xylia

[Merekat]

Hello. ;}

My name's merekat (mere for short, if you wish) and I'm an artist. I'm old enough to prefer not giving out a precise number, but suffice to say I'm over 25 enough that people are suprised when I say it is so.

I started a career in graphic design, illustration and web design, and went on to fantasy art and video games.

I'm not very good with keeping up a healthy posting presence on forums per se, I usually have enough trouble keeping the dust bunnies off the couple I've already got. However I wanted to drop by to say hello and that I am very happy Mrs. Barb has gotten back into creating what seems to be yet another potentially addictive comic.

I come from Inverloch pastures where I lurked over there for the past year or so. Among reading all of Sarah's backstory in one sitting, I happily became a loyal lurkng fan of her site (and yah, I bought the books. ;}), clicking on just about every link she had. In Sarah's links section was a mention of an intriguing comic that at the time was on a brief sabbatical. So, of course, I happily found my way to Talisman, read the entire backstory in one sitting, became woefully addicted only to find it veritably cancelled within two weeks of my discovery.

(Darn you for that. ;P I had to go through Ollie detox because of you.)

Yet, because all who fall prey to wishful thinking tend to come back to the hearth they once knew, I did continue to occasionally lurk the Talisman forums. There was talk of a new project, but nothing solid at the last read. Recently, however there was this mention of Xylia. So, of course, I had to google and search. In short, that's how I got here. ;}

Though it is heartbreaking to know of Talisman's suspension, as I am sure even moreso to the ones who have lived through the years of updates, I must say the one thing I really admired about your comic, Barb, is the sense of true character, personality and a bunch of refreshing play of color and light. Your visual storytelling has really evolved through time as is evident in your work, and I can say with certainty now that in this, your newest endeavor, I already see the spark of light and depth that originally drew me to your work past so many other comics on the web.

To summarize: I'm hooked, darn you.

Anyway, I just wanted to drop by and encourage you to keep up the great work. I don't know if there's any hope for more Talisman in the future or even where your plans will be for this incarnation of your talent. But I wanted you to know that wherever you'll be taking us, I trust you to give a most excellent ride and I'm looking forward to every minute of it. ;}

*waves*

[Hagar]

Welcome Merekat! (what an unusual name! where you from?)
Welcome to the lovely (& yes) addictive forum of Xylia! You'll get the chicken thing sooner or later...

An artist? we like you guys! Tell us more about your work (we love link as well *cough*).

Did I say "welcome" yet? Welcome!

[BarbJacobs]

Hello, Miss Merekat (can I just say right now how much I love meerkats- Meerkat Manor is one of my favorite shows, I dont know if that is where your name comes from or a coincidink, but I had to say that.)

My goodness, you have a stunning gallery of art! I was blown away by your portfolio. I am most honored to have you here at Xylialand. And thank you for the kind words about my work on Talismen and so far on this one.

This story is giving me the fits honestly, and I think there will be some bumpy roads before it smooths out to the point that Tali was. But I'll try to make the pictures look nice! ^_^

Thank you for joining the forum! I hope you will visit often!

~B

[Strange Ian]

Promise you're not a werecat? That'd be scary.
Otherwise: Welcome!

[KEZ]

Ollie detox, eh? Well, I'm sorry, I think I'm gonna have to send you back in for a second round...

[link!]

(I just went through a relapse last night and read all the archives again meself.)

Anywho, welcome! And ditto about that awesome gallery! Hot dang!

[ZealousKnight]

Hey, I remember you from the Megatokyo forums (the few times I ever popped in there. It was kinda scary!). I read your articles about composition and such. Good stuff.

It's a pleasure to have you here with the rest of us. Welcome aboard.

[Merekat]

My, you folks are friendly! ;} Thank you for the warm welcome.

Hagar: hehe, my name is actually a pun and it's for the internet. It's based on my website (see link below) and stands for Mere Kat Creations or 'just my stuff'. Merekat, therefore is 'just me'. I've always been fond of understatement, so to have an unassuming name like an Eeyore complex "oh, don't worry, it's only me..." gives me a smile. Since then it's evolved on my areas of the net to become a full name, and I like even folks who've met me on the internet first to refer to me at conventions as Mere or Merekat. *shrugs* It's a strange world, this internet thing.

Having reread your post, I think you meant to ask if it was my real name, no, it's not. My real name is Kristen, but it always sounds strange on the internet. And when I meet folks at cons it helps differentiate between those I met in real life and those I've met online. It helps me keep all the peeps straight, as it were.

Oh, you asked about linkies. I don't have anything specific lately, but feel free to peruse my site. My link is at the bottom of my post box. Thanks again!

Barb: Oh yes, I'm a big fan of meerkats as well. In fact, when I was trying to come up with a URL years ago, I looked up meerkat.com and it pulled up some hippie alien website with meerkat pictures called Fellow Earthlings' (that's what I perceived at the time, as I just glanced at the name and noted they had my URL tagged). Since then I've found out the site is actually a meerkat sanctuary here in the states. I've also happily redesigned their corporate identity as well as a few side projects for them because I believe in their program so much and, having visited there, found it to be a heaven on earth. ;}

However, at the time when I was trying to come up with a URL name and identity on forums (Megatokyo, Sijun, ConceptArt), a friend suggested a misspelling of 'meekat' into 'merekat' as a pun. Since then I love it and sometimes feel more in tune with that name than my real one... but I also always tend to flinch a bit because folks mostly think I'm misspelling the critter. :}

Thank you for your kind words about my work. I always strive to do my best and it's very rewarding when others find the results attractive. This is a good and cozy place you have here and I'm looking forward to all the comic developments you're working on. I admire anyone who can actually pull off a webcomic... I know the amount of constant work that must go into it.

Your mention of writing pains isn't as uncommon as you'd think. I am working on a book as well... though this first book is a concept art tutorial book, but my second book is going to be my own graphic novel / webcomic. Though I'm relatively sure I can pull it off graphically speaking, it's always a constant process of revision concerning the intricacies of writing plot and dialogue. However unsure you might be at times, don't worry. You've been a part of a great comic for years and know where to put the bar. Because of past exposure and present concern, I think you'll be just fine. ;} Have you ever read through 9th Elsewhere? I'm a huge fan of that one as well as others.

Anyway, thanks for the good reads. I'll do my best to say hello often.

Strange Ian: Thanks for the welcome ;} and you'd only have to worry about my being a werecat if you were a snake or a scorpion. or a forum troll. I tend to hunt those as well. ;} (old MT moderator habit). But since I doubt you're any of those critters, you're perfectly immune to any mere' effects. ;}

[edit:]

KEZ: Darn You!! I can't believe you would stoop so low as to (*rightclick*) link me to such an improper and exposed picture as (*saveas*) that link you sent there! Whell I never! How wude!

ZealousKnight: Oh dear. ;} Hm, um, well... someone has to be the sarge over there, eh? ;} And depending on when you visited will reveal what state you saw it in. I've been there for years before the revolution. It started as a tiny forum with about 3,000 folks, most of them lurkers. I was member number 55... but then over the next 5 or so years it got huge, over 55,000 members. It just got so big there had to be ground rules and some goals put into place to cut back the trolling and spamming. But I'm glad you've read some of my dissertations aka tutorials. ;} I sincerely try to give back to the community as I would have liked to had opportunity for were I a beginner artist again.

[KEZ]

KEZ: Darn You!! I can't believe you would stoop so low as to (*rightclick*) link me to such an improper and exposed picture as (*saveas*) that link you sent there! Whell I never! How wude!

Yes, I have been known to be quite the evil, uh, pineapple. heheheh. I do hope it was a "proper" welcome however. *goes off to drool at your tutorials* OMG, the HAIR.

[Silvara_Dragontear]

*A greenclad girl with big glasses apears out of the blue and waves* Hmm welcome to the land of crazyness. *scratches head and look around* I really missed some stuff huh, haven't been around on the forum much lately.

[Mira of the Avin]

Ok I just spent the last hour drooling over your art...

I find it interesting that you use a 3D modeling program for getting just the right angle because I've found that's the easiest way to set up the perspectives I have to do of a room scene I'm designing. Mine is a bit different in that I have to usually design the floorplan before I get to the perspective and with AutoCAD and 3D Studio Max making a room perspective is really easy.

I love your coloring as well and am looking forward to reading the tutorials. I also have to agree with your comment on modeling in 3D but rendering by hand and not letting the computer model for you. The artwork that's done by hand seems to be more life like (at least with my renderings it is)

In all, I loved your work, great job!

[Merekat]

Thank you ;}

Oddly, the more I model at work, the less I have projects of my own that could utilize it. I'm sure that will change when I get more onto my comic project as I plan on figuring out some of my more complex scenes loosely in simple 3D. However my tutorial book has precedent right now and that itself is on the back burner for a client's project. Heheheh... all in a day's work, eh? :}

Welcome to the forums! There's a great bunch of folk here.