To My Snarry Games Artists:
An Open Letter to My Snarry Games Champions
Before we present the Medals for a job well done, I would like to take this opportunity to review the Contestants from this most excellent round of the 2007 Snarry Games. I have always been a huge fan of the artists of this fandom, and I look forward to the opportunity to let them know how wonderful their contributions are.
So without further ado, the reviews that I wasn't able to do when I was busy posting:
Glock: I was surprised that so many artists who chose the 'fanon' genre showed their art-in-progress to their authors. Not big on surprises, our artists. As I understand it with you and Dacro, however, it was because you were back and forth on which scenes to choose (hence the Director's cut). Which worked fantastically well, because you really captured the haunting grittiness of her story, and your usual brilliance comes out in your extraordinary talent for both vivid AND muted colour, texture, and attention to detail. Wow. Also your ambition and dedication shines through: instead of only illustrating a scene or two, you chose to illustrate the entire emotional impact of the fic itself. I love it, and I think that every author in fandom was jealous of Dacro this month. A perfect piece to open the Games with- beautiful, angsty, powerful. You really gift us all. ♥
Froggie: I remember just thinking "WOW" when I opened your art when you sent it in, and that feeling has never left after many viewings. I've not read the story you allude to, but I don't need to - a picture is worth a thousand words after all. Romance has its seedier side, and you've nailed it! Such wonderful flowing movement here, yet very still, post-coital and relaxed, but you can sure sense the 'frantic' that had just taken place. Add beautiful, riotous colour and you have yourself a masterpiece. Thank you for joining us again this year. ♥
SH: Wow again. The first thing that hit me when I saw your entry was the colour and texture, and then the story itself drew me in. I was stunned all over again by the presentation and continuity in the frames. Incredible, truly. Such a sad and poignant story you tell, yet wrenching and sexy. The little details are amazing, too. Lovely, and I am so glad you got in the sign-ups and joined us! Hopefully we will be seeing more of you - I personally can't wait. Thank you! ♥
Mel: I adore your use of shadow and light, and your perspectives. You make it look so easy, but I know it can't be, having those odd and wonderful 'ceiling camera' views, and nailing the lighting so perfectly. That takes work, and MATHS. *g* Wonderful. Love the story you tell, too - Snape rebuffing Harry's hints in favour of surprise notes of private love. Much love. Such a contrast between our boys in personality and feeling, and you capture it in every way! Thanks for playing again this year. Bravo! ♥
PB: Oh, honey. I adored this for so many reasons. The parallels you employ for Clue's fantastic story, right down to the original presentation. There are so many different facets in the diamond that is both her story and your scene. Simple, yet not . I can see how you are trying to show us how Snape has cracked - both his reality as well as his future - and the way you keep them separate, never really together. Wow. I adore this, and thank you for once again joining us. ♥
Stella: I'll bet Delta couldn't contain her glee at your beautiful representation of this touching scene. I was struck immediately by the lighting: the sun bursting into the folly, reminding me of childhood moments in the summer, and making Harry glow just like a golden prize! Make no mistake, Snape wants this prize like no other; and you nail his hesitation, his utter disbelief that Harry could want him to win - it's all there! You made it happen in your art, you truly have a gift for setting a scene, lighting, and emoting with your work. Wonderful, and thank you for sharing it with us once again. ♥
Lampblack: I absolutely adore monochromatic work - there is something so calming about it. You also nail the AU period with it, the overall grey of that era, and the historic feel. I also love that the interpretation of your white feathers are left to the viewers - some may think that here is Snape and Harry hiding from the battle (white feather=coward), some may think that they are plotting ways to end the war (white feather=peace), and for some it may mean that Snape and Harry are part of the whole, the symbol that glues the Wizarding World together, the light and the dark, the unifying force (white feather=sacred manifestation of the Great Spirit). It could mean all three - I just love it, no matter what! Wonderful, and thank you for playing again, your art is an inspiration! ♥
Chantelle: You know how much I adore your Harry - I've certainly flailed enough to you. *g* You do not disappoint, here. Eskimosatan is one lucky author to have inspired you so to have done such a wonderful picture. All the details, so lovingly peaceful - the colours, the dark-but-not-quite-dark, their sleeping faces, Harry in calm repose, Snape mid-nightmare (prolly to do with cauldrons exploding!) The wonderful, flowing lines, the textures of the bed and smoothness of Harry's skin - GAH. So wonderful, and we are grateful you grace us here in fandom. Thank you! ♥
NakedBee: I was so very pleased at your cutting edge photographic art from last year, I *squeed* aloud when you agreed to play again this year. And again, you do wonders - you have such a sense for positioning and framing, it's clear why they consider photography an 'art' when we see your work. I was lucky enough to see this in-progress, and the final product is stunning. Very cool use of the tools available to you, and the details, such as the reflections and shadows giving such depth and starkness all at once - Bravo! One of the best canon representations I've seen so far of that scene. Thank you so much! ♥
Odella: Your gift is extraordinary, clearly you do it for a living, or you will. And you should. The colours and textures are so wholly real - you can literally feel the stone, or run your fingers through the hair and clothing - unbelievable. You have a very romantic scene that is tragic all at once - Snape and Harry, wrapped up in their (last) moment, a stillness before the world explodes around them. It's the kind of kiss that wars are fought over. I love how you expressed Snape's possessiveness with his robe - exquisite. Thank you again for coming on board again this year, we are all richer for it. ♥
V: I have always loved your colouring, it is something to behold, strong and brave, and entirely your own style. I have always particularly been in awe of the way you do skin - translucent, rosy, ruddy, bruised, so wonderful! I covet your genius. *g* This paints a tawdry tale - who is more miserable? Who is the taker, who is giving? Their facial expressions and tense postures - all strokes of that aforementioned extraordinary genius you possess, just Wow. Thank you again for playing this year - and for your above the call of duty team participation! ♥
BB: Another newbie to the Games, and WOW! I couldn't have been happier - what an extraordinary and original work of art you've given us. The mixing of watercolours and ink, and text and scenes is wonderful. There's so much happening, but it's all perfectly balanced. Their expressions - such feeling in seemingly few strokes. I am not alone in hoping you join us again next year; we can never have enough wonderful art of this calibre and originality. Thank you! Excellent job, beautiful work. ♥
E: You are not the only one who found Rex's story from last year a visual smorgasbord. I'm so glad you decided on using it. I really admire your style, it is gritty and strong and harsh - just like this story. A match made in HellHeaven, and I'd bet Rex was thrilled. You really show us Harry's self loathing here - and as usual your colours are both vivid and simple, perfectly in touch with the mood you are going for. And wow, you really went for it! Thanks again for joining us this year; what a wonderful entry for your team. ♥
Trance: You came to us from a different fandom, though I know you are also a Harry Potter fan. I'm so glad! I'm sure Alisanne was pleased as punch with the tribute to her fic - it is wonderful, and gives you a great sense of romance in a courtly setting. Your colours are wonderful, and the details! Wow, their period costume is fantastic, and the facial expressions tell of great love. Finally, the lighting makes everything so perfect, highlighting the scene perfectly. Lovely, and thank you so much for joining us this year! ♥
Tails: I adore your style - an awesome graphic novel feel which always makes me happy. But this scene sure doesn't. I tell you, such tension and grief and anger and things left unsaid. But still fierce and sexy, almost a caress, which makes it even angstier in my book. Wonderful work, an excellent representation of that tragic scene in canon. Thank you so much for sharing your art with us again, and we hope you come back again and again! ♥
Chaosraven: A new artist this year, and what wonderful work! Tara Tory was a great choice, and I really think you've captured the scene so well - palpable romance - castle background, beautiful greenery, and the details on our boys, they way they turn into each other - so clearly in love. Comfortable and at peace for the first time in a long time. Fabulous! A great entry for your team - thank you so much! ♥
Chrysos: I spent a long time looking at yours. The more I looked, the more I saw. It is deceivingly simple, because it really has many layers. The symbolism is actually quite staggering. And to have used that killer angst masterpiece of Sushi's - brilliant. I love all the emotional content of this - again, it seems to add to itself the longer I peruse it. Everything from the colours to the pose itself, the peace on Harry's face, the sorrow on Snape's, the way they are enveloped - fantastic! You really did a great job, and thank you for once again joining us. ♥
Paula: Fantastic! Open-eyed kissing in that wide eyed, oh, this is it! kind of way. Wonderful. I love the way you did their hair, and the depth of the colours. A great scene, one you will find again and again in fic, but you do it such justice, with your own style. Thank you so much for joining us this year, we can only be richer for your contribution. ♥
MK: Ooooh, this was creepy. Very cool. I ADORED how I didn't see Snape at first, then I began to slowly focus on him, almost like he was materialising before my very eyes. Sinister, and and extremely cool effect. The blood! Oh, Harry - don't look up. *shudder* Excellent work for your first time in the Games, and we hope you come back! ♥
Undun: Once again, you raise the bar with your medium. I don't think anyone can quite match your pencil/charcoal work - the movement OMG. Muscles! Lickable muscles and dips and valleys and yummmm. This image was so hot, I can't imagine anyone who hasn't read that story could resist any longer. The urgency of it all - the salt & pepper shaker falling over, the teacup splashing, I can literally hear it happening. Wow. You bless fandom's pervy heart when you draw scenes like this - a gift. Thank you so much for coming back this year, and kicking ass! ♥
Jin: This was an amazing entry. Your pencil work and shading is a thing to be in awe of, and you really blew me away with this. Not to mention the extraordinary and original points of view and angles, and then to put it all together so beautifully! The excellent framing, the use of the stylized font - incredible, truly. Your author was a lucky one indeed. I hope you come back again, I can't wait to see what you come up with next! ♥
Nuin: More pencil! (I love pencil!) YOUR LIGHTING AND SHADOWING ROCKED MY SOCKS. Seriously. Wow. And a great story, too! Snape's face in the last panel! Classic. Great pacing and an excellent presentation. I really liked your style. Stubble!Harry rocks, too. Thank you for joining us this year - I really hope you come back again. Thank you! ♥
Edie (can I call you Edie? Short for Emerald Dragon, which is what I know you as): So many sad moments in this one, I can't really pick one as the most angsty, though perhaps the portrait one with Harry all wrapped up in a blankie, OMG so sad. Life goes on, and this shows us how it does - with a great deal of sorrow; healing takes a lot of time. Wonderful colour, switching from bold and colourful to pale and washed out, just as one's emotions are after the death of a loved one. Bravo! Thank you for joining up this year - I hope it was as enjoyable for you as it was for those who got to partake of your art. ♥
Arc En Ciel: I'm not familiar with this story, but you tell a pretty good version in a few short scenes! I adore the sepia tone you used, very representative of "remembrances'. I also love how they 'meet' in the top panels, the 'greet' in the bottom. Very sexy, and the quotes were great! Lovely, and thanks for joining us again this year. ♥
Mecklen! Wow. This is very dramatic. Strong, bold contrasts and lines, very cool! I'm transfixed by the background, but you really make the boys stand out - and they do stand out. Such a terrible beauty, this scene. The expressions and the physical touching, all so hard, and harsh, and wow. You had us all fooled at Prophecy, thinking you were sweet and shit - hah! Hiding your dark side, you were. Excellent work, thank you for playing again this year, and for gifting us with such a wonderful scene! ♥
Artisticentropy: Where exactly have you been hiding? No matter now, we've found you, and boy are we lucky you joined up this year! What a beautiful scene you depict, and the water - God, the WATER. Wetness! Sexy wet bodies! HAIR! WET HAIR! (I've just found a new kink, yay) This was lovely, and everything from the lighting and !water! to the anatomy and colour and the tender way they touch was exquisite. Thank you so much for being a part of the Games - you really did your team proud! ♥
Ebony: Oh, this was fantastic! Their first and last canon meeting in exploding colour interposed with all of Snape's pensieve memories in monochromatic, and wow! The eyes are so often mentioned in canon, too - how much Harry's are like his Mum's, and how cold and judging Snape's are. Yet, not. You tell the real story, and it is wonderful and sad and tragic and the reason why I love this book series so much! Wonderful, and thanks for joining us again this year! ♥
Brevisse: I doubt I could say anything new that others haven't said, but I can tell you how utterly delightful and hilarious I found this comic. The excellent artistry did not go unnoticed - the points of view, perspectives, the details - you have a gift. I was grinning like a loon from Harry's first doodles and "consider" to the final "What about art?" Personal highlights for me include the way the portraits ::facepalm:: and Snape scooches his chair away from Harry when the Harlequin Romance gets pitched, and of course the Dark. Edgy. Noir of Snape's pitch, which was ACES. Every time I read it, I see something new, and the details blow me away again and again. I adored this, and we are forever thankful you gifted it to us, a killer entry for your team. We are honoured by your joining us this year, and I can safely say that everyone hopes you will be back again! ♥
Hill: I did not get much of a chance to see you at Prophecy, and that's a shame because everytime I see your art, I think to myself - 'that girl must have a cracked mind, I MUST get to know her better!' This was no exception, and as a cat lover/staff member-I Get This. Oh, the drama and angst of a misbehaving cat. I mean, dogs-yeah, they chew stuff, and dig, and eat everything - but you've not known pet angst until the day you reach into your closet to get your best outfit out, only to find your lovely cat has used it repeatedly as a claw-ladder to get up to the top shelf, where it has happily shedded months worth of fur onto your precious heirloom blanket from your great grandmother, along with an old hairball or ten. *GROWL* You get the sense in canon that Minerva is a regal cat: a stuffy, proud cat who never gets the "Midnight Crazies". Until now, it has not occurred to me how perfect a Snape-as-a-Brattie-McCattie would work so perfectly! Genius, and another classic for the Games. We are considering putting you on retainer, supplying a constant source of Crack!Art for the Games. We'll talk, darling. Terminus? ♥
Epon: I am going to use your own words, which I found excellent and intriguing: "Here Harry is a Poet/Singer, Taunter of the DE's otherwise known as the Ultra-Right, lovingly called by his Beat friends "Crazy Man Michael" because of an incident involving a monkey, a Queen and a police officer. He is always accompanied by his companion Severus Snape who is a taciturn Saxophone player with a Flair for wonderful if Incoherent soliloquies and maker of the best hallucinogens this side of the Equator." Ain't it the truth, baby. Wow. Such creativity, so much going on - I had seen this type of art before, but I didn't know what it was until you told me, and I couldn't have been more pleased with your entry. We are always proud to host cutting edge art, and you stepped up. Artistic, epic, musical and full of feeling and pizazz - thank you so much for choosing the Games as a vehicle to post your first online artzine; we are all richer for it. ♥
Poggie: Your art is some of the best in the business, and you really come through here. Such a wonderful representation of one of the most tension filled canon moments between our boys. I loved how you split their scenes to make certain we could see their faces, like in a movie, and oh - what looks they are! Snape so smug and cold, Harry all teenaged angst and anger, wonderful. Not to mention the beautiful colour and the shadow of the dungeons, and the details! Wow. This was superb, and a great entry for your team. Thank you for once again joining us, and for sharing your gift. ♥
Sealcat: I really adored your entry last year, and this year you expanded upon it and gave us so much more! I loved the 'wood cut' style, with framing and lines very bold and strong. It's deceptively simple-looking, but I know it isn't - it must have taken you a long time to complete. Stark, wonderful colouring make it all the more spectacular, and the symmetry was wonderful. I also loved the story you tell. This is the kind of thing you may have seen in a book about legends or myths - the story told of the epic battle between Harry and Voldemort, with Snape as the not so secret weapon. Fabulous! Thank you for joining us again this year. ♥
Tgin: We are big supporters of vidding here at the Games, and I am so glad you joined us this year. Like many people, I'm not a big fan of country music, but you really nailed this one with your choice of song. Your editing job was stellar - using the bits from other films of Alan's is often imitated, but rarely have I seen them done so well. Extraordinary, melancholy, amazing. Excellent work, and do come back! ♥
Umbrus: Wow. You really went all out on this, and what a spectacular piece it is! All the colours and book quotes - which must have taken you ages to find - wonderful double meanings, proving once again why Snarry shippers see what they see! Yay! The colours and the scenes, it's just so much, and lovely. Outstanding work, and a great entry for your team. Thank you for joining us again this year, and keep up the great work! ♥
Miyoung: Gah. I may or may not have a seekrit dub-non-con kink with Snape and Harry. Which may or may not have gone into overdrive when you sent in this entry. *cough* The graphic line art in this is superb - as good as any manga or doujin I've seen - and the pacing and drama was top shelf. Such feeling - from Severus' craziness to Harry's defeat, the emotion comes barreling through. Wow. This sort of art is not to everyone's taste, nor is the subject matter. But for those of us who do see the value in it? Priceless. Thank you for joining us again this year, and for this extreme and high quality entry, which will stay with many of us for a long time. ♥
Tripp: Oh, you and your PASTELS. LOVE. This story, as you know, is one of my all time favourites, and that scene in the oubliette is such a tender one - poor, ill Harry, forgetting for a moment in his fever that he and Severus are no longer together, and he does not, in fact, have him anymore. *weeps* But you capture the unguarded and tender moment perfectly, both men hanging on tightly to what they lost. I adored your beautiful-ugly Snape, and of course your shading and colouring by chalk is second to none. Wonderful. Thank you for joining us again this year, and I hope to see you again next year! ♥
Shin: You warn for anime style - personally I love it. Thank you for joining us this Games, and for coming back to Harry Potter to help Team Angst. Your art was a lovely representation of all that makes anime great - the understated colours, the line work, the textures, the movement. Wonderful, and a very angsty moment that was fanon, but also canon, as we know how Harry was resolved to do the right thing, and let the cards fall where they may. Excellent work, and we hope you join us again! ♥
Andreanna: I know that Stella Hobbit was pleased that you chose her work to illustrate, of course, who wouldn't be? I love this story, and the moment you ended up choosing is a great one - the culmination of the story and holding all its promise. As usual, your colours and form are outstanding, and the way you have Harry's eyes and Snape's tense shoulders is masterful, especially to those who know this moment as well as I do. Love the way you have no background, too - I'd like to think it was intentional, because in that moment, it is only the two of them. Perfect! Thanks for coming back to play this year, we are all the richer for it. ♥
FG: Oh, the details! Harry's narrowed eyes! Niiiice. Very bold colour, very bold statement, detailing all that is great about our boys in canon. So much tension and passionanger, you know it's just a matter of time before the levee breaks. Oh, yeah. Snape's office is awesome, and creepy. His eyebrow and mouth, great! Thank you again for playing this year, I hope it was as fun as last year, and that you will join us again next year! ♥
Snakeysnape: A true "Alternate Universe", one where Snape is (quite well cast as) a Pharaoh, with Harry as his concubine, nice! Dreaming, indeed. Very intricate and shiny - I love the details on the jewellery and background, and the pose is wonderful. I don't know much about Poser, but I'd bet that was a pretty difficult post to perfect. Very cool, and thank you for joining us again this year! ♥
Marie: Oh, how heartbreaking. So true. Harry going to fight his last fight with Snape's spirit behind him all the way! Behind him, like Harry might not even know he is there - but the knowledge Snape gave him was the ultimate knowledge required to complete his task. The body language was great, and the textures and the Lumos wonderful. Using the quote from Lois McMaster Bujold's Diplomatic Immunity was a great choice! I hope you enjoyed your first foray into the Games, and perhaps you will join us again. ♥
Liz: Um. I always feel kind of small when I try to review your work - it's like I don't have the proper words to give you. You know how much I respect you, as a person, and your art has always been one of my favourites that fandom has to offer. Your gift lies *not only* in the actual lines, nor the colour (or lack thereof, in this case) it also lies in your storytelling. Whether or not you do a single picture or a series such as this wonderful entry, you have this innate sense of exactly what to show, and what not to show, using that to give us the most impact. It's amazing to see, really. Every angle, every shadow or light, every touch - all done with a perfection that makes me hope that even when you are a doctor - you will continue to share your art, in some form, to everyone. It enriches the world, you know. ♥
Regasssa: Oh, this was a very cool and original entry. I absolutely loved the different bottles, and the heartwrenching story you tell of Harry systematically removing all his memories of Snape in order to get on with his life. Which very much parallels Snape's canon, wherein his release of all his memories to Harry allowed Snape to get on with his death. So very powerful an image you paint, and the extraordinary angles and pacing and colours all add to this excellent entry for your team. Wonderful! I hope you continue to share your art with us, I can't wait to see what you come up with next. ♥
CV: Oh, this was adorable, very romantic! From the wonderful colours and details, to the story you tell of a happily married Severus and Harry, both living their lives in peace until they die a natural death, much, much later. Yay! The house was fantastic, and the framing gorgeous. I know you mean to do a much larger version of this, but I think you captured the three stages of love, contentment and peace. Nice work, and I hope you enjoyed your first shot at the Games. We hope to see you again next year! ♥
Ani: You have a lovely, wistful style - watercolours and ink, flowing and moving, it's wonderful. The Art Nouveau like framing of this was awesome, the way Snape pulls back but his cape does not, Harry reaching out, Lily watching. Interpretation is in the eye of the beholder, and I would like to think Lily approves, but many would look and see how her ghost has ruined Snape, like in canon, his whole life devoted to his betrayal of her and the atonement for it - thereby always keeping Harry at bay. Why endanger the last bit of Lily that there is? Beautiful and haunting, and a great entry for your team. Thanks again for playing this year. ♥
Majmunka: Oh, I tell you, I totally agree that Rex's story was one full of strong visual images - I don't blame anyone for choosing it. And though her subject matter was quite angsty, it still ended in a hopeful manner, with both Harry and Snape's crimes being forgiven. Your choices of scenes were some of the most vivid in the story, and you illustrate them exactly how I pictured them in my mind! Excellent work, lovely colouring, and you chose a rather interesting romantic moment for the final scene, one where Snape enjoys Harry's...er, administrations. *g* Great work, and thanks for coming back this year, I hope you had fun! ♥
Pond: We were so happy you agreed to play again this year. We know it's been a tough one for you and your Snarry art. Of course, your finished work was incredible - the scene one of deep emotional and physical peril, tempered with a tenderness that Harry and Snape have, the way he protects Harry, the insurmountable odds they are facing. The horrible monster (incarnation of Voldemort, perhaps?) is really very scary, creepy and horrific. Wonderful scene, almost like a movie layout pic, so excellent. You once again share your most incredible talent with us, and I hope you never stop. Thank you. ♥
Gina: You know how much I love your style, especially your panache with lighting, it is incredible how you can make things glow. Imagine my delight when the doe patronus came into play! So wonderful and haunting. You did an amazing job on this scene, and to have Snape still there in the picture, watching while Harry gets ready to undress to get the sword - such a wee glimpse of Harry's abs, so understatedly sexy. NICE. You have a very elegant and stylish line, please never change, it's so undeniably you, and so distinctive. I really loved this entry, and think it was an outstanding entry for your team - thank you! ♥
Alisa: Oh, I absolutely worship your crosshatching technique. Worship. Not to mention your ability to set a scene so incredibly emotional. You did it last year, what an incredible picture, and then again this year. Oh Lord, the angst just RADIATES. Such anguish coming from both of them, one only a two dimensional representation! How did you do that? Oh, the well-worn, much fondled newsprint, with the "HERO" just showing, and the comfort Harry is trying to get, just wow. Not to mention your incredible strong shading, allowing these images to jump off the page. Beautiful. Thank you for once again gifting us with your art, please keep on doing so. ♥
Tripp: And here you go, a pinch for your team, and not just any pinch, and incredible, beautiful pinch. Unbelievable, that you could do this on such short notice. Stunning, truly. The subtle 'fanon' being brought in with the wedding ring, the extraordinary details - the textures, the shading, so beautiful, and a coup d'etat for your team. You want to touch them. Excellent! Thank you again, and for meeting and exceeding what it is to be a part of these Games. We look very forward to working with you in the future as the official 2008 Snarry Games Artist. Thank you! ♥
Ariadne: Bless your black, black heart. *g* You always hit with the angst full force, and you do not miss here. The faceless menacing DEs in the background, so close yet so far, and the spell effects, wonderful! The trees are awesome, and it really does finish off that 'rock in a hard place' kind of feel. Exquisite. I haven't even begun on Snape and Harry yet - who are incredible, so intense, so fierce. Wow. Another big hit for your team, and we are all thankful you both decided to join us, and that your health was so improved you were able to come through for your team. We are glad for it! ♥
Kookoolaka: Oh, choosing Barb's story was excellent! Hot-Git-on-Brat-Action! The details were wonderful - the invisible wedding bands, the wonderfully coloured robes, such depth, so brilliant! You've really captured the romantic side of this story, I'm sure if you'd had the time, you would have probably done multiple more panels, incorporating some of her great angst as well. But it is good you didn't because, hello - Romance! A great new addition to the Snarry Games team, and I hope you had a great time in your first games, and you come back for more! ♥
Pennswoods: I know how hard this scene was for you because of your emotional attachment to Severus Snape. It really shines through on your entry, so very tragic. Their pose and the angle is incredible, and (but for a great deal of blood loss), could have been an embrace. Alas, no. Harry's white-knuckled grip, so gentle in Snape's hair, and Snape's lax face, so wonderfully Shakespearean, a death scene to end all death scenes. Very powerful, and an extraordinary submission for Team Angst. Thank you for once again joining us. ♥
A-Belladonna: Watercolours, again! I love them, and you really do a great job. The feel of it made me smile, and keep on smiling, their expressions, the coverlet, the details on the walls, lovely! The kinds of ending we all hoped for, I think, the ideal Snarry ending to canon. Thank you for sharing it with us, and for coming through for your team again. We hope to see you next year! ♥
Karasu: Well, this was not for the weak, I tell you. I LOVED IT. Holy hell, when I opened it, I immediately pinged one of my mods. The conversation was something along the lines of: *Me: HF. Karasu sent her entry in. *shudder* Methinks a warning (or ten) is in order. And a strong drink. Check it out!* Hee. Truly, a demented, creepy, and really awesome way of dealing with Snape's obsession with Lily's eyes. *shudders some more* All that aside, still erotic, which makes me think there is something wrong with me - good work, and I love the LOOK on SNAPE'S FACE. I also love the perspective, Snape all in your face, Harry in the background, but taking up the universe all at the same time. !!!! This was all kinds of wrong, and so so right. Thank you, thank you. ♥
Acid: You do such incredible work, I honestly can't see how I can convey in words what it does for me. I can try, however. Another entry with an incredible layout and pacing - so many this year, what a gift, and yours is like a scrap book, done like a pensieve album, almost, a magical book, the one that Snape and Harry keep in their closet for perusing on their anniversary, perhaps? Awesome. Your shading and highlighting is superb, and the emotion in each picture so fantastic, even Harry waking up in his death dream, it's all there! Brilliant mixture of media, and it really feels like I could hold it in my hands. You are truly a gift to fandom, your art, your writing, and to share it with us again and again, so generous. Thank you once again for joining us, and for coming through for your team and the fans. And me. &hearts!
Tasha: I loved your entry last year, and was really happy you joined us again. Your new Snape is excellent - marvellous, really. Your props and costumes are incredible, I can't even imagine the work that goes into something like that. But the thing I love the most is your posing and picture taking - so perfect, each scene set up just so, all the shadows and points of view and close-ups, incredible! Gorgeous work, and the words that accompanied it were perfectly tuned to pull the heartstrings. An excellent entry for your team, and for us! Thank you! ♥
Ad: Oh, this scene in Mia's fic was incredible, and you nailed it. Snape's face, hungry, sad, defeated, yet happy and blessed with Harry's happiness - perfection. Harry's skeletal smile, the moonlight, his bare feet, his obvious glee at being free again, wow. Loved your tree, the moon, the very autumnal feel, I can feel the chill in the air. Fantastic. Thank you for once again joining us, I hope you enjoyed the Games this round, and will be back! ♥
Nymaulth: The colour in this piece in the first thing you notice, how could you not? So rich and lush. But the subject matter, much colder and desolate. Wonderful. Creepy. Tragic. All the things Team Angst calls for, you delivered. The details were fabulous - the mirror, Harry's Auror Cape, hands, tendons, blood - GAH. Then the textures, wow, the curtains, the mirror, skin and bones, unbelievable! Also, the execution. I've never seen anything like it - lovers through a mirror, but Snape's non living status preventing anything except the smallest and goriest of touches. Sometimes I wish I could look into the brain of someone like you - try to figure out where you get this stuff from. *g* Thank you again for joining us this year! ♥
Ursus: It's Sister VS Sister, in this round of the Games, first time ever! Hahahah, your entry was awesome crack. First the loving embrace in post coital bliss, with the fabulous rosy hue to their skin, and then Harry's exclamation! Then Snape, in the greatest comic moment ever - HAHHAHAHAHA. THE BEAR! WITH THE GREEN EYES! BWAHAHHAH.So awesome. The look on Snape's face! Wonderful, and fantastic entry for your team, and for bare/bears everywhere. Hee. ♥
Chupa: Oh. You. I. *whimper* So devastating, this. You really did convey your grief here, and wow. I really have no words for how beautiful this is. Harry, stretching up, his loneliness and remorse, and wow. The sunlight dappled trees and the slight breeze, the hazy pink sky, and Harry, stretching..stretching...awww. :( Very vulnerable and heartbreaking and gorgeous and emotional and wow. You really upped the bar, here, so angsty, and an incredible way to portray it. Just, wow. I am very glad you joined us again this year, this art is one of a kind, and should be treasured. Thank you, so much. ♥
Orionnoire: This was lovely, a great fairytale-like illustration of what should have happened at the end of Book 7. The way they don't look at each other, the colours, the background of the shack, all fantastic. You used watercolour, which I love, it was very delightful. Fabulous posing, too; really reminiscent feel of french impressionism in the early 20's. Excellent. Thank you for joining us again this year, I hope you had fun! ♥
Anoiro: You have an incredible talent with watercolours. They are difficult to master, it's all negative space, and it's hard to make the brain work that way - backwards. To have done this kind of lighting, this glow, the radiant brilliance of your doe, was incredible. Truly. This painting lights up like a diamond, you have a gift, and to share it with us makes me happier than I can say. Everything from the treeline to Snape's windswept pose was exquisite, and is beautiful. Thank you for playing in the Games again this year, we are all very lucky to have you. ♥
Undun: As I've said earlier, your strengths in anatomy and musculature are second to none. Now, you give us a wonderful pinch hit for your team, in the form of a very romantic picture of our boys entwined together after their lovemaking. That you made it fanon crack with your drabble was a stroke of genius. *g* Thank you for coming through for your team, and gifting us with even more of your much-sought after art, it is truly a blessing. ♥
K: I know you struggled with RL, the Blue Screen of Death, and various other things preventing you from colouring your piece, but it stands alone. The story it tells is a terrible one, that of Dark!Harry and Light!Snape, a common one in fandom, but no less traumatic. Major angst, and very striking scenes: Harry lording over everyone from his lightning bolt throne, Severus spying on him and carrying on a love affair with Remus, getting caught - we all know what happens then. Oh, Severus. *shudder* You clearly are playing on the dark side, but we appreciate it here. Can't get much angstier than this. Thank you for joining us again this year!♥
ChoasRaven: Now here is an AU/AR that we all want to see the story for! A pinch hit for your team, and what a fabulous entry. You really nail the time period, and the poses are fantastic. Snape+Pony Tail+suit=New OT3. A nice, quiet, understated scene, very shibui. The details are wonderful if sparse, also very Japanese. This is pure love, and I really hope someone writes it. Thank you for this pinch hit, and for taking part in the Games this year! ♥
Pond: You did it again! How? Simple, stark, but tells a story without a thousand words. Every stroke, from the way the rain is pelting down on Severus, the tear track on his face, to the light glinting off of Harry's glasses, such exquisite angst. So beautiful and tragic. Another stellar work from you, this one a pinch for your team, and a fantastic one. Thank you, once again, for all that you do. ♥
Trekkiegrrrl: A lovely story to illustrate, one of fandom's all time favourite Snarry's. Personally I love Snape as a sharp dressed man, in muggle clothes, and you deliver! Harry looks very..comfortable, here (grin), and the lighting effects are superb! A very sweet scene from an excellent story, and as I always say, your backgrounds and furniture details are incredible, never mind your Snape and Harry, who are always how I picture them. Thank you for participating in this year's round, and for such a great entry! ♥
V: You naughty, naughty girl. I LOVE IT. What a pose Snape strikes - that of a man in a position of power. Power over Harry, that is. Hee. And poor, befuddled Harry, all, "oh noes". Oh yes! As usual, your colours are to die for, and your strong lines really set you apart. A great, stylish drawing, and a fabulous pinch hit for your team! Thank you once again, the Games wouldn't be the same without you. ♥
IGToW: I owe you a thousand thanks, but today I want to talk about your pencil work. Your heretofore unheralded and hidden aptitude for it. We'll talk, yeah? You know, it really isn't fair to take ALL the talent in a family, you know. o_O. Seriously, though, this is marvellous! Such a deft hand with the pencil, you can see all the thousands of strokes in the textures and varying degrees of softness. And such a tender moment in a window seat; pure love. I love how they are just wrapped around each other in every possible way - delightful. Thank you again for offering this lovely piece up to Team Romance for a pinch that we had almost missed. *whew* Thank you! ♥
Glock: You send me an incredible pinch hit for your team, and I can't believe you had to talk me into adding that last scene and adding crack/humour. *hangs head in shame*. But you nailed those prompts, baby! What a fantastic idea, with wonderful touches: Luna with her paint, Harry all stubbled emo, the gorgeous picture of Snape he (thinks) he paints, oh god, and then the fabulous 'real' painting! Poor Ginny. Wearing Fred's jumper! Angst, again! gah. You are really, really talented, and I can't tell you enough. That, and you have a heart the size of Texas, doing the artwork for the comm, then crack!art, then two entries for your team, then commenting on all the entries - a star in both fandom and real life, it is my pleasure to know you. Thank you. ♥
Amy: I was lucky in that I saw this in its beginnings, from your first strokes. As it became more and more alive, I couldn't believe how gorgeous it was turning out, such a gift with canvas and oils, and then the finished product just blew me away! I knew I was going to close the Games with it, and I couldn't wait to share it with everyone else. A beautiful and grand representation of another favourite fic in fandom, DementorDelta was well represented this Games. Every little detail - right from the fish nibbling on Harry's toes, to the way Snape and Harry's hair floats in the water, the light coming from the surface to the way the water swirls around the various sea creatures in the lake - incredible. I was proud to post this, and I hope you consider posting your "in progress" pictures, they really show those of us who can't work in that medium just what it takes to be able to pull something like this off. Unbelievable! Thank you for joining us again, and for such an outstanding entry for both fandom and your Team. ♥
Just a little note to both Teams: Remember that no matter what the polls say, you guys are all the Best of the Best, and you should be proud of the work you have done, both for yourself and your teams!