Back to the Grind

Just a short blog. But I'm happy to say that I am getting back to the art table finally. I will be posting artwork tonight after I get off work and then follow up with more artwork on Halloween Day.

Brief History Lesson:
The actual concept of MockTales came to me winter of 2001/2002. Although I tell people this book is 10 years in the making, it actually contains ideas I thought of when I was as young as 6 years old. But in the same respects, I truly feel I haven't been professional and in the right position to put this dream together until now. The problem is, I have been promissing this book for years without realizing I wasn't ready. And because of that, I have let a lot of people down. (as I have mentioned before, so I won't go "broken record" on you all)

So where do we stand? Another deadline coming up and will Greg provide? Well the answer is yes, Greg will provide on Halloween day, October 31st 2010. I will be posting a lot of artwork on Facebook and Deviant Art. The MockTales website will be updated as well, with a few active pages. I am still deciding whether or not to get rid of the template I have been using the last few years and just code everything myself again. But that means more work on my plate.


On the horizon:
There is still no release date for MockTales #1. Not until I know for certain I can have the pages done and print-ready. But I will definately have a couple pages to view online on Halloween day.

Also, while I have a few well known comic artists in talks to help with Pin-up, concept and cover artwork for MockTales, I don't have any definate projects that I can announce at this time. When I have artwork in my hands and ready to print, I will most likely make announcements. I am very excited that I have a few people wanting to work with me on this book. So as soon as I know for sure I will announce who they are and what they will be helping with.

Additionally I am hoping to get some Radio time on the local Seattle stations and get the word out for MockTales across the rest of the country. I'll work on world domination in 2012... shortly before the apocalypse. Advertising for me will be more likely once I actually have pages available for people to view and the book is print-ready.

Want to help? Just let everyone know about MockTales.com and our networking sites. Email me with questions or concerns at mocktales@gmail.com.


(Art below by Greg Scott Bailey. Character: Bleü)

Las Vegas Vacation 2010

It has taken me a while to write this blog. Erasing, deleting, re-writing, re-arranging and re-evaluating what I want to say. So as I sit here listening to Machines of Loving Grace "Butterfly Wings" and finish my final edit, I find myself with a smile on my face, a posative outlook on life, and happy to tackle what ever obstacles are ahead.

And so...

It is October 3rd, 2010. I have come home from work to my new place, a rented room at a house in North Seattle. Today is the day I leave for Las Vegas with Nirvana, my new best friend and confidant. We are heading to the City of Sin for a vacation, photo shoots and the Las Vegas Renaissance Faire "Age of Chivalry."

A couple hours into the drive, we have picked up a few extra camping supplies for the Ren Faire from a friend in Bonney Lake and decided instead of driving 30 miles back up north to I-90, we should just take Hwy 410 and drive through White Pass. The climb is steady as we get higher and higher into the mountains. Nirvana and I have been listening to a great assortment of music on her Android phone. With wonder and amazement, the trees just keep looking more and more beautiful as it is apparent Autumn is on the horizon. The rivers flowing by the road remind me why I love the Pacific Northwest so much. When we finally reach the summit area of the highway, the clouds are low and thick, giving us fog-conditions. The road also begins to narrow with caution signs that we should be driving slow. Nirvana and I notice that it would take much to drive off the road and down the cliff, so we naturally obey the speed limit.

After we made it through White Pass, we began travelling through eastern Washington. Passing through Yakima and then heading south to Oregon and further on into Idaho. During that trip Nirvana took over driving duties for a while. While my part of the trip seemed uneventful, Nirvana had to go through some crazy-ass construction. We even had a situation where a Semi and a Ryder truck had an accident. The Semi's trailer was taking up all the lanes on the road, with the cab mushed up sideways on the right. The Ryder truck had crashed into the back of the trailer, probably causing it to slide sideways. After careful assessment while sitting and waiting for emergency services, many of us drivers noticed we could probably squeeze inbetween the back of the trailer, the Ryder truck and the concrete barrier on the left side. So, Nirvana handed over the wheel to me and I slowly navigated the truck through, and we were once again on our way.

The rest of the drive was somewhat uneventful. Taking advantage of a Rest STop, we slept for a couple hours in Idaho. Breakfast in Twin Falls, Idaho, was breathtaking. You could see into a canyon there that was absolutely amazing. It even had a golf course in it. Storm clouds through northern Nevada helped keep the trip cool since we were travelling without air condidtioning. Then, after almost 24 hours from starting our trip, we saw the signs for Las Vegas and the happy, yet tired, smiles began to grow on our faces. We entered town just in time for Nirvana to make a Photo Shoot. The Photographer understood that we were trying hard to make it by Monday night and so it was great to be able to make it into town on time. After the photo shoot Nirvana and I went to check in to the Trump Towers. And what an amazing room and service. We enjoyed our stay so much that we signed up for a second night and even wrote a letter to the staff and management. They were polite, courtious and helpful. Both Nirvana and I plan on staying there again during the week next year if we go to Ren Faire 2011. Or possibly any other trip.

After checking out of the Trump Towers, we went over to a friend of Nirvana's near Lone Mountain and Shepard's Pass so that Nirvana and I could get our own photo shoot in. We ended up hiking a mountainside that wasn't so much difficult, but something I had never done. And at one point I really had to climb probably a 15-20 foot face area. Again, not something difficult, but something I had never done. This was a personal big step in my life, having never done this before and it was such a good feeling knowing I got to climb what I did. While taking some photos on the way up was fun, the real fun happened when we reached the top. We did a few wardrobe changes and then got started. After the shoot, there was a moment of amazement when you look out over the horizon at the city of Las Vegas and all the Mountains in the area. You just stand there in awe of everything, happy to be alive. After the climb, our third Hotel night was at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Our opinion is rather low of this Hotel unfortunately. If we were staying there, ready to party and have people over, then I could see this room being useful. But after the long day of climbing and such, both Nirvana and I were just ready to crash and burn. We were able to get out for dinner at a wonderful Italian eatery, but when we brought home the leftovers we realized there was no fridge in the room. Additionally we wondered if we could just put the left overs in the mini-bar, not realizing that all the items are pressure sensative so that even Ethan Hunt from Mission Impossible couldn't steal a mini-bottle of rum if he wanted. (I jest... of course Ethan Hunt could do it!).

After sorting out the "billing" issue and checking out of the room at the Hard Rock, Nirvana and I moved on to one last photo shoot for her, and setting up our camping at Sunset Park, Las Vegas. Meeting with members of The Port of the Black Sail, a guild eventing with the Las Vegas Ren Faire, I quickly began to realize what I missed about going to events both SCA and Ren Faire alike. A great assortment of people that, while it took me a while to warm up to, ended up being a wonderful group that I hope to event with again. They had a great set up complete with rope, fish netting, and the highlight for me; a 15-foot tall Crow's Nest. We spent a good portion of the event playing Pirates/Privateers. Our job was to bring people visiting the Faire from off the street in for Floggings and Drubbings. Floggings of course would mean they would be put into the stocks and flogged. And Drubbings they were put into a second set of stocks and drenched with water. With audience participation, everyone had a great time and joined the fun. We would ask the audience to count to three with us and told them that the louder they would count, the harder we would hit. (which of course was just part of the act). By Sunday, close of event, we were all tired and exhausted... but couldn't take a break yet, because it was time to break down all the equipment and store it in the U-haul truck.

By the end of the event we were heading back on the road again to Seattle. This time we ended up going to Northern California and then up through Oregon. Not because we wanted to, but because I went on the wrong highway. *smiles* Regardless, we knew how to get to I-5 and eventually made our way into Southern Oregon before we finally hit a major snag; loss of transmission fluid. We were climbing up a mountain hillside of I-5 near Sunny Valley when I noticed the accellerator was going all the way to the floor, and we weren't going any faster. Looking in the rearview mirror to get over to the shoulder of the road, I noticed a bunch of smoke/steam coming out the back. My heart sank as we got closer and closer to the shoulder and off the road, almost reaching the top of the hill. We were stuck and weren't able to go anywhere. Eventually with the help of some locals, we were able to find the cause of the transmission fluid leak, clamp it up, get new fluid, and then later that morning get back on our way. A situation that could have been worse, made simple.

As we pulled into the driveway, finally making it home, Nirvana and I both smiled...tiredly. We had a great trip, but it was also good to be home. It was time to go back to work and keep earning our way in the world. The start of many road trips and vacations together, Nirvana and I look forward to the next adventure!

A new beginning

So.... holy crap its almost the end of 2010 and it has now been a year since my wife left.



I wanted to write briefly about my feelings lately. As you can imagine, 5-6 years worth of a relationship either married or just being with someone you love is hard to let go. Part of you wants to jump for joy at the sign of freedom. The other part of you misses the person that you had loved so dearly and would have done just anything for.

Learning to deal with these emotions can have a tremendous effect on someone throughout their daily lives. The depression can make it hard to follow through on commitments. Organization and "giving a damn" goes out the window. And people who have been depending on you, are let down to the point where they have no more faith in you.

Yesterday I left a message on my Deviant Art page and I will follow up with that here; I am effectively cancelling my launch of MockTales for late October/beginning of November 2010. When will the book be out? At this time I just don't know. I'm not giving up, but I just can't make the deadline I set for myself. The deadline that I keep setting over and over since 2004. Every year I say I'm drawing this book. Every year I tell people it is just a few months away. Every year since I started selling artwork at the Emerald City Comic Con, I would tell people it's almost here. And every year, I let people down. Including myself.

The idea was this; that I would move out of my apartment in Lakewood, and move into a room for rent either with my Niece, or eventually where I ended up living now, at a room for rent in Seattle. Since I have moved into this new place, my old life has been slowly drifting away, making room for my new life. I have met some of the most amazing people in the last year or so. And more recently, in the last 6 months, I feel like I have fallen in love all over again. Fallen in love with life, my mind, my art, my writing, and even with a woman who means a great deal to me. Where all of this will go, I just don't know. I'll read back on this in five years and tell you then. But for once, I'm not scared or afraid. Should I be? Am I too numb to feel afraid any more?

Someone had once told me, that when my wife slammed my thumb in between the door-frame and the car door (accidentally of course) that the reason I was not freaking or lashing out in anger because I was in shock. I've heard people say this so many times, but never understood it. I had complete access to my thoughts and actions and knew that I was injured, knew there was pain, but chose not to react to it. This makes it hard for me to understand why people keep using shock as an answer, and not just the fact that someone can choose how they will respond to a painful situation.

I paused a moment while writing this to look at the scar on my thumb.

After months of being alone. Hurt by two more women, my own actions, and even a few more bumps and scrapes along the way, I chooes to learn from this pain and continue to bee the happy and cheerful person I want to be. Some days won't be as cheerful. I won't have the energy. But then that will go away and once again I will feel upbeat and on top of the world. That is the person I am. And I know this bothers people, but I think it bothers people who can't deal with their own emotions, problems and pain.

Their day will come.

For me, my new life starts now...

Lost some of that steam

Never got around to writing this. But figured the title was important since my December 2009 blog.

Full Steam Ahead!

Today I released the pencils for my Demon Lord drawing at my Deviant Art page (http://mocktales.deviantart.com). This kick-starts the onslaught that will be MockTales artwork and previews all month long in December, while I finish drawing the pages for MockTales Issue #1. Then I move over to Colors and final production in January. I'm fighting hard to keep this book extra large so everyone has a lot of goodies to get out of it when I bring it to the public. Can't wait to show everyone what else I've got coming done the line.

This is an exciting time for me. Lots of personal issues that still need to be cleared out of the way. But, I am upbeat, optimistic and energized to get this sucker going. I've tackled a lot of depression and demons, and now that I'm getting out of this funk I hope to really bring something special to the table.

Tonight: I decide on final format of the book and then I hit the town run'n. If I can work the format out right, I think the book will be good both in print as well as online.

Organization Day + a YouTube Review

Organization Day - So today is Organization Day when I get home from work this evening. I'll be planning out the next 60-90 days both in my personal life and with MockTales and the Elves Next Door.

For those just tuning in; MockTales is a comic book I am writing/pencilling/coloring, and putting out at the Emerald City Comic Con in March 2010. You can read more on this book at http://mocktales.com/. The Elves Next Door is the more "adult" oriented website for the MockTales characters and can be found at http://elvesnextdoor.com/.

So back to Organization; it looks to be a fun night tonight. If you can call organization fun. I plan on getting a couple hours sleep before hand, but I will then be up into the late hours making sure I get a game plan finished and in place to start Wednesday when I am done with my work week.


YouTube REVIEW! - (Just a reminder; my reviews are always posative and about something I like, unless otherwise mentioned)

I thought I would have fun with a YouTube Review to go along with today's blog. Today's Review is of "Ryan vs. Dorkman II". To recap; the initial fan film, "Ryan vs. Dorkman", by Ryan Wieber and Michael "Dorkman" Scott, was an entry to TheForce.net's lightsabre fan film contest in which both men (boys at the time) faught with light sabres, no wardrobe or exotic scenery. However, how the fan film was shot and the choreography is what sold their first piece. With such a high praise from their first encounter, a second film was created with even more donational support, amazing effects and of course the wonderful choreography that Ryan and Michael brought us in the first film.

With Ryan vs. Dorkman II you get more bang for your buck, in my opinion. The two creators/actors are now older looking and more determined and dedicated in this film. Once again set in plain clothes and located in a warehouse/factory type setting, the film now has many exciting moments you would want to see in a light sabre battle such as cutting through metal stairs and support beams, sabres melting into walls and equipment. Sparks shooting from the wet floor as a distractionary tactic, and of course who doesn't love the battle between two people using the force fighting over control of one object?

See for yourself below. I have linked to Michael "Dorkman" Scott's Official YouTube copy of the flim. If you ever wanted to create your own homemade light sabre battles, these guys are a great example of what do to to make a good flick!

The crazyness that is life...

So things are pretty good today. I had a really crappy Monday morning and was pretty drained from the past weekend. However, Monday afternoon changed all of that, as well as Tuesday (last) night. I have a good friend in my life now that is helping me focus and get back on track with MockTales, as well as life in general. People like this deserve all the gratitude in the world when they take time out of their lives to help others. Think about that today when you get the chance. Do you have someone in your life, even in a small way, that has helped you get through tough times? Did you thank them?

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and there are a great many things I am thankfull for lately. One of the biggest right now is this friend.

-Greg

Return of the Blog

So I'm back to writing in this thing. The last time I wrote here I was talking about my life changing into a new direction. Not very descriptively though.

Well here is the deal; 1 year and 4 months later after my last blog I am now going through a divorce with my wife, ending our five years together as husband and wife. I am now alone in my apartment with debt pouring out of my ears and no one to seek comfort from in my time of need. However... I'm not massively in debt and honestly with a good 6 months of hard work I will be out of the clear and on top of things as long as I stick to it and work hard.

Since the initial stages of my divorce (starting back in August), I have been trying to figure a game plan out. What is the best way to be a father to my three wonderful children and continue to strive towards doing the things I want to do in life? I work a 40 hour a week job and I'm greatful that I make the salary that I make. I'm very lucky in that aspect. And if I can get all my ducks lined up in a row, I should be able to do what I want in life while being responsible at the same time.

I'm still trying hard to get MockTales drawn and out to the public. At this point I have a 1st issue planned to be printed by March 2010 and debuting at the Emerald City Comic Con here in Seattle. However, I have been trying to do this for the last, what, 8 years? Since I moved to Wisconsin after September 11th, I tried to put some sort of focus in my life towards my artwork. And after the emotional rollercoaster of the year 2001, I had come up with a concept for a comic book that I wanted to bring to the world; MockTales. I took everything I had sketched and planned out in my head with various ideas over the previous years and finally had a concept that I felt would work. This version of MockTales was relevant to me because of what I went through in my life at the time. However, since then I have been through five years of marriage and I now have three kids, and as mentioned above, I am now going through a divorce. So where does that leave MockTales; well I've started a revamped version of my intial script and story. And I think I've amped it up 150%. I feel more confident about the direction I'm taking the book. I think the story achieved more purpose and direction. And my artwork in the last 2 months, let alone the last 2-5 years has never been better (if I may be so bold).

So thats not the whole story. And unfortunately you won't get the whole story on this blog. But essentially I'm having a night where I was able to pour my heart out to someone very important to me and that person let me get a lot out this evening. I feel better every time I get to emotionally express myself. Most of the time I'm hiding back watery eyes because I think I have some sort of issue where they water up when I talk about something serious. I've been meaning to see a Doctor all these years about it. Maybe I'm really a woman and no one told me? Haha. Jokes aside though, I do seem to get overly emotional because I care a lot about things that most people don't realize or care about themselves. So because of that I try to keep those emotions locked up inside until I have to pretty much explode.

Where does that leave us now? Well if you're someone who happens across this blog and even gives a shit, thanks! I don't really care with the exception of finally getting to a point in my life where I don't want to keep things I think about on the back burner any more. I have wanted to do what makes me happy in life. You can read that in my last blog which was, again, 1 year 4 months ago. So what makes me happy? Well; Comic books and Women. Science Fiction and Women. Fantasy and Women. Women and Women. You will now see the theme about girls/women all the time from this point on from me. I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a lusting kind of guy. I've always loved the female form. Drawing girls in comics is one of my favorite passions. [on a side note; I say girls and I say women... they mean the same to me which is talking about members of the famle human race. I don't use the term girls solely to describe a female under the age of 18 like a lot of people. I use it to describe any girl/woman/female. Now back to our program]

Okay I'm done for now. I'll be attempting to write here more often. I think I might want to rant a bit about people's driving so we'll see about making that the theme of my next blog. I also want to address my issue with following through on promises I've intended to keep and try to explain to everyone why I've been fucking up there. But I will leave that for the next blog and that is a Promise!

-Greg Scott Bailey

Feeling a bit selfish: RIP Michael Turner

So I took a week to cool off a bit. Clear my head and get some things into perspective. This weekend is my first official change over to day shift at work, so it feels really good to get some sleep and be awake when my family wants to have me close by.

The hardest hitting topic for me right now... the passing of Michael Turner (Fathom, Witchblade, Aspen Comics). A brilliant comic book artist who was not only battling cancer, but continued to enjoy the things he loved in life AND draw comic books on a regular basis.

I'm feeling a bit selfish now. Complaining about how tough life has been for me. While I won't take any of that back, I can still do better. Michael Turner did his best. Why can't I?

I went to my boffer group (Padded weapon fighting) Saturday fully rested and energetic. The heat got up to 88 degrees by mid-day, and I was running around in boots having a great time. I felt good. I FEEL good now. All this season I had been slowly walking around the field, maybe hitting a person every 5 or 6 battles. No energy. Barely any running. And by the end of the day I would be so zoned out, I'm surprised when I get home and I hadn't driven off the road. Amazing what the proper amount of sleep can do for you.

Maybe this is a new weekend. A new week. A new day. Right here and now, I can stand up for what I want in life. Live MY life to it's fullest. Do everything that I have ever wanted to do, and tell people to "Fuck Off!" when they tell me I can't.

Day 1... starts here

Bitter much?

Okay, so I title this "Bitter much?" However, I don't think I'm honestly bitter, as much as I am really just finding out more and more about how I shouldn't expect anything in life. Anything at all.

I get a lot of crap for not getting my comic book done, despite working 40-50 hours a week and getting 4-5 hours of sleep between each work shift. There is more, but nobody is reading this shit anyways. See, I want to get my comic book done. I want to draw for a living. I want to entertain people with my stories and ideas. But I honestly don't have the professional quality or training needed to pull it off sucessfully. And I can already hear the crap that people keep telling me "Don't say that, your stuff rocks." or "Don't listen to those people, they don't know what real art is." Give me a fucking break everybody. My art sucks. I can't draw anything in a professional quality, I have a vague understanding of the human anatomy, I only want to draw women and I get enough shit for that. I don't understand lighting and design. I mean, what the fuck am I thinking? Why even bother? How the hell do I expect to even get a damn comic book going?

Am I bitter much? I wouldn't say bitter... just accepting reality. This comic book just isn't going to happen.