Tech nerds rejoice! Apple announced the release of its latest iPad today: due out March 16, it will feature a new, sharper display screen and 4G service (that's a lot of Gs). I have been really tempted to buy one myself after hearing all the raves (even from my Mom!). I don't have a laptop, so it would be great to have a portable device that was smaller than my iMac and bigger than my smartphone, that I could work on away from home. I was actually checking out the iPad 2 last night at Verizon, and I do love the interface. The only drawback is that Adobe doesn't seem to offer their products for the tablet... and, of course, once you buy the damned thing, they will announce an entirely new, updated version on the way. Love/hate that about you, Apple.
Anyway, even Norman Rockwell Museum is trying to keep up with the technology boom... bless 'em. We have been talking about various mobile applications, and next week the Museum will once again offer a workshop on digital animation art. A five-week after school offering, it is being taught by cartoonist Scott Lincoln, who had previously taught the course−a mix of traditional drawing and computer work. I created a promotional video for that last workshop, so in the spirit of social networking/viral cross-promotion, blah blah blah, here's another embedded YouTube clip to share with y'all:
For more information on the class, visit Norman Rockwell Museum's website: www.nrm.org
Related Links:
"New iPad neither dud nor 'revolution,'" CNN, March 7, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
Voices from the "Past"
Last night we went over to Sarah's folks' place to help celebrate her mother's birthday. Of course, one of the first things I needed to do was wrestle with my two nephews. I almost died when the youngest one came running in from the other room wearing a little mesh Spider-Man mask− adorable, and certainly reminded me of myself at that age (I was a huge Spidey fanatic).
Later in the evening, Sarah's dad brought out their old video camera, and we started watching some old home movies of her family. It was fun to see Sarah as a kid, and a little startling when she and her two siblings each appeared on camera, wishing their mother a happy birthday... it was almost like voices from the past connecting with the future!
I took a workshop at the Omega Institute in the Hudson Valley a few years back with the writer of The Artist's Way− sort of a self-help book to help you ignite your creativity. One of the exercises we had to do was write a letter from ourselves at age eight and 80. It sort of took me aback, because some of the advice I received from my older self was unexpected and assured (i.e. that I would find a very rewarding career, including the creation of graphic novels). From my younger self, it reminded me that I was a very creatively-driven child, who would work tirelessly on artistic pursuits and knew that was what he was meant to do.
One of those pursuits was doing little "radio shows" with my friends. The other day as I was going through my storage in Hudson, I came across a box filled with these tapes, which I had created on a little recorder I was always carrying around (along with a Polaroid camera). I didn't know I had these with me, and also realize that they are probably but a small portion of the many recorded shows I have somewhere.
Anyway, one of these afternoons I might just have to don my own Spidey mask, and listen to some of these shows... there is something almost mythic about them to me. As I get older, I find it can be a lot more challenging to give myself the time to just let loose and be creative. Here, I have a pretty extensive document of myself doing just that as a young artist... hmmm...
I wonder what secrets will be revealed on the hours of magnetic tape?...
Later in the evening, Sarah's dad brought out their old video camera, and we started watching some old home movies of her family. It was fun to see Sarah as a kid, and a little startling when she and her two siblings each appeared on camera, wishing their mother a happy birthday... it was almost like voices from the past connecting with the future!
I took a workshop at the Omega Institute in the Hudson Valley a few years back with the writer of The Artist's Way− sort of a self-help book to help you ignite your creativity. One of the exercises we had to do was write a letter from ourselves at age eight and 80. It sort of took me aback, because some of the advice I received from my older self was unexpected and assured (i.e. that I would find a very rewarding career, including the creation of graphic novels). From my younger self, it reminded me that I was a very creatively-driven child, who would work tirelessly on artistic pursuits and knew that was what he was meant to do.
Anyway, one of these afternoons I might just have to don my own Spidey mask, and listen to some of these shows... there is something almost mythic about them to me. As I get older, I find it can be a lot more challenging to give myself the time to just let loose and be creative. Here, I have a pretty extensive document of myself doing just that as a young artist... hmmm...
I wonder what secrets will be revealed on the hours of magnetic tape?...
Sunday, March 4, 2012
House Cleaning
Ok, I'm on a tear this afternoon, using some of my old shelving and storage units to help organize our cohabitation. It's not even spring, but things are feeling good! I could keep going like this all day, but I probably should stop and get some of my other work in order.
Speaking of work, my buddy/poet Darian Dauchan will be performing his new piece Obamatry this afternoon at 1 p.m., at the Bowery Poetry Club in New York City. The performance is what he calls a "spoken word remix," collecting many of the poems he has created, that document Obama's presidency. Adding to that mix, he will be using several of the "chiefly commanding" visuals I have created over the years for the Spoken Word Almanac Project, where I serve as multimedia designer. The afternoon event is free, but donations are being accepted for a Kickstarter campaign for Dauchan's hip hop poetry musical Death Boogie, which he is attempting to share with the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. If you can't make today's performance, you should be able to stream it live at www.bowerypoetrylive.com
On a political note, I was watching Meet The Press this morning, and I swear it's a miracle that anything gets done in Washington. Some of the bantering is so petty, and this latest controversy over the funding of contraception by insurance companies is infuriating. I think Al Franken was spot on when he declared: "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot." Go ahead and have a public discourse, but keep your sexist comments out of it. Oh, I better get the visuals ready... I'm sure one of the SWAP poets has already started working on this one...
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Lefty Centered
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| the horse whisperer. photo ©Blueeyed Soul Productions. |
We also raided my storage and picked up a few items to bring back to Sarah's place... ulp! Looks like it's really happening... we're sharing furniture now! Organizing nut that I am, it feels good to find some things to help the feng shui around here. I'm a pretty big believer in that... it helps me, anyway.
This evening we continued our search for wedding rings. I'm not really a jewelry guy, so it's a new process. Funny that a bigger band looks better on my finger, while Sarah's engagement ring looks better when paired with a smaller band. Anyway, we've got some good ideas and similar taste. Maybe the energy of the ring's metals will also have a grounding effect on me... at least it will be a pleasant reminder of someone else who does.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Lit Graphics
Ok, I admit it. I'm more than a little excited about the opening of the movie The Avengers this May. What does that say about me? Yeah. Deep down I'm still a comic book fanboy at heart.
I would go on to say that reading comics faithfully as a kid through young adult taught me some great lessons about visual storytelling and design. Hell, I still pick them up from time to time and there's some great new works that expand on some of the traditional conventions--it has become a real art form.
I'm glad that Norman Rockwell Museum realized this as well, and decided to mount the 2007 exhibition LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel. I had the chance to work on a video for the exhibit, and it was a great thrill. If you missed it at the Rockwell, the show is now touring and will open at the Munson Williams Proctor Art Institute in Utica, New York, this Sunday. In addition to my video, check out the amazing Lynd Ward's Gods' Man, a beautiful series of wood engravings that were used to illustrate a wordless picture book... back in 1929!
I might try and attend tomorrow's opening, and will see about blogging more about the subject. In the meantime, here's a clip with two of the exhibited artists, whose work I was very pleased to learn more about: Mark Kalesniko (Alex, Mail Order Bride) and Marc Hempel (Sandman, Breathtaker, MAD Magazine). I used music in the video from Marc's band, as well as from his colleague Mark Wheatley. Zap! Biff! POW!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Don't Stop Believin'
Well, yesterday was pretty strange after all. The last day of February, and we finally had our first winter storm (thankfully, no frogs). Also, news that Davy Jones of the Monkees has died.
Obsessed Beatles fan that I was, it was hard to resist the Monkees’ charms during their comeback in the 1980s. MTV started running marathons of their old TV show, and I remember me and my sister seriously getting hooked during a rather stressful time for our family (even saw them in concert a couple times). Great, silly stuff that definitely paved the way for music videos, and probably a few of my own improv skits. And the Monkees had some great songs too: "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" sounds like it was punk ahead of it's time! I learned that they were criticized for not playing their own instruments at the beginning, but as a manufactured band, they sure made up for it with great session musicians, writers, and their energetic performances.
It’s hard to believe that Davy Jones could get old. The video of him doing his funny little dance to “Daydream Believer” makes you think that he might stay forever young simian. Again reminding me to live and enjoy life to the fullest... like a Monkee. Hey, hey!
R.I.P. Davy!
Related Links:
"Davy Jones, Monkees Singer, Dies at 66," The New York Times, February 29, 2012
"The Monkees" Why I'm a Believer in Their Perfect Pop," The Guardian, March 1, 2012
The Legacy of the Monkees, Sound Opinions, February 18, 2011
Obsessed Beatles fan that I was, it was hard to resist the Monkees’ charms during their comeback in the 1980s. MTV started running marathons of their old TV show, and I remember me and my sister seriously getting hooked during a rather stressful time for our family (even saw them in concert a couple times). Great, silly stuff that definitely paved the way for music videos, and probably a few of my own improv skits. And the Monkees had some great songs too: "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" sounds like it was punk ahead of it's time! I learned that they were criticized for not playing their own instruments at the beginning, but as a manufactured band, they sure made up for it with great session musicians, writers, and their energetic performances.
It’s hard to believe that Davy Jones could get old. The video of him doing his funny little dance to “Daydream Believer” makes you think that he might stay forever young simian. Again reminding me to live and enjoy life to the fullest... like a Monkee. Hey, hey!
R.I.P. Davy!
Related Links:
"Davy Jones, Monkees Singer, Dies at 66," The New York Times, February 29, 2012
"The Monkees" Why I'm a Believer in Their Perfect Pop," The Guardian, March 1, 2012
The Legacy of the Monkees, Sound Opinions, February 18, 2011
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