- BAND PROMO - Merlotte

header from their youtube page

          This J-Rock inspired Colombian band caught my attention a few years ago, but after a silence and the release of a new single a little over a month ago, I've finally decided to talk about them here! The jazzy sound they've adopted in their new single really makes me think of Exist Trace's own jazzy style in recent work.

twitter
instagram
bandcamp - take a listen to their music here!
youtube 

cover of their recent single; released 06 July 2014

             Fluorescent Shojo and Le Chat Noir are the two songs on this single - Le Chat Noir is my personal favourite ~ 

released 24 December 2012

         Their sound is more reminiscent of older visual kei/jrock bands - I think of Luna Sea and Buck Tick personally. My favourite off this single is Strange as it's a little 'harder' than ため息 but this another case of having to give each a good many listens before being able to decide which I liked better! (I suggest giving the Spanish version of the single a listen too! It's a fun comparison!)

     I hope that Merlotte makes a full album soon as I will graciously invest! Here's to hoping for their success and more music from them!!

Thanks for reading ~ See ya later Space Cowboys ~
Jack "Hachi" Hallow

-nightfall- possibility of an art book

~ psst check out my new header~ It's Breitkopf Fraktur and I'm pretty sure it's by Dieter Steffmann.

This has been my basic advertising image for -nightfall- and I may end up making it an end piece since it's just my first scribblings on the new tablet.
I'm hoping to have this book out by October and it will more than likely be Halloween themed. It will have 20 sheets - 40 front&back pages; soft cover will be $20 and hard cover will be $35. Since I'm uncertain of demand, it will be printed by purchase so it will take a bit.

Any of you who are interested, let me know! I will write you down for pre-order when I've gotten the art together for it!

Here's to hoping and seeing you all soon!!
Thanks~
Jack "Hachi" Hallow

Ragdoll Prints: Arts and Crafts and Commissions!

       So I have a facebook page dedicated to my art and sometimes cosplay, photography etc; I originally wanted to use this blog for that but haven't kept up with the art aspect very well soooo....if you're interested in my art or commissioning me or what have you, please have a look around!! Depending on the day, I may take requests as well since I'm trying to build my portfolio!

     Currently, I'm working on Strength from Black Rock Shooter for Ikasucon 2014 and I'm hoping I can get those ogre arms done in time! I'm planning a Biker/Street Fujimoto from Ponyo that Friday with my friend as NuGoth/Biker Granmamare because we're cute! [We also have a friend planning on Biker Kiki if she has time lol]

     Soon I'll have a Choji Akimichi cosplay blog post BUT that'll be a bit because last time I tried to do it, I got so gosh darn frustrated because the photos weren't doing what I wanted them to ha! So sometime, sometime soon!

Come visit the Ragdoll Prints page and enjoy some art and puns!


See ya later Space Cowboys
And Thanks for Readin'!

~ Jack "Hachi" Hallow ~      

Sakuyamon Summer 2013 - cosplay photography post -

     This is so long overdue. I took these shots around the same time as the Seth Knightlord photos and had them edited for the longest time - I just never got around to completing watermarking/signing so to speak. Some were finished at different times than others hence the signature change. "Jack Hallow" is a new pen name of mine and I was testing it out on one of the photos. I'm uncertain of the feel of it yet.

character: Sakuyamon
              Digimon Tamers
cosplayer: Taka Kagaku

 

      To be truly honest with all of you, I don't feel the best about these photos. I feel like the quality could be better and I have much to improve on. If I thought they were completely terrible, I'd never post them and just apologize to the model. A few months of letting them sit has definitely made me uneasy about them though. Here's to future improvement at least!

These were shots I played around with in attempts to add the spirits Sakuyamon has in the series -  I don't care for them in the slightest, but it's what the cosplayer wanted me to do with these particular poses. 

    Here, a detail shot of the gloves and what I suppose you could consider leg warmers. The yin yang symbols are painted though embroidery was considered at one point in the construction process. The shoes and trim were also painted to better match the armour.

Typical Hotel Shot the Morning of the Masquerade

This costume was debuted at Ikasucon 2013 with my Beelzemon costume. Overall, I feel alright with these photos and I believe the cosplayer is pleased with the costume.















     There aren't many shots of my Beelzemon cosplay, I don't think there are any of just myself so there won't be a post just for him - maybe a combined post with that and another costume of mine - but I hope to revamp him and get many photos so I can have a cosplay appreciation post for my own work haha

Thanks Space Cowboys,

Hachi

Emily as Seth Knightlord Part Two

      Emily visited for a weekend not too long ago for a photoshoot! I had wanted to do her makeup and take photos of her Seth outfit since I felt that I hadn't had a chance to capture it as much as I would have liked! Thankfully, she was able to make it down to my house (we live states apart!!) and we had quite a bit of fun for the weekend ~

    First we have the before and after! If you aren't amazed by how she got all that thick, long hair under that short wig, you should start being amazed!!
I didn't want to cover her beauty mark - the character may not have it, but I just never wanted to cover it or edit it out; I like it too much!

      All the photos for this set are taken right in my backyard. There isn't any commotion and no one gets in the way of the shot so I figured it'd be the best place to start! 

     I'm the editor and photographer of all the photos, but I didn't have to do much work - she already looks so good!

 I tried to have a mix of seriousness and playfulness with the photos to exhibit the characters personality and Emily went along with it very well! I didn't have to give much direction and she wasn't afraid to give me her ideas which I love in a model. 













    Examples of some of the more playful shots we took! We have blooper shots of course, but these I really loved her attitude and we had fun taking these ~

 

     This is probably one of my favourite shots out of all that we took. She looks stunning and I was able to edit my house out of the background so I hold a certain pride with it. I would really love a print of this one.

            I think this is one of the best looks at her eyes with the colour change - she had requested I edit her eye colour for Seth and that was easy enough, but it wasn't as prominent in other photos because the focus was her full body instead of her face. This is also a good example of the serious side of Seth!

A few of the more regal shots were she held herself very well and posed very nicely for me. I'm glad we got enough pictures of her with the hat because problems arose with that later in the weekend lol

A nice shot of the back detail on her coat - I was so excited when she showed me that she could wear the coat on its own - I'd be in it all the time if I were her hahaha















     Overall, I think this turned out to be a beautiful shoot and it was so wonderful seeing Emily outside of a convention!
For the rest of the photos, go to my deviantart
photos will be posted there soon!

Love you guys and thanks for reading!!

Hachi <3

School and Things To Come

Hello Everyone




I've been in school .________. excited that I'm back but huuu no time for things!


Subjects to come are:

• another Seth Knightlord appreciation post featuring my friend Emily - she visited one weekend specifically for a mini makeup trial and photoshoot - hopefully shoots will be a regular thing as I love to do them *^*
• an art project with a few friends of mine that will be elaborated on later
•  other jazzy things that I'll come up with eventually hahaha
• HALLOWEEN STUFF AHHHH so excited

So! Short but yeah - I am still working!!!
 
Thanks for Reading
Hachi

 

HERe:NE = new musical love

I was perusing tumblr through the jrock tag and found this juicy morsel of a band. To be honest, I was expecting something that wouldn't sway me one way or the other, I wouldn't love it or hate it. I listened to [Zenesis] and was thankfully surprised! I have to admit, the vocals gave me chills more than a few times! The overall sound I enjoy, Wakiko's powerful vocals really luring me in. I say if you like exist + trace/Jyou's vocals, you'll definitely appreciate HERe:NE and Wakiko.

Now, here's an extra added something that got me revved up and excited: plus sized lead singer rocking that vk look hard and strong! Being plus sized myself, I couldn't help but feel elated to see a talent who was bigger in size and still went all out in visual kei! I hope to purchase the album and continue to be impressed with this band!