Whisper of the Worm (Between Breaths) Work in Progress
April 2019
Thorn - 36x42” mixed media on canvas
+19x13” digital print on heavy matte paper
Final Version (Original)
Last night I finished my first Raid in Destiny 2. I started at the beginning, with Leviathan.
* … on PC- I've done tons of them on PlayStation. My clan did weekly clears on multiple characters during King’s Fall on D1… It was incredibly challenging and rewarding in terms of game play and teamwork.
So. This year. I set a goal for myself to do all of the D2 raids before I take my art to GuardianCon (4th of July weekend).
It might seem silly, but one of the things I was most disappointed in sharing with my fellow fans, after having mastered so much of them in D1, was that I never hit any goals with raids in D2. They’re unique experiences, and it is a badge of honor to complete them- especially on difficult challenge modes.
In Destiny 2, there's 5 raids right now, as of the Season of the Drifter- 1 is massive, 1 is huge, 1 is medium sized and 2 are fairly smol. I’ve heard it argued that 3 of them are small/shorter raids- but I don’t think that’s true. Something something Sparrows? Anyway. Leviathan came out just after launch, followed by Eater of Worlds with the Curse of Osiris launch, then Spire of Stars with Warmind. Forsaken saw the launch of the largest, and what will likely be the most challenging raid for me: The Last Wish. Recently, with the Black Armory, Scourge of the Past was released. I will aim at least 1 completion of each, possibly more… I’ll almost certainly attempt them all on Prestige difficulty as well.
Wednesday night I played "Leviathan", a 6 person 4 phase challenge, on 'Prestige' mode. It meant that the first 3 rounds had special challenges- harder mobs, players couldn't hold the same role for the whole encounter, defeat every extra sub-boss, etc. Playing on Prestige is like being in a band. Your timing better be right. Anyway, we didn't finish the boss. But we did the 3 main challenges, and people had to get offline before I finished.
Last night I finished, but on Normal. I just wanted the boss clear- unfortunately, basically none of the items available are worth much, in terms of their power or abilities. I did get a sort of “whole set” of armor, and a few of the weapons. See below.
So now it’s on to the next one(s).
Leviathan came out first, at launch. So that’s where I’ve started. I want to do them “in order”, so to speak, so this weekend I’ll tackle Eater of Worlds and Spire of Stars.
I’m using an LFG Discord Server, and it’s going well. I’m making some connections and I hope to turn that into a regular raid team eventually. Maybe even split off a chunk of my clan, the Progenitors, or start a new “Night Shift” crew…
More soon. Eyes up, Guardians.
This one is late, too, but we all know that.
Mike
Ashlie
Brad
BIG THANK YOU
BIG THANK YOU
Mike
Ashlie
Brad
THANK YOU SO MUCH. I know it’s late, I know it’s not much, but it means a lot that you have stuck with me as patrons.
THANK YOU.
BEST FORTUNE.
I feel like I’m just now starting 2019. It’s nearly 60 days in and I’m late and of course, I’m saying:
”Sorry for the delay…” As if time’s arrow would have granted me some special reprieve.
2018 had a sort of chewing, grating, gnawing effect on me. Especially in its later months. I was living in chaos, because of reasons. Even through into 2019, there was still friction that put the brakes on certain things.
Those brakes are off. I have a plan and resources in full effect. Big things in 2019 and LFG, too.
In late 2018 I took a job doing cool things. I can’t say a ton about it, but it’s in the video game industry, though it’s still a support role and not a creative role. It’s nice to have my hot takes make sense, and work in a world whose history I understand completely. It’s a night shift, and it is kind of brutal in its own way- but it’s working well for me.
In December, I signed up to go back to GuardianCon in 2019, and I have more time and concrete plans for what to include in that celebration, including the run-up to it. My LFG plan is outlined below- but I’m going to try to stick to the community like glue for the Season of the Drifter- I’m so excited for the Gambit changes, and I need to explore the raids on PC.
This post is to preview and promise some big things in 2019. These first 60 or so days have been moving, settling, organizing and getting to work- and fully adjusting to a night shift.
BIG TINGS IN 2019
GuardianCon 2019 - Charity Raffle, Charity %, Possible Streaming Events…
Destiny Art & LFG
More Video Game Art
More Skate Decks
More Patreon Art… Post Cards, Stickers, Pins, Framed Special Editions… And something of a simplification. But that topic deserves it’s own post- more on that soon.
GuardianCon 2019
>>> I have 2 new weapon paintings in progress- Whisper of the Worm and Polaris Lance, going from sketch to canvas soon. I have two other concrete picks, and hope to finalize two others for a total of 6 new prints for GuardianCon 2019, putting me at 10 with the first 4 from 2018.
>>> I’m also working on HELMET paintings this year. Currently planning 3 exotic helm paintings for the con- one Titan, one Warlock and one Hunter…
>>> I have some ultra simple print design that I plan to offer at half the price of my hand-printed pieces from last year, and a handful of paintings… and maybe a shirt. Though I don’t wanna cut into my fellow artists specialties…
Destiny Art & LFG
>>> As noted above, I have a huge chunk of Destiny Art planned- and a fairly aggressive schedule… But I’m also trying to do something with the community that helped me realize some of my art goals in 2018.
>>> I’m going to be LFG hard for the next week or so- maybe longer if it takes that long. I need a group to run the raids. I’m free at really, really weird times. Hit me up if you can help.
>>> LFG Details, again: Destiny 2 PC LFG RAID. Hunter/Gunslinger main, 650 (3/1/19). AR/Fusion/LMG focused builds. I want to do all of the raids on PC before @GuardianCon 2019. Here's the rub: I work a night shift. Am available after 2AM EST Wed--Sun, any time Mon/Tues. #destiny2 #lfg #fireteam #raid
More, More, More… Video Game Art, Skate Decks and Patreon Art.
>>> I have 4 skate deck/print ideas that I’m itching to share- classic video game weaponry design icons, nay- LANDMARKS! of art… hand painted on skate decks. But those are still deep in the works.
>>> A few more “brand” updates- to lean into my roots in the video games culture and my favorite styles while I came up learning graff and design.
>>> Patreon needs some effort and some work. I’m worried about two things: over-saturation and OMG are my prints too big?? So. I’m working on a new offering that still centers on a kind of “loot table”, but presents some thing that really hits at the 1 and the 20 on the D20 roll… And maybe just offering everything for $1 or more.
WORKSPACE 2019
HANDCRAFT
DESIGN/SUPPORT
PAINT & PRINT
It’s nice to have a regular job. But this regular gig isn’t a guarantee- it’s based on whether or not the public likes the art made (and supported) collectively by the studio I’m working with. I’m confident in it, but the video game audience is hard to please, and tech is far, far, far from infinite.
I’m in a weird spot still- but I’m in a strong spot, too. I have some great support from some wonderful people, and I stand, bolstered by the shoulders of some amazing fans, a lush and sprawling community, and a super fun project that gives me incredible opportunity to succeed in my solo artwork as well.
HELLO FROM
SPACE I GUESS
Now I just have to get into the groove and keep moving. If you’re reading this, and you can take a moment to ping me on FB or Twitter or Insta, or over email or text- hit me up and remind me that the world is keen for great art.
Thanks. More soon.
A lot has happened since my last post. Most importantly, I got a new job. But I also got some respite in the form of some studio space! I’ve been without a proper studio since September, but in mid-Nov, I was able to set up a partial studio in a friend’s garage.
I’m working on finding a new place to live and work on art, and will likely have something locked down in just a few weeks.
In the meantime, I’ve been working on various projects and just finished putting together the digital rewards for October and November patrons! Postcards are almost done, and prints are printed and need to go into the mail. Sorry things have been late.
You can sign up here:
patreon.com/irrezolut
Previews of this month’s phone wallpapers:
HUGE THANK YOUS:
MIKE
ASHLIE
BRAD
++KATE&MICHAEL&SEBASTIAN
++KEVIN&ERIN&METTA&BUXTON
++ISRAEL&DEREK&CITADEL