Steampunk Observer - October 3rd, 2009

Top of the evening! This time I bring good tidings!

Tonight, I have two guests to feature. Both are deviantART users, and each have their own little unique way they express their Steampunk enthusiasm.

First off, is Robin Smith. I ran across one of his works a few days ago on deviantART; he created Steampunk USB drives, cufflinks, and necklaces out of wood, gears, and other materials. I asked him to tell me a little about himself, and this is what he had to say:

"I'm a self taught artist who loves recycling (95% of my materials are recycled) & bringing new life to items that would otherwise be discarded or destroyed. I've always had an immense love for mechanisms of all sorts, from traditional automata, to antique hand made clock movements. There is just something so beautiful about watching a chain of actions create movement or reaction. I find most modern technology quite ugly and that it lacks the mystery and wonder that traditional mechanical devices possessed.


Although the parts currently aren't 'animated', I've been working on a fully working key over the last few months and I'm very close to completing my first one, but this will increase the cost considerably (unfortunately).

I'm on my 7th key now and I personally feel that they are getting better with every piece. My next device, is probably going to be a full PC, which I'm looking forward to greatly!"

This guy is very good at what he does. One of the USB drives were featured on deviantART as a daily deviation. Some of his items namely the necklaces are for sale. He can be found at http://back2root.deviantart.com/ . So swing by and take a look.

Next, is Katherine A. Cox. A young woman that has just entered college not so long ago, she has found the means to publish her own book called "Sixpence Crooked", a fiction Steampunk genre work. Her book can be found on Amazon.com, and Katherine can be found on deviantART at http://greentea13.deviantart.com/ . She is a remarkable artist, and does very rustic and traditional work that has a certain quality to them.

What amused and amazed me was that once her book was published, Katherine, her younger sister, and a friend got together and did cosplays of the main characters! These are very well made costumes, and show good skill and craftmanship. They also have gotten to meet the Outlanders, and debuted their book at DragonCon and Anime Weekend Atlanta. I throw my hat off at this young lady (if I had a top hat to throw off, that is) at her ingenuity, hard work, and determination. I have not gotten a chance to read her book yet, but I will soon, and post a review about it when I do.

That's all for tonight. Enjoy this Saturday night!