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HEY Y'ALL!!


How'z everyone been lately?? Good I hope.

Just another update - a late one at that, like I mentioned before - on some stuff~

Firstly, I was wondering, had anyone else been experiencing some difficulties with DA these past couple of weeks?? Not too long ago, it refused to allow me to log in. It didn't say my password or anything was invalid, it accepted it all, but just never allowed me to log in.... Strange. But anyways, a tinsy excuse for my constant absence. I'm really sorry. I don't think things are ever gonna get easier. It seems like I'm gonna continue to have delays and such on answering messages and other activities. But I shall do my best, regardless of life getting in the way and just hope all you magnificient folk out there won't be too upset about late responses. ........ I DON'T DESERVE ALL OF YA, SERIOUSLY!!


Otherwise, let's see..... Last of last weekend, we took our boat out on the river for the first time!! My dad got a MAJOR deal on this boat and it's really cool!!! It comfortably seats seven people, has a huge motor, no cabin unfortunetly, but no biggies. ^^ And it's an off-white/creamy colour with maroon steaks along the middle. We're gonna dub her 'White Shark'!! Sweetness....

Oh, and if you recall my last entry where I said I was suppose to meet a certain 'someone' a few weeks ago but he couldn't make it?? Well.... I'm meeting this Saturday!! Yayz!! Hope all goes well. :holdthumbs:

And yeah, other than that, I seem to have returned to one of my older fandoms: Pokemon, as you can see if you read the little questionaire thingy at the bottom of this. Well, what I still love about the fandom anyways, namely the legendaries like Mewtwo and Lugia!! Feels like I'm falling in love with them all over again. Might just do some art for it again sometime, and maybe even post a pic of my OC. We shall see.... but no worries, peeps, I haven't abandoned Beyblade or any of my other favs!! I just go through phases and give each one a certain amount of attention before moving onto the next, you know? ^^

And dats about it for so long.... But before I go, let's get down to the actual reason for this post:



I'm featuring the following great friends and artists: and !!

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I've recommended 's work before and will continue to do so 'cause she's really that AWESOME!! Take a looky at these:

I seriously adore this piccie of a dragon soaring near a waterfall: [link] It truly s a remarkable drawing!!
She also has a couple new Beyblade OCs here, a great new character named Helios and his lion bit-beast, Achilles: [link]
And a final magnificient shot of Achilles in action: [link]

Please by all means do check out her gallery!! She's an awesome artist!! ;D

And my next featured artist is !! A fellow artist from South Africa who I met in the strangest of ways but we turned out great friends, and he's a FABULEOUS artist!!! Seriously, emphasis on FAB!! Please, please, PLEASE do check out his gallery!! I've picked out a few piccies here:

Probably my fav outta his gallery so far. XD Two female cartoon characters who go by the names 'Koek' (meaning cake) and 'Tert' (tart) and check out her crocs!! LOLz, absolutely brilliant characters: [link]
And then there's this dude, who kinda gives me a sorta 'Medevil Doc-Oc' impression but very cool, indeed!! Extremely creative: [link]
This one just made me LOL at first!! At a distance he reminded me of the captain from the Tin-Tin series, but WOW!! The amount of detail and creativity in this is just astounding: [link]
And I really loved this character!! So dark and mysterious with the whole cloak and polar neck shading his face concept, not to mention the hat!! ;D Almost like a Zorro type of character. Very coolies: [link]

And that's just a tiny preview!! There's a whole gallery more where those came from so please do take a look at them all!! He's fantastic!!

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TO DO LIST

KEY

== Planned, but not started.
== Sketched.
== Lineart.
== Coloured and complete.
== ... Half done.



Beyblade OC: Tara Valkov's profile:
5000 page-views pic:
's request:
Dranzer, my dragon, in Anime & Chibi style:
100 Themes Challenge 1. Introduction:
Kai & Dranzer pencil sketch:

Dude, that's a lotta 's.


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KAI + TARA

These are a list of pics I'm planning to do of Kai and Tara (my OC). Most are song pics.

Who Is She? (Short comic)
Too Many Walls... [Ashley Tisdale]
I'm Not In Love! [BBMak]
Can't Help Falling In Love With You [A*Teens]
I Can't Say Why I Love You [BBMak]

Will add the rest later...

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100 THEMES CHALLENGE

That's right, I've decided to take up the '100 THEMES CHALLENGE'!! ^^

[link]

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Take good care, everyone!! Keep on smiling!!

~Dragon Mistress*

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C L U B B I E S

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HOWDY HEY, EVERYONE!!


Soz for the absense of late.... again. Have been quite busy these past few weeks. But before I get to that, I'd just like to send out some very big thank you's to the following wonderful artists and friends who commented on my last journal entry:

, , , , , , and who even featured me in her journal!! Wow, that was really something, and thankies so much, hunny!! Much appreciated. Made me feel so very special.

Your comments meant so much to me and I thoroughly appreciated them!! I didn't know what kind of responses I'd receive after sending that post, but only got the best kinds ever!! Thank you all!! You all ROCK!! You all also reminded me that I am capable of making some sense every now and then. So I thank you all again!!

And to all who read as well!! Thank you so very much. It means a lot and I hope you all feel much better about your art now. Never forget that art is a wonderful gift of expression and not a mathematical equation that has to be done one way or no way!! Pick up that pencil/brush/tabet pen/mouse/ink feather etc. and go wild!!

That journal post again: [link]

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Alrighty, just some quick updates on the past two weeks...

I just watched a DVD of my brother doing the highest bungi jump in the world (216m)!!!!! *Emphasis on faint* My soul, nothing to get your heart pounding more than watching a family member tempting fate. Yeesh, he, sis-in-law, nephew and friends went on a four day holiday to Bloukrantz (near Knysna) and yeah, of all things, goes bungi jumping. Silly, silly brother of mine.

... At least he said he'll never do that one again but maybe a shorter one.

Last Saturday was a classmate's wedding!! That was fun!! She looked so stunning in her snow white dress, and hubby in his tux. It ran from 3PM right through to 9:30PM!! We were pretty dead after that. But the food was DEVINE!! ... LOLz, yes, I'd talk about food. But it was, even though we had to wait for it for hours. Was about a four-course meal, mushroom soup for starters, fish and salads second, chicken and roast beef third and dessert forth. Yummy!!

Oh, and my dad kept complaining about the photographer (he caused the delays for food and such). Was quite funny. He can't tolerate delays.

Anyhoo, Sunday I was schedueled to... meet someone. We'd been chatting on GoogleTalk for a coupla months and last weekend he was in town for a bikers' rally and had planned for us to meet at Wimpy..... but sadly, we never did meet. When he got back to East London (a hour and a halfs drive from my town), he logged on and told me the people he was trasporting in his car wanted to get back so he had no choice. Oh wellz... .... Maybe we'll still meet in time. ;D Here's hoping.

And yeah, the rest of the time involved a lotta work mostly, but I'm still feeling the productive bug biting... sorta. So hopefully I'll have some more art works to upload soon. ^^

Oh and speaking of which, our first art exibition was a HUGE SUCCESS!!! We sold a total of five paintings on opening night, which is considered a major triumph!!! YAYz!!! So that was really great!!! My art teacher is really proud of us all.

:

And before moving onto the to-do list, I'd just like to send out a TREMENDOUS BIG THANKIES to a very special friend of mine!!! :

We haven't known each other very long, but we've become such great friends in that short time.

We have much in common, like we adore Beyblade, Kai , Beyblade OCs, dragons and much more!!! We met through Fanfiction.net, and hit off from the start!! Right now, we're busy writing a story together which you can find right here: [link]

It's of course about our two Beyblade OCs: Sabrina Wilson (her OC) and Tara Valkov (my OC) and fun they get up to at Witney Prep!! And let's just say that Kai and Tala are in the middle of this... HEEHEEz~

You can find her here on on FF.net: [link] If you haven't read any of her fics, pleeeeeeeeeeease do!! She's an amzing writer and you'll simply ADORE her stories!!!!
I'm here: [link] But am no way near as good as her.

Anyway, has been the absolute awesomest pal and graced me with the following MAGNIFICIENT gifts!! I could never have asked for better presents:

Tara Valkov and my dragon, Dranzer: [link]
Kai & Tara pic from our story: [link]

Thank you so So much, Steph!! I LUBS THEM SO MUCH!!!

Some more featured works:

This is Tara and Sabrina with the dragons in back: [link]
Sabrina and Tala scene for our story: [link]
She's even designed Tara's bitbeast, Drazelga for me: [link]
Sabrina and Tara: [link]
And lastly we have a truly beautiful pic of Sabrina and her bitbeast, Dramon: [link]

Please all do yourselves a favour and have a look at her wonderful art works!!! She's a wonderful artist!!! ^^ And I can't thank her enough for being such a great friend!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH, STEPH!!!! YOU'RE AMAZING!!!


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TO DO LIST

KEY

== Planned, but not started.
== Sketched.
== Lineart.
== Coloured and complete.
== ... Half done.



's Couples Contest pic:
Beyblade OC: Tara Valkov's profile:
5000 page-views pic:
's request:
Dranzer, my dragon, in Anime & Chibi style:
100 Themes Challenge 1. Introduction:
Kai & Dranzer pencil sketch:

Dude, that's a lotta 's.


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KAI + TARA

These are a list of pics I'm planning to do of Kai and Tara (my OC). Most are song pics.

Who Is She? (Short comic)
Too Many Walls... [Ashley Tisdale]
I'm Not In Love! [BBMak]
Can't Help Falling In Love With You [A*Teens]
I Can't Say Why I Love You [BBMak]

Will add the rest later...

*******************************************

100 THEMES CHALLENGE

That's right, I've decided to take up the '100 THEMES CHALLENGE'!! ^^

[link]

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~Dragon Mistress*

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C L U B B I E S

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GREETINGS, MY FRIENDS


I promised myself I'd never really use my DA journal as means to rant and vent and what not, but some issues have come up that I simply cannot ignore....

There is a lot to read here, but it would be highly appreciated if you all could hear me out. Please bear with me, I'd like every artist here to take this in, especially if you've been going through some difficulties lately.

I'm sitting here at home, preparing for my first art exibition tomorrow, and I recently logged in and happen to read some very upsetting news on my friends' journals. On many different journals in fact. Now I'm not going to be pointing fingers at anyone specific, but I've been reading a lot about how my friends have been having a hard time at home, school, work etc. and now taking it out on their art works and themselves!

This now is very upsetting!! I may not know all my friends here that well, and you'd probably think I'm very naive for this but, I grow very attached to people extremely quickly (it's just how it is. There's nothing I can do to change that ) and every time I read upsetting news on their journals, I just can't help but want o help as much as possible, but sadly, with many problems being things I can't actually help with personally (being that I'm half a world away from most of them) I can help (or pester, which ever way you care to look at it ) by telling you all that I LOVE YOUR ART!! EACH AND EVERY LITTLE BIT OF IT!!!!

Dear friends, do we really know what art is??

Art is about EXPRESSION!! And each and everyone of us is capable of it!! When people come and tell me they can't draw to save their lives, I say RUBBISH!! All of us were born with creativity!! There's not a single person in the universe who doesn't have one single creative thought at some stage. That's why were given individuality, with individual likes/dislikes. And that's why all of us have our own art styles!!!

I could never tell anyone enough how much I love their art!! It's a display of that person's own creativity, what they like, how they express themselves!! That to me is TRUE art!! And there's nothing I love better than to log on to DA and go through the deviations of my friends 'cause it's so exciting and wonderful!!! I look forward to it the most!! Even if I never actually get the time to comment or anything, I still look at it and think "Wow, that is amazing!" ;D

You've all helped me grow, and to improve on my own art. I would've NEVER thought to have uploaded any of the pics I have already 'cause of fear of what others might think.... and no one's ever thought anything bad of it, and I'd like to personally thank all of you.

NEVER say that your art is rubbish, 'cause your friends will always disagree with you. ^^ And as for not feeling worthy of any sort of comfort.... I COULDN'T EVER STRESS ENOUGH HOW WRONG YOU ALL ARE!!! If anything is rubbish, THAT is!! Let me tell you all something: THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR!! We don't ever get annoyed if you moan about life because we're there to help you out!!! You can't possibly tell me that receiving support from friends doesn't make a situation any better at all.

It's human nature to be upset about things and rant. And that's why we're all here to help you all out when times are rough. You will always have friends here!! If things get bad and you feel you really do need a break, then take on.... but don't turn it into a PERMENANT break, you hear?! Rather go to your friends for help 'cause we understand and can help as best we can!! But please, PLEASE.... don't ever even consider leaving this site!! And that goes double for feeling unworthy and your art is bad!!!

Friends, YOUR ART POSITIVELY RULES!!! AND YOU'RE ALL WORTHY OF YOUR FRIENDS, EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU, SO DON'T GO LEAVING!! TALK!! COMUNICATE SO WE CAN HELP!!!

*Cough*

Okay, I'm done here...


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TO DO LIST

KEY

== Planned, but not started.
== Sketched.
== Lineart.
== Coloured and complete.
== ... Half done.



's Couples Contest pic:
Beyblade OC: Tara Valkov's profile:
5000 page-views pic:
's request:
Dranzer, my dragon, in Anime & Chibi style:
100 Themes Challenge 1. Introduction:
Kai & Dranzer pencil sketch:

Dude, that's a lotta 's.


*******************************************

KAI + TARA

These are a list of pics I'm planning to do of Kai and Tara (my OC). Most are song pics.

Who Is She? (Short comic)
Too Many Walls... [Ashley Tisdale]
I'm Not In Love! [BBMak]
Can't Help Falling In Love With You [A*Teens]
I Can't Say Why I Love You [BBMak]

Will add the rest later...

*******************************************

100 THEMES CHALLENGE

That's right, I've decided to take up the '100 THEMES CHALLENGE'!! ^^

[link]

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~Dragon Mistress*

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C L U B B I E S

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HEY Y'ALL!!


*Glomps and hugs all 'round* I've missed you all so much!! Sorry again for not being around... again. I'm afraid things are gonna continue being this way for a while. I'm just gonna do some venting (nothing bad. ) from this point, but if you just feel like reading the Art Questionaire a little further down, be my honoured quest and let that mouse wheel scroll. It's mainly same old, same old anyways, so no biggies. ^^

I'm kinda stressed about not being able to reply to all my messages here. Last check, I have over 100, and I seriously dunno how I'm gonna reply to them all soon. I only really manage a few comments on my friends' art and journal entries, but even so, I don't to everybodys' and this is really frustrating me. But the problem is, even when I do have some time, I just can't always find the words. When I get back from work, I usually find myself doing other things as well, and then being too tired to spend more than an hour tops on the internet... kay in reality, that is a lotta time, but I have other sites I have to visit as well. At times it just feels too much, but I will get there eventually! I'm gonna try my best. No message will be left unanswered!! What I might have to do is devote time to one person at a time and see how that goes, I dunno. ^^ I'm ready to try anything....

I sincerely apologise again for this. I know I say the same thing each time, but thank you all for being ever so patient with me. I couldn't have asked for better friends!! You're ll wonderful!!! Never forget that. ^_____^

I sadly had to bid farewell to my eldest dog as she went to that great big dog park in the sky. She was my first ever dog, a maltese poodle/Jack Russell cross by the name of Nala. She had just turned 15 years old a few months ago, but had to be put down a little while ago due to her heart vowlves no longer functioning. The vet told us they could have on her on medication but it would only keep her alive for about another month or so, so unfortunetly, my dad made the desicion to her put down then. It was really upsetting, even my other two dogs have been affected by the loss, I can see it. But at least she's in a much better place now, and she did live a long, healthy life. R.I.P. Nala

I'm now sort of an art student. ^^ My aunt arranged for me to attend art lessons a couple weeks ago and I'm loving it!! Even though I'm the youngest member, the group, which consist of woman aged between in their late twenties right up into their seventies, are GREAT!! They're all such a wonderful bunch and we even have tea and biscuits and stuff during the two hour lesson. I'm learning a lot, and we're even holding an art exibition soon in two weeks time! Our work's gonna be on display and we can even sell them, so I'm totally excited about that. ^^

Everyone there's so talented. ^^ You'll also be seeing other art in amongst my fanart from now on.

We're going to a wedding in September. One of my classmates is getting married and she invited us. ^^ The bridal shower last Saturday was great. Very funny. Can't wait to see my friend walking down the isle. :happytears: We've all grown up so fast. .... Now all I need is a husband........ LOL


And yeah, that about wraps it up for now... ONTO THE ART QUESTIONAIRE!!!!!


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Heehee~ Stole- uh, I mean borrowed with permission from 's journal.

◆ Your name?
Sandra.

◆ If possible, your age?
21 years young. ....

◆ When did you start drawing?
I've practically been drawing all my life, but only started taking it seriously at about age eight when my grandmother inspired me. She had the real talent and encouraged me.

◆ Which hand do you use for drawing?
Right.

◆ Which is easier to draw - male or female?
Female figures, for obvious reasons ( we know how we're shaped and what not? Whereas guys don't really have curvy hips and their shape always seems to look weird to me when I draw them. ) Go figure.

◆ Which is easier to draw - long hair or short hair?
I'd have to say long hair. ^^

◆ Is it easier to draw the head facing towards the right or the left?
They're about the same, I guess. Though strangely, I tend to draw most of characters facing the left. :/

◆ Is it easier to draw the side view of the face or the front view?
Gonna say front.

◆ What do you have problems in drawing?
Hands & fingers!! Sometimes the face, clothes, body propertions, certain hair styles, fur, depth perception and background objects eg. buildings, household objects.... lotsa stuff actually.

◆ What do you like to draw?
Anime/Cartoon characters, fantasy and animals.

◆ Are you a traditional artist or a digital artist?
Both... sorta.

◆ Where do you start drawing from?
Always the head, then work my way down the body, background next, and when satsified, final details.

◆ What is your drawing habit that you are aware of?
Uh, I easily get distracted whilst drawing?

◆ Any tips for coloring/shading?
Colour lightly for ' base ' colours, then add shading and finally highlights. Remember to choose where your light source is coming from when doing this.

◆ How long does it take to finish a piece of art?
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY TOO LONG!! In fact, I can't tell you... 'cause it's just too embarressing.

◆ What music do you listen to while you draw?
Usually songs that fit the picture I'm drawing, eg. if it's a pic of a couple, then love songs 'cause I feel it really sets the mood. Otherwise any songs I like at the time. ^^

◆ How long does it take you to come up with an idea?
Not to long actually. If I'm really into something, pic ideas come to me quite easily.

◆ Your favorite drawing utensils?
Pencils, pens, crayons and of course, Photoshop CS2.

◆ Your favorite color/the color that you use a lot?
Blue. All shades.

◆ Your favorite style(s)?
Mostly Anime/Manga/Cartoons, fantasy and realism.

◆ What kind of artist are you aiming for?
An artist with a variety of different styles... or at least one that can be more productive and speed up her work in the near future.


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No tagging this time, but it would be super if all of you could fill this out!! Go on, tell us more about you as an artist.

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TO DO LIST

KEY

== Planned, but not started.
== Sketched.
== Lineart.
== Coloured and complete.
== ... Half done.



's Couples Contest pic:
Beyblade OC: Tara Valkov's profile:
5000 page-views pic:
's request:
Dranzer, my dragon, in Anime & Chibi style:
100 Themes Challenge 1. Introduction:
Kai & Dranzer pencil sketch:

Dude, that's a lotta 's.


*******************************************

KAI + TARA

These are a list of pics I'm planning to do of Kai and Tara (my OC). Most are song pics.

Who Is She? (Short comic)
Too Many Walls... [Ashley Tisdale]
I'm Not In Love! [BBMak]
Can't Help Falling In Love With You [A*Teens]
I Can't Say Why I Love You [BBMak]

Will add the rest later...

*******************************************

100 THEMES CHALLENGE

That's right, I've decided to take up the '100 THEMES CHALLENGE'!! ^^

[link]

*******************************************

Anyhoo, that's that for now. ^^ Hope all's well with everyone. I'll get down to answering soon!!! Take care.



~Dragon Mistress*

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C L U B B I E S