Wednesday, September 30, 2009

A Dream with a Plan!


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Recent studies in the business world were- and are- quite a learning experience. Sheesh, the sheer number of corporations are mind-boggling! Not to mention the rules and laws surrounding them. It's not a surprise that so many businesses don't get off the ground.

I admit, the idea to sell my pictures may not get off the ground very well either. But at least I'm walking into this with open eyes instead of an idealistic dream. And if it works, it will provide an income and even seed money for my ultimate goal.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Tuesday, September 29, 2009


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Star Shards. I started to do something with the techniques used here last night, but wasn't well able to concentrate. So I finished it today, and presented it for your perusal. I might try this again with a light background and different colors, but right now I'm satisfied with this one.

It may sound strange- but I'm looking forward to Halloween this year. Not because I really want to deal with trick-or-treaters, but because there used to be a kind of mystery around the holiday that has been missing for a while- not least because it has been demonized by a bunch of people who want to ruin a perfectly innocent game of dress-up! Call it wishful thinking, but I feel like something is changing.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers.

Monday, September 28, 2009

More about College


Good morning, Gentle Readers!

I titled today's image Diamonds, but as you can see the crystals are any color but clear or white. I will try this image again with something that is lighter.

Another week has come and gone, and I'm enduring yet another deer-in-the-headlights episode on account of a number of huge assignments for school. Still, the only way to make the assignments go away is to do them, right? Wish me luck!

Speaking of assignments, there is a database I need for one that I can't access because of a rather nasty bug with the site itself. Really, as a student I shouldn't have to jump through a bunch of hoops to get to what the site itself has already permitted the school to access! I'll find a way around it: I usually do. But it is annoying.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Sunday, September 27, 2009

A Dream With a Plan?


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Yesterday was quite educational. You'll remember I spoke of trying to sell a few of my works. So yesterday, my husband and I walked around the local mall trying to get a feel for what kind of pricing I could get away with. I saw prices as low as $5, to as high as $35- depending on the size and medium used. I also got an impression that the shop was selling some of the items for a deep discount. But the average seemed to be around $10. Granted, nothing I saw was an exact match for what I was looking for, but one works with what one can. I may end up forming a partnership with someone who is already established: I'm not really well set for a solo venture, much as I like the tales of people who make millions from their kitchen tables.

Enjoy today's image, Gentle Readers.

Until we meet...

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Creepy-Crawleys and Virtual Paint Splatters


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is next in a series of tests. I must admit, even this one was a bit of a surprise. As usual, I thought I was going to get something else. But I retained it because it was different.

Wow, did I get some news yesterday! Perhaps it isn't much in the grander scheme of thing. But after all, isn't the big picture made of a bunch of little ones?

A friend of mine had a close encounter of the creepy kind. Literally: He had a scorpion crawling up his leg, a brown one. Apparently he killed it. He didn't say anything about further damage to him, but considering the reputation scorpions have that's scary enough!

I am considering offering prints of my art for sale- those that I consider to be good enough for such things, anyway. Right now, I'm trying to gauge the interest and decide how much to ask for them. If you have any thoughts, please say so!

Until we meet...

Friday, September 25, 2009

Changing Image, Changing Season


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is a different sort of experiment. I put in my usual flood fills and deformations, then took the resulting form apart in layers and dislocated them. As you can see, I got some fascinating results, even without the added flame-forms.

It's wet and grey outside: Autumn has well and truly arrived, though the riot of changing leaves hasn't yet. Part of me wants to go back to sleep. But another part senses something else and refuses to do so. It's almost a sense of urgency, though I can't really think of why.

Call me crazy, but I think I'll keep a sharp eye on things.

Until we meet...

Thursday, September 24, 2009

A Thought and a Question


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Wormhole. It's one of the last pictures I made before I started experimenting extensively with layering.

I thought it appropriate for a question I thought about for myself and my readers.

You've heard me talking a lot about school work and assignments. A couple of the assignments I did involved laying out long-term life plans for success. This is actually a good idea: Working and living hand-to-mouth doesn't really do much for one, after all. Instead, we need to work smart so we can have what we really want and need in spite of the circumstances around us. Working and just hoping that the hard work will pay off doesn't really work: I tried that for years, and don't have a lot to show for the effort.

What if, instead, you laid out this plan, and then followed it? What if you directed all that energy to a focus instead of to just bare survival?

I admit that the plans I laid out might not really be realistic: After all, they involve me venturing into fields of knowledge that are almost totally alien to me. But I finally think I am moving forward now.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Picture Window Opportunity?


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Strange Sky. It is really nothing more than an experiment. I did learn that layers themselves are not always cooperative- but I'll figure out how to get around that too.

I have been seriously considering offering prints of some of my original art work for sale. There is a problem of pricing, and of supplies to make the said prints. But I think I know someone I can talk to about that as well! It looks like it's going to rain today, so going out to see the people I have in mind is out of the question. But if it's really workable, then it will mean a quick income for me at least.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Early Morning Thoughts on School


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

This morning when I took something out for the garbage collection people, I saw a school bus driving by. I don't think any of the kids are awake: It's still dark here, and I thought I felt sprinkles of rain. It would be a very good day to sleep in, except that there are things I MUST get done.

One of these things is make a decent start on an end-of-term project. If some of the storms reported from the mid-west are due to arrive, my time will be very limited for that. Fortunately, I do have texts I can study off-line!

Speaking of which, I begin to regret not getting a full set of texts for that purpose. But it's a little late now, so I had better study while I can, hard.

Let this be a warning, Gentle Readers: Take NOTHING for granted!

Until we meet...

Monday, September 21, 2009

Autumn is Coming


Good morning, Gentle Readers!

Yes, Autumn is coming. That is what prompted the creation of today's image. The days are still warm or even close to hot, but the nights have cooled off enough that I am reaching for the comforter when I go to sleep.

The leaves have started to turn, though only the most observant around here will notice. And the autumn equinox is less than a week away. The scent of pine is stronger now than it has been in a while, along with the other aromas associated with the change of the season. The children have started back to school- granted they protested every inch of the way. But it would be better for them to learn now than to find out the hard way they don't really know how things work when they become adults.

I do wonder what waits on the other side of fall and winter.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Sunday, September 20, 2009

After The Move...


Good evening, Gentle Readers!

I know I usually try to write in the mornings, but I've only now returned to a place where I have internet access. Let me explain.

My parents don't have it where they now live, at least yet. You may remember that I spoke of them having to move. I'm more glad than ever that they did so: Even their dogs are becoming calmer in their new location, and that is something I never would have thought to see- especially with the golden lab!

There are still a few things that need to be dusted off or cleaned off before they are stored- but that is down to a minimum now. Meanwhile, the dining area has been used for really-truly dining! And while I don't indulge in television that often, I did get to enjoy a few informative shows.

Until we meed, Gentle Readers...

Friday, September 18, 2009

Dentists are People Too!


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Red Star. It's an experiment I performed while trying to figure out how to get around the color and fill bugs. I still haven't finished learning how to make everything merge as visualized, but I think I'm closer now than I used to be.

What a morning! I had to visit a dentist. I admit, I wasn't entirely sanguine about it: The last dentist I saw was an arrogant power-tripping pig- no insult intended to the porkers. He had plenty of book knowledge, and did pay attention when I warned him certain medicines would make me ill. But when it came to listening to the patient without going out of his way to be insulting, he failed miserably. With luck, he no longer has a practice in the area.

The gentleman that ended up working on me was a very much welcome contrast. And one good thing came out of this: My husband and I now have a regular dentist, at least for a while.

Now that that is all taken care of, I'll be better able to focus on my studies.

Until we meet...

Thursday, September 17, 2009

More Ramblings


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Darkstar. I finally figured out how to get around that bug that keeps muddying my flood fill colors, or even keeping them from showing properly at all. The answer was under my nose all the time- literally! Apparently the use of layers prevents some of the really weird interactions I've seen while trying to put some things together. I'll be trying to remake a few pictures, I believe.

Wow, what a relief! I wasn't sure I would be able to finish that presentation. I'm still not sure it's really up to par, but getting up early paid off enough that I could get it done and even locate a few extra images to include in it- along with the appropriate references. Now to see what I can do about those end-of-term projects- though I think I have a bit of a handle on one, if I can just locate the pictures to go with it.

Wish me luck, Gentle Readers!

Until we meet...

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Ooooh Boy....


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

I normally am not up at this time- But I have some hard and fast work to do today. How I'm supposed to come up with a 15-slide power point presentation by tomorrow I don't know- but I'll figure it out like I have a lot of other things.

I also have a couple more to do as capstone projects for this block of classes. Fortunately I do have more time for that. But I'm not at ease about it. One other thing I have in my favor is that I have a little more practice under my belt this time than I did the last- and even the last time around, I came up with 11 slides- though I did discard one. Now that I think of that, perhaps I have all the time I really need.

But that's only if I don't dally.

Wish me luck, Gentle Readers!

Until we meet.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Okay, So it's NOT Valentine's Day!


Good morning, Gentle Readers!

As you probably can tell, today's image is an old one. I made it for a friend who was in serious need of a pick-me-up. Since it was Valentine's Day, I thought the theme to be appropriate- Doubly so, since the friend in question lives in Canada.

I do have news on the School Front: I passed my first block of classes with straight A's, as I thought I would! Now is no time to get cocky, though: I've got a fairly sizable power-point presentation to finish by Thursday. I think I've figured out how I'm going to do it though: Another one of those proverbial Eureka moments. I've still got to do some stuff about the end of term projects for my present classes, though.

Wish me luck!

Until we meet...

Monday, September 14, 2009

In Praise of Coffee Mugs


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

This morning's image was made for a friend last night who had had a very bad day. She had thrown her back out while trying to rescreen her porch in preparation for the coming winter, was dealing with an instructor who, it seems, is having difficulty distinguishing between students and troublemakers, and on top of all that my friend's favorite coffee cup broke!

Now, broken coffee cups may not seem to be that big a deal other than being very inconvenient. But that mug represents many hours of relaxation and comfort when it is needed. That mug is a companion who will listen as you talk about how bad things are without judgment, and will hold drinks as long as you need without complaint. It will even unquestioningly bear any sayings you might wish to place on it, such as the one depicted.

That first mug has gone to keep company with that great coffee urn in the sky now. But this image still remains to remind us of that noble vessel.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Unfinished Thoughts


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is an experiment that wasn't altogether successful: I wanted to put a shimmering effect on the lavender circle in the middle. But I wouldn't really call it a failure either.

I've got a couple of ideas for one of my stories- but I'm having difficulty deciding how to put them together so they don't look slap-dash. And I still haven't really figured out who the villains are: Every good story has a villain, right? No matter: Considering how the setting is a world where the world order has undergone a dramatic, even violent change, there will be plenty of lost souls for the role.

Meanwhile, I'm still trying to figure out how to approach the power-point presentation that's a major assignment for this week. Ugh! It's bigger than the first one! Fortunately I won't be fumbling around blind when it comes to the mechanics of the creation. Wish me luck!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Uncertainty


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Yesterday I rambled a bit about 9-11. Today I will look forward to the future.

What will it bring? Will I still be living in the same place by this time next year, for instance? In a way, I hope not: The land under my home is not mine, and a few of the neighbors aren't really easy to get along with.

On the other hand, it is a familiar place, and I really don't want to have to deal with the unfamiliar while trying to get my degree and get a good start with my own future.

Then there is a third side: Perhaps the unfamiliar is exactly what is needed to shake me out of patterns that aren't helpful but are entirely too comfortable.

What do you think?

Until we meet...

Friday, September 11, 2009

Where Were You?


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

As by now you know, I avoid some subjects like the plague: Politics and religion, for instance, are very hard for some people, even myself, to discuss without undue heat.

But there are some things that it is not good to ignore. One of these things is the events of September 11. We lost a lot of good people in the terrorist attacks that day: Family, people who were looking to start new lives together, kids who never got to reach their full growth and potential. And later on, we lost brave people who tried to rescue survivors from the rubble and fires. There was no need for any of this to happen; Certain people just thought they were proving that they were being big brave holy warriors by carrying out these mass murders. And they were even using their own children- which says nothing for these leaders.

I was at home that day, tending my pets and abode, and talking with a few friends via the Internet when it happened. The terrible things of that day upset a lot of people and left us in a state of shock. But there was amazing courage too, even in that online community: We immediately organized forums and places where we could meet and talk, and exchange news and comfort. We sought news of our own family. Some attention-seekers, alas, abused the love and trust they had been given. But they were dealt with in short order too.

We who were there will never forget. 9 11 changed us, as surely as the bombing of Pearl Harbor or the Kennedy assassination. Be warned, Terrorists: We might grieve, but when we seem to be beaten is when we rise again with a vengeance!

Until we meet...

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Morning Meditations


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Crystal and Mist. I'm thinking of trying to remake this using a different method: The mist part didn't come out quite as I would like, and I think I know why. One of these days I'll figure out how the layer tool in my program really works!

Today is going to be quite busy: I want to try to get the rest of this week's school work done, along with anything that's due on Monday. I'm going to be away again this weekend, and catching up all that stuff isn't much fun at 2 AM.

I also need to make a start in my end-project for my Critical Thinking course.

You know- Critical Thinking can be a very strange class. You have to actually learn how to argue with yourself. At least, that is how it looks at second glance. At the first, it just looks scary. Business 210 is demanding too: I need to reread some of the material, then describe companies that use different business models. I seem to have breathing space there, but I don't want to let that go too long. I said it before, but it bears repeating: Procrastination is no student's friend.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

School Days


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Fantasy Roses. As you probably can tell, it's a remake of the Fantasy Tree image I made a few days ago that I wasn't really happy with: In the first image, the tree was very much faded out when I wanted it to stand out. I kept it for future use, though.

I'm having another one of those deer-in-the headlights moments: The Critical Thinking class has started off with some huge assignments, and the territory is more alien than the surface of Mars! Fortunately, the instructor seems to be a very responsive lady. I'm under the impression that she completely approves of what I'm trying to do, and not just because I've gone back to college. Business 210 isn't quite as frightful, oddly enough- and that's the one that had me concerned at first. But it is time-consuming; The reading assignments are HUGE: I'm talking about a minimum of 30 pages each. So anyone who thinks that online college is a breeze is fooling themselves.

Time to break out the yellow pads!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

How Much is that Kitty in the Window?


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Do you know how hard it is to type while there's a cat in your lap demanding attention? Today's picture isn't of Galahad, but Galahad looks enough like her that it was possible to confuse them- at least, until Galahad reached his full growth, which is easily twice what Shadow's used to be.

Shadow never did demand quite as much attention as the boy- but when she wasn't feeling so good she would take comfort from being in my lap. Otherwise, she was content to just be nearby.

Galahad, on the other hand, can be quite demanding. And he has the raw size to back it up! But he's so affectionate that it's hard to stay angry at him when he does wrong. And other than jumping on the kitchen table or chewing like a dog of all things, he really is a pretty good boy.

His sister- Egraine- is considerably more sedate than he. And for all that Galahad was the one named after a knight of legend, she is the one who is considerably braver. Though they both will hide when there are strange people in the house. I do have to talk to Galahad about playing too rough with her at times. But they have been together all of their little lives, and I intend to keep it that way.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Monday, September 7, 2009

Ow! Ow! Ow!


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

No doubt, some of you are wondering about the title of today's entry. Well, it's like this: I knew I was getting out of shape. But I didn't how how out of shape I was until this past weekend when I helped my parents pack and move. All that lifting and carrying has made me use muscles I had all but forgotten about! The good news is that the worst of the work has been done. All that's left is cleaning things up and putting them away in their new home.

The bad news- if it could really be called that- is that my new courses have started, and right off the bat some major assignments have to be attended to. So I was up until after 2 AM taking care of the first ones! I have more that I need to do after I finish with my Monday chores. As much as I wish Randy had decided to spend the night with my parents and drive home today- he was exhausted- coming home last night has saved me trouble of another sort.

It was quite an experience.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Friday, September 4, 2009

Way Too Early!


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

And yes, it is way too early! I normally wouldn't wake up for at least another hour! But I wasn't able to get comfortable, so here I am!

Today's image is titled Fantasy Tree. I started it over in Basic Paint, since it was easier to control the size of my brushes there. Then I migrated it over to Paint Shop Pro for the rest of the effects. I want to try something like this again and hopefully have the tree part be considerably more visible the next time.

While Labor Day weekend is coming up, it isn't going to be restful. My parents need help with a project, and traffic isn't going to help matters- though it may not be as bad this year as it was in years past, due to the high price of gasoline. Wish me luck!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Late-Night Musings


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titles A Puff On Sunlight- and that's pretty much what it looks like. It was something I tried while experimenting with flipping images over. Again, the colors aren't exactly what I planned on: The yellow is really supposed to be a bright green for instance. And the pink is supposed to be lavender. But it's a little spot of sunshine for anyone who needs one.

Last night, a friend and I were talking about some of my college studies, and about a blog my husband and I set up with another service that's supposed to be about practical green living. She thinks that the blog would make a good school project. I don't because of the scattershot way it's put together for one thing. But the concept is a good one, so I may try to run with that.

A few months ago, we even talked about me setting up a blog where I can publish some of my fantasy. That idea does have a great deal of appeal to it!

Also, a couple of days ago at the site where I read my morning comics, I found out they were looking for a new cartoonist- and they were offering a pretty pay package. I've already drawn a few scripts: I just need to clean them up and draw a few more, then submit them. Wish me luck!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Breathing Space?


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

I've managed to turn in my last project, and am still waiting to see if the one instructor will correct a major mistake *she* made. I suspect I'll have to sic my academic adviser on her, though. I hope not: I hate the thought of doing that when otherwise the instructor has worked well with me.

That doesn't mean I can afford to slow down, though: The next block of courses will be tougher. And while I've studied some of the readings, it still feels strange in many ways.

Nor is that all: My parents have to move in a hurry, and I'll be taking care of that this weekend. I've got many suspicions about why the rush, and no way to really confirm any of them. I also wonder what my parents will do about the dogs: The place they're moving to is smaller, so there's no way they can take five large energetic dogs with them. The dogs are strong and intelligent, but they need a lot of space to run, and families that will take a lot of time with them. And one of the dogs, at least, needs to be an only pup: her early months weren't really spent in a normal environment, and because of that she doesn't really understand how to behave around other dogs. Not everyone is a Cesar Milan.

Today's image is titled Heliotrope. It was an experiment with a red background. I wanted to use orange for the flood fills, but the orange simply wouldn't show. So I found a bright yellow instead, and that, as you can see, translates into the orange I originally wanted. I do have an idea for another image- but that will wait until tomorrow for your viewing.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Summer's Last Hurrah


Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Beach Ball. The colors are quirking together again and not quite showing as expected, but they still join in a pleasant enough image.

Most of the summer hasn't been as incredibly hot as it has been before, but it still was hot enough to be unpleasant and to require an air conditioner. This morning, it was cool or even down-right cold- So I just opened up a window: Something I've been wanting to do. If the forecast is accurate, that is about all I will have to do for at least the next week.

Yes, it really is September now. The kids are back in school. My husband has reported crowds of people at the store; I suspect he is seeing frantic parents trying to locate the goods the children will need at the last instant.

I suspect it would be a lot easier of the said kids hadn't been all but trained to want 'cool stuff', though there are always those little items that seem to escape attention until they're needed.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...