New and Improved
Well, I did it. I stripped this site completely. Down to the bones, even.
Almost.
-I still must go through the store and take some things out, as well as create new, uniform thumbnail images for all the list products.
But other than that, this is a complete reboot of the website’s direction. Instead of dumping page after page and post after post of all the things I PLAN on doing, I am going to reserve all the space for only the things I HAVE done. And more importantly, presented in a format that I feel is clean, streamlined, and efficient. Which is why you will not find a few things here right away. Piece by piece over time (even previously posted blogs and projects) will gradually be added back in, but not until I figure out the best way to show them off. Like the comics. (I have found what I think is a good temporary solution for those, but I will get to that in a bit).
The Important Stuff
First up is putting scheduling front and center. Scheduling tattoo appointments is the prime traffic for the site and it only makes sense to make that the priority. Secondary, is the “showing off” of all the things I create. My understanding is social media (Instagram, FB, etc.) does most of the heavy lifting in that department, so the things I post on the site will be specially curated galleries and blog posts.
The Comics
The new Ivy and Autumn strip is up in Instagram for the August updates, but you can also see it here. You will not see it directly on this site until I determine the best way to do it, now that the format has changed (which I had alluded to previously). This new comic was a ton of fun to put together. Dialing in closer and closer to the art style I feel best suits them has been tedious and surprising, but I love it. I hope you guys are enjoying them too. Something new I have integrated into this month’s strip are video panels. Which is just a blast! They look so cool!!.. but wow... learning After Effects has been mind melting hahaha Obviously well worth the effort now that I see the final product. Scripting the comics has been the same tennis match of words and pictures... never knowing which side is informing the other till I see it on the pages... but I've been really fortunate in having Genevieve sign on as an editor. Her help has been truly invaluable and so appreciated. Even though I am sure it did not seem that way every time I would scowl at her dialogue revisions 😅
SHOP TALK
As Ivy and Autumn have announced, there's new stuff in the shop. Including digital gift certificates for the online store. Gift certificates for tattoo work will be coming, but it is a bit more difficult to work out. I went a bit more simple with the clothing designs this time around, but feel they are very strong. The two new paintings are also my favorites yet.
MUSIC TO MY EARS
And of course, there is Autumn’s Mixtape Monday playlists. The new entries now total 3 complete mixtapes, 6 one-hour sides, all with cover art. Not to mention, the “8 Glasses of Water Soundtrack”. The mega mix I use to keep me in the headspace of my characters when I am creating their world.
MMvol1: Sine Supremus (A)
Put on those wayfarers, slick back that hair, and let's take my DeLorean back to a time that still glows with hot pink neon. Here's the first installment in the MM Volume 1 series. - Autumn
MMvol1: Zero Charisma (B)
Side B of the best decade's pop explosion asks the question, "If Kenny Loggins wasn't on the soundtrack, was it even an 80's movie?" The answer is, "Nope." -Autumn
Heads vs Breakers: Heads (A)
Inspired by one of the best bands to ever come from my hometown, "Heads Vs. Breakers". Here's an ode to the origins of their namesake. Meet me in the parking lot after the last bell and let's get metal thrashing mad! -Autumn
Heads vs Breakers: Breakers (B)
Inspired by one of the best bands to ever come from my hometown, "Heads Vs. Breakers". Here's an ode to the origins of their namesake. Pop and lock that B-Boy stance before this dance battle gets bloody! -Autumn
Black Lipstick: Dead Souls (A)
This is probably the mix everyone was expecting from me. So, why not deliver the goods! Light up those candles, spark the incense, and try not to smear your eyeliner. It's about to get dark in here! -Autumn
Black Lipstick: Dark Stars (B)
Obviously, one side is not enough. It's more sad sing-alongs, citizens. Just be sure to keep out of direct sunlight! -Autumn
8 Glasses of Water Soundtrack
Whenever we are in the workflow at Shadowplay Studios, this is what we have going. An amalgamation of all tastes around the office, that still somehow manages to gel in surprising ways. This playlist should not work as well as it does, and that's what keeps me inspired. -Autumn
And that is it!
It was a ton of work. I loved every second of it. Let me know if you enjoyed it as well.
❤️
