Final Project for Computer Art

The class is coming to an end and we are to turn in our final project on Wednesday, May 4, 2011. The assignment was one picture that would display our knowledge of Photoshop CS5. I completed two works and could not decide which to post so I am posting both. The first is entitled "TO DREAM" and the second is entitled "INNOCENCE". Hopefully, they meet the requirements for the class. If not, they were done as works of art and please me, so I am happy with them.

Protrait Project

Our assignment was to create three portraits. One was to be a self portrait, one a portrait of a classmate and one could be a portrait of any person. I am listing my portraits in the order of: first, a classmate, second, my grandson, Owen, and third, my self portrait. This was a fun project and I learned a great deal by the "hands-on" experience.

Homage Project

While viewing all the images on the link provided to the class for this project, I found many works of art that I reacted to but only one artist who truly inspired me. That artist is Zoe Regoczy. An example of her work is below.

Although I did not attempt to copy Zoe's style, the inspiration of her work is, hopefully shown in my images. Below are three images posted as an homage to the work of Zoe Regoczy.

Final Digital Photography Project

Digital Photography - Final Project

Final CD Cover Project

CD Covers

Original and Retouched Photograph

Illustrated Photograph

Patterns

Brushes

Visual Puns

"When you are dreaming, you see for miles and miles"

MIDNIGHT LULLABYE by Tom Waits

Dreams, Coincidence, Memory and Meditation.

Although I am sure that this assignment was simply a device to get us to post something on our blogs, I really became rather thought provoking.

First question-What is the nature of dreams?
Personally, dreams have always reflected what is going on in my life at the time.  Whether it was a problem, a plan or even a fantasy, my dreams have always been manifestations of those events both important and mundane.  Scientifically, dreams are the result of entering into the REM phase of sleep.  All that aside, the "movies in my head" have allowed me to relive some fantastic moments, work on puzzeling issues and even safely live some of my fantasies. Dreams are always a peaceful time of my sleep cycle.  Scientist tell us that we do not enter into a deep, restful sleep unless we dream.  I have found that when I have nothing of note going on in my life, I don't dream.  I do, however rest quite nicely even without entering the REM sleep.

Second question- Do you believe in coincidence?
Simple answer, for me, is No.  I do not believe in coincidence.  I believe that everything happens for a reason or as a result of an action.Coincidence defined for me is just luck and I don't believe in luck.

Third question- What is memory?
Memory is anything learned or that has had an effect on our lives.  Sometimes, memory is a result of a learned behavior but I believe that everything we do, say, hear or experience in our lives is stored in the folds of our brain and can be recalled at a later date.

Fourth question- Can you meditate?
Yes, I meditate often.  When I had my first heart attack on November 1, 2009, I was at the top of Seven Devils.  Along with the intense pain comes even more strain on the heart muscle.  After a delay of about thirth minutes, we were able to start the decent down the mountain and make the trip to the nearest hospital in Boone.  On this trip, I meditated as a way to ease the pain and, thus, decrease the strain on my heart muscle.  During my brief stay in the ER in Boone, I told the doctor that I had taken baby aspirin in the car shortly after the symptoms began and that I had meditated on the trip to the hospital.  He must have noted this in the records because the cardiologist in Hickory later told me that he was confident that the aspirin and the meditation kept me alive until the operation to place a stent was begun.  The doctor said this with confidence because he told us that 98 percent of the people who have this type heart attack die within the first hour.  Not only do I meditate but I recommend it strongly to others as a means to relax and let go of the stresses of life.

Looking forward to class tomorrow.  Hopefully I can keep up better.

"Don't Worry, You Can't Muck It Up?"

Today was a truly daunting day in class.  Our instructor has assurred us that there is no way we can muck up our assignments.  Wrong!!!!!  While the instructor talked and demonstrated exactly what we were to do at 55 miles per hour, my brain listened and comprehended at 35 miles per hour.  By the time I had found what I was suppose to click on and had done it, he was, at least, two steps ahead.  I learned that it doesn't take long to get totally lost and muck it up.

The magic keystrokes, CTRL+Z and CTRL+ALT+Z, failed me or maybe I failed them.  As I hurriedly hit the magic commands, absolutely nothing happened.  I had gone so deep into failure that there was not backing out.

I am looking forward to being able to manipulate pictures and complete some art projects.  I have vowed that Photoshop is not going to defeat me.  I may come out at the end bruised, scared and battered, but, I will come out on the winning side.  This I vow!

First Day of Class

After much delay because of snow, we finally began our computer art class. I have tried for a long time to learn Photoshop on my own without much success. To say that I am excited to finally have the opportunity to learn the finer points of this fantastic program and to actually be able to produce art is an understatement.

In just one short hour, I learned more about the program and some of the manipulations possible than I had previously known. Our class is small so each of us should be able to receive a goodly amount of individual attention from the instructor.

Knowing that our instructor produces a great deal of his art through the use of computer manipulated images, instills great confidence in his abilities and will make the advice that he gives us much more viable than would be the case if someone was just teaching the course who did not practice the principles.

Follow as I post pictures and projects throughout the course.