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OdeToEmpyrean

Billie
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Glory, glory hallelujah.

I have completed a new piece of art. And it's NOT school-related in any way, shape, or form--though that could be interesting since I'm a second year in law school. *Shrugs* I digress. It'll be up in all its pride and glory tomorrow around 1 or 2 p.m. I'm still in the tweaking mood, and I want to be able to walk away from it for a little bit. But I'm SO HAPPY (said in Maid-Marian-Men-In-Tights style). Seriously, I can't remember the last time I did a piece of art just for the heck of it. I think 90% of my artwork on DA is the product of AP Art WAAAAAAY back in my senior year of high school. Wow. This, however, is still a throwback to one of my favorites--my Edward Gorey-inspired Phantom--before I go headfirst into more art/painting.

Honestly, the idea of painting again scares me. Some of you may not have experienced this yet, but when you haven't done artwork in a long time you get this feeling that your ability is oozing out of you. It's worse than any art block I've ever experienced--because there's no source of validation. No way to assure yourself that you're still creating something you love based on a work from the recent past. It takes a lot of time to overcome that fear. Thankfully, I've reached a point where I'm willing to take the risk of sucking a lot to get back to where I'm happiest.

So here's the moral of the story, kiddies: Don't give up on your art. Even when life makes you turn away, even when you're afraid of your own hands. Try. If you truly love it, it will never leave you--it might simply take a different form.

All my love,
Billie
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Hey guys,
This is an absolutely spastic journal entry after over a year of inactivity. Law school will do that do you. Anyway, I caught this video on College Humor, and I knew I had to share it with my fellow Labyrinth fans and the awesome Jareth cosplayers here on DeviantArt.

Now, you too can play with your magic balls like everyone's favorite sorta-villain, Jareth: www.collegehumor.com/video:193…

Thoughts?

Until next time--hopefully I'll have something to add on DA soon!

Lots of love,
Billie
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Well, here I am again, attempting to grovel my way back into the arms of the dA community. It's beginning to seem like every other journal I find the time to write on here is of a similar nature--oh wait. It literally is.

It seem like the more you throw yourself into the world, the less time you have to do the things that used to bring you personal pleasure. I want to use my artistic gifts to share with others, but I feel compelled to use my education in a different way. Darn those persuasive "one-world-make-a-change" Michael Jackson tunes. I guess what I'm trying to say is, for those of you on dA who are still in the rough high school years, NO--these are not the best days of your life. It gets better. However, it might be the best time to do artwork. Think about it.

Personally, I'm taking the next step. This fall I'll be off to law school, hopefully to study human rights/international law. Follow in the work of my beloved Nelson Mandela/Desmond Tutu/Dr. King. I want to help the world, though I'm not always sure this is the best way to do it. *shrugs* Sometimes you've just gotta follow where the path is leading and trust in a higher purpose--or a full scholarship...either can be very persuasive.

In any case, I'm going to attempt to do some form of an art piece before I'm beckoned to the hallowed halls come August. Be on the lookout, but don't hold your breath. This is the last summer of my life, and I'm trying to squeeze as much out of it as possible. As always, I'll continue to be an avid lurker/lover of art, and I hope to make more friends on dA. I'm continually humbled by the incredible talent in this corner of the Internet.

Keep working. Keep making magic. Keep striving for the next step.

All my love,
Billie Barker
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Hey folks,
You're never going to believe it: Andrew Lloyd Webber is actually going to produce a musical sequel to the original Phantom. This was taken from PerezHilton.com:

"Andrew Lloyd Webber is set to make theatrical history by whoring out his Phantom of the Opera sequel to not one city, not two, but three cities at the same time next year.

The musical will open on Broadway, in London, and possibly in Shanghai.

The sequel, called Phantom: Love Never Dies has yet to be cast, but Sir Webber says, "We are pretty clear who our Phantom is going to be — I can’t say who." The story takes place a decade later on Coney Island, where the Phantom reunites with Christine.

Could it get any cheesier?

The play hit a temporary setback in May when Otto, Webber's cat, accidentally deleted the score while stepping around on the piano keys. A few months later Otto paid for his misdeed when he was run over and killed by a car.

The sequel is cursed!
Posted: December 29, 2008 at 2:29 pm"


I often think it's best for sequels to live in the minds of the fans. Seems like it could be a disaster in the making.

Thoughts?

Source:
perezhilton.com/2008-12-29-pha…
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I'm Not Dead

2 min read
Wow.

I guess I've succeeded in my attempt to become a professional lurker. Seriously, people should pay me for the skill level I've acquired.

This is basically just a note (for those inquiring minds) to let everyone know that I'm back in the business. I'll be shifting gears again--probably posting some literary analysis because I like it, gosh darn it--but it'll be nice just to be active again instead of a creeper.

A quick update on what I've been up to:

Ha...ha...I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to be doing with my life. Admittedly, it's a bit of a daunting task. I'm in the process of applying to several law schools (probably for international or human rights law) and considering the completion of my masters in English or Political Science (my current double major) overseas in the U.K. Hopefully some money will be thrown my way.

Since my last update, I've been back from England, over to South Africa for a month of service work, and back to the U.S. to engage in my favorite activity--theme park trolling. Yes, Halloween Horror Nights is coming up.

I'm also active in the extracurricular scene this year. Who would have guessed that my lack of class hours would translate to an increase in other activities...sigh. I'm the president of three different organizations (Mercer Embassy, Pi Sigma Alpha, and Sigma Tau Delta), and I'll be playing Helena in Mercer's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. I know it sounds like I'm complaining, but I really thrive off these challenges.

In the meantime, AWA is this weekend. Anyone heading to Atlanta? I hope I'll be able to make it!

Stay tuned for another journal entry soon--I really need to talk about the way our culture is romanticizing the undead.

All the best,
Billie
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Featured

New Artwork - I 'Has' It. by OdeToEmpyrean, journal

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Official Phantom Sequel from ALW by OdeToEmpyrean, journal

I'm Not Dead by OdeToEmpyrean, journal