Dream Arcade - Call for art

Over the last couple months I've been steadily working on developing a series of games called Great Personality for Light Grey Art Lab. They're visual novel stories based on the Myers Briggs personality types. It's been fun learning how to code with Renpy as well - which is a python based open source program. It's been thrilling (and weird) to wear the programmer's hat for these, not to mention writing dialogue and storylines for each of the 32 characters. I'm currently working on the second game and it's going well! I can't wait to release it--- but until I can, I've been working steadily with the rest of the Light Grey team to get a couple other things underway.

So, while we at Light Grey Art Lab were dabbling in videogames, we started brainstorming some other crazy things, and what started as an off-the-cuff remark turned into a full fledge exhibition concept. The call for art is ending in just a couple days and I thought I'd post about it here in case you know anyone that is interested participating. If you know anyone that has ever wanted to make a platformer, send them to the call for art HERE to sign up.

Here's what it is:

DREAM ARCADE
A Platformer's Paradise
Opening September 12, 2014 at Light Grey Art Lab!


Hyper-shifting has never been a problem for you. In fact, because of your ability to flex between the spacetime fabric, you've been singled out to covertly infiltrate a list of alternate realms to seek out a handful of top secret energy sources that have been scattered throughout time and across dimensions. You will have to shift between worlds, take on new forms, fight deadly enemies and navigate dangerous environments -- all to collect these essential celestial artifacts. If you're unable to find them all, the universe as we know it will cease to exist.

Light Grey Art Lab is turning into an actual arcade.

Seriously.

We've had some amazing help from David Washington, a programmer from Microsoft, in figuring this all out. Not only is he going to help us publish to the app store, but he's been helping set up the whole prototype, and will help code the final games. The idea is that each participating artist will be able to craft their own world -- they're in charge of the bad guys, the hero, the pickups, the background assets... all that stuff. And we help build the level and make it work!

These games will all be woven together into a larger BIG game, which will tie the individual levels together with a story about a time, space, and shape-shifter.
It'll be intense, and incredible. The details for the call for art are HERE on the Light Grey blog... and if you'd like to play the demo, here you go!


CLICK HERE TO PLAY A MINI SAMPLE GAME!

So, that's what I'm up to. I've got a lot of behind the scenes work to do to get this thing polished and ready for the show in September, but I'll post some previews and some process work here for the show when I can. It should be incredible. Here's the call for art link!

Matte Black

Over the last couple months I've been indulging myself in a new hobby. I just recently started going to ceramics classes at the Northern Clay Center this past January and after my first class I was absolutely smitten! There's something really meditative and incredible about sitting next to a potter's wheel and just moving clay around with your hands. I was talking to a friend the other day and caught myself trying to explain the process --- though it's still a creative endeavor, it's nothing like drawing. It's more like you're there, and just letting the clay make it's own shape. It's nice to be able to pick up a hobby where I don't have to stress about making something super technical with every turn!



I've probably made at least 40 teacups by now and have gone through two five week classes. I am really looking forward to going back and taking another once teaching is over and I've freed up a little more time in my schedule. Though I'm far from being a master, I'm really very proud of the things I've done.

I just re-opened my Etsy shop the other week as well, and today, during the wonderful 70 degree weather, Chris and I opened the windows and did a little photo shoot with my teacups!



Here are the first four in all their glory! If you'd like to see the other photos of them I'll be posting them on my Etsy shop as I go! I can't wait to get to the point where I can paint things on them!
So exciting!