CHOW #27 - Non Japanese Geisha

[Oblio]

http://www.oreganoproductions.com/chow/chowlines.jpg

ROUND #27


:right: PLEASE CONSOLIDATE YOUR WIPS AND FINALS INTO YOUR FIRST POST.

:right: CLEARLY DESIGNATE YOUR FINAL.

:right: DESCRIPTIONS ARE MANDATORY.

:right: PLACE THE IMAGE IN A FRAME WITH YOUR NAME/TOPIC
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i222/ChowPics/frame.jpg
(you can add CA logo, etc).


:right: Please save your files starting with your nickname.
example: "Oblio_CHOW23_Platformer33 copy copy.jpg" ;)
-------------------------
DEADLINE
SUNDAY, MAY 28
The way the deadline works: if deadline is on a Sunday and your image is posted on that Sunday 23:59 your local time it's a good entry.
In fact - as long there is Sunday somewhere on the planet your entry is ok. I will make the poll sometimes Monday afternoon my time (GMT +2) yet i'll have a look at the last entries.
--------------------------
Non Japanese Geisha
bread-tank
India, Antaritca, Africa...

Sory for the delay...
Now... concept! :yayca:

[Simon Boxer]

Nice topic, Oblio. I foresee good things!

[carotello]

OOOooooOOOOooh. ME LIKEY! GRACIAS OBLIO! Just the time thing...shouldn't we get a little extension in the deadline? I'll try to make it but this weekend is gonna be in-laws-visiting-hell. Hey, that would make a good character!

[cumquat]

damn, that nice carotello. Wicked idea, and I'm liking the sketch so far.

[vigostar]

Cartello- We need to see more artwork from you.... C'mon post some will yah!

[croovman]

won't be able to make it, sadly. interesting idea, though.

[fuuryoku]

Have some time this week so I thought I'd try to get one in on this activity as well.

http://www.thomscottart.com/images/fuuryoku_amerindgeisha.jpg

Alope Panther Laughs has always loved travelling and entertaining since she was a child in the Dakotas on Earth. As an adult she has found fulfillment as a contract courtesan, travelling the worlds of the five systems and making a more than a few credits.

Edit: updated the wip and gave her a first name.
-Fuu

[chaosrocks]

im afraid my first impulse was a geisha squirrel.. yes I said squirrel. ok ..I may post it to amuse you all. I spend waaay tooo much time withthe random topics...
chaos

[carotello]

I really want to see a geisha squirrel.

[cumquat]

okay, started mine - I'm thinking something along the lines of middle-eastern geisha. Prelim color

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/2478/cumquatchow27nonjapanesegeisha.jpg

[Mr-Joe]

Oh wow cumquat, this looks really nice. Your hookah is crooked a little. Hey is that painter or photoshop ? what brushes?

[cumquat]

Thanks Mr-Joe. Ah dang, you're right about the hookah ^^;, but that's okay - it's fixable. The whole thing's done in photoshop. For the painterly look, I usually use a hard round brush at around 25-34% opacity in combination with a couple of brushes I found at CGtalk. Here's a link if you wanna download ---> http://www.furiae.com/images/linda.abr . Brushes courtesy of the lovely Linda Bergkvist.

[chaosrocks]

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e181/chaosrocks/geisha2.jpg
there can a time in our history, not to long ago, when we were no longer allowed to exploit humans. It became very fashionable to train animals to perform the tasks previously done by humans. One example was the tapir hoover housecleaner and compost removal. The very finest trainer was the japanese animal master who had an army of helpers trained as maseuses and bath attendants. The very pinnicle eof his skill were the Geisha Squirrels who performed a faultless tea ceremony. the only disadvantge being that they were not particularly amusing conversationalists, and they tended to talk too much
This is not a Japanese Squirrel as the Japanese variety of Squirrels is stuborn and not amenable to training. This is a Genetically altered variant of a North American Fox Squirrel.
you asked......
chaos

[cumquat]

wow, words fail me :tihi:

[seba_boi]

So my idea is a sort of entertainment robot made for high generals at a space colony, which doubles up as a bodyguard. I know, not super original, but I just wanna play with the idea of something that is geisha inspired, and beautiful, and deadly and disturbing at the same time.
Here goes a rough sketch. I will be posting wips as I go. Comments and suggestions as always are very appreciated.
http://www.carotellogallery.com/CA/carotello_rough.jpg
Ooooh... I think it's an ingenious design... Not typical, yet not extraordinarily weird... :} It's really hard to critique such a rough sketch, but I don't see a problem so far...

Love the colours CUMQUAT... And looking great so far FUURYOKU...

[fuuryoku]

Updated mine.

[Ilaekae]

Allow me to overstep my bounds and offer some advice to those who may think they know what a Geisha is...just in case...

Geisha are not whores or prostitutes. In fact, in the beginning, many were male. They are entertainers in the truest sense of the word, and very unlike what we in the western world consider entertainers.... They are extremely intelligent and highly educated in the arts--painting, music, poetry, calligraphy, drawing, acting, singing, dancing, humor--and the best have an incredible knowledge of current events, politics, religion, and the subjects dear to the hearts of intelligent men. They DO happen to be beautiful, but that's just decoration on the sugar cookie...

Forgive me if I'm spouting the obvious to the knowedgable... :P

[fuuryoku]

Which is why I put Alope in a dancing pose holding a flute. :)



Allow me to overstep my bounds and offer some advice to those who may think they know what a Geisha is...just in case...

Geisha are not whores or prostitutes. In fact, in the beginning, many were male. They are entertainers in the truest sense of the word, and very unlike what we in the western world consider entertainers.... They are extremely intelligent and highly educated in the arts--painting, music, poetry, calligraphy, drawing, acting, singing, dancing, humor--and the best have an incredible knowledge of current events, politics, religion, and the subjects dear to the hearts of intelligent men. They DO happen to be beautiful, but that's just decoration on the sugar cookie...

Forgive me if I'm spouting the obvious to the knowedgable... :P

[Ilaekae]

...a flute...?

Damn! I was hoping that was some kinda sex toy I hadn't seen before... :)

[vinc]

Geisha are not whores or prostitutes. In fact, in the beginning, many were male. They are entertainers in the truest sense of the word, and very unlike what we in the western world consider entertainers
[...]
Forgive me if I'm spouting the obvious to the knowedgable... :P

yeah, i have learned that to (with the guidance of anime ;)
Samurai Champloo shows the history of japan and its klischees with a very funny view. Anyone who likes good Animes should look this!

But hey, those male geishas just wanted to look female and so ... who knows how many male will be in this topic, hrhr.
I will try to do a character, too. Dont have a idea yet but found many pics which might be helpful.

[seba_boi]

^ Hey, ya... I remember that episode... That was the one with that guy in-love with the geisha entertainer...

[misledtomisery]

The elite geisha classed succubi are revered for their beauty and entertaining talent. Usually the higher demons own personal slaves, they are often used on the prime material plane to woo and entice great kings and warriors. They can charm humans with small illusions and their enticing physical attractiveness. Often lightly dressed with wicked intentions.

http://misledtomisery.com/conceptart/succubusgeishafin.jpg

close up

http://misledtomisery.com/conceptart/face.jpg

[wassermelone]

http://webspace.ringling.edu/~awhitmor/images/gypsy2.jpg

Im going for a Roma/Gypsy angle right now :)

[chaosrocks]

ilaekae-- and thats why I made her a plump squirrel.... more about service than sex....
chaos

[Simon Boxer]

Wow, really cool stuff croppin up.

[iAn]

hmm, nice entries everyone, but that hookah hose is bothering me.

it shouldnt go straight down. think of it like a garden hose (even though its not)

[perineum]

I second. The threading and the density of the hose where it connects to the mouthpiece would prevent it from hanging straight down. BTW I love the line work Cumquat. Looks like a pastel emulation..

[Mr-Joe]

Awesome cumquat, thank you very much. I didn't ever think that photoshop could imitate paint so realisiticly. I actually just read a big tutorial on this site about how to paint in photoshop using hard edge brushes. I think I'm gonna have to switch over from painter or at least give it a try, plus photoshop seems like it has a very good custom brush creator. Also thanks for those brushes I like Linda's work alot.

[silliKONe]

hahaha!...chaos. that's funny. i will never look at squirrels the same way now. just make sure we know that it's not a japanese squirrel.

wassermelone - very compelling so far. she seems so mysterious.

[chaosrocks]

oh jeez I didn't think of that.... Squirrels have no nationality, have they? I mean they scamper across borders at will. Border patrol doesn't worry about squirrel terrorists... (oops shouldn't have said anything..now they will) ah well If the mighty Mods want to reject it as a Japanese Squirrel I can live with that. Its mostly a protest against the assumption that this is a hotbabe topic (that and my inability to draw hot babes up to the pulcritudinous standards of this company).
chaos

[cumquat]

Thanks iAN and perineum, I have no idea what a hookah actually looks like - I just googled it ^^;. But I'll try and fix the hose regardless. Oh, and you're welcome mr-joe. Good luck with photoshop!

[Phuzion]

OMG! I'm doing a CHOW?!!
Well, this is a little sketch I did after work today for my Indian Geisha Assassin. It's pretty small... about 4 inches, but don't worry!! It'll be all painted up with digital sweetness by Sunday night :P

http://www.artdl.com/Posts/geisha_sketch.jpg

Lookin' forward to the other entries!!

Peace,
-Daniel

[CaptainInsano]

okay, started mine - I'm thinking something along the lines of middle-eastern geisha. Prelim color

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/2478/cumquatchow27nonjapanesegeisha.jpg

Wow! This is gonna be great!

[theshunzun]

hate to be a jerk, cumquat, but arab entertainers don't have pins in their hair.

oh well. I'm sure it'll be fine.

[artiphats]

Final: Chow 27: Non Japanese Geisha

Shinatara: The Goddess of the Geisha. Shinatara is worshipped by The People of the Arts. She bestowes upon her followers the gifts of grace and beauty, and gives the ability to translate ideas into visual wonders. She is portayed with two arms, one set for creating (represented by being in a praying position), and one set for destruction, (represented as holding the Umbrella of Death). She is the enemy of Ugliness, and uses her weapon to destroy that which lacks visual appeal.


http://www.artiphats.com/artwork/artiphats-chow27-geisha.jpg

[carotello]

Here are my thoughts. First of all, the definition of courtesan is a high class prostitute. Geisha is an artist, an entertainer of the highest class. Their service did not include sex at all the way a prostitute sells it. Of course a Geisha is a japanese concept, so having a no japanese geisha is really an oxymoron. However, I am pretty sure that for the purpose of this creative activity, the common denominator all these characters should have is the essence of the geisha which is a high class, refined entertainer. So, should we take inspiration from the geisha look? I am not sure how much this can be pushed without falling into the japanese theme. I am trying to rework my sketch so certain lines are reminiscent of the japanese aesthetic, but not really japanese. I am trying to think different materials, different textures. I was hoping to see more of this kind of thing. Not exactly a particular ethnicity or culture, but something completely different. There is nothing wrong with working within one specific, real culture, but I find that it might be more challenging to come up with something that is totally new, but feels somehow cohesive.
I had a lot of problems with the Star Wars movies, but there was one thing I loved about them: the costumes really did feel like they were "period" except that they weren't at all.
Just some food for thought, and of course we all have our own personal aesthetics that are exactly that: personal.

[cumquat]

Thanks Parker D, I really hope I finish it in time - I'm at a convention this weekend, so it'll be a close call :\ .
Theshunzun, you're right - arab entertainers don't have sticks in their hair, but I kinda wanted to incorporate the geisha element into it a bit more, so I uhh...took a few artistic liberties. Um...is it not working ? Cause if it isn't working, I should know now so I can do something about it. Thanks very much for the crit. :)

[misledtomisery]

updated an upgraded..

[Michael Jaecks]

I didnt know this before I looked it up. Up to the year 1800 or so, quite a few geisha in Japan were male, which is in part the inspiration for this guy. I wish I had more time, but call this final. This is the fourth digital painting I've ever done. Having fun with it and learning something from all the experimentation. Description follows image.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/neorepto/hokanfinal_edited-2.jpg

Relationships between Yeesian males and females are complicated and shrouded in mystery and ritual. Yeesian society is female-dominated, as the females are much physically larger and boast life expectancies generally double that of males. Property and title is handed down matrilinerally through female heirs as continuity is a strong societal value.

The smaller humanoid males, in contrast to the larger slug-like females are prized as assets of speed, stealth and grace. The most accomplished and learned of these males are called Hokan, the adored, chosen servants of true Yeesian female power-brokers. Hokan are trained from childhood in the arts of dance, music, calligraphy as well as self-defense, subterfuge and intelligence gathering. No Yeesian potentate is complete or truly effective in her affairs without her Hokan.

[Phuzion]

It's true, Geisha were not prostitutes, but highclass entertainers. However, often, their entertainment WAS suggestive and provocative, so when translated to India or the Middle East, this could fall into the bellydancer category. It could also translate to the Whirling Dervish, or the court bard, though that's stretching it a bit. Well, since belly dancers were very often topless and wearing transparent silk, and much of India tradition has the women, and men, wearing very little, guess what I'm going for!! :P Also, there WERE Japanese prostitutes that dressed like geisha, but don't get them confused. Sex was NOT part of the geisha's role. They were strictly entertainers in terms of music, dancing and the like. Why do you think all those Japanese business men turn to escort services? :P

[noiion]

Hey, Fuuryoku. Your charcter is really well colored, but I think you need to get rid of her left foot. It's bent too far out and detracting the whole image. You'll do better without it.

[Simon Boxer]

+1 hot babe.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f107/cognitionsb/cognitionsb_CHOW27_GEISHAmay06.jpg

Stempunk inspired geisha

The demand for entertainers in the Wild West was high, and as the career grew increasingly popular, each woman needed to distinguish herself from the rest. The first bronze coated 'cage' was worn by Eileen Winterland, one of the most prestigious entertainers of the 1930s, and a national star. She had a range of custom made suits made by only the best smithys, and was responsible for taking this profession to the next level. A woman of high morals, she was untouchable, and the epitome of elegance.

[Tom Garden]

Hi all!!

This is my first CHOW!!! And sadly, i've just completed this in a couple of hours this morning, after no sleep last night :( poo - but its not too bad for the first go!!!

Lovely entries so far guys! Cant wait to see some of these as final pieces, there is a mad range of geisha!

http://tomgarden.co.uk/Webpics/Tomgarden_chow_thai.jpg

This fiesty youngster is a tricky one! She trawls the streets of her local area, wearing her green cloak, which covers her body up to her face. Wealthy businessmen often come to this area for some after hours "laundry services" And the green ladies signifies that they are up for the service. However, our nasty lady has been paid off by rival companies from off shore, to take out the businessmen, or pry information out of them, by any means.

She is a skilled born and raised Muay Thai artist. With a powerful body as her weapon, and legs with shins that can splinter bones, there is nothing you can do to protect yourself. And as soon as shes done flailing her limbs in your general direction, she slips back under the green cloak and back into the crowds...for her next victim.....

[Michael Jaecks]

heh. This is an interesting take, Tom. Reminds me of Vasquez from the Aliens movie.

Wikipedia says the term geisha translates to "art person".... so why not matial arts?

[Tom Garden]

:) well - i was angling on the fact that not only did geisha entertain, but were also assasins.

And to say its like Vasquez!!!! THANKYOU - love aliens, lol - i was also thinking, a touch of michelle rodruigez, but, i'm no good at painting lots of booze, cars and jail cells :P

[Mr-Joe]

My WIP, Started about 4 hours ago, I dont know if I will have time to finnish it :(

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/1966/chowgeishajpegwip7cu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[fooxoo]

http://www.filelodge.com/files/room16/416900/fooxoo_chow27.jpg

Modern tropical island hotel resort geisha - has an exotic name like Leia. Her tools are - the hot little body, flower in hand, fluttery eyelashes and swaying hips. She is a mix of all temptersses ... a little bit of asian, a little bit of arabic and a little bit of tropical all in one. Don't mix her with a girl easy to get ... as she is prohibited to join you in any kind of close entertainment. She is to ogle at but not to touch.

[Evil_Sloth]

Only the finest of pure women are chosen to be in the company of kings and leaders of men. The harsh deserts of Africa can be tamed by the slightest smile and warm gesture from a Geisha who knows her power and how she must use it to survive.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y135/Evil_Sloth/EvilSloth27_AfricanGeisha.jpg

[Egets]

Here is mine

Valeriana, has earned her nickname of making men to sleep after her services. She loves her job as geisha but find it too soulless and made look cheap and common trade in the western world so after studying japanese went to become geisha combining her fearce commercial competitive attitude to romantic beautiful art of love making in eastern fashion, she is employed in a secret ninja service where they need high safety including the women who work for them which is why when you once get in you dont come out again, however Valeriana loves her job and never wants to get out of where she is as well

sorry if that was a lame story but IM just cooking this up really fast !!!!!!!!!!!! :D

and here is the artwork (cooked at the last minutes as well, sorry, just wanted to participate the concept is so intersting)


http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/8099/megeisha9li.jpg

[wassermelone]

Thanks Sillikone

Im bowin out of this thing though... Ill finish it later maybe.

[csteingart]

Non Japanese Geisha - Roshanda, a geisha unlike any other.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a133/cstein74/csteingart_chow27.jpg

[Phuzion]

sheeeeit. Not really make this one. the painting is shitty so far cause I hate painting on a laptop and since I'm out of state (eg. away from home) I feel a little out of touch with my artwork, other that when I'm AT work. Well... maybe I'll catch the next round. As it stands, I'll work on another drawing for this one, just because I can. Good luck kids!! :P

-d

P.S. Here's an unfinished part of said shitty painting... the only part that's SORT of thinking about working...
http://www.artdl.com/Posts/Geisha_unfinished.jpg

Sorry to bail last minute, but it seems to be a trend in my life of late.

[misledtomisery]

another update. hope to finish before the deadline. gettin close...

[Dead Bunny]

First CHOW sub/Gibberish. Yay!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v450/mtw1180/Dead_Bunny_CHOW27_Non_Japan.jpg
Glimpse into our not so distant future and we'll meet a young woman named Jarbright. Feral, passionate, seductive and undeniably in control she tells a story with her body in its pure form. After the last war, today's cultures melted together to create new traditions one of which being a new type of geisha. She is a strong woman, confident in herself and her talents. An untouchable artist who's sole being is to perform to the brink of collapse and beyond. Night after night she attempts to break the machine. Little is known about how she, or those like her live. Once exhausted from the work she fades back into the crowd unnoticed. There is no proper venue for the spectacle; it is not uncommon to pass a performance on the street on your way to work, your best friend’s bachelor party, in a warehouse, the train station, or in the case of a few lucky individuals Carnegie Hall. Rumors of Geisha Revival’s origin typically stem back to an old story about a Music/Book store that was bombed in the war and how years later during reclamation a group of young girls scavenged what was left and formed new secret lives. They copied makeup stylings out of books older than their grandparents. Unable to recreate the ornate patterns adorning the kimono, with the same makeup over their faces they traced the patterns onto their flesh and that flesh would become their instrument. In addition to the honey sweet cooing, the animalistic howls and shrieks and sheepish longing moans from within the world around them provided an orchestra of sound to punch, crush, crumble, tip-toe over, slap, swing, and crawl on. The convulsions coming from these exertions formed the earliest steps of the dance. Since that time many have assembled specific pieces to accompany their instrument (sheets of metal, wood, taught fabric) but each performance remains as unique as the performer…

Mental references to Jarboe, Sarah Brightman, (figure out where the girl’s name came from?), geisha (specifically a daydream of punk rock maiko) performance art, I think Annie Lennox was in my head somewhere, Stomp, or Blue Man group, some crap I’ve heard hipsters listening to that sounds like an eight year old banging on a casio keyboard… jacked chicks all ninja’d out from the repetition of such a performance (ballet, can-can, etc…etc…). Yea if any of this sounds really freakin’ weird just keep in mind I haven’t slept in a few days nor seen a woman. Shank you. :zzz:

Beautiful work from everyone, can't wait to see more finals.

[carotello]

Well, the one CHOW I wanted to make looks like I won't be able to. It was one unfortunate week of parents in law visiting (pout) and an episode of sun poisoning (pout again). Unless the poll is closed late, there is no way I can make it. Here is my final wip, as far as it got. Maybe I will post it in the it's finally finished section once I get it done.
Everyone good luck and thanks for the positive comments.
http://www.carotellogallery.com/CA/carotello_geisha.jpg

[artiphats]

Final Image posted above with description, here are also a couple close-ups:

http://www.artiphats.com/artwork/geisha-closeup001.jpg



http://www.artiphats.com/artwork/geisha-closeup002.jpg

A lot of good ones this round, good luck everyone!

[Ilaekae]

Well, I'm only a couple of minutes late...

http://photos.imageevent.com/aljmary/conceptarts/ILAEKAE_Non-JapaneseGeisha_CHOW27.jpg.1

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN GEISHA

The concept doesn't exist in reality, so the young lady is a combination of elements from 37 different tribes. Her traditions are oral, and her skills are so far beyond the capabilities of most "civilized" alternatives as to be unbelievable--she not only plays ove 200 instruments, she knows how to make every one of them by hand with minimal tools. She also made every single thing she is wearing, and built and decorated the home she lives in. Her only complaint is blue. There really isn't enough of it readily available to use in nature to suit her tastes...

Call her a or a concubine and she'll use one of the 100-odd weapons she knows how to make to rip your lungs out and cook them with onions and roots in a stew.

[Tom Garden]

WOW everyone - great round :) I think that some of these are still pretty japanese in look and style - but all have been "concepted" realllllly nicely :)