It’s Hotter in Texas

Nine months ago, I left this blog with short spirits and a weakening attitude towards life.  The bitter chill of New York was weighing heavily on me, and everywhere I turned was a new emotional obstacle…

The toughest decision I had to make was leaving New York.  Wrong.

The toughest decision I had to make was leaving my friends.  I met a small handful of individuals with such unique personalities, witty lifestyles, and the biggest hearts.  Everyone was a character with their own personal worlds from which they came.  No one was the same.  We were all different.  And we all loved each other’s company.

In the end, I had to do what was best for me, and I was blessed to be surrounded by friends who were supportive of that.  The move back to Texas was for spiritual healing and, in short, for rest…

It’s hotter in Texas.  Since my return in March, I’ve worked a retail position at a Hobby Lobby, and rehearsed a title role for Second Baptist’s VBS!  I am now looking forward to strong potential work on cinematography and film editing with my brother and one of his co-workers, as well as some filming for a web series directed by my High School theatre instructor, C.J. Brock.

Life has proven to be quite crooked and surprisingly unpredictable.  Just when we think we’ve got everything settled in one season, the summer heat blows in and forces us to relocate.  The battle I face is one with pride.  I must constantly remind myself that God’s plans for me are made for the long run and are never based on temporary satisfaction.  I’m back!

One Year Later

It is one year later, since Gilroy was produced and featured near Times Square…

And I am a different person, for better or for worse.

School is done.  Life is now in session.  Reality is kicking in at last and the symptoms include depression, drowsiness, bodily aches, and low self-esteem.

Where do I go from here?  What progress is there to be had?

I return to this blog after deactivating my Facebook account.  I cannot be apart of a digital world anymore that prides itself on meaningless posts about Lady Gaga or who’s doing what in sports, or the simple fact that someone’s car broke down.  All I want to say to these people is nobody cares.

There are more important things.  I’m telling you now.

My faith has weakened.  My mind is frail.  I am currently seeking a therapist here in the city for consultation.  I am twenty-one years old, and I feel like I am seventy.  Something is wrong.

My subconscious is surfacing.  My addictions, my weaknesses, my fears…  I hardly know who I really am anymore.  My passions have diminished severely.

When I created this blog, it was to document the good times as well as the bad times.  This is surely the worst time for me.  All I can say is there is work to be done on my spirit.  Meanwhile, here are some photos…

Three Weeks To Go!

The Legos Return!!

Hercules!

The man himself. The Kevin Sorbo. The Hercules.

Irene 1

First Trip to Coney Island

Gil, Mahesh (Mark), Myself, John and Crystal

Another Neville Creature

Hello again! Got another post here - more ZBrush stuff!

This design, like the “tree-dweller” creature, also belongs to Neville Page and is featured as the ‘sketch’ in the tutorial I mentioned. His process of sculpting it was truly an inspiration to watch, and… of course… I simply HAD to sculpt it myself. This isn’t precisely the design, there are a few areas where I took the liberty of adding my own creativity to the piece, such as the joints of the knees being inverted.

And, as a little treat, this is a video of the rendering process I mentioned earlier. It’s a little long, running at about seven minutes, so I don’t blame you if you don’t have the time at the moment… But watch it later! :)

Art Progression

Hello! Hope everyone is keeping cool with all that heat down in Texas! It’s cooking up here as well. Probably not nearly as much, but there’s enough metal up in this joint to bounce off just the right amount of sun to cook a pigeon for breakfast… Or maybe just the eggs will suffice.

Anywho, I’ve REALLY been delving into my art lately. I picked up a book at Barnes and Noble with my employee discount on Character Creation by Scott Spencer. In it is a section on rendering in ZBrush and compositing in Photoshop. Here’s a couple of new renders of an alien I sculpted a couple weeks ago.

On top of that, I’ve been doing some sketching!

(Yeah, I know, I need to get a scanner…)

Now, granted, the very basic design/concept of this “tree-dweller” creature is actually credited to my top idol right now… Neville Page!

You’ve probably heard me mention this guy before, but if not, I’ll tell ya now… The guy is a genius creature designer! Probably the lead concept artist in Hollywood! His works include:

Super 8

Cloverfield (my favorite!)

Avatar

JJ Abrams’s Star Trek

Planet of the Apes

Tron: Legacy

The Green Lantern

Watchmen

I just purchased a three hour tutorial where he demonstrates and illustrates the basics of character design. He starts with stressing the importance of anatomy (from human beings to mammalian creatures), discusses the vitality of form through silhouette and shape, and finishes with a full demo speed sculpt in ZBrush. After three hours, my mind was blown!

More on this topic as it progresses… ;D

July 4th Fireworks!

The Site

Here is the official website for “Gilroy,” created by my producer, Khiry Palmer. Created the music in Garage Band while waiting for my buddy John to get the official score recorded for me.

www.gilroyplay.com

Gilroy - A Crazy Story in Two Acts

After a great many hours of writing, writing, and more writing, I have finally finished my first feature-length script for the stage.

It is called “Gilroy - A Crazy Story in Two Acts.”

PLOT

The following event that takes place revolves around Gilroy (Gil), a thirty-two year old man who lives alone in a small rural country home in the heat of nowhere in southern Texas.

Gilroy has been under the consult of a psychiatrist in a nearby town for some time now. Upon the casual arrival of a new “guest” to his home, however, Gil begins scheduling more and more appointments. It soon becomes clear that this guest has no true intention of leaving any time soon and Gil begins to deeply question his own sanity. As the truth uncovers itself through a bizarre turn of events, he realizes that things at home — as well as in town — are not as they seem.

I will continue editing and refining throughout this month and July, and then . . . auditions will be held in early August. Rehearsals will run through September and October, and the show will open in early November at the Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn Heights. Cannot be more excited than I am right now!!!

It’s Official!

I can now officially title myself as an actor, writer… and director!!!

More to come as this story develops... ;D

The Pug Monster

In honor of one of my good friend’s most treasured pet, this is… the Pug Monster!

Finally a Desk!!!

Ikea decided to be good to me the other day and finally brought me a desk!!! Feels good to stop working off of that bed…

Setting the Bar for Myself

This is a lil’ project I started and finished last night in the course of about an hour. After watching some inspirational vids on Youtube, I had to sculpt something… ANYthing! This guy turned out a little meaner than anticipated, so I figured the expression would balance him out a little bit. Sculpted and rendered in ZBrush, composited in Photoshop Elements. :)

Prospect Park

This is a quick vid of John, Crystal and I at Prospect Park last Saturday. Beautiful day, amazing park, delicious food!

Dinner and a Movie

Shortcut To The Apartment

A little late on the post, as this vid was taken on Thursday. Just a little clip on a cool shortcut granted to me by the Super. Definitely makes the move a lot easier!

The New Apartment