I am coming to that curious age when all of the things that I swore I would never (and should never) see again are strangely coming back... and in fashion? This age that happens around 27-30 is what some refer to as "The Return of Saturn". I am happy to report that my childhood was filled with sparkles and neon as well as the height of the first major influx of Japanese animation influence into the U.S.
I was first introduced to Sailor Moon through a Japanese pen pal (indicative of the times) whom I met while staying at a hotel in Pasadena. She sent my sisters and I a yukata and quite a bit of gorgeous anime playing cards that were adored with sparkly-eyed ladies doing pretty things. Everything was written in Japanese, but I didn't care because I was madly in love with the generously detailed images of the sailor senshi. Just a few years later, Cartoon Network began airing America-safe episodes of Sailor Moon!
Every afternoon, my sisters and I would find a welcome break from studies and hurtle ourselves towards the VCR to hit "Record" in time to capture the catchy opening. I admit that the shows were pretty silly, not incredibly animated, and I don't remember a huge amount of the storyline (there were bazillions, it seems, and the task started to become daunting as I attempted to upgrade my fandom) I just remember feeling connected to each of the characters in some way (well, perhaps not Sailor Venus so much because I was a tomboy, and still struggle with what I heck I am supposed to do) because of specific personality traits in each one.
Fast forward to 2013, when dear friend Katie McAtee and a couple of friends decide to curate a show that pays tribute to Sailor Moon Mania. Hearing about the show from scheming stages, I pounced the opportunity to be a part of what would be named "Moon Crisis: A Sailor Moon Tribute". Hundreds of artists and fans from around the world showered the project with enthusiasm and support. Excitement mounted over the months as the Moon Crisis team kept participating artists and media followers updated with news and tantalizing progress shots of submissions.
By opening night on July 5th 2014, news of the event had reached thousands. Social magazines and websites caught wind of the event and advised readers of this magical occasion that would sync with Anime Expo as well as the internet launch of the animation remake Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: Crystal. A line of fans twisted out of the door and around the corner popular Art Crawl corner that houses host gallery Rothic Art Haus. Live dj music, a mini artist's alley, and a Sailor Moon Arcade game entertained attendees as fireworks from DisneyLand exploded just down Harbor Boulevard. I was dressed as Setsuna (Sailor Pluto) and enjoyed quick access to what has to be some of the most stunning fan art that I have ever had the fan-girl-crazy honour of being in the presence of.
Glenn Arthur, Kelly Eden, Babbs Tarr, and sooooo many more decked the walls. My piece that was inspired by Mucha's "The Moon" was placed in a prime spot, fairly close to Mr. Arthur's "Sailor Mercury". "La Luna" has the face of costume designer JoEllen Elam whos work I have been following for years ( www.firefly-path.net ) and amazing photoshoot images have inspired me for years. I spent probably far longer than most studying details of fellow artists works whom I have had the pleasure of watching progress over the years, those I have just recently discovered, and those I am now going to stalk over Instagram. Sailor Moon as a first big show? Bring on the nostalgia!
I was first introduced to Sailor Moon through a Japanese pen pal (indicative of the times) whom I met while staying at a hotel in Pasadena. She sent my sisters and I a yukata and quite a bit of gorgeous anime playing cards that were adored with sparkly-eyed ladies doing pretty things. Everything was written in Japanese, but I didn't care because I was madly in love with the generously detailed images of the sailor senshi. Just a few years later, Cartoon Network began airing America-safe episodes of Sailor Moon!
Every afternoon, my sisters and I would find a welcome break from studies and hurtle ourselves towards the VCR to hit "Record" in time to capture the catchy opening. I admit that the shows were pretty silly, not incredibly animated, and I don't remember a huge amount of the storyline (there were bazillions, it seems, and the task started to become daunting as I attempted to upgrade my fandom) I just remember feeling connected to each of the characters in some way (well, perhaps not Sailor Venus so much because I was a tomboy, and still struggle with what I heck I am supposed to do) because of specific personality traits in each one.
Fast forward to 2013, when dear friend Katie McAtee and a couple of friends decide to curate a show that pays tribute to Sailor Moon Mania. Hearing about the show from scheming stages, I pounced the opportunity to be a part of what would be named "Moon Crisis: A Sailor Moon Tribute". Hundreds of artists and fans from around the world showered the project with enthusiasm and support. Excitement mounted over the months as the Moon Crisis team kept participating artists and media followers updated with news and tantalizing progress shots of submissions.
By opening night on July 5th 2014, news of the event had reached thousands. Social magazines and websites caught wind of the event and advised readers of this magical occasion that would sync with Anime Expo as well as the internet launch of the animation remake Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: Crystal. A line of fans twisted out of the door and around the corner popular Art Crawl corner that houses host gallery Rothic Art Haus. Live dj music, a mini artist's alley, and a Sailor Moon Arcade game entertained attendees as fireworks from DisneyLand exploded just down Harbor Boulevard. I was dressed as Setsuna (Sailor Pluto) and enjoyed quick access to what has to be some of the most stunning fan art that I have ever had the fan-girl-crazy honour of being in the presence of.
Glenn Arthur, Kelly Eden, Babbs Tarr, and sooooo many more decked the walls. My piece that was inspired by Mucha's "The Moon" was placed in a prime spot, fairly close to Mr. Arthur's "Sailor Mercury". "La Luna" has the face of costume designer JoEllen Elam whos work I have been following for years ( www.firefly-path.net ) and amazing photoshoot images have inspired me for years. I spent probably far longer than most studying details of fellow artists works whom I have had the pleasure of watching progress over the years, those I have just recently discovered, and those I am now going to stalk over Instagram. Sailor Moon as a first big show? Bring on the nostalgia!