Hey guys, I just wanted to take a few moments and welcome you guys who have been plugging away at TF (and non-TF) illustrations for a long time now. This has been a LONG time coming, but now the illustrators (2-D and digital renders) are "officially" Radicons! Personally, this is something I've sought to see happen ever since I started coming more and more involved. WAY before I was even on the Radicons Staff, REDLINE and plowking can both vouch for me discussing the ideas of having us illustrators as part of the Radicons. After work from several persons, lots of planning, and (in the end) just waiting it out, a dream of mine has now came true. Some of you know me for my customs work, but (as I stated in my interview), the breadth of my artwork resides in illustration. I actually ventured into customs because I really wanted to sharpen my 3-D skills. Once I dove into making customs, my illustration simply took more of a backseat for the first time in my life. I typically start out each custom with some sort of shorthand illustration, whether it's a sketch or a quick digibash. I'm often continuing to map out ideas on paper and such. Regardless the kitbasher that I may (or may not) be, I'm an illustrator at heart This explanation stems out of a few things: I've always seen "Radicons" as simply "artists" and not really something so specific as "customs" or the like. I've had many discussions with several artists about this, some of which are like myself and illustrate as well as create customs. Another reason that I really feel compelled to explain myself here is that I ventured into the TF fandom as an artist with a focus on illustration and this fandom (specifically Radicons) has allowed me to expand my artwork in ways I'd never before even dreamed of. Mostly, I want to assure those of you whose focus is illustration (2-D or digital renders) that with the expansion of Radicons to include illustration we will continually strive to give this area the same kind of TLC that customs has been blessed with over the last few years. This being said, patience is the key virtue. Right now, one doesn't have to look too far to see that the illustration section needs work. Please know that we're already on this and have been for some time. We don't intend to let up, but at the same time change takes time. I've had the pleasure to see Radicons explode from a mere Yahoo! Group to a subforum of TFW2005.com into a customs "mini-site". The illustration section of this fandom is no different to me in this regard. Also, this takes each artist taking on this role of a Radicon! We need your input on what you'd like to see in the illustration portion of Radicons. Know that we take each suggestion into careful consideration. As this place continues to grow more, changes will become more and more visible. The bottom line? I hope we see you guys who've been the mainstays continue to crank out illustrations that ROCK while also growing as artists, continually sharping those skills! Also, I hope we see a TON of new artists finding a new place to spread those wings! I hope for all of the best for the future of Radicons as well as each of you!
Here, here! I've been waiting for this day for years now. I hope that we can do for you what we have done for the customizing community.
