Something to Say... As Usual

This is kind of an update post... I'm going to number it.

1. School has ended! I don't know if I've explained this yet, but in Australia there are four terms of school, and in between each term two weeks of vacation. Last Friday was the last week of Term 3, school is  almost done!
At the end of Friday I got to find out that my movie (the one where I got the Oscar- did I mention that was for the beard?) made it to the film festival! Only four made it, out of maybe 20 or something like that? It was also presented to the whole school (everyone seemed to like it!). We'll see the results of that near the end of the year, I think.
2. Talking about competitions, I never told you what happened with the photo contest (the model horse cross country one). Well, they haven't like officially told the results to everyone, so I'm thinking that they just emailed the person who won, sent them the model horse, and nothing else.
Don't worry, I'm not disappointed. First of all, you should just SEE pictures I've seen for shows. Some people are just AMAZING. Second, the people in charge of answering the questions for the show let me down by answering my questions too late. I submitted the rest of the contest information (forwarded with the original entry), but I suspect that they probably didn't count it because it was late. I'm kind of mad about that, because it wasn't even my fault. I mean, it is their job to read the emails! And last, lately they haven't answered any single of my emails (whether it is contest entries or just horse suggestions). It might be because Gmail is having a problem (who knows) or something else. There is no way of finding out. Also, I do live in Australia, so I'm sure they wouldn't have been thrilled with shipping the model all the way here. Just saying, that could have been a reason.
3. Tomorrow I'm going to Sydney! Yeah, it's going to be awesome! Can't wait! I'll also be going camping :)
4. My birthday has passed, and I got a bunch of stuff. I don't know what my favorite is, but they're both involved in this picture:
This is Mango Beach, or Dylan. I was originally thinking of calling him A Happy Sunday Stroll, but decided against it since he's looking down, as if he's hiding a secret. Mango Beach seems like a more indirect and mysterious name, you know? I think that's the best part of getting a horse (other than actually seeing it in real life and absolutely loving it!), just actually coming up with a good name for it. Sometimes it doesn't work out, though. For example, Miranda. She's had quite a few name changes. First she's Worthy of Admiration, the Timeless, then Midnight Tango, and now Dagger Dance. I don't know if it's going to change again. I never do. But some names I know I'll never change, like Buddy's, which is A Buddy Forever, or Merlin's, which is A Magical Twist. I like Merlin's especially. I just like how it sounds. Okay, do you want to know what the other present that was involved in this picture was? I'll tell you: an ipod touch! Yay! I think my favorite part is the messaging, but the camera thing is still attractive :) Mine's better than my sister's because
i. It's white.
ii. It's not got a pink case (it still needs a case!).
iii. It's got an engraving on the back saying M2A's Magical Music, love Mom and Dad. Which is awesome! I didn't even know that you could do engravings on the back (my engraving is a play on words, see if you can guess it!)!
Oh yeah, and by the way, Dylan isn't just any Breyer. He is even more special: he is a Peter Stone. I know that that must mean nothing to you but Peter Stone is like a top company, who makes top- standard model horses, and in very limited quantities. They are also usually very expensive, but ebay is my friend and Dylan was a good price. But if I was one of those collectors who needed all their horses to be LSQ, then I would be disappointed, because he's got many flaws, but since I am not that kind of collector, I was so amazed at just how GORGEOUS he is! He has got the most amazing shading I have ever seen (even better than Kripton's!) and his markings and eyes are just beautiful! Okay, I just had to get up and pick him up and cuddle him right now because I love him so much (yes, very over- obsessed, I have said it before)!

(oh, and by the way, the other picture I took for fun because I thought the shadows looked awesome on him, I've always kind of had thoughts about him having dark intentions) this is his right eye, which is my favorite because it's got the pink around it. The marking doesn't cover the left eye, so it doesn't have anything around it. So anyways, I always hear collectors say how cool it is that their horses have tri- colored eyes, when Dylan has quadruple colored eyes! I know you can't really see it, but he has a bit of white rimming the edge. And on the other eye you can see it even better! But enough talking about him.
5. I have got tons of things to draw!

 It's the tail that got me. And the dapples.

 I thought this face looked so serene, so wise. The rest, not so much.

 I just thought this was about the cutest draft you could ever see :)

 You know this kitty :)
(for the next picture) I've taken a fancy to donkeys now too! They are the cutest!

(this one's supposed to go last) This one is very important, because that's what's going to fill the empty canvas up. It's going to be called "Unicorn". Don't ask, because I'm not going to tell you. I love this unicorn!
6. Now some random pictures (excludes Tango, computer not happy)!

(above, computer hates) Fish says hello (it's a pen, I discovered this weird quality when I held it up and accidentally looked- it's hysterical!).
MINI HORSE INVASION!!!

Kripton just looks amazing in the mornings (no, seriously, if I put him on my desk he looks so realistic!).
I think those were all the random pictures you needed today. Thanks for reading. I had the idea of asking you what to draw next, but with all this stuff I think it's enough...
No, it isn't. More.

 This artist stole my idea! Proof:

This is a sketch from a few months ago. I call it "Dreamer". They're both drafts. They're both colts. They both have their heads down. This is outrageous (nah, a major difference is that one is sleeping and one is not, durr, M2A!)!!

 And yes, I will still work on this drawing. It's just a bit too big for the car, and I prefer to keep on the computer just in case printings changes the color a bit (if it does I won't get the shading exactly right).
Last thing. Promise.

 When I was at one of my friend's birthday parties we went to the zoo. Then we went to where the butterflies were. I had the idea of putting my hand up like a branch and being patient, but the being patient part wasn't necessary, because five seconds later this butterfly lands on me! Luckily one of my friends took a photo and sent it to me :)
Now I'm done. Seriously.

Crazy Birthday Parties Rock!

Yeah, you guessed it. I just had a crazy birthday party! We were running around, throwing stuffed animals down the steps, watching korean pop, playing hide and seek, playing sardines, playing murderer in the dark, and decorating cupcakes (and also watching "Let's Make a Movie" from Tropfest, highly recommended). There was no need of a soccer game, I got a lot of exercise. Yeah. It was super fun. I also got  a dreamcatcher, an epic scroll about my zodiac (which is  Zirgo? Girdo? No, it is Virgo), two books (one about a boy who turns into a cat after an accident and one about a girl that doesn't want to go to a boarding school because of a war), four epic tiger, zebra, giraffe, and leopard glow sticks, and a set about making origami shapes (which actually looks awesome).
I'll talk about my Zodiac sign. It says:
My element is earth (I would prefer sky...)
My Positive Traits are: Perfectionist (yeah), honest (maybe?), curious (that's what my teacher says), healer (what?!), and modest (?). Actually, I guess I am kind of a healer in a way. Whenever one of my friends are down, I'm kind of a clown so I always manage to cheer them up (by accident, because usually it involves falling over). And this is according to Dapples. That's what she says.
Anyways: My Negative Traits Are: Self- Righteous (sometimes, but not always), worrier (yeah. Definitely), critical (I would say so).
My animal totem is a kitty! Yay!
My flower is a Buttercup. They're nice.
My crystal (crystals, can't you count?) are agate and jasper (agate it cool, jasper... it's okay).
Apparently my image is neat? You call this

neat (ehem)?
Anyways, I really like it. Next step: finding a place to hang it up. The dream catcher already took the giant (very very dusty) butterfly’s place (I really like the dreamcatcher, the last one I had came from the dollar store and I gave it to my sisters because I got tired of it).
On another branch of this topic (what are you saying?): my birthday is very spread out this year. My party is (was? it's still Sunday) on Sunday, my actual birthday on Tuesday (with presents from family), mom said that one of my presents was going to arrive late (Wednesday, Thursday, maybe even Friday?), and my birthday dinner is on Friday (because Dad has to work Tuesday). I don't care. That way I get to enjoy it more (but oh, the suspense!!).
Yeah, today my grandparents called and asked if I was going to get a (model) horse (note: whenever I say horse I mean model horse). I said "probably". Yeah. I've kind of prepared an empty space on my clothes dresser where it can sit on. I can't help it. I even checked that every single one of my horses can fit on there. I'm kind of a perfectionist (Zodiac reference, see, it's right!).
Anyways, I'll stop with my birthday stuff. What about some projects?
First, someone asked me if this was done:

(the running foal drawing) Yes, it is. Some drawings I don't think are finished unless they are fully drawn in. Others... they're fine on the first step. Like this one. Lately I've been feeling the need to make more detailed ones, but this one is done. Yeah. Artist's instinct, don't ask.
Next:

 I worked a bit on the quarter horse body today. His neck is finished.

 This is the other side. I have references from two different horses, and personally I like the secondary one better than the primary one. Mostly because I'm doing better on the left side rather than the right. It's not the horse's fault.

 Here is the finished face, which I kind of made up in 10 seconds. I like it.

This is the bottom of the neck (3D is so hard to show!).
Yeah, I think I'm progressing well with him (despite the obvious pencil marks :P). I try to at least do a few dots a day. Which I have been doing quite well, actually (revolutionary? Let's see if I can keep it up throughout the whole project). Poor Flame is just kind of sitting on the shelf, with some of his fire just sadly green (green is a color that can be made in fire, but I want yellow). I woud also like to mention this little picture:

Since this guy is retired and he's an artist resin anyway (artist resin= big whole in your pocket), I'm going to draw him. He's my favorite artist resin of all time. This one in particular (in the picture) is being sold for (at least) $375. Me wish, but it's a big no-no (by my terms, I haven't said anything to anyone). Anyways. I'm drawing it (different color, stop putting in extra commentary!). I'll be calling it Windswept (it isn't actually my favorite side of the horse, but for drawing purposes I do... don't ask). And for thise who just read my extra commentary:

That's my favorite side. I don't know why I'm not drawing it. Maybe it is my (just made up) "artist's instinct".
So yeah! Today was awesome and may all kitties live forever (what am I saying?)!
Wait, what? I was about to end the post? Naughty.

OMG! This is the last one! There are more, but either I don't get them or they don't make me laugh (internally or out loud).
Well, in this one My Little Ponies show their true colors, and wild mustangs... well, we all know they're territorial.

Awards, Projects, Clouds, and a Sorry

I'll start with the sorry: So sorry that I haven't written in the past 12 days (that's more work for me, but still, you might like a bit of an update more often), it's just been crazier than usual. On Friday I went out for my sister's last soccer dinner (since the season has FINALLY ended), then on Saturday we went to a friend of Mom's house, then on Sunday I had a party, then on Monday we had the Design expo (more about that in a sec), and on Tuesday I had a three- way conference (student, parents, teacher). I've also had more homework lately, since the term is ending (next week) and we need to get our design stuff done by then. Yes, we didn't have it finished for the expo. The expo was just for the parents to come in, see what we've done, and also to see what we have to do next. Since then I have (maybe completed the outlines of) a series or scaled drawings. Lucky for me, the stuffed animal I was doing is life- sized (which is about a page big), but unluckily for me (since it was life- sized) I had to scale down one drawing and scale up another two. Oh well. At least it's done. I still need to color them in and also finish researching my materials (rabbit fur, maybe?)!! So yeah.
I'll start with the awards now.
I don't think I talked about this, but in my school we had an athletics day where we did all the track and field events. The people in my school who were good enough to be at the top of an event went on to the next event, Districts. I went there for four events: Discus, Shotput, Relays, and 100 Meters. This was my only winning:

That day I was perfectly aware that there were very talented kids out there, and that I wouldn't get a ribbon in everything. This one was for the Relays, and technically it doesn't even count. Here's the story:
We ran the relay once, and got the fourth. We thought we were done by then. But no. One team hadn't run the relay. I don't know how or why, but they somehow managed to miss it. And there were six races (at least) before that! We were the last racers! I would have been okay with this, except for the fact that they were fresh, and the rest of us weren't. They got first place on the second run, while we got 5th. If I was a judge I would have flat- out disqualified them. The relays were the biggest events of the day, since there was nothing going on during them. Every single kid that was there was sitting on the stands, screaming. For some reason, those girls chose to ignore it.
So anyways. I had given my ribbon to the judges, so I couldn't get it back. But one of the girls from my team hadn't given it back in time, and gave it back to me. Thank you so much (you know who you are), it means a lot to me!
So yeah. District athletics did not go well. I At the end I was all sad and didn't want to talk to anyone until my friend gave me the extra ribbon. It cheered me up a little. But technically, it still doesn't count.
But that didn't last long. Here is what I got the next day:

You might be wondering "How did you get those ribbons? Didn't you only get a fourth?" Well, the fourth was for Districts. These are the ribbons from the school athletics. I placed in every single event, but didn't even know I placed in half of them. I remember my teacher was passing out the ribbons, he's like "Hey M2A, I couldn't even see your name on here!" and he hands me this sheet full of ribbons. I literally started bouncing around (I think I must do that a lot when I get excited). That really made up for the disappointing Districts.
I placed 1st in Shotput, 1st in Discus, Second in 100 Meters (by like SO little, I thought I got third then), Second in high jump (my friend stole that first!), Third in 200 Meters (I was first until my muscles couldn't take it any more, I think I might have tried a bit too hard), Third in long jump (I thought I hadn't placed at all!), and third in Triple Jump (I am no good at that, yet I still managed to get a ribbon on it). That was every single event. I never knew I was so good at sport!
Okay, on to the last award:

Yes, that is an oscar. I won it for the "Best Use of Props". No, not because I used a phone to "call the neighbors". No, not because I was pulling on some rebellious magnets. It wasn't any of that: it was because of my beard. Yes, you read that right MY BEARD. My hair is actually pretty long, and the film needed a dad. I had always imagined him with a beard. So, this is what I did:

Yes, really. You might be cracking up right now. I remember when they were showing my movie, and I stepped in, everyone literally cracked up. And they stayed cracking up for a whole five minutes afterwards.
I admit it, this wasn't totally my idea: I just had happened to remember from a few months ago how a bunch of crazy girls were running around the unit, wearing their hair as beards. I joined and mine was the longest of all. Yes, I am a bit weird. But people always are in some way.
Okay we'll get onto other things. It's just with me, silliness is inevitable. We'll get onto my projects.
#1:

This is the progress I have made on my "Ruffian" poster. She has got to be my favorite race horse (other than Black Caviar, you should know that!). Actually, that is the mold Black Caviar's model horse is on: the Ruffian mold. So. I guess you know what type of horse I like. Anyways, I started this poster literally months ago, and since then the box has been empty. A few days ago I resorted to starting to fill it in, and so far it is looking okay (I have progressed an inch or so since this picture, so yeah). I think it will actually turn out pretty realistic. I just really need to pay SUPER close attention to the reference picture, which is this one:

The only thing I hate when drawing horses is when they have tack on. I hate drawing tack. I will draw anything but tack. I think I only like drawing organic organisms. Electronics don't exactly appeal to me (in terms of drawing). So I'm only drawing her face. Without the tack. I'll figure out the rest when I'm up to that.
So that's that. Onto #2:

This is the new custom I'm working on. No, I haven't finished the other one. That'll come another time. This one I just started. My reason: Yesterday I suddenly remembered that some people customize their horses with a bit of colored pencil. Not entirely, and now I know why more than ever (you can't really see it in the picture though, grr), because there are just some little bumps you just can't get at with a pencil. I think the newer models are smoother, but still. There is always the mane. I'm lucky that I kind of realized this and started my leopard appaloosa custom. (ehem):
Yeah, that one. We'll see how the finished product looks, I'm pretty happy with him right now (despite the too many imperfections).

Onto project #3 (the images are not liking me today):
Yeah, I need to fix this. Maybe in a few weeks.
And, of course, the finished drawing that was done a few months ago that I just got back from my art teacher:

It's okay. I think my idea of just making the flowers colored was cool.
Now I guess I'll start talking about the clouds here in Melbourne. It might just be because I am closer to the ocean, where there are more hurricanes than on land, but the clouds here move so fast. Like seriously! They scare me! And usually the clouds are pretty small, until a storm comes in and they become HUGE. Like seriously. HUGE. I've never noticed clouds so much before. Oh yeah: now I know what books mean when they say the clouds "are purple". I saw that once, and today was pretty close. I just devoloped an irrational fear of thunder too. Not because it's louder. Just because.
Also: I have a b-day party tomorrow, and my actual birthday is on Tuesday (my party is on Sunday, me and my friends are just going to play around the park a bit and eat dinner).
So yeah! Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed this one, because it literally took me 40 minutes to write!
And oh yes! I almost forgot! THE RANDOM PICTURE!

This picture is titled "Kripton is my Baby". Because he is, especially when I'm carrying him around in my arms like that. I finally found a way to make him look cute. The only way.

BLACK CAVIAR!!!!

You may be wondering what suddenly caused me to write a post about Black Caviar (again). Here's the answer:

The only reason I found out was because I was looking around the Breyer website for the contest results (which are not out yet, too much suspense, despite the fact that I have like no chance of placing) and I somehow made it to the forums where there was a topic about Black Caviar. There an Australian had posted that they were releasing a model, it was on the Ruffian mold, and she had already pre- ordered it. It took me about five seconds to find Black Caviar's website and find this picture, and I kind of went mad. I got up, started bouncing, started giggling histerically for god knows how, and then started screaming (and kind of crying too). I think I over reacted a little. But still. It's BLACK CAVIAR we're talking about,  on the RUFFIAN mold!!! I have had quite an obsession about the Ruffian mold ever since I discovered it (and on Ruffian herself, she is my laptop's background image and I see her every day, and I'm also making a poster for her since she isn't in the newspaper). I've never really had the chance to get it until now, though, since she wasn't available. And it's good I waited too! It was what... one, two days ago since I was saying I liked Puuku? Bah, Black Caviar is SO MUCH BETTER!! Sorry, I'm so excited right now. I'm going to have to wait a few months, though, since she is released in November and also she is super expensive (ebay.com.au, here I come!). Oh well. As I said, TOTALLY WORTH IT. I actually got a new canvas today, and promised Mom that I would paint a horse on it (since she told me I should paint one, rather than just draw them). So here's the story. I sit down (about an hour ago) and try to find the facial expression I want on this horse's face. And you know what it the only thing I can think of? Yup. You guessed it. The face on that Black Caviar model up there. Yeah. I am a little over the top (and don't deny it, you just read what I did when I discovered Black Caviar in the form of a model horse). Can't resist it, another picture:

Okay, couldn't help it. Two :P
I've already got a name for her (this is too repeated, but I can't help it, I thought of it long before she actually came out and I discovered it), it is My Extreme Obsession. You got that right. Although, there are other names that fit her like "Flawless" or "Fearless" or "Brave". Flawless is probably better than My Extreme Obsession. But My Extreme Obsession is truer... no actually, they're both pretty accurate (Flawless because Black Caviar has won every single race, and so did Ruffian). I'll have to think about it. You could also give me feedback if you like (wink wink, nudge nudge).
Okay, I'll stop talking about horses (for today, well actually, there's still the random picture). There is this video/ song (music video?) called "Gangman's Style" which is HILARIOUS. You have to see it. Click in on "Link". Yes, the guy is singing in Korean. And yes, you can understand some of what he's saying. And yes, the video is so really WEIRD. But still awesome. I like weird music, some of you might know that very well. I guess since we're talking about weird music I like, I'll throw in this Video (Click). Yes, it is called Techno Chicken. And yes, the chicken is singing and dancing. And yes, there is a guy in the background saying "Tasty" (my parents cracked up at that). And no, I did not discover this by myself, and friend of mine (Dapples) told me to take a look at it and ever since then it's been a hit in my house (yes, we are the people of the weird music, at least Dad and I).
Okay, that's it about weird songs (I have more to say than I thought today). Remember this project?

I kind of just decided to start over. The seat isn't quite right, the side isn't long enough, and I found a better more interesting design. So I will be starting over. I will actually not be making my own tassels (because it's just a pain, and I get impatient very quickly)  mostly because I've found some new (goldish/ yellowish?) ones that go awesomely with it. I was also going to make the halter/ bridle with the actual fabric (which would have been so painstaking as well) but found the perfect string for it (it is actually used by CMM, or CinnamonMewMew, to make her own arabian halters, which is awesome because she makes awesome tack!). They all match and look nice together, and I am also debating on going crazy and making what is called "Shark Teeth" in miniature. That will be like so frustratingly hard, but a challenge is good, right? It might be good for my concentration skills (I can get distracted quite easily, for example just now while I was practicing flute and kept stopping and giggling at the picture of Black Caviar, I sound kind of crazy, don't I? Well, my gang is sometimes defined as "weird" since we get a bit hyper sometimes). I'll show you my basic design first:
Okay, maybe not, these are the shark teeth. I might have to make the chain as well, since it is so tiny (this person actually had to use a needle to do this, I'm not so sure anymore...). Here is the basic design:

I love this. It is going to be so awesome!

I'll also be using this as reference, it has some details that are important (like the diamonds, and there is also a close- up picture of the collar centerpiece which I will show you).

This tack set is very useful because it is very basic and not the most realistic. I hope I will get rhinestones sometime make it bling (because this time it is a Hollywood Arabian style set, apparently they're more popular in real life than the Bedouin ones).

I might also be making a few of these in the near future (I'm telling you, that blog is the best!) :)

I guess you want the random picture. *Sigh* There's only two of these that are left. Then we'll get on to the more epic pictures (and believe me, they're cool... but sorry, the have horses in them)! Don't ask about this one, I just like it for some reason. (creepy voice) "Twisted minds..."