EPIK Orientation Fall 2011 by Mark Anthony Cruz

This is a culmination of all the fun times we had frolicking around Jeonju, South Korea with our new friends. It’s hard to believe that we could sit through 8-9 hours of classes and still find time to hang out with friends, hike up mountains and explore temples. It was an intense week, but it was all worth it. Don't forget to subscribe to my wife and I’s travel channel on YouTube.

Pachechi (pah-chee-chai) by Mark Anthony Cruz

VIntage Pachechi

Here is an old vector sketch of my wife as a little kid. Her nickname growing up was “Pachechi” (pronounced “pah-chee-chai” ). It’s derived from the name Patricia. My wife has a lot of what the Koreans call “aegyo,” which means “cuteness.” So it’s easy to picture this little caricature of her bouncing around the house and creating mischief. In any event, I’ve since then revamped this character and will be posting more of her soon.

Incheon - Day 2 by Mark Anthony Cruz

Here is the summation of our second day in Korea. It rained a lot so there wasn’t much to do. We walked around as much as we could, ate a lot of good food, and camped out in our hotel room whenever the rain was exceptionally disagreeable. Hooray for Korean television and streaming episodes of One Piece! Don't forget to subscribe to my travel channel on YouTube.

Incheon - Day 1 by Mark Anthony Cruz

We're finally in Korea! I'll be documenting our first few days here as well as orientation. So here is Day 1 of our 3 day stay in Incheon, South Korea before orientation. Hope you enjoy watching us get lost and experiencing a new culture, and don't forget to subscribe our travel channel on YouTube.

Goodbye to Virtuality by Mark Anthony Cruz

My friend Ashley made this video. It’s a retrospective look at Virtuality, the kids show that we worked on together. I pray that God blesses me with another opportunity to work on something like this again. Nothing beats working with good friends on something that you believe in. I love you guys.

Happy 6th Wedding Anniversary by Mark Anthony Cruz

Six years ago today I married the most amazing woman in the world, which was the beginning of a new adventure. So it seems only fitting that 6 years later we’d be embarking on another epic adventure to live in Korea. Life is full of incredible surprises, and I’m so glad I can share them with my best friend.

Awkward Korean 02 - City Hunter by Mark Anthony Cruz

Awkward Korean 02 - City Hunter

If you know me, then you know I have a talent for overreacting to things. Such was the case when a key character from City Hunter, a Korean drama, was killed off! The featured picture is a literal translation of my wife and I’s reaction to the death of Prosecutor Kim Young Joo. He was a beloved character who operated on idealism, and sacrificed his own desires for what was right…and they killed him! They just killed him! Curse you Korean dramas for sucking me into your world of emotional turmoil!

Goodbye To Calvary Chapel by Mark Anthony Cruz

Since I’m moving to Korea to teach English, I had to resign from my position at Calvary Chapel last week. This was my first week of being officially unemployed, yet I couldn’t keep myself out of the editing chair. So here is a completely self-indulgent goodbye video to the best job and crew in the world! Although teaching in Korea will be rewarding in its own way, I hope and pray that God blesses me with another opportunity like this one in the future.

Awkward Korean 01 - Basic Hangul by Mark Anthony Cruz

Since the wife and I are moving to Korea, we’ve been doing our best to beef up on our Hangul skills (Korean language and writing skills). I’m a Level 1 learner right now, so I’m learning very-very basic Hangul right now, and today I learned how to say “This is coffee!” I can only imagine how my simple Korean would play out if it were put to the test…I imagine it would go something like the awkward conversation pictured here.

Awkward Korean 01

TRANSLATION:

Me: “This is coffee!”

Random Korean Barista: “Yes…that’s right. This…IS coffee…”

Oh swizzle-sticks! I gotta get better at Hangul…quick-fast!

Meeting the Manananggal by Mark Anthony Cruz

Marco Meets the Manananggal

This is a concept illustration from my wife and I’s pet project, The Lost Land of Yehey. This scene is Markus' first encounter with a manananggal (vampire-creature from Filipino mythology). You know what, I draw this kid getting scared a lot…I guess it stems from my love of scary movies and vintage horror.

Gentlemen Zombies by Mark Anthony Cruz

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Sooo…gentlemen zombies…at least they’re polite. This is a concept illustration from my wife and I’s pet project, The Lost Land of Yehey. If you couldn’t tell, the lad on the left who looks like he’s about to wet his trousers is me. I really really like zombies, but one of my greatest fears is being eaten alive. So it’s a love-hate relationship with this particular breed of the undead.

Lost Followers?! by Mark Anthony Cruz

Lost Followers

I also have a Tumblr, and I noticed that in my absence from said Tumblr over the past month I’ve lost followers. I’d like to play it cool and say, “I don’t care,” but clearly I do, considering I made a drawing about it. Ah yes, I’m fickle and somewhat vain. However I think that’s the creative side of me; wanting as many people as possible to see my work and validate me.  I’ve lost 4 followers and gained 3, and that’s not so bad. So thank you to everyone who is still following me on Tumblr. As for those that stopped following me…well you missed out on this super-sad, asian-faced illustration of me. Everyone knows there’s nothing sadder than a sad Asian guy…his eyes get even smaller.

Festival of Joy Game Banners by Mark Anthony Cruz

Festival of Joy Game Banners

Yet another holiday event comes around, and my pal Ash and I must shoulder the duty of creating a butt-load of banners for carnival games in less than 6 hours. I really live for crunch times like this! Here are a few from my batch that I thought were real winners. My favorite is definitely “Come Back To Jesus.” You gotta love the cheesiness.

Spongebob Clocks by Mark Anthony Cruz

I used to work for a company that made clocks and other collectibles for Marvel, Nickelodeon, and Universal.  It was a great job! However I had to leave it behind to pursue my own dreams; much like that of the samurai that walks towards the setting sun at the end of a film.  Here are some of my concept drawings for Spongebob clocks that never made the final cut…at least I don’t think they did.  These were colorized rough drawings to get the general idea across. If these were chosen, I’d have to do trun-around drawings of each of them…which was very taxing at times.

Spring Clocks

 - They’re called this because of the springs that divide the clock into two pieces.  The first one is of Plankton stealing a Crabby Patty.  The Second is of Patrick (or Fatrick as I call him) having a successful jelly-fishing trip.

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Goo Lagoon Alarm Clock

 - This one was based on a specific episode that took place in Goo Lagoon. I think the episode was called “Ripped Pants.” Don’t quote me.

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Jellyfishing Alarm Clock

 - I think the title says it all.

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Landscape Color Concept - Desert Mountains by Mark Anthony Cruz

Landscape Color Concept - Desert Mountain

Here’s a quick color concept of a landscape from one of my stories. It’s a worm’s eye view of the Black Cliffs, steep rock formations that are surrounded by deserts. These cliffs are made up of very dark colored sediments and rock. The desert sand is quite red and fine, so whenever the winds blow they kick-up small dust clouds that look like red mist. The whole landscape is actually quite beautiful, but very perilous.

Light Night 2010 Game Banners by Mark Anthony Cruz

Light Night 2010 Banners

At work we’ve been so busy preparing for our alternative Halloween event which requires tons of carnival game banners. However they all have to “be done yesterday.” Don’t you hate it when people say that? So my friend Ashley and I have spent the past 2 days just churning out banners.  Some were winners, others not so much.  Here are 4 hand picked winners.