Engine Room March 2024 – Part IV

TUNES

Our underworld isn’t filled with fear
Just brass and copper, leather scrap, and rusty gear
You can keep your hip-hop techno-pop-rock schleppin-dub
I’m on my way to a coal-powered underground vintage pub

We’ve got a steampunk revolution
We’re tired of all your so-called evolution
We’ve darted back to 1886
Don’t ask us why; that’s how we get our kicks

[- Abney Park, Steampunk Revolution -]
Clothing

Vest: ERSCH – “Esta Vest” (Maitreya LaraX) – NEW @ Engine Room // March 2024
Suit: ERSCH – “Eston Suit” (Maitreya LaraX)

Accessories

Mask: CRYPTID – “Covetous” – NEW @ Engine Room // March 2024
Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Ear Lobes: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Inazuma Plug” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Collar: *:…Silvery K..:* – “Steam Bellus Size 1”

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Usagi Society – “Rocket” – NEW @ Engine Room // March 2024

Head, Body & Tattoo
Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Eyes: REPULSE – “Post Mortem Eyes (Blind)” (BoM)
Tattoo Head & Ears: BodyArts – “Void”
Body: Maitreya – “LaraX 1.0”
Poses, Props & Tools

Pose: – sc – – “drained” (Bento, hand lightly modified)
Owl: {-Maru Kado-} – “Barn Owl_08”
Plant: Dirty Rat – “Mutant Flytrap” (taken off the furniture set)

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Engine Room March 2024 – Part III

TUNES

Skepticism might keep you sane,
but it won’t necessarily keep you alive.

[- Mima Sawsaan, Carnival Row -]

When I was at the Engine Room event today to find my next look for a blog post, I came across that amazing outfit from CHANDRA. When I saw that, I immediately remembered that cool head, which BeSpoke released at the Warehouse Sale this round.
I have no clue why, but I instantly had a “Carnival Row Feeling” – you remember that show on Amazon Prime with Cara Delevingne and Orlando Bloom? When I found a sim called “Tirna-Nog” in Second Life, I just had to go that path for my picture today!

Lately you hear more and more about AI (Artificial Intelligence) used for artwork. I have to admit, I am not yet fully sold about that, if people create pictures only with AI and kinda just put words to get a full picture. Maybe I am too old to be convinced completely, or I do have a weird mind. Iam 46 years old – I guess it was 46 *laughs* – I learned to draw with pencils and colored pencils as a kid and it took me years to learn how to draw myself on a graphic tablet/monitor (… and I am still learning that). Maybe that is the reason why I can not yet allow myself andl my brain to think about art, if everything is just generated by words and no one ever touched it with any kind of pen, pencil, graphic pens or what ever you can hold in your hand to create something. Ok to be fair, a photographer is slightly different, but in the end he caught a situation with his own eye and camera in his hands as well *snickers* I hope you get what I mean 😉

What I found interesting after I forced myself to look more into AI, is that you do not have to create a complete ready made art piece with it, but you can enhance your work with it. That caught my interest. I am always looking for new tips, tricks and twists I can learn and use for my Second Life pictures.
Lately I was kinda depressed with taking pictures in SL. It felt all the same even if I tried to learn new techniques for Photoshop to enhance my pictures as even Second Life has it’s limits – especially with lights and shadows, movement or even sometimes with posing ot what you can get to set up a scenery.
You can add things you miss, you can correct minor issues, you even can enlarge a scenery if you took the wrong size to make the perfect picture… really interesting and as well exciting. If you miss a backdrop or a background you can kinda create parts of that. I tried to make a whole backdrop first as well but the way it does look like, I decided to not do that yet, as it was too far always from the look of a real Second Life environment and I do enjoy that still a lot. So I tried just to fool around with 2 birds – to be precise 2 crows – I wanted to add to my picture. It did take me quite a while, since I just started to play with it. I had to generate one crow like 50 times until I figured out what I had to put in to have it sit, no spread wings and facing the right direction. After a while I realized, that it does even pick up the lights I had put inworld already and since I wanted to change that a little too, I had to start over again after I worked all my lightning and shadows. I did not yet know how to safe the generated birds yet, so I started over new on those again. Then I wanted to darken the background a little bit and… DANG… the generated birds again looked wrong as they pick up parts of the background as well to fit in properly. Ok… deleting the birds again and get everything else right first *chuckles*.

It was the start of a learning process I really want to look into more, even if I do not want to fully work with AI and my avatar only – Second Life is way to pretty for that and so many amazing creators, designers and sim builders did (and do) put a hell lot of work into creating amazing places for us to be there and to create pictures.

Clothing

Outfit: +CHANDRA+ – “Lucca Outfit” (Reborn) – NEW @ Engine Room // March 2024

Accessories

Nails: V/. VoluptasVirtualis – “[Esbaa]” (Maitreya, Bento) – NEW @ Engine Room // March 2024

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: BeSpoke – “Nature Spirit” – NEW @ The Warehouse Sale // March 2024
Eyes: REPULSE – “Post Mortem Eyes (Blind)” (BoM)
Body: eBODY – “REBORN v1.69.6”

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose (incl. Lantern & Keys): [piXit] – “Clementine Posepack + Props” – NEW @ Engine Room // March 2024

Location

Tirna-Nog

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

I disdain all glittering Gold

TUNES

My heart is pierced by Cupid
I disdain all glittering gold
There is nothing can console me
But my jolly sailor bold

[- Ashley Serena -]
Accessories

Nails: FORMANAILS – “Spiral” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Exile – “Renee (B)”
Faceart: leLAPEAU – “Ariel Mask” (LeL.EvoX BoM)
Eyeshadow: leLAPEAU – “Ariel Shadow B” (LeL.EvoX BoM)
Lipistick: leLAPEAU – “Ariel Lipstick A” (LeL.EvoX BoM)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX ZO 3.1”
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Skin Head: leLAPEAU – “Ariel Skin – NF Alabaster (No Brows)” (LeL.EvoX BoM)

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose: STUN – “Claudia 3”

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Wild Horses

TUNES
Faith has been broken Tears must be criedLet’s do some living After we die
Wild horses Couldn’t drag me awayWild, wild horses We’ll ride them some day
[- Rolling Stones -]
Clothing

Outfit: *:..Silvery K..:* – “Steam Bellus” (Maitreya, collar sold seperately) – NEW @ Engine Room September 2023

Accessories

Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Ear Lobes: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Inazuma Plug” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Nails: [FORMANAILS] – “Steampunk” (Bento)
Backpack: [CABALPIER] – “Jusuf’s Bulb Bouquet – V2.0” (unrigged) – NEW @ Engine Room September 2023

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Usagi Society – “Yelan Hair // S//” – NEW @ Engine Room September 2023

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Face Tattoo: BodyArts – “Faceband Wicca” (LeL EvoX BoM, custom made – take a look at the “Vere Flores” or the “Fantasia Face Tattoo”)
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3”
Tattoo: +Nuuna+ – “Yara Black 90%” (BoM) – NEW @ Engine Room September 2023

Poses, Props & Tools

Horse: LVL9 – “Carousel Courier” – NEW @ Engine Room September 2023
Balloons: *AG* – “Thief’s Baloon” – NEW @ Engine Room September 2023

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Sleep tight and let dreams of the tooth fairy’s gift fill the night…

Your smile is a little gappy. The tooth fairy is coming to leave you a little treat to make you happy.

I am back… again! *giggles*

After surviving that weird thing called “real life”, I felt it was time again to go back to Second Life and do some pictures again – I really missed that!

Some already contacted me worrying if I might have been gone – thank you for that that really made me smile and feel better instantly. Yes I am alive and slowly RL seems to calm down again more and more 🙂

When I came back and browsed Flickr, I wondered to still find all those tilted pictures. I know before I had my forced “offline time” they already were there, but I was hoping after that kind of a break they would be gone *chuckles*
When I asked someone back then they tried to convince me that I would be because of the Black Dragon viewer. For what ever reason (I didn’t really understand that and yes I tried Black Dragon too) I was told, that this is the only way to have a good picture/ratio/what ever, that you snap the picture like that. Ok I get that and maybe that is the only way you can do that there, but since most anyway use programs to post-work their pictures, why can you not tilt them the right direction there before you upload it anywhere?
Another person told me they do it, because of the way Flickr displays pictures and because of they would get more Flickr headers in groups… do we really make pictures only to achieve that?

I am not… I prefer my pictures the way people can see them without laying sidewards on the couch, or tilt their heads until their neck gets sore to look at them *snickers* – but what ever floats your boat, I just still try to understand why it is still be done, maybe someone can give me a reason I do understand 😉

Today I come to you with a lot of new releases of the actual round of Midnight Order. Sadly we could not make it this time with the store (damn RL), but the more I would love to show you the amazing designs you can get there.
In the past I wrote about each design and realized people look mostly the credits anyway, so if you want to know the specific items, below you will find them all with names and surals :p

I really enjoyed doing pictures again even if it felt a little bit like walking in high heels after along time… rock road kinda *laughs*, but I found may way back there and I am looking forward to have many more over the next weeks since I’m on holiday now \o/

Thank you so much for reading and supporting my work!

Clothing

Outfit: AsteroidBox – “Midna Corset” (Maitreya) – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023
Cape: toksik – “Sweet Time Cape (XS)” – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023
Sleeves: [Cubic Cherry] – “{Thai} sleeves” (Maitreya) – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023

Accessories

Crown & Halo: Nefekalum – “Sable’s Crown” – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023
Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Ear Lobes: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Inazuma Plug” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Glasses: [CX] – “Farseer Glasses”
Nails & Rings: .:. SHARD .:. – “Ophelia Revenge Claws” (Maitreya, Bento) – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Exile – “Abby 1”
Eyeshadow: Nefekalum – “My Anubis 2022 – Eyeshadow 16” (BoM, Materials, LeL. EvoX)
Face Tattoo: BodyArts – “Faceband Wicca” (LeL EvoX BoM, custom made – take a look at the “Vere Flores” or the “Fantasia Face Tattoo”)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3”
Tattoo: +Nuuna+ – “KATI Black 90%” (BOM) – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose: Foxcity – “All Nighter-6m” (Bento, modified)
Backdrop: Spires Society – “The Traitor’s Sanctum w/materials” – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023
Lamp (incl. hand/holding pose): [ContraptioN] – “Investigator’s Illuminator L hand” – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023
Teeth: [Apika] – “Tooth Fairy” – NEW @ Midnight Order // August 2023

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

I want more…

TUNES

Some people get by with a little understandingSome people get by with a whole lot moreI don’t know, why you gotta be so undemandingOne thing I know, I want more, I want more

[- The Sisters of Mercy -]
Clothing

Outfit: [CX] – “Blazing Vixen (Monotone)” (Maitreya)
Shoes: L’Emporio – “:::Ravage:::” (Maitreya)

Accessories

Horns: [CX] – “Diablos Aries Horns”
Earrings 2: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon
Glasses: [CX] – “Farseer Glasses – Silver”
Rings:  L’Emporio – “::Dedalus” (Maitreya, Bento)
Ellbows: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Nyar ElbowPad” (Maitreya) – NEW @ Kinky // March 2023
Knees: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Sorsha Kneepad” (Maitreya)
Nails: [CX] – “Essential Dirty Claws” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Exile – “Brooklyn 1”
Face Tattoo: BodyArts – “Fantasia – Black” (LeL.EvoX BoM)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “Siwa 3.1”
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3”
Tattoo: .:Vegas:. – “Tattoo ( Dark ) Peony vBlack” (BoM)

Poses, Props & Tools

Poses: L.A. BoS – “Down Poses”
Backdrop: .PALETO.Backdrop. – “EVIL NIGHT”
Cats: [Rezz Room] – “Bombay Cat Animesh (Holdable) v2.0.0”
Books 1: DRD – “TAH – Medical books” (Gacha)
Books 2: 22769 – “Stack of Books” (Gacha)
Books 3: 22769 – “Tied Books” (Gacha)
Books 4: 22769 – “Candle Books” (Gacha)

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Blood Brewery @ Midnight Order

Outfit

Dress: AsteroidBox – “Orla Dress” (Maitreya Petite) – NEW @ Kustom9 // July 2022

Accessories

Horns: UNHOLY ASMODEUS – “Horns” – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022
Headband: kosmii – “Mirabel Circlet L [black]” – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022
Face Chains: SFU – “Valak Face Chains” – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth1): .:E.A.Studio:. – “Succubus Vampire Fang Black Girl” (LeLutka) – NEW @ Mainstore // July 2022
Piercing (Mouth2): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Ear Lobes: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Inazuma Plug” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Collar: [CX] – “Spellbound Collar” (Maitreya)
Arms: Garmonbozia – “Reload Armbands” – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022
Nails (Hands & Feet): L’Emporio – “Damned Claws” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: no.match – “No_Security (size 1)”
Eyeshadow: Rubedo – “lineata eyes 06” (LeL- EvoX BoM) – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022
Lipstick: Rubedo – “lineata lips 10” (LeL- EvoX BoM) – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022

Head, Body &Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3” + “Add-On Petite V1.1”
Tattoo: +Nuuna+ – “CARO Black 90%” (LeL- EvoX BoM) – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose (incl. Glass): Diversion – “Wine O’Clock – 1” (Bento, left arm modified)
Cart: DRD – “Vlad’s Blood Brews Cart” – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022
Background Set: DRD – “The Cemetary”

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Wicca’s Originals @ Midnight Order // July 2022

Wicca’s Originals @ Midnight Order // July 20th – August 20th

Today we have the honor to introduce you to another item of pure beauty and power. Worn and created long ago by Liuva, these boots will let your inner desires be expressed outloud with a beautiful harmony of both elegancy and confidence.

The Liuva Boots will make you feel empowered, as only the fiercest of individuals can wear them. Be ready to be the center of attention because when you walk in the room, you will turn heads, everyone will want to know who you are as the light shines off of the beautiful and yet, just subtle enough, spikes on the Liuva Boots. Some people may say the spikes represent the strength behind beauty, but you can find your own meaning.

Trying something new can be challenging and scary but such is the cost of living, face those challenges with Liuva by your side.

What are you waiting for?

Sizes: Maitreya, Legacy[F], Reborn, Legacy[M], Belleza Jake
HUD: 10 Colors & 10 Metals
Event Location: Midnight Order // July/August 2022

 

Wicca’s Originals @ NEO Japan // March 2022

Wicca’s Originals @ NEO Japan // March 26th – April 23rd

The lights outside Pyper’s window were bright, almost too bright, They glared throughout the city, illuminated every building as far as the eye could see. Yet beyond, there was only darkness.

Such is the way of space. Light and dark battling for dominance. A station floating among the stars as a refuge: a beacon for intergalactic travelers from the cold darkness of space. To Pyper, it was simply home.

Pyper held the notable distinction of being the first human born on this station, thanks to the fact that her parents were among the first to build this new colony. As word spread, other species arrived, as well as human explorers and settlers.

That was over 50 years ago, based on the Earth calender and the only home Pyper ever knew. When she came into adulthood, Pyper could have boarded a ship and traveled throughout known space or explored beyond. She was well educated, thanks to her parents and highly skilled in engineering, physics and biochemistry. Instead, Pyper chose to remain and follow in the family business. Her parents worked hard all their lives, sometimes at great risk to their own safety and sanity, to see this dream realized. A neutral platform where races across the galaxy could meet and work together.

Dressed in a synthetic, leather-like jumpsuit that stored body heat and reduced the need for room-by-room heating units, Pyper finished dressing as she continued to stare out the windows. While all her wardrobe was standard for the residents, Pyper did indulge in one luxury – her boots.

While they were constructed by the same materials as her clothing, Pyper had them custom made to include platformed wedge to the sole that not only elevated her height, but gave her a feeling of personal power. Her mother once referred to them as ‘ass kicking heels’. Whatever they were called back on Earth, Pyper wore them with more than a bit of attitude.

Seeing time grew short, Pyper gathered the last of her things and left her quarters. The tram system platform that transported residents everywhere in the city was across from her building.

Within minutes Pyper arrived at work. She had taken over for her father after his death at 173 Earth years. Why is it the good die so young?

The doors opened automatically as Pyper approached so she never had to break her stride. Confident, brilliant, fierce, fair-minded – all adjectives used to describe Pyper Inshan when she assumed her father’s duties.

“Good morning, Ambassador Inshan,” Pyper’s aide greeted her with respectful bow, “The Kherillion delegation awaits you in the Great Hall.“

Sizes: Maitreya, Legacy[F], Hourglass, Freya, Reborn
HUD: 10 Colors & Metals each
Event Location: NEO Japan // March 2022

For you I become the Alien I am

TUNES

Squatting in your bodies, microscopic breeding
I sleep in you and eat from within
I am the Alien. We are here to help you
Make the mend in the chemical bend
We are the Aliens
I lack emotion, have no love that I can find
I want some devotion, to ease a worried mind
The heart is softened, soul is scorched
The mind erodes away some sentimental thought
The window cracks is closed
The door slams shut, the lights put out
Say no more, speak no less
For you I become the Alien I am
For you I become the Alien I am
The cry primal is muffled, the mouth seal’s tight
The eye looks within, say no more, speak no less
I the Alien
I am the Alien
Reject your human touch
[-Hawkwind -]

Clothing

Outfit: Black Cats Creations – “Alien Mantis” (Maitreya)
Gloves: cinphul – “raptor [gloves]” (Maitreya)
Shoes: cinphul – “raptor [boots]” (Maitreya)

Accessories

Bindi: [CX] – “Kishin Bindi (Black)”
Mask: cinphul – “temperance [mask]”
Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Ear Lobes: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Inazuma Plug” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: no.match – “No_Edge” – NEW @ Hongdae // February 2022
Eyeshadow: Rubedo – “penny 05” (Lel. EvoX BoM)
Face Art: Nefekalum Tattoos – “Hunger #01” (LeL. EvoX BoM)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3”
Tattoo:  .:Vegas:. – “Tattoo No Remorse ( Dark )” (LeL. EvoX BoM)

Poses, Props & Tools

Scenery: cinphul – “azrexok”
Pose: Foxcity – “Tomorrow-4am” (right leg edited with Anypose)

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin