Spending some time up in Southerndown this Christmas bought back the Vampire universe in my heart. The Vampire universe was born right after I visited my dad last July, and was in full swing in mid-August when I was moving house. We can take a Freudian dip into my sudden enjoyment of permanent, unchanging states while I was packing up my whole life and moving somewhere new (and completely changing my hair and style) OR we can sit back and watch them enjoy toying with each other.
Below are three pieces made over as many days. Often while watching Bill and Ted films.
Always looking to experiment with contrast, composition, colour. Notable here is the colour scheme and exploring quick ways to create whole scenes to situate the characters in.
The experimentation here is using a real image as the background. My experiments are always best when inspired by honest passion and excitement, and this one’s goal was to be able to quickly get out a sketch in 20 minutes that captured the feeling I had when I walked over those stones and got sentimental.
I’ve had a sentimental Christmas. Interesting just to keep note in terms of the bigger picture of What I Want to Say that actually, so much of my character art is making big comments through the lens of small interactions. I read in the preface of Jane Eyre that Charlotte Bronte’s work was so poignant because it got across the simplest feelings so genuinely: I exist. I desire. I suffer. I love.
This one’s good because I used references. I was both Mitzi and Drake, obviously, because only I do the reference photos right. This is just a dumb joke because she wouldn’t have a reflection.
I close out with a quote or two from my vampire writing – I haven’t chosen the quotes yet, but do enjoy.
“In 1895, I watched the Nutcracker for the first time. When I heard Pas de Deux, I’m embarrassed to say I cried in the theatre. When I left, I booked a ticket for the show for the very next night. I had to hear it again.
“That piece of music made me think about the nature of things. It’s at the end of the second act.”
Drake cut in with a whisper. “I know when Pas de Deux plays.”
“Ah. Well, yes. Do interrupt me if I’m rambling.”
“Please, don’t stop.”
Ludwig flustered slightly at Drake’s words.
“It makes me think of things ending. It’s beautiful, celebratory, and so deeply sad. It says, you’re here. And you won’t be here soon. But, right now, you’re here, and these moments are beautiful. I am going on,” Ludwig sighed.
“…Permanence and impermanence. Here and not-here. I watch the Nutcracker every year, live or recorded, somehow.
“Now, you’ve been stumbling half the way here. I know how dark it is. Will you let me lead you on the way back?”
“It’s unlocked!”
Antonia stood up shakily and tried to remember anything she had planned on saying as Mitzi sauntered in.
She was momentarily dumbstruck. Mitzi’s outfit, usually ridiculous enough, consisted today of a brightly coloured pinwheel hat – on top of her regular Hawaiian shirt and shorts. This wasn’t outside of the realm of Mitzi’s insanity, however, and Antonia drew a breath.
“Mitzi!” The words felt ridiculous coming out of her mouth, but she said them anyway:
“Are you a vampire?”
Mitzi stopped mid-saunter. She plonked herself down on Antonia’s sofa, where she liked to sit.
“You’re not even going to mention the hat?”
“Mitzi. Don’t mess with me.”
Mitzi held Antonia’s face while she talked. Her hands were cool, but they burned.
Antonia continued. “A week ago, I didn’t even know vampires existed. My heart…”
This was as close as Antonia would get to making a cry for help. What she was saying was, I’ve been completely overwhelmed. My heart is exhausted. I feel like rugs keep being pulled out from under my feet.
Mitzi knew Antonia, and she understood.
She pulled Antonia instead down into a hug, holding Antonia’s head close and whispering into her ear.
“My name is Mitzi Harper. I have also been Elizabeth Hyde, Henrietta Marshall, Gwendolyn Bell, Ann Robinson, Millie Delacroix, and many others. Once upon a time I was Laurene Weaver. Now I am a vampire.
“I’m easy. I mess around. Life is a party. I’ve met Shakespeare, Cezanne, and King George the Fourth. Percy and Mary Shelley have double-teamed me while Byron watched. My only rule has been that I DO NOT let myself fall in love.”
SEASIDE ILLUSTRATION 