Nik Ainley’s tutorial will probably take you a shorter time than I did, considering that I kept stopping and starting to do other things. I estimate about 1-2 hours. Warning: this tutorial isn’t as detailed as most. I think it is written, with a user who is more experienced with Photoshop in mind. There are also steps where you are allowed a lot of creative freedom, which is fine with me since I tend to take liberties with tutorials anyway. One thing notably different that I did was instead of using a 3d program like 3d Studio Max to create the text, I used the 3D Effect in Illustrator. Below is my result.
A friend of mine shared this video with me. At first I thought The Third & The Seventh was an elegant recording, but then I read the description: “A FULL-CG animated piece that tries to illustrate architecture art across a photographic point of view where main subjects are already-built spaces. Sometimes in an abstract way. Sometimes surreal.” In my opinion, it is an exquisite animation achieving a sense of realism the likes of which I have never seen. The creator, Alex Roman, is an artist with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Austin in Texas. He has done paintings, art installations, even watch designs. In truth, had my doubts about The Third & The Seventh, but Roman also included a video breakdown of how he created part of the animation. There are still renderings available on his CG Portfolio. Enjoy!
Have controllers been holding you back from your true gaming potential? Yes I mean you, the one who always gets slaughtered in the matches/races/tactical fights you enter with more experienced gamers who have clocked-in far more hours at the controls. You will be happy to know that Microsoft’s Project Natal for the Xbox 360 sets aside the irksome plastic controller from gaming. You become the controller. You use your whole body to interact with the game. If you can kick, jump, swing, or simply move your hands then you can play with Natal. It greatly reduces the gaming learning curve so almost anyone can join in the fun. The only limit being your own personal experience [that's the theory].
Natal’s slim casing holds a special processor, an RGB camera that can recognize facial expressions, a depth sensor that constructs a digital 3d model of the player’s body as it moves, and a multi-array microphone that can detect individual voices (ignoring ambient noise). The system uses an algorithm that teaches itself to recognize movements in real time rather than just adhering to definite set of pre-programmed actions. Microsoft’s team gathered a slew of data, recording humans in their natural environment and actors in motion capture studios. Development took into account the differences in age, gender, and size of the players, even considering the type of clothing that may worn. Curious about more of the technical aspects of Natal? Read Binary Body Double: Microsoft Reveals the Science Behind Project Natal for Xbox 360 in Scientific American.
Microsoft expects Natal to be ready for sale this upcoming holiday season (2010) and the best part is that you don’t have to purchase a new Xbox system. It’s compatible with all Xbox 360s past, present, and future. What the cost will be however is a different story. I’m hoping for the $0 – $100 range.
Other highlights from the product vision include :
support for up to four players; Natal detects multiple people in the same room
voice recognition; issue verbal commands
facial recognition; further customize your avatar etc.
Personally, I think it will be a while before the controller becomes extinct, if ever. However, I look forward to trying Natal. The downside is though, this time when you play with Natal and lose, it’s all on you. Check out the clip below and visit the Xboxprojectnatal YouTube Channel to see demos and reactions. Microsoft also wants to hear your ideas for Natal.
In case I do have someone who checks this blog every so often, I thought you would like to know…
My posts have been a bit sporadic to non-existent lately because of some major changes; I moved from Chicago to Florida in November and October was chock full of making preparations. I’m still adjusting to life in the Sunshine State, but I will be resuming my blogging duties soon. Even though I haven’t been posting, I have been collecting topics to write about and I’ve been working on other projects. One of which I’m pleased to announce:
I added more photos to my photography page and I added some artwork and graphic design work to my portfolio. By looking through this blog, you may figure out that I have an interest in graphics and I’m determined to learn more about it while advancing my skills. For my portfolio, I gave myself some assignments to work on like band posters and cd album covers. I also included work I’ve done for others. Check it out and if you love/hate what you see, let me know. I welcome constructive criticism.
Disclaimer: my site has some glitches that at the moment the solution eludes me, but it’s only a matter of time…
Remember those first nondescript scratches on paper? Or what about how proud you were when you first colored everything without going over the lines? Crayons were your first drawing tools, but you eventually moved on. You picked up some color pencils, maybe even some paints later. But what if you had stuck with crayons? Maybe you would be like Don Marco, the Master Crayon Artist. Born in the late 1920’s, Don Marco didn’t seriously start pursuing art until after his retirement working for air traffic control in Honolulu, Hawaii. Since then, he has sold over one-million prints.
Don Marco starts each piece by drawing a rough outline with “peach-ish crayon” on fade-less tan construction paper, then he builds on the layers. The heat from his fingers is used to blend the colors. With experience and practice you learn what crayons work well with others and which techniques work best. However, he didn’t always only work with crayons. He has used oils and pencils, although his preference is clearly wax. I don’t really have to say much, the quality of his work speaks for itself.
Don Marco is also a mentor. For a year he worked with artist Tiona Marco. Her original name is unknown to me, but as a tribute to Don she combined her family name with that of her mentor. She was familiar with crayon art before teaming up with Don Marco and after her apprenticeship she began selling her artwork. She has a gallery from which you can buy prints or her original drawings. Below are a few examples of her work.
It’s the second installment from my time at the Milwaukee Art Beat in October. To find out about the gifted individuals mentioned previously please read Part 1. Now, let’s get down to art. First up, is artist Amanda Iglinski, who enjoys working with many different mediums. I was quite fascinated with her pieces. I found them dark, clever, and at times humorous (my sense of humor can be off-beat at times).What’s more, I liked the dynamic colors, the layers, and her concepts. According to her bio, she has been creating art for as long as she can remember. You can view a few more of her pieces on her website.
Next, is artwork by Laura Meyer. Not only does she sculpt, paint, and photograph, but she is also a fashion designer who specializes in costumes and corsets. Created in 1998, her design company is called Twilight Attire and it sells locally and nationally. This may seem strange, but one thing that struck me was the placement of her pieces at Art Beat. The building interior and her artwork complimented each other beautifully. There were two photographs in particular that were hung from a wooden door, and for a moment I thought the door was a part of the art piece.
The entire space appealed to me, from the painted exposed piping to the wood cross-bracing, even to the detailed ironwork of the banister in the cafe area. The architect in me was enlivened. Mercy Hill Gallery supports talented local artists by allowing them to showcase their work at no cost to them. They host receptions, private parties, and events such as Art Beat all in support of Milwaukee’s promising art community.
As stated in Part 1, the night was filled with a wide range of performance pieces. A very unique act called The M.U.T.E.S (Marvelous Unspeaking Troupe of Entertaining Scoundrels) put on 2 very amusing skits; one of a bank robbery gone very wrong and the other poked fun at Adolf Hitler. They are inspired by silent films and bring that genre to life in front of your very eyes. The interview revealed that members of the team are heavily involved with the arts, performing in local plays, designing theatrical make-up, directing films, etc. Check out some of their Charlie Chaplin-like performances.
Oh how sweet the sound! The following artists require your auditory attention so I highly encourage you listen to their work from their websites: Aaron Lundquist is an interesting spoken word artist, poet, and sculptor. His words are inspired by nature and when he performs he takes on a potent persona. We saw images of some of his sculpture as well, personally my favorites of his. I believe they were described as borderline “beautiful and disturbing.”
Jeremy Scott is a brilliant saxophonist, pianist, lyricist, and most recently a spoken word artist. He has played the saxophone since he was a little boy and took on the piano is his late teens. He was the last to perform that night, but I think he was definitely worth the wait.
Annie B. (producer of Art Beat) and her band Shut Up Marie opened up the evening with a couple of rousing original songs. I was entranced by the guitar part. It was imaginative and different, which is what made it so appealing. Annie B. has performed nationally in over 100 venues and her band Shut Up Marie has released songs that has made it to radio charts. Maybe you’ve already heard them.
Ladies and gents, that concludes my coverage of Milwaukee Art Beat. I was so glad that I attended. If you liked any of the artists presented in these posts, comment on them, or if you’re in the position to do so, give them your support. Keep the arts alive!
Art Beat photos are referenced from Lisa’s List.
You see the concept proposed in films all the time; robots that look and act surprisingly like humans. Of course they also have super-human strength and lightning like speed and agility. These robots also “think,” (usually about world domination, but to be fair, some humans do that too [insert appropriate name here ______.]) Do I think robots will take over the world? Maybe, but definitely not tomorrow. I once wrote a paper in my Sociology class on this point and I’ve found myself discussing this lately with friends. I’ll just share segments of what I wrote:
“Replicating human actions and behavior sounds good in theory, but in reality it is a complex process. Artificial intelligence today continues to develop slowly. Making computers do things that require intelligence when done by humans has proved tremendously challenging. The technology is still not on par with the complete functions of the human brain or the intricacies of the human body.”
One thing we tend to take for granted as humans is our ability to process language and it’s nuances. We are able to make connections. We understand the subject of a sentence even when it wasn’t expressly stated. Furthermore, humans also use context clues to establish the meaning of words, particularly when their are multiple possibilities. To compensate, right now there is a large inference engine in development called Cyc by Cycorp designed to provide artificial intelligence with “common sense” and the power to reason. You can play their game to help Cyc learn. “Scientists have great difficulty getting a robot to do one thing well, let alone the multitude of actions a human can perform while simply walking down the street. Then there is the matter of power. Even the most advanced robots can only function for a couple of hours before having to recharge. For a robotic rebellion to occur, robots would need to have advanced social skills to communicate with each other and create organizations, they would have to be self-sufficient, they would have to control their reproduction, and have individual consciousness.”
Honestly, if I was paranoid, I would be more concerned about a hostile takeover by the human hybrid (human enhanced with mechanical parts). Creating robots that focus on specific areas have led to the development of more specialized parts and programs. There have been advancements in physical implants and in prosthesis, which is great for those who are disabled. Watch the video on DEKA, the bionic arm created by Dean Kamen that can be controlled by thought or body motion. You can also watch Juan Enriquez’s TED Talk on some technological advances (after some economy stuff.)
“Even as mega-banks topple, Juan Enriquez says the big reboot is yet to come. But don’t look for it on your ballot — or in the stock exchange. It’ll come from science labs, and it promises keener bodies and minds. Our kids are going to be … different.”
Did you watch the new G.I. Joe movie Rise of the Cobra? Remember their Accelerator Suits that made them “run faster, jump higher, and hit harder” than anyone? Well that’s not too far away from the real world. Meet SARCOS, the exoskeleton that improves strength and endurance.
Like I stated earlier, I doubt we should be overly concerned right now about android domination. What we really need to keep an eye on is ourselves and our biological enhancements. Ultimately, I believe it will be for the better, but with every new technology there is the possibility of misuse.
For more information on robots I would recommend the book The Robot: The Life Story of a Technology by Lisa Nocks. Of course I’m happy to hear your opinion whether you agree or disagree with anything I have stated. Actually I challenge you to prove me wrong, I am eager to find out more about what’s really out there.
Last year around this time, I was swayed by a poster to go to the Chicago Cultural Center. It was fall break, I had never been there before, and it was free. What did I have to lose? Turns out, I loved every minute of my visit. From the Tiffany glass dome to the Halloween decorations, to the exhibits, everything was compelling (I really mean everything, I spent hours there).
The display I remember the most was called Deceptive Design[Oct. 10th, 2008 - Jan. 4th, 2009]. It featured novel furnishings whose purpose was to alter our standard perceptions of furniture around us. There was something “deceptive” about each piece whether it was in the mechanics, materials, or visual presentation. I will introduce three of my favorites.
Definitely a piece I would have on my wall is Riveli, a shelving component designed by Mark Kinsley. I find it clever, practical, and versatile. Combining artwork with shelving, Riveli adapts to the user’s needs. Parts flip down to hold your possessions and the sections that are not needed remain up to display custom art. I wonder if the artwork is put on panels that can be changed as well? Either way it’s brilliant. Mark Kinsley is an industrial designer living in Chicago that works not only with furniture, but with lighting as well.
What drew me to this next piece was the beguiling construction and the simplicity of the materials. It is made from a really long extension cord, Plexiglas, and a light bulb. Simple? Yes. Boorish? Not even close. The Coil Lamp designed by Craighton Berman “elevates the status of the humble, everyday extension cord to the realm of high design.”
This lamp is actually now available for purchase. You can buy the limited edition Handmade Coil Lamp that comes fully assembled or you can get the Do-It-Yourself Kit in which you purchase the extension cord and the bulb.
As a matter of fact, that’s what I thought when I first saw it, “I can make this.” Of course that was when I had access to a laser cutter. Kudos to Craighton Berman for creating such an innovation. He is an industrial designer, professor, and creative director based in Chicago.
Last, but not least, is the Deceptive Garden by Chris Brandel. The goal is to make the most out of the small outdoor space that is the typical Chicago balcony. It stylishly provides the means for the user to grow various plants like flowers and herbs, and provides storage for supplies. It then can be converted into a handy work table or a mellow dining area for two. Perfect for the city dweller with a green thumb.
"Artbeat encourages artists and non-artists alike to explore their own inspirations and creativity..."
I was immersed in marvelous talent last Friday (Oct. 9th) at the Milwaukee Art Beat. There was art in various scintillating forms including photography, sculpture, mosaics, painting, and even performance art. It was quite the experience. In some cases, we were able to hear directly from the artist in on-stage interviews, receiving an in-depth look into their work.
For the record, Artbeat is a non-profit organization that encourages and promotes art among youth and the community. It also acts as a showcase for local artists to present their work to the masses. I commend and admire their efforts. Personally, I can’t imagine my life without the arts (this blog definitely wouldn’t exist). All of the artists at this show are extremely talented and often do many different things.
First up, is photographer and writer, Steve Daubs. He recently roamed through Russia on a photographic expedition, shooting people and places. In the interview he shared that a lot of activity actually occurs below ground in passages and tunnels, which is where a good number of his photographs were taken.
Also, on display were a number of his beauty shots that recreated that old Hollywood glamour. The images convey the idea of being almost impossibly perfect and the model appears to be untouchable. He included a photograph of one of the models in her normal state (still naturally lovely). It was fascinating to see the juxtaposition between manipulated reality and actuality. Below are shots taken from Steve Daubs’s website.
Next, is professional mosaic artist, Shelly Bird. With many years of experience, she has completed various residential and commercial pieces ranging from walls to wall hangings. I find her work beautiful and dynamic. Shelly uses unique materials like blown glass or natural rock, some of which is reclaimed. She also prefers stained glass for its quality of light and mirrored iridescent elements for their ability to express a sense of movement. Below is a picture of her with her work at Art Beat, but I encourage you to look at more of her work on Yessy Art Gallery.
Now we move on to sculpture. Bruce Niemi is a second generation sculptor who works with stainless steel and bronze. I love the rhythmic, yet powerful curves, and overall flow of his work. The twists, shapes, and connections are quite alluring. What’s more, a positive message is behind all of his artwork, with titles such as “Protected,” “Living the Dream,” and “Reaching for the Heights.“
Niemi has been creating sculptures for over thirty years and quoted from his site he states “if you studied my art you would know my heart.” If you are ever in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Bruce and his wife Susan invite you to visit their Sculpture Garden featuring artists from around the world. To see more of Niemi’s work check out the galleries on his website.
This was a performance art piece that was fun to watch and listen to. Artist Shelby Keefe put on a lively 18 minute show in which she painted a scene from one of her photographs while groovin’ to the music that she put together herself. She is a contemporary impressionistic painter who has won awards for her urban landscape paintings, and her work is displayed in collections around the United States.
I’ve gazed at many of the pieces on her website, my favorites being the ones that are architectural in nature (no surprise there). I would also like to mention that Keefe is about to release a CD with her music. She collaborates with other musicians and uses a great program called GarageBand (I even modeled a part of one of my studio projects after it). Listen to samples of her work on Reverb Nation.
That’s it for now, but I still have more artists to cover. Check back for Part 2.
Nik Ainley’s tutorial will probably take you a shorter time than I did, considering that I kept stopping and starting to do other things. I estimate about 1-2 hours. Warning: this tutorial isn’t as detailed as most. I think it is written, with a user who is more experienced with Photoshop in mind. There are also steps where you are allowed a lot of creative freedom, which is fine with me since I tend to take liberties with tutorials anyway. One thing notably different that I did was instead of using a 3d program like 3d Studio Max to create the text, I used the 3D Effect in Illustrator. Below is my result.
