Studio tinkering

Lately I have been working more with video and static images. I suppose what I am doing is creating mashups. Some of the video clips are sent to me by friends. I edit them and strip off the sound, then I add my own titles (fictictous film companies. etc.), soudtrack with dialogue and music to create sort of a mini-movie. I've been using cheap tools that do the job. The image editing software is used to make the titles and edit the still images.and the sound editing software is used the record sound and rip it it from compact disk and, of course, edit the sound. The movie making tool came with the computer while the others were either free or almost. These tools don't allow you to make Oscar winners, but they do allow you to exercise your movie making skills.

• Windows Movie Maker
• Audacity
• Photo Deluxe
• Replay Converter

mind babbling

I've been working on some Photoshop projects. Primarily learning how to use the software. I've used Photo Deluxe for a few years and finally starting to use Photoshop. It's some kind of powerful software.

The project at the left has been on my mind for quite awhile. It is especially for me because I have no musical talent at all. I can only play the radio AND air guitar. So-o-o I thought there may be some others that could benefit from my experiences. Hence, the CD. It has all you need...even a pick is included.

Also, I have been working more with audio. I have downloaded Audacity which came with no instructions. Should not have been a problem since I'm a guy that only reads instructions of last resort. I was able to find some tutorials on the web. I'm thinking about doing an old radio show like from my childhood. But don't know when. I hope I have better luck that resurrecting a tape recorded interview with my late father. I'm still working on getting rid of the noise.

I am considering putting up a video on YouTube so I can embed a player on the family website. I have some video of David that might look good here.

Gotta get some paintings read for the annual GCAG Show.

Been listening to WNCW radio online for studio music.

Yesterday

The above, Folded #1 , is/was one of my first attempts at printing folded paper. The red was printed first. The paper was then folded and adhered to a carrier sheet before printing. Clearance becomes a problem when feeding the paper under the print heads. This makes it necessary to glue down the folds and presents a problem with agressive adhesives. An alternative would be thinner paper but thinner papers tend to be less receptive to inks. Notice how folding creates a less that perfect look to the design and how it creates aditional texture. Since dark must be printed over dark this determiness the sequence of colors to be printed and the sequence of folds.

Yesterday, I had some fun resurecting an old technique I remember from long ago: adding ballons to movie stills. Many video viewing programs allow you to "grab" a frame of video and manipulate it like any other still picture. You can add some humor to some serious pictures. They're great to send as e-mails.

Today

A-r-rgh! My brain is kind of damp. Another sleepless night. Did you have the problem of not being able to shut your brain off when going to sleep. I mean, last nothe i lay myself down to sleep and Wham-o! All the random thoughts of the day came to mind. First I began desinging web pages. i was laying out pages and writing code. I was adding animations and active content. Of course I had to write the content. The pictorials had to be made ready. I had grabbed some frames from some movies and I wanted to add some comedic captions. The balloon works were to add comedy the such films as "The Last Samurai". I looked good in my mind. Next I was writing code to add the sound of and eighteen cylinder radial aircrarft engine starting. Somewhere along the way I began creaating new monoprints. I Monday morning quaterbacked the above print. Where did I go wrong? The composition needs some work, not to mention the color harmony.

Z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z . . . . .

Website work

I have been spending considerable time on website maintenance. The family website has been updated. We want it to be a site to present info from throughout the family. A clearinghouse if youwill. Since we are so geographically dispersed this should be the medium to "keep up". Also it will have some interesting stuff and eye candy.