Malia Tahca Ska by *JayelDraco

A Vision of the Future
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Malia: A Hawaiian name meaning calm and peaceful
Tahca: Is a Lakota word for Deer
Ska: Is a Lakota word for White
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Malia, the model for this piece, once told me that her father not so many years ago confided in her about a dream he had before she was born. Her parents where young and unsure when they became pregnant with her. They where not sure if they where going to keep their baby. One night he had a vision that his wife had given birth to a White Doe. He did not know what this meant, but he knew that he would keep this child, and so he did. She has grown up to become a well versed traveler, wise beyond her years, with a good sense of humor, a kind heart and a trumpeting spirit. When she told me the story of her fathers dream, I knew the image I would make and the story to go along with it.

There is a telling that spans many tongues of many native American Tribes. It is, the telling of the Rainbow Warriors in the time to come. Of the many Peoples who hold faith to this telling, It was a Lakota Medicine man who first told me many years ago, and so I will tell you the way I was told.

It is said:

“There will come a time when the earth is sick and the animals and plants begin to die.
Then the Native Americans will regain their spirit and gather people of all nations,
colors and beliefs to join together in the fight to save the Earth:
The Rainbow Warriors.”

- Ancient Native American prophecy -

~From – Warriors of the Rainbow~

Now this is the whole of the truth in it’s shortest summary. There were and still are many faith keepers, medicine men/women and prophets in their own right who speak of this. Of them many have had their own visions of how this would come to pass. Many have spoke of signs. The Prophet Ptesan Wi (the white buffalo Women) came to the Lakota. She left behind her teachings, and prophecy. In her prophecy she spoke of a sign of the times when these things would take root. “When the White Buffalo is born you will know the time has begun.”

In 1994 Miracle the White Buffalo was born on a farm in Janesville, Wisconsin. She was the first of her kind, an inexplicable genetic anomaly. More have been born in various places since. Other animals have also been born inexplicably white, not albino, white. Including Deer, Crows, Sparrows, and many others. The anomaly seems to be spanning the more common animal totems at an increasing rate. Many say the time is now, the time of empires is at an end, as the time of The Tribe is dawning.

With globalized communication at our fingertips, information readily available, and sweeping economic decline, It would seems that if not ready we are at least primed for such change. A change in our selves fortified by remembering the old while pre-tending the new. We learn more and more how to balance with every step as we move forward consciously.

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Model: Malia “Tahca Ska” Kulip

Concept, Costume, Directing: *JayelDraco

Photography: *JayelDraco & *Blackscarab333

__STOCK_________________________________________________________________________________________________

=SalsolaStock
http://fav.me/d1lqydz

~Sammykaye1sStamps

http://sammykaye1sstamps.deviantart.com/art/Fern-1-88010724

http://sammykaye1sstamps.deviantart.com/art/Grass-2-PNG-82781348

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Resources shot by *JayelDraco for this piece:

http://jayeldraco.deviantart.com/art/Malia-Tahca-Ska-Background-175802773

http://jayeldraco.deviantart.com/art/Malia-Tahca-Ska-Pose-01-175803190

http://jayeldraco.deviantart.com/art/Malia-Tahca-Ska-Pose-02-175803273

I chose to upload these three images to show as examples of my self shot resources as they are the prime image components. However, there where many other details from many other pictures that I have taken over the last few years used in this piece. For the sake of brevity I chose to omit them.
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TIP: For atmospheric perspective along with color palette homogenization, use several copies of a “Photo Filter Adjustment Layer” (ie. sepia or warming) at low opacity (try 10% or less). Place one copy in front of your Deepest background layer, one copy in front of your mid background layer, one copy in front of your character layer, and one copy in front of your foreground layer. The result will be a pleasing color palette homogenization with atmospheric perspective.

If your piece has much more layers (as mine usually do) use more copies of your chosen photo filter interspersed throughout your layers at an even lower opacity. This will give you an even subtle build up to the washout of your furthest background elements.

Descriptions:
Color Palette Homogenization: This refers to a consistency of colors within a piece. The appearance of any object is effected by the colors of objects around it as well as the color of the light source(s). When placing elements from various photos into one compositions, Often the color difference between objects can be disturbing to the analytical observer. (Ie: one object is warmly lit, while the one next to it is cool) Homogenization refers to making them appear to be effected by the same variables.

Atmospheric Perspective: in addition to Z axis perspective (Objects getting smaller as they get further away) Objects also have more atmosphere between you and them as they go further back in space. The color of an object is effected by photons from the light source(s) bouncing off of particles in the air as well as the color of the air-born particles them selves. So the further back an object is, the more it’s color is effected by the atmosphere until it totally blends in and disappears. (Ie: sky in front of a mountain, a distant mountain will appear to be translucent as if you are seeing the sky through it. When in fact, you are seeing the sky in front of it.)

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As always, I will thank you kindly for your much appreciated questions, comments and suggestions. . .
However, PLEASE RESPECT THE MODEL or you just might end up with an arrow stuck in your butt.
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The Universe does not take sides, it only upholds the balance.
If upholding the balance is your intent, the universe is on your side.
Mitakuye Oyasin (all things are related)

More…

Thank you for reading. Please forgive me for being so forward. I must tell you, as off-putting or schmaltzy as it may sound, I am crying as I type this. These are not tears of sadness, these are not tears of joy. . . These are tears of catharsis from beauty overwhelming. This entry is dedicated to my Mentor, the man who resolved the conflict between my analytical and creative mind. He helped me to see how they could work together, that they are one in the same and have been all along. A fierce and gentle man, a proud and humble man, a complexly simple man. A man named JACK POTTER.

I remember fondly the first day I met him in September 1999. I was late and unprepared for my first day of his class “Drawing and thinking: A gym class for the mind” at The School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. I tried to sneak in hoping I could slip to my seat unnoticed. As I opened the door, my fox crawl was interrupted by a booming voice reciting a close fisted statement of disappointment. “Oh crap, I’m screwed” I thought to myself. I looked up and saw a powerful bald man in all black throwing a sketchbook across the room and commanding it’s previous holder to leave the room at once. “Oh good he wasn’t yelling at me, maybe he didn’t notice. . . If I could just slip over to that empty seat. . .” Then he looked up at me. “Oh crap, here we go” I thought to myself. He marched straight over to me. I smiled at him, the kind of dumbfounded smile a kid gives when caught with a hand in the cookie jar.

The fierce bald man looked me up and down hastily, then locked eyes with me. I didn’t dare look away. He squinted with smiling eyes and in a voice I wish text could convey starting at a squeaky high pitch and dropping to and impossibly low pitch seamlessly he said, “WELL, WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU. . . YOU LOOK GOOD. . .” He took me by the wrist gently and led me over to an empty seat. I carefully sat down as the whole class watched in fear. “I SEE THAT YOU’RE UNPREPAIRD. . .” he said gently. He then proceeded to take the pad and ebony pencil from the student next to me and placed it on my lap. “THAT’S FINE.” he added. I felt like a lamb being led to the slaughter. He pointed to the still life in the center of the room and commanded me “DRAW. . . DON’T WORRY, I JUST WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO.” The whole class was watching while I drew with a shaky heavy hand the objects I saw in front of me, starting with the outlines because I was trying to save time. (Jack always wrote in all caps with a bold thick ebony pencil, this was also reflected in his manner of speaking)

I remember thinking to myself, “Okay, this trap is about to spring any moment. This guy is totally toying with me”.  Before I could finish my thought or the drawing, he snatched the page from the borrowed pad I was using. Held it up to the light as if he was trying to see through it.

“WELL THAT’S JUST LOVELY.” he said in an unnervingly melodic voice as he started walking away. He tore off a piece of tape from his white tape roll and taped it to the wall. The whole class was still watching in shock.  I’ve never had an experience quite so unintelligible and I quickly realized that this man was an awesome man indeed.

For the next three years I took one of his classes every semester, modeled for his classes before, between and after mine. Every moment that I got a chance I was in his room listening intently to his words, words that I knew would forever change me. . . and so they have. Jack wasn’t one of these professors who couldn’t hack it as a professional and fell back on teaching. He was a successful Illustrator making waves in the field when he decided he wanted to teach. His legacy was built in those who became his students, the artists that he changed forever.

I can recall many instances when he and I would be having a conversation that he’d have to cut short to give a class critique. During his critiques would go on about such things as the importance of good opposition making analogies about “THE BOLD AND THE DAINTY: THE STEAK AND BROCCOLI”. Then he come back over and pick up right where we left off seamlessly applying everything he said in the class critique to whatever we where talking about.

When modeling for him, a pose would often be broken up into 15 minute intervals or so. He would use his multipurpose white tape (which also served as white out) to mark the pose on the floor so the model could have an easier time returning to it. When I was done with a pose he’s come over and stick a piece of tape on my shoulder to let me know it was time. Then he’d tell me what he liked about the pose or what I was wearing. It was very important to him to convey which details where ignorable and which details were the “SPRINKLES ON THAT LARGE SCOUP OF ICE CREAM”. He’d express the importance of drawing the outer most contour of a pair of pants and perhaps the belt loops while ignoring the belt altogether and maybe adding in the outline of one pocket if it was particularly obtrusive to do so. . .  In this way, shapes are abstracted and you must see what the shape really is, so as not to fall back on iconic detail to convey what a thing is. “FEEL THE SHAPE” he would say. When I wasn’t feeling it while drawing, he would either prompt me to get up, take my pad a draw while I watched in awe, or place his hand on mine and guide me through the motion of the shape. In one quick continuous decisively zig-zaging line, the contour of a person would somehow convey their splitting image. To this day I can vividly hear him in my head when I draw. Sometimes I can almost feel his hand guiding mine the way he would occasionally do so in class.

I fondly remember the last day I saw him. As I was getting ready to leave his class and made my way over to him to say goodbye, he put his hand on my shoulder and said “REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT, I AM ALWAYS HERE FOR YOU, AND I WILL ALWAYS HELP YOU ANYWAY I CAN.” Then he hugged me, a deeper hug than he ever had before. It still warms me to remember it. I thanked him and merrily skipped off. When I got to my next class I noticed he snuck a piece of tape onto my shoulder. It gave me a good laugh.

A few days later after a particularly stale history class, eager to convey some revelation or another with him, I dashed across town  toward 209 23rd street room 501 The Jack Potter Room. Looking back I suppose my intended report was something akin to a puppy bragging to a seasoned service dog that it had discovered it’s tail. Jack never minded hearing about my “revelations” and always politely listened with gentle but sturdy follow up advice. I made my way over to the main building of SVA on 23^rd street. I was about to fly through the doors when I was stopped by John Ruggeri. John was a long time friend, colleague and student of Jacks. I remember John placing his hand on my shoulder and leaning in to lock eyes with me. “Did you hear about Jack?” he asked.

“No, but I’m on my way up to see him now.” I hastily replied between breaths.

“Jack died” he said in a soft and sincere voice.  I don’t know if he said anything else after that. A wall of blackness swept over all sound and vision. I don’t know how long I stood there for, I couldn’t see or hear anything. I remember somehow ending up in the cafeteria sitting across from John with a coffee in front of me. I remember the concern on his face. At one point he said “I’m sorry, I realize your very sensitive. Perhaps I went about telling you the wrong way” It was strangely comforting that he was thinking of me when he and Jack where so close for so long. I’m really not sensitive about many things, but Jack had given me a gold star in life, in a way that no one has prior or since. It was very kind of John to take time out to comfort me. I imagine it wasn’t easy for him. If I remember right (it was a whirl of emotion and cloudy thought) John informed me that he had a class to teach and pointed out that the news of Jacks passing to his current students might be easier coming from another student. I was supposed to model for his next class in which, many of the students where my piers. I found my resolve, it gave me purpose, a thing to do. I made my way up to his room room 501. It was empty save one or two students who always showed up early because they had an off period before his class.

I stood in the mostly empty room for a few minutes unsure of what time it was. Was I early or late? Did everyone leave already? For the couple of student in the room, I decided I would do what I came to do. I wanted to tell them the news but I couldn’t speak. I walked over to the riser in the middle of the room that served as jacks model stand and I posed. It was my best attempt at a classical arms outstretched before me hands and face upturned to the sky marble statue pose I could muster. I held the pose and the students in the room began drawing. More and more students began to show up. I was early, class was just about to start. About 15 minutes or so into the class someone, I don’t remember who, opened the doors and informed everyone of Jacks passing, I choked a little but continued holding my pose. Students were looking around confused, unsure of what to do. I continued holding my pose waiting for Jack to tell me I was done. Some of the students left disheartened, some left crying out loud. To my surprise, many of the students stayed and continued drawing some audibly weeping while they did, some silently.

I held the pose until I was shaking and my muscles burned, then I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked and no one was there. I understood that it was Jack telling me I was done. Perhaps I imagined that hand because I wanted so strongly for it to be there, perhaps it was there. Either way, I knew I was done. I stepped down from the riser, exchanged gratitude with the students who stayed. I left and headed over to Madison Square Park, where I sat on a bench for a while wondering if I was dreaming. I felt a slight itch on my shoulder. I reached to scratch it and discovered a piece of white tape. Stuck right where I felt the hand on my shoulder. In the same place that Jack had stuck a similar piece just a few days prior. I was laughing and crying so loud I’m shocked that no one called an ambulance or the police. To this day that piece of tape rests rolled up in the medicine bag I wear around my neck. I carry Jack with me everywhere I go.

A couple of days ago I received an email from Daniel Zalkus, a student of Jacks, about an article(jack-potter-create-art-because-you-love) he wrote about Jack for the website: www.todaysinspiration.blogspot.com. The email was addressed to several others as well. We all began corresponding with our stories about Jack. It’s really nice to read so many fondly remembered stories nearly 7 years since his passing. Daniel was even kind enough to send me a drawing that he did of me in Jacks class:

"Standing" by Daniel Zalkus

Daniel has since posted another article about Jack: jack-potters-philosophy-on-teaching-you

I remember onetime I showed up to Jacks class and greeted him asking  how he was doing, to which he replied “I KNOW YOU MEAN WELL, BUT PEOPLE AT MY AGE DON’T WANT TO BE ASKED HOW WE’RE DOING. JUST TELL ME IT’S GOOD TO SEE ME AND THAT I LOOK GOOD” That’s always stuck with me. I wasn’t even really asking how he was doing. I meant it only as a greeting. His reply incited me to think about the insincerity of common conversational language. Now from time to time when I speak or draw I ask my self if I’m really saying what I intend to say.

Jack Potter A Mentor to many

Jack Potter

Nov. 27, 1927 – Sept. 14, 2002

You look good Jack. . .

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/23/arts/jack-potter-74-illustrator-who-turned-to-teaching-dies.html

To start with, the music video for “History Lessons” by the band Dinosaur Feathers (directed by Christopher Piazza) has been officially completed as of April 2010. It is currently expected to premiere sometime in June. The official details of it’s premiere are still being worked out. I will post more when I know more.

The formation and launch of  Creative Logic Studios has been a notable accomplishment. Creative Logic Studios is a webdesign company comprised of various free-lancers including: Amanda Kellman(the company founder), Corinne Alexis Hall, Jayel Draco, and Christopher Covelli. As a team, each member specializes in specific goal oriented tasks, working together to solve the creative needs of our clients companies. The creative needs we are more than qualified to fulfill as a team include but are not limited to:  Logo Design, Graphic Design, Branding, Website Design and Implementation,  Web & TV Commercial Videos, E-commerce, Website SEO, etc. . . This undertaking has been time/thought consuming, but has already proven to be well worth it.

A complete overhaul on director Christopher Piazza’s website panopticonnyc.com has begun and is expected to be completed in early June. The first incarnation of the site I created using Adobe Flash CS3 AS2.0, the revamp will utilize cutting edge coding and fully customized features created in Adobe Flash CS4 AS 3.0.  Expect a slicker quicker and even more unique website capable of deploying enumerable streaming HD videos with little to no load time.

I have been working with various models on photo-shoots for fantasy photo-manipulation illustrations. Some of these have been recently posted to my image gallery: http://www.jayeldraco.com/gallery/main.php, while some of them have been for semi-long-term multi-shoot conglomerate projects which will certainly be posted about upon there completion.  You can expect to see some recurring models as well as a slew of new models in my gallery updates to come.

The project “Nomi Now!” has had new progress renders posted on the newly revamped project progress site: gettingtonomi.com. As you may know, this project has been a labor of love on and off the back burner for the past few years. Please check out the website to learn more.

Well, I think that about sums up the things that I can mention in my happenings as of late. There are still more progress updates to come. Many of these updates however must remain in the proverbial “bag” for the time being. I look forward to being able to let you know more.

Again, thanks for reading
and keep rockin. . .
=j=

So the Studio shoot day on Jan.23 went really well. There where a couple of snags on production side that where quickly circumvented with cleaver spur of the moment problem solving. The shooting it’s self was excellent we captured everything we need on schedule despite delays. When we finally got the footage back a couple weeks ago, everything was crisp, in focus and as planned. The “R3D cam” it was shot with was an incredible piece of high tech whoopass. Editor Andy Giles cut a rough edit of the video and gave us the specific footage for compositing and effects.

The main bulk of green screen compositing went well. If I didn’t do the compositing myself, I might assume it was practical effects. It’s amazing what a difference ultra high res footage makes.

The animation went REALLY well. Corinne put together a library of animated elements and illustrations for me to put together in to scene which where used as background plates. The background plates then had the hero character composited in for the “Trippy Dream Sequence” . I got say I’m proud of it and can’t wait to see it on the big screen.

For now, it’s all back in the hands of Writer/Director Chris Piazza and Editor Andy Giles.
I’m certain that for the sake of the final edit, we’ll end up having to swap out some of our footage, but that’s to be expected and wont take long.

Looking forward to being able to invite you to the premiere.

Keep Rockin. . .
=j=

Yesterday with our costumes complete we started our day in Monroe, NY accompanied by a small crew of 8 at 5:30 AM. Outside in the snow all day until sunset Corinne and I Puppeteered our hearts out for the camera. With special thanks to the work of “super-on-it” Assistant Director Sara Blake, the first day of shooting was completed on schedule with time for a few extra shot thrown in for good measure. Today I awoke with the sharp pain of deep tissue exhaustion snaking throughout my back, arms and legs.  The pain subsides as I focus on confidence in the knowledge that we gave it our best. I also find myself comforted by the knowledge that we have a week and a half of recovery and costume repairs until the next day of shooting.

The next day of shooting will be the 23rd. A warm indoors green screen studio is where Corinne and I will do the rest of our Puppeteering for the special effects shots. The day will be divided between the filming of our puppeteering and shooting Dinosaur Feathers performing. So in theory it should be a significantly easier day for us. After that Corinne and I will have our work cut out for us as we will be animating special effects and compositing them into the video with Photoshop, Flash, and After Effects.

I’ll fill you in on how the 23rd goes.

Keep Rockin. . .
=j=

As many of you know, Corinne and I have been working over at Neals Adams’ Continuity Studios for over a year now. A large potion of the time that we’ve spent their, has been spent developing sophisticated image… manipulation techniques and employing them as “Motioneers” on “The Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic”. Be in Union Square on 10/28 at 6pm to see the world premiere!

Don’t miss the big event!

Wednesday – October 28th in Union Square, NYC
The Live Outdoor Premiere of The Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic!

Event Schedule
4:00-6:00 – There will be a Creator signing at Forbidden Planet (840 Broadway on the corner of 13th street). The creators signing will include Neal Adams, Chris Claremont, and Dan Slott
6:00-6:30 – There will be Marvel Giveaways and a Costume Contest sign up. Be sure to dress as your favorite Marvel Character!
6:30-7:15 – The Marvel Costume Contest (Contest rules can be found at http://marvel.com/fest09/rules)
7:00 – Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic Book Premiere ( We think that that means, a break will be taken between showing the costumes and Handing out the prizes, to show the premire)

Woah, so apparently someone (presumably from Marvel) took clips from ‘The Astonishing X-men Motion Comic’ we’ve been working on over at ‘Neal Adams Continuity Studios’ and made a music video with them. It’s a good teaser for our yet-to-be released work.

Click here to watch it

As I pointed out in a previous blog entry, I have been subcontracted by the renowned Comic Book Artist Neal Adams’ of Continuity Studios to work on “The Astonishing X-Men” motion Comic as an Motioneer (type of animator). Progress has been swift in spite of the expansive work load. The techniques we started out with have been continuously evolving. We are really pioneering a new way of breathing life into 2d visual art, it has been quite an exciting experience to be a part of. When it come out, look for Jayel Draco in the credits!
Below you can see the latest official teaser release by Marvel.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n8oO5zVqSI

As cool as that is, I’m glad to say the actual final product is even better!

I chose to use a particularly moody photo from a very light hearted and fun shoot for this manip.  Mary is an excellent dancer with a high metabolism. She has an intense spirit and I’m used to her radiating intense joy, creativity and fun. It was very interesting for me to explore seeing her in a light that she doesn’t often portray. Interestingly enough not long after this photo was taken she had knee surgery and had to take time off from dancing and spent allot of time in her room while recovering. Her description of how she felt, was eerily akin to the way I was synchronistically depicting her in this “Verse of MaryBlue”.

Click thumbnail to view image
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Click here to view full size image in gallery

This Second piece is a concept sketch for “How Doyou Nomi?”, a photoshoot that I’ve had in mind for a little while now. The composition and poses here are more or less insignificant to the piece as interaction with model tends to allow for a superior organic development. I illustrated this to send to the model to give here an idea of what we’ll be wearing/doing. Even though it’s just a concept sketch, I’m happy with the way it came out, so I decided to post it. The idea of the piece is a sort of Klaus Nomi reference in the form of a glamour/lingerie/burlesque photoshoot. It will end up being a photomanipulation piece. The costume is finished and the shoot is scheduled.

Click thumbnail to view image
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Click here to view full size image in gallery

Thanks for reading my blog!
keep rockin. . .
=j=