Hey everyone!
New page, finally. This scene never seems to end, I tell you. Hee. Seriously thought, I’m sorry for the pace of this- if I had gotten pages up in a proper weekly fashion, it might not seem so plodding, but it is what is is, right? Anyway, we seem to have a new friend in the story, and he seems to not be going anywhere for the time being. Ha!
I really hope to have updates like clockwork on Mondays now. I’ve ended my time with the part time warehouse job, and so I’m giving the artist thing a full time focus again. I pray that it’s enough. I have been blessed with the support of someone dear, but I need to pay back this kindness.
And on that note, I must admit, Xylia really needs your help folks.
Before I continue, I want to add that if you plan on attacking me for asking for help, your snarky comments will be removed. Just the way of things in my Xylia world.
The last few months have seen a slow down in visits, which is understandable because of the lack of updates. But our donations have slowed as well. I’m sorry that I had to do away with the extra page if we hit a donation mark. The problem was that the amount of the total was not enough to take me away from the other work that I had. It’s even gotten hard for me to post four pages a month due to the time cost of working on Xylia. Part of my inability to work on the series comes from the sense that it’s not a valid way to spend my time- it keeps me from doing freelance, sales calls, etc. I realize that many consider webcomicking a hobby- and any internet content is a service that should be offered free to all. In fact, I agree with this. The problem comes in with maintaining a financial motivation to continue something like this. It would really be in the best interests of myself and my kids for me to abandon the project and find paying work- either in terms of a full time job, or seeking out more lucrative freelance. I have considered putting XYlia on a long term hiatus until I find such work, and then getting back to it when I can really look at it as a side hobby project.
The problem is that I approached Xyliatales as part of my freelance income. At first, it was doing well, but like everything else in my business plan, the stock market crash last year effected everything. Dependable clients I had for fifteen years suddenly could not hire me for my work. Regular annual caricature bookings were gone.
Thank you EVERYONE who has kindly donated through out the year to keep Xylia going. The story is about to take a different turn, with new characters and a new feel, and I hope that I can continue to bring it to you.
Barb
——————–XYLIA GOODY BAG——————
NEW INCENTIVES!!! For $3.00 donation incentives, we’ve got a couple fun new pics, one is a piece that will be in the upcoming Xylia art calendar- Andy Warhol inspired Tychia, the other Xyliatales’ homage to my favorite band…the Fab Four! Your donations keep this thing going! Thank you very much! Click any of the below banners to go to the donation site. As always, if you encounter any problems receiving your downloadable art, please email me and I will get it to you directly.
Most of the other incentives are still available for $2.00 – $10.00 amounts, including the nude faeiries (if you are 18+)! Get em while they’re hot! ^_^
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Follow Barb’s Twittering! I try to announce Xylia things on Twitter as I get them done- hear about it first here!
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From time to time, I will broadcast live while I work on pages. This happens sporatically- I will announce it with a tweet, and a forum announcement, so if you want to get in the loop, subscribe to my Tweets, or join the forum.
To join me, or to watch past USTream episodes, please go here:XYLIATALES ON AIR TALK SHOW SITE
Thank you for reading, and as always thank you for your support and understanding. I hope that you all continue to enjoy Xylia.
Hugs,
~B
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:01 am
Nice.. the “Wham” reminds me of a certain campy ’60’s show. LOL. I have to ask… where did the name “Amphekerons” come from? It’s very original.
And people posting snarky comments will be summarily given to the Killer Rabbit with no hesitation!! “Wot’s it do nibble your bum?”
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:02 am
Yeah, the economy is affecting everything. It will get better in time.
I lost my band gig because the club owners said we weren’t bringing in the people (there are other issues, but trust me – it wasn’t ALL our fault). We’ve been having a hard time finding gigs – everybody seems to want US to pay to play in THEIR clubs! Sorry, we’re a capitalist band – we want to be paid for our labor!
Hang in there, Barb. As you’ve seen with your new guy, things DO get better!
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:38 am
Ouch, poor Brimey – but he was asking for it, if truth be told! Also, I love the way the amphekeron is illustrated, such a beautiful combination of stylisation and realism.
I’m sorry about the problems in the finanicial aspect of your life, perhaps the visits and donations will pick up with these new pages.
Perhaps you could find a few ways to keep the comic alive with different incentives for donations. I’m sorry if my advice will be unwanted, but here’s a few simple ideas that come to mind:
For example, a new update every second Monday if you are busy with freelance work. It would give a sense of continuity with more time for you. You could also link to some freelance projects, if purchasing any of them would boost sales and profits for you.
Or perhaps reintroducing the successful donation ‘thermometer’; but instead of a two page update if the goal is reached, a really cute or fun sketch or sketch comic, even a short one-scene written story. People could like that just as much as an extra page, with much less time spent on it.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:44 am
I just left my day job to be a full time artist as well, so unfortunately I’m even more strapped for cash than usual. x_x I’ll try to spread the word, though–maybe one of my friends will take an interest in Xylia and be able to share more than I can.
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:29 pm
The Amphekeron is awesome. He definitely needs to stick around!
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Go Horsey! Does the Amphekeron have a name? I have a feeling he’s going to be downright useful.
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Note to self- dont mess with the hoars, sorry, amphekeron. That looks painfull. Barb- I hope things will pick up financely soon for you. Good knows my bank record has mothes coming out of it so I truly feel you there… I do hope that things will work out- Xylia should countinue! You are agreat story teller, not to mantion out-of-this-world artist!
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Crowning Moment of Awesome!
Here’s hoping the holiday season will bring some financial goodness your way.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Yikes! Our Ampherkeron takes his job very seriously!
Lovely page, the action looks really good.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:37 am
This is a great page, and I generally adore the amphekeron’s design. I imagine him with sort of a Christopher Lee voice and the elegant snark to go with it. (have I said this before?)
That wham must have hurt! Tell me, does he call his horn a ‘keras’ which would be the ancient greek word for it? since ‘amphekeron’ is decidedly greek… and does he have another one/ one other horn-like attack or such? (greek etymology would imply it)
November 24th, 2009 at 7:22 am
I love the stunned look on Claudius’s face. The “WTF was that” look.
November 25th, 2009 at 1:21 am
Oh Barb! We love you! Good luck. I really hope you find some nice work, and don’t have to worry as much about everything!
November 27th, 2009 at 9:58 am
I really wish i could do something. I really love your art and your storyline is unique. Sadly, i have no way of donating to help you. I really hope you’ll be able to reach your goals, and i’d help you if i could. The best i can do at this time is pray for you. Don’t give up! We all love you lots!
November 27th, 2009 at 10:01 am
That first panel was amazing! Troubled economic times suck!! My sister is going to be staying with me for awhile because of those reasons, so I hears ya. Whoa, new Tychia incentive? I’m so there.
November 29th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
ChristinA: I would assume that Amphekeron comes from ἀμφίκερως [amPHIkeros], a rather rare ancient Greek word that means “two-horned”. His now-deceased Benneret was named Aristos, which is the ancient Greek word for “the best”, e.g., “aristocracy” translates to “rule of the best”. It was a fairly frequent element in male names. Katharos means “fair” or “clear” or “pure” (both literally and morally). Adora is the feminine equivalent of Adoros and means literally “without gifts” but also came to mean TAKING no gifts, i.e. cannot be bribed, or more succinctly “incorruptible”. Phanessa is not a word unto itself (I think!), but could be a compound of the name Vanessa and the Greek “fane” (fahNEH), which means “torch”, or “Faneta”, who was an Orphic goddess representing the principle of life (fire = life). Deimos means “fear” or “terror”. Xylia is a bit hard to track down; ξυλεία means “timber” or the felling of wood, and the xul- prefix is largely associated with wood.
All this to say that Barb undoubtedly has a considerable amount of training in the Classics, or knows someone who does!
December 1st, 2009 at 5:22 am
I love this page – panel one in particular. I’ve looked at it at least a little every day this week… *sheepish grins* ^_^
I love the lines, which convey the force of the Amphekeron’s charge and smash into ole’ Brimey; I love the powerful, grabbing colors. But perhaps most of all, I love the small quirk of Claude’s left eyebrow in the final panel. ^_^
Did I mention that I love this page?
I do.
:-]