CYNIK UNIVERSE - Urthlings Comic Strip and Original Art

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 165 : READY FOR A BRAND NEW YEAR...

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0000

by MRAM

April 17, 2012

I have a feeling that this year will be a BIG year! =)

NEW CONTENT COMING SOON! =)

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0000

by MRAM

April 16, 2012

Aloha!

This has been a very busy past couple of months for yours truly, but I promise that I'm going to be posting regularly again.

ALSO

I will be launching a new, revamped website later this year! WOOT!

You all will be kept up to date on when that will be.

Thanks again for your support and I hope you enjoy the new shtuff that will be coming out! =)

Much Mahalo!

~MRAM

HIGH FIVE # 007 -- WWW.ANIMATIONINSIDER.COM

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:00:00 +0000

Here is an interview I did with the fine folks at ANIMATION INSIDER

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 163: EA GAMES HEADQUARTERS

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

by MRAM

December 28, 2011

501st Legion Promo Event at EA HEADQUARTERS in Playa Vista, CA for the release of STAR WARS: THE OLD REPUBLIC.

Basically a 'Meet & Greet' Photo Op for the EA Employees and Staff.

We were all given copies of THE OLD REPUBLIC plus an additional game of our choice from their store! Awesome-ness! lol

All in all, a VERY fun day!

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 162: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

by MRAM

December 25, 2011

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 161: HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

by MRAM

December 24, 2011

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 160: GOBBLE BE-BOOP

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0000

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

FROM THE

CYNIK UNIVERSE!

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 159: COMIKAZE 2011

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0000

by MRAM

November 14, 2011

Last week, November 5-6 at the Los Angeles Convention Center here in Downtown, COMIKAZE held its first official con event. Not bad for its first time out.

The SDCC had to go through its growing pains and baby steps to reach the point it is at right now and COMIKAZE seems to be ahead of the game a the same starting point. I figure that this event will be an LA staple within the next 4 years. 40, 000 people attended the event over the 2-day span.

Impressive...most impressive. (couldn't resist that one) lol

Althought the 501st Legion did not 'officially' participate (i.e. A booth and the usual 50 plus troopers), there were a few representatives from the Southern California Garrison.

I represented the SCG with my Sandtrooper gear and was accompanied by another squad member. I've never posed for so many pictures in my life! Aak! =)

Anyway, after 5 hours of trooping, I got out of my armor and went back in into the event in plain clothes and was FINALLY able to tour the con without interruption. A lot of cool things to see, from toys, collectibles to the awesome cosplayers!

I will definitely go again next year. This time with 'Vader's Fist'!

Enjoy the pics!

A NEW VFX ARTIST ENTERS THE FOLD

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 07:00:00 +0000

by MRAM

November 6, 2011

I keep thinking that if I had the same drive I have right now back when I was in high school to excel in my studies, I probably would have had a good shot at being in the Honors Class.

But when you're a kid, you don't any better. Right? LOL

Anyway, on November 4, 2011 & after almost a year of taking the MOTION GRAPHICS / VISUAL EFFECTS course at the industry renowned VIDEO SYMPHONY in Burbank, CA , I'm happy to say that I have graduated! Woo Hoo!

Just to think, last year I really didn't know which direction I was headed professionally. I didn't have too many options. But, now? Options, Baby! Oh YES!

So keep a look out for my work...

I've finally arrived! =)

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 158: DARK LORD OF THE SITH

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:00:00 +0000

ANH DARTH VADER ARMOR PROJECT

Phase 1 (Helmet) : COMPLETE

Target Date for Final Presentation: OCTOBER 31, 2012

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 157: "TRICK OR TREAT 2011"

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Be Safe...

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 156: "GEEK"

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 17:32:00 +0000

Star Wars themed cereal boxes and assorted Pringles flavors? Epic. =)

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 155: "LET'S GO TO THE ZOO!"

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

by MRAM

August 27, 2011

Star Wars Day at the Los Angeles Zoo
August 27, 2011, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

The LA Zoo will take you to a galaxy far, far away! Meet you favorite Star
Wars characters and learn about creatures from other galaxies as well as our own.

"The zoo took great care of us for they day, providing soda, water, and gatorade for the morning, and water for the afternoon, plus snacks until they ran out and a huge pizza lunch! We also had a gigantic air conditioned changing room/break space that came in very very handy as they day got hotter. Each participant including wranglers got 4 tickets to come back later.

The zoo is doing a donation to charity in our name. We have asked that they donate the funds to the Esquenazi family if they can--since the zoo is run by the city, they may run into some rules/regs that may not allow them to do that. If its not possible, the money will go to St Judes Children's hospital.

We did learn a lot from this event, and how things went down. Despite a lot of planning including meetings, phone calls, and on-site visits, a few things will be changed for next year. And they DO want us to come back! We're looking at next May instead of August (so it wont be so HOT!). We're going to schedule times in advance for the tented appearances, and also have more of the really popular characters like Vader and R2 so that these characters can have shorter appearance times, and still keep the booths full. If we do an opening march next year, we'll coordinate that a little better! We're also going to shorten the event to 10 am to 3 pm, and spread it over 2 days. We may even do shifts next year, but with shortening the event that may not be needed." -- Lesley Farquhar / TR-3774 (Southern California Garrison XO)

This troop was ROUGH but it was a very fun one! Temps were in the upper 90's-low 100's. (Whew!) I'm glad no one passed out!

About 50 members from the SCG 501st and Rebel Legion came in for support of this event with 3 TDs representing the Sandies!

TD-6985 - Michael Ramirez: "SCRIBBLER" (MEPD / Route 66 Patrol)

TD-4749 - Robert Longfellow: "RETNUHHA" ('soon to be' MEPD / Route 66 Patrol)

TD-4544 - Ed Silva: 501st TD

These are pics that were taken from a 501st Legion event we did for the LA ZOO on behalf of LucasFilm...

SKETCHBOOK - SCRIBBLE # 153: CONCEPT ART

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

ALIEN SOLDIER

(Pencils - 2011)

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 154: BFG!

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

by MRAM

August 1 , 2011

My T-21 Replica SANDTROOPER BLASTER that I use on trooping events with the 501st Legion:

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 153: HAPPY 100 YEARS, BURBANK!

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Burbank celebrated its 100th anniversary July 8, 2011

"On the anniversary of its incorporation in 1911, the City of Burbank celebrated its 100th year with the Party of the Century in Downtown Burbank, Friday, July 8 from 5:00 to 10:00 P.M.

Featuring awesome food from Downtown Burbank restaurants, an air parade, multiple stages, top local bands and DJs, a mascot parade, children's entertainers, stilt walkers, Centennial memorabilia and community booths, the Party of the Century was the ultimate night on the town for kids and families alike.

Encompassing six city blocks including San Fernando Boulevard, Palm Avenue, AMC Walkway, Orange Grove and Olive Avenue, it expressed the civic pride and community spirit that have characterized Burbank’s first 100 years.

Things really heated up when the sun went down. That's when the grand finale with a stunningly choreographed firework show capped off festivities in a profusion of light and sound."

(Photos by Lisa Bloomquist)

"This was an AWESOME troop, but it was HOT!!!" =) -- SCRIBBLER

Participating 501st Legion Members / Southern California Garrison

Scribbler - Michael Ramirez- Sandtrooper - TD-6985
Boo Boo- Terry Emelio- ROTJ Boba Fett - BH-4667
Robeewankenobe- Rob Estrada- Jango Fett - BH-6161
"Phantom"- Mario Cardenas- X-Wing Pilot - TI-8214
Shetan- Vicki Silva- TK Stormtrooper - TI-7118
DKF Vader- Darrin Forsythe - Darth Vader - SL-5588

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 152: HAPPY 4th OF JULY!

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 07:00:00 +0000

by: MRAM

July 4, 2011

HAVE A GREAT, MEMORABLE AND SAFE HOLIDAY, EVERYONE! =)

STORMTROOPER ARMOR (ATA) SPARE PARTS FOR SALE

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:30:00 +0000

ALOHA!

These are some major armor pieces that I was going to use for my TD (SANDTROOPER) armor as upgraded replacement parts but I really need to complete another project so I will have to sell these off to fund it.

The armor is brand new ATA (Terell) and is made of troop durable HIPS (Untrimmed and unpainted).

The following is taken from the FISD website: ARMOR

Type: ATA (Affordable Trooper Armor)
Country: USA
Contact: Supertrooper on FISD / ATAworks@yahoo.com
Kit: HIPS & ABS, untrimmed, ANH derived
Availability: No known problems though there may be a waiting list.
Assembly: armor needs to be trimmed, parts butt joined with finishing strips, then painted.
Comments: Being a later generation from ANH, details are not as sharp as TE2. However quality of HIPS material is such that it the most durable of all HIPS armor makes.

The parts are:

1 - Ab Plate section (w/ clean front plate if you want to go TD / Sandtrooper)

1 - Ammo Belt (Waist)

1 - Kidney Plate

1 - Butt Plate

1 - Ab Section Details (if you want to go with a TK / Stormtrooper setup)

1 Set (3) of Belt Screw Covers for Ammo Belt

(These are just the HIPS parts. No straps or other accessories included.)

The price including USPS PRIORITY MAIL shipping in the Continental United States is:

$90.00 US total including PRIORITY MAIL USPS

Thanks so much for looking and Happy Trooping 2011!

~Mike

"SCRIBBLER" -- TD 6985 ( MEPD )

501st LEGION / SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GARRISON / ROUTE 66 PATROL

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 151: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 07:00:00 +0000

"Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special

to be a dad." ;)

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 150: JAWA EXTERMINATOR

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 07:00:00 +0000

By MRAM

June 14, 2011

Ready for the hunt. ;)

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 149: WINLESS...AGAIN.

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 07:00:00 +0000

By MRAM

June 13, 2011

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 148: APOCALYPSE...NOT

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Sun, 22 May 2011 01:01:00 +0000

by MRAM

May 21, 2011

Apparently we are all still here. Please ignore previous warnings and have a nice life.

VIXEN # 327 - BRIGHTEST S.T.A.R.

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Fri, 20 May 2011 07:00:00 +0000

JILL VALENTINE (Resident Evil)

(Markers, Pen & Ink -- 2011)

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 147: "LITTLE VADER"

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Sun, 15 May 2011 07:00:00 +0000

by MRAM
May 8, 2011

Inspired by this VW commercial that aired January 2011:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55e-uHQna0

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 146: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

noreply@blogger.com (MRAM) — Sun, 08 May 2011 07:00:00 +0000

by MRAM

May 8, 2011

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new."

~Rajneesh