Cabin Clutter

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

A short video I created

I created this for Digital Storytelling using a photograph that I took. I built it in Photoshop and recreated the animation for the fire starting to blaze. I then imported each frame into Media Center on my computer, added the music and chose how it displayed. It turned out really well I thought. Hope you like it and remember to feel the joy!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Michael Jackson

I know there is much controversy over Michael Jackson and there always has been. No one knows for sure what is true and what isn't. Regardless, Michael Jackson was a musical icon and a very giving person.

According to Wikipedia, "Jackson donated and raised millions of dollars for beneficial causes through his foundations, charity singles, and support of 39 charities. Other aspects of his personal life, including his often changing appearances and eccentric behavior, generated significant controversy which damaged his public image". We all know how the media can make or break someone's career.

Jackson was one of a very few artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. He held 8 Guiness World Records including "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time" and "First Entertainer to Earn More Than 100 Million Dollars in a Year", 13 Grammy Awards, 13 #1 singles and 750 million records sold throughout the world. "Steve Huey of Allmusic observed how Jackson transformed the music video into an art form and a promotional tool through complex story lines, dance routines, special effects and famous cameo appearances; simultaneously breaking down racial barriers" (Wikipedia).

The man deserves respect for this, not ridicule.

I remember buying Michael Jackson 45's (look it up it you don't know what it is!) when I was a teeny bopper. "Got To Be There" was one of mine and my friends favorites, as well "I'll Be There." He was 3 years younger than I am so it was great to have someone our own age famous! Of course, he being black caused much controversy in our white bread world!

Michael Jackson truly crossed generations with his music and his influence. My nephew has been a fan since he was very young and attributes much of his own successes in music as a DJ to Jackson's influences.

I often thought how sad his life truly was, even with all his money and fame.

Reference
Wikipedia Referenced on 29 June 2009 on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_jackson

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Shaggy Bark Hickory

I needed a good reference photo for a painting I was working on and came across some interesting information about trees. I'm a tree lover-good thing too, since I live in the woods! We have a lot of shaggy bark hickory on the property but I still wanted photographic reference. It's easier to bring the tree to me, rather than lug all my painting paraphenalia to the tree!

Anyway, I also found a website that caught my attention about why bark "splits". So, being the geek I am I had to read about it. I remember reading about trees and such thousands of years ago in grade school but I didn't remember that ALL trees have a layer of cork in them.

When you touching a tree, you are touching the layer of the bark called the cork. This is a waterproof material that won't let the tree's water escape through it. As the tree grows the bark cracks, because it can't stretch to the larger size. Kinda like splitting the seams on your jeans, huh. A layer of cells makes new cork to fill in between the broken cork so that the tree's water doesn't get out. TMI, right? Read on...

In most trees, the cork layer is really thin. In the Cork Oak which grows in Portugal it gets very thick. When the cork layer gets thick enough, it is cut from the tree. It keeps growing back so the tree survives and more cork is harvested from it over time. They're weird looking once the layer is removed-they're orange. Look on this website if you want to see.

http://grandpacliff.com/Trees/Bark&Cork.htm

Now you know where the cork in wine bottles and bulletin boards comes from.

Oh yeah, my painting is almost done too. I used modeling paste on slate to try to duplicate the bark of the tree. It looks pretty good so far. I'll post it when it's done.