storykween

Hey everyone! So I haven't posted here on DeviantArt in awhile, even though sometimes I wanted to. I decided the reason was that I have had this DA account for so long, and I have changed drastically as an artist and creator since I first started. I thought of cleaning up this account but it felt a bit sad to delete all my old work. So I decided to just go ahead and start FRESH. 

I have started a new account as jenny-woodsy  and I hope that all of you will follow me there!  I'll gradually be uploading new artwork and re-following all of my favorite artists from that account!

So a few months ago I released my first visual novel, "Serafina's Saga" (go here to download it for free, either for desktop computers or Android devices) and I have been whole-heartedly touched and pleased by the warm reception it has received. I also completed the 20-minute animation prequel--a project that required so much work and dedication, sometimes I still find it hard to believe that I finished it (you can view it on Youtube here).

For a long time I have been insecure about my drawing/illustration abilities, and I know they still have a long way to go. But using them to bring my stories to life has been very exciting so far, and the success of my first visual novel has encouraged me to keep trying. I learned from some mistakes I made in "Serafina's Saga," and I'm working even harder to create a unique narrative experience with my next visual novel, "Quantum Conscience." It's nearing completion (though I still have a lot left to do), so I hope to release it circa July 2014.

This entire journey has given me a lot to think about regarding my career and overall creative goals. Having worked in a wide range of mediums at this point, I find that I love working in video games for a huge host of reasons. I love the way games fully engage the reader/player, providing a unique experience and giving him/her some control of the narrative. I love writing more than one ending to my stories and trying to bring those stories to life with art and music. And I could go on.

I've worked on a few other games recently through Game Jams and alongside local indie developers. I illustrated the human characters in the game "Artful Intelligence" for iPhone devices (you can download it from here). I'm also working on an atmospheric platformer called "Metempsychosis" (and you can try the GameJam prototype here). I really hope to keep making games, both on my own and (hopefully) working professionally in the industry.

So my creative journey continues, and I hope you enjoy whatever I come up with next!

As is evident to anyone browsing my gallery, for the last few months I have been working hard on creating my own animated series, "Serafina's Saga." My 2-D animation skills, or lack thereof, are mostly self-taught. Over the last couple of years I have earned a certificate in graphic design and animation, but my animation education centered around 3-D environments. I have always loved 2D animation--there is something special about watching hand-drawn frames--so I took what I'd learned about various programs and motion graphics to embark on creating my own hand-drawn animation.

Given the dedication and time this project requires, I may not be able to finish the entire series in animated form; I might conclude the story in the form of a visual novel or something like that, if at all. But I am determined to finish the first episode of "Serafina's Saga," which will be about 15 minutes long or so, and at this point I am about halfway done. It has been both exciting and exhausting to bring one of my stories to life. The best part has been working with some fantastic voice actors. But I spent about a month convinced that I would give up on the project because I was very discouraged by the lack of attention or interest I've managed to gather thus far. Eventually I decided I needed to finish this project, not for anyone else, but myself, so I dove back in and now I'm on the home stretch.

You can view the trailer here: fav.me/d5uy863

And here is a scene to help entice you: fav.me/d5wpby0

The series also has a website (www.serafinasaga.com/) and tumblr (thecrazyanimator.tumblr.com/)

Working on this project has been one of the most challenging endeavors of my life, requiring a huge amount of work, training, and dedication with (so far) practically zero external reward. Any feedback or blatant encouragement you may feel inclined to offer is greatly appreciated and I hope that, eventually, you will enjoy the finished result.

Lately I've been exploring my artistic skills and spending more time on each digital painting I create. It's exciting for me, because my visual art is something I have let fall to the wayside over the years. I'm not sure why I've been able to devote the time to it lately--my life has been crazy busy. But I find a certain sort of relaxation in drawing and photo-shopping that's a little different from the peace I find while writing. It's almost like meditation. During the moments I feel most stressed and writing is just too exhausting, I relax best while drawing.

I think for the first time, I'm starting to define my style as an artist. I don't have the art expertise to really describe what it is, yet, but at least I'm beginning to understand it. For awhile I thought my drawings tended towards realism, but I'm learning that's not completely true. In any case, I will continue to explore this--when I have the time --and I hope you enjoy the result!

So I should be up-front and confess that I do not consider myself a devoted visual artist, though I appreciate other visual artists profoundly. I can hardly compete with most of you beautiful deviants. I was lucky to receive some good artsy genes that run in my family, so when I pick up a pencil, I can create something decent. But I lack any proper training or discipline. If I ever had an alternate life as a painter, that boat has sailed in this universe; I have chosen the path of writing.

Nonetheless, when I run out of words, it is still a pleasure to try and translate what is in my head to an image, and thus here is my deviant account. I daresay I'm better at expressing myself with the written word, but if you've happened upon my profile and you enjoy my work, then I am honored!