2012 - The Life I've been Given

Greetings Friends,

Obviously it has been a long long time since I have updated this blog, and for that I apologize. Most of you know that once children come around, life can be very busy, and with work, dreaming, and family I have neglected this blog!

Family - The kids are doing well, and school is just around the corner. Ella is going into third grade. She is doing so well in school, she loves to read, imagine, and also, in her 3rd year of piano, which is laying a great foundation for not only music in her life, but also the repetition of life, work and activities that she wants to better herself in. The other day she was practicing, and no joke, I thought it sounded amazing, it was like when you don't see someone for a year, and they grow, or get older. If you were with that person, you wouldn't really notice near as much, but since it came out of the blue for me, it was like, holy cow Ella, was that you playing the piano?!?!
Sophia is starting school as well, she will be going all day for the first time. I am excited and nervous for her. I am looking forward to her growing in imagination, and wonder. I can't wait for her to ask me, or mom some questions that she has. Sophia loves spending time with her sister, and often pouts if her sister does not want to play with her. I think she will also begin to start piano soon as well.
Levi is getting big. Speaking in sentences, and acting like a boy. He loves his mother very much. He tells it to her, and often reminds me that I should as well. I think that in becoming a man, having a son is the last step as far as growth comes, and as your son gets older, you too learn different ways of becoming a better man.
The kids love singing songs to Jesus in the car rides. They love to jump on their trampoline, and play with their dog and cat.
Red is doing well. She has been working so much this month because of the great promotion they are doing at JCPennys. They have been giving away free hair cuts for children, and she has been working over time! She has been handling the remodel in our house very well, considering the timeline we are on. I think though her patience will be wearing thin.

EMBER

Levi Drake was born early. Premature and small.

Family all deceased in a house fire.

Jon Russel, a local fireman, found the baby in its crib, eyes, closed, with an ashy blanket on him. His skin covered in a light charcoal color. He opened his eyes, they were a beautiful ember color.

It was a miracle. An anomaly.

Slowly as he cooled, and Jon rocked him, His color slowly faded to normal. His limbs first, up to his body, then head, then mouth was the last thing to turn.

So the community would not know, the boy was secretly taken out and raised by Jon Russel as his own.

It was a secret that only 4 firefighters knew. They including the Captain, Jon, Mark, and a new recruit, young Lucas.

Jon Russel, along with his wife raised the baby as well as they could. They loved him as if he was their own. they loved him knowing how special he was. They named him Levi Drake Russel.

It wasn’t until later in his life when he discovered his power. And learned about his past.

This is Ember

A young man now, Levi lives his life in constant struggle.

His power of breathing fire is something very difficult to control. He knows that it is something that can cause great pain, and has learned that for now, getting angry is the only way that it comes out. His mouth coats itself with a harder material, the color of a light charcoal, so that his skin is not effected by this. it grows as he uses his power. it can be seen around his mouth sometimes, looking almost like a birthmark. but as his thoughts collect, and his emotions cool, it slowly goes away.

Though breathing fire can be physically explained by the different chemicals found in his body. (the glands in his throat/the extra lung in his body) he does his best not to do it.

The first time he did, his apartment almost burnt down.

These are the stories of Levi's life, and his discovery. as he tries his best to find his place.

As the time grows closer

The Myth: Placed here among us, this creature is an anomaly.

Raised in the country he spent his nights flying to the city to fight evil.

The Rook: No job is too big when this man is asked to select a few to rise to a greater destiny.

Every piece on the board is important.

The Cure: Her dream was to save people, as her father did. The biggest moment in her life, comes after death, when she must heal something broken.

The Slave: It’s impossible to understand this type of pain. Living a new life of freedom he fights for what he believes.

The Artist: Who ever thought a kids teacher would become a warrior? Giving his life to save that little girl was the best decision he has ever made in his life.

The Knight: He has denied his natural gift to lead twice in his life. Now in his death he embraces it completely.

Commission Work & Refreshed Synopsis and Story

Just wanted to share with those who occasionally stumble across this blog a recent commission I had done by a great artist named Carlo. His website is http://carlogarde.deviantart.com/ and he does amazing work. here is the picture he did (along with my colors):

Its more of a cartoon look to it and I think its really good. Thanks again Carlo!! Also I wanted to share an updated synopsis and story. When looking at the submission process, I have read that in telling a synopsis, you should be able to sum up the idea in one to two sentences. Man that is hard!!! But it was something that has helped me along with all of the brainstorming, and drafts.

Disciple 6

Disciple 6 is a story about a select group of individuals chosen by a supernatural power to walk past their own deaths and into a bigger destiny. Upon the horrific deaths that each of them endure, they are posed with a simple question: Continue to the afterlife? Or a new chance to live? With new found abilities, each one of The Cast battles with their own emotions, and have questions about purpose.

Our stories begin with the wait for the next member to die to this world, and arrive in the afterlife. But quickly all plans need to change when The Rook, founder of The Cast is confronted by a higher power, telling him to send who he has to rescue someone who is special to him. So Rook stays and awaits the next member’s arrival, as he sends Vionne, Hazard and Cordite to save someone they have never met.

Drawn in a traditional comic art style Disciple 6 has an original concept to back up the great art. Readers that enjoy team dynamics, complex characters, and exciting storylines will find Disciple 6 right up their alley.

2010

Well hello there friends. Welcome to 2010. A new year for new things. Life has been good to me. The remodel is coming along. Slower than hoped, but it hasn't really been a priority so I can't get too mad at myself for it. Blogging hasn't really been a priority either, as you can see.... But hey, I don't want to get too wrapped up in this Internet stuff right? When life is happening all around me. But an occasional ramble is always a good thing.
My kids are getting so big. Levi Drake is crawling around like a mad man, and smiling all the time. Also dealing with his sisters is obviously making him stronger. Sophia Grey's personality is growing also. Putting words together, asking questions. She is at that age where she is using words that we didn't teach her. I look at her thinking where did you learn that? Then i realize she HEARS it. so she says it. (i am not talking about BAD words here, just random ones, like "on top of" or "I am too high from the ground to pick it up...." Seriously? Sophia? You are too HIGH from picking up the toy off the ground? right.... Ella Shay, dancer dancer, loosing teeth like its going out of style. She is such an adult. She usually gets ready in the morning by herself. She also gets to take out "her dog" (Sophia says)
Work is going well. Still so much to learn about the selling of cars. And dealing with customers can be trying sometimes. I find myself complaining sometimes and I do not want to become that guy. That is not me.
City of Ember. have you ever seen that movie? Its based on a book (I haven't read) but the movie was very surprising. the "idea" behind it all was very interesting. I recommend those of you who haven't seen it to check it out. As we were laying there watching it, my wife (pregnant at the time with Levi) said, "we should name the baby Ember..." I looked at her red hair and thought to myself, it could be cool, but Levi was kind of what we were set on. Now Ember still lives on in my character that I created along time ago. Though a name was never set, Ember fits Perfectly. And guess what his real name is..... Levi Drake. (Drake means Dragon). Its funny how a life of making superheroes, powers, and stories, most of the great stuff comes from my wife, and it inspires me. I really like being a creative thinker. I try my hardest to create, and think of things that have never been thought of before. Some believe it can't be done. Some think the only thing to do is copy what others thing. I say poop on that!
Disciple 6 is moving right along. Its been such a blessing. Things that started just as thoughts in my mind, with the help of an eager artist wanting to break into the industry, and now the pro from Australia, who puts the finishing touches on things. This REALLY turns these sketches into the final product. This will be the last image I show the public. The rest I really feel like I should keep private until we finally do our submission. With that I leave you with the title page (not including script) I think that this is going to be a great year. At the end of the day, the only one that can stop me is myself. I have been blessed with a dream.

Disciple 6

Sophia sprinkled with some Levi