My 8-bit Apartment Aspirations

I discovered someone today that made me question my place in video game culture. Her blog name is riommccarthy (her real name is Rio McCarthy). She is a true video game fanatic. She collects video games like I collect records. A part of me is jealous, but the other part knows that jealousy is pointless. If I had a massive collection of all of the things I liked, it would largely sit there in favor of doing something else. If I went about collecting comics, old video games, and toys as much as I wanted, I would run out of money quickly. No, I suppose I'll stick to records. I mean, come on, everybody's got a collection.

But something intrigued me about Rio. Aside from having a massive collection of games, she's also interested in the art of gaming. She made a series of hats to commemorate the upcoming release of Mega Man 9. Here's a picture of the Cutman hat.


Now I'm not saying that I would wear this hat around town, but it's still extremely cool. McCarthy struck the heart of 8-bit art.

I'm moving into a new apartment, and something seemed starkly off regarding my last place. I proudly hung posters of my favorite movies and bands, but my long relationship with video games was completely absent. Reading about Rio's art purchases, it makes me realize that I'd like just one piece of art that would represent my love of gaming.

I can't afford to buy any of that incredible work that you see in the I am 8-bit show (or book) and hang it in my apartment wall, so it leads me to believe that I will have to exert myself in a different way. I've never been extremely crafty, but now I feel like I need to test myself. That's right, I want to make video game related art.

Now I won't be able to do it free hand because I'm a terrible artist. Also, since I'm sharing an apartment, it will all have to be subtle in some way as to not overpower my roommate's stuff. Perhaps I'll make magnets or coasters or small things with video game inspirations. Maybe I can use those mad tracing skills that I learned in the first grade and try to make a small drawing or painting. Or I could just force my illustration roommate to do it himself. Alas, I cannot force him to do it. This is my own fate I'm dealing with.

I'll keep you updated on my video game art ideas. If I don't post anything, it just means that this morning's inspiration has dried up in a procrastination bucket. Blast my college-aged habits.