Salvete everyone!

Since fall (and HALLOWEEN) is upon us, it's high time for another journal entry.

Latest Geekulation

You know what's incomparably awesome? Warhammer 40K. I've been having a casual flirtation with it over the last year but things have accelerated over the last month and now I am absolutely, utterly addicted. Not sure why. Currently reading the Horus Heresy series, which is fantastic, so there will definitely be some 40k-related art making an appearance over the next while.

Costuming Projects

The initial projects I had planned for this summer, namely Jean-Paul Marat and the U-Boat commander's kit, aren't finished yet, which is mostly due to the necessity of finishing my Master's thesis and some rapidly changing interests that have beset me since I got home from Ontario. Consequently, these two have been put on hold in lieu of some new interests that have emerged. I spent a few weeks back in August putting together a late 15th century German 'jerkin' - we'll call it that because it's not quite a gown - which was inspired by Emperor Maximilian I, who takes the cake when it comes to Large Historical Noses. This is part of a larger German ensemble I'll be working on over the next while.

Now All Hallow's Eve is a slightly different story. Decided on my costume Thursday night and, for once, it's not historical. It is, in fact, Warhammer-related (surprise) and while I'm not giving out any details yet, you would probably be able to surmise if you take a look at the guys in my gallery (black hair, etc). There is also a much LARGER Warhammer-related costume in the planning stages at the moment. I'm particularly excited for this one since no one seems to have attempted it thus far. Hurhur. Mystery. Thus begins my foray into the world of hot glue and craft foam.

Real Life

Sometimes I get confused by the perimeter between real life and everything else. But I'm still working at the naval museum. Depending how things go, this COULD potentially turn permanent with a considerable increase in pay. Fingers crossed but I'm due to find out over the next couple of weeks.

Finally finished all of the work for my Master's in History, thank goodness. Will be heading back to Ontario with The Parents at the end of October for convocation.

Right, that should be it. Time to get back to sewing. Hope things are going well with everyone!

Good lord, how is it nearly summer already? Hmrrrmmmm... last journal post... November. Nothing like being on the ball.

How are things with everyone? I'm JUST about finished the Master's degree. What a year it's been and though it's just about finished, there is still a good chunk of stuff to do. Anyways, school is boring. Historical costuming, however, is not. Hurhur.

So as things stand right now, I have two major projects lined up for the summer. The first, as some of you know, is a full ensemble for my favourite French Revolutionary. It will be, as stated on LJ, 110% and I am incredibly pumped for the extent to which it will stretch my costuming/make-up skills.

The second is slightly off the beaten path. It's 20th century, it's WWII, it's German, it's Kriegsmarine, and I have to grow my eyebrows out. Those are the only details you get for now. Those of you on my LJ know precisely what I'm talking about. But this particular obsession has re-spawned since I started as assistant curator at the city's naval museum last week. The job is fantastic so far though the hour's commute is less so.

Anyways, if everything goes according to schedule, there should be some photoshoots around the end of June. Not sure which will get finished first. Likely the second one as things are right now since I can barely sleep at night with anticipation.

But aside from that, what does everyone else have planned for the summer? I hear of marriages, re-enactments, and other general craziness. Do tell!

Hey guys!

So grad school has consumed my life for the past two months and I've just barely emerged from a hellish week of frantic draft writes and Halloween endeavours. The lack of art and journal updates are testimony to how busy things have been and as I type this, I still need to read an appalling amount for colonial history tomorrow AND write a rather crucial grant application.

But all of that aside. It's art time now and god knows, there hasn't been enough of it. I haven't done anything 'finished' - hence, the few random pieces I'll be uploading in a minute. There is still TONNES of stuff I did in Europe that I haven't scanned yet. Also have a couple of paintings I'm working on but they won't be finished for a loooong time...

But I did put together a 1470s Florentine cioppa and chaperon so I could go as Lorenzo de' Medici to the History Department Halloween party. Did it all by hand too, since the sewing machine is back in Calgary. No pictures yet, though - sorry. While there is more than an abundance of suitable locales here, I'm not courageous enough to go out and take random pictures of myself in public places. It turned out well, though. And Lorenzo himself is a pretty neat guy. I soooooo don't have a history crush there...

In other news, I'm flying home in four days for convocation at the U of Calgary and am going to subvert established university practise by wearing my early 16th century duds under the gown, with my Myllan cap instead of one of those goddawful polyester mortar-boards. They will probably throw me out but it'll be worth it!

But it will be awesome to be home - see the fam, etc. I've been missing the horses more than anything...

In the words of Mr. Bean, "Doesn't time fly when you're having fun?" Or something to that effect.

So, I'm back in Canada, appallingly unhistorical, un-cultured Canada, after a glorious, indescribable 27 days in Europe. Had the best time in Scotland and Poland - at Culloden Battlefield and Frombork Cathedral especially - but everything was, on the whole, mind-blowingly wonderful. There were snags here and there (usually with the UK rail system which needs to die a painful, painful death x 43) but all of that stuff seemed minor compared to the entire thing.

So, expect a LOT of costume shoots over the next little while. I'll be tackling my 20th Foot kit first since I'm still not happy with my current pictures of it. There are two I'm uploading today but I will do some more tonight since I'm still looking for the proverbial 'money-shot.' Not sure what's next on the list - maybe some more Metis Bourgeois. Any suggestions?

Bloody, BLOODY HELL. Into Day 9 of my UK/Poland trip, which has been unbelievable so far but I'm going to pieces with the overload of history, which has led to tonnes and TONNES of inspiration. It just cannot be stressed enough how much I wish I had some of my historical garb with me though. And it's not one thing in particular - one hour it'll be HOMGJAMESWOLFE and then the next HOMGTHOMASMORE and then the next HOMGBONNIEPRINCECHARLIE (yes, I did have a thing for him a few years back).

It's very odd - I'm finding I can think infinitely clearer over here when devising plots and scenes and artworks and everything else. Everything is so vivid! Except I've barely had time to write or draw - hopefully there'll be more of that once I get to Poland.

But gawd, it's all just making me realize how much I love history in general - not one specific time period but a broader variety. It's more relaxing since I don't feel that strange pressure to choose a time-period and stick to it rigidly.

So when I get home, expect a LOT of photoshoots and a LOT more 18th century stuff.

Coolest place I've been yet is the Culloden Battlefield. Canada needs to take some serious lessons from the Scots when it comes to battlefield interpretation and preservation.