Article on Game Developers Stealing Steampunk Artwork on Steampunk.com

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Facinating African Sci-fi/Steampunk Art

Post by Ramon Leon Del Mar.

Monsters Invade Traditional Blue Willow China Kickstarter!

You have to see this to believe just how great this could get, at least for those like us that actually use Blue Willow China for things, like receiving guests, having tea, holidays, backdrop for photo and film etc. etc.

Imagine grandma's face when at the end of her lovely Thanksgiving meal she is face to face with the Great Kraken, Leviathon, even Cuthulu???   OK, so maybe we put out these dishes for friends with steady heartbeats, well... and the vampires with or without heartbeats of course, rather than grandma, but this is so cool!

If he makes a set with giant octopi, we will definitely be buying them, maybe a full set!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/159974695/calamityware-dinner-plate-3

Kamijo, Victor Sierra, Paris, London, and Ireland!

We recently got word that the Visual Kei artist (translate that as very visually interesting and theatrical Japanese Rock musicians) Kamijo of La Reine and Versailles Philharmonic Quintet, who we heavily support and promote, is ready to launch his first full premier performance as a solo artist in Paris, France on July 4th, 2014

It was not easy, but we have managed to book a trip, arrange time off, pay for flights, schedule, book and pay for a very complex itinerary, and arrange interviews and private concerts with other performers while in the area.  In addition to any events the Kamijo offers before or after the concert, we will be seeing the most interesting sights in Paris, checking out local Goth clubs/events, and meeting with the Paris based Steampunk Band Victor Sierra, for dinner and a private show to look at their new material.  Naturally we will also gather information for articles about their new work at the same time.

Other scheduled events include seeing the Paris Ballet at the original theater commissioned by Napolean centuries ago which is a living museum of magnificent beauty in it's own right.  In true Steampunk and Goth Aristocrat form, I will be dressed in a Victorian era full black on black tailcoat, but with a white shirt and dark crimson tie and cummerbund.  What my mate chooses to wear will be a surprise for later, but just say for now, we have been working hard in the fashion laboratory on totally new designs for the event!
We will also report back on The Versailles Palace and nearby grounds, the Louvre, some of the less known, but more interesting Cathedrals, maybe some catacombs, and of course, the Moulin Rouge!

After that we will hop the European bullet train that goes under the sea to London, which should be an event in it's own right!  In London we will take int he Tower of London, some of the city, and Stonehenge for two days, before hopping a late flight to Dublin. In Dublin we will meet up with some real English Witches that are world renowned authors, and friends or ours, as one will be taking us to the most interesting Druidic archaeological sites.

My family name is from Ireland, but none of my ancestors ever went back after the diaspora, so I, seven generations later, will be the first son of Ireland in this branch of the family to return home.
I will go from the busy modern streets of Dublin to the oldest roots of Irish Civilization, and then simply sit and commune with the original inhabitants of the Emerald Isle, the ancient trees. (those that survived cutting and burning during the Christianization of course).

You can follow our travels to some degree on facebook, but real articles will not be released until we return and have time to digest all we have seen an experienced there.

Historical Photographic Art

Post by Ramon Leon Del Mar.

The Steampunk Chronicles Project via Steampunk Tribune

Steampunk Chronicles

Steampunk History Illustrated From Doctor Q via Steampunk Chronicle

A Grand and Gloriously Illustrated History of Steampunk

Steampunking Thrift Store and Garage Sale Art via Web Urbanist

Excessively tranquil art turned into wildly steampunk adventures!

Steampunk Canada Helping Share Steampunk Artists and Authors With the World!

Call out to Steampunk Canada Artists and Authors

Show Details
Hello Dear Members,
If you have not yet seen the current front page, I am on a search for all of our fabulous Canadian artists and authors.  Whatever your medium is - paint, photography, film or the written word, I want to share your talent with the world.  I need very little, just a word or two about yourself and your artwork, what inspires you, a link to your site if you have one, and a photo or two.  Everything should be sent to me at questions@steampunkcanada.ca by December 22nd.
As well, we have been very busy and there are a number of reviews and even a beta key giveaway for City of Steam.  Come on by and have a look!

Cheers,

Lee Ann Farruga
STEAMPUNK CANADA

http://www.steampunkcanada.ca/

Nihon NY Interviews Voltaire About Japanese Influence In His Work

Not everyone realizes just how much Japanese Culture and art has influenced Voltaire's fillms, art, comics, toys, and many other aspects of the wonderful madness that is Voltaire.  He started very young as a stop motion animator, for his own pleasure, but grew into a love of similar art forms and many themes and approaches that he discovered in Japan.  He based his Graphic Novels largely on Japanese themes, art, and anime with a specific director as a role model.  Take a look at this interview to learn about this facinating side of the musician and artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zBPyjzvSA&feature=youtu.be

“The Trials and Tribulations of Miss Tilney”

April 4th 2012

A new comic series by Dusk creator, David Doub debuting April 30!

Plucky cub reporter Henrietta Tilney sits face to face with accused mass murderer Lord Beowulf Harwood. An interview she hoped would launch her writing career soon explodes into a whirlwind of deadly adventure, taking Tilney and the mysterious Harwood across Victorian London.

David Doub is the author of acclaimed comics such as “Dusk” and “Mystery Masque” and has been a guest author at conventions across the country including Phoenix Comic Con, Animefest, and Saboten-Con. His translation of the classic penny dreadful into a suspenseful comic series is the latest offering from the author who has built a reputation for crafting fast paced and nuanced stories featuring strong and complex female lead characters.

The artist on The Trials and Tribulations is Sarah Elkins, who just recently was in Womanthology. With Joamette Gil and Danielle Alexis rounding out the amazing art team working on the comic.
More information can be found at www.duskcomics.com. If you would like to schedule an interview with Mr. Doub or receive a review copy, please contact Anthony at anthony@skiptheopeningact.com.

Recent Dusk Comic releases –

Witchhunter by Vincent Ferrante
Fullmoon Stories by Johan Hoff

Marilee Rose Stonestreet - Jeweler Gone Steampunk

I came across this jewelry designer through Visual Kei Music contacts in the world of Versailles Philharmonic Quintet and was surprised to learn that not only had she and her entire family discovered Steampunk while living in Japan (the Genre is quite new there actually), but her work as a jewelry designer got infected with the beauty of Steam as well.  As such I interviewed her about her work and this change in general.  The photo above of Marilee and her Steampunk family was taken by the staff at Little Rain Drops Photography. 



Can you tell us a bit about how you first became interested in creating your own jewelry?


I have always created many things throughout my life. My father is an artist and lover of the older darker science fiction movies, so when I was a little girl I spent much of my time painting and sculpting with him, and finding excuses to get theatrical with our clothing and make-up. This was something that stayed with me my entire life. However, the art of creating jewelry did not show its face to me until much later, about three years ago actually. I have always loved stones and crystals, so when a friend of mine took me sea glass hunting, I was very intrigued. I didn’t know much about sea glass at the time, but sea glass is actual broken pieces of glass that has been deposited in the ocean by shipwrecks or pollution. After a certain amount of time the salt water and sand have processed it to create something very much resembling a stone, which people often mistake it for. I call it natures way of turning the worlds trash into treasure, so you sort of feel like a pirate when you go searching for it. So, after I had collected a plethora of sea glass, I said to myself ”well now what?” I had heard of people making jewelry out of it, but I had no idea how. I turned to a crystal piece I bought at a Samhain festival many years ago that embraced the art of wire wrapping. I told myself that if someone can do that with a crystal, can I not do something similar with sea glass? So I did, and then found out this was a technique many artists used when creating sea glass jewelry. At the time I didn’t think about selling, I would just give it to my friends and family as gifts, or wear it myself. After being told by admirers of my work that I should really think about selling, I opened my etsy shop to the world. I did not only use sea glass, but I also expanded by using materials like crystal, brass, metal and random vintage finds for my jewelry. I also created a variety of hair accessories using feathers, satin, and lace. I sold my items with some success, but my jewelry always sold more, and to be honest, it was what I enjoyed making the most. I eventually decided that jewelry was where my creative mind was most adept.

Have you received any training in this art or is it all self taught?


Everything I have learned about jewelry has been through observation of other artisans and fellow crafters, or simple self discovery. I’m a history major so the only real lessons I have are the ones that the story of time have taught me, and they have been the inspiration for my work.

What attracted you to Steampunk as a style in jewelry and in other areas of your life?


I have to say that quite honestly I was not fully aware of the presence of the Steampunk sub-culture until three and a half years ago. I had come across portions of the style, but I did not know it‘s true title, I just always thought it was beautifully intriguing. I have been immersed in the Gothic Industrial scene since I was 15 years old, and my style had always been mostly old world, and inspired by the more vampire Victorian aura of it. It wasn’t until I was about twenty one that I started to become more flexible with my style, and explore the different aspects of what I had been attached to for so long; The fae point of view, the futuristic point of view, and then many years later, the true world of Steampunk. Now as you know, I was already half way there without knowing it, so it’s no wonder that when it came to Steampunk I embraced the Victorian vampiric perspective of it most of all. 


My jewelry has always been a bit on the eccentric fantasy side. However, my Clockwork Series, which is of course my Steampunk jewelry, didn’t emerge until I popped in an old CD I often listened to in my early Goth clubbing days. I like to invent story lines and worlds that go with the song I am listening to….I know, I sound a bit insane, but music is often my muse when creating most anything in my life. I have told very few people this, but maybe it will bring some new perspective into what I create; during this particular song I imagined the story of a man who lived in a city of clockwork. Everything about this city was obsessed with clockwork so much, that they used it to run everything, even for the simplest tasks, like a creating a contraption to poor tea into a cup. Their lakes were even filled with discarded gears and cogs, which caused their lake’s water to turn into a rust brown and an oily green. As I said, clockwork was the obsession of this world, but real people were most certainly not made of clockwork…that is until the man in my story lost his lovely wife. With the song I imagined the story of the man, fearful, yet lovingly, bringing back his wife with the use of clockwork bodily inserts, and of course other fictional means to reanimate human life. The story that emerged in my head created my Clockwork Series, and if you read the name of every piece in that series you will see a relation between them and the story I imagined. The story still goes on through each piece I create, and adds to yet another element in the tale.

 

What do you find most challenging about trying to put more “Steampunk” into your jewelry?

The biggest challenge of trying to put the element of Steampunk in my jewelry is the attempt to combine all of myself, and all the crazy elements that I‘m in love with, without having it look like a perplexing mess. I have refused to let go of my love of sea glass, and to my surprise, my sea glass clockwork pieces have been much admired by my customers and other artisans. As a jewelry artisan you sometimes worry about what your customers and the new public will think about a creation that seems just a bit… “out there”, even to genres that are already considered by the general public as “out there”. To elaborate further, It’s like being a mad scientist; Will you create a monster they love? Or one they will fear?….or worse…one they won’t wear? So you put yourself into the steaming public hoping that they will see what you saw; a mix of elements portraying what you adore, and a creation that opens the mind and soul.

 

I understand you live in Japan at present. Can you tell us a little about Steampunk in Japan?


Steampunk in Japan doesn’t seem to be quite as expansive as most would think. You see bits of it here and there in fashion, and of course in animes like Steamboy, Last Exile, and Fullmetal Alchemist which have Steampunk in it’s core. You also see bits of it in Kuroshitsuji a.k.a.The Black Butler, and in films from famous animators like Hayao Miyazaki's Castle in the Sky and Howl's Moving Castle. You also tend to run into very Steampunkish contraptions every now and then. I believe it still has not developed as strongly as something like Lolita or Visual-kei, but it's making it's move. On April 2012 Tokyo will have it's first Steampunk event by held Kennycreations called STEAM GARDEN episode:1 -Tokyo steampunk society. This is a very exciting step in the world of Steampunk for Japan, and I am hoping it will lead to a birth of Steampunk artists in this beautiful creative country.

 

What else would you like to tell the readers about your work as a Steampunk jeweler or as a Steampunk in general?


As a Steampunk and a Steampunk jeweler I find that many try to imitate, and that is of course where everyone starts out. It’s human nature to first imitate in order to understand and find what works best, but then it is very important to put yourself into your creation, because that is what makes yours extraordinary. So of course, with respect to the basic idea of what makes Steampunk, don’t forget to factor in the most important element to the equation that equals exquisite Steampunk, you. 

Please take a look at her Etsy Store as well:


The Rose of Stonestreet

Multicultural Steampunk's Art Contest

Steampunk Art is, of course, very important here at "The Art of Steampunk" and nothing says it better than an interactive Steampunk Art Contest.  One of my very favorite bloggers, Ms. Kagashi, has put together an exceelent contest with very fine entries for your perusal.

Multicultural Steampunk's Art Contest

Kali's Hourlgass Recieves Fan Project Art

When the members of Kali's Hourglass, performance art and education troupe, and flagship of the Covenant of the Kraken Performance Art Network, first starting recieving Fan Project Art, frankly, we didn't know how to respond.  The first was, believe it or not, in true pirate fashion, a hip flask with a leather cover heavily embossed with, you know it, "The Kraken"!  Not only that, it was filled with Kraken Rum!   

We were speechless and didn't understand at first that he wasn't just showing it to us, but was actually giving it to us.  This first was a gift from John Wofford!  He was a bit confused, when, true to my Celtic Culture (and Native American Culture etc.) I offered to make him something of his choice in return.  He gave it to us at the First Difference Engine Steampunk Convention in June 2010, where we found ourselves in charge of the entire convention, while already committed to perform an elaborate Steampunk Murder Mystery Play throughout the event!

The second was a lovely colored pencil drawing by Joshua Bouton.  He gave it to us at Akon 2010, about a week later.  We just stared in awe at the drawing and he had to tell us repeatedly it was a gift for us.  That time we just gushed over how lovely his drawing was and how much we appreciated the effort.

The next came at The Difference Engine New Years Ball and Steampunk Convention for 2010-2011.  The was from John Wofford and  Alice Wofford.  John made more embossed Krakens, this time on large round leather medallions which we intend to attach to crew member's uniforms.  Alice and John together also made coffe cups painted with the tentacles of the Kraken working their way down the outside of the mug.  It seems they also do porcelain art - I'll attach a photo of their card. 



While some might find this a bit too bizarre to wake up to in the morning, we absolutely loved it!!!  Yes indeed, what better to get your eyes open from bleary sleep that the site of a baby Kraken slithering out of your mug of coffee as you drink it.  It was glorious!




In addition to that they included small baby krakens that gradually grow into much bigger karakens by simply placing them in water and watchign them grow day by day for our younger members of the crew.

Next we met an illustrative artist who drew excellent sketches of our characters from that event such as Commodore Charles Babbage and Admiral Radha Narasimhan.  These were drawn by Joseph Hernandez.

He is actually considering making graphic novels some day, so we are discussing the possibility of illustrating the extensive fictional backstories we already have for the Covenant of the Kraken.  The only thing they really need is more detail in the descriptive areas to make them a fully worked up tale, (right now they read like emotionally charged and adventurous entries in a Captain's logbook) but in a graphic novel, pictures will indeed say a thousand words, thus negating the need for such visual descriptions.   We will let you know if that actually comes to pass or no!

The Lost Treasures of Steampunk at The Steampunk World's Fair

Picture above created by the staff at the Steampunk World's Fair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jeff Mach

Tel: 201-724-7687

Email: jeffmach@wickedfaire.com

Spreading the Steampunk Love

The Lost Treasures of Steampunk gives back to artists of the Steampunk community.

This May, the annual Steampunk World’s Fair will return to Piscataway, New Jersey with, as always, unforgettable entertainment and the largest gathering of steampunk fans in the country. But the fair is offering more than entertainment and camaraderie this year. The Lost Treasures of Steampunk is the event’s latest program addition, designed to assist artists of the genre whose works fly under the radar of most fans. The event will share some of the hidden gems of the steampunk world by featuring work at the fair as well as by awarding scholarships to the artists themselves.

The Lost Treasures of Steampunk, however, will not fund itself. Event creators hope to bring the program to life by devoting fundraising and even a portion of the event budget to its success. Event creator, Jeff Mach explains, "The Steampunk community has been good to us, and we want to give something back!" As head of an event that attracts the attention of Steampunks nationwide, he says, "We see a lot of great creative endeavors that often don’t get the attention that they deserve." To solve this problem, he developed the Lost Treasures of Steampunk, and is encouraging those who create steampunk art, from fashion to literature, to apply for a scholarship.

Of course, besides the Lost Treasures of Steampunk to look forward to, this year’s Steampunk World’s Fair will be packed with pleasures. There will be performances from such bands as Amor Obscur and Igor’s Egg, along with appearances of the famed Steampunk Robin Hood, and much more. It is just another year for The Steampunk World’s Fair in helping the steampunk community.

The creators of Steampunk World’s Fair are also notable for their annual
Wicked Winter Renaissance Faire and Geeky Kink Event.

More information on The Steampunk World’s Fair can be found at steampunkworldsfair.com


See also in 2012, the latest addition to the Steampunk World's Fair lineup:  Psyche Corp!

Psyche Chimere of Psyche Corporation

Sarasvati Bodhisattva (aka Summer Spillman) Grants an Interview

1.   How would you define your musical style or genre?

My style and genre are both eclectic. They say that variety is the spice of life and I wholeheartedly agree. In life as well as music I love creating each day differently. I am a constantly changing being and anyone who listens to me perform live multiple times will see this if they are paying attention to the subtleties in the energy. Each song is its own animal no matter how many times it is played, and no song will ever sound *exactly* the same way twice because the energy present during the song is never exactly the same way twice, even if a musician is singing and playing the same notes every time. Each moment in life is unique and this carries throughout everything we do, even if it is not obvious to us.

2.   What artists do you think most influenced your current style or styles?

Everyone influences my music, whether they are artists, plants, animals, or universal archetypes. As far as human music goes, I love Danny Elfman, Neko Case, Jamie Reeves, The Cure, Interpol, The Demigods, Marquis of Vaudeville, Muse, Nina Simone...too many to list. I feel very lucky that many of my favorite musicians are my friends. Nature plays a HUGE role in influencing my music. If I listen to the plants and animals and as they tell me their stories, they will sing their way into my music. Spider is really, really good at telling stories. Little Miss Muffet would have benefitted from the proverb about having two ears but only one mouth...in  other words, not speaking, even internally, but listening and absorbing. Ghosts influence my music as well as time travelers, gurus, shamans, and each and every person I meet as they all have stories to share which, to me anyways, are divine. I have been told that some of my music seems very dark by various people, but this is in fact not the case at all. The darkest music I have played have actually been the rare covers that I play. Just because I sing about a fly or a bat or a spider does not make the music dark. This is all a matter of perspective. To me these creatures are teachers and allies. I shun pesticides like vegans shun bacon.

3.   What instruments do you play, and how do you use them in different types of music?

All instruments are a tool that become an extension of the artist's soul. I am known for playing the sitar, which I use as a vehicle to transport myself and the listener to a higher frequency of being. I have witnessed many intense moments with this instrument, however those moments are constructed via intensive focus and meditation, not necessarily by the tool itself (sitar). In other words, the levels in frequency can change using any instrument. It's the musician, not the tool. And yet, the musician IS the tool. Funny how things work! ;-)

The vocal chords are an amazing gift. Their sounds can be used for healing and transforming. But again we come to the purpose behind the sound, and the frequency of the musician, who when doing things properly becomes the Tool.

I play the mandolin but usually as accompaniment to other artists such as Blaming Grace, Luna Solarium, The Demigods, Jamie Reeves, and The Pirate Tramp Orchestra. Every now and then I will perform a folk song on mandolin or banjo, but this is a rare event. I like to play the guitar with alot of my songs, but will sometimes adapt the songs with other instruments. I love to have many versions of my songs because I find I learn more about them that way. I also play Piano, Drums, French horn, Trumpet, and various ethnic instruments, such as the churango.

4.   What was your first exposure to Steampunk as an actual subculture.  (as opposed to say Steampunk movies or fiction books)

My first exposure to the culture was June 20th, 2009, when Marquis of Vaudeville did their first show at the Curtain Club. It was a wonderful night and very magical.

5.   When did you first encounter people in steampunk attire that was distinctive enough to really draw attention and what effect did it have on you?

When I first encountered all of the costuming (which was at the 2009 Marquis show) I became captured by the magic of it. My mind shifted to other times and places and reveled in the sense of past and future intertwined into N O W. Which, when you strip away the illusion of our calendars and watches, is a truth in more ways than one.

6.   When were you first exposed to music that you believed was directly linked in some way with the Steampunk subculture, and what effect did that have on your own musical styles?

Truly, I owe a lot to Marquis of Vaudeville. My music style is different from theirs in many ways, but they are an enormous inspiration to me. They are the ones who brought me into the Steampunk community. I can't say enough good things about them. Their music is exquisite and they are some of the kindest, most humble crew you will ever meet. I recently completed a collaborative track with Bryan Geddie, their guitarist, and Karen Morales, my percussionist. If you are reading this and you haven't heard their music, please download immediately. ;-)

 

7.   What percentage of your music do you consider to be Steampunk related?

I suppose about 80% could be considered Steampunk related, and this would likely be due to the fact that I am a Storyteller and love to tell Stories, especially when they have actually happened right before my eyes.

8.   How would you define or describe what aspects of music, wardrobe, instruments (acoustic versus electric for instance), styles, and lyrics, make you think “Steampunk” when you see another band perform or when looking back at your own performances?

The costumes certainly play their role, but when I think of Steampunk music, I think of Stories. I think of music that will take you into another world altogether. Ethnic instruments are widely appreciated in Steampunk music. A percussionist I work with has all kinds of interesting tools she uses in her percussive ensemble.

9.   While many bands have clearly stated that they do not want any rigid definition for Steampunk Music, your personal opinions about this topic are still of great interest to your fans.  Has your own definition of what is “Steampunk Music” changed over time, and if so how?

Steampunk Music is music that makes magic. My definitions of Steampunk Music changes with my levels of awareness. As I travel deeper and deeper into the white rabbit's wormhole, I understand the stories from a different level altogether. The stories have meaning, and just like you would learn something new from a sacred text the more you examined it (and sometimes the less you examine it), the meaning of the stories grow deeper into a Universal understanding. Glean what you will of these stories...they are no less important or pertinent than the Epic of Gilgamesh, Homer's Odyssey, or even the Bible in some cases, though many may (or may not) disagree with me.

10.  Can you talk a little about the difference in general musical tastes among members of the band and how this works together to make your unique sound?

So far, what I have done with other musicians in my sets has been the result of backwards engineering. I want a certain sound for certain shows, and sometimes I will use many musicians and sometimes will perform solo. I suppose at some point my nature of going with the flow will take me right into a more stable performance crew, with a different name.

11.  The following questions will related more to Steampunk Community where you live and perform, your own style of interacting with them, and how this affects you as a group.  First off, do you use any sort of Steampunk Character personae that affects your choice of clothing and self expression at performances?

I am Sarasvati Bodhisattva. Teacher, Music-Maker, Entrancer, Scientist, and Awakener. What she wears depends on what articles of attire find their way to her. There's that backwards engineering thing again.

12:  Are you involved in local Steampunk Events?  

I performed with Marquis of Vaudville at a private concert and again as an opening act for them at Allcon 2011.  Additionally I performed at Clockwork Wonderland 2011, Carnivale of Creatures, and at the Aetherfest (first ever for Texas) Steampunk convention in April 2011.  I will also be the Headliner musical performer for the Difference Engine Summit, Steampunk Murder Mystery Event on June 4th, 2011.  http://www.the-difference-engine.info/

13.  Do you always perform musically, or do you sometimes interact there in other ways?

Sometimes I dance during my sets. I have been belly dancing for over ten years now, and integrate other styles of dance into my Egyptian belly dance background. I am also a merchant, though when performing there is not a lot of time for me to interact with the public as much as I would like.

14.  What sort of public performance art, classes, or other activities have you not done so far, but that you would like to try in the future?

There are so many...and many of my plans I prefer to keep secret, lol. I would admit however, to a wish to be an avid hoop dancer.

15.  What aspects of the various activities you, or affiliated support crew, do publically, other than music of course, do you enjoy most.  Examples could include demonstrating Steampunk fashion, modeling, posing for pictures, spontaneous character acting, rehearsed character skits, answering general questions about Steampunk lifestyle, teaching classes and/or holding panels, or vending goods, fashions, weapons, goggles or other things you or your crew have made?

Right now I've been creating Steampunk Art. I recently fell through the floor of an old 1800's house floor digging up Steampunk supplies. Now I have some interesting scars on my leg, but also a story to go with them. ;-)

My family has been in the franchise business for a long time. I am developing a concept for a Steampunk-related Franchise...which to my knowledge would be the first steampunk franchise in history. More info here: http://thealexandrianmarket.webs.com

16.  How much difficulty do you face getting event organizers to understand the needs of performers for adequate compensation for time, travel, lodgings, and wardrobe costs?

I have learned to be flexible in all situations and to live in the moment. If something doesn't go the way I would prefer, I trust that there is some sort of reason for it, even if I may not yet be aware of it.

17.  (optional of course) Would you like to share any information with our readers (and potential hiring clients) about typical compensation levels for performances of different types or would you prefer to keep that something discussed on a case by case basis?

It's all case by case my dear! ;-)

18.  Is there anything else you would like to add about any aspect of Steampunk Performance Art or about Steampunk as a lifestyle?

I love Steampunk because I feel that there is an element in it that teaches sustainability. Turning trash into treasure. Creating exquisite beauty while keeping things out of the landfills. Landfills and trash should not really exist...what a silly human invention.

Steampunk Canada's First National Steampunk Exhibition

This convention looks like it was an amazing amount of fun!  It was also very heavy into the science and fully functional or partially functional art and professional grade prop making areas which is somethign others ususally cannot provide!  In fact this event may well become a Mecca for others to travel to in order to learn more about these special and fabulous areas of Steampunkery!  Bravo!

Please click on the link below to read a review by Kris Abel:

Steampunk Canada's First National Steampunk Exhibition

For the event website to see all that was actually offered there go to:

http://www.cnse.ca/

For photos go to:

http://www.cnse.ca/apps/photos/album?albumid=10342877

For other articles on this topic see:
http://www.steampunktribune.com/2011/04/nova-albion-steampunk-exhibition-2011.html

http://steamfashion.livejournal.com/3079637.html

Wooden Gears For Sale at http://cogbots.com/

One of the great challenges of Steampunk fabricators and designers is the dearth of available brass gears and the difficulty and expense of making functional, or even decorative ones of your own.   We bought a cutter that cuts lovely ones from metal foil, but getting a good backing so they have some depth and getting them to stay glued down well enough that a cog doesn't pull loose and start cutting people requires a lot of time and special procedures making it almost too much trouble.  A new solution has been found using the earliest and most traditional form of gears.  They are made of hardwood and come in much larger sizes than are normally available in brass at any price we can afford.  They appear to be precision cut by some sort of computerized equipment from half inch thick Oak plywood for excellent strength and functionality without the usual cost (in the hundreds) for gears of this size if cut from brass.  Take a look at their site by clicking the link below:

http://cogbots.com/

Chaz Kemp - Artist, Drummer, and Singer

I encountered a freelance artist, drummer, and singer that is a new and very welcome member of the Steampunk community.  His portfolio includes modern, fantasy, and some really good "Steampunk" illustrations, his blog has interesting articles and interviews or performers, and his 5 person band "Pandora Celtica" has a capella singing (sometimes with drum accompaniment) that might put the angels to shame.  You can find their music on I-tunes.  I particularly enjoyed the way the singers harmonize with one another so beautifully.  It appears to be mostly Celtic folk songs (one of my personal favorites), but not the typical songs of a Renfair.  They seemed to be original songs, or at least very unusual ones, but I have not yet had time to research this further. 
 You are welcome to listen on I-tunes and ask the artist himself at  http://www.chazkemp.com/

Sunday Driver's Amateur Steampunk Art Contest Finalists

The fabulous Steampunk music group Sunday Driver held a contest for the fan that could draw the most interesting picture of a "Steampunk vehicle" for their upcoming first world tour that they could fictionally use to travel from place to place between concerts.  The prize includes a goody bad full of their music including a custom written and recorded track and similar other items, which considering their talent level, should have been highly motivating!  My wife loves their music so much she lit a fire under me to brush off my artistic talents and give it a go.  I love art, but was busy furiously trying to stay above water with normal mundane day job duties and also prepare for a performance at Dickens on the Strand, but I did give it a bit of thought and finally sat down to draw out a steam powered Gypsy wagon which was what I thought really suited the Anglo-Indian flair of the band.  Of course that might run into a few problems getting across such great distances and varied terrain, so it has a retractable hot air balloon to help it over tough spots (like the Atlantic Ocean if they catch the trade winds right), but it would have to be a super stretchy material in order to get large enough to actually lift such a wagon completely (physics is lovely, but so limiting at times), so I told them it was just to get them out of a bog or up a hill until they could hook up with some futuristic types that had stretchy enough material to produce a bolloon that would pack away and still expand enough to lift them entirely.  Of course if you've ever been stuck in the bog, or even a bit of mud, and unable to get your Gypsy wagon free (I have a lot of Irish Gypsy relatives-Tinkers-"Fagan" is the name don't ya know!), then you can fully appreciate how valuable even a small hot air balloon would be!

OH!  How could I forget!  We even got our 10 year old son in on this, to get him started right down the Bardic path.  Being a big Sunday Driver fan himself, we convinced him to dream up and draw a picture of a steampunk vehicle for Sunday Driver as well.  The only criteria we set was that he had to do it totally unassisted.  AS his picture was clearly the youngest, and therefore the most ambitious entry, and even included their beloved "Om" symbol on the side of the blimp, it also made it into the finalists.  Take a look and vote for your favorite.  I think all of them are pretty great efforts at making something for the band, but of course, I voted for my son's picture to win.  Oh well, I can't pretend to be objective this time.

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