Blog
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This is Not 0’s and 1’s
This is not cochineal, and lapis lazuli, and Indian lac, and alum, and linseed oil. The human being who made this image is not chlorine, and carbon, and magnesium, and sulfur. This is not 0’s and 1’s. The copy of this art is not 0’s and 1’s. The extraordinary human experience of art is not 0’s and 1’s.
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Guest Blog: Sarah Beach on The Metaphysics of Creativity
THE METAPHYSICS OF CREATIVITY About a month ago on another website, there was a discussion about fanfiction and professional writing, and the distinctions between them. Some of the posters contended that it was a matter of the quality of the writing, in terms of craftsmanship. Me, I think that’s a mistake. Some professional writers can be sloppy craftsmen, while some fanfic writers have exceptional talent. Colleen and I (we’d both followed the discussion there) continued a conversation spun from this discussion. Our conversation led into other territory, and it seemed to me it would make an interesting guest blog topic. So, here’s some wandering on where my thoughts went. Professionalism…
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An Irish Blessing for Thanksgiving
UPDATE 11-21-12: To the many, many people who come to this blog, please be advised that the Irish blessing is in the SONG and not in my little prayer here. I made that up. That is not a traditional Irish prayer. I am glad you like it, but if you are looking for a traditional Irish prayers from the auld sod, this ‘aint it. I now see it on blogs and all over the place, and people have started using it in religious services. This is NOT a traditional Irish prayer. I wrote it. Glad you like it. Here’s wishing you and all of yours a beautiful day full of…
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10 things to do with those pesky green tomatoes
It’s the end of the growing season, and perverse wench that she is, Mother Nature sent a cold blast last week which gave the garden a big bite of frost. And this week it’s a beautiful 70 degrees. I picked as many green tomatoes before the frost as I could. If tomatoes are hit by air colder than 40 degrees, they will have no flavor, and even our row covers did not save them this time. (By the way, never store your fresh tomatoes in the fridge.) This sad situation resulted in a post so popular, even the Executive Office of the President popped in for advice. No, really. Here’s…
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Tolkien Art and Artists
A short list of Tolkien inspired/related books, which I recommend in my Tolkien art lectures. Not all of these are directly related to The Lord of the Rings, but feature artists closely associated with the work. For example, Alan Lee, who is widely regarded as among the greatest of all Tolkien illustrators, has very few works in print. So, I’ve included some of his other books which I hope you will enjoy. I’ve been asked to repeat this lecture at future appearances, so I will let you know when and where. J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator by Christina Scull, Wayne G. Hammond J.R.R. Tolkien Mariner Books; 1st Houghton Mifflin Tolkien’s…
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Guest Blog: David Lloyd at the Funchal, Madeira Book Fair by Roberto Macedo Alves
Roberto Macedo Alves is on a one-man mission to bring comics to the Portugeuse island of Madeira, which is one of the loveliest places I have ever been. Incredible scenery, very friendly people, and many enthusiastic comics readers! An absolute delight. Roberto began bringing comics creators to the Funchal Book Fair a few years ago, and this year’s guest was David Lloyd, artist of V for Vendetta. Roberto’s shop is Setima Dimensao, and his blog is here, where you can see more pictures of the event. David Lloyd’s website is here. I’m sorry, but had no luck finding a direct link to artist Marco Avoletta. If anyone has that info,…
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Ovanon on Earth
DarkGlobe, a regular poster at the long gone A Distant Soil Message Board posted this incredible link. In the year 2000, an enormous crystal cave was discovered in Mexico, with huge pillars 20 feet high, extraordinary walls of shimmering rock, and the largest formations found on Earth. It looks exactly how I envisioned the crystal caves on Ovanon. I didn’t realize crystals could get that big on this planet. Apparently, the subterranean formations grew in a high temperature, water laden environment, so steamy one poor explorer was baked alive. Ew. It does sort of tie in with my idea that Ovanon was originally a hot planet, but I don’t know…
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WHY KIRK IS MYTHIC AND PICARD IS NOT Guest Blog by Sarah Beach
With the arrival of the new STAR TREK movie, the natures of the various characters of the STAR TREK universe have become ripe for new discussions. Fans of NEXT GENERATION have often bickered with fans of the Original Series as to whether Kirk or Picard is the better Captain. There are fans who prefer DEEP SPACE 9 over VOYAGER. There are even (though I’m not sure why) fans of ENTERPRISE. I’m not trying to set up an argument about which series is better, particularly not between the Original Series and NEXT GENERATION. And I am certainly not out to say that of the two series a person should prefer one…
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Guest Blog: Julie Ditrich on Unlocking and Accessing the Darkness Within: 7 Keys for Comics Creators
[WARNING: Some comics, film and book plot spoilers ahead!] “Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.” Stephen King A few weeks ago at Australia’s Supanova (Brisbane) pop culture convention, I had the privilege of meeting US comics creator Jhonen Vasquez whose satirical work Johnny the Homicidal Maniac I greatly admire. Despite the fact that I’m not usually drawn to creative properties with the words “homicidal” or “maniac” in the title or indeed ones that hint at or overtly promise great acts of depravity, my business partner and artist Jozef Szekeres persuaded me to read it and I’m very grateful to him…
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11 Things Designers Should Avoid: Guest Blog by Val Trullinger
Often I get interns and designers who are dab hands at InDesign and Photoshop, but lack crucial skills that aren't always taught in design classes. Namely, how to work with other designers, clients, and an art director. It's wonderful that you can design mind-blowing work, but if you can't get along with your studio, you're doomed. This is a hard lesson for some. Luckily, that's why the gods invented art directors: to school the uppity.