*Exhales*


And here it is. Finished in all its technical glory. Everything is there, every bolt, screw, gauge...

For me this was more than just a painting of two characters in a cockpit. This is my dreams, my aspirations, my very being poured into a single image. It's been ten years too long; ten years since I gave up on that dream; bullied out of me by my peers.

But now. I've once again taken a hold of that dream, now stronger, confident, and more determined than before. I want this more than ever, more than before. I /need/ this.

I'd like to dedicate this to a few people;
[though you haven't logged on in years] -My wonderful boyfriend who never stopped believing in me, even when I was determined to remain at the bottom, doing nothing with my life, wanting nothing with my life. You stood by me when I needed it, and because of you, I am stronger. Thank-you for all the help you've given me with this piece, without your technical input, I doubt it'd look the way it does now. "Do not flail rudder controls."
-My cousin, who has never ceased to encourage me in whatever strange endeavor I take on, who was always there when I needed an ear or an arm up. Thank-you for always believing in me and encouraging me to become so much more than what I was and what I am.
-One of the best friends I could ever ask for. Thank-you for always being there for me through the good times and the bad times. For being able to tolerate my erratic behavior and for calling me out on my stupidity. I doubt I'd be where I am today without you.
-You're probably one of my oldest friends and someone who in my period of paranoia and anxiety, I've learned to trust completely. Your sense of humor has never ceased to leave me nearly in tears, your critiques never ceasing to help me improve more and more with my art.
-For all the times where I felt lost and without hope, you never failed to give me advice when I needed it the most. In those brief times when you were here, you helped teach me to believe in myself and to see past all of the negativity in my life and grasp onto something real. You helped me learn how to talk to people again.
-A /huge/ thank-you for all the times you've helped me out when Kratos was epic failing on me in every way imaginable, and for being a good friend. Those links you keep randomly sending my way always bring a smile to my face, or send me laughing off of my chair. Keep them coming.
-I love you. In a completely platonic way. xD Thank-you for being someone who shared my passion for airplanes, for cheering me up
-You were always someone I could talk to about anything and everything without making me feel like a complete moron. Through the best and the worst, you were always there as a shoulder to cry on, and someone I felt that I could truly express myself to.
-Thank-you for your invaluable input as a pilot. It helped me out with this image, a lot.
-To my brother, I know things weren't always the best for us, but you have always stood up for me, looked out for me, and been that stereotypical big brother. Thank-you for pushing me even further in this endeavor, for being one of the first to acknowledge this dream and encourage me in it. "About fucking time." I won't ever forget those words when I told you that I was renewing my aspiration to be a pilot once again.

And to all my friends and watchers here on DevArt, whose constant input and opinions I value more than anything. I first came to this site, a confused 14 yearold who could barely draw, and you guys helped me grow as an artist, always encouraging and giving me tips and critiques when I needed them the most.

Thank-you.

And lastly,
References[because there's no freaking way I could even dare draw a DC-10 cockpit from memory]:
[link]
[link]
[link]
[link]

Characters are Thomas "Lux" Lux, captain and Jacques "Jake" Verte, first officer. Guide my dreams into that distant sunset, you two.

Holy crap.

THANK-YOU SO MUCH FOR THE DD! 8D

Much love to for suggesting it, and to for suggesting it as well, and to for featuring it!

This means so much to me.