Ajahli

Relocating!

2011-08-06T15:11:00.001-07:00

Hey followers!! I am moving blog addresses! My new blog will be kept on my server @ http://www.ajahli.com ! So please, follow me there! Thanks for all your support!

GRS page 057 updated!

2011-06-14T05:55:00.000-07:00

Edward explains the different species of Reapers

http://www.ajahli.com/GRS/?webcomic_post=057-2

GRS page 056 updated!

2011-06-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

Edward starts down a winding road to tell you about the school and its students~

http://www.ajahli.com/GRS

Also: other news. Will be moving this blog within the next few weeks to my main site. Just to warn you folks~

Grim Reaper School page 055 updated!!

2011-06-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

In which Edward gloats about his success~

more updates about GRS on the site: http://www.ajahli.com/GRS

ALSO!! I AM STILL TAKING QUESTIONS FOR THE REAPER Q&A!! Your questions will be answered by the Reapers in the book, so ask them anything! :D

Ustreaming!

2011-06-06T11:08:00.001-07:00

um hay guys. I am ustreaming some GRS pages before they go up tomorrow, so if anyone is interested:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/a-little-bit-of-arson

will have the chat up as long as I can, gunna see if the laptop can take it. If not I'll give you my skype name and we can start a group chat or something.

seeeeee ya~

Vlog #1

2011-05-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

Just a little video about things going on and what I'm working on currently

Grim Reaper School Q&A + news!

2011-05-17T19:15:00.001-07:00

I hate to be an evil double poster buuut, this is a post dedicated to some news about Grim Reaper School, my webcomic.

Basically, I am attending a convention this summer and I'm trying to put together a collective book by July. This may or may not happen, as in, I don't know if Chapter 5 will be done, but I'm trying my very best to get rid of my artist block and finish. Even if I am without a chapter, I will put together a book!!! Anyway, for part of the extras, I thought it might be fun to do a little Reaper Q&A which I attempted with a comic long ago when I started.

So basically, ask any of the GRS crew a question! They will answer them in the extras section of the book!

Post them here, or e-mail: modernreaper (at) gmail (dot) com

I am also contemplating having some kind of contest, but I'm waiting until I have an actual book. What do you guys think would be a fun contest to do? Draw your original characters as a reaper school student? draw some GRS fanart? Something more challenging?

The prize will be a free book (of course) and some nifty extras. And probably a custom sketch on the inside cover.

And lastly, I am pseudo planning an online release party. I don't know how, or where, or when exactly but I'll keep you all updated. I'm guessing there will be a paintchat involved, or a skype chat, or a celebratory ustream perhaps. I'm not entirely sure, but I'd like to have fun and celebrate the release of the book with fans/friends/etc.

Basically, this is Ajah saying "I HAVE TOTAL PLANS BBY" and to let you all in on some GRS awesomeness, because I told myself I would be more "public" about my progress with the comic.

As for why it hasn't been updating regularly lately, ugh. I've been ill and I've been kind of down in the gutter about it, but as you can see I'm trying to crawl out of it. Plus work has me at weird hours and I'm trying to plan for this con. I should also probably mention I'll have a booth and I get to be on a panel for drawing manga... and I haven't the faintest clue how the heck I'm going to pull that off lol.

But if you're in Memphis, or think you would like to be in early July (8-10th I believe) then you should totally come~

Vic Migogna (Edward Elric, Dark, Tamaki) and Kyle Hebert (Kamina) will be there... there's some extra incentive xD

Musical Studio Spaces

2011-05-17T15:07:00.001-07:00

If you are a close friend of mine... you know how often I change spaces/website layouts/ room layouts. Which is pretty much always. Lately my room studio space had been feeling crowded, and since I'm constantly desperate for some kind of official office space, my parents offered up the main part of the house again. So, giving it yet another go. You'll probably see some really weird stuff in these photos...like why is a bath robe draped around my chair. It's because it's been cold as HELL here lately, and it's warm for the morning chill.

the other side of my makeshift "cubicle". I am abusing an old sewing table for my drafting and storage. Yakul supervises from on top of a sewing machine. The other drawing table on the opposite side was one lent to me by my grandfather who used it in his darkroom. It's a bit unstable so I'm using it as a kind of wall temporarily. I plan to use it as an actual drafting table once I get my own real studio.

This is where my studio space USED to be. REVEL IN IT. LOVE THE PHOTO OF ME AND BOYFRIEND. And all my cool toys. WAHAHA!

I know it's not very customary for a lady to share photographs of her bedchamber on ye old intarweb but I'm all for sharing inspirational places, and I like to make the places I shuffle around in as inspirational as possible.

My view of the outside from my new space. Loving it.

And lastly, because I can never NOT post photos of her on my blog:

Maggie, queen of the donut.

/the end!

Hatsune Miku

2011-05-17T07:45:00.000-07:00

Congratulations internet. I am now addicted to Vocaloids. I've been meaning to draw some Miku for a long time, but she is harder to draw than she looks @_@;

Still trying this drawing digitally stuff...I confess I'm sort of addicted to it as well, it's just a matter of getting my lines to smooth out, since whenever I try to use the pen tool I get all discombobulated and angry >_> Either way. MIKUUUUUUU ♥♥♥

When I am not working on comics: Miku. When I am working on comics and need background music: Miku. When I am not working a day job: Miku. When I am not being a productive member of society: More Miku. When I have too much to do and don't want to do it: MIKU. I am so addicted that I fumble through Vocaloid blogs watching the rankings on NND, or I link hop through youtube. OR I visit ebay and see how much of my life savings I have to give up in order to afford a PSP and the Project Diva game. I seethe when I think about how much non musical talent I have, and how I'll never be able to master a Vocaloid program and contribute to the artistic ocean that is made up of both artists, and musicians, and fans. Because even though hardcore fans may or may not agree, Miku is supposedly coming out in English.....

...you know what I'm thinking, don't you.

AUGH. And recently I just discovered the MMD PV's.... I... I am lost to the internet.

Anyway, this probably won't be the last Vocaloid fanart you see from me. My favorites so far are Miku, Luka, Ren, Miki, Gumi, and I even have a soft spot for the UTAU's...like Teto Kasane and Sekka Yufu. AHHH and Kaai Yuki. So cute ♥ I also love the sound of Append.

AUGH I'M SUCH A NERD.

and totally bitter that the Vocaloid concert is going to be in LA for an anime con..

Enough of my nerdy ramblings. Here's some of my favorite Miku songs and PV's: (yes there's a lot, you'll thank me later)

Oh and I know she's not an actual VOCALOID, but Black Rock Shooter is a total badass.

Uniform Blue

2011-05-16T13:29:00.001-07:00

Trying my hand at drawing digitally. Lately, drawing on paper has been really stressful for me. I get physically worn out trying to get things down on paper. Before I didn't think I was too great at drawing digitally, but since I re-installed my laptop system, the new driver I installed is working really well with my old graphire. But I wanted to see if I could get creative this way, if I just took my time and put real effort into it, instead of scribbling down something and getting all emotastic because I can't do it.

So anyway, this schoolgirl has been sitting in my head for a while and I needed to get her out. I saw a doodle of a girl with an eyepatch and uniform in my sketchbook and since then she's been rolling around like "Hey, draw me." She's like...Saya meets Gogo... and I don't think she got the crap beat out of her. I choose to say she was in a battle with some nasty Yakuza's, and being a total badass, she beat the crap out of them.

Because that's how I roll, baby.

May sell prints of this. IDK. I'm trying to make a transition to drawing digitally, not that I'll give up traditional stuff but, we'll see. This is probably a total fluke and the next thing I do will suck. Badly.

Derp derp.

Grim Reaper School update!! Chapter 5 page 3

2011-05-13T14:49:00.000-07:00

Corey is ~*SUPER COOL*~

http://www.ajahli.com/GRS

Introducing: Skye

2011-05-13T10:36:00.000-07:00

Skye is a side project I started to keep my creative juices flowing...even if right now they more or less... are not. I've been very inspired by Vocaloids and Skydoll lately, and since I ultimately fail at making fandom based OC's, I decided to take this character I've had floating around in my head lately and make her into a combination of both.

Skye is sort of my version of virtual idols, but instead of doing it with Vocaloid programs or animation (which I may try EVENTUALLY, if I'm feeling brave), I compiled an "inspiration" playlist of songs that I basically think fit her personality and that I think would sound like songs she would sing, if she had a voice. The idea was to base a series of illustrations and mini comics off of my imaginings of the songs, but I'm not in a big hurry to make a ton of material NOW. She is basically a project to help me loosen up if I need some kind of creative break from my other projects.

Her basic story is that she was an A.I. (Artificial Intelligence, or... Artificial Idol....hur hur watch me being clever) who was created for the entertainment of a society in Ajahli and Rakka's world that is primarily technology based. Idols were created to sing for the kings and deities, and ended up becoming known world wide. So basically, Skye and her "sisters" are celebrities in their world. I think Tad might even be a closet fanboy who hides his magazines under the floorboards. (He's a sneaky one, that wolf).

Different "dolls" sing different types of music. Skye's genre is (because I'm a big fan as well) J-pop/Electronica. Her sister, Mie, is more the rock/gothic electronica type, but I'm still working on her playlist since I want to have a more consistent voice rather than random songs I just happen to think are cool.

So here is Skye's playlist. If J-pop or whatever isn't your thing, not to worry, not all dolls will feature Japanese music. I just happened to have a clearer image in my head of Skye's identity, which is why hers is out first.

Skye is also a character I will be using for stock purposes, she'll show up in a multitude of things without any set storyline or whatever. So don't be surprised if she shows up out of the blue as a background character, a paper doll, stationary, or random designs and doodles.

Speaking of, here's a random Oekaki doodle of Skye while I was trying to figure out her design. Derp.

Stats:

Doll Name: Skye
Code Names: Idol.01 | Skyelala
Genre: J-Pop/Electronica
Make/Model: 1.0/Sweet Lolita

Playlist URL

Sugarless Girl – (Capsule)
The Universe – (SF-A2 Miki-Vocaloid)
サイハテ – (Miki Furukawa)
Filozofio – (Luka Megurine-Vocaloid)
VOICE – (Perfume)
Love or Lies - (Capsule)
Fragile Snow – (SF A2 Miki-Vocaloid)
Neverland – (Chouchou)
Just Be Friends – (Luka Megurine-Vocaloid)
Plastic Doll – (Aira Mitsuki)

Paper Doll: Miri

2011-05-10T18:20:00.000-07:00

While I work on stuff, took a break to try my hand at a paper doll. She's a new character, Miri, but after browsing etsy I've been toying with the idea of making (an updated version) her an available project when I set up shop again.

It was nice to break out the pencils and markers again, but there are still some supplies I need, and they would probably turn out better digitally colored and so on.

Some closeups:

And lastly, a doggie shot:

Heavily inspired by the super amazing Amy Earles, who has easily become one of my new favorite artists, and Cart Before the Horse, whose dolls (both paper and clay) have inspired me for a while now.

Also managed to upload these to my website.

GRS Update! Chapter 5 page 2!

2011-04-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

..Introducing Corey Williams! The only one to knock Charlie Evans off her game~

Read the new page here: http://www.ajahli.com/GRS

HAY AMERICA

2011-04-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

HAY AMERICA. I'M BACK.

I had a total blast in England, and while I could spend hours typing 50 novels alone about my two weeks there, I will keep this blog entry short and simple.

Places/things seen:

Boyfriend
Liverpool
Beatles museum
bread sculptures
Stratford upon Avon
Whitby
Howarth
Manchester
beautiful old churches
future Teletubbies penthouse

Things I did:

rode on 2 double decker buses
broke some meditation balls in china town (derp)
had lots of tea
chased plenty of pigeons
met plenty of boyfriend's family and extended family
played a Worgen in WoW
found a Skydoll book
watched a ton of surrealist British TV shows, movies and commercials
jet laaaag
house shopped in Whitby.
rode on trains
rolled in green, fluffy grass

Things I devoured:

TEA. SO MUCH TEA
Fish and Chips
Crumpets
Sunday Roasts
Yorkshire pudding
Curry
Alcohol 8D

I also took thousands of photos, which I will not even begin to post here. In fact, I will venture to share my facebook, where I have posted my photos from my trip publicly.

Naturally, I am very sad to be home, even though I did miss my family and my puppies, and of course I miss boyfriend and friends. But I plan to go back sometime next year. THE ADVENTURE ISN'T OVER.

So before I start nerding out and turning into a mushy dork about how fun it was to meet Dennis and spend 2 weeks at his side running around on adventures, I will end my blog post there.

Hoping to start creating again soon, although I have been uber tired and back to work a few days after I got home. So after some rest, and after my body acclimates to the heat and floating allergens of doom that is Tennessee, I will get back on track.

Also, awesome boyfriend is awesome, and everyone should worship him. He's working on an ebook. Goooo.

doodle dump #2: Cowry Catchers, Matryoshkas and lemur things

2011-03-25T19:39:00.000-07:00

I have become a Vocaloid fangirl. And to show my annoying over-appreciation (a less than creepy way of saying "fangirl") I draw silly pictures of my characters dressed up like they are from the PV's. Ajahli first.

Then Rakka, obviously. More characters to come! And if you're wondering what the hell I'm talking about:

Somewhat of a spoiler, but Silveo is a foxling character from Guild of the Cowry Catchers, an EPIC Podiobook by Abigail Hilton. I really suck at giving reviews without having random bouts and spasms of how totally awesome I think things are, so to save myself from sounding like a rambling idiot... Just go and check it out for yourself. And don't let my silly fanart dictate your opinion of it. I am not a big fan of podcasts, but this one I fell in love with almost instantly. It has beautiful illustrations, a complex world and memorable characters. It will make you laugh, cry, and jump up and down rooting for the good guys... or.. should I say the bad? *grin* Anyway. Check it out. RIGHT NOW. GO.

lastly, a doodle of a little lemur character I adopted from my good buddy Chess, over on FA. I haven't decided on a story or a place for her yet. The first adoptable I had became an extra character for GRS, the second is still pending. She and Nadie (I have named her) will probably become cute deer and lemur Mori Girls.

That's it for now! I'm off to England on Monday, so hopefully I will have a cohesive blogpost when I get back, or some amusing ones during my time over there. I also intend to get back into crafting when I get back, just not sure how. A giveaway will happen again in April hopefully. GRS will also continue. Still shooting to have a complete book by the summer.

Bye all!

Old School doodledump #1 - mostly Half Blood

2011-03-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

Hey ladies and gents! I have returned with something I haven't done in forever: a DOODLE DUMP!! It's mostly old stuff I dug up while I was looking up old concept art/doodles for GRS, and I figured I would share them! Many of you may not be familiar with the characters/scenes but hopefully you will enjoy them anyway!

Also: high point: Ajahli used to have glasses like me..and epic ninja clothes.

Ajahli is very SERIOUS about her bucket.
from the old Seraphim story: Ajahli looking very peeved, and Som, being gay and dorking about how his boyfriend Kaimo is cute when he's hungry. IDK.
Back when I used to draw things pretty... and used to draw Maxil looking creepy a lot.

best way to get control over your annoying characters: threaten them with siblings.

Toril in her early days.

Jezebeth getting introduced to her future rival. lol. So elegant.

random doodles from a random story.

Nora.
Nora and Rakka being a pushover.

Little Lanka and Rakka. Yes, he is wearing sandals.

Back from the RP days, Rakka got a blindness curse on him... and here he is mistaking Maxil for his mate at the time xD Swatch is a character © Nicole Vanche

Wolfsunes

2011-01-26T20:36:00.000-08:00

Needed a new banner for my website so, ta daaa. wolfsunes.

Brushes credited over at my DA page

something about tea. or maybe it was doodles

2011-01-07T12:24:00.000-08:00

Just a doodle post. Back to your business.

Doodle/Sketch post #2

2011-01-03T11:26:00.001-08:00

Catching up on my lack of posting anything. Still it's somewhat unimpressive.

A charlie.
Half Blood portraits for a website idea but, I'm too much of a chicken so I backed out of it. Derp.

From the Art Jam on FB :)

Deer plush idea
Bunny and Fox

Another Half Blood doodle post

2011-01-03T11:17:00.001-08:00

I forgot some stuff to post! So here you go! Half Blood concept art and doodles! Top image is from the first book of Warrior's Boy, when Rakka comes across the Demon slaughter house on a run through the Demon territory. That's all I'll say for now.

Siggy, from all brains and no boobs to..well... still all brain but mostly boobs. Lol.

A piece in progress of Hui, the Oracle. Might change some of the colors around. I redrew her mouth like 4 times and it still looks weird. bleah.

sketch version of the above.

Some Hui concept art. I love Hui to pieces.

Also since I try to keep all of my political beliefs off the internet, in light of recent issues concerning the outlook towards some of my friends who are of different religious/politcal/sexual orientations, I have only have this to say:

A Late Christmas Update

2010-12-29T11:16:00.000-08:00

Hey boys and girls! How was your Christmas? Mine was epic and included house socks. So it's all good!

I see I have a couple new followers? Welcome guys! Hopefully you won't be too disappointed by my crappy doodles and newb craftiness.

So here's some little updates I've been meaning to post for a while, but the season has been so incredibly BUSY that I've had to do things on a step-by-step basis (meaning, when I can afford it. Or, when I have the time). For instance I still haven't mailed out Becca-chan's giveaway prize out yet, or anyone's Christmas gifts, but hopefully since things have quieted down I'll be able to. (My apologies guys!). I also haven't been able to work on or update Grim Reaper School and for the most part I've been going through an art slump anyway so art or anything related has been pretty much nonexistent. Happens to the best of us, right?

But anyway, some things that will be going on now that I will have more time in the upcoming weeks (perhaps). I ended up paying a bit more for my domain space this year, and since I have SO much space to play with, I'm going to be filling up my webspace with as much as I can to utilize it. So my website will hopefully be more active and filled with content. Also, going to try and update GRS more often and keep the ball rolling, but we all know how that goes. I've been developing another comic idea, and working hard on my uh.. "novel". Also lately I have had a fruitful imagination when it comes to crafting, so here's hoping I can share some of my ideas on the blog soon. (Also I may be moving the shop OFF of Facebook and just setting it up on my website where people can buy directly through paypal. Not like I've had any business anyway, but I have come across a few complications. So more on that as I figure it out).

Thirdly, I think after the first of the year, when the second giveaway comes around, I am going to make a second blog that is centric around my shop. Possibly. Maybe. IDK! But we'll see, I'll keep you guys updated.

Lastly, a possible forum or ning-ish thing to come, but that depends too. I have been trying to form somewhat of a ...er... what's the word.. bond? community? Hippie circle? with my readers and "fans" (if I still have any at this point. I am possibly the worst webcomic updater EVER) and have a place where we can chat about what's going on with the characters and the art and everything. I actually have found that I have quite a few fans I've never even MET before, and I think it would be neat if i could interact with you guys a little bit more. Alas, I am somewhat of a hermit and an antisocial grouch most of the time, but the idea is tempting. IT'S DARK IN HERE, AND COLD. WHERE MY MINIONS AT?

So yeah. Basically, in the coming months I am hoping to be braver, more productive, and more active online to the best of my ability. I guess you could say it's my New years Resolution... but we all know how THOSE turn out.

See you guys soonish~
-Ajah

P.S. Ghost Light #2

Novel doodles

2010-12-05T19:35:00.000-08:00

doodles from my (still in progress) novel projects. Because I can. I may or may not self publish them sometime but we;ll see. So enjoy some Jezzy/Maxil goodness, and also some awesome. Because awesome is good for you.

okay so maybe that doodle is a bit NSFW but oh well. I'm an adult. DEAL WITH IT.
scene from the book
Rowe, Maxil's first lady love. He really likes his gingers.
Kael, your daily bit of badassery.

Lesson: never dare Ajahli to do something. She will do it and make you feel less like a man. Gawd Rakka, what're you gunna tell your wife when you GET HOME.

Also that is totally a scene in the book. FYi

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

2010-11-25T08:17:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving, Internet!

I was gunna make you an art. But I forgot. SO HERE HAVE THIS

In which I make a plush creature ♥

2010-11-12T21:03:00.000-08:00

...who looks a lot like Max from Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are. I actually tried my hand at sewing!! Max here is made of fleecey felt, fabric, and muslin, and old fashioned love. I mostly just made him for fun and intended to make a stationary pack based off of him but a couple people already want their own little mischievous dudes for their own xD

I think he might eat cats though...

Either way I love him to a fluffy death. I tried making small versions (which did not work in my favor). So here he is in all his glory:

Sexy, ne?

Front view:
Back view: (kinda bland but eh. I didn't really know what to do)

After only a moment of officially being born, we were already total bro's, Plotting our mastery over the Universe:

Other versions may consist of a fox, bunny, and a deer (this is the wolf version). Since he looks a lot like Max I may just make others of him as gifts for friends. Or if anyone would like to venture to commission me to make ones out of different material, that would be totally epic. But this one is mine, ladies. All mine!

Here have a doggie:

His 14th Birthday was November 4th. My old boy ♥♥

Okay it's been a long, productive day. Bed time! ♥

Have a doodle post!

2010-11-11T20:42:00.000-08:00

I've been super inspired lately and working at an arts and crafts store doesn't really help me out. I constantly find new things I want to do, and the past few days have been work sessions involving a lot of experimentation with felt, thread, and...well..anything I can get my hands on, really. Although many of the experiments don't really turn out (sadly, because they were totally awesome ideas, I should mention), I do have other ways and I'm not bound to give up easily!

But that's not why I'm posting. I'm posting to doodle spam...a very TAME doodle spam...

Clouds

2010-11-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

Sorry for not posting art for a while, but I've had a small obsession with weird subjects lately. The only issue with that is finding a way to bring them to life. I've wanted to do a lot of crafty projects lately but I'm not good at sewing or gluing or really being CRAFTY. I'm actually kind of clumsy when it comes to that stuff (I put together a wood project in college with duct tape because every time I used a staple gun I shattered the wood. Also I welded my finger to metal. So that was fun). So I thought I would do illustrations for now since money is tight, and because lately framed art has been a lot of fun.

So basically this image will be framed eventually. I just have to make a high quality print and find a suitable frame and voila! It will be up in the shop. Which you can find the link to on the sidebar ---> over there :)

I also actually made a felt cloud last night. it was cute and super fluffy. I love clouds.