School's “Bumper”

I worked one month on a 1 minute video with six of my classmates. This video's aim was to introduce our diplomas in festivals. It's a tribute to a great illustrator, and one of our teachers : Jean-Michel Nicollet.

Here's the robot...

...and the pincer I modeled.

I also worked on textures and animation.

OWLY CHRISTMAS !

I join my Christmas Owls to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Hope you're all having a great time!

3D training

I finally made videos of my 3D training. 

All I can say is I love 3D animating! This is sooo much fun! Yes, even cleaning the Graph Editor. Haha
(Concerning the lipsync, the audio comes a bit earlier than the video, I don't know why... so sorry about that.)

Music : Kamikaze (Instrumental) - Owl City

Character Design : Owl

As I said, my bird illustration inspired me a lot. So I decided the main character of my diploma would be... a owl! Why? Just because it's the most spiritual bird and animal in every culture. I truly love this bird.

Here are some drawings I made.

Owl Symbolism : The owl spirit animal is emblematic of a deep connection with wisdom and intuitive knowledge. If you have the owl as totem or power animal, you’re likely to have the ability to see what’s usually hidden to most. When the spirit of the animal guides you, you can the true reality and see beyond illusion and deceit. The owl also offers for those who have it a personal totem the inspiration and guidance necessary to deeply explore the unknown and the magic of life.

30 minutes illustrations : Part 2

Here are some other 30 minutes illustrations I've made. 

The first one inspired me for the scenario I currently am working on. 

More to come soon!

30 minutes illustrations : Part 1

I haven't posted in a while, and I'm truly sorry about this!

Actually, I went through a bad patch for a couple weeks and questioned myself a lot. Yes, because of my school. My first diploma proposition sadly got rejected, but the reasons were well justified and consequently, accepted. But tears fell and confidence went a bit away. I couldn't hold a pencil for days, telling myself that everything I'd do would suck. I guess I'm not the only one who has such moments.

BUT! Later, I found myself over thinking about my diploma, finding another idea and many ways to think it over.

So! I grabbed my computer, played the Hunger Games score (James Newton Howard is a genius!) and started making 30 minutes illustrations about the subject I want my diploma to be about : angels.

Here are some of them.

The others will come soon!

Internship report done!

9 weeks of internship

4 professionals

3 interns

1 internship report to do

As I wrote down my thoughts and feelings everyday, I didn't take long to phrase those 13 pages of text (among around 30 pages). What took longer was the page layout. Teachers wanted it to be original, but in the end, I wanted it to fit the company, Kubiweb. So I made it pretty simple and effective.

What about the printing? Gosh, it was so stressful. I didn't know what it would look like in the end. Plus, the printer didn't work well, I lost one whole day trying to make it work as I wanted. But it was done by mid-day last Thursday!

I'm not sure my teacher will like it (and which mark he'll give me), but I know it'll help future interns making their own reports.

Oh Gosh!

I haven't been posting about my work in a while. Probably because I'm in constant research. Diploma, oh Diploma, why are you so rude? What did I do to deserve that? Haha

Things are actually fine. My proposition has been rejected, but you know, it's all good. I knew this year wouldn't be easy, that it'd be about questioning and challenging myself. So I think a lot (too much?), I search a lot (enough?), I have good and bad ideas...

Processing!

I can't show too much for now, as I wait for a scenario to be accepted in the end.

But here are some stuff.

When Big Bro gets engaged...

He is happy. So am I. I wish him all the best. He will never know how much I do.

I had a great night yesterday, with great people. Had interesting conversations, rocked the "dance floor" a bit with Big Bro, made a fun photo shoot with my best friends, and also laughed with them. 

I love moments like this. It was exactly what I needed.

"Where I Belong"

I said in a preview post that I had to find subjects to write about. Well, I guess I found one. It's something that's always been a big part of me, the only thing that kept me moving forward : my dreams. I need to write about them as I often feel misunderstood. People think that dreams are useless, that they have to remain dreams and that it's a loss of time to try to reach them. Are you serious? Let me ask you something, people : are you happy? Do you have goals in life? Cause I'm sorry to tell you this, but dreams are nothing but goals. And, yes, I have plenty!

I always had issues with writing about them, because it's so hard to describe something that can't be touched and that you never lived. It's just thoughts that cross your mind, things that you can only imagine. Pretty frustrating actually. But still, it keeps you alive.

Surprisingly, I was inspired enough to write down the right words and to create a whole song called “Where I Belong”.

Have you ever felt like your place isn't where you are ? 100% sure that you belong to another place, far far from here? Have you ever wanted to completely change your life, from A to Z? Have you ever thought nothing is holding you where you are and that leaving could be the best thing that would happen to you?

Well I do. I know my life isn't here, I mean in France. It's much farther than a country next to it. It's on the other side of the ocean, where speaking is singing and where working always pays. I know I'll get there someday, probably soon. But still, I have to wait a bit longer. It feels like a whole lifetime, though it'll come quickly. I just can't wait for my dreams to come alive, for my life to change. Don't get me wrong, I love my family and the few true friends I have here. But I don't belong here. And knowing I'm not the only one to think this helps me.

I tried so many times to write about it, nothing ever came to me, until July 24^th . Why then? I don't really know. Maybe I feel it more and more deep inside, maybe I want it too bad to keep it to myself and words just came by themselves.

Anyway, here they are.

WHERE I BELONG

I'm screaming loud
Cause behind the clouds
I can see the sign
Of dreams being allowed
Right now I'd choose any airline
To go where the sun shines

So many things I would skip
To see those visions I keep
Give my soul a shift
Where each step is a trip
And each day is a gift
I'd just let my senses drift

Come along and take me away
Where I belong just for a day
Feeling the sun rays
There'll be nothing more to say
This is where I'll stay

I'm getting closer to my aim
I start giving it a name
As I dream about it every night
Where smiling is not a shame
And all colors are bright
I know everything will be alright

Come along and take me away
Where I belong just for a day
Feeling the sun rays
There'll be nothing more to say
This is where I'll stay

When I look up at the stars
I know they'll follow me
And I'll see them over there
I will forget about the scars
Cause it's where I need to be
I just have to dare

Come along and take me away
Where I belong just for a day
Feeling the sun rays
There'll be nothing more to say
This is where I'll stay

Let's go to Paris!

Earlier this week, I spent 3 days in Paris and it was awesome!

Later, I had the idea of creating a new blog where I'd talk about my different trips, and it's finally online. 

BLOG

Just click on the link above and discover my experiences in the USA, Anvers, London, Biscarrosse and... Paris!

I love travelling, and I know I'm far from being over with that. That's why I created this blog. I didn't want to mix everything on this one.

I hope you like it. Don't hesitate to share your trips with me, I'd love hearing from you all!

How To Find Inspiration...

Have you ever felt a lack of inspiration, leading to frustration ? I hate that feeling. You just go through some bad situation, or some “trying time”, and you don't know how to react, or how to act. What a terrible moment !

What do you do to change things? Sometimes, you can't answer that question. So you just wait and see.

But there are so many ways to feel better, to find inspiration. Some are believers, and think God will help them. Well I don't believe in God at all, I mean nothing proves he's existence. Okay, I'm acting in bad faith as I believe in spirits. Yes, I do think we have guardian angels, and I know who mine is. So I find part of my strength in that person because I know it's always going to be okay anyway.

Though I don't always think of that. I need other inspirations to move forward. Everyone can find theirs, I swear. But I'm going to share mine with you all.

My first inspiration comes from the music I listen to.

Music is everything and heals all wounds, that's well known. And the artist who's helped me the most, of course, is Nick Jonas. He's been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 12 and he never gave up on life. He always shared his experience showing exceptional strength. He's a hero to me, and to millions of people in this world. His talent blows me away, his lyrics go straight to my heart and his voice gives me chills. Songs like A Little Bit Longer or Black Keys guided me for years and still do.

And his speeches are always gifts that feed me. Here's the one I heard when I first saw him in 2009 :

"About 4 years ago, I got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I was scared, I was worried that my dreams that I had wouldn't become true. But on my way to the hospital that night, I made a commitment to myself that I wouldn't let it slow me down. And I'm here tonight to tell you that it hasn't slowed me down. So when that one day comes, and you need to press on the midst of hard times, I encourage you with these words tonight : don't you ever, EVER, let it slow you down. Because I believe in you, and I wanna thank all of you for believing in me. And I want you to know that each time you tell me that my story, me singing this song has inspired you, I just say thank you because what you may not know is that you, all of you are my inspiration.”

Even though he doesn't know me, I know I can always rely on him. I will never stop supporting him and I'll go to all the shows I can until my legs don't bear me, and even further.

Nick's “A Little Bit Longer And I'll Be Fine” Dogtag I bought in December 2008

Is one inspiration enough? Well, I guess so, but once you covered all the aspects of every song, you need more. So I searched and searched, and finally discovered Owl City, a project created by Adam Young. This boy has such an incredible universe, I feel understood every time I listen to his music. Thanks to him, I'm not afraid to be who I am and to show how strange I can be. This is me, like it or leave it. The song that gets the most to me is The Real World, because “reality is a lovely place, but I wouldn't wanna live there”. We're all weird in our way, we just need to find someone or something that makes us understand it's human and normal. I did.

This is all so serious, but we all need some funny things to rely on too. Let me suggest you one blog : http://christablack.com

How did I know about Christa Black? I first saw her in Antwerp during the Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009, where she played the violin for the boys. I recently had enough time to read her blog. She's pretty famous in the USA for her inspirational posts. She talks about life, her experiences, and the questions everybody could ask but never get answers. She actually gives her own answers sharing her vision of the world, and writing about the funny things she went through. You should read it!

These are my biggest inspirations, my dreams left aside, of course. If you have none, keep searching, there are things for you too in this world. We all deserve to be happy, to be inspired.

Don't hesitate to share yours with me, I'm curious.

Here are some more quotes I love.

"Sometimes, it's better to see things playing it simple, black and white, instead of filling it with color and mess the whole picture up." - Nick Jonas

"Live your life knowing that your potential is more than you can comprehend for yourself." - Nick Jonas

"Stop hoping, start believing.” - Joe Jonas

"If I decided I'm the girl to change the world, I can do it anytime.” - Demi Lovato

"Life isn't how you survive in the thunderstorm, but how you dance in the rain.” - Adam Young

"It's not that I don't like to talk, it's just that I don't have anything to say." - Nick Jonas

"Roll out the red carpet for the people that come and go in your life, 9 times outta 10 you'll learn something if you watch. They won't forget the carpet though" - Omarion

Family Weekend

I spent the weekend at my Dad's house. 

How long haven't I been there? Too long I guess. School takes all my time.

I have to say that I had a great weekend. I mostly spent it with my step-mother (I hate this word, she's more of a friend to me), my little brother and my little sister, my father kind of regaining his strength. So we talked a lot, about my future and what I'd do to make my dreams happen. And I had the chance to see what good life was, how it felt to do nothing, to just think about me. I always feel like doing nothing is a loss of time and will lead me nowhere, but it does lead somewhere, it leads to peace. I couldn't do that everyday, but after a whole year without holidays, it feels good !

PROGRAM

First of all, don't propose me to drink an Orangina, I will always say YES! So I've nicely been given one with... a Disney glass! To get me into “the mood” Haha.

Isn't it sweet knowing I'm a huge Disney fan?

After lunch, what's best to do when it's around 35 degrees outside and the sun shines bright and there's no cloud in sight? Put a swimming suit on, lay on the grass and try to get a tan.

I got a great tan... Okay, I actually got a great sunburn. But it'll soon turn into a great tan! Haha

While on the grass, you hear children screaming from the joy the pool brings to them. Do you feel jealous? Well, I did. So I joined them without even feeling guilty. No, I didn't.

This is what my weekend was made of, all wrapped up with loud music.

We also had a surprise when looking at a plant in the living-room. Have you ever seen yellow mushrooms? We did!

Last week of internship starting now. Then holidays, real ones! I still have things to do (not to say... work), but I'll be able to clear my mind for a while.

Have wonderful holidays !

"Behind The Gate"

Earlier this week, I've been through some new things (not that new in the end). You know the kind of situation you might wonder how you got in. You think about it and you figure out that it couldn't be any another way. You're nice, sweet, spending all your time (4 years exactly) and energy trying to show someone how great life can be, trying to make that someone smile every single day. Just living your life for someone... who never cared about anything or anyone. All of this was useless. You feel useless. You're broken and wonder if you'll ever be able to trust anyone again.

I'm sure you envy me right now. Well you don't have to. Haha

Yes, I'm smiling now, I've worked at it. It's not easy everyday, but I guess it was harder when this person was around. And I have to admit that I feel free now.

The benefit of all this was that he was my biggest inspiration. I wrote twelve songs about him and all the things he put me through, and now that it's over, I'll have to find other subjects to write about.

Anyway, I didn't know if I could share the thirteenth text I wrote last Monday (right after the final argument occurred). But wait, I have nothing to hide!

So here it is!

BEHIND THE GATE

Beautiful and strong flower

Can you see it smile

Traveled a thousand miles

To get where you are

Shared all its power

To make you grow and see

How great life could be

But it couldn't foresee

On the other side of the gate

The predator shows its claws

The flower's afraid of the weight

Of the damages you can cause

But it'll pass, here starts the wait

Crushed and trampled flower

Can you see it cry

Why can't it fly

It's about to die

Can't get any lower

It was one step too many

When it couldn't take any

No it couldn't foresee

On the other side of the gate

The predator shows its claws

The flower's afraid of the weight

Of the damages you can cause

But it'll pass, here starts the wait

Desperate and useless flower

Kept hoping and praying

When you didn't care about anything

What a time-wasting

Slowly taking back its power

Tired of your words

Which became answers

It flies to a different world

Website Available!

Here it is !

The new banner of my website is finally over! Which means that my website is finally available !

Concerning the banner, it's just a little something to greet you, and to thank you all for coming on my website. I mean, she could let what's the most important to her (her balloon) go for you !

I wanted it to be simple, with no color added and no background. I leave it to your imagination.

Don't hesitate to tell me what you think about it.
(And if you think the animation isn't perfect, sorry, I had trouble with the GIF site...)

By the way, if you want your website to feature on mine, or your blog to feature on mine, don't hesitate to ask me.

Needing More Time...

Alright, I have to admit that all the things I'm working on take more time than I thought it would. But everything's going on well! 

 My Demo Reel is almost over. 

I still have to clean up my Website banner but the animation is done. 

I started to include characters in my Book pages. 

 Besides all this, I have to think a lot about my internship report and my diploma propositions. 

I hope everything will be done soon though! 

I'm keeping you updated. 

Yes, I had fun doing this!

Animation Session

1 hour, 20 drawings, 2 line-tests. An animation is born.

It'll appear on my website, in its banner to be exact.

Here's a picture of the key poses, 5 are enough.

I won't tell what it shows now, but you'll find out soon. I need to clean everything up first. It shouldn't take long. Like two days.

All I can say is that it's something short and pretty cute, like a greeting animation.

Stay tuned to see the final animation !

Little bonus : Another preview of my upcoming book !

Translation

! ATTENTION !

I tried the Translation plug-in and I realized it was good, but not perfect at all! 

So to my family and friends who don't understand English well, please don't think my English is bad or I can speak well. Everyone knows translators are far from being perfect.

Anyway, you still can refer to it to understand the main message of my posts.

See you !

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

! ATTENTION !

J'ai essayé le traducteur du blog et je me suis rendue compte qu'il n'était pas parfait!

Donc à ma famille et mes amis qui ne comprennent pas forcément tout ce que j'écris, s'il vous plaît ne m'en tenez pas rigueur. Je vous rassure, je sais parler. Haha

Mais tout le monde sait que les traducteurs ont des failles.

Bref, vous pouvez tout de même vous y référer pour comprendre mes posts.

A très vite!

First Week

It's been one week since I shared this blog and it got more than 130 views!

I never thought it would get over 100.

So right now, all I have to say is 

THANK YOU ALL !

It means a lot to me. I swear I'll work hard to keep you updated on what I do.

I currently am working on so much (portfolio, diploma, book, website...) beside my internship.

I have like two hours a day to work on my side projects, it's not a lot but still I take this time!

Thanks again and hope to hear about you all soon!

My Laladand

What's sweeter than the feeling you get when hear the first notes of your favorite song? What's best than singing along with the artists that take you to the dreamland you own?

To me, nothing. Music is the best thing humans have ever done. It helps understand life and people, it heals every wound, it can make the saddest person smile...

I love singing, I love playing the guitar, I love figuring out how a song was made.

Oh and I learned English thanks to music too. School only taught me what I already knew, and I've always been raked 1st to 3rd in this subject.

I followed so many artists since I was 7, starting with Britney Spears. Some of you will probably laugh at that, but I'm pretty proud of it. I still love her. I think she's a wonderful and so beautiful woman. I've been a fan for 5 years. I also saw her perform live in 2004 on her Onyx Hotel Tour. I went to many shows before but this one was fabulous!

The next one was Ricky Martin. Yes, you read well. It lasted 6 months. 6 happy months. I mean, his music is so joyful and you just want to dance to it. I never saw him live though.

In 2004, I had my R'n'B phase when I discovered great artists. The main one was Omarion (Have you ever heard of a band called B2K? Fresh music you really should listen to!). Singer, dancer, musician, writer, composer... and an actual hottie! I still listen to his music a lot, it helped me a lot at some points of my teenage years. I saw his live once in 2010 and had a special time with him. This boy is so sweet and grateful to his true fans.

I won't hide the fact that I also listened to some Rap music. But I quartered to one artist : T.I. I realized thanks to him that the French and American Rap cultures are so different. Somehow it made and still makes me sad...

In 2008 started a brand new era in my life. On a Sunday afternoon of July, while I was watching music videos on TV, one of them got all my attention : "SOS" by the Jonas Brothers. I first told myself “another boy band”. Then I saw their energy, their catchy chorus remained in my mind and I had to admit that I liked their music. The night after, I listened to all of their songs and the day after, I bought their 2^nd album "Jonas Brothers". I still am a huge fan of those three wonderful boys who taught me so much about life. I don't know where I'd be without them actually... I saw them once in Antwerp on their World Tour 2009, and I saw Nick Jonas once more in 2010 for the 25^th Anniversary of Les Miserables in London. I just can't wait for them to come back in Europe!

One year ago, a friend of mine shared the link of a song called "Fireflies" with me. I immediately fell in love with Adam Young, aka Owl City. This boy's world is so dreamy, he is so talented no word can describe it. I swear someday I'll be part of this world and share 2 hours with this underrated boy.

I suggest you listen to Adam's side projects Port Blue and Sky Sailing.

Wow, don't let me start with music!

Well I'm finishing with a list of my favorite songs of all time

A Little Bit Longer – Nick Jonas

Earth Song – Michael Jackson

Setting Sail – Port Blue

Plant Life – Owl City

Born To Make You Happy – Britney Spears

Let Me Hold You – Bow Wow feat, Omarion

Private Emotion – Ricky Martin feat. Meja

Who are your favorite artists? 
What are your favorite songs?
I'm curious...

What I like drawing the most

I love doing 2D Animation !

But before animating, I need to create good characters. And the best way to do so is to train by sketching people I know, I meet or just see. It's not easy actually, and I don't always have time for that. But I know I'm getting better and better every year. I love studying people's faces (Sorry), drawing them and making caricatures.

Some sketches I made, among many others

Some drawings

I do a lot of Fan Art, as celebrities are a big part of my life. They inspire me so much!

Here are Brooke Elliott, little Miley Cyrus, Blanda Eggenschwiler and Nick Jonas.

I try several technics like pencil, charcoal or pastels.

Let me introduce you to my little sister, my grandfather and one of my best friends.

As I start making caricatures, I'd rather draw celebrities. They don't know me so they can't complain. Haha

Here are Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse, Madison Delagarza and April Bowlby.

I currently am working on a Portfolio full of portraits and caricatures I want to finish before school starts again.

If you have any suggestion of people easy to caricature, don't hesitate to tell me!

The Book Of Us

I currently am working, among many other things, on a project I started two years ago. Let me explain to you.

Five years ago, I started playing the guitar on my own. I mainly listened to the Jonas Brothers songs at that time and they made me want to play them. The boys were so inspirational and they still are! So I searched for tabs and learned chords. Six months later, I could sing while playing. And one year later, I wrote my first song called “Prayer To My Guardian Angel”.

Three years later, about 20 songs have been made, about 20 more texts written. What inspired me? What I went through, the people I met, the things I've done. And I plan on doing it all my life.

The point is among all those texts, 14 are about one particular person. So I decided two years ago to gather them all to make a little songbook, something I could read in the future and remember what made me a stronger person. I just didn't know how to make a book. It sounded so complicated. And last year, some of my classmates had to make an actual one. This was my chance! I watched them and asked them questions. It's still complicated, but I know I can do it! My aim is not to release it. I just want to have some of my memories written down, and also be sure that I'm doing, and later that I did, something I can show.

Here's a preview of the design of the book.

It won't be a big book, I though 11x11cm would be enough. Not sure the texts will be readable though.

Here are some lyrics that will appear in the book.

This is a TV show

Here's something exciting to follow

Here's the perfect combo

 - TV Show

We were both attracted by some wonderful lines

But we needed to let our thoughts go even more

We would write them all down till the end of the night

No secret, that's what we swore

 - The Book Of Us

He could make you feel guilty

Fot not being what he wants you to be

 - Mister Pride

Oh, you Devil

This is so wicked

How you reach your goal

 - Devil Is Back

We sank into darkness

Because of your selfishness

The sun ran away

And there is nothing to say

 - Shadows In The Wind

As my tears dry

I guess you expected no goodbye

 - Life Is A Risk

I don't want to survive

I just wanna live my life

 - Alive

What do you think? Would you like to see the final book?

Have you ever heard a song of mine? Did you like it?

I hope so!