Creative Distractions

How to lead the life you love

2011-12-30T12:41:00.000-08:00

Not mine of course, but worth posting. (Taken from creativesomething.net)

CompTIA's holiday greeting

2011-12-28T08:35:00.000-08:00

Over at 1/29, a client recently came to us asking for a sweet and sincere holiday greeting card.

Ask.com's End of Year Round-up

2011-12-01T07:56:00.000-08:00

We've been busy over at 1/29.

We recently completed this funny little piece for Ask.com

Julian dealt with timing, editing, etc, while I got to focus on the fun parts- like making Kim Kardashian drool.

Fanciful Animals

2011-07-21T19:26:00.001-07:00

A series I'm doing for my sister. We were joking around while trying to decide how to decorate her walls, and she mentioned wanting "something you wouldn't expect". Frog in a cravat? check.
Two more in the works- we're just debating between bugs and other critters.

John Adams

2011-07-11T19:25:00.000-07:00

Just something I whipped up

2011-07-11T19:22:00.000-07:00

Dark Garden started hosting a monthly tea service at Wicked Grounds here in San Francisco. This event is an opportunity to wear your corset and have a fabulous, low key evening. Board games, great treats, and awesome company.

Just some presidents

2011-07-11T18:55:00.000-07:00

Next up: John Adams!

Fairy!

2011-05-23T08:42:00.000-07:00

This was the first concept in a series of illustrations done for a dance instructor at my gym. She was upset at the lack of positive dark skinned fairy imagery, and wanted to create something she could see in sticker form at events. I pulled this together in about 6 hours.

Animation test- after effects

2010-05-21T13:16:00.000-07:00

quick test done for a project in the works.
This animation won't be used in the final piece, just as a test to see how well the character animates.

2010-05-21T12:11:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

Since I last posted, I've made a few fun changes in my daily life.

I'm currently working at an illustrator/animator over at 129films.com. Most recently, I've worked on projects for Kingston Technology, Ticket Derby, Choice Logistics, Sugar Sync, and a ton more.
Follow the link above to check out some of our motion pieces.

As for personal art, I've posted a few of my current and past projects at
Deviant Art

I'm still plugging away on my animation, and will be posting that soon.

Take care,

Margot

Always busybusybusy

2008-11-06T18:15:00.000-08:00

What HAVEN'T I been up to since I last posted?
Well, making a living, really.

I'm currently working on two projects(outside of my 3 jobs)-

First, the group project:

CYLOMAINX: abandoned by the gods.
A 3d feature animation project that we're looking to create a good production process for, create a short promo for it by February to pitch at a conference. It's great stuff! Check it out at:
www.margotcannon.con/cylomainx/splash.htm
Eventually, I'll change that to an actual web hosting, but hey, it's a start. We've currently posted a few of our art director (Anton)-'s amazing sketches. More work will be added on Saturday at our weekly production meeting. Stay tuned to our production at:
cylomainx.blogspot.com

My personal project:
Perhaps you've seen that series of zombies I did earlier in these posts? Well, it's turned into:
ZOMBERELLA
An elementry aged zombie having trouble fitting in. Join her adventures through FriendshipClub(tm), troubles with the Popular Kids, Pet adventures and homework!
This is a flash animation project, and I'll be posting it in bits and pieces as it comes into being. Please send feedback, love, hate, etcetc to let me know what you think!
<3, Margot

Rocky Horror Picture Show -DG's advert

2008-10-10T18:11:00.001-07:00

Rocky Horror Picture Show -DG advert
Originally uploaded by margotelyse

This was made in not very much time (we didn't _have_ much time). Luckily, it looks OK and goes to print.. about 20 minutes after I sent it out.

Anyone interested in seeing the production of RHPS should visit the:
http://www.rockysf.com/tickets.php

Thanks!

New Corsets!

2008-10-02T12:46:00.000-07:00

New Corsets!
Originally uploaded by margotelyse

Dark Garden is Unveiling Three Lovely new designs! The Alyscia - named after the previous production manager whom it was designed for. Lovely ladies with less cleavage than hip will appreciate this gem. The Adelaide - Newest of the New! Our first Corset to incorporate true cups into the design! Available in a transparent lace mesh! And, of course, the long awaited Alexandra - Our newest Ready-To-Wear family member features Straps and a front-front style seen on the more classic styles.
Come in prepared to fall in love with your body all over again!

Mask and Matching Corset

2008-09-20T22:32:00.001-07:00

mask design - matching corset
Originally uploaded by margotelyse

A quick sketch of a mask design I'm creating to match my Dark Garden corset.
The mask base will be light-weight plaster strips sealed and hand-covered in fabric/lace. Feathers will be interfaced into the plaster and sealed in with a resin and covered with black poplin. the mask will be held on by two options:
removable elastic band which goes around the back of the head.
or can be held with a (again, removable) black stick.
the feathers will be a variety of dark blue and silver feathers. Silver glitter dust will be added sparingly to add a metallic sparkle to small sections of the feathers.

Sometimes it's good to stop..

2008-09-06T09:17:00.000-07:00

and smell the cabbage.

Yes, I realize this is just getting obscene.

2008-07-28T00:42:00.001-07:00

BLOOG!...I mean BLOOOOD!

Brains!

2008-07-27T21:06:00.000-07:00

More IP shots!

hm.. I think her mouth needs to be bigger. and her far cheek needs to have a smaller green dot..
and she definitely needs to cat a dark shadow. and brains/gooey intestines, etc should be coming out of her lunchbox.. maybe an arm..
*heads back at it, humming 'Great green globs of greasy grimy gopher guts..'&

Playing with Zombies

2008-07-26T16:32:00.000-07:00

I wish I had more Brrraaiinnnsss...

the evolution! This is, of course, still in progress. Any suggestions with be gratefully taken into consideration.

first:

second:

third:

fourth:

-Margot

Cat Logo

2008-07-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

A simple design for a gal I'm making a website for.

Food for Thought?

2008-07-13T00:42:00.000-07:00

While I wait for the $ to fix my DVD/CD drive to magicly appear, please enjoy this tasty H.P. Lovecraft-ian style Challah Cthulhu.

Napkin Art (NSFW)

2008-06-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

..this is old, but Fun!
(NSFW)

Mothers Day

2008-05-11T21:56:00.000-07:00

Since my mom's first question when she calls is not 'How are you?' but 'What color is your hair?', I thought I'd use mothers day to give her the option.
visit:
http://margotcannon.com/images/mothersday.swf

and yes, the egg thing is weird.

Progress Report!

2008-04-16T00:55:00.001-07:00

I always like to have something up and around my main project to switch to when my brain turns to mush after watching the same 2 seconds of movement for 8 hours.
This is the background project.

Reasons I like it:
While it's mainly action, it lends itself nicely to some sweet subtle characters.
Figuring out the foot placement has been interesting, as was acting this out until dizzy. Searching for reference offered many cute scenes of little kids in kitchenware being spun by their daddys'.
An excuse to animate a little kid! (ie: an excuse to ACT like a little kid)Not to mention spinning around with bags filled with books. I'll upload my reference soon.

**update** I showed this version to Jeff (instructor of character animation studio) instructor, and he had a lot of really great crits. I'm in the processes of reworking the timing and weight issues. Expect more and soon!

Do you have any suggestions? I'd love imput!

Demo Reel!

2008-04-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

Hello to anyone who might be viewing this!

This is the current version of my 3D demo reel, which, of course, will be out of date by the end of the week.

For an example of my Flash work:
Click here to Go Fish!

A few more examples of my Sketches/Scribbles:

...How could I resist posting this?

(also)
Blocking for my current lipsync project: Fuzzy.

For less examples of my work, please visit MargotCannon.com

New Sketch!

2008-04-11T16:41:00.000-07:00

After getting out of Chracter Animation Studio at 10o'clock on a thursday night, I felt like drawing.
Luckily, paper and pencil are always handy!

Fuzzying things out

2008-04-04T22:38:00.000-07:00

Everyone works differently.
I like to start by taking a concept or piece of dialogue, and acting it out and sketching the basic poses. If it's dialogue, I'll time frame it out, and put some basic timing together.
The thing I'm working on right now says:
"He's really very... soft. ..and Fuzzy.. We're becoming fast friends."

Here's an animatic:

I had sketches, and the basic poses put together, and some of the timing, but I wasn't completely happy. So I made this, to simplify the movements without having to worry about floaty bits. It gives me a better idea of the main movements and what I want to improve in the 3D portion of the project.

From the animatic, is there anything you'd like to see changed? Any suggestions?

***UPDATE***
Well, apparently the acting is so subtle that youtube isn't even seeing it.
Fancy!
Before he turns to the pigbear, he should look down the other way, put an arm on the sofa, and *then* reach other. I have no clue why it's not working. *mutter*

Have you seen this?

2008-03-27T09:51:00.001-07:00

Adobe put a free version of photoshop online. I'm intriqued!
https://www.photoshop.com/express/landing.html

Has anyone played with this yet?

My Yelp review of the Academy of Art University

2008-03-13T13:56:00.001-07:00

Academy of Art University

Categories: Colleges & Universities, Art Schools
Neighborhood: SOMA

A lot of reviewers seem to be unable to get past the business aspect of AAU. And yes, the politics are annoying and distracting.
For the purpose of this review, I'm focusing on the Animation Department (Undergrad) and the education I've gotten. (I'm graduating in May 2008 and began here in 2002) I won't be comparing this to other schools, because I've never attended another in a college situation. If you want to know what you're in for as an incoming student, read on:

The 'Foundations' department is good. I'd change a few things, but over all it caters to helping all levels of student succeed and excel in the basics. Figure drawing, Perspective, Analysis of Form, basic Figure Sculpting, Still life Painting, and the dreaded Color and Design will take you from "I like drawing sailor moon!" to a level of competency in basic drawing that will help you convey your thoughts and ideas to others in a clear manner. Yes, these classes can be tough. It's part of the weeding out process. Open admissions means they get a lot of students who aren't quite sure or ready to really dive in. If you can pass color & design, you'll probably survive the school. Most of the folks you meet in these classes will drop out by the 4th semester (in my experience)

Splattered into the rest of your time at AAU (again, as an undergrad) are the classic classes of any university. Art history, writing classes, random mythology and religion, as well as a few language classes, psychology, acting, and business law. If you're smart, you'll spread them out and use them as filler classes so you don't get stuck with three semesters in a row of tough, time intensive core classes.

As for the actual department, I am a fan. The instructors tend to be good, although we all differ in learning styles, so an instructor I like may be someone you can't learn from. I wish there was more diversity of instructors available within the character animation major, since it seems that the mid-level classes are all taught by the same person, and to get someone else you really have to go out of your way. This is assuming you aren't getting into the Pixar classes (I never took them, and now it seems silly to have wasted such a resource). I'm currently in Jeff Cooperman's class, and enjoying it immensely.

The major crunch in the labs happens around finals, when all the students come out of the woodwork with a dozen excuses why they're no longer working at home or are suddenly trying to do a full semesters worth of work in the final few days. Along with the advanced texture/lighting/rendermans students using a goodly portion of the labs to render out projects for days at a time, computers can be sparse. Best to keep up and work and get into the labs early early early in the day and stay late. Since the labs close around 1:30, 2 am, and opens at 7:30.. students are forced to go home and get some sleep. My mom laughed at this, but when she saw my best friend over at Ex'pressions staying at school and sleeping under the table for days at a home without showering or changing clothes.. the laughter turned into a nervous chuckle. Good or bad, it's policy.

To address the issue of AAU being a 'factory' trying to get your money.. well, sure, aren't most private schools the same way? Art is big money, and a very popular major. You pay because it costs to get instructors who CAN make more money doing something else. They're training their future competition. But, again, I'm ignoring the politics of the business. It really is just a distraction, as far as I'm concerned. So what if the owner is rich? I'm here to get an education, and as long as I insist on learning everything my teachers can toss at me, I'm doing just that.

Over all, my 6 year experience and education gets summed up with "4 stars".

Yelp.com

Quickboards for Alchemistry

2008-03-08T11:28:00.000-08:00

Quick boards for my next project. Does it read? Any suggestions?

Flash sewing machine

2008-02-16T18:30:00.001-08:00

This will be fixed up and added as part of a larger website re-design. This will be playing along with a bunch of other sewing machine in the portion of the site that covers "in the workshop." so actual movement is limited, but it'llb e just fine with all the other hustle abound.

sorry, I've only got a link!
(the latest flash player required)
Click here to watch!

-M

Two Passes

2008-02-14T21:42:00.001-08:00

Running and walking - today's attempts.

Please leave comments! I need feedback.

-XOXO. Happy Valentine's Day!
Margot

Making character out of characters

2008-01-21T10:34:00.001-08:00

Seg is already a character, I just attempted to put it on paper.

The real character:

-M!

"Becoming"

2008-01-20T19:58:00.000-08:00

Based on the concept of 'Becoming' an artist at AAU through the partner ship with Utrecht art supplies.

Originally hand drawn on illustration board, I took this into illustrator last night and made a vector out of it. This is the first time I've really done something 'big' in illustrator. It was fun! I plan on doing many more in the future.

-M

Pin-up Attempt

2008-01-16T15:47:00.000-08:00

The day after the end of the semester, I left for France. After the beginning of the new year, I came home and quit my job. Now I spend all day sitting in a cafe drawing whatever I feel like. Typically it's more about character designs and studies (I'll scan some of those pages later and post 'em), but today I felt the urge to run around in the naked field. Doodling for 3 or 4 hours (at least two of those while on the phone..[yeah? uh huh. uh huh. wow. huh. oh. uh huh. that sucks. *doodledoodledoodle*])

Later, I fixed it up in photoshop.

Still needs work, but I'm happy with where it's going.

Falling Over (or you Must be Trippin')

2007-12-05T10:11:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty happy with the lift project, but the last portion - the fall - has been bothering me. So, I leapt out into the deep dark internet to solve this problem.

You can imagine my surprise to find many, MANY compliations of people falling in different ways.

thank you, youtube.com

I hope you cringe/enjoy this as much as I did.

Compliation of People Falling Down (youtube)

Before the end of the day, I'll have it completely blocked and ready to finalize.

I was crusing the personal ads..

2007-12-04T21:53:00.000-08:00

Oh, wait, no. I was searching on google for lifting reference and found a great resource!
www.crossfiteastside.com has a bunch of awesome step-by-step weight lifting information and photos. This one is now my computron's background.
<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

Progress report!

2007-12-03T17:23:00.000-08:00

With two weeks left until the end of the semester, deadlines are coming in quick.
I've got 4 animations plus a web page (www.margotcannon.com) to finish and post before December 16th.
First animation is a simple walk cycle with some fun attitude. She's got coffee and it's gunna be a good day. Look for that soon!

Second on the list is a two character lift. Think fat jokes but with a sense of sweetness. A guy is damn sure he can pick up a gal- who turns out to be a good bit heavier than she seems. but, he pushes through.. and almost makes it! but (surprised surprise!) fails.

Third animation is a 'fishing exercise'. I had started this one a long while ago, spent a total of 4 hours in the blocking, and am now getting back to it. Does anyone actually go fishing on an inter tube?

The fourth thing is a 'wushu'. Not as interesting as it could be, but we'll see what can be done about it. It's last on my list of things to putz with.

I've got an appointment with Chris Armstrong on Thursday to petition to graduate. Wish me luck!

Plz to be with teh bad jokez/

2007-11-06T18:51:00.000-08:00

This is the blocking for something silly my friend mentioned off-handedly and I couldn't resist doing.

Yes. I know it's bad.

It's that time of night..

2007-10-22T23:04:00.000-07:00

I asked my friend to give me a few topics to draw from. He came up with Child on a swing in motion, yawning/ stretching animal, and ninja vs pirate (ninja winning)
If I had some precious moments that weren't already broken, I'd have put this together that way.

I could stop to introduce myself,

2007-10-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

But all I really would want to say is I need to get back to work.

I'm going to end up using this webspace to post little things I'm working on and hopefully gain some insight from it all. Also, random sketches. you know. Filler.

..no, really. I need to get back to work.