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thundercake — Every Time I Change

Published: 2005-07-02 08:55:04 +0000 UTC; Views: 2009; Favourites: 27; Downloads: 125
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Description I got this random burst of inspiration from the difficulty of dyeing one's hair...this was going to be a funny piece and I started it out meaning it to be humorous, but as it got more detailed and complicated I had this weird revelation from seemingly nowhere...why do I dye my hair if it's such a pain?...maybe I dye my hair so much for a reason. I started thinking about it as I highlighted each of her little strands of hair. Every time I change something about myself it's generally to forget who I was in an earlier time, to be reborn, if you will...I used to cut my hair constantly, whenever it got over an inch, and since I've been letting it grow out I've been dyeing it a LOT. A lot of you will probably write that off as cosmetics or vanity, and I did too for the longest time...but hair is a huge metaphor for me in life, and the cutting off of hair features in a lot of my writing as a symbol for change, growth, letting go of something painful.

This piece was hard to finish...I actually started crying. I'm about to make a huge change in my life, and a lot of painful things lie dying in the road behind me (if you'll let yourself go all Art Garfunkelly for a minute and play along). I'd like to think that these changes I'm making to better myself and my life are not just betterments, but a way of letting go of the past, moving on, finding myself.

I know, that sounds like bullshit, but for those of you who know me and know how often I pontificate on matters such as this (close to never), it's a big deal, it's not BS. I really feel like this piece symbolises both the pain and the relief of letting go of the past, even if it's difficult and messy and stains up the couch an awful lot. And sometimes what you thought was going to be purple turns out to be a horrid shade of pink , but you've gotta realise, things needed to change, even if the change isn't always positive. The past dies for a reason and there are beautiful and bright things on the horizon.

Boring technical quips: I used the layer mask on the different layers for the couch to make it appear immaterial because it's not really that important; I made sure to use really dull colours in most of the drawing, focusing on keeping relatively low saturation, to make the hair stand out more on the light blue. I actually own long johns like that and I wore them today.

I hope you like this piece, it's one of my favourites that I've done, if not my favourite, for its emotional meaning. I have many brainchildren, but let's just say, this is my future harvard graduate.
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Comments: 34

he2pockysticks [2011-07-06 05:11:41 +0000 UTC]

That was beautiful & gave me chills. Your words are powerful for one, but also i can personally relate very much. Thanks for sharing your art & your words .

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pNaGme [2009-10-05 22:14:29 +0000 UTC]

iLOVEit!

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Temari-hime [2006-08-15 04:47:52 +0000 UTC]

I think I get what you mean, to some degree. Everytime I cut or color my hair, it somehow signifies my life changing in some huge way. The expression in the picture and the little saying underneath.

I love it.

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str4yk1tt3n [2006-04-18 12:28:42 +0000 UTC]

after I broke up with my boyfriend of 2 years, a friend convinced me to go ahead and cut my hair for the first time (I'd been contemplating it). She told me that hair stores up stress and that if I was wanting to let go of past stuff, this might be a good way to go about it. I constantly change my hair depending on who I feel like I am at that period in time and what I think those around me expect or desire. I don't find your metaphore to be lacking in the least.

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thundercake In reply to str4yk1tt3n [2006-04-23 17:37:26 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for your thoughts

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bittersweetgrenadine [2005-08-08 14:31:25 +0000 UTC]

I love this picture partially because it's so awsome and partially because I relate. since I was 13 I've been cutting and dieing my hair constantly. Purple, orange, red, black, blue, auburn, deep brown, green/blue. I had hair down to my elbow then got it cut to my chin and donated it. All the dye is that "out in 10 washes" crap. I can't even remember what my realy hair color is, and I don't think I want to because that's would be like remembering who I used to be.

I related so much to your description of this picture. People say we're vain, obsessed with cosmetics, or just depserate for attention. I wish they'd just let the possibilty that we're doing this for ourselves not them, pass through thier head.

<3 ^_^

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thundercake In reply to bittersweetgrenadine [2005-08-08 22:48:57 +0000 UTC]

thanks for the good comment I used to be able to sit on my hair and then it was all cut off, and since that I incorporate hair cutting / modifying into a lot of stuff, outside modification as a means of jump-starting some inner change. I get the "she just wants attention" thing all the time, which is bull, because I never go out and I hate being noticed XD And contrary to popular belief black doesn't mean you're depressed or you hate yourself, sometimes it just looks damn good. rawr.

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bittersweetgrenadine In reply to thundercake [2005-08-08 23:22:25 +0000 UTC]

You're very welcome. You're a great artist and a wonderful person *hugs*

black does look damn good ^_^

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mandichan [2005-07-16 11:55:37 +0000 UTC]

Great detailed piece with a lot of meaning I see I think it's very well done, the gradients used do give it a kind of thoughtful look (if that makes sense) Also the transparent hair dye looks great. I think a simple meaningful picture like this has a strong impact because it is a sort of "every day" scene and not too "out there' if that makes sense

Also I looked at the photo, your hair looks cute

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thundercake In reply to mandichan [2005-07-17 07:27:31 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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snickerbaby [2005-07-05 04:49:07 +0000 UTC]

I really like what you had to say about change and the symbolism of dyeing/cutting your hair. Because that's often how I feel too. So that's a really sincere and interesting observation I think you made. At least it is to me. I love your character designs. They are so unique and special. And this one is no exception.

May I ask you how you color your drawings? Do you sketch them and then scan them into the computer and color them digitally, do you do all of it on the computer? Or do you do something else? What programs do you use?

I'm just really curious how you do it in your unique work. I asked alot of people and everyone seems to have their own methods. But I really like the kinds of colors you get in your work. So I hope you don't mind my asking. I'm just trying to see how others do it so maybe I can figure out my own way of doing it too.

I can note you about it if you want. If you don't mind.

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thundercake In reply to snickerbaby [2005-07-05 05:10:06 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much I'm glad you like my work!

I use plain ol' photoshop 7.0 and a wacom tablet, just the brush tool and the paint bucket and a couple layers, occasionally I use a gradient or a simple layer mode like overlay (I try to keep effects to a bare minimum). I'm really interested in colours so I try to make them go together, the colours and balance of the picture is generally my first focus. I have some "real" work (like [link] ) that I drew by hand with a .005 micron and kiddie watercolours, but a lot of people seem to like this style better.

Thanks for the interest

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bulalakaw [2005-07-04 11:47:26 +0000 UTC]

pretty in goo

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StupidityKills [2005-07-04 09:00:07 +0000 UTC]

well you can't just stay still and the same all your life, and if changing your hair is presonal evidence that you're changing other things then so be it.
Plus its true, dying your hair is a huge effort, and it'll get more so if you keep growing it!

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danniep [2005-07-03 05:49:48 +0000 UTC]

this is so cute. I'm sure the pink hair looks amazing. (most pink hair does) I sure wish I could pull that off. Most of the time change is a good thing. It symbolizes something...small or big.

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Hanniballistic [2005-07-03 05:49:22 +0000 UTC]

Why did you have to go and make me all introspective?

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despise13 [2005-07-03 01:53:35 +0000 UTC]

I whole heartedly understand.
I just chopped most of my hair off for a new beginning. I needed refreshment and something new.
It feels good to change sometimes, no matter if its something as small as hair length or color.
I think you captured the hair dye process perfectly.

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thundercake In reply to despise13 [2005-07-03 05:02:20 +0000 UTC]

haha XD yes, it is difficult.

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DizzyTenshi [2005-07-02 22:40:20 +0000 UTC]

You poor thing! I'm sorry that it was messy,but you got a great inparation from it. ^^ i like your pics because I can relate to them,and they have such humor and reality to them.

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jigsaw-girl [2005-07-02 18:41:31 +0000 UTC]

<3 i don't know you at all and i don't think it's bullshit and i'm not just being nice. i believe a person can't change for better or worse without conflict and physical change is just a natural part of that. people are born naked for a reason, we're all just blank chalkboards, and then as we grow, we have to show it. it's those that can keep that kind of thing inside that are scary.
other than that it's an adorable picture and i hope you can always let your emotions on the outside as you go through hard times! <3

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thundercake In reply to jigsaw-girl [2005-07-02 20:52:28 +0000 UTC]

thank you for the thoughtful comment that's an interesting way of thinking of it, that conflict doesn't just cause change, but that you CAN'T change without conflict...

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KaziCreator-Ranma [2005-07-02 18:22:50 +0000 UTC]

what colour did you dye it this time?

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thundercake In reply to KaziCreator-Ranma [2005-07-02 20:52:53 +0000 UTC]

It's the pink

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KaziCreator-Ranma In reply to thundercake [2005-07-02 21:28:41 +0000 UTC]

YAY FOR PINK!!

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DeadlySauce [2005-07-02 15:51:32 +0000 UTC]

Whoa. I do the same thing now...

I started 2 years ago...bleached the bottom half of my head...then I cut it a few times, tried to dye it back brown, and eventually gave up on it for a while. This past year I cut it again, re-bleached the bottom and dyed the top black. Then the bleached bit became blue...then pink with purple streaks (where the blue still stuck) and then I dyed it all black. Now its black...and shall remain so for a while. My hair is super short now, and I want to cut it again...like a crew cut...


And there are things I'm running from.

Memories that seem to stick to me like crazy glue.

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wolfxcarnival [2005-07-02 11:56:14 +0000 UTC]

I like the dying glove thingy, and how she's propping up one leg with books. I hope all works out for the best. I'm sure it will, though. And I wouldn't complain about my hair if I had eyes as pretty as yours.

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thundercake In reply to wolfxcarnival [2005-07-02 21:33:51 +0000 UTC]

aww *swoon*

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touchofdust [2005-07-02 10:07:59 +0000 UTC]

Haha she's wonderful. & very appropriate seeing as I'm about to re-dye my hair (pink & purple, lol) over the next couple of days. Must-fave-now.

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icktoes [2005-07-02 09:22:42 +0000 UTC]

Naw, it's not weird. Everyone has things they do that they assume are weird, but no one else really minds.

You did an awesome job with this one, it's nice how the hair stands out. But why would you do your hair on the couch?

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thundercake In reply to icktoes [2005-07-02 09:29:23 +0000 UTC]

I'm a slob? XD

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icktoes In reply to thundercake [2005-07-02 09:34:28 +0000 UTC]

I dunno, if you got like a white couch and did a bunch of different colours, it could look pretty sweet.

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thundercake In reply to icktoes [2005-07-02 21:34:14 +0000 UTC]

true. Like a jackson pollack couch or something.

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auralwhiplash [2005-07-02 09:10:41 +0000 UTC]



Somehow, I can imagine this sequence going on, and you illustrated it well. Best of luck with your future endevors and whatnot.

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I-magine [2005-07-02 08:58:25 +0000 UTC]


I understand.
It's not BS, it's how you feel. You used this piece to express yourself honestly and forthright. That's all that matters.

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