Hey guys, long time no updatey! This journal sees me acting in a more official capacity than usual. My employers, Jagex Games Studio, are currently looking to hire two full time artists - a concept artist like myself, and a User interface artist, who will be primarily working with designing interfaces and pixel art icons. There is also a second opportunity to work as a concept artist on RuneScape alongside myself coming up shortly, but the official job ad for that isn't live on the Jagex site yet.

All positions are full time, and in house, so we're not looking for freelancers. You've got to be eligible to legally work in the UK, and be able to relocate to Cambridge. Salaries are all negotiable depending upon experience, but the company really looks after it's staff well, with a heap of benefits including gym membership, private health care and bonuses. For the GUI role we have been given a green light to look for applicants from across the globe, so location shouldn't be an issue if you are applying for this role. This *isn't* the case for the concept artist positions, sadly!

The concept artist roles are both varied, so portfolios showing a range of subjects would stand the strongest chance, though those with a strong fantasy background would do well to push for the RuneScape role.

The GUI - Graphical User Interface Artist - role involves the design and creation of interface art and icons. We're primarily looking for someone with a good understanding of interactive design and gaming (ideally MMOs and the fantasy genre). There is also a considerable amount of pixel art involved in this role, so if you have a strong portfolio of pixel art, you might want to apply too. This position is currently open to applicants world wide. Fluent English is a must.

Industry experience is a bonus for all roles, but not essential.

If you are interested in either of these roles, you must apply through the official Jagex Games Studio website which can be found here: [link]

I don't think I've announced I'm on twitter yet, but you can find me under zephyri: [link] Any and all retweets of the post I made with a link to the official Jagex job page would be much appreciated, as I'm trying to spread the word far and wide! So if you know anyone in the UK looking for these kind of jobs, let them know.

Any questions, feel free to ask and I'll do what i can to answer them.

Michael Jackson passed away last night at the age of 50. I've never made a secret of the fact I am a huge fan, I have his initials tattooed on my hip, and have loved the man since I was 9. His career has been dogged by controversy and strangeness, but to me, he was a beautiful soul, whose life must have made it very hard to be 'normal'. I've always found peace in his beautiful smile, which had been rarer and rarer in his later years of life. If I'm honest the news of his death isn't as big a shock as it perhaps should have been. I'd read enough varying reports of his ill health to know that something like this was inevitable. I'm hugely saddened he didn't get his one last chance to shine at London's O2 arena.

So rest in peace, Michael. Your music will be the legacy thatl lives on for years to come.

I just wanted to take this journal entry to pay homage to a very special lady, who prompted this with the small gift of a sub, as mine had run out a couple of days ago.

Ang - aka =ladydove7 - has been a friend of mine for some years now. We were brought together through a love of character and world building, and have shared many a giggle, sketch and long waffling prose excerpt over IM and in real life. She's one of those people I feel truly comfortable round, and has been an absolute star this past week while I've needed someone to nurse my bruised heart due to a split from someone I'd fallen for in a big way, listening to my outpourings regardless of the hour or her own needs. Friends like that are rare. And I'm a very, very lucky lady to count her in my group of close friends. So thanks Ang. Your name is true to life, you're an angel.

Here's some of my faves among Ang's body of work. Go drop by her gallery and show her some love, especially if you like winged beings. Be sure to check out her website, Angelicshades: [link] and her blog: [link] for some interesting art based discussions and tips and tricks.

I completely missed the fact I'd been awarded a DD on Friday, mostly due to the fact I can't check messages at work, but also because I'd had the mentally exhausting week from heck in general, with a lot going on. Thank you ever so much to =TimeFalcon and ^2dazed for the feature and suggestion! So my apologies for not replying to comments, for the time being, I appreciate everyone who drops by and takes time to leave them on my work!

I'll be non existant around here for a good couple of months while I work through the freelance contracts I have, do my day job and find time to spend with my other half, who is being most patient with me while I'm busy.

Hoping life is going well with you all.

God damn it. I caved. And bought myself a sub. I can't use this site without one, and I have to give the designers and decision makers props on that. Still not happy about the tracing policy thing, but having thought on it, I figured simply up and leaving here wasn't really even an option, I use this place too much as inspiration, and I genuinely enjoy the interaction with people here.

I am somewhat baffled by the fact I seem to have lost some DA dollars along the way, but that's an issue I'll ply the help desk with I think.

Nothing much else to report. Life is full of fun, love, food and good things in general so I can't complain.
I wish I were in Poland right now.