The-Real-Folk-Blues

Everyone seemed to agree it was time for a contest, so let's see how this one goes! I have another planned for right after this if all goes well. I know designing an avatar isn't everyone's thing, so I thought about this for a while to see if there was a way to open the contest up to different types of artists. Take a moment to check it out before you decide you don't want to give it a try; and if in the end you still don't, like I said, there's another contest coming up soon!

GOAL OF THE CONTEST:
Design a new avatar for our group. Since the group is called The-Real-Folk-Blues (the closing theme at the end of every Bebop episode) it should in someway reflect that name, song, or feel. That doesn't mean you have to show the classic image of the rose laying on the ground (not saying you can't) but there are a lot of ways to capture this; be creative! Maybe it can have a bluesy feel, whether through image or color, or have something to do with Spike's story. It's really up to you. If you want to make it more generic Bebop you can, but keep in mind it should probably reflect the feel of the group's name if you want to win.

RULES:
1) Your avatar should be 100px by 50px.
2) It can include whatever you want, but keep in mind the above goal. (For example, designing an avatar of Ed emoticons sounds fun, but doesn't exactly remind most of us of the feel of The Real Folk Blues). It can also be any medium, digital or traditional, or even cosplay photos. As long as you're following the goal above, it can be anything.
3) It has to be in one of these formats: JPG, PNG, or GIF.
4) It can be animated, or it can be flat. For those who don't know how to make animated ones, don't worry; neither one or the other is favored, it depends on how good your design is
5) Your avatar should be well-drawn/designed/made.
6) It does not have to include the name of the group, but if it doesn't have the name, then it really has to stand on its own!
7) Submit by September 18th to the Avatar Contest folder. Up to 2 entries per person.
You don't have to, but it'd be nice to include in your artist's comments on the avatar that you created it for this group.

OTHER INFO:
Feel free to design your avatar from scratch, or, you can use a deviation from your gallery. However, you shouldn't just take a 100x50 crop of a part of your drawing and call it done. Find a way to either design around it or incorporate it into a design/idea you have. For example, you use a 100x50 selection of your art and tastefully incorporate text, color correct it, add additons to the original artwork, etc.
You can't use anyone else's work UNLESS you have permission from them. You must explicitly say you have their permission in your artist's comments.
You want your avatar to be eye-catching and interesting, while still embodying our group. Check out this great journal entry for more on creating avatars: the-group-group.deviantart.com…

Winner will be selected by group vote once the entry deadline has passed

PRIZE FOR WINNER
We will use your avatar as the new one for our group!
15 from me
a feature in our group journal!
Additionally, if there is an avatar I particularly like that does not win the contest, the group will use it during special times occasionally throughout the year! (maybe during contests, or holidays!)

So there you go! Have fun everyone! Can't wait to see the entries!