Revin' Up the Romance!

This video cracked me up. :)

Remember to pause the blog's background music (bottom of screen) before viewing.

Raaaawrrr!

Thank You, Angela!

I want to send a big THANKS to graphics angel, Angela

(whom most of you know around the RA online community as Spikesbint or Angelfish)

for designing a new banner for this blog:

I thought we should spice things up a bit in our little black, white & lime green universe
after the the same-ol', same-ol' look for the last 9 months.  (But not too much... change can be scary.)

Knowing that my graphic skills are limited, I asked Angela if she would be willing to help me.

I am so grateful that she accepted the challenge and quickly completed this design, which I love.

Angela was one of the 6 artists I highlighted during "Graphics Week" last October.

I featured some of my favorite Spikesbint/Angelfish designs (including a fanvid) HERE.

To check out more of her beatiful designs, visit Angela's site HERE.

Gush-Worthy Gisborne Art

Yesterday, I stumbled across THIS amazing site featuring artwork by Anne Pickersgill.

I was immediately in awe of Anne's talent as I browsed through her collection of Gisborne paintings.

I kept saying, "Wow!" and knew I had to share her awesomeness with the rest of you!

Anne graciously gave me permission to post these paintings for your viewing pleasure and I hope

you like them as much as I do!   (I was originally only going to post 2 or 3 of her paintings,
but couldn't decide between them!)  I love that Anne shows the step-by-step process of each painting's

completion, so links are provided below.  I could go on and on gushing, but will let the art speak for itself.

Sir Guy of Gisborne Painting #1:

Painting process and author's notes can be viewed HERE.

Sir Guy of Gisborne Painting #2:

Painting process and artist's notes can be viewed HERE.

Sir Guy of Gisborne Painting #3

Painting process and artist's notes can be viewed HERE.

Sir Guy of Gisborne Painting #4

Painting process and artists's notes can be viewed HERE.

Sir Guy of Gisborne Painting #5

Painting process and artist's notes can be viewed HERE.

Sir Guy of Gisborne from Robin Hood Season 3

Painting process and artist's notes can be viewed HERE.

Aren't the details in these paintings amazing?

The stubble!  The eyelashes!  The guyliner!  The wisps of hair!  The piercing blue eyes!

(I never knew a painting could make me swoon.)

There is an amazing pencil sketch of Gisborne HERE that you should check out as well!

Gisborne has inspired only a fraction of Anne's artwork.

Her site features artwork mostly inspired by "Lord of the Rings."

I'm a big LOTR fan myself, so I was excited to see Anne's image of Richard Armitage

portraying Bard in "The Hobbit" HERE.  (Cool or what!?)

(If I ever found out RA was going to be in "The Hobbit," I think I'd squeal with glee.)

Anne told me that she has many other Gisborne paintings and drawings that she hasn't

posted on her site yet, but promised she would let me know when she does.  (Oh, the suspense!!!)

Please visit Anne's website HERE to look at all of her lovely artwork.  I know I will visit it often.

The Gisborne paintings are not for sale, but if you would like to contact Anne with comments

about her artwork, you may email her here: annepickersgill@wideband.net.au

Do you have a favorite Anne Pickersgill Gisborne painting?

SFR Preview

I'm cracking myself up working on a new Stick-Figure Richard video.

It's only half-way done, but here are a few preview sketches...

Isn't he cute?  Haha!  I'm so excited to post it soon. :)

(If you know what this episode is about, please keep your lips keyboards sealed for now.)

By the way, I could use your suggestions, blog readers.
Are there any cute/fun SFR poses you'd like to see captured in ink?
Please share!  Your idea might wind up in the next video.  :)

One Year of JT Love

It just dawned on me today that because it's April, it's time to

celebrate my 1st anniversary with John Thornton! (No gifts, please.)

That's right.  One year ago, I watched "North & South"
for the first time and BAM!  I was hit by Thornton Syndrome. 

The rest is history.

When and how did YOU first discover Richard Armitage?

*UPDATE*

LoriBear reminded me that I didn't explain how I discovered RA. It was pretty simple: Netflix suggested it, based on other movies I'd checked out in the past.  (Thank you, Netflix... I owe ya.)
I've loved period films (and old movies) since I was very young. I remember being glued to the screen watching "Gone with theWind" as a little girl.  I've watched every period film I could get my hands on since then.  There's something about the clothes, the hair, the speech and the every-day life of people from another time that fascinates me!  So Netflix's database knew I was obsessed with period films and one day North & South appeared under the "we think you'd enjoy..." section.  I'm always up for a period film, so I added it to my list, and I was hooked!  I have a soft spot for a tall, dark, handsome man in a cravat... but Richard brought something more to the table and I was very impressed.  (I still can't figure out how I'd overlooked North & South up until then, which had been released 5 years prior!)  A few months later, I had a Robin Hood viewing spree, watching all 3 seasons in June & July of last year (I watched S3 on YouTube) and started this blog at the end of July.  Since then, I've watched most of Richard's work, although there are still a few I haven't seen. (Anyone know how I can watch Miss Marie Lloyd in the states?)  

More Sneak Peaks of Porter!

This topic may be old news to most of you in the Richard Armitage fan world but I have to
mention it anyway because it's Richard-related and who isn't excited for Strike Back!?

While on my Easter blogging break (I think I'm at least 5 pounds heavier... I love holidays!),

a new Strike Back trailer appeared, which also provided more lovely screencaps.

Links for the trailer and screencaps are available HERE on Richard Armitage Net.

I thought I'd share some of the thoughts that popped into my head
as I browsed over the latest of the Porter screencaps.

Hey look... it's Gisborne without stubble or guyliner!

Ta-Da!!!

I'm digging the sideburns.

OhMyGosh!  He's unleashing the Thornton piercing stare!

To avoid melting, don't look directly into the gaze.

I love the pokey-uppey hair on top.

Aww... he looks sad.  He needs a hug.

Hey, Porter... Lucas called.  He wants his shirt back.

Say it with me folks: BRING ON THE PORTER!

The Adventures of Stick-Figure Richard ~Part 6

Remember the Stick-Figure Richard Storyline Contest which was held a few months ago? (HERE)

The 2nd place winner (which missed tying for 1st place by one vote) was Phylly3's idea, which was to
show how Spooks Season 8 "should have been." She and I later brainstormed what to include.

Even though it took me a while to get to it, I had a blast creating this episode!  Thanks Phylly. :)

*Be sure to pause the blog's background music (bottom of screen) before viewing.*

By the way, Phyllis has a cute new blog called Phylly's Faves which you can view HERE.

Is there anything you would have changed
(or left the same) in Spooks Season 8?

I just realized that I forgot to mention in the video that calling Sarah "She of the Dark Roots"

was invented by Ragtag at Reviewerama, who started the trend in THIS Spooks review. 
(Ragtag, I thought of you when drawing her dark-rooted hair.)

More Stalling

It looks like blogspot is back to normal- yay! 

FYI, I will be completing and posting SFR #6 (which features SF Lucas) today if all goes as planned.  I didn't want you to think I forgot this blog... I've just been really busy or drawing stick figures.  Stay tuned!

Blogspot Problems

If you're visiting this site or other blogs and notice photos aren't loading and have been replaced by a red X, it's because blogspot is having issues today.  I visited their help forum and google/blogspot employees have left messages saying they are working to resolve this issue, which has been affecting some jpeg uploaded photos. (Pictures from photobucket or other sources are fine.)  Stay tuned...  I will hold off on posting until this is fixed. (Hopefully soon.)

Flowery Photo Friday

Dear Mother Nature,

I'm ready for March to make up its mind in favor
of lovely spring weather, please.  Thank you.

*Sending you blog readers happy, spring-type vibes*

Speaking of spring, Strike Back will air the week of May 1st-7th, as you can see HERE.

(I hope there will be a way us non-Brits will be able to view it around that time!)