Closure

Good evening, Gentle Readers!

I know I usually post in the mornings, but I got a bit carried away elsewhere.

Today's image is A Question Of Infinity. I have featured it before, not long ago at that. But in light of something that I heard about friend, I thought I might feature it again.

I learned that the friend, when he was much smaller, had his very best friend in school die suddenly. My friend's dad wouldn't let the (then) boy go to the funeral, and didn't even let the lad know where the grave was. Needless to say, that bothered him a lot for many years, until he spoke to another friend who had a talent for digging up information. It didn't take long to find the grave so the first friend could go visit. I sent the image to him so he could share it, if he wished to.

After all this time, he knows what really happened. He will rest more easily now.

Until We Meet, Gentle Readers...

Inspiration

Good Afternoon, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Brought Together. The name is really more of a placeholder than anything else. I wasn't exactly intending to recreate the Helm And Eyes image when I made this a couple of nights ago, and certainly the colors aren't exactly the same. Most of that is because there were a few layer filters I wasn't using back when I made Helm And Eyes. I think I will try this image again later, using everything in a normal mode.

Speaking of image creation, I had one of those inspirations between awake and asleep this morning about how to handle making that ad for the theoretical art show. I haven't done so in a while, but I believe I will make extensive use of my art programs: That will be far easier than trying to wrestle with the word processor program to make it fit the words where I want them!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Science Fiction Made Real and More

Good Afternoon, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Tree. I made it some time ago, while trying to learn how to make objects in my pictures drop shadows. I still haven't figured out how make make them drop mirror images leading toward the front, but I'm pretty sure I can control how they grow behind my main object.

Just this morning in another blog that I follow, I found a picture of a concept car that has little nano solar panels in the paint. Now, this is something else I had thought of some time ago, but I didn't have the resources to make it work. Here is a link:

http://earthalternate.blogspot.com/2010/04/renault-solar-paint-car.html

I've had a very busy morning so far, and it's going to get busier. The ants, never really gone, have returned in full force. So now I have to find out how they're getting in and attend to the matter again. I want to be able to make goodies in my kitchen, thank you!

And then, of course, there is always the college work in the background.

Wish me luck!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Allergies and Assignments

Good morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Spring Blossom. I had to do some tweaking to make the green come through as strongly as I wished, and the rose-pink did show more strongly than I expected- which pleases me very much indeed! Even the yellow- which seems to not show against the dark blue very well in Paint Shop Pro- is clear. I may try this image again with further tweaking to the yellow fill.

I was tired last night! I don't mean just a little, I mean the kind that has one sleeping like a log the instant one is semi-horizontal! I'm thinking that the humidity and pollen are partly responsible: Both have been unusually high, and this is about the time of year that I do a lot of sneezing. It's not really my ideal exercise program, but I do admit that it uses energy!

Boy do I have work from school this week! I'm going to have to do some serious web-surfing to get the information I need for assignments- one of which is to write an ad for an art show. I'm not a big fan of ads, though I have seen a few cute ones. Since this is for an art show instead of some cheap plastic toy or sugary junk food, I think I can swing it.

Wish me luck!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Fears, Choices, and Chances

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Litany. Last night, a friend and I were talking about phobias; It seems that a lot of us in the family are none too fond of crowds. She showed me an item that she found in one of the Dune books, and I used it as the base for this image. You may need to blow it up some to see it properly, but it is a kind of prayer or meditation that I think would be good for dealing with irrational fears.

This subject has been covered many times before. But how many of us have lost wondrous opportunities because we were afraid of something that really would not harm us at all? If we are honest with ourselves, I'm pretty sure that all of us can think of at least one time or turn that would have lead to some great good, instead of just plain struggling to make ends meet.

There is the converse, of course; Being courageous or fearless isn't the same thing as being foolish. While risk-taking is a large part of life, there is little if any need to deliberately do stupid things that are only going to get one hurt, and that won't prove anything.

If there is a goal, though, pursue it.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers....

After The Performance

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Ephemeral. I forget exactly when I made it, but it is relatively recent since there is some transparency to the lines.

The performance yesterday was great! The troop could use a little polish, but I could see them improving even as they danced. The man who played the villain nailed the character perfectly, and the 'narrator' character, while not the same as how she was originally portrayed, really added just the right spark to the show. My husband didn't feel well while we were out: I suspect that the crowdophobia he has is what made him ill. But once he decided to join me, he enjoyed it as much as the rest of us. In fact, there were a few parts of the show that I think were far better than the original version- and that's saying a lot, since I usually don't like remakes!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Dancing!

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Dancing In The Moonlight. It's really apropos for today, in light of today's planned activity.

A couple of months ago, my husband bought a couple of tickets to watch Lord Of The Dance. You may remember seeing a couple of posts from yours truly about it. Now I'm trying to get things done this morning so I can go ahead and enjoy it. Pardon me if I get a little bouncy and fidgetty!

My husband also has been visiting assorted map sites to try to get directions to where the performance will be held. So far he has gotten right directions but the wrong map, vice-verse, and once even the right directions but a map of New Zeeland! It's enough to make me wonder if the map-makers knew what they were doing, or if they were just exploring.

It will give me a good excuse to wear a bracelet that my mother got me for Christmas, anyway! We'll be hitting the road in a bit over an hour, so I'll have to work hard and fast to get stuff finished. Or perhaps not: I have a paper that is due tomorrow that I really don't have to worry about much, since I wrote about half of it last night. I now have to write the other half, and add the reference page.

Until We Meet, Gentle Readers...

Brightening?

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Luminous Green. It's one of the few times when I've managed to make green and yellow work together somewhat as planned, and does have a nice brightening effect against the blue.

Right now, brightening effects are good; Last night, a friend reported a torrential rain and storm, and we tend to get storms a couple of days after she does. I probably ought to see about doing some stuff outside before the rain gets here too. Perhaps I will see to it in a few minutes.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Papers and weekends

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Insignia. I was originally going to try to contrast a bright pink against a blue background, but that wasn't really working as planned. So instead, I went back to the bright green, applied a few filters, and added what was supposed to be a chiseled effect, The effect didn't work quite like it did in the first image I made using it, but it did work in a way that I couldn't have created using any other method.

Yesterday was cold and drizzly. Today, it's not cold, but I'm still seeing a drizzle outside. According to the forecast, that's supposed to move off later on today. If it does, I'm grabbing my purse and heading up to the mall: It occurred to me that I don't have much that I can wear out to the Lord Of The Dance performance scheduled for this weekend.

Meanwhile, I have a paper to finish that I fortunately started last night. I need to look my syllabus over a bit more to make sure I understand the assignment correctly; How am I supposed to write a 1050 word document and properly cite it on what is really a personal recollection, after all? It's not like what I remember is going to be documented elsewhere! Certainly not with those who have ugly little secrets to hide!

No matter: I'll think of something. I always do, after all!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Cats don't like change!

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Roll On. I may change the name later on, but it serves as a place-holder. I did decide to use a deformation that I normally wouldn't on one of the layers: It works better than trying to arrange lines sometimes.

I don't think my kitties like it when I have to spend time away from them; They, especially Galahad, have been very bad-mannered since I got back home. It doesn't help much that my husband doesn't have the heart to discipline them more. Of course, cats are creatures of habit, and me having to run off as I did can't have been easy on them: It was, after all, a pretty major change in their little world! They should calm down fairly soon though, since I'm back to remind them what the rules are.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

A Little Ramble

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Mandala. I had to do some very detailed work to make the last two lines meet the edge of the picture as I wished them to, but it was well worth it. I considered adding a little more detail as well, but that would have covered up more of the background than I really wished to. Perhaps the next time around, I will use a naturally dark background.

I know I'm a little late this morning, but I've only now recovered from a week of dog-sitting. I'm not used to getting up at 5;30 to 6:00 AM any more, and it shows! I could do it again if I had to, but I wouldn't like it.

Or perhaps I would, if I were given the right reasons. I do very much wish for that self-sufficient farm, and that would mean early mornings. There is a difference between that and waking up in a cramped space such as where I am right now. There's only one thing for me to do; Get some breathing room!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

What a Week!

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Echoed Sun. I was never able to get that sunburst in the middle to solidify so to speak as I wished it to, but it's a nice little piece all the same. The technique I used here served as a template for a couple of other items, one of which you have seen before.

As you've no doubt noticed, I didn't have access to the internet while I was out; My parents don't have an ISP, though a couple of the neighbors do. The neighbors in question have their services protected, though- which is really a good thing. Am I ever glad I got stuff turned in when I did! What was supposed to be only about a four-day stay turned out to have complications, which would have been worse if I had not been on hand.

There was one good thing about not having internet access: I was able to concentrate on my homework without being tempted to go surfing elsewhere, at least for one course. Even for the other, I was able to look stuff over and decide how to handle it. I'm going to be busy with that this week, but at least I won't have to make up for two weeks of stuff!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

I may be away.

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Smoke and Stripes. I made it some time ago, when I was just starting a new series of experiments using bezier lines- which is lines that are curved, rather than straight. Those can be tricky, since the tools aren't really precise.

I may be away for as long as a week; My mother is indeed going in the hospital, so she will need a lot of help around the house, especially with the dogs. Besides, she never really wants to see us going. Fortunately, I was able to finish up the last item I had to do for school last night. While I'm not sure the quality is really what I want, it does meet the indicated requirements. At least, that's what I hope. I'll be taking my texts along so I can start on next week's assignments too. Hmm- Now that I think of it, I wonder if I shouldn't get a print-off of the electronic text. Perhaps not: The ink is running low, and I can access it from the college site, much as I would rather read it where I don't have to be concerned about getting logged out for inactivity.

C'est La Vie.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Read Read Study Study...

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Yellow Shimmer. I was really trying for something very different when this showed up: More specifically, a few extra rays like one might see in star light. Instead, I got bands of more intense blue and fuchsia surrounding a yellow sun. That sun was a little tricky in itself to make because I had to be very careful while removing the band I used to control the flood fill. It was an interesting challenge.

While looking at one of my assignments for this week, I discovered that I would have to re-read a chapter of my text. Thankfully, the part I need is already book-marked! At least I won't have to go searching for it. I do wonder why the one chapter out of the first four was left out, though. Perhaps later on when I listen to the CD that came with the book, I will hear why.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

School and Family

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Surreal Opening. I really have no idea how I managed to put this together: True, it was partly an experiment. But part of it was created using old familiar techniques. The part that looks like it is peeling open was a complete surprise.

Last night I was up quite late attending to some of next week's home work. I've been told I may be needed to help my parents out again, so I've no wish to have that hanging over me unfinished while I am out. I really felt awful about having to run out early the last time around, but I had that deadline barrelling down on me with no chance of an extension. Thankfully, that isn't the case this time around. Not only that, this time around I will have a physical text to work with instead of having to log into the college site for everything.

There is something to be said for old-fashioned paper.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Critters!

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Floating Panels. I was doing a little more experimenting with stained glass, and it was only by coincidence that I noticed a three-dimensional effect here. I don't consider it my best work by any stretch, but it might make an interesting background or mural.

Last night, a few friends and I talked about the intelligence of our animal friends. Now, there are those who think that animals are 'dumb' or that they don't know the difference between right and wrong. I beg to differ; I know plenty of humans who really are 'dumb' because they want to be, and lack any ability to judge between right and wrong- and plenty of four-legged beings who really are very smart, can plan, and most certainly do feel guilty when they do things they shouldn't.

While it is true that critters sometimes need us humans to do things for them, that doesn't mean they don't know what is going on,

Until We Meet, Gentle Readers...

Breaks and more...

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Green Flames. I thought it suitable for what we have outside today: Still warm, but not as hot as it was yesterday or the day before.

And what a relief the break in the heat is! It's not that far away from March, so summer temperatures are a huge shock to our systems. I did have to close the windows before I hit the sack last night, but we did need the rain. Not that we're experiencing a drought, but those are never fun.

I have very little to report on the School front right now, though I should try to get some of next week's work done; I may be needed to puppy-sit while my mother's in the hospital. On the other hand, I may not be, since my father is on work leave per orders from his physician. We shall have to see.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

How am I supposed to do This?

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Lemon Lightning Ball. It's one of the first in a new series of experiments I've been doing the past few days. I've been trying to layer on a few colors to try to get the new image to be a little stronger while still leaving some transparency for the old. It hasn't quite worked, but the effects are interesting and meanwhile the lines have provided some texture.

One more report for my business ethics class this week, then I can work a little bit more on my end-of-term projects! I still am not sure how I'm supposed to describe a business ethics plan in only 7 or so slides in a power point presentation, but I'll think of something as always. Meanwhile, I want to clean up my pictures folder a bit though I hesitate to throw anything away- Just in case. Also, I should make up my mind which period I really want to study for my humanities class end project; It's very hard to settle on just one time frame!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Where Did Spring Go?

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Starburst Eye. I confess to being just a little surprised at how it turned out, and pleasantly so. Now that I have a handle on how some of these layer filters work, I have a couple of ideas in mind. These would be especially for works I've wished to try for a while.

Where did spring go? We had a couple of weeks when it was neither bitterly cold nor blistering hot, but suddenly we're seeing temperatures up around 90 Fahrenheit! Even the lows are staying around 70 or so: Almost warm enough to not want covers. Granted, the heat is supposed to be turned down a bit after tomorrow according to the forecast. I think it might even happen since the new midwest frontal system should be here by then. I'm not overly fond of storms: They place my internet connection at risk. But this seems to be a lucky one. So it is.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Eyes on the Sky...

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Fishies because it looks like a couple of fish passing each other at just that moment when the bodies are overlapped but the tails are still visible. I was going to try for a bright yellow over the orange in this picture- but I saw that wasn't going to happen with the pentagon part, so I let it go for the moment and added a couple of other elements instead.

This morning, I woke up to a storm. I'm not terribly surprised: That system I saw moving in on one of my friends in the mid-west would have had time to arrive here. I do hope my husband got the kitchen window! I had it open because of the recent tremendous heat- at least, tremendous by comparison to the winter chill. By the time I noticed anything, the thunder was right on top of us. Needless to say, I'll be keeping an eye on the sky today!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Gymnastics of the Mind

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Tumbling. As usual, it didn't quite come out as planned- But I did like the way it did come out. It reminded me of a brightly-colored spider or octopus doing cartwheels, or perhaps a tumbleweed- Thus, the name.

I don't know where the extra energy came from this morning! Yesterday morning about this time, I was quite ill- But I recovered quickly enough. I didn't even get my usual eight hours or so of sleep! I'll probably crash later, but I'll take what I can get now!

Yesterday, I had an illuminating talk with a friend over on Facebook that should provide me with plenty of material for one of my school's end-projects. I think he was quite tickled when I asked him about the museums in Brussels. Apparently, that place has them out the ears, including one that was built for a World's Fair!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

A short hiatus

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Fiery Ball. I made it while I was trying to create something with stained-glass like panels. As usual, it didn't come out as planned.

Boy am I glad I got stuff done ahead of time! I'm not feeling so good right now, and I've no idea how I came down with this bug- whatever it is. So I may not be writing again until I am well.

Wish me luck!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Thinking Out Loud

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Overlay. I had to do some things that I normally wouldn't do to get the coloring to stay right for the main figure in the picture before I added the lines, and there were a few things I normally would do that I didn't. It was quite an experience at thinking outside the box.

Well, my first week's of assignments is done and turned in! That feels pretty good. Now I can make a start on my end-projects, or start next week's work. The end projects are probably a better idea, really; There is a reason they require 9 weeks or so to really do well. Perhaps I'll just start those today, and start next week's work tomorrow.

Never a dull moment!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

So I'm A Time-Traveller?

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Focus. I was trying something with the different layers and flood-fills, as one can see. What I got wasn't really what I wanted, but it does have an attraction of its own. So, back to the old drawing board! I think I know what went wrong.

We finally heard from our professor in the one class yesterday, and he posted the item that we were missing. I confess, I got a couple of giggles out of it when it described me as a world-renowned time-traveling artist/historian with an assignment to go to a specific time period and research the art there and then. This could be fun! What makes it even more so is that I've had some practice doing the things that this assignment says I should do.

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...

Good News, Bad News

Good Morning, Gentle Readers!

Today's image is titled Burning Heart, Green Grass. I made it a couple of days ago, but saved it in the wrong format. I got around to correcting that only yesterday so I could share it with you.

I still haven't heard from the one professor. But I'm trying not to fret too much since, after all, it isn't a discussion week. Still, we are missing that one appendix that is listed as part of our reading.

Okay, I'm fretting.

I do have some good news to balance that out. A friend who had been out of contact since an especially vicious winter storm finally wrote in. He has been living with his sister and brother-in-law for a while, and they finally got their home rewired, repaired, and remodeled. He does sound pretty good in spite of a few problems of his own. Needless to say, I'm bouncing around!

Until we meet, Gentle Readers...