Requesting new art.

[twisted_miracle]

Two cool things! :)

I have rekindled a friendship with a lovely, sweet gay man who lives several hours north of me, just in time to watch him begin to fall crazy in love with a new boyfriend. "Harry" has been swooning and typing me humongous emails full of details about his new romance. Including photos of the beautiful rose, and the card he made for "Draco," and the letters he writes to "Draco," and things of that nature. It's been a fabulous experience for both of us, I think. He gets to obsess without freaking "Draco" out, and I get all manner of education in the behavior of real gay men in the wild. ;)

(Yes, "Harry" has dark hair and "Draco" is blond, too!)

I have to say, any doubts I ever had about the ability of gay men to be sweet, to be honest with each other, to be romantic, or to wait to have sex with a promising partner have vanished. It isn't universal behavior, obviously, but my friend "Harry" has been dating his "Draco" for a few weeks now, and they still haven't taken off their clothes. And yes, they are both adults.

My friend "Harry" is also a complete book design geek. I asked him to read Appearances and he not only read it, and felt that my Draco was "his Draco", he wants to turn it into a bound book that he and I can both buy copies of off some self-publishing operation.

This is primarily why I'm posting. No one has ever (to my knowledge) drawn or painted anything inspired by my one and only h/d novel. What good is printed and bound fanfic without some art? So I'm hoping to inspire pay* someone to draw or paint something for this "book." Interested? If so, there are spoilers under the cut, indicating my first, second and third choices for potentially good scenes to draw. But mostly, I want art, and I know I won't be drawing anything myself. Not that I'll actually want to look at, anyway!

Happily, "Harry" can buy contributing artists their own copies of the 'book,' as a thank you, too!

For inside the book, I think I would most like to see a drawing of them under their wedding canopy, and almost as much, a drawing of them arriving at that ministry party: a still from the wizarding photo that Colin Creevey took right before they entered the room. Very photorealistic would be excellent! We'd also really like art of the shag in the dressing room. Art from their honeymoon would also be seriously awesome.

For the cover, just their two faces looking out would be very cool. Or Malfoy Manor, or even the letter that Lucius sends, looking like it is on heavy parchment, curling at the edges. "Harry" and I are still quite undecided about the cover, to be honest!

But again, I'm open. And hopeful!!

*i have switched to seeking commissions, and have already secured two. i am still looking to secure one or two more, though, and am very excited about this. it's going very well, i think! if you know of a really great fan artists who takes commissions, please post a link to the artist's fan art in a comment. thank you!!

Comments

[sra-danvers.livejournal.com]

Aw... I love this story!!!

[twistedm.livejournal.com]

thank you!

[megyal]

Oh wow, I hope you get some fantastic art, your Harry sounds like such a darling.

[twistedm.livejournal.com]

thank you! you should feel free to point folks to this point. i expect my flist is relatively pretty small by now, since i hardly post here anymore!

[megyal]

I will!

[calanthe-fics.livejournal.com]

Hey there.

:)

What a really nice idea. I had fun making the pdf of one of my fics, and I think it's nice to have something you can hold at the end of it.

Have you thought about commissioning an artist you really like? No disrespect to artists out there, but some are amazing, some are great, some are so-so, and some are ... you get the picture. I don't think you'd enjoy your book so much if you didn't adore the artwork. Or maybe that's just me projecting :)

There are some amazing artists who take commissions, and you'd be surprised how reasonable their rates are. Draykonis springs to mind immediately, but there are others too, like Lizardspots. Drop them a PM, why don't you. Even if they don't have the time it'll be a major ego boost to them to know how much you like their stuff.

Good luck!

[twistedm.livejournal.com]

you know, that IS a good idea. and i never would have thought of it, because lately i never have an extra penny. but "harry" is actually doing quite well, and might like the idea. i'll bring it up with him. thanks!

[sharklabyrinth.livejournal.com]

Hi! Responding to your comment here (http://diecommiebastard.com/2009/10/08/serpentine/#comments) - many thanks! And yes, I do take commissions, my pricing info is posted here (http://celestialsoda.livejournal.com/176380.html). I'd be honored to make something for you and your lovely "Harry."

[twistedm.livejournal.com]

omg that is awesome. i have forwarded some links to "harry" and the two of us will slowly and frustratingly (i'm sure) try to talk with you about all this. he doesn't have an lj, i don't think. do you have an email we could use to contact you? for me you can use 1twistedmiracle@gmail.com.

thanks for getting back to me!

[twistedm.livejournal.com]

hey, how is the creating going? "harry" and i are so excited to see your work!