I'm kinda in a major art rush right now...trying to pull out as much art pieces right now but taking a few minutes for a breather so I figured I'd write something to move the sad journal down...not to say that I don't still mourn the death of Heath Ledger, but with my New Years resolution being to be a more cheerful person, I didn't want to post sad news on my front page.

Life has been great...even if I have to work SIX days a week. God...having 2 jobs really sucks. I'm starting to regret keeping my old job when I got the new one. Anyways, new job is incredibly awesome! It's like this...I get paid more money to do less work and get less stress. Hahaha...that's gotta be awesome!

Anyways...since I don't really have much free time to write an interesting journal, I figured I'd copy and paste my virtual interview with Darque for the City Scoop (it was never actually posted, probably because I was being a complete retard through the whole thing...most of the artists that gets interviewed always act so serious and professional *cough* boring *cough* so I figured it'd be better to write something entertaining - I think it is, at least...and sadly, it's all true).

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
-Let's see. I'm a geek first, an artist second. I'm a Aquarius, I like long walks on the beach, candlelit dinners are great, too. Uhh, wait, nevermind. I'm just a dork with a really random personality, which people who've met me can testify to (even if those people who met me are just being nice when they say otherwise).

What inspired you to start drawing?
-GI.Joe and Super Mario. My very first thing I drew as a kid were really awful attempts at recreating levels for Super Mario Bros 3. When I was 6 years old, I was introduced to GIJoes and my life hasn't been the same again. Me and my best friend would create our own [link] armies and create heroes within them...although, neither one of us could manage to create anything even remotely as cool as Snake Eyes, though....but that was THE Snake Eyes. N-O-T-H-I-N-G is as cool as Snake Eyes.

Which mediums do you use for your art? Which are your favorite?
-I try to do a little bit of everything. I call myself an "illustrator" just because it sounds cooler but I'm really more of a "varied artist". My main style, however, is my pencil style, which I'd like to think I perfected from 2 years of taking college chemistry courses (you'll never be so bored in your life). As for my favorite art style, I'd have go with digital, just because it's so limitless...not to mention Ctrl+Z is like God's gift to artists. (note: Ctrl+Z is the hotkey for "Undo").

What's your best experience as an artist? Worst?
-My best experience as an artist is the look on someone's face when I show them a major piece. There's always that glow that comes off which I absolutely adore. Worst experience would have to be this one time I was doing this really big (and extremely detailed) piece in one of my classes (not an art class, either), and someone walks by and tips the desk, somehow causing me to draw this HUGE line across the page. In that instant, I instinctively reached for Ctrl+Z only to realize that a keyboard doesn't exist when you're drawing with a pen on paper.

Who has been your biggest influence, artistically speaking?
-The greatest artistic influence would have to be Chris Metzen, from Blizzard Entertainment. I literally WORSHIP him, seriously. He is the sole reason that has driven me to be an artist...my entire pencil-art style originated from attempts at mimicking his style...granted, I wound up learning it and later on, even tweaking it, however I still consider him to be my greatest influence. If I ever met him in real life, I'd be like the worst kind of fanboy imaginable: the annoying kind.

Who are some of your favorite artists and what is it about them that captures your eye?
-My favorite artist for the last 4 or 5 years has been Ito Ogure (aka Oh! Great) who is the mangaka for "Air Gear" and "Tenjou Tenge" (both of which, I read religiously...with the scented candles and everything). Second to that, I'd have to go with Masakazu Katsura who created the manga, "I''s", which to date, is my favorite story ever written. The thing about mangakas is that they're not just artists, they're storytellers. To me, that's what I dream of becoming...not necessarily a mangaka but a storyteller...either that or a video game concept artist (Random Plug: -I'D LOVE TO WORK FOR YOU, NCSoft-).

When you're drawing, do you have music/television/movies on in the background? Anything in particular you prefer for ambiance?
-I always have music on. I don't think I have anything in particular but I tend to have 1 track playing on repeat alot...oftentimes, either pop music or watered-down rock (for some reason, people find that weird).

Do you ever suffer from lack of inspiration (aka artist's block)? What's your cure?
-Artist block, I'd have to say, "No" to that. I think art is based more on experience than it is on inspiration. My theory is, "if you're bored enough, you can do anything"...and so far, that has never failed me once.

Do you have some advice for up-and-coming artists?
-Yes, work out, plenty of rest, you know, eat your green vegetables...oh wait, that was a line from Spider-Man 2...damn plagiarism. In that case, take a college chemistry class. You'll be so bored, you'd HAVE to practice your artwork...and yeah, practice. I don't really want to say that since it's so cliche-ish, but it's true!

Are you currently accepting commissions? And what's the best way for people to get ahold of you for information on commissions?
-Commissions, yes...still open...although the queue right now is QUITE long...LOL! For information, best way to get ahold of me is either through dA or email.



Commission Queue (will be added when all info/payment/everything all squared away)
Round 1.
1. Kindleberry [Aldrazar][+o] - paid - [completed] [link]
2. Kindleberry [Xae][+o] - paid - [completed] [link]
3. WarPatriot [self][+o] - paid - [ink] [link] [colors] [link]
4. MarilynsMistress [duo] - paid - [ink] [link] [colors] [link]
5. Mr Majesty - paid - [ink] [link] [colors] [link]
6. Kai [gift][+o] - IOU - [completed] - [link]
7. GreyMathias [Lucius] - paid - [ink] [link] [colors] [link]
8. GEL - paid 1/2 - [ink] [link] [colors: 100%] [link]
9. Morgenstern [1/2elf][+o] - paid - [completed] [link]
10. Yusaku [Tiena] - paid - [sketch:100%][ink:100%]

Round 2.
1. Kai [self] - IOU - [sketch:100%][ink:60%]
2. Kai [?]- IOU
3. Summer Heat [self][+o] - paid
4. Morgenstein [Nike][+o] - paid
5. Tensai [digi char][+o] - paid
6. Rowr [duo]
7. DJWoody [Virs] - paid
8. Gideon [Caleb Night][+o] - paid
9. Gideon [Crusifix][+o] - paid
10. Gideon [Bishop Saint][+o] - paid

Round 3
1. Weapon Prime [Weapon666X][+o] - paid
2. Weapon Prime [QTBot][+o] - paid
3. Kerse [+o] - paid
4. Kerse [+o] - paid
5. Kerse [+o] - paid
6. War-Patriot [US Atom] - paid
7. Larissa [duo] - paid
8. Killrjatt [duo][+o] - paid
9. Oniken [duo][+o] - paid
10. Kai [?] - IOU


Finished Sale Pieces So Far:




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To request a commission, send me a note or email me at jtran218@gmail.com with a text description or an image (or preferably, both). Upon acceptance of your commission, I will require half of the payment up front. You could pay me the full amount up front too (I'd actually prefer that but both options is acceptable). I prefer PayPal. Do NOT send the payment without me having accepted your commission...because, well...I guess I could always accept donations. After completion of the image, I will either note/email you a thumbnail of the final image. Then I will require the second half of the payment (in the event that you payed half upfront). After I have recieved the full payment, I will send you a high-resolution image and post a med-resolution image on dA (optional).

Terms and Conditions (by requesting a commission, you have agreed to the following):
1. I retain the right to use the images in my portfolio/gallery.
2. You must give me credit for the artwork.
3. I have the right to deny accepting a commission I feel uncomfortable drawing.
4. Prices subject to change without notice.
5. Pornographic requests will NOT be accepted. I don't care how much you're paying...unless it's 3 times the base price. THEN I can make an exception...maybe.

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My Clubs: