Author Archive: AustenFM
Howdy, Austen's the name, and drawings the game!
I'm a 25 year old slacker from Houston TX looking to build my skill so i can someday call myself a professional.
You can view my work various places online, but here are a few links to some of the main ones.
http://zaleskiart.com
http://austenfm.tumblr.com/
http://www.fetus-man.deviantart.com/
#7 Squamata Punk
Don’t let its sharp talons, or the bunged switchblade spook you. These lizard punkers are more about freaking you out with their looks and attitude than their actions.
#6 Boom-a-Rang
Australia’s own masked marauder, Boom-a-Rang!
(In retrospect I would have liked to take a more aboriginal approach to his design, beautiful radiating dot patterns, etc.)
#5 Alanza Pacheco
When Alanza Pacheco was going through her recently deceased mothers dresser, she came across a jewelry box unlike anything she remembered her mother owning hidden in the back of a drawer. She tried to open it but the box wouldn’t budge, until she ran her finger over a small disc of metal and the box clicked open to her surprise. Inside she found a white bracelet wrapped in an opalescent gossamer fabric, she removed the bracelet from it’s delicate surroundings and pondered over it. Then she noticed on the side of the bracelet another small metal disc similar to the one on the box and after a moment of hesitation she grazed her finger against it. With a pop the bracelet snapped open and onto her wrist locking firmly in place. A feeling of static electricity filled her body, spreading from her stomach to the tips of her fingers, it wasnt until a second later that she noticed her feet were lifted a few centimeters off the ground.
With a gasp her concentration was broken and she fell back onto the pads of her feet. The odd electric sensation was gone. Why hadn’t her mother shared this with her before? Maybe with a little practice and determination Alanza can figure out the eccentricities of this odd power bracelet, and maybe with a little digging she can find out just why her mom owned it in the first place.
#4 Wallace ‘Wally’ Kowalski
Famed aquanaut and undersea explorer Wallace ‘Wally’ Kowalski has seen just about everything the ocean has to offer. He has single-handedly discovered countless shipwrecks and recovered millions of dollars worth of treasures and artifacts. He is also the pioneer in many underwater technologies and techniques we now take for granted, including saturation diving, rebreathing devices, and the three-toed flipper. Through a series of short films and books in the 1960’s he raised public awareness of the wonders of the ocean with the aid of his friend and fellow oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau.
During one of their last film projects they were exploring a sunken Spanish galleon when Wally noticed the wreck lay near an underwater cliff face with what appeared to be rectangular ‘caves’ carved into it. Thinking it to be a much more interesting find they quickly set off to explore the unusual chambers. Once inside they found the interior to be massive, geometric in structure and gorgeous, covered in intricate mysterious engravings. After taking a few quick notes Wally notices a sparkle in the corner as something catches his torch beam. Once he recovers the object he is astounded to see its a perfectly sealed, air-tight crystalline container holding what looked to be a scroll rolled up inside. Jacques and Wally return to the surface, minds reeling from their astounding discovery. Upon investigation of the artifacts they recovered Wally manages to open the crystal container and unfurls the almost pristine delicate paper scroll, and is amazed to see it covered in a mysterious unknown script and an extremely fine and laboriously rendered map of the face of the earth as it appeared epochs ago. Still visible are the vaguely familiar outlines of the major continents, but peppered throughout are many unknown islands and landmasses, including one gigantic landform in the middle of the Atlantic ocean.  Believing they have found evidence of the fabled lost continent of Mu, Wally quickly convinces Jacques to provide funding, crew, and equipment for him to make the expedition .
Map in hand, Kowalski sets off a year later with much fanfare and excitement. Keeping in touch along the way via radio, everything was going as planned. When news of their arrival reaches the mainland the public is on the ends of their seats waiting to hear about the fantastic discoveries that are sure to be pouring in soon. But when no more transmissions arrive, days turn into weeks and search teams are quickly sent out. Before long the expedition boat is found floating free in the Atlantic, completely vacant and stripped of any signs of life (no insects even). Food is found still on plates in the galley as if they were in the middle of dinner at that moment, more unsettling is the fact that all the radio equipment was ravaged, chords cut and tubes blown out. It is still a mystery today, theories and conspiracies run rampant in paranormal circles, the biggest of which being the fact that the map was never found on the abandoned rig, throwing the dark veil back over the enigmatic lost continent.
#3 Virginia Creeper
On certain moonless nights, deep in the thick, pungent Virginia wetland known as the ‘Great Dismal Swamp‘ , you might have the misfortune of stumbling upon the Virginia Creeper. Some believe it to be the spirit of a jilted ex-lover murdered in the swamp bent on revenge , while others explain it as an ancient Native American curse set on the land in a frantic flight from their territory. Whichever theory you think is true, just be wary in the swamp on those damp moonless nights because that old pile of branches and vines you’re resting on may not be what it seems…!
#2 RoboHobo
In the future there is still no safety from falling into destitution, even if you’re a robot. Once top of the line units, most have been phased out over the years for newer more efficient models. With new parts no longer being produced, these old robots quickly fall into disrepair and disuse. While most are sent for recycling a few wind up on the streets trying to maintain functions on what little they can come by.
#1 Gel-7
Gel-7, One in a series of many Interdimensional Immigration Enforcement Automatons. Created by the Rygal Corporation for use in monitoring and apprehending subspace drifters. Highly durable and extremely task oriented, these units are sent between dimensions in place of delicate ‘soft-tissued’ organic agents who may not survive the stress of interdimensional jumping.
2013 Returning Challenger : Austen Zaleski
Howdy, folks!
It’s been quite some time since I took part in this challenge, last time was in 2011 and I only made it to about the 15 mark unfortunately. Now I’m not going to jump up on my soapbox and promise that I’ll make it to 30 this year, but I’ll sure try my damnedest!
I look forward to working alongside all the great artists this year, let’s make it a good one!
You can check out more of my work a few places online , including tumblr , deviantart, and my personal website!
#16 Surfin’ Ghoul
In the waning weeks of the summer of ’67 in Port Araña , Surfer extraordinaire Rick Hale was content hangin’ 10 on some totally bodacious hollows brought about by the seasonal changes in the ocean current.
One morning the conditions were perfect for some mondo waves, he grabbed his stick and paddled his way out to the big curls. Feeling confident he decided to try a new maneuver he’d be practicing all summer long, ‘The Tesani Woffie Tailslide’. He got in prime position and was huggin’ the wall when out of nowhere he got pitchpoled. His board slid out from beneath him and ended up smashing the back of his head rendering him unconscious which ultimately resulted in his drowning. The cross currents pulled his lifeless body away deep into the abyss where it encountered a rare school of ‘Reddericus Stomolophus Meleagris’, also known as ‘The Reviving Cannonball Jelly’…
On certains nights, when the moon is right, you can possibly spot the late Rick Hale pulling off some gnar moves in the moonlight.
#15 Qulloitis
Qulloitis, “the white crowned prince”. He’s got a malevolent parasitic organism attached to the base of his skull which controls him and keeps him alive.
Part of an RPG project a group of friends and I are working on.
#14 Mr.Chommers
Mr.Chommers, a sentient hunk of liquid android plastic.
Part of an RPG project a group of friends and I are working on.
#13 Mr. Jackson
Dimensional traveler and all around badass, Mr. Jackson.
Part of an RPG project a group of friends and I are working on.Â
#12 Weevil
Another character that’s part of my Garlic Pal universe. He’s a weevil and he’s the scheming, dirty landlord of GarlicPal and Acorn Ed.
#11 Ant
Another memeber of my Garlic Pal universe, Ants, Vast in number, stupid, yet loyal. Easy to manipulate to get them to do your bidding.
#10 Bashful Ghost
He’s a bashful ghost who wears a pumpkin on his head, he lives in the local cemetery. Part of my growing Garlic Pal universe i’m working on.
#9 Pyramid Prophet
Another character in my Garlic Pal ‘universe’. The golden omnipotent seer and soothsayer himself; Pyramid Prophet.
#7 Garlic Pal
This is the main character for a newspaper type comic strip I’m slowly working together. It will be similar to Walt Kelly’s Pogo Possum. Garlic Pal is a lovable but mischievous little sprout who finds himself in the middle of many adventures and makes a lot of new friends (and enemies) along the way.
#6 Dr. Walter Vargas
While the maid Ms. Herdez was cleaning the long forgotten estate of the late Dr. Walter Vargas; an eccentric self proclaimed genius and rouge-inventor, she knocked over what she thought to be old stack of copper and brass pots and pipes covered in an old tarp. Deciding she would tend to it the next day, she left it where it lay not knowing the tumble flicked on a pilot light to an old boiler tank. Late that night long after Ms. Herdez left something began to stir under the old tarp, pistons pumped and grungy gears began to turn. Soon a hulking metal mass rose from the floor,and suspended in a glass dome filled with fluid is the brain of the late Dr. Vargas.
#5 Maxwell Price Esq.
Maxwell Price Esq. , turn of the century big game hunter extraordinaire. He had bagged just about everything in the wild kingdom but had a prize beast in his eye. The dreaded Albino Rhino. While pursuing its trail through the Serengeti his biplane got caught up in a freak storm and got dashed to bits on landscape below. Maxwell barely escaped with his life and worst of all, his precious rifle was mangled beyond repair. Luckily his wilderness training more than made up for it. Over the months he’s fashioned an axe head for his defunct rifle and has been making repairs to his suit with what he can manage to catch and skin. It’s up to him to maintain proper personal civility until he can make it back home.
#3 Matt Mason
This is part 2 to a post i made yesterday, can be viewed –> http://www.30characters.com/2011/11/03/2-major-mason/
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In 1966 Major Matt Mason was the Mattel organizations “First man in space!” . He was a shining example of American pride and ingenuity. Whilst exploring the vast unknown the Majors ship was bombarded with “Gamma Light”, all communications were lost. Now, almost fifty years later the Major has returned… but something’s different about him…
#2 Major Mason
In 1966 Major Matt Mason was the Mattel organizations “First man in space!” . He was a shining example of American pride and ingenuity. Whilst exploring the vast unknown the Majors ship was bombarded with “Gamma Light”, all communications were lost. Now the Nation sits in suspense wondering when they’ll hear from the Major again…
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This is a re-visit to a character I made for last years challenge, but i’m doing it in 2 parts. Tonight I hope to have part two of this finished so I can be caught up with the rest of ya’ll .
#1 Pump-Ken
Ken Holsworth was the foremost expert on growing gigantic record-smashing pumpkins. One night in October his competitors had enough, if he wasn’t going to share his secret, he wasn’t going to win the 2011 harvest-festival blue ribbon. Late at night while Ken was tending to his precious pumpkins he was ambushed from behind, killed in cold blood and left in the patch. Over time as his body deteriorated and fed the pumpkins, his spirit crept into their root system as well, which soon overtook his long withered corpse. Now renewed with otherworldly botanical strength, Pump-Ken is on the prowl to exact revenge on those who did him wrong.
2011 Challenger: Austen Zaleski
Howdy from Texas,
My name is Austen Zaleski. I’ll be taking part in this years 30 character challenge with all 788 of you(wow..!). I participated last year but unfortunately only made it to the 11 mark. You can view what I managed to do here –> http://www.30characters.com/author/austenfm/ . This was a great challenge and while I didnt finish it last year, it really opened my eyes to a lot of things. I expect to gain much more by actually completing it this time around.
There’s a lot of talent in this year, so I’m eager to see what everyone creates. Best of luck everyone, let’s make it one to remember!
#9 Major Mason
In 1966 Major Matt Mason was the Mattel organizations “First man in space!” . He was a shining example of American Pride and ingenuity. Whilst exploring the vast unknown the Majors ship was bombarded with Gamma Light, all communications were lost. Now, almost fifty years later, the Major has returned…but there’s something different about him…
#8 Intergalactic Adventurer
Imagine him as a hero to an old NES side scrolling game or something to that effect.
#7 Mindgame
Victor Warren was only 19 when he was drafted into the Vietnam war, four months into his first tour his platoon was “ambushed” by an unknown foe. Warren was the only individual found alive after the incident and he was soon found t0 be affected in a strange way. Warrens mind had been re-wired. Over the weeks of recovery warren found that he could lift small objects if he focused hard enough.  Soon enough this caught the attention of the higher-ups and he was whisked away to a new location. His parents were informed of the “ambush” and were sent an empty coffin.
For all intents and purposes the military had made Warren a dead man. Now through a special regime of medication and mental training they intend to make him into the first of whole new generation of psychic soldiers. But warren has different plans.
#30Characters Chatter…