Researching Resources

I have been to many art sites since I got into the field back in 2004, but most of the sites I've been to focus more on traditional art like hand drawing, painting, and figure drawing. I have great respect for these fields since I lack the nimble fingers and the talent to be a great hand drawn artist. The only real site that I have been a part of that gave me a great look into the 3D art field is Deviantart and even then most of the people do it more out of habit than wanting an actual career. Although, some are still very good.


I decided to really look into two sites: polycount and cgsociety. From what I've seen from looking at both sites for the past couple of days is that they seemed to be two sides of the same coin.


Polycount seemed to more focus on getting feedback on your work to find ways to make it better and improve your skills. You post on that site because you know that you need work and you want opinions or even ideas on how to make your work better. Just from the small post I stated, I got allot of feedback form people who gave me tips to make my work better and they did it in a kind and even humorous way. It really feels like they want you to succeed.


Although, it wasn't completely sunshine on this polycount. It was one post, but it was so rude and over the top that it was jarring. The most disappointing thing that no seemed to have reported or has any qualms about the post and poster. I will not give the name but this is what this person wrote:

I gotta hand it to you, I didn't think anyone could do it. But you did.

This is the worst piece of crap I ever seen. You just single-handedly destroyed video-game art. This piece is so bad, that it's offensive to our very art form. Really can't imagine anything worse than this. It's offensive to the senses. The Hindenburg wasn't as much as a disaster as this is. Only 35 people died in that one, but I predict mass suicides over this. I know I'll be quitting game art and switching to photography after this.

Way to completely trivialize 20 years of game art.

Talk about melodramatic right and I personally thought the artwork was very well done.

Cgsociety, to me seems more focus on the professional side. You go there when your work is nearing completion and you want some last minute ideas for touch ups. I seems this way because the work I've personally seen on that site are head and tails above most of the work on Polycount. They seemed close to the professional level and they have artists who make stuff that rivals some of the best 3D work in high tier games like Mass Effect or Gears of War. It was a really humbly experience to see how far I still have to go, but it also made me proud too. Mostly because the people use terms and ideas that I didn't know or really understood not even a year ago. I also understood the techniques they used and can apply their own creation into my own future work.


Overall, I like both websites and I wish I found them earlier. Both formats are clean and you can't get lost. They are also both healthy and active communities unlike most sites I visited which has a very small and selected pool. I will definitely be using both in the future, although my main focus will be polycount for the time being.

Ethics of Character and Personality

I was asked for this week's assignment in my Portfolio to talked about my ethics and personality.


When I really think about, I guess you could say that I wear two faces. One is something that only my close friends, family, and even people in my classes get to see, but another is a side that I chose to show to strangers because I feel insecure about how they may accept my true self. This mask was created when I was still in grade school and I was mercilessly teased for being different.


My 'public' face you could say is reserved, quiet, and shy. This side of me rarely talks or share personal views. I guess I know that a few of my views or personally values are not too popular with certain people and I don't wish to cause division, so I keep allot of my ideas to myself. As stated earlier, I was bullied as a kid and my reserved personality was created so I could be more friendly and get more people to like me. Regardless of the fact that I went to college and had a more open pool to share my thoughts and ideas, allot of my reserved personality still reminds.


Another factor in my shy demeanor is my voice. Since I started school I had always had speech problems and it made it hard for people to understand me. The main weapon my bullies used against me was how I sounded 'strange'. As you saw from my introduction video, I has an accent, despite the fact that my first and only language is english and I only left the country once in 2008. I feel very aware when I talk and what people may think of me. I had some in my school that thought I was mentally retarded.


My true self, which is shown when I get comfortable with people, is blunt, somewhat mean when provoke, and has a dark/crude sense of humor. I can be too blunt and say things I most likely shouldn't say out loud. I also found I have a loud speaking voice that caused people to hush me, which annoys me. I feel I should be able to speak my views out loud to my friends without some stranger given me nasty looks. Especially when it comes to politics and religion discussions.


I think the most dividing factor with me is that my humor can get on some people's nerves. Namely I like to make fun of awkward situations, mostly myself and my brother, and it can come off wrong if the person doesn't know where I am coming from. Which causes allot of walk back to get my foot out of my mouth. This maybe why I don't like to talk when I don't know people since my communication seems to suck at best at times.


When I do talk to people, I prefer to talk about school and if I am really comfortable questions of ethics, philosophy, and even religion. I this really happened after my first year in college when I really had a taste to have discussion with people who all had diverse ideas and morals, which really expanded my mind and spirit. It also gave me a new insight into my own religion and how I see the world. It also allowed me to see the other side of people's beliefs.


Of course, I do enjoy talking about art and video games. However, it's hard to find people who are willing to discuss video games in an intellect and artist way. The only person I really have is my brother, who shares allot of my interest.


This pretty much discussed me in a nutshell, give or take a few details. I am not the easiest person to get along with and my years of being bully had made me kind of a loner. However, I can be pleasant, friendly, and I do think I can be a good friend.

First post

Hello, my name is Ramona and this is my first ever blog.

I am creating this for both my masters class and for future usage. This will be the place where my past and future artwork will be posted for any future employer to look at to see my growth and vision as an artist.

I have a BA in Graphic Design, which I received from from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During my four years in college I spent three month studying aboard in London to learn about the arts in a new environment. It was a worth while experience and I recommend anyone to go overseas at least once in their lifetime.


At the moment, I am working on my Masters at the Academy of Arts University. I am an online student and I am also working as a freelance Graphic Designer. By the the time I get my Masters I hope to be working in the game field as a someone who works on textures, lighting, and level building in video games.




http://gostargirl.blogspot.com/p/portfolio-pieces.html