Wandering Artist Sojourn

Updated Lunch Lady McWilliams Artwork

2008-04-03T21:29:08Z

Lunch Lady McWIlliams - Artistic Update

2008-04-02T15:20:27Z

Hey Everyone,

Just posting an artistic update. This is a character concept I developed for fun. Now I'm posting it to share.

Time to get Hoffinated

2008-03-30T19:37:52Z

Hey Everyone...

Sometimes... it's important to spread the good word. Today's word is "Hoffinated."
Read some reviews of il Maestro's finest work: http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B0000070S1/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

War

2008-02-24T05:58:48Z

Should I remember... my next post will be on War... and what little I know of it.

Mavenhead

2008-02-24T05:57:47Z

The world needs this word. Does it already exist? Please help the wandering lexicographer now!!!

eponymouseponym @ 2008-02-24T00:40:00

2008-02-24T05:40:48Z

Modest Mouse - Missed The Boat Lyrics

While we're on the subject
Could we change the subject now?
I was knocking on your ears
Don't worry, you were always out
Looking towards the future
We were begging for the past
Well we knew we had the good things
But those never seemed to last
Oh please just last

Everyone's unhappy
Everyone's ashamed
Well we all just got caught looking
At somebody else's page
Well nothing ever went
Quite exactly as we planned
Our ideas held no water
But we used them like a damn

Oh, and we carried it all so well
As if we got a new position
Oh, and I laugh all the way to hell
Saying yes, this is a fine promotion
Oh, and I laugh all the way to hell

Of course everyone goes crazy
Over such and such and such
We made ourselves a ??
We just used it as a crutch
We were suddenly uncertain
At least I'm pretty sure I am
Well we didn't need the water
But we just built that go god damn

Oh, and I know this all myself
I stood in front for all the people
Oh, and I know this all myself
We listen while life hangs on
And the sound of life's sweet bliss

Was it ever worth it?
Was there all that much to gain?
Well we knew we missed the boat
And we'd already missed the plane
We didn't read the invite
We just dance at our wake
All our favorites were playing
So we could shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

Tiny curtains open and we heard the tiny clap of little hands
A tiny man would tell a little joke and get a tiny laugh from all the folks
Sitting drifting around in bubbles and thinking it was us that carried them
When we finally got it figured out that we had truly missed the boat

Oh, and we carried it all so well
As if we got a new position
Oh, and we owned all the tools ourselves
But not the skills to make a shelf with
Oh, what useless tools ourselves

In defense of the Simple Things

2008-02-06T03:53:00Z

I believe the simple things in Life are some of the most beautiful and that being in touch with their pleasure is a great gift to give yourself.

I think this has often cast me in the light of simpleton, or so have been afraid of such.

Enjoying the little things ensures a few things Life...
1) constant sources of joy.
2) more relaxation
3) more bang for your buck. come-on.. the logical economist in us all knows the appeal of this.
4) It takes less work to be happier.

We have so much control over our Lives and what we appreciate and respect. I remember realizing that Life was really really really really really really hard sometimes and I needed something to get me through some days or some hours.
The small things. Sometimes... being thankful for a bridge that whistles in the wind makes the walk in the sub-freezing wind bearable. The little things are everywhere and with them you can bleed the stresses of daily Life.... Little things... little things make the world turn. They define the nature of things to come long before one large event will (most of the time).
Stable systems have a way of righting themselves after large catastrophes... there is no defense against a constant influx of little changes in the system.

I Love You.

Thank You and You're Welcome

2008-01-29T03:52:14Z

How did these somewhat concatenated responses come to be. What follows is completely conjecture... I have looked nothing up. Nothing at all. Don't take this as fact. It's someone's musing. Really... that's it. Stop judging me.

What would someone be welcome to that another is thanking them for?
Would it have gone something like this in less shortened forms?

"Thank You for your kindness." says polite person number one.

"You are welcome to it." counters proper person number two. He's wearing a very dapper tweed vest.

Simple isn't it?

More Art...

2008-01-27T05:42:08Z

So I'm preparing a presentation for a large toy company (you have probably played with their toys throughout your whole life). They want to learn some new software and with great fortune I wound up being chosen as the instructor for the position. In order to prepare for the presentation, I'm making some new art... The following is a work in progress... or a WIP.
I hope you enjoy it.

Letters for Peace

2008-01-17T04:40:27Z

This Life is about what you let in, what you let inside… what you keep outside. I have let too much in. It is time to expel.

Much of myself have I anchored to the moorings of common human trappings. Much have I learned of their necessities and their drawbacks. Human trappings carry rich passion, a vigor for living. It's absolutely amazing to watch and especially to be a part of. Before my move to Boston I didn't understand much: about people, about their motivations, and seriously about their extraordinary emotional reactions to common happenings. It is of course ridiculous to speak as if I'm an outside observer. All humans are human and therefore my past, present and future endeavors are also human endeavors. But, much like many who read this will understand (if not immediately relate to), being human is also about being, as a singular experience - shared experiences abound, of course, but as we have known since we were children we are all also the only one of us that will ever be made. The logic is irrefutable. Some who read this will of course choose to overlook this singularity and find solace in their shared experiences with greater numbers of... individuals. Others will recognize their individuality and scoff or engender antipathy. In short, if you're reading this, you've probably felt what it is to be an outcast, a loner, a single in a room of multiples. And of course you have, you went to high school. You had friends, or not. If you've got that whole loner thing going on and wish you could ditch it for good but just can't seem to figure out how, I hope you come to appreciate it and then Love it.
Oh I know... "Love? Oh how sickly sweet. How nasty and insufferably naive." How often have I heard such sentiments, such revulsion to feeling joy (not to be confused with a myriad pool of addictive ecstasies). I mean real joy, peaceful, secure and easy joy... free of expectation... simple, simple, slap-happy joy. The only down side I know to this joy is the looks from people who haven't experienced it.

Which I guess brings me back to the main point...
This Life is about what you let in, what you let inside… what you keep outside. I have let too much in. It is time to expel.

It takes great courage to be someone new. This is why so few people change. Being someone new, I have found, requires a change in perspective. Again, I know. You are learned. You are probably even a sophist and can regale the world with tales of how you know different thoughts. But... the world always changes when the doing happens. The hard part, the absolute most difficult, fuckin pain int he side of your neck running through your skull and out your anus thing to do is to not only hear someone else's voice and message, but to take it as your own. Not forever, but for a moment... to taste their flavor of Life and feel exactly how that person feels. This is an amazing endeavor and never will you be the same when you do this. To more you hear someone, the more you hear them as you would hear your own voice, with all the same verity and conviction. Someone else's words become your own. And in that moment, when you let go of yourself to hear someone else... you are changed. You are different than the very moment before and every moment before. A Shift in perception is a spiritual kick in the balls, or solar-plexus (whichever you prefer).

Many people truly revile at the thought of listening to another person on this level. And of course I understand... to listen to intently is to open yourself to change, to someone else's influence... but possibly scariest of all is the possibilty that someone else will have control over you thereby leading to you losing control of yourself. And if you're not incontrol of yourself... then what's the point right?

I can guarantee you that you will not lose yourself. You have thoughts... but you are not your thoughts. You have two hands, but you are not your hands. Thoughts enter your head all day, and if you're in the collection of people I'm assuming, then thoughts fly through your head like change through a slot-machine. You are not your thoughts. Your thoughts are only possibilities of what could be. Scary? Awesome? Boring? Sexy? Pedantic? Vituperative? It doesn't matter. Thoughts are only thoughts... at the end of the thought is always your choice to listen or reject.

This listening to people though must of course be metered with intent, tempered with forethought. It is possible to lose a sense of yourself. On the other side of that double-edged blade though is hearing only yourself - and that is a great pain and great loss. As with most everything... balance is the practice for hearing, for listening, for growing.

I've done much and seen much as I would never have seen it before. I am now seeking the other side of this balance. Wide open have I made myself to the world before me. Stepped into it with open heart and iron will to be someone greater than I was before. And so have I become more than I was, greater than what I wanted.

And no... the journey is not over.

This Life is about what you let in, what you let inside… what you keep outside.

China Recognizes Me

2008-01-10T15:09:32Z

My Demo Reel finally made it to China, after the second attempt.

The University of Peking received it!!!! They will get in touch with me when they've had a chance to view it.

For those not in the know, I am applying for a job teaching 3D Animation at Peking University.

Wish me Luck!!!

Concept Art - Character Design

2008-01-01T07:34:28Z

If you like nightmares or boogymen, this drawing might be right up your alley. Originally designed a long time ago, this guy gives me the shivers.

Concept Art for Children's Hospital Animation

2007-12-30T23:36:36Z

Concept art for a Physical Therapist character.

It's the same face as shown below. Now with a body added. Image created using Art Rage.

Interface Test

2007-12-30T21:31:24Z

I'm experimenting with a new painting program called Art Rage. If you're a digital painter and/or want to get into digital painting I HIGHLY recommend this program. It's 25 USD for the full license. Its approach is to recreate natural media (paints, litho roller, crayon, chalks, pencil, marker, palette knife, airbrush). The color mixing is amazing. It's how I painted the face in my earlier post.

What I'm testing here is using an art program to create an interface design style. One that is easy to read and pleasing to the eye. My friend is a programmer with a kick-ass product.

I hope you enjoy the image.

more concept art - Childrens Hospital of Boston

2007-12-30T05:31:29Z

These are very different in style.

Concept Art for Children's Hospital Animation

2007-12-30T05:17:50Z

Oh wow!!!!
that left eye is really out of place.

Here's the under-painting that defines the above image. Use very few lines to define the black areas of the face. Fill the rest in with paint.

Eye of the Tiger

2007-12-29T08:58:04Z

I am listening to "The Eye of the Tiger." I feel it is important to say that I do this of free will and sound mind. Damnit... it's a good song.

Good Night Boston.

Cinque Terre... Go there...

2007-12-29T00:49:48Z

Here's an image from someone's Flickr stream about a place on Earth called Cinque Terre. I was here in June of '96. There is no place like this. Such wonderful memories from here. Since it was 11.5 years ago that I last visited, and first visited, my photos of this place are scattered across time and various places. I cannot recollect where time has placed them so I am happy someone else cataloged their photos. Have a look. Then go.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/h2okatcher/48850969/in/set-716786/

eponymouseponym @ 2007-11-28T22:40:00

2007-11-29T03:48:18Z

Sometimes... no one, no thing, says it better than a musician. So, I give thanks to the groovy funk and soulful gratitude of a band named Len. Tonight, I give thanks for a beautiful song that I can just listen to on repeat, time after time after time. So, to you Len, a hearty and deep thanks. Inspiration comes in all forms and I thank you for this one.

Below are the lyrics here's the info. I recommend ordering the song, and then listening to it forever, imprinting it in your brain, 'cause we're all gonna have bad days and their sentiment is my medicine.

Album: You Can't Stop the Bumrush
Song: Crazy 'Cause I Believe (Early Morning Sunshine)
Year: You Can't Stop the Bumrush
For More Info: AllMusic.com,

Ya know what?
Sometimes you just get so damn tired
And things really ain't that cool
But it's normal, man
You can't let it slow up your pattern
Somedays the pressure can really be on you
And you might not know what to do about it
You might get a little clausterphobic,
Problems closin in on ya
But you just gotta relax, man
Plan your attack, man
I mean, we all got struggles
Though you can't win em all
Cause life is hard as granite for some of us
But you just gotta let it ride, man, and ride with it
Cause some things only happen when you let it
If you lose your head too fast, you might live to regret it
So listen, man, listen
So when you feel so way out
And you feel like theres no way out
You just gotta open your eyes, man, and rise
Sometimes you just gotta give thanks when you're walkin slanted
Ya can't take your blessings for granted
So keep a good focus, stay cool, stay true
And just let the sun shine right on through

So let the sun shine through
Oooh wake the eyes, the eyes that see

Thanks to LyricsFreak.com for the lyrics.

Gratitude

2007-11-27T21:46:54Z

Sometimes a bad day becomes a bad week and moments that would have brought me down otherwise. So I'm basically having just a terrible two days. Yesterday, the worst day of work I've ever had... hands down, bar none. Today, better... still with bad news though and still so tired. And in a quiet moment I realized just how much I don't care. I don't care that it's a bad day. I just don't have the energy to worry about that. And I realized also that I'm grateful... grateful for being able to stand, to roll with the punches, to not crumble... to not lose track or lose ground.
This is a blessing.

... Art in Progress ...

2007-11-17T06:53:42Z

The image is getting closer. This version of the pre-viz though might be too busy. I like the sky SO MUCH MORE now.

- I added the city of Kuala Lumpur on the left. Does it work? I wonder... too busy probably. It is of a different perspective and scale than the building set on the right.

- Please not the added elements in the occulus. I'm adding some interstellar architecture. I kinda dig it. It plays a lot with the concept of space in outer space. Now we see both near and far. Remember learning about 'near' and 'far' from Grover on Sesame street?

- The sky isn't color corrected yet, but I do have something MUCH closer to what it should look like. I've got stars and clouds. I'm missing airplanes or birds.

I hope you like it.
Andrew

Art in Progress...

2007-11-13T04:49:18Z

Here's the next offering. Enjoy

... A Quiet Moment of Meditation ...

2007-11-12T19:44:18Z

What an amazing gift this Life is. it could have been so many other things. I am so grateful for having the opportunities to be the kind of person I admire. To God, The Universe, of Whoever... Thanks for not pulling your punches when I asked. Thanks for the gentle nudges in the right direction. Thanks for memory and the chance to be great... for the chance to be someone.

Art in Progress

2007-11-12T04:01:08Z

Here's the latest version of the pre-Viz... It's turning out real well right now. I'm excited to see how this will play out in the finished concept design, and then the modeling, texturing, rendering, et cetera.

Updates to the image:
1) Added building detail under the Mucha statue.
2) Added support for the statue over the city. These supports are starting to look real nice. I'm beginning to believe that they're in the scene. This is a good palce to be in pre-viz. The more believable here the better I'll be during production.
3) I'm starting to decide what I'll do with the 'occulus' behind the statue... looking out into space is always fun. Can I get an 'Amen' for CG for providing us that opportunity?

My Flickr Account

2007-11-12T03:39:26Z

http://www.flickr.com/photos/die_spinne_von_tod/