[icons] challenge the first
So my February Femslash meme is not forgotten - it's just on hold as I deal with the semester ending (#sobs), getting ready to fly home, and get semi-substantial work done on my thesis*.
In the meantime, I took a night to work on some icons for the otherworldlyric challenge. I typically am hesitant about icons with words on them and I really have to force myself to make them for a good reason, so I figured it was a good challenge I could tackle in a night and then feel good about. (We prioritize short-term goals with big rewards around here these days.)
AND JUST LIKE THAT I WON FIRST PLACE!
I'm not ecstatically pleased with the way this turned out - I think some of the coloring in Dawn's face could be a bit more subtle. But the non-lyrics version is being put into rotation because #1- YELLOW and #2- LOOK AT HER FACE OMG HER FACE IS A THING THAT SHOULD BE WORSHIPPED SERIOUSLY.
First - a seriously huge thank you to the mods of this wonderful challenge and a shout out to the other winner, xclaire_delunex who made some truly awesome icons also. I am counted among the greats here.
I'm going to show you the other submissions and the discards (I made a pretty decent sized batch and could only submit three, but might as well show you them all because I like them).
Abbie Mills is my baby, okay? Sleepy Hollow is a gift and Abbie is my precious. There should be more fandom appreciation of her. I especially liked the pairing of the lyrics "gonna be alright now" dimming out and barely readable with Abbie in a distorted feature. I tried not to make it all colourless exactly - but I like how it turned out to look almost aged. Abbie's war is timeless, but she shines through.
This was one of two Allison Argent icons I made for this challenge - but the other (below) uses the same quote as the one in the Dawn icon I decided to submit. Since the challenge is supposed to be all anon, I figured it'd be too much of a give away to use the same quote in two different icons? I really like this moment with Allison, especially with this particular quote because (while I am a few episodes behind) she has truly rebuilt herself and it's always in that moment when we feel the strongest that we have the most to lose.
The unsubmitted::
I love the artwork of this one, but as the unflappable upupa_epops commented, you can't really tell that it is Allison. The coloring turned out really well, though? I think I may try to make a banner with this texture at some point. (But I need a good cause to make a banner for...)
This is the other Sleepy Hollow icon I made. I quite like it - for what it is. Abbie and Jenny are my favorite sisters on television at the moment (not including found-families because why). I also think this quote works really well for them - and not just because of the reasons why it fits, but for all the times that it doesn't. Abbie and Jenny are hardest on themselves w/r/t their relationship. They are never gentle with themselves and that is reflected in the way they treat each other. I love how much their relationship has developed in such a short time, they really are working towards honesty with each other and re-teaching themselves how to care for each other again. I love them lots, okay?
For these next four, first a disclaimer: I just watched the first three seasons of Being Human for the (first) time recently and am still recovering. (Not technically first as I had already seen 1&2 before coming to Thailand, but I recently did a rewatch and finished season three.) ((We do not speak of seasons 4&5 I am pretending they don't exist.)) (((SERIOUSLY WTF SHOW?))) All four are from the first season because that's all that I have had the heart to screencap for this challenge.
Especially as I was 70% sure while making them that they would not be submitted. (More on that later.)
These two are a set primarily because they are from the same episode. And the same scene. And also omg they are just UGH.
[quasi-meta discussion of the episode and series as a whole - specifically this relationship]1) I love this moment with Annie sitting in the dark waiting for Mitchell - and then when he walks by, she is lit by the doorway at the end of the tunnel. SO much delightful foreshadowing to her finding her door and deciding to wait outside of it for him. (Also a twisted inversion of him going through a door to find her in the darkness once again.) I have all the feelings about Annie/Mitchell and their relationship as reflected through doors and liminal spaces. I'd love to make an icon of them sitting on the doorstep as George turns on the other side of the door - but I haven't had the chance yet. The quote "the night is over" I think is perfect for this moment, because at every stage of her life and her relationship to Mitchell, Annie is desperate for the "night" to be over - and yet she gains so much power in it.
2) "just like you" and Mitchell holding Annie after her assault. LET'S JUST BREAK THIS DOWN SHALL WE? because this quote works on so many levels. On the one hand, Annie and Mitchell are united in death. They are the same. They know things about the Universe that they can only share with each other. This is their greatest uniting factor and eventually becomes their downfall. They seem to be always chasing each other through Death as if it were an entity that they could defeat. On the other hand, Annie is clinging to Mitchell minutes after a sexual/emotional assault. The quote "just like you" could refer to Mitchell being the same as her attacker. Although Mitchell is (generally) very good to Annie - his duplicity, much like Tully, eventually throws a wrench into their relationship and her trust. It's just such a very good quote for this moment.
[spoilery meta for those uninterested]Okay so - who knew that "Downtown" could have the potential for so much menace? Furthermore - who knew that Annie could? This moment, when she whispers into Owen's ear the secret that only dead things know, is possibly the most frightening of the series. We can accept monstrosity in George and Mitchell because it is physical - it is a daily battle of mind over body. But when Annie embraces her darkness, it is purely metaphysical. It is all about her reaching into that dark space and bringing it forth. The pure potential of Annie's darkness is always standing right there on the ledge, threatening to entice her - but is never presented as a threat to her in the way that Mitchell and George struggle with their natures. No. Annie is dark and fierce when she chooses to. And she never loses herself in it, because it is totally in her control.
These quotes - "gentle hand" with Annie looking straight at the camera and defying our expectations of her and "guide them along" whispered into Owen's ear - so perfectly show my feelings about this moment, it is one of triumph and ferocity. I never loved Annie more than in this moment. And pairing this lovable character with the lyrics of a song read by most as happy and uplifting - in her darkest moment - I think emphasizes the delicate balance she carries within her in all moments.
I just really love Being Human, okay?
I loved this challenge - lyrics are fun and can create a really lovely meta project within the space of an icon. Not all icon makers take this into account, but I certainly tried to. However... I may not enter again? I really love the idea and the challenge, but the space seems Buffy-fandom dominant? Which is not necessarily a bad thing per say, but I didn't submit my Annie icons specifically because I felt they would not be well received. I know that Being Human is an old(ish) and relatively small fandom - but in an icon challenge that claims to be a multi-fandom space, I don't feel as though that's what's actually happening? Not that the mods are to blame! OMG NO THE WONDERFUL MODS NO YOU ARE A DELIGHT! More that the Buffy fandom seems to have latched on this space and it is making it difficult for other fandoms to come into light or even great art be recognized. (There was a challenge recently where an obvious winner - to me - on a purely artistic level was not placed and I feel as though the bias towards Buffy is the reason why.)
Generally I really love the Buffy fandom - but as with any fandom, there are always accidental cases of bullying. I may continue to enter in the interest of pushing other fandoms forward in this space - but that honestly sounds exhausting and I'd rather just bow out now. Especially as the current challenge has so much wonderful potential for so many fandoms, but I'd bet my life that the majority of the icons will be Buffy-centric and so shall all the winners.
I hope hope hope I am proven wrong. I wish all of you would get on this bandwagon and help make this really neat space one that actually shows an interest in art and not fandom-bullying. (Not conscious bullying, but the inclination towards voting for fandom rather than for the work itself creates an atmosphere I'm not sure I want to be a part of?)
In other news: the Divergent series is seriously flawless and everyone needs to come scream at me. Especially about Evelyn. Bless my baby Evelyn. And Johanna. AND TORI OMG TORI MY BABY TORI!!!! And all the ladies. Let's just yell about ladies, okay?
Also WooKey are terrible let us not speak of it.
And I'm having Lost feelings that I can't quite express correctly and has all the men on my podcast arguing with me because they think I am being stupid, but I'm really, really not.
And I'm trying to fight through this bout of depression with a certain amount of dignity, so please yell at me about anything and everything. I may not respond because responding is really, really hard right now. But I do appreciate you all. I'm reading everything and keeping up with everything - but commenting is difficult and communication is hard. (particularly when the internet at my apt is too slow to actually load eljay because everything is awful).
In conclusion: Veronica/Weevil(/Logan) fans unite. and Lola/Mary/Bash/Francis fans while we're at it because HELL.
Polyamory guys. Polyamory.
* yes, I am making Thesis progress, or I was last week. most of it is hand-written but may be up here under a special filter in the near future? (god I hope) It still doesn't feel as high-falootin as I feel it is supposed to be? But progress is being made so I'm letting myself be happy about that for a change.
In the meantime, I took a night to work on some icons for the otherworldlyric challenge. I typically am hesitant about icons with words on them and I really have to force myself to make them for a good reason, so I figured it was a good challenge I could tackle in a night and then feel good about. (We prioritize short-term goals with big rewards around here these days.)
AND JUST LIKE THAT I WON FIRST PLACE!
I'm not ecstatically pleased with the way this turned out - I think some of the coloring in Dawn's face could be a bit more subtle. But the non-lyrics version is being put into rotation because #1- YELLOW and #2- LOOK AT HER FACE OMG HER FACE IS A THING THAT SHOULD BE WORSHIPPED SERIOUSLY.
First - a seriously huge thank you to the mods of this wonderful challenge and a shout out to the other winner, xclaire_delunex who made some truly awesome icons also. I am counted among the greats here.
I'm going to show you the other submissions and the discards (I made a pretty decent sized batch and could only submit three, but might as well show you them all because I like them).
Abbie Mills is my baby, okay? Sleepy Hollow is a gift and Abbie is my precious. There should be more fandom appreciation of her. I especially liked the pairing of the lyrics "gonna be alright now" dimming out and barely readable with Abbie in a distorted feature. I tried not to make it all colourless exactly - but I like how it turned out to look almost aged. Abbie's war is timeless, but she shines through.
This was one of two Allison Argent icons I made for this challenge - but the other (below) uses the same quote as the one in the Dawn icon I decided to submit. Since the challenge is supposed to be all anon, I figured it'd be too much of a give away to use the same quote in two different icons? I really like this moment with Allison, especially with this particular quote because (while I am a few episodes behind) she has truly rebuilt herself and it's always in that moment when we feel the strongest that we have the most to lose.
The unsubmitted::
I love the artwork of this one, but as the unflappable upupa_epops commented, you can't really tell that it is Allison. The coloring turned out really well, though? I think I may try to make a banner with this texture at some point. (But I need a good cause to make a banner for...)
This is the other Sleepy Hollow icon I made. I quite like it - for what it is. Abbie and Jenny are my favorite sisters on television at the moment (not including found-families because why). I also think this quote works really well for them - and not just because of the reasons why it fits, but for all the times that it doesn't. Abbie and Jenny are hardest on themselves w/r/t their relationship. They are never gentle with themselves and that is reflected in the way they treat each other. I love how much their relationship has developed in such a short time, they really are working towards honesty with each other and re-teaching themselves how to care for each other again. I love them lots, okay?
For these next four, first a disclaimer: I just watched the first three seasons of Being Human for the (first) time recently and am still recovering. (Not technically first as I had already seen 1&2 before coming to Thailand, but I recently did a rewatch and finished season three.) ((We do not speak of seasons 4&5 I am pretending they don't exist.)) (((SERIOUSLY WTF SHOW?))) All four are from the first season because that's all that I have had the heart to screencap for this challenge.
Especially as I was 70% sure while making them that they would not be submitted. (More on that later.)
These two are a set primarily because they are from the same episode. And the same scene. And also omg they are just UGH.
[quasi-meta discussion of the episode and series as a whole - specifically this relationship]1) I love this moment with Annie sitting in the dark waiting for Mitchell - and then when he walks by, she is lit by the doorway at the end of the tunnel. SO much delightful foreshadowing to her finding her door and deciding to wait outside of it for him. (Also a twisted inversion of him going through a door to find her in the darkness once again.) I have all the feelings about Annie/Mitchell and their relationship as reflected through doors and liminal spaces. I'd love to make an icon of them sitting on the doorstep as George turns on the other side of the door - but I haven't had the chance yet. The quote "the night is over" I think is perfect for this moment, because at every stage of her life and her relationship to Mitchell, Annie is desperate for the "night" to be over - and yet she gains so much power in it.
2) "just like you" and Mitchell holding Annie after her assault. LET'S JUST BREAK THIS DOWN SHALL WE? because this quote works on so many levels. On the one hand, Annie and Mitchell are united in death. They are the same. They know things about the Universe that they can only share with each other. This is their greatest uniting factor and eventually becomes their downfall. They seem to be always chasing each other through Death as if it were an entity that they could defeat. On the other hand, Annie is clinging to Mitchell minutes after a sexual/emotional assault. The quote "just like you" could refer to Mitchell being the same as her attacker. Although Mitchell is (generally) very good to Annie - his duplicity, much like Tully, eventually throws a wrench into their relationship and her trust. It's just such a very good quote for this moment.
[spoilery meta for those uninterested]Okay so - who knew that "Downtown" could have the potential for so much menace? Furthermore - who knew that Annie could? This moment, when she whispers into Owen's ear the secret that only dead things know, is possibly the most frightening of the series. We can accept monstrosity in George and Mitchell because it is physical - it is a daily battle of mind over body. But when Annie embraces her darkness, it is purely metaphysical. It is all about her reaching into that dark space and bringing it forth. The pure potential of Annie's darkness is always standing right there on the ledge, threatening to entice her - but is never presented as a threat to her in the way that Mitchell and George struggle with their natures. No. Annie is dark and fierce when she chooses to. And she never loses herself in it, because it is totally in her control.
These quotes - "gentle hand" with Annie looking straight at the camera and defying our expectations of her and "guide them along" whispered into Owen's ear - so perfectly show my feelings about this moment, it is one of triumph and ferocity. I never loved Annie more than in this moment. And pairing this lovable character with the lyrics of a song read by most as happy and uplifting - in her darkest moment - I think emphasizes the delicate balance she carries within her in all moments.
I just really love Being Human, okay?
I loved this challenge - lyrics are fun and can create a really lovely meta project within the space of an icon. Not all icon makers take this into account, but I certainly tried to. However... I may not enter again? I really love the idea and the challenge, but the space seems Buffy-fandom dominant? Which is not necessarily a bad thing per say, but I didn't submit my Annie icons specifically because I felt they would not be well received. I know that Being Human is an old(ish) and relatively small fandom - but in an icon challenge that claims to be a multi-fandom space, I don't feel as though that's what's actually happening? Not that the mods are to blame! OMG NO THE WONDERFUL MODS NO YOU ARE A DELIGHT! More that the Buffy fandom seems to have latched on this space and it is making it difficult for other fandoms to come into light or even great art be recognized. (There was a challenge recently where an obvious winner - to me - on a purely artistic level was not placed and I feel as though the bias towards Buffy is the reason why.)
Generally I really love the Buffy fandom - but as with any fandom, there are always accidental cases of bullying. I may continue to enter in the interest of pushing other fandoms forward in this space - but that honestly sounds exhausting and I'd rather just bow out now. Especially as the current challenge has so much wonderful potential for so many fandoms, but I'd bet my life that the majority of the icons will be Buffy-centric and so shall all the winners.
I hope hope hope I am proven wrong. I wish all of you would get on this bandwagon and help make this really neat space one that actually shows an interest in art and not fandom-bullying. (Not conscious bullying, but the inclination towards voting for fandom rather than for the work itself creates an atmosphere I'm not sure I want to be a part of?)
In other news: the Divergent series is seriously flawless and everyone needs to come scream at me. Especially about Evelyn. Bless my baby Evelyn. And Johanna. AND TORI OMG TORI MY BABY TORI!!!! And all the ladies. Let's just yell about ladies, okay?
Also WooKey are terrible let us not speak of it.
And I'm having Lost feelings that I can't quite express correctly and has all the men on my podcast arguing with me because they think I am being stupid, but I'm really, really not.
And I'm trying to fight through this bout of depression with a certain amount of dignity, so please yell at me about anything and everything. I may not respond because responding is really, really hard right now. But I do appreciate you all. I'm reading everything and keeping up with everything - but commenting is difficult and communication is hard. (particularly when the internet at my apt is too slow to actually load eljay because everything is awful).
In conclusion: Veronica/Weevil(/Logan) fans unite. and Lola/Mary/Bash/Francis fans while we're at it because HELL.
Polyamory guys. Polyamory.
* yes, I am making Thesis progress, or I was last week. most of it is hand-written but may be up here under a special filter in the near future? (god I hope) It still doesn't feel as high-falootin as I feel it is supposed to be? But progress is being made so I'm letting myself be happy about that for a change.