Saturday, May 29, 2010

A Book Meme

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next 4-7 sentences on your LJ along with these instructions.
5. Don't you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it! Just pick up whatever is closest (unless it's too troublesome to reach and is really heavy. Then go back to step 1).
6. Tag five people.
Her right hand, however, on the coverlet, was not merely closed but shut tight; the fingers were clenched, the thumb tucked in-- it was as though, at twenty, she had checked back into the mute fisty defenses of nursery. And here at the couch, it should be mentioned, the sun, for all its ungraciousness to the rest of the room, was behaving beautifully. It shone full on Franny's hair, which was jet black and very prettily cut, and had been washed three times in as many days. Sunshine, in fact, bathed the entire afghan, and the play of warm, brilliant light in the pale-blue wool was in itself well worth beholding.

Zooey, almost direct from the bathroom, with a lighted cigar in his mouth, stood for quite a while at the foot of the couch, at first busy tucking in the end of his white shirt he had put on, then buttoning his cuffs, and then merely standing and looking.

- Franny and Zooey by JD Salinger

Sort of shocked that there was no deluge of dialogue, considering, instead just the observing of the internals. I like that. And nope, I'm not cheating, although this is one of my preferred books, but I just reacquired it, since Its been stolen from me, twice. Guess I'm not the only one who prefers it. Really hate this cover though. meh, maybe it'll get nicked. One could hope.

Give us your books people! I want some new reads to discover, or old ones to fall back in love with, cuz reading three book at once isn't keeping me occupied enough, no sir.

I Tag; [info]misstuesday, [info]hlaron, [info]calloocallay, [info]firefish and [info]syndara* (which is cheating because I know which book is at her bedside).
Were this on facebook, there would definitely be different ppl tagged. My mom for one, AlleyCat & Will for another. Maybe even Crys (who is reading [info]sarahtales* "Demon's Lexicon")
And had I filled out this meme on the bedroom computer the text would be a lot more suggestive, noir and a bit gay.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Mortal Instruments FCBD Cover

Firstly: how awesome is this.

Secondly: go here, type in your zip code and find out where to get yours.

Thirdly: How Awesome Is This!! just sayin
City of Bones Cover - Mortal Instruments FCBD
Pencils by ~SupeRsquiTo-PouF/Nik Virella
Colors by Retro Aero
Design by ~th3rdworld/Michael DeVito + Jon Conkling.
Runes by ~bhanesidhe/Val Freire

....oh, right. Based on a Book by Cassie Clare :D

This is available exclusively through retailers on May 1 that participate in the Free Comic Book Day promotion.
w w w . f r e e c o m i c b o o k d a y . c o m

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Want More Shadowhunter Runes Made?

To show thanks for your interest in my Runic Tattoos I'm posing a question. Cassie wants to create a new set of Runes for The Infernal Devices series. She's requested a small set of 2 or 3 but it's not enough. I need 10 more for a Full Sheet of Flash!

So I'd like to hear what you've got to suggest; Understand that
  1. Singular words only
  2. Commands are acceptable [Direction as well as Inflection]
  3. and no Names.

So put Brain-Boxes to the On & Upright position?

If you were a Shadowhunter what rune would you need most to survive?

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

A jewelry designer contacted Cassie a while ago about doing a limited edition run of rings, necklaces and wrist cuffs based on the Mortal Instruments, so we gave her the go ahead and she opened an Etsy shop: www.hebelmet.etsy.com

Cassie and I turned down getting any portion of the proceeds in favor of them going a charity (Reading Is Fundamental, which is a literacy program for children). :D


I am so getting me a pendant. Awesome fans are just AWESOME! :love:

x

Thursday, September 17, 2009

POLL TIME!

1. Cross-Fandom Mash-ups
2. Hot Guys of Fiction
3. A Selection of Previous Wallpapers
4. Original Characters
5. Story-Book theme (although which wasn't touched on)
6. Modern-Urban Retake on Classic Fairy Tales
7. Sketches/Design
8. Other:

VOTE IN LJ POLL: [link]

Remember!Suggesting themes is the best way to get new art for your favorite thing, entirely for free! Just sayin'

- posted by val freire

Monday, August 17, 2009

Massive Mortal Instruments Party and Book Signing!


:bulletblack:Saturday, August 22
:bulletblack:12:00pm – 2:00pm
:bulletblack:Bryant Park Reading Room

A Massive Mortal Instruments Party and Book Signing! at Bryant Park, N.Y.C. (also on Facebook )

RSVP to win giveaways and get entered in a drawing to win a Shadowhunters flash drive loaded up with exclusive the Mortal Instrument stuffs. OR just turn up, say 'hi' and get various free stuffage that Cassie and I are putting together for you lovely, amazing fans.


I forgot to post about this until the material got here yesterday... also forgotten how keen it is seeing your own art all SHINY! :dalove:

- posted by val freire

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Just got this in one of the coolest e-mails from a fan, just about, ever!


If anyone, anywhere, does anything nearly as cool as getting my designs tattooed on them, PLEASE share! Stuck. Sort of speechless. In grinning power-crazed creative amusement here. And I could really get used to it.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

SketchBlog on Tumblr!

So, for various reason but mostly to spite my carpal tunnel's, I'm now keeping a Sketch Blog! :boogie:



I unearthed a crap load of old sketchbooks, scanned them, uploaded and backdated them, so there are some things that are also in the scrap section but A LOT that isn't/won't be.

And for a very specific someone ([info]anemay) who requested a very specific thing, Enjoy!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Catching up on things...

2009 Kids ComicCon - Dave & Raina
2009 Kids ComicCon - Dave & Raina

Weekend of April 24-26, 2009 - Was Kids Comiccon. We started out the day with upward of 7 kids and ended up with 2 (unless you count [info]tier_luren, then it felt more like 5.)

Aria (Niece, Age 7) had a bad cold but insisted on attending. Of course, she fell asleep during [info]goraina & [info]yaytime's panel, but I'm sure that was the fever and not a judgment on her part.

She did wake up in time to demand Chibi's!
2009 Kids ComicCon
Other Notables:
  • randomly getting the Nick Magazine [info]ali_wildgoose wrote Avatar stuffs for ^_^
  • Running into Lil Cousin 'Ronnie' @ Surprise!Jim Hanley booth =^__^=

Free Comic Book Day,FCHS Signing
Weekend of May 1-3, 2009 - was Free Comic Book Day. In contrast to Kids ComicCon, I expected no children and 4 turned up, (unless we count [info]tier_luren& [info]syndara then the number jumps to 12).

We turned up early @ Jim Hanely's Universe for the FCHS signing (with Author: Vito & Artist: Ronnie), wherein the game was how many ways can you make a cousin snort/laugh before her adoring public.

Answer: Three.


Saturday Also Featured:
  • Monsters Vs. Alien in 3D & Vertigo :D
  • Secret Breakfasts in SEEKRIT!! (w/ Rachel "Ronnie" Freire*)
  • *not to be confused with Rach "Faery" Freire/[info]kuchisake_onnaAlternative Miss World that weekend. Congratuwelldone! who was doing her winningest @
  • Another Secret rendezvous (w/ Cousin Ronnie, plus Cousin Elise) only this time, Adventureland!
Sunday Featured:
  • Rained out Picnics Tours in Epic Cemeteries
  • Guided by a bemused [info]oneangryrabbit
  • Rum tasting with [info]calloocallay (special guest star [info]soupkills as "Comatose Guy")
  • and a Mausoleum for the Family "Cavemeister", crazy Pyramid featuring Jesus & Baby Eating Sphinx, not to mention the equally Narcissistic and Gratuitous grave of one "Gabe Gabriel".
  • Also, lots and lots of rain.

Greenwood Cemetery

Greenwood Cemetery

Greenwood Cemetery

Greenwood Cemetery


Casa Mello

Weekend of May 8-10, 2009
  • Greyhound ride of Ironic Hell (including 1/2 day in a broke down bus in South Jersey.)
  • Lavish cliffside stay @ Casa Mello, in Pasadena
  • Becca's Memorial BBQ Dinner.
  • Lots of SoCo, Tequila & Commiserating.
  • the mysterious disappearance of 3 cell phone chargers, 2 Mac Power cords and 1 Brother.



Weekend of May 15-17, 2009
  • 2 almost arrests cuz chuckle-headed brother, Gabe/[info]tier_luren couldn't figure out how to cross the street, whilst intoxicated
  • leaving LA, but ONLY after Sushi with [info]hermorrine & [info]mayapurple
  • Drive out to San Diego and visit Casa Dalton
  • Watch Star Trek, forgetting Thom was a Trekkie...
  • ...and corrupting the Mini-Masses XD
  • Climbing in and around the "Cottonwood Grove", on trees meant for climbing... shame the Dalton kiddlings weren't with that day ^^;
  • Winning Tickets from a local radio station to see NIN/JA in Chula Vista
  • 1 more almost arrest cuz chuckle-headed Thom tried flinging himself @ Perry Farrell
  • 6am flight to NYC, only to get whiplash on the cab ride home ^^;
NIN/JA in Chula Vista
pic taken for [info]misstuesday
and only under duress and after 6 cocktails.


Next Weekend May 22-24, 2009 - AnimeBoston, special guest starring [info]ali_wildgoose ... stay tuned!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Happy Year of the OX!

year of the ox
I have people poking at my home. They will be doing so all week. She's been needing a facelift for some time now, it's all very exciting, in a head-achy sort of way. So, to be sure I'm not to forgetful I'll list a few things worth noting.
  • NY ComicCon is a go!* Deliberating on which kid(s) to bring.**
  • Leaving on the Feb 9th to Florida for ceremonious things. Back on the 17th.
  • Thinking of having an art-sale to keep me busy whilst I'm away....
  • ...only ali_wildgoose & heidi8 should really get back to me with specifics, since they're my only outstanding (which I haven't heard from)***.
  • Guess whats? I've got a President I can respect. Never thought I'd see the day. Also, I voted for him. Equally shocking realization, each and every single morning.
  • akickinthehead? Dude. While I predicted this, I'm still greatly saddened by it.Waaaah!
  • Sending postcards out late, but I made a variety of three kinds, so despite this image no one knows what they'll get. Stealthy!
  • This year? Already masses better than the last... and its just begun!
*Might have to miss Friday due to house pokings.
**How to choose? RL should have poll options for all things.
***Outstanding Commissions is the ban of my existence. Can't sleep, can't eat, muses'll eat me.

Friday, January 09, 2009

Input Needed

While I'm designing this Years (of the Ox) card, I started needling over the idea of a 2009 Calendar.

I'm not exactly sure when I got into the habit of it, probably when ashkitty offered my the privilege of having a hand in her 2004/2005 Quidditch Calendars. Then for Otakon I did a Fan-Art Calendar in 2006. 2007 I did a Muse Themed one (which was great because I could input holidays, plus it traveled surprisingly well). And then I made a Magnetic Calendar for 2008.

Sooo, now what? I had hoped to preempt this brain scratching with the Geek!Girl Calendar but that got complicated. So, its;


Whichever gets the mass of votes I'll put together and make it available for a small sale, since I need a Calendar anyway and the Mother-lady is being pretty adamant about getting hers.
Other News: Had a Tooth pulled on Tuesday. The combination of not being able to eat before hand, not being able to chew afterward, taking anti-biotics and powerful pain meds on an empty stomach has left me really-really loopy. As soon as I'm able to hold a pencil again I'm too finish all outstanding commissions. Promise!

Friday, December 26, 2008

And a Merry Christmakwanzaakah to you!*

Since I've never made a Holiday Card, this is the closest thing I could think of. Call it a Festive Warning: Regardless of the season, THIS is an idiotic way to introduce an important friend/companion to your massively judgmental Mother. Its never as funny as it seemed in your head and it will bite everyone on the ass for years to come. >_<

*Greeting should in no way be construed to guarantee or warrant happiness or other good feelings during Greeting Period, or warrant or guarantee an acceptable holiday. By accepting Greeting, Receiver expressly agrees that he or she assumes the risk for his or her own holiday. Receiver will hold Sender harmless should Receiver's expectations for Greeting Period and wishes contained herein not coincide.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

5. Things Meme

The task being 'write down 5 things about you that people might find surprising'. Not sure if 'surprising' is the right word, perhaps 'previously unknown' would better fit. It probably would have been a harder task to 'write 5 things about me that are not surprising' as I tend to offend.
  1. Was expected to be a boy at birth. I was "Mathew Alexander" up until the minute of.
  2. Never had a first step but had a first run - away from my Dad, screaming bloody murder when he came home from work one day. Nothing prompted this reaction.
  3. Never had a first word but I had a first sentence - "Turn The Radio On!" shouted over my parents bickering in the car on the way to their house of worship one warm and shiny Sunday.
  4. Was born with a Witch's lock, (a streak of gold-blond at the crown of my head). Funnily enough, not the reason I started dying my hair obscene colors but sort of the reason why I have to maintain it. I get asked 'is that your natural color' a whole lot less often now.
  5. Maintain a personal best of having 30 places to call home, in the span of a year. I was 16. (The only list I carry more pride in than my 'Wife' list.)
nicked/tweaked from Onezumi
On behalf of seasonal festivities; 5 Things I'm Thankful For in no particular order:
  1. People, being given as 'Presents' (Ex. Rachel to me on X-mas. Myself to Bex & Allie on b-day. Etc.)
  2. High-Pain Thresholds (along with access to sealed needles and sterile ink).
  3. Story-Tellers; of every background, name, shape and size.
  4. Art Stuffs (the divining rod in my life)*
  5. Not blood, but family... and the distance they keep.

Honestly, I'm not as awful as that last one comes off. (Family understands that, blood not so much.)

If I were to list a thing 6. it'd be that my fever just broke. Now I'd like to finally get back to my lovely commissions.
*Speaking of them 'lovely commissions' & 'Art Stuff being the divining in rod in my life', nothing personifies this better than meeting Neil Gaiman last month and having these one hand for him to sign. Alas, I only got to keep one. The others were lovingly traded for board & event tickets. Such is the life.



♥ Hope everybody is keeping safe, I'll see you on the other side.

< Off-Radar as of Now >

Thursday, November 13, 2008

It's time for yet another Last-Minute, Get-Val-Outta-The-States Sale!

It has been a while, hasn't it. I'll be booking a flight in a couple of hours, but I need the extra $200 to cover taxes. Its insane that taxes is nearly as much as the flight.. I suppose that because its so last minute.

In any case; this means EMERGENCY Art-Sale. I can do twenty $10 sketches... or something of that variety.

Color would be minimal. Traditional media only (meaning pencils, pens and whatever copics I can fit into the overhead) since I can do those on the road and when I get back for MangaNEXT.

If anyone is crazed enough to still want chibi's, I can work that but it'd have to wait till next month when I'm near my computer.

Pay Pal only, (to bhanesidhe @ ohshush . com) since time is of the essence. Any takers? Really, only have three hours to sort these finances out ^^;
  1. $10 - Chibi!heidi8
  2. $20 - calloocallay Monsters @ Tea
  3. $10 - BANDChibi!hermorrine
  4. $10 - BANDChibi!hermorrine
  5. $10 - BANDChibi!hermorrine
  6. $10 - BANDChibi!hermorrine
  7. $10 - MUSEChibi!bombaygin
  8. $10 - MUSEChibi!bombaygin
  9. $10 - Chibi!emsariel
  10. $10 - Chibi!soupkills
  11. $10 - BUNNYChibi!soupkills
  12. $10 - OC!Gilbert ali_wildgoose
  13. $10 - ifotismeni RoV sketch
  14. $10 - abrexis Punk!Artemis
  15. $10 - airemay Death or Delirium Sketch
  16. $10 - hlaron Dream Sketch
  17. $10 - mattbayne Ellis Sketch
  18. $10 - 1010/Neji Sketch hang_nga_79
  19. $10 - snowqueenofhoth Sketch Portrait
  20. - - -
  21. $25 - patrickat Gargoyles!OC

Thursday, October 09, 2008

May 10th 1974 ~ Oct 8th 2008


I first spoke with Rebecca Mello in the fall of 1998 through a variety of friends made on the Message Boards at Garbage.Com. She stood out then for the same reason she stands out to me now; she was a voice of reason when the crazy came a'courtin.

Although I wouldn't meet her face-to-face for another year and a half there wasn't a day that went by where she wasn't somehow a touchstone of calm for me. It's been 10 years and that hasn't changed. We'd go months without speaking and then suddenly have daily phone-calls that lasted till one or the both of us passed out.

Becca was eclectic and passionate, soft-spoken and always surprising. She was subtle and musical, artistic and very wise for her years. She was a Sage in Powerpuff Girl packaging ("Buttercup" she'd specifically say)... meaning that she was tiny but heroic and life gave her enough adversities to prove the comparison true. I never understood how people could walk along their daily lives and miss what a force she was. She was terminally modest, quick to forgive and so very slow to anger... that used to drive me nuts!
First 'face-to-face' Meet in 2000
Photobucket
We complimented each other well despite being seemingly opposites. I taught her to speak out and she taught me to calm down. Through knowing one another we discovered wondrous things about ourselves...and found a world between us that made more sense than apart.

When I tell stories, as I often do, she's always a part of them ... Hell, I wouldn't have had the voice to tell stories without her. She's a governing force in my life... and what I miss most is not having her on my next adventure, to read my next comic, to draw strength and inspiration from or to illicit tearful laughs from.

She was much more than a friend, she was my favorite person... I'm proud to have loved her, prouder still to have been loved by her.

If anyone thinks something as common place as Death is going to stop that, now... than they've underestimated her yet again.

The silly bitches.
SIDHE by Becca
(Graffitas by Bex A.K.A. Melloramor.)