I feel my powers growing.

It's weird how things sometimes fall into my lap the way I wish them to.

One of my main interests at the moment is to become a motor sports photographer.
While riding through Mullholland on the famous turn at "The Snake" I saw a photographer that normally isn't there. I stopped by to talk with him for a while and he just so happened to be an established motor sports photographer testing out some new techniques.

This could not have been coincidence.

I used this moment to seek his advice and pick at his brain a bit while I could. I told him about how I wanted to start photography school. The answer I expected was something along the lines of "Oh, cool."

Instead his immediate response was, "Why?"

He happened to also be an instructor, and basically told me that photography school for a digital photographer of today is a waste of time because everything I need to know is already laying around on the internet. I guess I wanted to do it more to have a physical confirmation of my accomplishment at the end of it, and because my parents would feel better about me being in school instead of doing nothing.

This was really what I needed to hear.

Sure enough I've been scouring the internet for knowledge and techniques. The internet really makes so many things so easy these days. I've always been somewhat afraid of Photoshop. Maybe more intimidated than afraid. That was one thing I really wanted to take a class for because I felt better about someone relaying the information to me and making sure I'm doing it right. Something in me finally just said, "Fuck it" and I just went for it. My usual method of learning is to just jump right in; I don't know why I've been so reluctant to do so with this.
Long story short, I feel my powers growing.



There's something really awesome about just finding a beautiful spot all by yourself and just taking it all in. It's not something I'm used to doing, but maybe someday soon it will be.

So I have come to yet another decision

Metalsmithing did not exactly take me into a direction I originally assumed it would. Although it has started a small side business for me with custom crafted rings/necklaces and hopefully soon: earrings, it's still not what I thought.
My next attempt will be to try my hand at school again, possibly at Santa Monica College and enroll in their photography program.

Out of all my "hobbies" this has been my most persistent one. Everything else I do has been supplemented with me taking pictures or video of whatever else it is I'm doing, and I enjoy it as much as whatever that may be. Sometimes it seems as though me trying to take the picture of whatever activity I'm doing takes over the activity itself, which leads me to believe this may be where a bigger portion of my soul may lie.

I believe the only way to know for certain is to try. But a part of my also believes that there is no try, only do.

I tried applying online today but because the term I'm applying to is not yet open it took me to all these confusing things. I'll call tomorrow and see how it goes.

Anyways, this path may potentially lead me to a side quest that has been lurking in the back of my mind since around 2007: tackling the infamous Art Center College of Design. Ever since I first visited that place with Boeun way back when it had this aura about it that I was so attracted to. Even now. The atmosphere was flooded with talent, inspiration, and maybe what I yearned for most of all, a challenge I would enjoy.

The feeling I get from even thinking about it almost rivals my passion for racing, and from a certain standpoint seems more attainable, yet still slightly beyond my reach. Things always seem more attractive for that reason.




vs




Who will win?

I knew it.

As I predicted for myself I've really lost touch with what I was trying to do here. I ended up dropping those art classes
1) because the 3D design class was more like arts and crafts and weren't teaching me any usable skills.
2) because the I learned everything I felt like learning from the metalsmithing course.

I'm currently working on a commission from a friend for a necklace and a ring. The necklace is done, and the ring is 75% there. The shapes are cut out, just need to weld and form it.



We'll see where this takes me once it's done.


Currently I'm very interested in photography with an emphasis on transportation.
Hopefully in the next race with M1GP if I'm not actually racing I can stake out a corner and get some sweet stills of the other racers. Or maybe I can do it anyway when the other races are going on.




There's such a great sense of satisfaction in capturing awesome images of vehicles in motion. Or even when still. I can't get enough of these machines.

New Goal.

Table for artist alley AX and possibly comic con 2011. That means I need to develop some crafting skills quickly and also create some sell-worthy things.

So apparently my sculpting abilities exceed my expectations, but are still nowhere near where I would like them to be. Once my finger is no longer broken I'm assuming it'll pick up and I'll be able to develop that more to my liking.

I hate wet clay.
Sculpey ftw.

I really need to hone my patience for metalsmithing. I become too impatient at times and the quality of my work deteriorates.

Steady my friend.



Let's do this.

The course has been plotted, and the journey has begun.

So I ended up registering for 2 night classes, 3D design and Jewelry Crafting/Metalsmithing. It's my second week now and so far I'm fairly pleased with what I've gotten myself into. Hopefully someday soon I can be competent enough to create my own things and finally get something started artistically.

New Goal.

In light of recent events, new possibilities have appeared before me. Depending on how much I get on the settlement, I have different options. If it is a large enough sum, I shall attempt to lessen my work hours and go back to school to try to get an AA in studio art. How long this will take me will depend on how many classes I'll be able to take at any given time.

New Project

So Natalie has commissioned me to create dog boots for her 2 dogs and possibly her neighbor's dog as well. I've created a completed design and miniature pattern on paper. After Natalie gives me the dimensions of one of her dogs' feet I just need to find the correct materials and create a prototype and see how it works.

First attempt at photo emulsion failed.

I was able to create the frame/screen using silk mesh and stretcher bars I bought at Walser's on Friday and applied photo emulsion onto it. I allowed for it to dry overnight and attempted to expose the screen with a Mayhem decal. I was too lazy to wait for the proper light source however so nothing happened and the screen is most likely ruined and I'll have to create a new one. Trial and error I suppose.

Upon reflection I realized that I failed to have a section for projects I've actually completed; such as:

• Monster Girl dress for Rachel
• Jordan's Octopus
• 9 Munny for Pop Monster

I've also failed to complete the Anti-Sora costume from way back when. I think that was intended for either 2007 or 2008. Either way I would like to restart that.

First Post

In my attempt to pursue my artistic endeavors I felt that the creation of a blog to create a collection of ideas would allow me to organize my thoughts more efficiently whilst also having a place to refer back should any idea slip my mind.

Currently I have a few projects in mind, but most have been abandoned due to laziness. What usually happens when I come up with a project goes as follows:

• Minimal research done on google of others who have attempted to do something similar
• Purchasing of supplies/products needed
• Stead accumulation of these supplies
• Once almost gathered, or completely gathered, the drive to pursue the project any further is lost or has been replaced by an even bigger desire to do the next project.

Awesome.

This cycle needs to stop somewhere, but the environmental conditions as of late have been extremely uninspiring and any attempt will have to wait until said conditions improve.

In the coming days I must devise a strategy to assist in keeping my mind focused on the tasks at hand.


Abandoned projects that hopefully will someday be revived:

• Custom painted dunks/shoes
• Airbrushing in general
• Elwire Tron dress
• Elwire Tron suit

Recent projects I hope don't get put in the abandoned list:

• Silk Screening
• Metalsmithing

Things I would really love to learn/do in the future not necessarily related to my artistic endeavors:

• Learn an instrument
• Learn to swim
• Learn to surf
• Race motorcycles and/or cars