re: being an artist

I have to remind myself all the time. It's my job, therefore I must do my job.

a few more samples

work samples for Intro to Digital Photography class

bored and rusty at photoshop and illustrator

I created this from a couple of different monster related
Adobe tutorials I found on the web.

Spring

One of the first of many flower photos. No, they aren't groundbreaking or original artistic expressions but merely reflections and appreciations of the beauty of nature.

hello 2009

Yesterday was the 12th day of Christmas or Epiphany. It was also Miss V's birthday. I can't believe my better half's baby is now 20. The Oxford English Dictionary defines epiphany as "A manifestation or appearance of some divine or superhuman being." How cool to be born on 1/6. Perhaps I have been waiting for a revelation all these years and the literal version of it has been close to me all along.

I came across an illustrator while perusing a job hunting web newsletter for artists, ArtBistro. Penelope Dullaghan has a wonderful portfolio and blogsite. I like how she used her actual sketchbook/journal for her blog entry dated 010209. It seems most everyone, friends, family, and strangers alike, are all glad 2008 has passed. Adios and amen.

Note to my sis: No, I haven't found a job yet.

last picture 11-28-08

MacLeod's Highland Amber Ale "Duncan"
February 12, 2002 - December 3, 2008
He had the best personality. This was one of his last good
days. Poor guy, he was suffering during the final two days.

Internship

A retraction from an earlier post, I'm not going to start new blogs for thesis and internship, I will write about those topics here. But stayed tuned, I now have a domain and hosting so I will have a portfolio website up soon.

I haven't taken an opportunity to write about my internship at The Band, a multi-platform media agency.
If I had fewer classes this semester I would spend much more time there as the atmosphere is great. The office is small and the in house staff are smart and upbeat folks. Everyone engages in a variety of spirited conversation on all topics, politics being a popular one currently. Levity plays a large part in some of these discussions and thankfully everyone maintains a sense of humor. Yes, much hard work does get accomplished in this setting.
The creative director Jared Wolf is an energetic designer whose brain seems at times to run at supersonic speed. He is very patient and encouraging as an intern mentor. He also is immensely helpful to me on my school related projects since he can brainstorm and problem solve quickly. Added bonus, he is an alumnus of UCD.
Check back for more.

election

Darn, I wish Colin Powell was a presidential candidate for any party. He served his country honorably for 40 years, so one can't blame him for not wanting the job. If most of congress had his common sense and integrity the US would be able to solve or avoid many of its economic and foreign policy problems.

stream of...

The display on my little Nikon reads "lens error!" when I turn it on, very sad.

I'm trying to learn a bit about Flex. It makes sense when my instructor demonstrates it but now when I try to apply it I'm scratching my head. If I wanted to be a web programmer I think I could rule the world.

Still struggling with thesis. There is this invisible barrier. I know it is there but I'm drawn to it by some mysterious magnetic force. If I could articulate it visually in 3D it would be an interesting sight.

Blah, Blah, Blog mania

I swear I am not egotistical or afflicted with multiple personality disorder. I am forced, by college class requirements, to create more blogs geared to specific topics. This blog will now be my general chatty and newsy blog about life events and random thoughts and interests. In the next couple of days I will post links to my new thesis, internship, and Practice of Design blogs.

New and final semester of school

So I don't have to rehash, here is an update on the events of this week

On a happier note, some artistic inspiration. (Like you'd never guess I'd like this style of work.) Andy Gilmore, More Gilmore, & yet some more.

day full of creatures

These guys startled me this morning as I was about to toss a dog waste bag into a dumpster. They were definitely scared. They were shivering and making a soft but high pitched whining noise. After our morning outing my dog had a walk in appointment at the vet and we waited about 2 hours as there was a emergency which required the attention of the staff. I passed the time by visiting with numerous canines. I was surprised how many small pups were there - 3 chihuahuas, a yorkie, a king charles spaniel, and a beautiful grayblue great dane girl. Post emergency, a human mom was presented with a brand new maltipoo who was delivered by c-section. See the newborn

neglect

A month flew by without me blogging. Thanks to my distant friend Ape for suggesting I update. I can't believe school starts next week. I can't account for how I have spent my days. I have been taking many photos, keeping up with bookkeeping, and I have a couple of video projects in process. I made a card for the Steve's and Rich's race team to hand out to fans. I hope to update their blog soon.

random ramblings

It has been great not to be chained to the computer the last few days. This week I started summer semester of school. My one class is beginning Spanish. It is a refreshing change to be in a class with new faces instead of the usual suspects. The pace of the class is fast so I have to stay on my toes to keep up. I'm up to date on bookkeeping and Steve and I met with our accountant on Sunday to file taxes - hooray, what a relief to be done with those tasks.
Back in March I worked with Steve on custom coloring the concrete hearth and wine cooler floor at Tipsy's, a mega liquor store in Jeffco. I did not have an opportunity until yesterday to see the store since the grand opening. One side of the hearth is pictured in the photo above.
I have many art projects on my to do list. I have the beginnings of my own logo, a blog in progress for the train racing team (more to follow), and a preliminary outline for the thesis project with some sketches for a couple of the video storyboards. My resume and portfolio also require intensive attention.
I have also been posting to a daily photoblog the last month. Here's the link since there are now a some pics to view:
Random or Not

Inspiring Impressionism

My sis and I finally made it to the DAM exhibition on the closing weekend. The concept seems like a no brainer, but hey, seeing a great selection of Impressionistic works along with Hals, Botticelli, Velasquez, Fragonard, etc., works for me. When I was a teenager I thought Renoir was it. As one becomes more educated and sophisticated (ha) tastes supposedly evolve. I was surprised how much I loved Renoir's Confidences and Monet's Still Life with Fruit and Flowers. Perhaps one gains more thoughtful appreciation for the things one likes upon first impression (no pun intended). Yes, these are particularly luminescent paintings. My sis and I always comment how much reproductions pale in comparison to originals. Conclusion: see art in person as much as possible.

Link to Getty Museum

Link to Portland Museum of Art

installation fever

My thesis project is going to be a installation piece if I can work out the technical bugs.

I've been inspired by the sculpture work of Jen Stark among others.

See art by Jen Stark

Digital Threads

I found an online project Digital Threads on the Textile of Museum of Canada's website. I'm thrilled to see alternative/interactive digitally based textile art.
Users are allowed to create their own image with elements from the art pieces. Here is mine, I made it quickly so I wouldn't obsess over it.

Go to Digital Threads website

resource

I borrowed Ellen Lupton's new book from the library Graphic Design the New Basics. I'll probably purchase it as it has great visual examples of design elements and principles. I've only read the intro and like Lupton's inclusion of transparency and layers as universal design elements that have emerged with the development of digital imaging tools.
I've always been interested in layers visually and conceptually. I can also easily spend time fiddling around with filters, blending modes, effects, etc., in software applications. Yes, it marks me as a newbie, but so what, I love to experiment.

A picture of the decorative glass ball from my garden - reflective and transparent.

wish I had some spaghetti

so I could throw it against the wall and see what sticks. It may be a more productive approach for working on my final project for my thesis prep class.

A still image from an After Effects experiment with shapes and pattern.