Life After College

So. I am done with school. And that has been the truth for just over one week now. I feel like I can accomplish anything--it has nothing to do with having a college degree either--it's because I feel like I have all the time in the world to do whatever it is I feel.

And you know what?

It feels good.

But I guess the question is: What now? I do have a few things in mind. And some current personal projects that I have been working on. Not to mention some potential freelance down the line. I would also like to say that it has been a week since school has been out--and yes, I have animated something (so kudos to me!).

This summer is shaping up to be quite an adventure. Just finished up my internship last week over at Nick--although I do have some unfinished business over there, so I'll be visiting two different days next week. There have been more parties than this guy is used to. Camping with friends next weekend (maybe I'll try to do some plein air water colors). And an entire month in Europe with one of my best buddies in the whole world for just about all of July. And I do have my fingers crossed for some other things to happen...

...but...

...the only thing that really matters are the little things. Like waking up a little hung over in L.A. with some of your best friends and having a coffee and nachos on the curb just outside the 7-11 you bought it all from. Only to get up and go to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles.

Because these are the reasons it feels good to be alive.

Writing on the Wall

And this painting means that I have completed my work load for Cal State Fullerton for a B.F.A. in Animation/Entertainment Arts.
I just have to physically hand it in--in about 4ish hours.
(but that is just semantics)

I guess I also should mention that is a historical narrative assignment on the cave paintings in France.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night...

...Take these broken wings and learn to fly

This painting was inspired by "Blackbird" from The Beatles
Looks like my paintings are coming along as scheduled...

But I'm behind schedule on my animation.

Uh oh.

In the immortal words of Detective Marcus Burnett:

I think I have taken procrastination to the next level...
I actually sat through the majority of The House Bunny...
To be honest I was caught off gaurd! I went to work in the morning. Napped when I got home. And decided to check what was on the ol' tube when I woke up. Sure enough there is was on Stars movie channel. I was lured in by a little t&a it's not fair!

I've procrastinated in the past.

Finals does that to people.

But now I am just worried....

Dos and Don'ts--Shoulds and Shon'ts

With finals just one week away I would like to say how productive I have been. You know it's just a seven day span from now and I could very well tell you about all the progress I have made:

I could say how I have been animating up a storm and painting like no-ones business. But that would be a stretch of the truth.

A more accurate recounting of the truth would involve me and my preoccupation with seeing how long I could grow my beard and staying up 'till 3 in the morning playing Uncharted 2 (which I swore to myself I wouldn't give in to my video game vice until AFTER this semester was through...) On top of all that I'm not too sure when I attended class last...

Blogging and doodling bad caricatures of myself isn't much productive either.

Ants in my Pants

It's crazy to think that what happens tomorrow may very well have a huge impact on what will happen to me for the next couple of years. I have always been impressed with the types of situations I have been able to talk my way into (I think the only real exception being my inability charm cute girls on the fly). I guess we'll have to wait and see--the suspense is killing me...


Last night was the last life drawing class with Joel at Nick and I had a lot of fun doing this very angular fashionesque quick sketches. Maybe I'll do more of it.

May is just a day and a half away.

And the rest of my life will follow three weeks after...

Nothing Beats a Buck and a Duck

Ducks Don't Play Tennis from Calixto Ortiz on Vimeo.

Animation Project 3. After today's critique I now see some changes that should be made, otherwise it was pretty well received. I tried to get more cartoony with it and I think the class really responded to it (especially since no one really does too cartoony animations in class). I mean, I'm no John K. but I'm still learning.

I do feel like I put a lot more personality into the duck when compared to my other projects. And that's probably why it is working better.

My arm is feels so drained from drawing so much, but still we press on (only 1 month and 1 day left....)