timed Games, inspired me to start exploring game design even further. I decided to focus on an engine (RenPy), chose a writer, and began creating lots of rough concepts. These aren't indicative of what's in the game, but examples of styles I'm exploring to create the world you may some day play. Like this: 

Or this one:

Heck, even this unfinished piece of armor is pretty cool:

I've even been experimenting with different shading techniques. Realistic. Anime. Abstract. I'm exploring what I want the art style to be, before I start building the world. The example below is not a gameplay image, but shows off what I'm talking about.

My art really shines when I re-imagine creatures that roam the world. Like this Catfish!

So if I'm building a world you can explore, I imagine there will be creatures too! I don't want to spoil too much...

Anyway, if you've read this far, you are on the same page! I just really want to make a video game with my artwork, because I believe it would really blow people away if given the right platform. Or funding! :P My imagination is pretty vast.

However that doesn't mean I want to stop painting. It's just...

Arizona repeatedly made the number one spot in the entire world for COVID. I had to completely pause painting this month (except for Best, who I'm creating a new book with)!
 
I've also upgraded my safety gear, including kn95 masks, and a large face visor.

What does that all mean?

Well first... I'm still planning on finishing Tarot. I've worked too hard, and have gone too far. It might just take a little longer... :/ Good news? I still have a lot to edit. More for you!

Second, although I'm planning a number of new projects, it's not safe (or wise) to announce anything specific yet. This virus has been unpredictable, and I don't want to hype something up, only to not deliver on it. If you want some clues...

1) Sequel to Neon City
2) Provocative Photography Project
3) Outdoor Body Painting series

Until I can announce something more, I will be finishing up existing appointments, and taking the occasional session. I'm considering asking models and clients to provide negative COVID-19 confirmation, or second dose vaccination documentation. I've been getting tested before sessions myself.

I'm happy to say that Best and I have made great progress with our mental health (which was certainly challenged by the difficult year). I recently switched to a new ADHD medication and much prefer it. I actually have an anxiety medication now. For the first time in my life!

I'm also working on a Stardew Valley Mod team! I've been working on a number of sprites for the game, like this one that Avi started, and I finished. Weirdly this only came to pass because I redesigned one of their main characters and they liked my version more. So they asked if I would like to help improve the mod. I said yes. <3

Isn't he adorable? Wait until you see the main character I'm working on for my title... ;-)

So to summarize, I want to do a lot, but I have to partially re-direct my energy for safety reasons. Although I'm improving the precautions for body paintings, I'm going to limit sessions to avoid exposure. I'll still be editing and sharing both new and existing art, and will be eventually producing a video game. Or two. Plus that new book from Best and I called "People Aren't Flowers".

Thanks again for your support! I hope you find my Patreon to be interesting. <3

Love,

Brandon