fic rec & fan art (SGA *surprised gasps in the auditorium*)

[astridv]

Fic rec:
Rebuilding Babel by the_drifter (fiercelydreamed)
Summary: He wondered if this was how it felt to go crazy -- you didn't lose your mind, it just stopped synching up with the world around you. The Pegasus galaxy makes Rodney an expert in what he can survive without.
21,000 words, Sheppard/McKay [story is for the most part gen, though], Spoilers through S2.

I nearly didn't read this fic, because stories in which a main character suffers disability of any kind are usually too dark for my taste. But then I followed a rec from stargateficrec and, wow, so glad I did.

This was written for the sga_flashfic's wordless challenge: McKay gets poisoned offworld, suffers brain damage and loses his ability to process words. There is no magical reset button, just ways he finally deals with his aphasia, and how that happens is utterly fascinating to read. Also amazing how the_drifter gets into his mind and conveys the wordlessness of his communications.

I'm keeping it vague 'cause I don't want to give away any of the plot... which is exciting and original, and really intense. There are so many memorable scenes in this, I can't even say which is my favorite one.

snippet (spoilerish for the fic): Sheppard tilted his head curiously -- what's up? -- and Rodney had the uncharacteristic urge to, he didn't know, hug him or something, but that was in clear violation of the buddy code of conduct. After a few seconds of vacillation, he finally lifted both hands in a helpless gesture, grasping at the empty air, and just passed Sheppard the whole jumbled ball of it, amazement and relief and gratitude so intense it was almost gravitational.

Sheppard's head jerked back in surprise, and he stared at Rodney, who felt himself redden, because that was probably a bit much to drop on someone without warning. He was just starting to wish he'd gone with the hug instead when Sheppard's expression shifted into something less guarded, though no easier to read. He sent Rodney a brief, concise image: Sheppard in his quarters, looking penned in and mutely miserable, and Rodney shoving his way in with the device held out in one hand. You'd have done the same for me, it meant, and it wasn't a question.

fanart: Yesterday I spent a frustrating hour experimenting with acrylics (Sheppard kindly volunteered, nice guy that he is) followed by an even more frustrating hour trying to fix it on the computer. I was trying out wet-in-wet washes with acrylics and yeah, didn't work. They behave way different from watercolors, I'm ruefully going back to wet-on-dry: here’s one of Ronon I just colored in about five minutes, restoring my faith in the medium and myself.

Comments

[newkidfan.livejournal.com]

You art is wonderful and beautiful. Me loves.

[astridv.livejournal.com]

Thanks muchly. (Good thing you didn't see the previous day's attempts...)

[jwaneeta.livejournal.com]

Beautiful Ronon. I love the stark lighting.

I bought a bunch of pastels (good ones) when I got back from SF -- my only attempt was... blech. Recently I bought a how-to watercolor book, a nice spiral bound thing that lies open on the easel. Still haven't had a chance to try it out, though. I need practice.

[astridv.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, the pastels... I'd been thinking of trying some fanart with pastels to get a feeling for them. I used to draw with them quite a bit. But now they feel so clunky and hard to control.

Yeah, I should really use them.

If you want a really great, inspiring book on watercolors, try Nita Engle's "How to make a watercolor paint itself". Opened my eyes to alternative painting techniques. It's freakishly advanced, but not in a way that one would be intimidated. Instead, you read it and want to try out her techniques immediately. It's fun.

[jwaneeta.livejournal.com]

I keep meaning to get that book. Thanks for reminding me!

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

LOVE the Ronon!

[astridv.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I got another Ronon, and one of Sheppard. Just too lethargic to put together a post...
I wonder if it would be wise to make myself a can of Espresso at 1:42...

[(Anonymous)]

Astrid,

I like the strong light/dark combination, color use and the inking is first rate. It feels like its night time.

Keep up the good work.

Brian Kolm
http://www.atomicbearpress.com