OdysseyWestra

    Well, it has been awhile since I last wrote a journal update here on Deviantart. I mean, I've been active on social media, just not on this site as much as I should. Well that's going to change. I'm going through the process of optimizing how I manage my inter-webs, and day to day life. To be honest, I've been dealing with a depression for the past year or so. I've been getting by with the little money I get from little jobs and donating plasma, but it's really taken a toll on me. It even became more apparent when I began to gain weight to dangerous levels, and I'm not as active as I should be. Plus I've been getting frustrated with my artwork that I would just scrap it and give up on any illustration I would start on. So yeah, I need to work on myself. My problem is that I had a problem accepting myself and worry about what people around me think of me. So all-in-all I've been paralysedly by fear, and it's starting to show. I know depression is hard thing to deal with, and for some it too unbearable. I'm working on it and this is one of the steps I need to take. If I want to take my Freelancing work seriously, I need to get off my arse and get my work out there.

    One of things I want to do is get more involved with the open source community. It started when I meet Matt Hartley at LinuxFest Northwest in Bellingham, WA earlier this year. He was transitioning from being a co-host for a couple of Jupiter Broadcastings' podcast and promoting his new project Freedom Penguin with his Tee Spring Campaign. He is a really down to earth kind of guy and really enjoyed talking to him when we were helping out the JB crew. A half a year later, he sets up a website called Freedom Penguin a site for all thing Linux. Before Launch, I asked him if he was looking for contributors and He was really happy that I asked him. A few days later after beta launch, I wrote an article for why I as an artist use open source software which you can read here . Like stated in the article, one of my main goals is to interview the people behind the code and it's community. Also it will give me the opportunity to see how hard to do video production on Linux and write about in the future. So I'm glad that Matt took me on for Freedom Penguin, and I'll take this opportunity to contribute to the Open Source World.

    Like I sated earlier, I'm optimizing how I use my social media in my day to day life. With my website, I'm going to focus it as a portfolio and mainly post my best work that I'll be presenting to a potential client. With Deviantart, I'm going to be post more work everyday work like my doodles. One of the reasons I've been so frustrated with my illustrations is that I wasn't practising everyday and I really began to show in my most recent illustrations. I hope doing this will not only help improve my drawing techniques, but get to go out side and begin to bring my weight down to a more manage number. With Twitter and Google+, I'll reserve those place where people can strike up a conversation up with me, and post pictures of my day to day life beside drawing and writing.

    By the end of the year, I want to have the confidence to take on bigger projects like writing and drawing short Graphic Novel Stories, or be part of collaboration project. I really want to start a patreon page, so people like you can support me, but at the same time I want to earn it, and not do it with a half-heart. So I hope taking these steps will help me accomplish my goals. So for now, I need to take good strides cause it going to be a long road ahead of me, but in the end, I don't think I'll regret it. Depression can be a hard thing to get over, but it doesn’t mean I can't get out of it. Please help me by keeping me accountable and check in on me every once in a while. People will always have something to say. All one has to do is take that first step.

Around the Web:

Freedom Penguin:

    Check out my first article on freedom penguin about why me as an artist would use Open Source Software as my main tools. I hope it will spark a conversation in you and maybe get you introduce to the Open Source World. Don't worry we don't bite. ^^'

Art Status:

Sketch Requests:

OPEN - (2)
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Trades:

OPEN - (2)
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Collaborations:

OPEN - (2)
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Commissions:

Email me at odysseywestra@gmail.com and I'll get to you as soon as I can.
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Great Artist or Photgraphers to watch or chat with:

 

REMEMBER THERE IS ALWAYS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL...JUST BE CAREFUL IT'S NOT A TRAIN. ^^'

Update: (4/9/14) I've reduce the prices down for this commision type.


Hey guy, I’m really looking forward to Linux Fest Northwest this year cause it will be my first Linux convention ever. Plus I get to meet part of the Jupiter Broadcasting cast as well. Though money is getting tight mainly because I have to get my Driver License, and paying for various bill that have been long overdue. So in order for me to go to Linux Fest Northwest, I need your guy’s help.

    I’ve been a long time Sonic the Hedgehog fan ever since my dad introduce me on his Sega Dreamcast years ago. Plus I love to draw those characters due to their whimsical cartoon style. When people see my drawing of my Sonic style Original Character, the first question I’m always asked is , “Can you draw me as a Sonic Character?”. Back then I always decline, because I was self-conscience on my style of work, and didn’t feel comfortable drawing them. However, now I want to take up that challenge.

   So I'm opening commissions for pinup style Sonic Fan Characters. Whether it's to turn you or your friends into one of them, or maybe flesh out the most awesome Sonic Fan Character that been itching your head, I can do it. So how much will it cost? Here is the rundown:

   

    $5/400 dA Points - Sketch version

   $10/800 $8/640 dA Points - Inking version 

    $15/1200 $10/800 dA Points  - Full base Coloring

    The the work, from the sketch and up will be done on my Samsung Note Tablet with Artflow, and will be large enough to print on a standard 8” ½ x 11 paper at 300 dpi. Also if you purchase the Inking or Color versions, you'll get the separate Ink and/or sketch version as well depending on which one you choose.

    For payment, I will only use PayPal or dA points for payment. If you plan to pay with dA point, after we have an idea of what you are looking for use my Commission Widget to complete the transaction. The priority will be on a first come first serve bases. Once I get to you, I will contact you and ask for reference(s), description and payment upfront. I will do up to two characters per commission, however the price will be double. If you don’t respond to me in 24hr, I will have to move on to the next slot. If for some reason I am unable to finish your drawing, you will get a full-refund. Each drawing will take me up to 1 - 4 days to complete.

    Okay to get a hold of me either leave a comment below on this journal and I’ll note you, or click on the commission widget on my dA profile to get started if you are paying with points. If your on Google, start an hangout chat with me. Or you can email me at odysseywestra@gmail.com

    So to review:

1. Note, comment, hangout, or Email(odysseywestra@gmail.com) me letting me know your interested and I'll put you down in a slot. Emailing me is the fastest.(First Come First Serve)
   
2. Once it's your turn, I'll get a hold of you via the way you contacted me. During that time, have your description of your character, and reference(s) ready. You have 24hrs to reply or else I'll go to the next person in line.
   
3. Once we have an Idea of what you are looking for, Send me the required amount $5/$10/$15 via Paypal. If you plan on using dA Point, please use the Commission widget posted on my Deviantart Profile.
4. Once I receive payment, I'll get to work on your commission. If for any reason I cannot complete your commission, or you change your mind before I finish, I will issue a full refund, no questions ask.
5. Time to completion of Commission will be 1-4 days. Once finished, I'll send you a link so you may download it. You'll be able to print it on a standard 8 ½" x 11" paper at 300 dpi if you wish.
   
6. Enjoy and share.

    I'll be accepting commission requests of this kind till APRIL 23, 2014, so get them while they are hot.

    Alright, I hope you will enjoy this as much as I will, and Thank for those who has and will commission me. It really means a lot to me. Have a wonderful day!!

P.S. If you need help creating a description for you fancharacter, check out this document I scrape from a website a couple years ago at bit.ly/sonicfancharacter. I would have linked you guys to the original, but the original site is down, So I guess here's the back up.

I'm also open for other commissions as well, just shoot me an email at odysseywestra@gmail.com and we'll discuss business.

Art Status:

Sketch Requests:

CLOSED
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Trades:

CLOSED
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Collaborations:

CLOSED
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Contest:

NONE
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Commissions:

For all other commission inquires, email me at odysseywestra@gmail.com and I'll get to you as soon as I can.
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Great Artist or Photgraphers to watch or chat with:

Latest Youtube Video:

With the new year now in full swing I decided to create my own website with godaddys website hosting. This will be where I'll post my work as a portfolio and information on commissions and how to contact me. The website is at www.odysseywestra.com. Well that's all for now. I getting several little projects done and I hope to show themto you guys soon. Till then, I hope you guys are having a wonderful month. See ya! ^^

    These past couple of months I realized something about my self. I really overwhelm myself when taking on to many projects. I guess you say I have a boundary problem with telling myself no when it comes to taking on a responsibility I do not need to take. And in the end I feel burn out because I don't feel appreciated, or feel used. This goes for bother artwork and my personal life. One example was a past client of mine, which tried to pay me one way I didn't wanted to and in the end I ended up taking that payment and waiting a week till I was able to pull the money out and in my account. I really felt burn out because I had to stop what I was doing and focus on that which cause me to waste time I needed to finish other projects, plus the people I work with were partners and didn't communicate to each other which really frustrated me.

    So these last couple of months I've been laying out all my projects on a simple document and laying out a plan to complete them by 2015. One of the goals in mind is to become a full fledge self-employed freelance artist. This will require me to get an business name and a business license if I wish to do drawings during local events. I already have the main information I need, I just need to raise the money to get me started which should be no problem. Once I get myself more financially stable, I really want to work on the Off-the-Air webcomic on a weekly basis, plus another webcomic which my brother and I have been working on....slowly....

    Speaking of the Off-the-Air webcomic, I'm looking for a writer to help me come up the the scripts. I would like someone whom has at least have some experience in writing, but also is familiar with all the Shenanigans that happen over at the Jupiter Broadcasting Live Studio. Plus it doesn't have to be a full commitment just someone(s) who are willing to pitch ideas or help me create script for more webcomics. I will give you credit where it's due and then some, so if you interested drop me an email at odysseywestra@gmail.com.

    Also if you haven't notice, I'm shifting my focus on artwork other than sonic style artwork. I really need to expand my horizon or else I'll end up stuck in a rut, with me going nowhere. So you will see more unique artwork than fan artwork so I hope you guys look forward to those as well.

    Well that all I have for now, I hope you guys have a wonderful holiday season. See Ya.

azureXtwilight-rllz
"Her Character Mike for My Character Jazmine"