curbynet

[curbynet]

GP Phoenix 2018

Phoenix was pretty low key, but tons of fun!  I got a custom Germ token from Anastasia Ovchinnikova.  It’s perched on Alesha’s finger and strikes quite the heroic pose!

Full res at:

http://files.curby.net/Alesha%20Who%20Smiles%20at%20Death.jpg

See more germs via the #germs tag.

–Curby

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GPDenver ...

... was a little underwhelming, probably for a variety of factors.  However, I got one of Steve’s newer cards alongside a ton of Oketra stuff in my sealed pool.  

Suggested alternate flavor text: “Why cling to these trappings?  They’re all covered in cat hair.”

–Curby (Minion #533)

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GPVegas Part 4 & Wallpapers

Back to Part 3

Part 4 of my GP Vegas recap began years ago, with the original Germ token from Mirrodin Besieged.  Then I found that artists made their own germ tokens, and I began to collect those.  

More recently I got to thinking where Germs would live.  Perhaps in a bog?

That was my first custom Germ token, from GP Denver.  The next two tried to answer what Germs might grow up or evolve into creatures featured on Magic cards?  

Necroplasm was printed as an Ooze token, available at http://www.rkpost.net/_p/prd1/4606817021/product/t731-classic-ooze-3-token

Splinterfright was from GP Vegas, along with the answer to the most recent question: what if a Germ tried to emulate the actions of Planeswalkers?

Terrified duckies, apparently.  The collection so far, minus one or two that might be hiding:

Here’s a set of iPhone wallpapers of the Necroplasm and Killing Wave Germs:

http://files.curby.net/Custom%20Germ%20Tokens.zip

Full res versions:

http://files.curby.net/Bojuka%20Bog.jpg

http://files.curby.net/Killing%20Wave.jpg

http://files.curby.net/Necroplasm.jpg

http://files.curby.net/Splinterfright.jpg

http://files.curby.net/GPVegas-4-5.jpg

That’s all for the spoils of GP Vegas.  Thanks to these amazing artists for the great germs, and thank you for reading!

--Curby (Minion #533)

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GPVegas Part 3

Back to Part 2

Let’s keep going!  My last post had some normal-awesome signatures.  How about some extra-awesome sigs?  At GP Tacoma I picked up a book featuring the original artists of Magic (wish I had known about that Kickstarter!).  It’s beautiful, but I’m all about inclusiveness so I’ve been asking other artists to sign it as well:

From top to bottom we have Steve Argyle, Greg Staples, Eric Deschamps, Howard Lyon, Kirsten Zirngibl, and RK Post.  Howard Lyon signed last year, but he did a “Sign in Blood” embellishment in Vegas.

How about some shadow signatures?

Thrilled to have a set of Argyle Ponders join my signed Tedin and Scott Ponders.

Also, I’m very happy to finally get some Lilianas.  My Legacy “The Gate” deck will still be horrible, but it’ll get better with some planeswalker action.

Lastly, we all know that Killing Wave is Steve’s most popular and powerful card, played in every format except where it’s banned for breaking the meta.  Tune in to the next update to find out why, though you may already have a germ of an idea.  

Also, I guess Tumblr doesn’t let you zoom in to images that are in-line with text, and it seriously downsizes them to boot.  Here are the full res pics:

http://files.curby.net/GPVegas-1-1.jpg

http://files.curby.net/GPVegas-2-1.jpg

http://files.curby.net/GPVegas-2-2.jpg

http://files.curby.net/GPVegas-2-3.jpg

http://files.curby.net/GPVegas-3-1.jpg

http://files.curby.net/GPVegas-3-2.jpg

http://files.curby.net/GPVegas-3-3.jpg

http://files.curby.net/GPVegas-3-4.jpg

–Curby (Minion #533)

Onwards to Part 4

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GPVegas Part 2

Back to Part 1

Part 2 from my GP Las Vegas report is a ton of signatures. Did I mention there were dozens of artists there? It’s hard to imagine how anyone had time to play with all the amazing art. :P

First pic above is from some original Magic artists. It was my first time meeting Liz Danforth and Richard Kane Ferguson, and it was awesome hearing about how things have changed over the years. Also, I’ve loved Rebecca Guay’s art since I started but I never realized how many other watercolor artists are in Magic!

Next up are some more recent additions to Magic’s deep bench of artists (and Pete Venters, who didn’t fit in the first image).

I’m appreciating the artistry of signatures more and more, from the angular lines of Eric Deschamps and Jason Engle, to the flowing curves of Dan Scott and Howard Lyon, to the flourishes of Steve Argyle and Zack Stella.  I wish my own signature was anywhere as unique, beautiful, and consistent as any of these.

Unfortunately I only have two of Steve’s Snuff Outs. Gonna have to work on completing that set.

I’ll post more as I get a chance to sort through things and take photos.

--Curby (Minion #533)

Onwards to Part 3

[curbynet]

GPVegas Part 1

Hey folks, I’ve been quiet as I haven’t gotten any new Steve Stuff in past months, but that all changed with Grand Prix Las Vegas 2017.  Three 2-day GPs, countless side events, and dozens of artists made for an amazing time.  I’ll post more as I decompress and sort through the spoils of the weekend.

First off: tokens!

This was minion swag plus an extra goat that we bought, because some day I’m gonna make a goat deck.  The top row was chosen by my amazing wife, the nymph and wolves are gifts, and the Germ is ‘cause I have a curious affinity for Germs (foreshadowing detected!).

This post isn’t as exciting as others for ascension campaigning, but I remain a devoted fan as you’ll see in the coming days, and I would love to have your support for ascension.  

--Curby (Minion #533)

Onwards to Part 2

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Time for some more muted wallpapers to highlight the shinies!  Steve’s metallic sigs really sparkle if you let the light hit them just right.  The “jagged” sigs are on some Scion tokens, where a sputtering pen created some awesome rough edges to the pen strokes.  The more linear layout contrasts nicely with the more common “2-level” sig.  Unfortunately my first attempt doesn’t really capture the edge roughness as well as I’d like.  I might have to try again.

Please vote for me for ascension!

As before, don’t save the low-res Tumblr pics; get the full resolution wallpaper collection here: http://files.curby.net/Metallic%20Signatures.zip

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How about some goodies to bribe you for my Ascension Campaign?  I’m a rank amateur when it comes to photography, but with your support I pledge to practice more and share the spoils with you!  The first wallpaper set features my Deathrite Shamans with shadow signatures in silver and gold.

Don’t save the low resolution samples from Tumblr; get the full resolution wallpaper collection here: http://files.curby.net/Deathrite%20Shaman.zip

If you’d like to see specific cards as wallpapers, send me a message on Tumblr.  You can find pictures of my collection in previous posts to get ideas.

I’ve also been pestering Justin with an idea for really special Ascended Minion Project loot; I’m not sure if ascending will help my case but I’m sure it can’t hurt!

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#533 please!  I’m a new member but a huge fan.  I saw Steve and Kat at two events this year so far, and am hoping they can make it to GP Denver in December so I can see them again.  

At GPLA I wore the illustrious “last in line” sign to assist the Line Goddess in controlling the hordes of fans, but was defeated by a young kid who cut in line.  I guess he had Skulk.  Steve was great as always and signed his cards even though he must have been exhausted at the end of the day.

The Summer 2016 Ascension is scheduled to take place on June 20.  I invite you all to campaign for your chance to become one of the Ascended!

What I need is nominations!  (Yes you can nominate yourself…)  That way I can review your activity here before the selection next Monday.

[curbynet]

Spoils from Grand Prix Los Angeles 2016.

Top pic has my coffee-sheep minion on Thalia playmat, and a few signatures since I did most of my Argyle sigs last time.

Bottom pic has the GP playmat, GP Stoneforge, some land from prize tickets at the GP, and a ton of sigs including eleventy-five Bonesplitters for Pauper, Beeble madness, and dual-colored Manamorphose sigs after Jeff ran around Downtown LA and the artist area looking for colored Sharpies.  Also custom tokens from Mike (https://www.instagram.com/miek_mike/).

Thanks to all the artists and players for being there and for being friendly and awesome!

[curbynet]

The result of two days, seven wins, one loss, two ties, and a ton of fun at Grand Prix Albuquerque 2016:

3D life counters for Quinn (#Minion 534) and Barry, Chandra for giggles, Cards from redeeming prize tickets, Promo cards from Quinn and Barry, Professor Snape for Brenna, Prize tickets as a souvenir, Steve Argyle minion card, Tons of signed cards.