Paint Splats!



Click to view larger

This is my example from a computer graphics project I had the students complete in our Computer Art & Animation class. The assignment was to photo something from three angles, manipulate the colors using either an analogous or a complimentary color scheme, and then ad paint splats.



Filming the paint splats was the most fun because we went outside and tossed paint around.

you can check out some of the students work on our Apex Art blog.

Where Have I Been??



Busy!! Sure, the regular stuff like work, home and making sure the lawn is cut so the HOA doesn't send me another nasty gram ;) But also a lot of extra curricular activities. Here is my top 5 list:

1. Spent last weekend on a deacons retreat at the beach. I've never been on a deacons retreat and I might say, it was pretty cool spending time with the people that lead our church. We talked a lot about direction and came up with some very cool ideas and had a great time in between despite the lack of sleep. (I'm third from the left. I know , I need a hair cut!)

2. I've been talking with the folks down at the Apex Cultural Arts center and I can't spill the beans just yet but there might be an art show coming in the Fall. How very exciting!!

3. The Weevils have picked me up as their goalie for the summer season!! How very smart of them :) I'm looking forward to standing on the ice between the pipes again. More details coming soon.

4. My old stomping ground, TeleHealth, has been throwing me a lot of freelance work. Talks continue for a summer position designing the interface for their new top secrete project. Shussss, you didn't hear it here!!!

5. I got a new pond for the backyard. Planted seed, waiting for the flowers to grow.

Last Night of the Jackals



On Wednesday, April 30th, at 10:15 PM the Jackals will take the ice for the last time. After three ice rinks and two championship wins, the Jackals are hanging up their skates.

Turtle Tie Bidding Ends!



My Turtle Tie bid to sponsor a skater from the Triangle Special Hockey Association has ended. The final bid...

Drum roll please...

$122.50!!!!!!!!

I'm going to round that number up and send a check to Triangle Special Hockey Association for a total amount of $150 bucks.

Thanks to everyone who promoted the story, like you crazy bloggers. And a special thanks to everyone who bid, especially the winner ;) I think you made God smile. i know you made me.

Let the Bidding Begin!!

My Turtle Tie is finally up on Ebay! Bid early and bid often!!


Buy My Turtle Tie and sponsor a skater from the Triangle Special Hockey Association



Once upon a time I was contractually obligated to attend a dinner function. The primary invitee, who was very uptight due to the prestige of the event, requested/required that my attire be formal.

I don't mind dressing up but I do mind being forced into the prefab solution that society has (for some reason that escapes me) deemed formal wear for men. There are primarily two choices, dark blue suit with tie, black suit with tie. I picked the later.

A new tie was even purchased for me, a nice green one, and since my old tie wasn't going to be worn, I decided to do what I do best, draw turtles on it.

Then the misunderstanding occurred. The person whom I was contractually obligated to attend said function with thought I was going to wear the turtle tie. Due to the stress and pressure brought on by the fact that society wouldn't approve such a tie, instructions were clearly given that I would not being wearing the turtle tie.

I was slightly offended that my turtle tie was deemed contractually-obligated-function inappropriate. An argument ensued, my premise being that there is something wrong with a society that decides the appropriateness of a tie... especially if it is solely based on a predetermined value. For if my tie had been hand drawn by Picasso, Warhol or Haring, it would surely be deemed appropriate.

Now, I understand that I'm not any of the for-mentioned artist. But I still believe my turtle tie holds value. That is why I plan to sell my tie on Ebay to the highest bidder. All proceeds from the sale of the tie will go to sponsor a skater from the Triangle Special Hockey Association.

I hope you will consider buying my ugly tie. And also get the word out to other people that might want to buy my ugly tie.

My Turtle Tie is finally up on Ebay! Bid early and bid often!!

SCBWI Schmooze



Last Sunday I attended the Raleigh, NC SCBWI schmooze at Quail Ridge books in Raleigh. This was the third schmooze my writing group has held and each one gets better. In the past we had artist Leah Palmer Preiss and author Stephanie Greene as guest speakers. Sticking to our high standards, this year we invited my BFF Frances O'Roark Dowell.

After hearing Frances speak at a previous convention I picked up a copy of Dovey Coe. If you're looking for an outstanding example of voice, search no further. Later, I had the opportunity to hang with Frances last fall at the SCBWI=NC 15 year anniversary conference. Did you know she used to teach high school right here in Raleigh??

Frances said a lot of cool things at the schmooze and fortunately, every one in my crit group took notes. So why are you sitting here reading my blog? Check out these sites... you might even see a picture of me ;)

http://thewritehook.blogspot.com/
http://writermorphosis.blogspot.com/
http://craftwrite.blogspot.com/
http://christyscreativespace.blogspot.com/

If you get a chance, I just posted some new stuff on the Apex High School Art Blog.



Some photos of the Art History Class' Mini Golf Course.



Some photos of the Art One's Tape People Sculptures.

Click here ->Apex High School Art Blog

Buy My Ugly Tie ...
and sponsor a skater from the Triangle Special Hockey Association



Once upon a time I was contractually obligated to attend a dinner function. The primary invitee, who was very uptight due to the prestige of the event, requested/required that my attire be formal.

I don't mind dressing up but I do mind being forced into the prefab solution that society has (for some reason that escapes me) deemed formal wear for men. There are primarily two choices, dark blue suit with tie, black suit with tie. I picked the later.

A new tie was even purchased for me, a nice green one, and since my old tie wasn't going to be worn, I decided to do what I do best, draw turtles on it.

Then the misunderstanding occurred. The person whom I was contractually obligated to attend said function with thought I was going to wear the turtle tie. Due to the stress and pressure brought on by the fact that society wouldn't approve such a tie, instructions were clearly given that I would not being wearing the turtle tie.

I was slightly offended that my turtle tie was deemed contractually-obligated-function inappropriate. An argument ensued, my premise being that there is something wrong with a society that decides the appropriateness of a tie... especially if it is solely based on a predetermined value. For if my tie had been hand drawn by Picasso, Warhol or Haring, it would surely be deemed appropriate.

Now, I understand that I'm not any of the for-mentioned artist. But I still believe my turtle tie holds value. That is why I plan to sell my tie on Ebay to the highest bidder. All proceeds from the sale of the tie will go to sponsor a skater from the Triangle Special Hockey Association.

I hope you will consider buying my ugly tie. And also get the word out to other people that might want to buy my ugly tie. The tie will go on sale next week. I'll keep you posted!

Jeepalishus!

Today, I took a break from my usually artsy stuff to do real man's work (insert grunt sounds here).

Not long ago I purchased a new jeep... well, new to me. A 2006 with 8,400 miles. A good deal but it was lacking the style and manliness my other jeep had.

For example, my other jeep had a lift and 17 inch tires. My new jeep only has 16 inch tires. I inquired at the dealership as to the cost of adding the extra inches... $2,300... I'm trying to live with my less manly tires.

So in order to raise my jeeps manliness, without deflating my wallet, I ordered parts online and they arrived today. So this afternoon, using my new tools I installed my new parts.

Here are the results:



This is my new jeep before installing the new manly bumper.



and this is after with the new manly bumper installed. I think it looks pretty cool. Ooohhh, Aaahhh...



this is my jeep before adding the side steps.



and this is after with the side steps installed. I would like to point out that although the front bumper was pure vanity, the side steps are not. Though I do think they look cool, they are actually quite functional for the shorter riders.