07:35
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It is now just getting down to the fine tuning of the image. There has been a slight delay in the studio so the final mastering is not quite complete. So in essance I have a little more time to fiddle. My next challenge is creating all of the text (titles, lyrics etc)which will be done on the computer and then added to the digital image. I will be going through a fairly interesting learning curve in the next week!
20:41
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Hooray! They (my friends) are thrilled with the front cover. Now here is the work thus far on the back:
I am still working on the shadows and I have to put in the rose stem and dead leaves.
12:44
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I'm a little tired and a little nervous. I sent a picture of the front cover to my friends and I am wondering what they think about it.
In the meantime they have picked the font they want and they will send the titles etc for me to put together.
So much still left to do and only a week to do it in.
12:50
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I will have a new work in progress pic up soon, the front cover is nearly done as I am waiting on some decisions from my friends regarding fonts. In the meantime I have started the rear cover and worked on some images for the interior of the case. The rear cover image is proving the most difficult thus far so I have applied some artistic licence and made some changes. I am still not thrilled with it though so I see myself starting over - again. Ah the joys of the creative process. Sometimes it just takes several starts to find the right track and really go.
In the meantime I am currently taking mental notes on how to improve my workspace. I do not have time to completely re-arrange the furniture right now. But once I finish the spring cleaning (which will happen after I finish these paintings) and purge of extra stuff I should be able to re-arrange things to a more workable set up. I have plenty of incentive after having to relocate my easel just to get an eraser off the shelf! Don't ask what acrobatics were required to dig out the charcoal...
As for the furball I had some concerns that he would take a liking to the acrylics the same way he took a liking to my watercolours. In the case of the watercolours he figured they smelled as good as catnip. Defending my palette became an ongoing battle. Fortunately, he has no such desire with the acrylics, but he does enjoy curling up on nearby to watch what I am doing. That suits me just fine.
08:00
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Yes, more work in progress... For anyone wondering this is what is currently consuming my evening hours. This is going to be for a CD cover for some friends of mine. It is not finished yet as the finishing touches have to be applied to the rose. I worked on the astronaut and I think it's slowly coming along. The shovel needs to be filled in (as in the astronaut just planted the rose). And I'm not certain about the ground so that will require more work. I quickly covered some horrible glare from the camera so yes the top third is different from what you see! There will be a companion piece to this - but I'll be leaving everyone in suspense for a little while yet.
Meanwhile I think I'm in love - with the digital camera! Since painting in miniature is not my strong suit, I am painting this about 2 ft square. But with the camera I can scale it down to CD size on the screen and get a good idea of how elements are working in the smaller scale.
Ah the joys...
20:53
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This is the rough block in of a rose as part of a painting for a friend of mine. Another friend asked me "So how are you with roses anyway?" My response, I am about to find out! After some struggling this morning I opted to step out and purchase a mini rose plant for reference. Working from the real thing is so much better than working from a picture!
15:01
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life
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Some friends and I were recently in Chapters the other night, just browsing and passing the time until the movie was set to start. I normally do not pay much attention to the music piped in over the speakers when I am out in stores. However during one song, there was a single line that jumped out and caught my attention. I do not know the artist or the name of the song. And to be honest I have no idea what came before or what followed this little snippet:
Are you human, or are you a dancer?
At least, that is what jumped into my brain. I may have part of the lyric wrong. For now I will run with this as it is. It is an interesting question though. To me it implies a difference. As I hear it, are you fully civilized, contained & wrapped comfortably in the trappings of your society? Or do you still harbour a wild spark that steps outside to take joy in movement and expression?
Both sides are necessary to survive in my opinion, but how many of us could honestly start jumping up and dancing on the street corner or in the office? I think most people would not do this out of fear. Fear of ridicule, fear of condemnation, fear of tripping on our own feet and falling, fear of the people around us thinking we are "weird" & "immature" in the most negative sense of the word. But like it or not our bodies are meant to move, that's why we have this amazing system of muscle, nerves and bone (to be overly simplistic).
We dance at weddings, sometimes. We jump up and down at sporting events and concerts, occasionally. Some of us even go out to a night club and dance, once in a while. Others take part in various dance classes and groups. Some of us have started moving to the music while in the house, only to get the "just what are you doing?" look from family or partners.
For myself it has been too long since I have had a good night of dancing. When I have gotten out and let loose to move on the dance floor I have always felt lighter afterwards. Not just physically nimble, but mentally lighter as well because for a time I have dropped my cares to just enjoy.
