Meet the Artist: Ink Blotted Beka

Good morning everyone! As usual, it’s been a heck of a long time since I’ve blogged (sorry pardon, I’m trying to get back into the habit, but it seems that only bad habits stick, with me…)

Today’s blog is to introduce Ink Blotted Beka, an artist who has just opened up to commissions! Whoop whoop, congrats and all that!

(Don’t forget to read ’til the end of the blog post, because you can win a free character drawing!)

I first met Beka online, where she told me that she’d read some of my books and had been busy making fan art. Of course, I was delighted (I love fan art–I love getting to see how other people view my characters!), but when Beka sent me originals of that art, I was even more delighted!

I love the way she uses bright colours, and I love the scenes she chooses, but I also love her pencil-and-pen works. As a matter of fact, apart from the fan art Beka has done for me, this is one of my favourite pieces of hers:

My very own gallery at home, featuring Annabel (and a bit of Isabella’s skirt) from Staff & Crown, Jack and Mabel from Playing Hearts, and Pet and her psychos from The City Between series:

…and last but certainly not least, one that isn’t in my gallery but is one of my faves–Isabella, caught en deshabille, so to speak!

As of this week, Beka is open to commissions, so you can have your own gallery!

Creator Bio:

Beka hails from the Great White North (aka Canada), where she reads, dreams, and doodles away. She loves bringing characters from the written page to the visual eye, and dabbles in pencil and coloured pencil and the occasional watercolour. Her dream is to one day get into digital art and save some trees.

You can find Ink Blotted Beka on Facebook and Instagram!

 

And now, a giveaway! Enter the Rafflecopter here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(You can catch up with the rest of the blog tour, with interviews and such, HERE.)

Good luck to everyone, and especially good luck to Ink Blotted Beka! We believe in you!

 

Some Deliciously Disturbing Singing

I’m particularly fond of the Johnny Depp version of Sweeny Todd. Not only are the words terrifyingly insane and strangely beautiful, but the music is whimsically, intricately good. Stephen Sondheim is one of my favourite composers. Sweeny Todd, in particular, is gruesome, mad, and hilarious all at once, the cleverness of the lyrics wrapped in a beautifully haunting series of melodies and harmonies.

In short, I never thought I would find anything so deliciously disturbing as Sweeny Todd.

And then Rebekah Hendrian (who, BTW, is also responsible for my new-found love of B.A.P.) posted this video on Twitter. Of course I watched it.

Disturbing? Yes.

Delicious? HECK to the yes.

I think this may be the first time I’ve ever fallen in love with a Voice. And what a voice! I haven’t heard such quality of tone since listening to Ivan Rebroff.

Through the first video, I found the second song (part of the same musical).

These videos are my new Favourite Things, which means I will watch them over and over and over again. And when I finally manage to chivvy Mr.G over to Korea, I want to see this musical– or at least Hong Kwang-Ho in whatever musical he happens to be in. Because I want to hear that voice live.

And now I live in hope that someday there will be a soundtrack of these guys doing this musical, so I can listen to it on repeat.

In the mean-time, I have my soundtrack of Sweeny Todd…

Free ebooks! Git yer free ebooks heeeeere!

If you love sci-fi, fantasy, dystopia, horror, and/or romance, don’t miss out on over 100 free ebooks across Kobo and Kindle Unlimited. March 5-6 only, you can find them HERE (or click on the pic below!) Free on Kobo, or free via Kindle Unlimited, mostly 1st in the series, so grab ’em while you can.

Patty Jensen Promo 3-5

I Found A Thing On The Interwebz #1

Cool stuff I randomly found on the internet: Bookcase Edition! I found this lot on IncredibleThings.com

I’m sure you’ve got room in your life for bookshelves like this:

Platzhalter Expanding Bookshelf

If your bookshelf always seems to be bursting at the seams, maybe you should just let it. You’re obviously not going to stop collecting more books than you have space for, so why not store them on something that adapts to your needs. Although after a certain point you may realize it would have been more prudent to just by a second regular shelf instead. Source

Or this:

Tangram Bookshelf

Creative use of shapes, endless possibilities.
If you liked playing with Tangram blocks as a kid, but can’t quite bring yourself to break out the blocks as an adult, this book case will alleviate the urge. Get the shapes you need and create unique artwork that expresses your style. Source

Or even this:

Rolling Shelf

Take advantage of more shelf space by making it bend to your will. Create interesting arrangements with varying heights and options with the Rolling Shelf. The flexible ends made from strips of wood are held together by fabric that allow them to be rolled up to make room. Source

And my personal favourite:

DIY Inverted Bookshelf

Follow these simple instructions and create your own upside down book shelf that freaks out your roommate. It’s a quick enough project that you can do it before he gets up for work. Unlike the time you stapled his coat to the ceiling, this won’t damage any property. In fact, the bookshelf is completely functional. Source

This has been partially reblogged from IncredibleThings.com, and the other VERY COOL bookshelves can be found here.