Flare's artwork

[trash panda]

I love the giraffes!

 

[Flare]

I wouldn't have known that was Kadaj if it wasn't for the awesome detail on the Souba , that comic was great.

How long have you been drawing?

Lol, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I strive for detail in all my stick figures... and their swords XD

I've been drawing since I was 4 or 5, I think. Been doing it pretty much all my life; I started off drawing horses (only because my sis and cousin were drawing them) and dragons. I eventually branched out to manga stuff, and then as I got better (and more mature) I branched out into a lot of different subjects. That's how I learned a lot more, and how I found new things to enjoy. ^.^

 

[Flare]

How big are those giraffe charms? and what are they made from? They look awesome.

Kind of tempted to commission something but I'm pretty poor at the moment

Thanks! Well, they're about as tall as a nickel, and about as wide as a dime. So less than an inch tall! They're pretty small.
I make them from polymer clay; it's a great clay I can bake in my home oven to cure, so it's pretty cost-efficient and easy to use. They are fragile in the sense of you don't want to drop them or bang them around a lot, but they do have some durability to them.

Aw, even if you don't, the fact that you're tempted means a lot. ^.^ In case you're wondering, I sell these guys for $10. There'd be a shipping cost too for me to mail one to you; unless you're like, my neighbor, and I don't know it.

 

[trash panda]

^ They seem a lot bigger in the picture, but maybe it's just the perspective.

Also, YUSSSS! Thank you for mentioning what clay you use. You've inspired me to try this.

How do you get paid for commissions? Paypal? Ebay? Etsy?
Also, do you have your stuff for sale listed somewhere?

 

[Octo]

Ok fuck it. I'm gonna save my pennies up. Flare do you think you could make me a teeny Octorok key charm?

Spoiler

like that only in blue?

Don't start it yet though cos i gotta save up

 

[trash panda]

^^^ I'm trying to figure out just what I want. There's sooo many things that I want.

 

[Flare]

^ They seem a lot bigger in the picture, but maybe it's just the perspective.

Also, YUSSSS! Thank you for mentioning what clay you use. You've inspired me to try this.

How do you get paid for commissions? Paypal? Ebay? Etsy?
Also, do you have your stuff for sale listed somewhere?

Yeah, I put the camera pretty close to the ground level to get a good shot and to capture the detail. I use my iPad, it takes really good pics, I'm happily surprised. it the only camera I got...

Even better, I can mention the brand! I use Super Sculpey, it's very nice quality, malleable and durable and doesn't take fingerprints easily.

I don't have an eBay or etsy account yet, but I'm going to set up a paypal as soon as this street fair's over, so like this coming Monday. I keep forgetting to do so like a durr.
I list all the stuff I make on my DA account and my Facebook account. Whatever doesn't sell at this street fair will be up for sale afterwards, if you wanna take a look. I haven't got to upload a lot of pics of the stuff yet because I'm so busy, but I will within the week.
My Facebook account is www.facebook.com/melissabartwork if you're curious.

 

[Flare]

Ok fuck it. I'm gonna save my pennies up. Flare do you think you could make me a teeny Octorok key charm?

Spoiler

like that only in blue?

Don't start it yet though cos i gotta save up

D'aww, thanks!
Yeah, I can definitely make that. It's so cute, I love that style of Octorok! Okay, I won't start yet until you tell me you're ready but just to be sure, do you want it to be small like the giraffes? I make bigger keychains too, but if you only want a small one that's great. ^,^

 

[Octo]

A small one like the giraffes would be perfect, if that won't be too fiddly to do? How much do you think postage would be to the UK?

 

[Flare]

Oh, the size will be just fine. Doing small things is pretty fun. If I can do a giraffe, I can do an Octorok!

.....I'm not quite sure on the shipping price to the UK. I've only mailed stuff to Australia before, and that was always letters; it was only a couple dollars I think. Something small that hardly weighs anything shouldn't be much though. I'll stop by the post office this week and ask to make sure!
I'm thinking it can't be more than $5 at the most...

 

[Flare]

So here's some chibi keychains I made for my street fair last week. I call them Clay Cuties; contrary to all the girls, I make guy chibis too. All of these, except for the redhead in the white dress, are still for sale at $20 apiece.... in case anyone's interested. Except for the girl in the bottom-left corner, she's only $15 because she was the first one I made and not on par with the rest in terms of quality.
Anyway, I also do customs, so I can make these to look however you like by customizing the hairstyle, clothes, pose, and face. They're all made from clay individually and I then bake them and paint them all, like all my clay stuff. No molds used here. ^.^

 

[Flare]

So I drew this a couple years ago now, but it's still one of my favorite drawings I've ever done, and I'm still proud of it. I don't do big illustration/scenery drawings like this hardly ever, so it was a great learning experience.
Another point to show how much I love dragons. <3

 

[Joe]

Those clay chibis are absolutely adorable and custom ones would make the best gifts. When I actually have money again I might come in here and pester you to make birthday gifts for my friends.

 

[Flare]

Aw, thanks Joe! I appreciate that. ^.^
Hey, just let me know whenever you'd like a custom one!

 

[Flare]

Okay guys, this is a couple sketches of a creature called a Prowler. It's an important creature in a book series I've been writing for a couple years (meaning I'm the one that made them up )
They're big and dangerous beasts, and I've been trying to figure out their look for TWO YEARZ and finally got to this, which I really like. Lean, fast, but still powerful and dangerous. These are young 'uns. I enjoy 'growing up' creatures, and sometimes it's the easiest way to design them.
Um, what do you all think?

 

[Flare]

And now, more fanart! Of the character I fell in love with from The Last Story, Dagran!

Did this on my computer, like most of the stuff I've posted in this thread so far. I absolutely loved this game.

 

[trash panda]

OHmyGOD OHMY..
OHNO...


NO WAY....

*dies*

You have just earned 392439275984758932904832 brownie points.

 

[Flare]

Not unless I... get him first! I don't use the word 'love' lightly, you know.

But seriously, it's so nice to see someone else like Dagran. The game already seems to not be very well known, so, for Dagran to be known and loved by someone else.... yush, it makes me happy.
Thanks for the brownie points, you can have 18563728976392674632 back from me, you charmer you.

Spoiler: Big game spoiler

And can I just say, Dagran dying was one of the last things that seriously made me bawl my eyes out for about an hour or so? Really, it was heartbreaking, especially since you get to continue playing the game even after that.

 

[Flare]

Quick 20 minute sketch for the sake of creativity amongst commissions. I really really like this and now I want to do more.

 

[LicoriceAllsorts]

I LOVE the Last Story, but I just can't use the Wii controllers. I'm so used to the Playstation controller that my brain can't make the switch - so I lose the battles, and I can't progress. It's a huge frustration because the game is gorgeous and fun.

 

[Flare]

Aw, that's a shame. Have you been able to see the story at least? It's totally worth it.
And I understand the controller thing at least second-hand, because my dad is primarily a pc gamer, but he went to playing some pc games on the PS3 for a while and it took him a long time to get used to using a console controller.
Wii controller's are pretty different too.

 

[Flare]

Right, fanfic time. So I've only ever completed one fanfic so far, and I like it. Out of nowhere, it's for Caius and Yeul. Like, why can't I ever complete a fanfic about Sephiroth already dammit.

Anyway, it's not very long, and I wanted to post it here in case anyone feels like reading it and likes these two characters. I really love writing stories, and this was fun. I wrote it just after beating FF XIII-2, about 3 years ago, so only read it if you've played the game/know the story/don't care about seeing spoilers. Also, reading this makes me see how I could write it better now... but I'm too lazy to go back and do it now.

It's put in quote tags to separate it nicely.

&#8220;You&#8217;re not alone.&#8221;
Yuel turned around, and gave a smile, her entire face lighting up.
&#8220;I know. I have you with me, Caius,&#8221; she said.
It was hard for Caius to smile back, but he managed it, and it made Yeul happy.
That&#8217;s what mattered, wasn&#8217;t it? Or was it to free her from this fate, of being reborn over and over?
He couldn&#8217;t take it anymore, watching her just begin her life, and then it was gone. For her to keep dying, because she was forced to see visions of the future.
Etro&#8217;s gift was Yeul&#8217;s curse.
As Yeul turned away from him again, Caius narrowed his eyes, and made a decision. It had been simmering deep inside him for a long, long time, but now, it was clear to him.
He had to kill Etro, and then he would free Yeul.
It didn&#8217;t matter what happened to the world, to anyone else, as long as Yeul was free at last from her curse, her fate.
In a world such as Valhalla, fate does not exist.
So he would make this world Valhalla, and then Yeul would no longer be bound by that curse. To do so, he must kill Etro. Etro was already in a weakened state, it wouldn&#8217;t be much effort to destroy her once he reached her.
&#8220;You&#8217;ll stay beside me&#8230;forever,&#8221; Yeul began, although it sounded like a question.
Caius took a step forward, for a moment unable to say anything.
&#8220;Forever,&#8221; he promised, and when she faced him again, she was smiling, even if it was tinged with sadness.
Forever. If he would stay alive forever, then she too would come back, forever.
&#8220;Are you feeling all right?&#8221; Caius had to ask, wondering at her sudden questions. She gave a nod and bent down to the flowers at her feet, brushing her hand through them gently.
&#8220;They&#8217;re so pretty,&#8221; she said, smiling softly, and after a moment Caius came over to stand next to her.
&#8220;&#8230;Yes, they are.&#8221;

Gentle notes, like whispers and soothing waves, echoed slightly around the small chamber.
&#8220;A sight, worth seeing&#8230;&#8221; The words were soft and quiet, but they formed a song that Caius would never forget, just as all the rest of her songs.
&#8220;Caius?&#8221;
&#8220;What is it?&#8221; he replied, though he stayed where he was.
Yeul couldn&#8217;t help but give out a small, muffled laugh as she finished washing in the large bath.
&#8220;I knew you were here.&#8221;
Caius looked only the slightest hint of embarrassed at her words.
&#8220;Of course I am.&#8221;
&#8220;Caius, would you mind getting me my towel?&#8221;
Caius straightened, walked over to where the towel rested on the nearby shelf, and brought it over to the water&#8217;s edge.
The bath was deep enough for Yeul to swim in if she pleased, and so it took her a moment to reach the edge of the pool where Caius knelt.
&#8220;Thank you,&#8221; she said, smiling at him as she took the towel he handed down to her.
He nodded, and helped her out of the bath, standing aside with his back facing her more as she dried off.
She began singing again, and after a moment, Caius allowed himself a mere second&#8217;s breath to close his eyes and listen. Listen, remember, and try as he might to savor it, it was overshadowed by the knowledge that she was going to die soon.
In the motions of getting dressed, Yeul made a small noise and fell down to her knees.
Caius turned around, a jolt of emotion going through him, and grabbed her just as she tipped over towards the floor.
&#8220;Yeul&#8230;&#8221;
She opened her eyes and looked up at him, and managed a smile, her eyes shining even as Caius&#8217; tears fell.
&#8220;It&#8217;s all right. Don&#8217;t cry,&#8221; she whispered, and he gave a nod, and then a small shake of his head.
&#8220;It&#8217;s not &#8216;all right&#8217;,&#8221; he whispered in response, but she was gone.
All that was left was her smile.
&#8220;It&#8217;s never all right&#8230;!&#8221;

&#8220;You love to look to the sky and across the land,&#8221; Caius said, as a statement.
Yeul smiled and nodded, her eyes brightening with her joy.
&#8220;I wish I could travel through this sky, across this land.&#8221; She reached her hands up for a moment into the sky, feeling the slight breeze flow through her fingers.
Caius didn&#8217;t say anything to that, only watched her, until she turned and saw him.
&#8220;You don&#8217;t have to look like that, Caius. I&#8217;m glad I&#8217;m here. If I wasn&#8217;t here, I wouldn&#8217;t be with you,&#8221; she said, giving him another smile.
&#8220;You also wouldn&#8217;t see visions,&#8221; he replied, turning and walking away a few paces.
When he looked back, he saw Yeul gazing into the sky, her eyes focused on something distant that he felt he could not see.
&#8220;What are you looking at?&#8221; he asked her, and she moved her gaze down to him.
&#8220;I was looking at the sky,&#8221; she said, and Caius gave a small frown at her simple answer, which made her laugh.
Something stirred inside him when she laughed, but what mattered was her being free, not being happy.

She wanted to travel, and yet she could not, because of Etro&#8217;s gift.
Tell me, how is that a gift?
A &#8216;gift&#8217; would not chain her down so.

I long to be with you.
But you&#8217;re immortal. I am the seeress, and one day, my life will end.
I don&#8217;t need to be immortal. I don&#8217;t need to live forever.
Even if I have to die, countless times, I also get to be reborn countless times.
I want to come back, so I can be with you.
Every time I enter Valhalla, I reach back to you.
I just want to be with you, again and again.
Because, I love you.
I want everyone to be happy. I don&#8217;t mind dying; I&#8217;m happy I can come back and be with you.
I want to be with you, Caius.

&#8220;How are you feeling?&#8221;
Yeul looked at Caius, and smiled, but her eyes were tired.
&#8220;I&#8217;m fine, Caius. I&#8217;m just tired,&#8221; she said, and Caius&#8217;s eyes narrowed.
&#8220;Then you should go to sleep, and get some rest. Tomorrow we&#8217;ll have to be on the move again,&#8221; he said, and she gave a nod, slowly laying back on the blanket he had lain out for her.
&#8220;&#8230;Caius?&#8221;
&#8220;Yes?&#8221; Caius sat down near her bed, facing the dimming fire that burned nearby.
&#8220;Thank you for being here with me.&#8221;
Caius felt a flicker of pain inside him, but he covered it up as he looked over at her, meeting her eyes.
&#8220;What are you thinking? Please, tell me,&#8221; she asked him, slight worry in her eyes.
Caius reached out and brushed a hand through her hair, smoothing it back from her face in a surprising gesture.
&#8220;You need to sleep, Yeul, it&#8217;s all right.&#8221; He paused, and lowered his eyes slightly.
&#8220;I was hoping that the future would never change.&#8221;
Yuel looked at him, her eyes widening slightly, as after a moment Caius pulled his hand away and shifted his position, draping his arm across his knee as he stared into the fire.
She climbed out of her makeshift bed and knelt next to Caius, and he looked over at her, just as she reached out and touched his face with her hand.
&#8220;No matter whether the future changes or not, I won&#8217;t leave you, Caius,&#8221; she said with a smile, and he looked away, his expression pained.
&#8220;That&#8217;s not a solution! That won&#8217;t change&#8230;Yeul!&#8221;
Caius turned and grabbed her shoulders, looking into her eyes, seeing the Eyes of Etro, and he lost all reason.
&#8220;No, Yeul&#8230;please&#8230;don&#8217;t&#8230;&#8221; he managed out, trying to stop that which could not be stopped.
Her body lost its strength as her eyes closed, and as she fell forward Caius took her easily in his arms, holding her close, his emotions twisting inside him.
She opened her eyes, the vision gone now, and she looked up at Caius, reaching up with her hand, reaching up for him.
He took her hand in his, and bent over her, the tears streaming down his face something he hardly felt.
She breathed out, her eyes staring into his, and she was gone.
Caius felt something inside him snap, and he didn&#8217;t even care anymore.
He cried over her, and cried, holding her body tight in his arms and close to him, the sounds of his despair drifting off into the sky.
He slammed his fist into the ground, and again, and then he screamed out at the sky.

I will kill Etro.
And no man, woman, or god will ever be able to bring her back.
I will kill her!


&#8220;You think this&#8217;ll make Yeul happy?&#8221; Noel raised his voice at Caius, running at him with his swords at the ready.
&#8220;Which Yeul are you talking about?&#8221; Caius asked with a glare as he stood.
&#8220;I&#8217;ve known and protected hundreds of Yeuls. Although they had the same soul, every one of them was unique!&#8221; Caius shouted out as he fought with Noel.
&#8220;A Yeul who dreamed of travel!
&#8220;A Yeul who loved to sing!
&#8220;A Yeul who collected flowers. They all died. All of them, before my eyes!&#8221; he yelled out, whirling around and smashing his sword against Noel&#8217;s.
&#8220;But despite that, she chose to live again&#8230;so she could be with you!&#8221; Noel shouted at him.
Caius&#8217; eyes widened, and he was kicked back by Noel in the moment he let his guard down. He managed to right himself in a crouch, and stared back at Noel.
&#8220;I only ever knew the one Yeul. But that was enough. She was smiling when she died. She believed in the future. She knew, we&#8217;d meet again,&#8221; Noel said, tapping his chest over his heart, before pointing his sword at Caius.
&#8220;Think, Caius. Think. Was it really a curse? Was it forced on her by Etro? Do you really think that Yeul wanted to die, and not come back?&#8221;
Caius made a small noise and looked away, his eyes narrowing slightly.
&#8220;Of course not. Yeul wanted to come back. Every time she died in your arms, she wanted to come back. She knew her next life would be short. She knew!&#8221;
Noel stared down at Caius, as Caius watched him with almost uncertain eyes.
&#8220;Because she wanted to see you! Again, and again, without end!&#8221;
Caius&#8217;s eyes widened as he gasped out and looked up in shock, before shoving the words aside and shaking his head.
&#8220;Enough, no more! Lies!&#8221; he shouted out, getting up and striking at Noel.
&#8220;Why won&#8217;t you believe me!?&#8221; Noel said incredulously, and forced Caius backward several paces as he ran forward with all his strength, ripping Caius&#8217;s blade free from his.
He saw an opening, as Caius began to bring his sword back down, and with one quick motion his sword raked across Caius&#8217;s chest.

&#8220;Noel, you told me that Yeul is reborn because of me.&#8221;
Caius crouched down in the sand before Noel, his strength drained from the fight.
&#8220;Then I have to die. We must free Yeul. Kill me. You&#8217;re the only one that can end this eternal torment,&#8221; Caius said, his eyes locked on Noel&#8217;s.
&#8220;Even if it were for Yeul&#8217;s sake&#8230;I wouldn&#8217;t want to kill you.&#8221; Noel lowered his sword.
Caius turned his gaze to Serah, who stood a few paces back from Noel.
&#8220;Lightning is dead. I killed her with my own hands. Will you allow me to go unpunished?&#8221; Caius asks her, seeing her shocked face.
&#8220;He&#8217;s lying,&#8221; Noel cuts in without doubt, and Caius gave a smirk.
&#8220;In Valhalla time does not flow as it should. Long before we had began our battle here I had already faced her. Now she sleeps, never to wake. Things that have happened in your future have already happened&#8230;in my own past. I know how it begins and how it ends.&#8221;
&#8220;Then you should know you can&#8217;t provoke me, no matter how hard you try. I&#8217;m not going to kill you.&#8221;
Noel&#8217;s eyes were honest and absolute, and Caius gave a small laugh.
&#8220;That&#8217;s right. You hate to kill anyone, don&#8217;t you? Noel, born at the end of days, you understand the true meaning of life. But know this.&#8221; Ciaus pauses, and looks at Serah for a second.
&#8220;You will kill me, Noel,&#8221; he says, and at Noel&#8217;s puzzled look, Caius gives a small smirk, and then he moves for Serah in one instant motion.
&#8220;Caius, no!&#8221; Noel shouts out, just blocking his blade in time, and wrenching it out of Caius&#8217;s grasp, sending it flying away.
His sword aimed for Caius&#8217;s heart, and for a moment Caius stared at Noel.
The moment I cease to exist, Yeul shall be released from her fate.
Caius gave a slow smile.
And at the last second, Noel stopped his blade, inches from Caius&#8217;s chest.
&#8220;Give it up. I won&#8217;t do it,&#8221; Noel said in a calm voice, his eyes hard as he stared back at Caius.
&#8220;Hmph. Impressive.&#8221; Caius suddenly grabbed the blade, and Noel&#8217;s eyes widened.
&#8220;No!&#8221; he managed out, struggling with Caius&#8217;s strong grip, trying to stop him.
&#8220;He who can change time must choose between those who die, and those who live. You must bear the burden.&#8221; For a moment Caius&#8217;s eyes met Noel, and he gave a small smile.
&#8220;Of the eternal paradox!&#8221;
He yanked the blade forward and plunged it through his heart.
&#8220;Caius!&#8221; Noel screamed out, but it didn&#8217;t make a difference.
Caius already knew how it began and how it would end.

 

[Flare]

Some more of the clay charms I made for my street fair. Don't mind the prices, I put this on my facebook page as advertizement; I'm only posting it here to show off the charms easily without posting several pics. These are so fun to make, I really love them!

 

[Flare]

'kay guys, I could use a little help here if you'd be so kind. I'm sketching out a character in my book, and I'm trying to decide on hairstyles...I'm not the best at doing this or designing them, but anyway! Please take a look at this and let me know which hairstyle you think suits this dude the best.
Drawn in manga style because it's totally faster than realism.

He's supposed to be around 15-18 age-wise here.

 

[trash panda]

Hmmmm....I like #4.
I guess it depends on what the character does day-to-day.