While I'm trying to avoid drinking from the social media firehose that is Twitter, I do occasionally have links I want to share without writing a whole post about them, or images or words I want to keep in a sort of public scrapbook.
To that end, I've created a Tumblr. Check it out if that's your sort of thing.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
John Quincy Awesome
John Quincy Adams, according to his own letters, placed his hand on a constitutional law volume rather than a Bible to indicate where his fealty lay.
The niceties of naugural oaths have been much in the news lately, including the anecdote above. It really struck me when I read it, and I thought I'd share for those who might not have heard it.
The niceties of naugural oaths have been much in the news lately, including the anecdote above. It really struck me when I read it, and I thought I'd share for those who might not have heard it.
Friday, January 23, 2009
A Timely Meme
I have been infected with a meme. Amazingly enough it's one that produces more than just masturbatory posts about your favorite films or fast foods or something. It's also timely, given my recent efforts. So timely that I couldn't turn it down. So, here goes...
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1) I make no guarantees that you will like what I make;
2) It'll be done this year;
3) You have no clue what it's going to be. It could be anything but it will most likely be made of paper.
4) I will probably make something pretty nerdy.
If you post, you must agree to spread this sort of "meme" only if you actually want to, rather than paying attention to the instructions for spreading.
From Vincent Baker's "Anyway"
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1) I make no guarantees that you will like what I make;
2) It'll be done this year;
3) You have no clue what it's going to be. It could be anything but it will most likely be made of paper.
4) I will probably make something pretty nerdy.
If you post, you must agree to spread this sort of "meme" only if you actually want to, rather than paying attention to the instructions for spreading.
From Vincent Baker's "Anyway"
Monday, January 19, 2009
Woodblock/Lino Print Exhibition at the IPRC
The Independent Press Resource Center is a Portland-based non-profit dedicated to providing training and workspace for people interested in letterpress printing and independent publishing (zines and the like).
Although I'm focused on drawing right now, I'm poking around the edges of a lot of different art fields, including letterpress and lino printing. I'd read about the IPRC before, so when I read that they had an exhibit of prints done by local letterpress outfits, I decided to check it out.
The exhibit itself is pretty small, basically on the walls of their little common room, but there are some really nice works there, and the artists write about the printing process too.
The staff member who let us in was nice enough to show us around too, including the press room. They've got cases full of metal type and engravings, and some very old and very well tended hand-operated letterpress machines.
Great atmosphere, nice exhibit, nice people. It's only a couple blocks from Powell's Books, and well worth checking out if you're in the area.
The IPRC is located at 917 SW Oak, Room #218, in downtown Portland. See website for hours. You'll need to buzz in if you go in the evening - dial "218" at the door.
Although I'm focused on drawing right now, I'm poking around the edges of a lot of different art fields, including letterpress and lino printing. I'd read about the IPRC before, so when I read that they had an exhibit of prints done by local letterpress outfits, I decided to check it out.
The exhibit itself is pretty small, basically on the walls of their little common room, but there are some really nice works there, and the artists write about the printing process too.
The staff member who let us in was nice enough to show us around too, including the press room. They've got cases full of metal type and engravings, and some very old and very well tended hand-operated letterpress machines.
Great atmosphere, nice exhibit, nice people. It's only a couple blocks from Powell's Books, and well worth checking out if you're in the area.
The IPRC is located at 917 SW Oak, Room #218, in downtown Portland. See website for hours. You'll need to buzz in if you go in the evening - dial "218" at the door.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Drawing Class is Go!
It's official! My registration confirmation and syllabus for the Beginner's Drawing course I'm taking came in the mail today.
It's a testament to how much money I've sunk into drawing supplies that I've already got 90% of the materials required, and the other stuff is all media I've been wanting to work with anyway. Looks like we'll be working in pen, pencil, charcoal, and conte crayon. The last two are ones I've had little exposure to, so I'm looking forward to formal instruction.
I'm really excited about this, and a little nervous. I have that "why am I doing this and where is this going" feeling, but for now I think I'll just follow my bliss.
Class starts in February. The next 3 weeks are going to be long ones.
It's a testament to how much money I've sunk into drawing supplies that I've already got 90% of the materials required, and the other stuff is all media I've been wanting to work with anyway. Looks like we'll be working in pen, pencil, charcoal, and conte crayon. The last two are ones I've had little exposure to, so I'm looking forward to formal instruction.
I'm really excited about this, and a little nervous. I have that "why am I doing this and where is this going" feeling, but for now I think I'll just follow my bliss.
Class starts in February. The next 3 weeks are going to be long ones.
Found on Flickr - Watercolor Moleskine Spread
This guy does awesome spreads in a Watercolor Moleskine. I haven't done a spread in one yet - the wide by short format throws me off - but this guy has it nailed.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Luke Starkiller
I mostly fave photos over on Flickr, but this one was worth sharing here.
Yes, that's a lightsaber he's holding. This is a Kotobukiya model of one of the earliest concepts for Luke Skywalker, then known as Luke Starkiller.
Now don't get me wrong, I love the way Star Wars turned out, but I've got to say that this would have been pretty cool to see up on the big screen too.
Yes, that's a lightsaber he's holding. This is a Kotobukiya model of one of the earliest concepts for Luke Skywalker, then known as Luke Starkiller.
Now don't get me wrong, I love the way Star Wars turned out, but I've got to say that this would have been pretty cool to see up on the big screen too.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
20090104 - Devin Love
I'm really looking forward to playing Sorceror tonight. We've got a rocking setting - Berkeley in the late '60s - and a great cast of characters.
One of the other players used a historical photo for his character - a Vietnam Vet turned Black Panther activist. I thought I'd copy it for some practice.
I did an underdrawing in pencil this time, which I find helps a bit with proportions when drawing heads and faces, then went over it with my micron pen and erased the pencil. Not perfect, but I'm pretty happy with it. Great fun and great practice!
One of the other players used a historical photo for his character - a Vietnam Vet turned Black Panther activist. I thought I'd copy it for some practice.
I did an underdrawing in pencil this time, which I find helps a bit with proportions when drawing heads and faces, then went over it with my micron pen and erased the pencil. Not perfect, but I'm pretty happy with it. Great fun and great practice!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
20090103 - Wonder Borg
All drawing is practice, but I feel like pencil drawing is "real" practice for me. The pen and watercolor stuff in the Moleskine is vital too - it's fun and keeps me interested - but I think pencil drawing is a real step on the path to improvement.
So, after almost a month of pen drawings in the Moleskine I'm making it a point to do regular pencil drawings again. This particular sketch took about half an hour, in my 9 x 12" sketchbook with 3B pencil. It started as a modified contour drawing and I decided to add shading to it later. Needless to say there's still room for improvement ;)
Incidentally - the subject is a Wonder Borg - a programmable insectoid robot I bought in Akihabara. It's fully autonomous - you just program some behaviors into it and it goes. Moving towards dark or light areas, crawling around or over obstacles, seeking other WonderBorgs assuming you have enough money to buy more than one, etc.
Mostly it gathers dust on my bookshelf, so I thought I'd take it down and get at least some use out of it. It was an interesting subject to draw.
So, after almost a month of pen drawings in the Moleskine I'm making it a point to do regular pencil drawings again. This particular sketch took about half an hour, in my 9 x 12" sketchbook with 3B pencil. It started as a modified contour drawing and I decided to add shading to it later. Needless to say there's still room for improvement ;)
Incidentally - the subject is a Wonder Borg - a programmable insectoid robot I bought in Akihabara. It's fully autonomous - you just program some behaviors into it and it goes. Moving towards dark or light areas, crawling around or over obstacles, seeking other WonderBorgs assuming you have enough money to buy more than one, etc.
Mostly it gathers dust on my bookshelf, so I thought I'd take it down and get at least some use out of it. It was an interesting subject to draw.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Happy New Year!
Yes, it's the obligatory New Year's Post. I don't usually make New Year's Resolutions, but I think I will this time...
1. Make more art! By the end of the year I want to be good enough to participate in one of the International Moleskine Exchanges going on out there, or sell a piece of art, or make printed postcards. Basically make some physical artifact that doesn't just sit in my pocket, and make it good enough to sell or trade.
2. Focus - I'm going to work toward more clearly defined goals this year, and to try to stay focused at home and at work. Basically I want to stop reacting to things and start acting. I'm a *bit* better at this than I was last year, but I've got a long ways to go.
3. House - We will be getting a house this year. It's a big deal, and I intend to do my best with it. I'm also going to name it!
4. Polaris - I have a commitment 2 years from now to facilitate a game of Polaris...in Japanese. My players already have copies of the game in English. I intend to spend this year (and next) summarizing the text well enough that we can actually *play* it next time I'm there.
5. Game - I haven't been GMing much of late. I'm not sure if it's due to a lack of passion, or focus, or skill, or all of the above. I want to figure out why, and address the issue (if it needs addressing. I may simply not like GMing :P)
So, there you have it. I know that's quite a few resolutions, but I really see most of these as interlaced goals - each feeding into the next.
I guess we'll know by next year how it all worked out ;)
(Picture: One of the New Years Postcards I decoupaged this year and sent out)
1. Make more art! By the end of the year I want to be good enough to participate in one of the International Moleskine Exchanges going on out there, or sell a piece of art, or make printed postcards. Basically make some physical artifact that doesn't just sit in my pocket, and make it good enough to sell or trade.
2. Focus - I'm going to work toward more clearly defined goals this year, and to try to stay focused at home and at work. Basically I want to stop reacting to things and start acting. I'm a *bit* better at this than I was last year, but I've got a long ways to go.
3. House - We will be getting a house this year. It's a big deal, and I intend to do my best with it. I'm also going to name it!
4. Polaris - I have a commitment 2 years from now to facilitate a game of Polaris...in Japanese. My players already have copies of the game in English. I intend to spend this year (and next) summarizing the text well enough that we can actually *play* it next time I'm there.
5. Game - I haven't been GMing much of late. I'm not sure if it's due to a lack of passion, or focus, or skill, or all of the above. I want to figure out why, and address the issue (if it needs addressing. I may simply not like GMing :P)
So, there you have it. I know that's quite a few resolutions, but I really see most of these as interlaced goals - each feeding into the next.
I guess we'll know by next year how it all worked out ;)
(Picture: One of the New Years Postcards I decoupaged this year and sent out)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)