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Meadowknight

Self taught sculptor
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Wow, I just checked my Deviant Art and I haven't submitted a journal entry since 2015. Life has changed quite a bit since then! So here's a entry if anyone is still paying attention after all this time, lol. Sorry I haven't been very active on here over the past few years, even before 2015...I think a lot of my journals are starting to contain that apology as life gets busier, and busier :P

Art stuff! I am super busy still doing contract sculpting and painting for Safari Ltd. (I'm designing, sculpting and painting something fanciful at the moment, which I can't reveal until it gets produced! But I'm very excited! This piece is a childhood dream come true! :D ). Since contract work comes and goes I'm not sure how much more I'll be doing for them, the work could last just through this summer, or for a few years...I'm just seeing how things go, and keeping options open. Aside from Safari stuff I have work lined up with my toy maker mentor, which will also see overseas (China) factory production, though it's independent and not a corporate project like Safari work. I am suuuuper stoked about that, and it may open some doors for my more personal work seeing overseas production in the near future! My fingers are crossed, I seem to be happiest when I can use my imagination. Sometimes you can do that on corporate stuff, but usually not. Some of my first Safari Ltd. animal sculpts have hit their online shop, and possibly some specialty stores, so I can now reveal a few of those sculpts (some are pending a 2018, and possibly a 2019 release). I have not had time to submit them to DA, but I've begun to put together a Facebook artist page that has all my safari stuff up that I can show for the time being. I have actually done a LOT of paint, and repaint work for them as well, but I only include the pieces I also sculpted on my Facebook page. I will be adding personal work on there as soon as I have more free time in a week or so [link] . I also still run a couple online shops selling original/personal work...some of my cartoony mini figure toys can be found here meadowknight.storenvy.com/ , and my sculpted/cast pendants can be found here www.etsy.com/shop/Meadowknight… . Everything in both stores is cast in an extremely durable resin from my original sculpts, I don't use brittle casting materials unless otherwise noted. I also bought a new pressure pot last spring, so that's made casting so much easier not having to use the crappy cheapo one anymore!

My personal life is going pretty great for the most part! On the crappy side of things I found out I need some EXPENSIVE dental work done, which sucks, but my insurance is covering the wisdom teeth I need pulled which is good at least. Aside from some financial stress the dental has brought about, God is providing contract work to cover it, and I have the most amazing boyfriend I could ever have imagined. He is such an amazing person, and treats me like gold...I have never felt so cherished by someone other than my parents. I am totally humbled. It's still a little early but we both think there's a very good chance this will lead to marriage, I've never had this much confidence in a bond. There have been some happy tears, I'll just say that, lol. I don't care if I'm being corny, it's like a dream come true, I can't even believe it. He inspires me to be a better woman, and makes any other troubles I have feel so insignificant because of how lucky I am to have someone so amazing. If I'm having a bitchy day I literally feel ashamed because I think of how awesome my boyfriend is, lol. That's when you really know someone is right for you, when you both bring out the better in each other, and both of you feel secure with no drama erupting, EVER. My current profile pic on here is he and I, for my buddies here who care to see my dude. Some old friends here know I've had some rough years with things just not panning out. For anyone reading this who's hurting or unfulfilled romantically...my 2 cents; try putting God first, and asking Him to pick someone out for you, instead of trying to pick someone out entirely on your own. I won't get into details here, but there is real power in prayer, and there's no way we'd have met if not for God, and God's perfect timing. Don't give up hope, there is someone for everyone who longs for somebody. Ask God for that person because most of the time we don't know who we need, or who's best for us until we find them, and for some of us that's like finding a needle in a stack of needles. If you're chasing someone who's noncommittal...give it up, save yourself the heartache! The right person will chase you back, and chase you hard, WHEN you need them to...and communication is KEY. Don't waste time with people you don't communicate good with either, poor communication causes a slew of issues. Why am I giving random advice here? Because I know a lot of people out there have cracks in their hearts, so many that there's a chance some of those people might read this journal. I'm 34, I've been single forever, I've been hurt, I've hurt others... so I get it. Please trust God guys...He knows exactly who your soulmate is, chances are you need help finding that person because most of us don't even know what kind of person that is. I'm not some all knowing romance advice girl here, but you've got nothing to lose testing this advice...and hey, it's a public "journal"...this is where we can share our thoughts, if you don't like em', that's fine, go read something else, lol.

Thanks for reading guys, and for comments/notes I haven't replied to...I'm sorry, I've just got a lot going on right now...boyfriend, family, travel, work, events, geckos (my baby dragons need my care, lol). On a side note I'm still getting a lot of comments/requests on older work....if something is from 2010 or older there's a good chance I've lost interest in the piece/s, and/or I no longer produce it. For anyone interested in following my work I've been a bit more active on Facebook, or email me at meadowknight@yahoo.com with questions. PLEASE NOTE THOUGH: I am not currently taking on anymore contract work/commissions at this time, if that changes I'll include it in an updated journal entry. I also for the most part avoid commissions with individuals now as my rates have gone up (most sculpts I make $500-$2000 on to give you an idea), and my availability is almost nonexistent between paid work and personal. If you are unsure though, you can email me to touch bases. I will always give things consideration since sometimes my schedule will open up. I check email a few times a day, spammers will get blocked though. 

~Angela
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Hey guys,

Sorry for being a stranger...just when I don't think life can get any busier or distracting, it does :P. This will be a brief update along with a link to 3 songs my dad wrote, played, and composed!

Currently I am working as a contract artist for Safari Ltd.  www.safariltd.com/. I am sculpting various animals/creatures, and once approved my sculpts get sent off to a foundry that makes resin prototypes. Those then get sent back to me, I paint one, and then ship them off to Safari Ltd. ! It's a great challenge having to sculpt different animals every couple of weeks, I am loving it! It's great to have such variety in my job! Since I'm still adapting to this work flow and type of work, my free time is near non existent...so this is why posts asking me for pendants or figures are not getting replied to, why my etsy shop is still closed, and why I can't reply to all of the notes I get. I apologize but I am just one person doing a bit too much. My Safari sculpts will probably not be released as toys in stores until 2017, but I don't know for sure. Once they are announced though I will share photos of my sculpts, and painted prototypes! :) This is why I am not posting much here; Because the majority of my recent work I can't share yet.

For personal art I am still pushing forward with my Amusing Mini Paranormals project, but I'm looking to expand it into being "Amusing Monstrous Paranormals". The goal is to move away from resin mini figures for the most part, and take a path of making action figures instead, and a comic. If those succeed I may even be able to go back and get the minis produced into PVC (I hate casting, but still love minis, so I'm not stopping them for good!). Thus the "Amusing Monstrous Paranormals" name alteration. If I succeed with action figures/comics, I VERY MUCH want to make a AMP videogame. Something extremely entertaining and not too complex (no RPG or MRPG stuff or anything, it would be an action adventure game). The videogame is a pipe dream for now, but it's one I feel is very possible at the same time. So far I have a 31 page comic book written for a first issue, and I'm hoping to begin drawing it soon as I get better at completing my contract work faster, freeing up my time. I have also started a Big Rad Wolf action figure's head sculpt...still VERY early, I'm just roughing out the symmetry mainly. Once finished he'll be 3 or 4 inches tall (slightly bigger than the mini figure).

At the moment the plan for the action figure is to have it made through Onell Design, and have it be compatible with the glyos universe. I am not sure when, but the goal is to get this made overseas into PVC when it's all done. I most likely will not be offering any resin versions for sale. For some cool independant toys made by a very talented and kind Matt Doughty, check out the Onell Design site! onelldesign.com/ . Matt is being very kind in helping mentor me through the action figure process :).

In other AMP news, my dad is an extremely talented musician and is helping with my AMP world! He's a songwriter, guitar player, and composer! I asked him if he would be willing to do some music for my Amusing Monstrous Paranormals universe. I explained the videogame is only a pipe dream, and for all I know it could happen in a few years or twenty, but no matter what I want the music score to be his work. I'm a big fan of soundtracks to games and film, and if I succeeded in an AMP game I would not want anyone else to do the songs. He was completely on board with doing this, and will be lending his fantastic guitar skills, and composing talent to Amusing Monstrous Paranormals! For now he has some personal songs he has given me to use, and soon he'll be writing/playing/composing some stuff specifically for AMP! What I've done is made video files (just with a still of my artwork), and uploaded 3 of his songs to youtube! Please check them out, like them, and subscribe as I'll be uploading his songs as he makes them. His guitar work is so good! Let us know what you think, and I can pass on your words to him :)


One thing that may happen sooner using his music...is when my comic is done, I want to do a video version going through the panels, with his music playing in the background. I have no idea how long this will take to accomplish since I am bogged down, but at least I have an entire issue written, and refined. A few people close to me have read it and enjoyed it, I feel I have a strong story brewing! It may take a while, but I will make it readily available once it's done. 

Thanks for reading guys!

~Angela
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Happy February everyone :P (that was sarcasm...I hate this month, lol)..BUT, I may have some cool work on the horizon...BUT, it may affect you if you want to buy any of my stuff!

I may be doing some contract work for a big toy company soon. It's still a maybe so I remain cautiously optimistic, but this is a head's up if you really want a pendant or figure anytime soon. I was just sent an NDA to sign, I am sending them some work this week to review in person, and I may be getting a art test from them. I need to read over the NDA before I know what I can or can not say, but it's a fairly big company so I am pretty excited!

That being said, I am finishing up some smaller work I owe to clear my plate...and if I get this job I may be closing down my etsy shop for I do not know how long. For at least as long as I am doing the contract work (and if that goes well, my shop could be closed a long time). This job would pay a lot more than what I make in my shops and off of smaller, private commissions. I am not trying to sales-woman anyone, but if you would like to buy pendants, definitely do so ASAP, and contact me if you don't' see the design or color you want in my shop --> www.etsy.com/shop/Meadowknight… . Email is a better way to contact me than DA notes, as I am not as active on here as I am in email and facebook. My email is meadowknight@yahoo.com.  There is also a small chance I may have to shut down my Storenvy too...but it depends on how busy I get, and hey if I don't get the job I'll keep my shops open! Here is my storenvy where you can find my art toys...again please contact me if you are serious about buying anything and don't see the color or character you want :) --> meadowknight.storenvy.com/



In other news I have a new AMP figure in the works, who is 95% done now (he's further along than this photo currently, the front half is baked and the back half is mostly done now). I have been working on him on the weekends in my spare time. His name is "Cliffhanger Crestie" and he is an action/adventure crested gecko :). He's holding a grappling hook gun, and the one shoe is a tribute to vintage TMNT toys, lol. His clothing is inspired by Indiana Jones! He will be available in my storenvy shop as soon as possible, hopefully before I get too swamped! Already about 20 or so people on a crested gecko facebook group I'm in want to buy this little dude! So looks like I will be casting a lot of him!

Thank you for reading, and please support my Amusing Mini Paranormals (AMP) page on facebook by clicking "like" :)  www.facebook.com/AmusingMiniPa… .
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Hey guys!

First off, how some of my journals start :P...SORRY for not replying much to comments or notes! These past few months have been pure insanity, lol. Mostly good insanity, aside for when I was sick for an entire week which led to a month-long cough :P, but just been craaaaaaaaaaaaazy busy mainly! Between here, facebook, email, and my two online shops...when I get especially bogged down it's hard to keep up with all my online communications! If you need to reach me and haven't heard back within a few days, feel free to shoot me a reminder, or email me at meadowknight@yahoo.com. I'm juggling a odd mix of things so it's easy to get distracted and forget.

Wow...so 2015 is actually off to a pretty cool start! I got slammed with tons of holiday orders, which I am still catching up on (I have two werewolves to paint, casting orders to fill, and a sculpt commission to finish among other things!). This has been my best year so far for holiday sales, which has been a crazy workload, but a total blessing to be making cash at what I love to do (though someday I hope to do more sculpting and less casting, casting is tedious and messy, lol). Then to make matters better, after an awesome time out at the beach with my family, and God answering even my silly little childish prayers to find some large seashells for the first time in my life...lol. God is seriously so awesome, out of my entire family with ALL of us beachcombing finding tons of tiny shells, I was the only one who found large shells, and I found like 6! Most of those completely hidden in the sand! That may seem like a silly thing to be happy over, but I thought it was pretty cool considering I am 32, have an eagle eye for finding even the smallest things, and have wanted to find shells like these since I was 6 but never have until now when I simply asked God, lol. That being said, to those of you who do pray...I encourage you to ask God for even the silly little things in life you may want, I think He appreciates the acknowledgment. It was one of those perfect days out with the people I love most, and nature. After that great day, something else very cool happened; I came home to a post on my AMP (Amusing Mini Paranormals) facebook page regarding a video review that included my mini figure series!

I had sent some of my figures to George Gaspar (October Toys), as a thanks for some figures he gave me (that he and his company does). He and his wife also do a program called Toy Break, which is a toy/review show. They opened the package I sent right on their show (which they have on their website and on youtube). They reviewed my figures in depth, and their show has quite a following! This is not something I was expecting them to do, since neither of them said they were going to review my stuff. Not only was the review completely positive...but as at least a few of you know, I had some major drama with trolls leading to me being banned on their forum. I am still banned on there, lol. For a handful of months I was not on good terms with them due to what went down, and how it was handled (which I still don't agree with, but I have moved on). At Designer Con where I had a booth this last November I was able to speak to both George and his wife Ayleen, which really helped clear the air. It's easy for things to get twisted up online...sometimes I think the only way certain fences can be mended is by speaking to the person face to face. Thankfully these people live in the same state as me, so I was able to do that at Dcon. Online you don't have the instant reactions in a conversation to read off body language, and tone of voice. That convention resulted in mended fences, many sold AMP figures (the reactions off kids seeing my figures was especially heartwarming!), and it also strengthened what used to be only online acquaintances. Since having a booth there, the tables have completely turned for me in where I stand in the indie "toy scene" (sorry but I still find it kinda funny that it can be called a "scene" lol! SERIOUS SERIOUS toys...lol.). People are being very supportive now, and most of the trolls have slinked back into their cesspits away from me. Some of the people who have my back now too, are also very successful and popular indie toy makers, making it much more fun and easy to do what I love knowing some of these guys are looking out for me a bit. Sometimes we all just need people to have our backs in a crowd that peppered with bullies among the sweet people. One of these pros (Marty Hansen, AKA THEGODBEAST) even led to me receiving over 100 page likes on my AMP facebook page in just over a day...it's not like him doing that benefits him in any way! I really couldn't have hoped for a better reversal, and trolls really tried to burn all my bridges not that long ago. This video review is great for those reasons, not just that it's a great review of my work! It just really makes me feel better on a personal level that even some of the people I ended up on the wrong foot with, can turn the other cheek, making it easier for me to do the same.  If you would like to see the review, it starts at about 37 minutes into this episode of Toy Break. -->  
All that being said, reviews like these are just what I need to get the word out to help build a following with my mini figure series. I was able to meet a few people in person at Designer Con who have their own figures now made into PVC plastic (Marty being one of them too). Not trying to name drop here, but for the sake of explaining the now very real possibility of my figures being produced into PVC...one of these guys, Matt Doughty (Onell Design), offered that if I wanted I could have my AMPs produced through the factory he uses overseas for his Glyos line! Matt is truly an awesome guy, and I'm not saying that to be a butt kisser here! He's just one of those human beings who wants to help people when he can, if they get the following/interest they need to fund their stuff. For now at least, whether that actually happens for my AMPs (PVC production) is fully dependant on a following to help fund the overseas production. Matt has advised that I build a following up as much as possible before doing something like a Kickstarter or similar. Factory production costs thousands for the steel injection molds, and hundreds for casting up quantities of at least a thousand figures. The advantage is huge though, the fun part being that figures are made into authentic toy plastic! But this is also much cheaper than the hand casting I am doing now (and would mean I could focus more on sculpting too). Factory production would be better for my customers not just myself, someone could basically own a package of 3 to 5 figures for the price they would pay for ONE hand cast piece. This all being said? If anyone reading this has an interest in mini figures, or indie art toys in general (or just supporting an artist)...please checkout/pass on this review, and share my AMP facebook page. Anyone who appreciates art, indie projects, and/or toys may enjoy my AMP characters. Here is a link to the facebook page! If you would like to support my silly minifigures, please like the page and spread the word :) www.facebook.com/AmusingMiniPa… .

I don't want to make this much longer than it already is, but the year feels off to a mostly nice start. I am hoping to wrap up some projects and work towards getting back into a studio in the hopefully near future, or more professional contract work since that has paid me well in the past. One thing POSSIBLY worth mentioning, that is still a huge maybe...is I reached out to Safari Ltd. recently. Some of you may know of them. They do realistic toy dinosaur, animal, and fantasy creatures and have been around since..oddly..the year I was born! Recently I have gotten VERY into crested geckos, and noticed they don't have any crestie figures! I approached them in an email asking if they ever take on private contractors for their figure sculpts, and suggested I wanted to do a crested gecko. I am not sure if this will actually happen or not, but I have already exchanged a few emails with them, and I may be sending them some of my work to review :). I'm just waiting to hear back on which pieces they want me to send. Fingers crossed, I will definitely post updates if I end up doing any work for them, but depending on their rules I may not be able to discuss what I may work on specifically. Being someone who collects some of their figures, I seriously hope I can do some work for them, crested gecko or not. This is their website if you are not familiar with them. I have mostly their dinosaurs and dragons, butr also own soem of their animals..most of their figures are top notch and beautifully painted! Not something you see often with mass produced figures. --> safariltd.com/

Thanks for reading guys, and here's hoping 2015 is a good year for all of us :).  God bless!

~Angela
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I have been very blessed with some people in my life recently who have greatly helped me out through a financial dry spell this month, and part of last. It has allowed me to accomplish buying tons of art supplies I needed, and even had someone trade me some supplies they sell in exchange for my art!

I am doing my absolute best to prepare for Designer Con (Nov 8th-9th), where I invested $350 in a booth months ago in advance. I have been working around the clock, but I still very much need to make some more sales to finish preparing. My booth still needs some signs printed out, and certain supplies to present my stock. I was also hoping to have some buttons or stickers printed out to give to my customers. Sales this month have been so slim though (they have been much better other months)! 

Many of you guys have purchased my artwork in the past, and some have not. If you have, and could leave a comment showing others that you enjoy my work, I would appreciate it. If you have not bought any of my work, please consider buying some :). Even $10 makes a big difference right now...so even if you bought one mini figure for $12.00 for example, or a pendant for $25.00, that covers SOMETHING I need for my booth, or buys me a meal for that day. Any help at this time would be greatly appreciated. I have a birthday coming up as well on Nov. 4th!  If you would like to make a Designer Con birthday donation (lol), please send anything through paypal as a "gift" to meadowknight@yahoo.com :)

For those of you who know me well, I don't ask for things unless I really need them. God always provides me with everything I NEED, and often what I want. Even if I can't raise anymore money in time I am thankful for what I have, which is a lot of blessings already. Still it would be nice to afford things like some buttons and stickers to give to my customers :)

Links!

Send me a Designer Con support birthday donation? Hey, I'm a big girl but still have birthday wishes :P. meadowknight@yahoo.com 

Mini figure store! NOTE: The glowing slime display is the LAST ONE, and probably the last GLOW IN THE DARK one I will offer for sale. My mini figures are growing in popularity, and so far everyone who has bought one is very happy! - meadowknight.storenvy.com/

My very popular pendants, werewolf, & dragon figures :)www.etsy.com/shop/Meadowknight…

Thank you for reading guys, and for your years of friendship and support! If you're as broke as me this month and can't afford to donate or buy my work, I fully understand! This is just me reaching out to anyone who can help. If not, I'll be alright! God bless.

~Angela
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