Christmas Card 2010

I've had a pretty busy winter thus far, but was thankfully able to set aside some time for one of my favorite Christmas traditions. Coming in right behind cookie making, comes Christmas card making.




I've been designing Christmas cards for my friends and family since highschool, but only recently have had the income to be able to afford professionally printed cards.
This year I got them printed at Moo and am pretty pleased with the results. The painting of the snowglobe was done a few months ago as part of a larger series of holiday-related items which I never ended up using. I snagged the snowglobe, found a vintage-y background and matched it with my favorite-font-of-the-week Campanile and off to the printshop it went.

The cards came about a week and half later and I was able to address them and send them out shortly thereafter. Normally Christmas is not this organized (and I know something will slip through the cracks before everything is over) but I am happy to have been able to at least successfully finish my Christmas cards.

My Favorite Part of Cestos2

CUSTOMIZATIONS. More specifically, holiday customizations.

As a player I am a sucker for sinking time into achievements, quests and dungeons to emerge in a mega-awesome matching suit of armor. I can clearly recall the joy of getting my first full suit of glass armor in Oblivion (as wacky and unrealistic as glass armor is) and I adore being able to customize characters to the millionth degree (thank you DragonAgeNexus!)

I also had an extreme affinity for the holiday events in World of Warcraft, finding myself eagerly "opening" presents under the WinterVeil tree, right after finishing our own family christmas. Or pining away for the Brewfest (Oktoberfest) Ram mount, imbiding countless Brewfest beverages.

As an artist, I take special pride in being able to combine my two guilty pleasures of videogaming to release special holiday-themed customization packs for Cestos 2. Thus far we have released a Halloween and Thanksgiving pack, complete with themed suits and little trophies to get our players in the holiday spirit.

I also love getting suggestions from the community on items they would like to see in the next update, so if you have an idea send it on over :)

Robo- Fairy : A twist on a fantasy icon

I just finished playing Mass Effect ( ME 1, haven't started 2 yet) and found myself having an interesting battle of imagery in my head for the next few days. I normally tend to see the images I want to create through a medieval fantasy lens. My settings are rough hewn mountains and great halls, costumes are generally exaggerated arthurian and my go-to weapons are always greatswords. After playing Mass Effect and getting into the meat of the story, I found a lot of this medieval schema shifting.

I started a few paintings in my usual mode and found myself aching to add wires and consoles, segmented armor and detailed computer chip interfaces. I really wanted to factor in an omni-tool somewhere, but that was going a step too far. This dialogue got me thinking about creating a rather iconic image in fantasy art (typical faerie, perched ontop of a mushroom) and gutting it, filling the insides with wires and blinking nodes.

This is the *almost* final image, which attempts to convey the pull of both genres. I would like to go back and tighten up the computer chip innards of the mushroom (which are a bit hard to see) and make the wings a bit more delicate as well, but that will be left for another day.

Control Freak and Control Freak HD on Free App a Day!

ChickenBrick's Control Freak and Control Freak HD are featured as today's Daily Double on Free App a Day! Only for today you can grab the $4.99 game for free!

Control Freak is a strategy based tower takeover game that challenges the player to move quickly, plan creatively and control the map. There are 24 unique maps with 3 difficulty modes, a custom level creator and access to tons of player-created maps online, so you never get bored!

The game itself came together pretty quickly, and we all had a ton of fun during the testing process. Personally, I CANNOT make it past level 12 on hard - simply not going to happen.

This was also our first game to be optimized for the incredible retina display of the iPhone 4g, resulting in beautiful crisp graphics on the new phone as well as the previous devices. We also adapted it for iPad - which has been a really neat device to play on. (Given the map size/space between towers)

Check it out while it's free today, tomorrow it goes back to full price ;)

Control Freak on the App Store
Control Freak HD on the App Store

Too much time with Photoshop

I was able to take a very pleasant trip to Orlando FL this weekend with the Sherman ladies. It was a great weekend spent at the waterpark, outlet shopping and eating really delicious italian food.
It also was the first time I realized I may be spending slightly too much time with photoshop.



Since deciding to pursue a degree in Studio Art back in 2003, I have lived the majority of my life with my computer on and photoshop open. I recognized this fairly early in my career and chose that motif as the central aspect behind my poster design for the final, mega-huge portfolio review for our graduating class at MSU.

After graduating, it became such a staple of my environment - I soon knew how to erase a background from an image faster than I could program our toaster to toast. Or, at least had more interest in removing a background than toasting toast.
It has been a constant friend and companion that I have relied on, learned from and grown with. However - this weekend I realized I may need to take a break from my dear old friend.

At the hotel we stayed in, my bed was right next to the air conditioner. Literally, right up against it with no space in between. I also was sleeping on a pull out couch-bed, which apparently do not warrant additional sheets at a hotel. I knew I was going to be freezing and pulled out towels and packed clothing to lay over myself. This however was not enough. I woke up during the middle of the night shivering, grasping at the thin papery sheet I help up around my nose and thought "right click, duplicate layer."

"Right-click, duplicate LAYER"

"Right-click, DUPLICATE LAYER"

(this is the chain of commands one would use in photoshop to copy an entire layer and paste it in a new layer- a very very common task for me)

And was very very upset when my blanket did not 'duplicate' itself as layers do in photoshop. I was very angry and contemplated calling adobe in my sleep-stupor to inform them that something was horribly awry and I was very cold.
After awhile, I think I realized my laughable mistake and fell back asleep. When I awoke the next morning, I had to chuckle.

Looks like I should probably take a step or two away from my computer occasionally.

Control Freak launches for iPhone!

The control freak sees their constant intervention as beneficial or even necessary; this can be caused by feelings of superiority, believing that others are incapable of handling matters properly, or the fear that things will go wrong if they don't attend to every detail. In other cases, they may simply enjoy the feeling of power it gives them so much that they automatically try to gain control of everything around them.

Control Freak launched for iPhone today! This was a great game to work on - but not an easy game to test. (I have YET to make it past level 14 on hard!) It is a fast-paced strategy game which tests even the nimblest of fingers on their tower control skills.

My favorite aspect of the game is the level creator. We decided to design an entire map builder to guarantee unlimited replays and give the player access to brand new challenges. With this tool the player can create custom maps, share them online and download other custom maps. A few really excellent maps have already been uploaded and I seriously can't wait to see what people come up with!

As tradition requires, we also took part in our "Icon Cake + shots of Sambvca" to celebrate it's release. Launches are delicious!

>> You can check out our newest app on the iTunes store

Ultra-Office

I made the move to full-time Creative Director for ChickenBrick Studios last week and decided that in honor of the change - I would rearrange my desk area.
My old office layout was great for painting, playing games or surfing the intertubes - but didn't really have that zen work environment that I would probably need to stay on task. It would be way to easy to be distracted with huge maps of Middle Earth, Ferelden, Cyrodill and Azeroth right above my eyes.

After hours of pouring through LifeHackers' featured workspaces I drafted up a great list of things I could use in my redesign. Lightsabers on walls, cables ziptied to a rod screwed into my desk, a glow-in-the-dark cube with a lightbulb inside (how cool!) and got pretty carried away with the "Ultra-Office". Turns out, "Ultra-Office" requires an "Ultra-Budget".

So I just moved my desk sideways.



I think it will work pretty well. It's a change, which is really all I wanted.

Bored -- Bog Overlord Emerges

I loved Zangramarsh.
I haven't played World of Warcraft in over 2 years - and still sometimes think about that nifty bio-luminescent region in Outlands. The mushrooms glow, the trees glow, even the bees glow! It was definitely one of my favorite areas in the whole game.
I was a bit bored today, and decided to sit and sketch out one of the inhabitants. The Bog Overlords were these massive mossy beings, partially furled wood and detritus material over glowy wrinkly fat skin. The Overlords weren't very fast but I remember them being incredibly obnoxious when trying to save the poor little baby Sporlings of the area.
They also threw mushrooms, hilarious green smoking mushrooms. These would burst eventually, dealing what I remember to be some pretty heavy damage (which was generally not as hilarious).


This afternoon I set out to make quick sketch honoring my old foe. I used an old calender page as a reference, and exaggerated the growths just a tad. Eventually I'll go back in with color, lighting up his rotting undergrowth and making him super glow-tastic, as to fit in with the rest of the residents of the area.


How do you not love this place?

The Creepy Basement Troll, is not so Creepy

He just wants to share his tea!

I did this quick painting this afternoon, after talking to my sister about the farmhouse she is currently occupying. Apparently the basement is pretty dark and creepy and has an especially dark and creepy door which is barred from the outside. My first thought (being the older sister) was to make a remark about some unearthly being inhabiting the space, waiting and watching for some curious soul to open the door.

Instead I saw a quick vision of a kindly little troll.
He is very lonely, never having the pleasure of a visitor to entertain in his humble hovel in the basement.

He takes comfort in his tea and only leaves the basement to steal a bit of sugar from the kitchen for his herbal brews. That is until one day, when a brave tenant of the farmhouse enough decides to knock. The little troll is overcome with excitement, puts a kettle on and timidly opens the door to his long-awaited, very first guest.

Its a bit rough, and definitely a work in progress - but I hope my sister will get a kick out of it. And also not be afraid of the dark basement. (But seriously don't knock on the door Hayley... it may not be a nice troll living in there afterall!)

Unpacking Reveals Ultimate Plasticware Surprise!

I have no use for cold weather clothes now that we are back from San Francisco and thus, have neglected unpacking for quite a long time now. I got tired of the exploding suitcase wallowing in the corner of the bedroom today - and finally emptied it. A few layers of clothing in, I found a small plastic package and remembered the neato plasticware I swiped from the Google IO lunchroom. Oh the excitement!

This plasticware was awesome. It was so different then any other tableware I have ever seen, that I felt the need to grab a *few* packs. The picture doesn't do it justice at all.
They are heavy, well balanced and nearly pearlescent. The scoop of the spoon is delightfully shallow and yet I feel like I could dig through the manliest of ice cream sundays with this tool. The plastic is smooth and very nice to hold. No hard edges or trailing nubbies from the production line.

I also love that the handle is designed in a manner that doesn't rely on a filled in center and hopefully saves materials. The other great feature of the entire set (which isn't visible in the image) is the text on each piece "COMPOSTABLE". Whether it really is or not, it's a nice change from the blindingly white stiff plastic forks and knives of yesterday. This is the plasticware of the future!

And of course, we find it at Google IO.

Dragon Age Awakening Sketch

I finally broke down and purchased the expansion for BioWare's epic, DragonAge: Origins this weekend. I was holding off purchasing the game, as I love the original so much and really don't want to "finish" the game. Ever.

However I had this weekend free and was aching for something to play. It was a long week, and it would be nice to mash some darkspawn into oblivion for a bit.

I opened a bottle of wine and set off to Vigils' Keep, excited to wander about Ferelden again.

I didn't get very far before I decided to take a quick sketch break, moved by Alistair's decision to stay at court at Denerim while I (the freaking Queen!) had to go keep the new breed of darkspawn at bay. I had an inkling he wouldn't play a huge part in this expansion- but I am still a tad disappointed that I won't get to hear his hilarious side discussions whilst beheading baddies.

I drew this quick sketch, trying to capture my rogue's reaction when she hears Alistair's soldiers making their way to the keep. I would have imagined her to be excited but as Commander and Queen, cannot really show that vulnerability to her forces.

Regardless of the characters present (and not-present) in the expansion, I look forward to playing more of Awakening -- the soundtrack alone will keep me coming back. (Tavern song when Oghren enters? Perfect!)

ChickenBrick Studios heads to Google IO!

“The coldest winter I ever experienced, was in San Francisco”

- apparently a very common saying, which I swear I have never heard.

ChickenBrick Studios made our way to San Francisco last week for Google IO and had a phenomenal (however extremely COLD) time in the sessions, meeting other devs and playing with all the neato gadgetry available to the attendees. It was an excellent chance to finally meet up with people we have been in communications with for months, and we were thrilled to be able to randomly meet a few fans as well! I only wish I had packed a few more sweaters….

I spent most of the conference in super note-taking mode, and tried to make my way back to the gummyworms stand as often as possible. ( That’s right - free unlimited gummyworms!) and was able to sketch in the corner every now and then. The atmosphere was great - all kinds of interesting people doing interesting things, endless coffee, pool tables and a HUGE GoogleEarth set-up. One couldn’t help but be inspired by all the creativity.

This was all topped, during the keynote of the second day. We were already in surprise-mode, and sat holding our breath for whatever was in store for the morning. I’m pretty sure I can safely say most (if not all) of us were completely surprised and equally blown away when they announced the HTC EVO as a gift to the attendees. The whole audience seemed to do a collective bounce in their chairs before attempting to be the first to tweet the news (despite the shoddy wireless connections). It was awesome.

We stayed a few extra days in the city to sight-see and meet up with friends and had an absolute blast. Next year however, I will bring gloves. And a scarf. And perhaps a parka.