Casey and Hyper Light Drifter

It’s hard keeping up with my creative children… can’t keep everything straight. I recently blogged about Jessica and her sculpture on campus and linked to her website which showed all the other awards, etc., she’s been grateful to receive. I didn't even know about a few until I went to her website!

And now I’m going to brag about my son, Casey and his creative adventures. For two years, he had been part of a team working on a video game, Hyper Light Drifter. (Heart Machine is the company name of which Hyper Light Drifter is under – I think – like I said, I get confused with all the facts.)

My two daughters, Jessica and Rita and I went out to surprise Casey on his 30^th birthday, which was in the first or second week of the kickstarter for Hyper Light Drifter. At the time Alex who was Casey’s roommate was away getting some medical attention. But I recall being blown away by the number of backers and the amount of money Alex raised based on a video game. Every day that number kept creeping up and I found out there’s another whole world out there—those who love video games.

I asked Casey if he’d give me all the info so that I could blog about it and here is what he had to say and the links to such. This first link takes you to the Kickstarter page that I just mentioned.

Original Kickstarter Page

Heart Machine Website

The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is the yearly equivalent of the ECK Worldwide for games. (Note by Lynn: Some who read this will understand the ECK Worldwide meaning, but another comparison, although I might be incorrect is this conference and awards are like the Emmy’s or Grammy’s but for video games.) There are two award shows hosted every year, one for GDC proper, and another called the IGF (Independent Games Festival) which has its eye on the "Indie Games" scene. Think blockbuster vs art house films. 

The GDC Awards

We were nominated for Best Debut, and had an honorable mention for Best Audio. 

The IGF Awards

We were nominated for Excellence in Audio, Excellence in Visual Art, and the Grand Prize. We took home the award for Visual Art, as well as the Audience Choice Award, which is like a kind of special recognition category. 

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IndieCade Festival Awards

Another high honor from a little while back, IndieCade is an organization and play festival all about indie games that takes place primarily in Culver City every year. We took home the Jury Choice Award, which from what I've heard was like, kind of a special category they created because our game wasn't eclectic enough for their general leanings, but was so crucial that it was unanimously decided it needed to be recognized.

The Game Awards

Kind of a big corporate sponsored thing, but also an independantly organized awards festival from a long time gamer guy. We were nominated for Best Indie Game, and Best Action / Adventure Game. The latter is pretty crazy to see, as the other 4 titles are all sequels in huge long standing AAA 3D franchises, and we're just this tiny 2d pixel game.

Others on Wikipedia

Just found out there's a more complete compendium of awards we've been nominated for on the wiki.

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And that's what Casey had given me. So in addition to Casey being a part of the HyperLightDrifter team, he creates his own art... which I wanted to share as well. He was accepted in an artists residency in Iceland hosted by Light Grey Art Lab:  http://lightgreyartlab.com/iceland-residency-2016-team-basalt and those who attended will be displaying their art based on that residency in May. At the moment, I can’t locate it on the website. Maybe it’s a private thing for those who attended the Iceland residency. He’ll also be part of The Lost Isle of Kismet and is now part of the To Be You which you can find on Light Grey Art Lab’s page: https://shop.lightgreyartlab.com

Or you can check out the home page and go from there: http://lightgreyartlab.com/about-us/

Casey has a website: caseyhunt.com, but it doesn't look like he's posted much lately. I think he does a lot on Tumbler? (I could be wrong on that one too!) By the way, I usually have to pull teeth to get any of my kids to tell me about what's going on with their art, awards and such. They are rather humble about what they do. Guess I'll do the bragging for them...

Happy Moving Forward Brother Brian!

I’ve only recently got to know Brother Brian when I took one of his sketch/journaling workshops, which has inspired me to draw (every day! hence, the posts here since April). The last time I saw Brother Brian, I found out that he will be relocating. I said something about ‘going away’ and he didn’t correct me necessarily, but restated it as “moving forward.” I hadn’t thought about it that way, and I like it. Today is not the day he is moving forward, but it is the day I will get to see him and say “best of luck in moving forward.” Check out his blog: abz paperless sketchbook journal.

This sketch is on part of a wall in my 'writing room' and something on this wall Brother Brian created...

WIN: A Lifetime of Marking Art: Brother Mel

As you know, if you’re following this blog, I’ve been into sketching. First thanks to Adam Long who I initially took beginning drawing lessons from with my grade school best friend, Susan (niece of Brother Mel) And for true inspiration to Brother Brian, when I attended his Ring in Spring workshop. I’ve been obsessed since. (It got me to exercise, because I won’t allow myself to draw until I exercise. Did I ever tell you that I hate to exercise?)

Brother Mel passed away about six months ago, but he was Brother Brian’s mentor where they both created art at Marianst Gallery. Sadly, the gallery is closing in a few months, so you may want to check it out, if for no other reason than to see the beautiful artwork—most is for sale.

Luckily, the book was published before Brother Mel passed away. There are signed copies for sale at the gallery, but Brother Brian generously gave me some unsigned books to pass on to those who would appreciate the book. If you have an interest, leave a comment or just your name so you can be entered in the drawing for this book. Check back in a week for the winner.

I grew up around Brother Mel’s artwork, not fully understanding his artistic talent nor did I really know anything about art, period. Where Susan grew up, there were walls full of Mel’s art. I’ve always admired it all. My favorite as a kid was this huge concrete piece that was almost floor to ceiling big, with huge sunflowers on it. At least that’s how I remembered it.

When I rented Susan’s house after my second divorce, it was the same house that Brother Mel grew up in. There was a sculpture in the yard that he had done for his mother—a rooster/hen. The base/body of the rooster was a huge, heavy industrial spring and it’d sway back and forth with a little push, making it look like the rooster was pecking for food on the ground. That too, was a favorite of mine.

When I rented another house from another niece of Mel’s, as she was moving all her things out, she asked, “Do you want this?” It was a piece of artwork Mel created.

“What? Are you kidding?”

“No. You can have it if you want it."

“Yes, I’d love it.” That was a no brainer. I had always wanted a piece of Mel’s art, but didn't feel I could ask for any. I didn’t know you could purchase his work. Dur. Being a Brother, I thought he just created everything for the Marianist’s or his family. Remember, I didn’t know much about the art world.

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Paper sculpture, looks much better than photo

I have other pieces now that I’ve purchased, or received as a gift.

 Metal sculpture, guitar

 Metal sculpture, mask

 Metal sculpture, Susan gave me for my 50^th birthday.

I’m sorry I didn’t understand what greatness I was around at that time. Mel was so incredibly humble, I always felt I was with someone ordinary. I don’t mean that as an insult—quite the opposite. He loved what he was doing and he made the world a brighter and better place, just like Brother Brian is doing in his footsteps, only with his own unique artistic quality.

Don’t forget, leave your name if you’re interested in Brother Mel’s book.

Ring in Spring Workshop

Ring in Spring was the name of the all day art/sketchbook/journal workshop presented by Brother Brian, a Marianist. The location was at the Marianist Retreat Center in the Marycliff House. Brother Brian made me want to smile more with his own non-stop enthusiastic smile. There was no doubt that he absolutely loves what he does, and that spills over… in turn, inspiring the group.

We started with breakfast. After we ate, we gathered at the table, and we all introduced ourselves and why we came. Such interesting and lovely people.

I had learned about this workshop last year from my sister Ruth and her husband Buddy, but I was unable to go. When I heard what I missed, I made sure I jumped on it this time. It was interesting for me because earlier in the week, I had visited another monastery (The Abbey) in Conception, Missouri for a few days of writing. Two beautiful places in one week... how blessed I am.

Buddy is nephew to the late Brother Mel Meyer, artist extraordinaire. My best friend from grade school, Susan is Buddy’s sister. (Are you confused yet since Buddy is also my brother-in-law?) I grew up around the family, in the presence of “Uncle Mel” not realizing what an amazing, prolific artist, and man he was.

Brother Brian worked with Brother Mel, so I knew this workshop would be awesome and inspiring.

After introductions, it was time to play and have fun – a requirement of the workshop. And that we did with a warm-up exercise.

Warm-Up

Then we did blind contour - you're not to look at your paper, only keeping your eye on the object while drawing.

blind contour

Brother Brian took us step by step with basic shapes to draw a cartoon. Boy, my Bugs Bunny is no reflection of his direction, but I ended up having fun with my bunny anyway.

basic shapes - cartoon

We did ‘imagination and abstract’ by free drawing and then filling it in. I remember doing something similar to this as a kid and always loved it.

imagination/abstract 

Brother Brian shared parts of his personal journals and went through all the different ways you could keep a sketch journal. I journal everyday with writing, but never thought to incorporate drawing with it as well. I’m so inspired.

How quickly time flew by, and a delicious lunch was served. After we ate, we were free to explore the Marycliff House and the grounds. We could go wherever we wanted. When Brother Brian said there were swings on both the porches, I knew where I wanted to go first. I love swings. Now this swing was the swing of all swings—handcrafted, and it was more like a ride. Jessica, Rita (my two daughters) Buddy and I swung and drew. Even though it was a little chilly, it was so worth it. By the way, Ruth had another commitment and had to join us later.

Here are my sketches from the swing. It's kind of hard drawing while in movement. Bud has the "Mel" gene and clearly, he had no problem.

  Jessica and Rita on swing

 cartoon on swing

I could have stayed on the swing the entire two hours of free time we had to explore, but I made myself get up and roam around the house. I ended up on the upper porch to check out that swing. It was more like a regular porch swing, but the view of trees was awesome. As a lover of trees, I did a blind drawing (sort of – as I’d look up now and then). I filled it in with some free drawing.

tree one

While doing the above “filling in” it was quite contemplative and I had a lot of ideas rushing through my head which made me want to stop and draw another tree, but I heard “patience” and “be in the moment” and so I finished. I also wrote: “It doesn’t matter which way we go, as Soul, we all make our way home to God. Our journey is to experience LOVE.”

My next tree, I stole the design from my friend Sioux and her zendoodling. But I knew I had to finish this later or I wouldn’t have time to explore outside. I recalled seeing this cool old stone structure when we pulled up and I wanted to check it out. (When I got home, I finished filling in the tree.)

 tree two

I walked around the house and ended up sitting on an old stone bench while sketching this cool birdhouse.

birdhouse

Then I looked to my right and in the wall of the stone was a chain. Inspiration from a chain, go figure.

chain

It was pretty chilly, so I made my way back inside, but before I got there I spotted a group of daffodils. I plopped down on the sidewalk and did some blind drawing.

daffodils

Blind drawing, for me, allows me permission to draw without feeling the need to be perfect. Not that anything I draw could ever be perfect, but it sure took the pressure off. It was so much more freeing.

I went back inside to the first (way cool) swing and filled in one of my windows (abstract) that I had drawn earlier on the swing. (I filled them all in when I got home.)

windows to spring

Brother Brian had a T-shirt on that said: Earth without Art is just “Eh”

And isn’t that the truth?

Brother Brian conducts these workshops throughout the year, so if you’re looking for some creative inspiration, I highly recommend you check it out. He has a blog: abz paperless sketchbook journal. Even if  you just sat and watched Brother Brian, you’d be inspired just from his beautiful smile.

Thank you, Brother Brian!