Traveling

Dear Log,

Soon I will be traveling to Orlando, Florida. I hope it will be a relaxing, yet enlightening adventure. I plan to visit Universal Studios, and perhaps gain some insight about animation. I shall be traveling with my dear partner which proves already to be a wonderful idea. In fact it will be our two year anniversary on the 4th of July.  But enough of my personal life.

Recently I tried creating an animation of a dog walking. Luckily my friend, who we shall call Benji, pointed out to me that I had in fact missed some crucial stages in the walk cycle. I had forgotten to return the paws back to their original place, making the dog look unbalanced and awkward. I will try to improve this piece and add in those frames. The animation is only 12 frames which is hardly smooth, but it was more intended as a trial run for the style of walk.



You see, I want to create a short animation about my sister's dog Bailey. She is a spunky, happy, Pomeranian with a lot of attitude. She's not the smartest creature, but with all her energy it is impossible to not be enraptured by her actions. I was inspired mostly by the animation of Simon's Cat (A popular collection on animated shorts), and wanted to see if I could apply my style to the creator's style of animation.

I have found that it is a lot of work sitting down and just drawing frame after frame. Especially after having worked a full day at my job. I am usually not brimming with a lot of vitality by the time midnight comes. Yet, around that time is when I find myself doing any worthwhile projects, such as now where it is 11:30pm.

As of late my poor hand has been causing me a bit of frustration. It flares up in pain every once in a while which makes it very hard to hold any small objects like a pen or pencil. This causes me much annoyance. I have debated going to the doctor, but I fear they will not be able to do anything for it. I like to think that I am much too old to be having body part degeneration.

Well, I fear I have begun to ramble. This was supposed to be a short entry merely explaining my travel plans. I will try to come again and write tomorrow.

Godspeed and good travels,

                                                         S.A Laroche

History

Dear Log,

It seems I have been on this quest for artistic skills and success for quite a few years now. The years have come and gone leaving me the bristled age of 21. Upon looking at my old scraps of drawings I have noticed a bit change in the level at which I now currently work. Although I have improved it is still apparent that I have a long way to go.

When I gaze at the works by accomplished illustrators, animators and graphic designers I can still spy a noticeable gap in our experience. Over the past few years I have come to meet some very strong and influential individuals who constantly keep me inspired and motivated. I dare not write the names of those who have helped me in order to keep their privacy. Instead I shall give them "nick-names" by which to refer them as.

My mentor, Mister D, has been the majority of my support. When I first asked to apprenticed for him, he looked upon my work and flatly explained that: "It was the worst submission he had received". I was heartbroken, but he went on to explain that I had spunk, and drive and you cannot teach that in the real world. So he took me under his wing and let me work for him for a brief time.
Looking back at what I had given him, I realized how pathetic and mundane my work was. I hadn't deserved his kindness, but he gave it willingly and helped me to keep practicing.

Shortly after our first encounter I applied for work in a non-art environment in order to pay my fees, bills and expenses. It was tough work, I worked my hands bare (literally), and wanted so badly to give up. I had never worked full time hours and it took its toll on me. But I refused to give up, to quit was to accept failure. Instead I worked and worked, and eventually I improved in my work and within two years received two promotions to higher positions.

During this time I had enrolled myself into an Institute of Art through which I could send my work long distance. Technology is utterly fascinating in this age. Since then I have gone through two years of higher-education and I have come a long way. That's not to say I didn't struggle to aim for perfection. I, of course, have fallen short, as perfection is unattainable. We can only strive for our best, un-compared to other individuals in the world.

Currently I am still working at my full-time job, I am still enrolled in my schooling, I'm volunteering my work and I am also in the process of publishing one of my story book novels. My time seems to be fleeting and yet I do not regret all that I have taken onto my shoulders.

I have a strong support system from my loving partner, my devoted family, my inspirational comrades and my dedicated mentor. Let us see where my mind, my work and my drive shall take me. This is the first leg of the journey.

God-speed and safe travel,

                                                   S.A Laroche