Artsy fartsy gobbledeegook

Visit a new blog

2010-05-29T10:51:00.003-05:00

Sorry, I knew I would eventually abandon this thing. Maybe I will get serious with a new one at the end of the summer, but I doubt it. Until then, here is what I am currently involved with:

Backpack Journalism in the Dominican Republic

It is a course that is actually called Backpack Journalism in the Dominican Republic and we leave for the DR very early Monday morning. You can visit that blog to see what the students are doing and what my role is in the adventure.

CS5 Photoshop Content Aware Fill

2010-04-02T02:03:00.002-05:00

Exploding Banana Head

2010-02-28T02:01:00.002-06:00

Corporations vs. People

2010-01-31T09:55:00.003-06:00

I’ve had several friends that seemed confused that I was so upset when the Supreme Court of the United States ruled as they did a week ago last Thursday. That day, I attended a department meeting and almost launched into a tirade before controlling myself and changing the subject. I’ve frequently had heated discussions since that ruling. I have a very elementary problem with the decision.

It has been pointed out numerous times over the past ten days that the Supreme Court overturned a century of precedents in one ruling, and they did so in a way that opens the floodgates that will most certainly further corrupt our already corrupt political system.

For years it seemed that corporations had two votes for every one vote for the public. Now they have something like three. Corporations achieved the unimaginable with the SCOTUS ruling.

Regarding the simple act of voting: People heading the corporations can naturally vote. So can the public.
+1 Corporations
+1 People

Corporate lobbyists already have far, far more access and influence with congress than the public.
+1 Corporations
+0 People

And now:

Money: By overturning a century of legal precedents, private corporations have now been given more power to outspend the public. $ = Time. $ = Visibility. $ = Power.
+1 Corporations
+0 People

Corporations = 3
People = 1

The fact is that corporations have one bottom line: Profits.
They only answer to one group: Their investors.

Politicians are supposed to answer to one group: Their constituents.
Of course, many would reasonably argue they answer to a different group: Lobbyists.

It used to be a cynical view that a politician’s job was to get re-elected even though his/her job is (once was), in reality, to represent the people.

Chalk up one more for the monied interests.

Now, move on and learn your new Pledge of Allegiance.

Spampersand

2010-01-22T19:01:00.005-06:00

Can anyone identify the creator of this for me? Too awesome.

Edit: Apparently, this is the guy that made it. Check out his Corned Beef Hash. Thanks for the tip, Anonymous!

Supreme Court FAIL

2010-01-21T21:53:00.003-06:00

From Mother Jones:

Justice John Paul Stevens, in a stinging dissent written for the minority, argues that the right wing of the court has engaged in a brazen act of activism--and has done so to award corporations more legal rights than they have previously been afforded.

A few excerpts:

* Even more misguided is the notion that the Court must rewrite the law relating to campaign expenditures by for-profit corporations and unions to decide this case.

* The conceit that corporations must be treated identically to natural persons in the political sphere is not only inaccurate but also inadequate to justify the Court’s disposition of this case.

* Although they make enormous contributions to our society, corporations are not actually members of it. They cannot vote or run for office. Because they may be managed and controlled by nonresidents, their interests may conflict in fundamental respects with the interests of eligible voters.

* The financial resources, legal structure,and instrumental orientation of corporations raise legitimate concerns about their role in the electoral process. Our lawmakers have a compelling constitutional basis, if not also a democratic duty, to take measures designed to guard against the potentially deleterious effects of corporate spending in local and national races.

* The majority’s approach to corporate electioneering marks a dramatic break from our past. Congress has placed special limitations on campaign spending by corporations ever since the passage of the Tillman Act in 1907....We have unanimously concluded [in 1982] that this “reflects a permissible assessment of the dangers posed by those entities to the electoral process"...and have accepted the “legislative judgment that the special characteristics of the corporate structure require particularly careful regulation...The Court today rejects a century of history when it treats the distinction between corporate and individual campaign spending as an invidious novelty born [in a 1990 opinion].

* The Court’s ruling threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions across the Nation. The path it has taken to reach its outcome will, I fear, do damage to this institution.

Conan vs. Leno

2010-01-20T07:33:00.003-06:00

All clear now

iTunes U

2010-01-11T08:23:00.002-06:00

These are mostly old videos, but for those of you that would like some free lessons on Photoshop or Illustrator, you can check out my postings on iTunes U.

Photoshop lessons

Illustrator lessons

Johnny Carson memories

2010-01-10T08:40:00.001-06:00

I don't know what reminded me of this. Every once in a while I see some bad rip off of the brilliant Abbott and Costello Who's on First routine. One of the only people to ever do it well was Johnny Carson.

Of course, there is nothing like the original. I remember laughing so hard the first time I heard it, but I also remember how hard my Dad laughed even though he was hearing it for the umpteenth time when he played it for me

Kurt Vonnegut

2010-01-09T07:48:00.000-06:00

A friend who knows I love Vonnegut reminded me of a quote from him the other day.

"We could have saved the Earth but we were too damned cheap."

I miss Kurt. He is someone I would have liked to have met.

Extraordinary Rendition video

2010-01-07T08:15:00.000-06:00

Leedy Volkous installation, pt 3

2010-01-06T18:15:00.000-06:00

There is also a looping video on one wall.

Here is a detail of one of the drawings.

Leedy Volkous installation, pt 2

2010-01-05T13:11:00.000-06:00

Each frame has a surveillance camera attached to it. These video captures are sent back to a surveillance system placed in another room. All video is backed up on the local drive in the computer.

Leedy Volkous installation

2010-01-04T13:00:00.002-06:00

This exhibit debuted at the Sierra Arts Foundation gallery in Reno, NV (huge props to Jill Berryman), but it continues to evolve. It is currently at the Leedy Volkous gallery in Kansas City, MO (huge props to Holly Swangtu). It will eventually end up in Omaha for the first full version of the installation...

These images are clickable details if you want to see them larger. I will post several images and a video over the next few days, including the surveillance system in action. The show has been up since the first week of November and continues on through the end of the month. If you live in KC, check it out.

These drawings are each 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide.

Rendition in Progress, pt 13

2010-01-03T13:05:00.000-06:00

A detail from the same stage as below...

Rendition in Progress, pt 12

2010-01-02T13:03:00.001-06:00

Not exactly finished, but I had to deliver it to the Leedy-Voulkos as-is. I will likely do a bit more to it when the current show comes down.

Rendition in Progress, pt 11

2010-01-01T12:58:00.001-06:00

It isn't done here, really, but I had to stop working on it so I could drive the work down to Kansas City and install it at the Leedy-Voulkos Art Gallery.

I will post shots of the installation tomorrow.

Happy New Year...

My New Year's resolution is only 72 dpi

okay, I overheard that

Rendition in Progress, pt 10

2009-12-31T09:56:00.001-06:00

Now it is starting to take shape. Once I am confident I have the mid-tones, proportions and general areas developed correctly, then I attack the dark areas.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Leave a birthday wish for my Dad in the comments. I guess that will also let me know if anyone bothers to visit here, anymore...

Rendition in Progress, pt 9

2009-12-30T13:55:00.000-06:00

More of the same techniques, just taking a tad darker and fixing stuff.

Rendition in Progress, pt 8

2009-12-29T13:53:00.000-06:00

Some traditional drawing starting with the addition of conté.

Paula Whyman is blogging about this drawing. Hmmm. Let's see if she critiques the exhibit as well. ;)

Rendition in Progress, pt 7

2009-12-28T12:33:00.000-06:00

Here is a detail from the image from yesterday.

Rendition in Progress, pt 6

2009-12-27T13:52:00.000-06:00

Darkening the background. Still all brushwork. No traditional drawing, yet.

Rendition in Progress, pt 5

2009-12-26T17:52:00.000-06:00

Establishing some slightly darker areas

Rendition in Progress, pt 4

2009-12-26T05:51:00.001-06:00

This is basically the same stage as the image from the previous post, without the clutter.

Rendition in Progress, pt 3

2009-12-25T05:48:00.000-06:00

Here you can see the tray, foam brushes and the large brush I cover large areas with. I leave sheets of paper on the drawing to keep from accidentally smudging the drawing as I rest my arm on it...

You can probably also tell I am drawing with my eraser nearly as much as with graphite.

Merry Christmas, btw

Rendition in Progress, pt 2

2009-12-24T17:46:00.000-06:00

Still "painting" with graphite.

Rendition in Progress, pt 1

2009-12-23T17:39:00.001-06:00

So here is the new version. I think the images that will appear over the next 10 days are actually from two different drawings (one abandoned, one finished).

Essentially, what a few friends say they found odd (other than the fact that I draw and paint with both hands at the same time), is that I paint with graphite before I draw with graphite. What I mean is that I take graphite powder and brush the powder on with a traditional oil paintbrush and rub it around with foam brushes as I start the base of the drawing. It is something like getting an underpainting established before working on the rest of the painting.

Why? I'm not sure. I just discovered it was easier and quicker and I could more easily erase and alter parts of a drawing this way. This makes it easier to fix proportions and change values (light and dark areas).

In this image, you can see the watercolor tray where I put the powder and one of the foam brushes.

Rendition in Progress (details)

2009-12-22T11:14:00.000-06:00

Since I realized it was hard to see the lines in the damaged paper I was describing in the previous post, I thought I would upload a couple details. The image above is near the top of the drawing. The image below is the exact same spot, but with the contrast cranked up to better show the damage.

Rendition in Progress [intro]

2009-12-21T17:30:00.001-06:00

I forgot to post these. Amy Nelson asked me if I could do a demonstration of a large-scale drawing in one of her classes. It hasn't happened, yet, but I promised to take pics of a drawing as I worked on it. This is an image of a new drawing (started about two months ago, actually) on a new roll of paper. This drawing, like all the others in the series, is 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide.

You can't tell in this image, but I quickly discovered the roll of paper was damaged, and considering it was about $150 worth of paper (for the entire roll), I decided to abandon the drawing and have the roll replaced.

If you look closely, you can see the paper has dozens of damaged areas that show up as vertical lines throughout the entire sheet.

I will schedule posts for the next ten days so each stage will appear here. Then I will post images of the show in KC. I doubt anyone is paying attention to this blog since I essentially abandoned it for so long, but just in case anyone is interested...

Tree Hugger

2009-12-05T22:54:00.004-06:00

My little mini-doc piece on Jeff Grewe.

It is available in HD, if you choose.

Nothing in November?

2009-11-30T22:41:00.000-06:00

Hmmmm... no posts in November.

This can't be a good sign.

Although, actually, maybe it is a blessing?

Alive

2009-10-28T00:45:00.001-05:00

I keep forgetting about this blog. There are so many things I've meant post, but so many distractions. I will try and post soon regarding the exhibit in Kansas City. ...maybe next week, with progress shots of the new drawing...

"Oh dear..."

2009-10-09T02:11:00.002-05:00

Before I wake up, NASA will have already begun the bombing. Goodbye, Moon!

And they say the midwest is in great distress
and NASA blew up the moon
The ozone layer has no ozone anymore
and you're gonna leave me for the guy next door
I'm Sick of You
I'm Sick of You

--Lou Reed

Speaking Piano

2009-10-08T22:53:00.002-05:00

Creighton, tilt-shift time-lapse

2009-09-30T23:36:00.002-05:00

Click expand arrows to view larger.

Glenn Beck is an idiot

2009-09-24T12:31:00.004-05:00

I don't care if he is only faking it and I wouldn't have been surprised had he actually done it. Why do you look up to this douchebag, people?

Edit:
Turns out there is a website devoted to this topic:
Glenn Beck is an Idiot (.com)

Mt. Cook, NZ time-lapse

2009-09-17T08:16:00.001-05:00

One final time-lapse from Mt. Cook, New Zealand. All of these NZ videos were created when I was at the New Pacific Studio residency...

Grand Canyon time-lapse

2009-09-16T01:14:00.001-05:00

Another Grand Canyon time-lapse. This one is very short

Grand Canyon tilt-shift

2009-09-15T08:11:00.001-05:00

I guess this is the week of videos... this is another time-lapse, again with the tilt-shift lens. Fun to take a massive thing like the Grand Canyon and miniaturize it. I shot these Grand Canyon videos this summer, but the New Zealand ones were shot during their summer (IOW - January/February)

Kiwi [night vision]

2009-09-14T20:09:00.000-05:00

I realized I promised I would post video of some of the kiwi I saw, but never did. I caught one calling out (very cool) and one actually touching me (accidentally). These little buggers are absolutely fascinating to me.

Mt. Cook, NZ sunset time-lapse

2009-09-13T08:39:00.000-05:00

Castlepoint, NZ tilt-shift

2009-09-13T03:36:00.002-05:00

Mt. Cook, New Zealand

2009-09-12T02:01:00.004-05:00

A time-lapse I shot when I was down in New Zealand. Never got around to editing or posting any of the time-lapses until now.

Storm panorama

2009-09-11T04:19:00.001-05:00

This wide panorama is hard to see so small (click on it for a detail) but it is an approaching storm in Idaho. I took it years ago, but just stumbled across it tonight and since I had nothing interesting to say (beyond calling Rep. Joe Wilson a douchebag), I thought I'd just toss it up here...

John Green's Thought Bubble

2009-09-06T00:53:00.002-05:00

Wood Spider

2009-09-04T21:38:00.000-05:00

Selling out or buying in?

2009-08-31T12:27:00.004-05:00

by Michael Stodola (guest blogger)

Recently, public voting began for the 2009 Omaha Entertainment Awards. And being a fan of some art and entertainment in the Big “O,” I felt compelled to let my voice be heard – especially when it came to artists.

And when it comes to visual artists at large, Tim Guthrie’s name pops right to the top (well… right under Chuck Close, Roger Brown and Pollack). So, when he shot a message to me hoping for support, I was already lined up in his queue.

But almost immediately, he regretted the mention. Many of us know Tim’s modesty, and understand that any decent artist would lower their head when it comes to being recognized. I, on the other hand, didn’t wince at the thought of giving props to someone deserving of said recognition.

I went. I registered. I voted. (Just like Julius Caesar).

And a dialogue began. Is this shilling? Is it promoting a “just cause?” Could it even be considered affirmative action? (A controversial “ooooooooo” comes over the crowd.)

It seems quite the lofty debate, but at the end of the day it comes down to the difference between “good art” and “bad art:” INTENT. Yes, “intent” is my personal value system of any form of self-expression. Are you in it to answer questions? To explore feelings? To make a statement? Or just grab your 15 minutes?

And speaking of fame, isn’t art itself a form of self-promotion – and so those precious 15 minutes do hold some value, no? Isn’t the world just one large wiki? And the levels of thought/self/morals are in constant play. And I, like Mr. Potter, stand for the good guys – even if they are “pushing” their own agenda.

Tim’s opinions on torture are no less evident than those of Rush Limbaugh. The obvious difference lays in the eloquence of Tim’s protest verses the desperate dominance of some fat guy (yes, I’ll freely promote my opinion as well). And while there are a million levels of gray, art has always been the soapbox of the soul. From Diego Rivera’s “Man at the Crossroads” to any one of Warhol’s cans, it’s the artist’s ideals we’re digesting. Love or hate, and the world careens in that direction.

So reality follows: Tim needs recognition (both deserving of and as a requirement of employment), we are aligned with his thought, talent and character, we vote to support.

His intent is rather clear to me. He’s a seasoned artist making his way through the war-torn streets of American society. He picks up some trash; he polishes a few windows and plants flowers here and there. And just like the Facebook option, we choose to see MORE of him or LESS of him. Being a Creative Director in advertising, I feel compelled to fill more shelves with the product of Mr. Guthrie. And sell it. Sell it like a sunflower at Christies.

Michael Stodola generously contributed this post as a guest blogger. Although I am a bit embarrassed by Michael's kind words, I was happy to share them with each of you... I usually honestly don't understand why anyone would care a whit about the work I create, so this means that much more.

You can find more of Michael's writing here.

RNR Article

2009-08-28T09:38:00.002-05:00

Chad Sorg wrote a great little article about my show in Reno. What I particularly love is the accidental juxtaposition of the advertisement below. Joel McHale looks like he is a part of the show.

Lies about Healthcare

2009-08-22T00:15:00.002-05:00

Exclusive - Betsy McCaughey Extended Interview Pt. 1

Exclusive - Betsy McCaughey Extended Interview Pt. 2

Snapshot

2009-08-18T10:20:00.004-05:00

You have likely already seen this since this image has gone viral, but just in case you haven't, read about it here.

"My husband and I were exploring Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park, Canada, when we stopped for a timed picture of the two of us. We had our camera set up on some rocks and were getting ready to take the picture when this curious little ground squirrel appeared, became intrigued with the sound of the focusing camera and popped right into our shot! A once in a lifetime moment! We were laughing about this little guy for days!"

American Idol 2008

2009-08-15T00:50:00.003-05:00

I don't watch the show, but still, how can a year have passed before I finally saw this? Too funny...

Chad Sorg's free art

2009-08-11T20:12:00.003-05:00

An artist friend of mine in Reno is currently giving away all of his art. He creates some very cool work and according the the words on his web site: "Chad Sorg doesn't want to store his artwork anymore. His vow is to give (yes give) away one of his mixed-media works of art per week for one entire year. The give-away of each piece will be televised right here. Applications for free Sorgs will be based on love of the work. (he IS, however, bribable.)"

Visit and show the loooove (apparently cute girls have the best shot). Here is the one I want:

Edit: Come on, let's introduce his work to the midwest.

Muto by Blu

2009-08-09T21:28:00.003-05:00

Every few months, or so, I run across this animation and watch it again. Buenos Aires graffiti art at its best.

Coming to an end...

2009-08-08T08:15:00.004-05:00

Thanks, friends and family that visited this bootless blog.

Those that actually paid attention know that this was only meant to last a year and do no more than update people close to me on my travels and artistic experiments. I might update this now and then in the future. I can't say. I do know, however, that if I do, it won't see an update more than a few times a month, and I wouldn't be surprised if a full month, or two, passes without a post.

...but, thanks for visiting.

Maureen, my friend that lives in Paris now, was visiting with her son Leslie. I took lots of pics of Leslie when I was visiting them in Paris last summer, but I didn't take many pics this time. All I got was low light snapshots with the iPhone (not good in low light).

Here is Maureen (2nd from left) with Sheila and Andy.

Here is Bob Garfield behind his porpoise ice sculpture. As it started to melt, Bob and I started decorating it with rose petals.

Then I turned it into a bunny.

How's that for an anticlimactic end to the blog? Ok... maybe not the end, but certainly the end of the sabbatical...

Iron Giant anniversary

2009-08-07T12:58:00.003-05:00

"HO-garrrrth???"

Came out 10 years ago, today. A ridiculously underrated film. This should have been a hit. Do yourself a favor and stick it on Netflix.

A Peaceful Reminder

2009-08-06T08:15:00.000-05:00

Aug 6th and Aug 9th... a reminder to take a moment.

just a peaceful reminder

Moon Landing Proof

2009-08-04T21:04:00.009-05:00

NASA released some cool images for the 40th anniversary... This video is just so cool to watch, especially if you open the image above in a window at the left of your screen and open the Youtube video to the right. You can actually track the landing of Apollo 11 (the shadow of which you can see at the top of the image).

I know there are still weirdos that want to claim it was all faked, but I find it much harder to believe our government is capable of such detailed deception. They are too incompetent (ha).

You can see the points marked by the lines in the image (#1 at top, #3 at bottom) above if you closely follow the video from 1969:

3a. line: 6m. 31s. video
2a. line: 6m. 49s. video
1a. line: 7m. 04s. video
Arrow: 7m. 25s. video

Hybrids...

2009-07-31T15:59:00.002-05:00

I miss my Insight when I have to drive something else. In Flagstaff, however, Monet loaned me her car (also an Insight), so that was nice. I am renting a car in Reno. It is a Prius (my parents own one). Hurrah for hybrids.

Grand Canyon w/ iPhone

2009-07-31T15:12:00.002-05:00

Yeah... more iPhone shots. I am a lazy photographer.

A girl posing for her boyfriend. Looked like a cool shot from behind, so I quickly whipped out my phone.

The day before the storm rolled through.

A colorful cloud snapped through the windshield while Mark was driving us around in Flagstaff.

Grand Canyon Lightning Storm

2009-07-28T00:27:00.001-05:00

For the few that have made comments to me that they would like to see some "nice" stuff, here are images of some cool lightning strikes I captured while visiting the Grand Canyon at sunset...

All of these are linked to larger details.

Max on the Edge

2009-07-27T01:20:00.000-05:00

Edge (network) is a bad thing on the iPhone (you want 3G, natch). However, Max twisted my arm into adding Edge (the game) to my iPhone. After I got through all the levels, I went back to the beginning to improve my times. I was addicted. I think I am getting better (in more ways than one)...

Extraordinary Rendition [installation]

2009-07-26T00:37:00.004-05:00

We installed the show at night so all of these images are awful. I will take new images the day of the opening, but here is a sneak peek.

One of the four drawings.

Two more of the four drawings.

One of the surveillance cameras attached to the top of each frame.

The surveillance system in action.

Rob Peterson very generously helped hang the show with Anthony from the Sierra Art Foundation. I can't thank Rob enough. I hadn't seen him in a long time and he just volunteered to come help. Anthony will finish hanging the projector for the video (can't thank Anthony enough, either). We had to stop installing because I had to get to sleep so I could catch my early plane the next morning. Jeff Babcock kindly gave me a bed to sleep in and got up at an ungodly hour to drive me to the airport.

David Duchovny & Téa Leoni

2009-07-25T22:00:00.002-05:00

One other thing... we ran into David Duchovny & Téa Leoni when we were out at dinner in Flagstaff. I stopped in a chocolate shop to get a treat for Mark, Monet and Leaf. Duchovny was playing with his son and let him hang from his neck (standing up a little so he dangled) and Téa was teasing her daughter about something at the counter. I was standing next in line. I didn't get out my iPhone because I thought it would be rude, especially since I thought I had accidentally cut in front of someone else.

I asked Duchovny if I had cut in line and he smirked and said "I don't know. Maybe."

I apologized to the family to my side and moved and the father responded "We're just looking." So, I stepped back in my original spot and said "I guess not." Duchovny just smirked again and raised his eyebrows.

They seemed like a happy family to me and they were courteous and polite. When I got back to our table in the restaurant, everyone was talking about seeing Duchovny walk by... no one seemed to remember her name so I found myself repeating, "Her name is Téa Leoni."

Hummingbird Moth

2009-07-25T21:57:00.003-05:00

This is not my video, but we saw several of these walking around Flagstaff. At first we thought they were hummingbirds, but the creatures let us get very close to them and we finally could see they were actually moths...

Max and Avenue Q

2009-07-24T13:21:00.001-05:00

My little brother, Max, is so damned talented. He has been touring for years with various shows just playing his sax and other woodwind instruments. He just heard that he will be touring with Avenue Q (Broadway show) through the remainder of the year. If it comes to town, check out the show and say hi to Max for me.

Digital Stereo - Canon G10

2009-07-23T17:21:00.006-05:00

Here is a picture of Ryan Sweigart, a participant in the Visiting Artist workshop I am conducting at Sierra Nevada College (Incline Village / Lake Tahoe). I was showing Ryan my little makeshift digital stereo camera. I took two Canon G10 cameras and turned them into a digital stereo camera.

Not too shabby. I will have to play around with the design a bit more...

Taxes, bombing, etc...

2009-07-22T00:24:00.006-05:00

It shouldn't surprise me that the States that complain the most about taxes are the ones that get the most taxes from the federal government (put in a dollar, and get back $2, then complain like mad. Nuts). What is truly surprising to me, however, is how far down Nevada is on the list.

A massive portion of Nevada is owned by the government (specifically, the military, which uses a lot of it for bombing ranges - including the Nevada Test Site, home of over 900 nuclear tests). It is also the State where all of our nuclear waste is to be dumped (Yucca Mountain). Certainly Nevada deserves a bit more.

So, basically, the State the federal government uses as a wasteland and bombing range is near the bottom of the list.

Huh.

Wii Fit insults me, pt 3

2009-07-21T00:16:00.001-05:00

It is incredible to look at StatCounter and see how many hits I get for variations of "Wii fit insults me." Over the past several hundred keyword searches that took people to this blog, 7.53 % have been variations of that phrase. Far and away it is the most searched phrase on my Statcounter page.

There are some pissed Wii users out there...

On a side note, I've noticed my friends have stopped leaving comments. I must be boring the crap out of everyone.

The Original Moonwalk

2009-07-20T00:01:00.001-05:00

NASA released newly restored video from the July 20, 1969, live television broadcast of the Apollo 11 moonwalk. The release commemorates the 40th anniversary of the first mission to land astronauts on the moon.

With all this attention to Michael Jackson and his moonwalk, it is nice to see a restoration of the original moonwalk...

Underwater housing

2009-07-19T00:02:00.003-05:00

I'd been tempted for a few years to buy underwater housing for one of my cameras (even though I don't live near a big body of water). I finally broke down this week and got something for my Sony HD video camera so I could shoot an underwater sequence for the video I was creating for Pennella's workshop. I figured I could use it and then resell it on eBay after I was through with it.

I have to admit I am enjoying it so much that I may not post it on eBay, afterall. In fact, I might go kayaking and take the camera with me...

Lake Tahoe

2009-07-18T23:52:00.001-05:00

We haven't had any clouds in a week. Nice to finally see some clouds up at Lake Tahoe...

Production still

2009-07-17T11:35:00.000-05:00

This is a screen shot of the short film I was creating while at the workshop in Incline Village (run by Joseph Pennella, a Director on the TV series Monk). I don't quite have it done. I also feel I could add some more creative elements to the film if it were an animation, instead. So, I think I will toy around this weekend with the idea of rotoscoping the entire thing.

I know. Seems insane, but I am just so drawn to the idea, if you can pardon the pun.

Kurt Vonnegut

2009-07-16T11:02:00.001-05:00

I have been lamenting over the past few years that radicals of one ideology have pushed me away from more moderate positions. I began questioning whether this was a bad thing, then someone reminded me of this Vonnegut quote:

"Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can't see from the center."
- Kurt Vonnegut

Plato's Deathmetal Tumors

2009-07-14T23:35:00.006-05:00

Many years ago I was working with Lance Olsen on 10:01, an interactive novel / web site based on his original novel. He mentioned to me he would like to see a link for a fictional band formed by Mosh, a character in the novel. The band was called Plato's Deathmetal Tumors. Naturally, I said, "Sure."

However, I thought it would be a nice touch to also have a song on the site, so I asked him what the band was supposed to be like. I also created an album cover and called the album "Splatter Grey Matter."

Lance replied something to the effect, "A bad death metal band. Mosh is not a great singer."

So I took that and ran with it. I created a "bad" metal song called Krasin' (made with Garageband) and slapped it on our fake site.

I had forgotten all about it after all these years, but I ran across it recently. It is too funny. Just be forewarned it is bad... it seems right that you should know that before you visit the band's website.

iPhone Most Popular Camera Online

2009-07-14T00:29:00.002-05:00

Surpassing even the Nikon D80, Canon EOS 40D, and Canon Rebels... See? All my iPhone camera talk wasn't so far off.

Early Special Effects

2009-07-13T02:33:00.003-05:00

When my Dad was young, he had heard about a film depicting the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots. Of course, that would have happened hundreds of years before the invention of film. This meant that it was a reenactment. This also means it was one of the very first uses of special effects. He found this hunting around at the Library of Congress site.

Fulgurator

2009-07-09T15:45:00.001-05:00

Lilly & Bärpanzer

2009-07-07T19:50:00.003-05:00

I acquired this lovely illustration from the Canadian illustrator Eric Orchard. You can buy his children's books directly from him. His work is friggin' awesome.

Prepping for the Exhibit

2009-07-06T23:07:00.003-05:00

I have to stop working on the drawings for the Extraordinary Renditions exhibit in Reno. This was one of the last images I snapped in the studio (this messy studio image might be the last view of the old studio - I move to a new studio this Fall ... I hope).

I might use those wonderful red velvet ropes my Mom so kindly made for Nuclear Dichotomies. I am trying to decide if they are too over-the-top, but considering there will be surveillance cameras in this exhibit and I want to separate visitors from the images, the ropes seem very appropriate. Plus, with so much black and white in the exhibit, I like the shock of red...

Arbor Aesthetics

2009-07-04T01:26:00.002-05:00

This is a screen capture of a mini-doc I am doing on Arbor Aesthetics.

Search results

2009-07-01T10:36:00.002-05:00

From week to week, this list can look pretty different, but this is the most recent (and random) 300 keyword searches that brought visitors to this site, according to StatCounter. This thumbnail is just a portion of the full list. Click for a long list:

Your browser will shrink the GIF to a very tiny size at the far left in your browser. To view it larger, just hover your cursor over the image and click on it when you see the little + zoom tool. Scroll and search for your name!

This Week in Journalism

2009-06-30T21:17:00.002-05:00

From Pictures for Sad Children

PLEASE Stop Rockin'

2009-06-28T17:44:00.004-05:00

As a few of my friends already know, I use Shazam on my iPhone not necessarily to identify good songs, but usually to identify a shitty song that I hear while in a restaurant or store (some place I am forced to listen to top 40).

While at Pepperjax for a quick dinner with Beth, I heard another horrible song.

"God this song sucks. Who is this?"

Beth didn't know, so I pulled out my iPhone and started up Shazam, not expecting Shazam to identify the song over the din in the restaurant during our din din. I was amazed Shazam identified it. I was even more amazed that it was a collaboration between arguably the all-time worst top 40 band (REO Speedwagon) and a nearly equally awful band, Styx (with Journey, et al, it is hard to know if they are the two worst bands ever).

While calling up the song for more info, I found the bands are touring together this summer.

Ugh. I feel sick to my stomach. I hope I don't barf up my dinner...

How Tetris Blocks are Made

2009-06-25T12:55:00.000-05:00

Mike Dibb

2009-06-22T00:20:00.001-05:00

When I was at the Blue Mountain Center, I met Mike Dibb, a documentary filmmaker from the UK. Mike learned of an inmate named Donny Johnson at the Pelican State Prison. He was introduced to him by a friend of his, Steve Kurtz, and he has been corresponding with him for some time. Donny has been in solitary confinement for 20 years. In order to try and stay sane, Donny began to create tiny paintings. Since he isn't allowed paint or brushes, he has had to improvise and has made brushes from his own hair, and paints by extracting ink from pens and by dissolving the coatings on M&Ms and Skittles candies for color. He started mailing them to Mike after they started corresponding.

Here is another detail:

And this is the back of the card he painted it on.

Beth Thielen and BerkShares

2009-06-20T10:37:00.001-05:00

This is Beth Thielen (left) with one of her projects. Beth is another artist and activist I met at the Blue Mountain Center. She told us about an experiment in the Berkshire region of Massachusetts where they are printing their own currency which they call BerkShares. Exchanging $100 gets you $105 BerkShare dollars.

Beth sent me an email this morning (with the image above) and the message, "What better way to participate in an experiment for an alternative economic future than to buy my morning coffee with BerkShares!"

I took a snapshot of some of the currency. The top two are the fronts of bills and the remainder are the backs:

From their website, this is an explanation of BerkShares:

"BerkShares are a local currency for the Berkshire region. Dubbed a "great economic experiment" by the New York Times, BerkShares are a tool for community empowerment, enabling merchants and consumers to plant the seeds for an alternative economic future for their communities. Launched in the fall of 2006, BerkShares had a robust initiation, with over one million BerkShares having been circulated in the first nine months and over two million to date. Currently, more than three hundred and sixty businesses have signed up to accept the currency. Five different banks have partnered with BerkShares, with a total of thirteen branch offices now serving as exchange stations. For BerkShares, this is only the beginning. Future plans could involve BerkShare checking accounts, electronic transfer of funds, ATM machines, and even a loan program to facilitate the creation of new, local businesses manufacturing more of the goods that are used locally."

Green Lawn

2009-06-20T00:14:00.004-05:00

In addition to driving the original 2000 Honda Insight hybrid, which gets the best gas mileage of any car (sorry wonderful Prius), I also use an Earthwise electric lawn mower. This has been a great lawnmower, but I keep procrastinating on sharpening the blade. I finally ordered a new blade tonight so I could remove the original and take my sweet time sharpening it. Never hurts to have a spare blade, I suppose...

Hampton, NH

2009-06-18T23:11:00.001-05:00

Beth ... on an excursion from Boston.

Diane

Maggie

Beth reflected in Maggie's sunglasses

Diane and Mike

Douglas Adams

2009-06-17T13:57:00.001-05:00

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.

-- Douglas Adams

Janice, a college friend, had this quote on her site... couldn't help passing it on

Fire

2009-06-16T12:30:00.000-05:00

I miss hanging around the campfires at the Blue Mountain Center.

Susan Rosenberg

2009-06-15T12:22:00.000-05:00

Susan kicked everyone's ass in ping pong. Everyone's.

Blue Mountain Center

2009-06-14T12:10:00.002-05:00

I have been so caught up with other things (Apple training and traveling) that I haven't updated in a long while. About a month ago I was at the Blue Mountain Center. These are just a handful of images from BMC.

Eddie Martinez

Paul Rucker

Apple Store

2009-06-13T12:35:00.000-05:00

Max and I visited the Apple Store while I was visiting him in New York.

Glow-in-the-dark monkeys

2009-05-28T16:35:00.005-05:00

50 years to the day after we sent the first monkeys into space, we now have glow-in-the-dark monkeys.

Ah, progress.

Special thanks to Bill Gross for bringing this to my attention.

iPhone trick

2009-05-28T14:06:00.000-05:00

I've gotten good at a bar trick that could win me lots of money. I can balance my iPhone apps on a razor's edge between two screens. Not very impressive in a still image, but it is if you see it in action - especially if you want to lose money and bet me that I can't do it...

NPR humor

2009-05-27T01:07:00.000-05:00

This post appeared because I lacked internet access for more than a couple days in a row...

Until I return, enjoy some NPR humor from a webcomic I stubbled across:

Tea boarding

2009-05-26T15:00:00.002-05:00

I found this image in a history book at the Blue Mountain Center. The caption read "The punishment of an English spy." They are water boarding him with tea. if you look closely, you can see a noose above him ... and making assumptions based on the weird looking legs, it appears he was also tarred and feathered, but I don't know. Either way, apparently we have been water boarding from the very first days as a country. But with Earl Grey. Interesting.

Edit:
Fun facts: Earl Grey tea was named after Charles Grey, the second earl in his line. He was Prime Minister to King William IV in the early 19th century. The legend is that the Earl was given the recipe by a Chinese mandarin with whom he was friends, and whose life he had saved. [link]

Max in NYC

2009-05-25T14:03:00.002-05:00

Max and I met his friend Cassie then went out for drinks and food. This is just a quick iPhone shot while in Times Square.

Tortures

2009-05-24T09:48:00.002-05:00

by Wislawa Szymborska

Nothing has changed.
The body is susceptible to pain,
it must eat and breathe air and sleep,
it has thin skin and blood right underneath,
an adequate stock of teeth and nails,
its bones are breakable, its joints are stretchable.
In tortures all this is taken into account.

Nothing has changed.
The body shudders as it shuddered
before the founding of Rome and after,
in the twentieth century before and after Christ.
Tortures are as they were, it's just the earth that's grown smaller,
and whatever happens seems right on the other side of the wall.

Nothing has changed.
It's just that there are more people,
besides the old offenses new ones have appeared,
real, imaginary, temporary, and none,
but the howl with which the body responds to them,
was, is and ever will be a howl of innocence
according to the time-honored scale and tonality.

Nothing has changed.
Maybe just the manners, ceremonies, dances.
Yet the movement of the hands in protecting the head is the same.
The body writhes, jerks and tries to pull away,
its legs give out, it falls, the knees fly up,
it turns blue, swells, salivates and bleeds.

Nothing has changed.
Except for the course of boundaries,
the line of forests, coasts, deserts and glaciers.
Amid these landscapes traipses the soul,
disappears, comes back, draws nearer, moves away,
alien to itself, elusive, at times certain, at others uncertain of its own existence,
while the body is and is and is
and has nowhere to go.

Poems, new and collected, 1957-1997 / Wisława Szymborska translated from the Polish by Stanisław Barańczak and Clare Cavanagh.

Rendition edition 3

2009-05-23T00:34:00.001-05:00

Another stage of the most recent Extraordinary Rendition drawing.