April 2007 Archives

It felt like Christmas the other day when I got my second monitor.

Why two monitors?
Two monitors give me a bigger workspace. The monitors are connected to one another, so as I move my mouse to the edge of the screen it continues to show up on the other screen. And vice versa.

I use the bigger monitor to work on my art and the smaller monitor is where all my tools and palettes are when I am working in Photoshop, Illustrator and especially Flash.

It's great cause now I don't have to constantly open and close my palettes or tools.

I don't know how I survived on one monitor.

I should have known that the animated Disney movie "Meet the Robinsons" is based on a children's book. "A Day with Wilbur Robinson" by William Joyce. You will definitely enjoy this book filled with bright pictures and even brighter characters.

I really enjoyed the movie, and my 3-year-old son saw it a total of three times.

On a personal level, I could really relate to Lewis and his wanting to find his birth mother. I was adopted, and I felt those same emotions and had those same questions that Lewis encounters.

In the end, I realized that my adoptive parents had given me a second chance at a new life. And I wouldn't be where I am at if they hadn't taken me into their home.

You don't often get a chance to choose your family, but in my case my parents made a great choice and I am ever so thankful they did.

This is the end quote from "Meet the Robinsons"
Keep moving forward. Don’t dwell on the mistakes of the past. Pick yourself up and keep walking.
— Walt Disney

Dining amongst beautiful artwork is an artist's delight. At the Log Cabin located in Leola, you can do just that.

Here is an excerpt from their Web site: ...Primitive 18th century portraits hang with distinguished landscapes and still life. The collection, which extends throughout all the dining areas, is remarkable in both its scope and volume. Particularly rich in historical portraits, mostly from the Lancaster County area, Mr. DiSantis' collection continues to evolve. Not limited to historical works, the collection includes studies of the early modern masters, some of which decorate the facade of the building!

Click on the link to learn more
http://www.logcabinrestaurant.com/home.cfm

One of the reason's I wanted to name my blog Artist's Bloc is that, well, just like writer's block, I get stumped. But luckily, I have my trusty Design Editor Ted to help me out. (Everyone should have one of these in their newsroom.)

The story was about how there is a growing trend in new employees quitting their jobs, some almost as soon as they start. It's not that I couldn't come up with an idea, it's more or less I couldn't come up with a fresh new idea. See, I do some sort of employment/business illustration once or twice a week, and sometimes my ideas get stale. It's kinda like every year when a reporter has to cover Ground Hog's Day, it gets to you after a while.

But back to the point. Ted has helped me out numerous times with different ideas. Some I like, some I don't, but the important thing is, when he helps me brainstorm, it helps get my creative juices flowing.

Here are his sketches he came up.

By the way, Ted is a talented artist himself.

Here is where I eat, sleep and breathe graphic arts... OK, maybe not sleep. I'd probably get fired if I slept at my desk... But I definitely do a lot of eating at my desk.

A This is my big 20-inch computer monitor. This is where I get jiggy with graphics.

B Ahh, my toys, I was a very deprived in my childhood. I never had a Hungry, Hungry Hippo, and now I have the travel-size version. (I was not a deprived child, my parents are wonderful people.)

C There's one of my cat doodads. I have many, I luv cats...

D My trusty Hi-Liter, I use this to mark-off corrections I made on proofs I get back from the reporters.

E That's my Power Mac G-5, it purrs like a cat. (Ha! Another cat reference)

Moving into my dreamhouse. My husband suprised me the other night and bought a living room set for my doll house.

I'm not the only artist in the family.

My husband painted this portrait of me a couple of years ago. It hangs in our living room.

This is a birthday card my stepdaughter made for her father.

My point is even though I make a living as an artist, and I'm told countless times by so- called "non-artists" that they have no artistic ability. That's a false notion. Anyone and everyone has the ability create a piece of art. So you might not paint the next Sistine Chapel, there is nothing to stop you from creating your own unique work of art.

So the next time you're sitting around being bored, grab a piece of paper and pencil and just start...anything...

Or head out to the local art/craft store and buy some inexpensive paints, a canvas, and a brush.

One added note for inspiration, turn on some of your favorite music and jam away as you paint away...

This is one of my closest friends, her name's Christine and she is a very talented artist.

She was my boss at a previous job. She has since become a good friend/mentor, and an inspiration to me.

Here is a sample piece.

Click on the link below to view her Web site
http://www.mercer-vernon.com/