So, I finally bit the bullet and bought a new tablet. Half came from a pre-Christmas gift from my parents, and the other half, from my own pocket book. Why did i get a new one?

Because, in the middle of my design project, mine COMPLETELY gave out. And since I've already had it repaired TWICE, I figured I oughtta get a new one. And went on Craiglist. And found a new 11x6 Intuos3 for $250~!!! Thus, I bought it, and am EXTREMELY pleased. HooRAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So let's see what goodies I can make with this!

Ok. So I'm gonna post the commissions thingy again, but this is so AMAZING that I just HAD to let you all know. I mean seriously. You're not going to believe it. I can't believe it myself, and it's happening to me!!!!!!!!!

So yesterday, I started teaching Japanese. I am supposed to teach a husband and wife team, but because the wife was out of town on business, the husband alone came for the first lesson. Apparently, he came to check out the way I taught and see if it meshed with his needs. Anywho, I find out that his wife is a tennis player who travels around the world for tournaments! They go to Japan quite often and love it there so they want to learn Japanese. So I saw some pictures of her and stuff. Then we continued on with the lesson.

I, for one, was SUPER prepared. I wanted everything to go perfectly, and it did. I did an introduction, explained the layout of the Japanese language, explained the textbooks/study materials we'd be using, as well as the mini tests and homework we'd have. After talking for a while, he seemed super excited to get started. He then turned to me and asked, "Let's be honest. How many hours a week should we be meeting? It doesn't seem like three will be enough." Right now, we'd agreed upon 3 hours a week at $60 a week. So I replied, "Well, three hours would be OK, but the more often, the better. The University of Minnesota does 5-6 hours for beginners," to which he responded, "Could we do 6 hours a week then, at $120 a week?" Of course, I totally agreed. So now I've got this amazing job, with an amazing salary. (Keep in mind though, that I have lots of prep work for these sessions.)

So here comes the best news. After talking some more, I checked my list of things I had planned to talk about. I realized I hadn't asked much about him, so I asked, "I know you're wife is a tennis player, but where do you work?" He grinned and told me he'd save the best for last. He had wanted to make sure that I was the perfect fit for his and his wife's needs, and said I was absolutely perfect for the job. "I work at United Airlines. And, because I'd love to really show my appreciation, I can get you FREE first class tickets to Japan whenever you want. All you gotta do is tell me when. Thanksgiving, Christmas break, whenever. I can hook you up. Also, let your family/friends share in it too! If they want to go to Japan, or your parents want to go to Europe or something, I can send them there!"

.....................????!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!??!?!??!??!?!?!??!?!

AND HE WASN'T JOKING! On the spot, he opened up is United Airlines account and added me onto it. Thus, I can basically get free flight to ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Holy crap. I know. I was seriously shaking when the session ended. It's like, I'm still in a state of shock. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?!?! Stuff like this doesn't even happen in DREAMS!!!!!!!!!!! GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAHHHHHH!

So. Thus. Therefore. I'm likely. Going to Japan. Again. Over Christmas BREAK!!!!!!!! I thought I couldn't go for at least another few years, because I don't have money for plane tickets!! Dude. Seriously. And he was like, "I'll make sure all the flight attendants know why you're on the plane, and you won't have to worry about anything."

So. That was my most amazing story. Ever. Yeah.

Isn't everyone JEALOUS?!?!?!

I know that there will be little people interested in this (due to economic crisis? haha), but I'm just beeping in to let everyone know that I AM offering commissions at this point. The prices will vary depending on what type of art, as well as the complication of the character(s).

Full Color Digital Painting: [link] [link] (unfinished)
Headshot: $20-$25
Half Body: $30-40
Full Body: $40-50
Background: +$10-20
Additional Character: $20-30

Simple Digital Coloring: [link] [link] [link] [link] [link] [link]
Headshot: $5-10
Half Body: $5-15
Full Body: $10-20
Background: +$5-15
Additional Character: +$5-15
Note: Price varies according to difficulty/style of coloring (see examples)

Uncolored Lineart/Pencil: [link] [link] [link] [link]
Headshot: $3-5
Half Body: $3-7
Full Body: $5-10
Background: +$5-10
Additional character: +$3-10

Sorry for the limited examples of digital painting. It's a new technique of mine. Ah, and the price of an additional character depends on the size (head/half-body/full-body) of the piece.

Rules:
NO Nudity
NO Sexual Themes
NO Yaoi/Yuri
NO Characters More Animal Than Human

YES, I'm willing to try new things
Comment/note if interested.

Yeah. I got a new Macbook Pro 15-inch for my design classes starting this spring. Plusssss.... I got CS4 Illustrator, Photoshop, and Flash! Plus a bijillion other software that I have no clue how to use. Anyway, back to my Mac.

It's beautiful.
It's fast.
It's love.

I`m leaving for the States today! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Seriously, no.

There ARE things I miss abour the US (mainly family)... but I LOVE Japan!