confessions of a graphomaniac

Randomness again.

windwingswrites — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:01:06 GMT

This picture was taken today in Moscow at an anti-Putin meeting. (we're having a presidential election in March and it all looks like Poopoo is going to be riding it another six years).

Anyways, the writing is in Russian and it says "take your sock and go already". I don't know if you know, but the way Doppy resembles Putin is a huge, huge gig here in Russia :)

God, I think this is one of the best effin' political banners I've seen in a while! I lurve it to bits!

Staring you down

windwingswrites — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:53:39 GMT

I haven't been around a lot lately. I think one of my subconscious New Year wishes was to become more active in this corner of fandom. Anyway, I would dearly like to wish you wonderful lot a plenty of great and new things in this new year, and may its leapness never turn its unsavoury sides towards you.

Here, Snape is staring you down and even attempting at a smile of sorts.

*hugs the entire flist*

The reveal is up!

windwingswrites — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:44:22 GMT

And I can't thank the wonderful talesofsnape for my gift, In a Glass, Darkly! I had a gut feeling it would be someone from my flist. Dear Tales, thanks a lot for this wonderful story and a great take on the darkish Dumbledore! It was doubly so a treat, because I really liked the Dumbledore part, I usually am not a fan of Dark!Dumbledores, but yours was so cleverly done and greatly executed. A great, great, great story.

I also confess having written Split for linlawless, suddenly an almost maxi-length fic, written as 'I sat down to write a short PWP and came up with zillions of pages of genfic' :)

I'd like to thank the ever wonderful melusin_79 for being a fantastic beta once again.

A small companion piece for Split, also done after one of Linlawless's great prompts here:

I know my flisters as tolerant and outspoken people, so...

windwingswrites — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:09:29 GMT

http://allout.org/russia_silenced

Quote:

The party led by Russian President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin is pushing discriminatory legislation against lesbian, bi, gay and trans people that could eliminate their freedom to speak publicly and assemble.

Russia is a signatory to numerous international human rights treaties - including the European Convention on Human Rights. We call on you to urgently speak out and hold Russia accountable to its treaty obligations - and stand with LGBT Russians whose ability to speak for themselves is under attack.

If they ratify it, I won't even be able to post a slash fic in my LJ.

Yet more art.

windwingswrites — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:09:21 GMT

It seems I haven't been posting anything here besides fanart of late.

Life's doing well, I'm working now, so less time for fandoming, which is most unfortunate. But work is pretty fun so far, I do marketing research and analysis for a large-ass IT company. Pretty challenging and I get to use my English skillz.

anywhoo, another art I've done. I've been doing a small gift exchange with a couple of Russian friends, postcards for the upcoming holidays and all, and this is my part of the exchange with the wonderful and talented emilywaters76

She's written me an awesome bittersweet Snape-centric drabble and this is an illustration to it.

With her kind permission, I'm posting her text here.

Credits:
Everything you recognize is Jo's.
Text is by the talented Emily Waters.
Lovely snow texture by ~emilyemilybeth

Sometimes he dreams of Bathelda's house, Nagini charging him, Hermione screaming. Sometimes he thinks that out of the corner of his eye he can see a dark silhouette and can sense someone else's magic coming into play, erecting shield after shield between him and the snake.

ometimes he's back at the Ministry, trying to steal the locket from Umbridge. For a while it seems to him that the entire thing works out surprisingly well, everything is almost too easy, but then, there's that familiar dark silhouette again somewhere in the corner of the large room, and Harry isn't surprised anymore.

Other times, he's back in the Forest of Dean, and someone is pulling him out of the pond. Harry knows that it is Ron, but in his dreams it's not Ron's voice speaking to him, and it's not Ron's hands that grasp the Sword of Gryffindor to aim it at the locket.

* * *

It's almost bedtime now.

The fireplace at the Burrow flickers. The ornaments on the Christmas tree glow, each holds a reflection of Harry, Ron and Hermione, huddled together in front of the hearth. There's a mug with eggnog in Ron's hands and a book in Hermione's lap.

“Maybe he was there,” Harry muses. “Maybe he just... helped us and then changed our memories. Just to be on the safe side.”

“Or maybe you just don't want to believe that we were all alone in this, without any of the so called adults to help us,” Ron mutters bitterly.

“Or maybe it's time for bed,” Hermione says, clearly sensing an argument about to ensue. She closes her book and pulls Ron up to his feet.

When they leave, Harry remains in front of the fireplace and continues to stare at the glowing embers until his eyes water and sting.

Hermione's right, he thinks, it's too late in the night to have an argument like that. It's almost time for bed and for more dreams.

He imagines that tonight he'll dream of walking through the Forbidden Forest to face Voldemort.

It will be different this time.

Harry will hold the Resurrection Stone in his hand again, and he won't be alone, but he will not be asking “does it hurt to die” or “will Voldemort see you” or “did I do all right” or anything of the sort.

It's not that Harry doesn't want to ask those things. It's just that – he knows that Snape isn't going to want to talk, so they will simply walk shoulder to shoulder in silence for as long as they can.

~ fin

More fanart.

windwingswrites — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:35:06 GMT

This is something I did for a contest at a Russian fansite. The theme was First Time, and this is Harry's first time seeing a Thestral.

I'd like to thank the wonderful cabepfir for all the advice and hints she'd given me on this. They were invaluable. I didn't manage to use all of them - not because I was lazy or in a hurry, but rather, because I'm not competent enough and still find myself sorely lacking in skills and all. But thanks to her, I did manage to improve it a great deal, I think. A larger version of this is on my DA page.

Asking dear flist for recs.

windwingswrites — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:54:13 GMT

I went back to work about a month ago, doing things that are in many ways new to me, and am hopelessly lagging behind on Exchange. I know, many of my lovely flisters are much farther ahead of me in this, so I'm sort of calling out for help :)

I'm in desperate need of a good SSHG read. Good new SSHG read.

Rays of sunshine and imaginary chocolate Snapes to kind souls who could link me to a few Exchange fics. Something not exactly pinky-fluffy and more plotty than porny would be awesome.

I still am planning to read all of it, but just need a little break from all the software and marketing and management and customers right now.

A great way to celebrate Snape through ages.

windwingswrites — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:36:37 GMT

And it may not run due to lack of sign-up-ees :(

snapecase: Celebrating Severus Snape throughout his ages!

My gift has arrived!!!

windwingswrites — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:05:44 GMT

I'm one extremely happy camper today!!! *runs around ceiling*

You should definitely go read this story and please give the Mystery Author some loving. It's a great combination of poignant moments and light humour and has a mystery that will have you enthralled.

In a Glass, darkly

You absolutely HAVE to see it :)

windwingswrites — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 10:20:11 GMT

One of the biggest Russian HP archves hosts a contest for fanartists to become an official site's artist. This is the entry from Kissyushka, one of my fave arters. She's immensely diverse, both her realistic and cartoony drawings are fantabulous.

CLICK ME.

This is her portrayal of 29 HP characters. There'll be more, but the ones that are here are stunning. Don't mind headers in Russian. All the characters are recognizable even without names.

Randomness and drawings.

windwingswrites — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:44:25 GMT

I have finally sent the fic part of the gift to the Exchange mods. I'm THAT slow this summer.
Egh.

Also, drew a Snape again. This time, with Harry.

It's called 'The bravest man he's ever known'. Harry remembers Snape - that's the gist of it.

windwingswrites — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:44:01 GMT

I had a strike of fancy. No, I had a STRIKE OF FANCY. And re-written half of my Exchange fic in just three days. I'm unbelievably excited, because this bright idea kinda just hit me in the head when was computerless and I had to repeat it over and over in my head so that I didn't lose it. It's almost done and I'm kinda proud of how it turned :) this is the first time I really like the concept of the story.
One gift turned in on time, another one to follow.

Heee ))

windwingswrites — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:19:52 GMT

My Exchange fic is shaping out to be much bigger than I initially planned. And I lurve this!

Also, I'm cheating on HP with Marvel-Loki fandom. Is anyone else in the flist enchanted? I soooo am. Tom Hiddleston is my new personal sex symbol.

More fanart... again.

windwingswrites — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 22:12:15 GMT

I've recently revisited one of my favourite fics - The Sins of Severus Snape by lariopefic . I think it's one of the best canon-compliant Snape-fics ever.

It inspired me to make a sort of a companion peace.

The Redemption of Severus Snape.

Lariope, my dear friend, I hope you like it.

Another Snape art.

windwingswrites — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:48:38 GMT

This is a banner I did for a russian SSHG site. Well, part of a banner. Because I don't like the Hermione part :)
But you still can view it here

SSHG Exchange Preferences.

windwingswrites — Sun, 22 May 2011 11:13:14 GMT

I'm having a bit of trouble doing this post. One the one hand, it may be helpful, but on the other hand, part of me thinks that I may be limiting my dear gifter in ways. So... my dear gifter, if you're reading this - these are no rules, take them all with a big amount of salt, divide by five and add whatever thoughts you have on the subject.

I think I'll write about art first, because it's short. Really, when it comes to art? I am absolutely NOT picky. Any style, any means. I tried to make my art prompts broad, except for that S/H noir one. If you're an artist, just go with the flow and do whatever your muse tells you. The only thing I'm not particularly fond of about art is Muggl-izing of Snape and Hermione. I like them as wizards.

Now, on to the fic.

1. Likes. I like stories with a good psychological subtext. I really love it when both characters have their flaws, when they're not perfect, when they don't achieve everything they go for. It makes them more human. I love it when Hermione uses her smarts, but I love it specifically when there are things she doesn't know. Or things she hasn't forseen/calculated. And when they bite her in the ass (see my first prompt abour H making a mistake).
I prefer angst to fluff. Am an absolute sucker for a good tragedy - not the 'Hermione standing in the rain at Snape's grave' kind. Think "That language he has never spoken" by MadQueenMab or "The Tattered Man" by Aurette. True to life, no-extra-cheese-and-pathos tragedies. If you manage something like that? I'll probably worship at your feet :)))) OK, remove the 'probably', I definitely will!

I like Post-hog and a somewhat experienced in the ways of life Hermione.

I also love humour. Elaborate, exquisite, refined, 'british' type humour. I LOVE it when Snape talks like Encyclopaedia Britannica and uses fancy language constructions. I like fade-out sex and fade-out happy endings, or open endings. I really appreciate imagination within canon or small (and big) additions to the HP universe itself. I like Draco and I like Harry. I like both Snape and Hermione have something they do and like to do.

2. Dislikes. Weddings. Parties. Balls. Dancing. Regency. Matchmaking games. Children. Babies. Pregnancies and their descriptors ('glowing' *shrugs violently*). I don't like Ron and Dumbledore much, but I don't like it even more when Ron is made into an ass and Dumby is either waaay too awesome or omniscient or is turrned villain-ey. I don't like non-con, or Snape having to deal with an abused/raped/beaten-by-Death-Eaters Hermione as a start to their relationship. I'm not a big fan of pulp and gore, unless you decide to write a zombie apocalypse fic (which I LURVE) :)) I like sex scenes, but with plot prevailing. I'm not a big fan of stories where S and H christen every surface in their house and have an obligatory grand finale fuckfest in the final chapter, unless the story is a PWP. I don't like forced relationships.

My dear gifter, I hope I didn't scare you to bits. Just go with your idea. I'm sure I'll love it!

I'm late, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MELUSIN!

windwingswrites — Tue, 10 May 2011 11:05:57 GMT

I hope you had a great day!

Just a doodle I did for a friend.

windwingswrites — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:43:58 GMT

it took me all of an hour and a half. BIgger version is on DA. I thought

Feeling a little accomplished.

windwingswrites — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 06:46:37 GMT

Spinners--End on DeviantArt has chosen my regretful Snape as the Feature of the Week.

SQUEEEEEEEE!!!!!

windwingswrites — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 05:43:33 GMT

This is a series of digital fanarts I did for a fest at a Russian site. The general level of art was absolutely above the sky, but I did rather well. And our team won, which is a great thing ;)

Anyways, the task was to draw at least five arts, all united by some idea. And to include a measuring instrument in each one, but they shouldn't just be things hangind on the wall in the background.

This is 'Obsession'. Everyone is obsessed with something, right? Click on the strange cyrillyc letters to see a much bigger picture. Veeery big ones are available at my DA page (see profile).

Lavender. Her obsession is her looks and great figure.

Snape. His obsession is Potions, naturally.

Dumby. His obsession is sweets.

]

Hermione. Her obsession is to make as many elves happy as she can. Even if they aren't particularly in need of it :)

Luna. Is obsessed with imaginary little friends. And this time the concentration of nargles doesn't exceed the norm.

A couple of arts I did recently.

windwingswrites — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:52:36 GMT

First one, was made for a Russian slash fest.

OMG, you wouldn't believe the art there, people. I'm in awe, and am humbled and jealous in a good way. It's just so beyound ordinary.

I did this Snape/Black drawing. I'm not sure I have a definite picture of Sirius in my head, so my inspiration came from Ville Valo. And the second one I did for the Spinner's End Death Eater challenge at Deviant Art. This one was painted in colours from scratch.

Nightmares of a Death Eater.

Sigh.

windwingswrites — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 10:05:59 GMT

I think I'm hitting an annual pre-birthday depressive low. And since this year the first figure in my age changes from two to three, the low is especially, well, low. Those who have already stepped over that line say that nothing changes, really, but I still dread it irrationally. Dreary cold days, when you can't even get out of the house for fifteen minutes without having the snot in your nose freeze up all the way to your brain, don't help the situation.

Re-read what I've posted of the Mage. I can't believe the strike of idiocy that had made me write a maxi-length fic as one of my first HP stories. It feels as if all the narative does is flips and strays and wanders and gets lost. I have the next two chapters assembled, but lost contact with my beta. And I keep hating the fic.

Started working on another translation from Russian. This time the story is quite different, but I like it much better, there aren't any grating episodes so far which I have trouble adjusting for a westerner's understanding.

Got a little flamed about art. Nothing really big or even thought-worthy, but I'm getting paranoid and insecure, and my straight-A student complex is resurfacing big time, so even littlest, stupidest things upset me. And I feel like I can't, I don't, I haven't, and most importantly, I shouldn't. I hate my hands, and my eyes, and my brain, because they don't produce things the way I intend them to.

Drew a new Snape. Took time. It was supposed to be an 'I'm Sorry" present for a person who I somewhat care about, but who doesn't like me much these days, but while I was drawing, I had a thorough pondering and realized that I'm kind of tired of saying sorry and showing 'sorry', if the person just wants to stay mad. So, I just finished the Snape off. He's absolutely imperfect anatomicaly because he is completely out of my head, and I'm still pants at drawing hair (downloaded a few good tutorials and will be studying) but I love him most of all my Snapes. And he is doing surprizingly well at DA, helping my Straight-A student complex shut up and be gone a great deal.

He looks very much the way I feel right now. Happens every February, yes, so, after I celebrate the B-day, get drunk and funny numerous times, and receive much loving and presents, I'll be just fine again.

UPD: I have the best flist ever. *hugs you all*

Stuffs.

windwingswrites — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 07:03:07 GMT

Stuffs are so random, that I had to put them in a list :)

1. I'm studying SAI. Like, seriously. i used to doodle in it and use its blends, but now I'm trying to do something from scratch in it.
It's very-very nice for drawing, especially if you do the lineart first, which is also great in SAI, because you can add vector levels.

But the more I get into it, the more I realize that I need a better tablet. Like, a much, much better tablet.

2. Also, I'd never gardened before. Mind you, I have a few cactuses which would grow despite everything I do and forget to do to them, and I used to plant strawberries, cherry tomatoes, roses and lilies in pots on my balcony. They turned out pathetic, but I did eat all of four flimsy berries last year.

But this year I have all of a small patch of land around the newly-built house. Right now it looks horrendous, and I'll have to do something about it. Went out and bought an assortment of flower seeds, and some of them need to be planted to pots prior to putting the saplings in the ground (because of the ass-hurting cold). And it all looks pretty hard.

But the place is lovely, so the garden will have to be lovely. I'm skeeered.

3. Pic Spam. Because I feel like it. This is about 4 kms from where the house is. It used to be a noble'sman mansion, and there's still a lovely park with tall lindens and chestnuts, and very old stone pavement (which starts almost at our house). And now it's just a set of awefully romantic and beautiful ruins. Took these pictures a couple of year back, when we just bought the tiny piece of land there.

This is actually the view to the Oka river, from the top of the hill, at the side of which the house is.

The remnants of the mansion.

teh V-day

windwingswrites — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:27:50 GMT

I've noticed I haven't written anything lately, apart from posting art. I guess I got a little paranoid that daily random stuff I'd write won't be of much interest, and I have really no need to put it down into words for self or reflexion purposes :)

Hence another art.

I really am not a fan of Valentine's day, though my patronymic is Valentina.

But i absoutely HAD to get this out of my head.

one_bad_man , Severus Snape hates it too.

And Gryffindor is risking a negative points balance.

A very, unforgivably belated B-day gift for Droxy.

windwingswrites — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 18:07:00 GMT

Dear Droxy, your comments and advice about art make me move my ass and do stuff. This is a huge thing. I hope you like this one.

UPD: Changed the post because someone told me it's not clear that the art is mine :))))

Yes, i'm Sassynails on DeviantArt, in case someone doesn't know.