Illustrating a sunset

"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.”
~Rabindranath Tagore

Look at the above image a little closer. Did you realize it is NOT actually a photograph but a drawing? If you didn't notice, I take that as a compliment :) Here is what it looks like with just the outlines of all the shapes.

Here is the original photograph. Click to view it larger.

Harmony
Originally uploaded by one4all2nv

While I'm very happy with my work, I'm still no way near the technical skill and absolute jaw dropping spectacular mastery that some artists have. Check them all out.

Drawings were done using Adobe Illustrator CS3.

ice cycle

I hate snow, ice, wind, cold, and especially slush. But sometimes you just have to look at their beauty more often than not.*

This "ice cycle" caught my eye.

It also appears that I am not the only person ever inspired by such a contraption.



* I have never found beauty in slush, unless the muddy grime on the cuffs of my jeans is beautiful. Please come quickly Spring!

Happy Valentine's Day

Cupid found shot with arrow

By Albert Heartless
Associated Press Writer

HEAVEN, Kingdom (AP) -- February 14th. Steven, known by Cupid to nearly the whole world, was found murdered this morning, his heart pierced by an arrow. Archangel Michael discovered his frail, battered body high in the clouds as he was out for his early morning jog. The moment he was discovered a trumpet blast resounded from heaven and every angel bowed their head in sorrow. A beloved angel and friend has fallen.

At this time, authorities are more concerned about the whereabouts of Cupid's bow and arrow. "In the wrong hands the world below may never fall in love," stated Michael. "Humans below relied on Cupid to bring them together. Without his arrows the humans might seize to exist."

Cupid's death is a shock to all in Heaven and on Earth. Valentine's day will never be the same. Thankfully, Cupid was able to bring love to many on earth before his death. Sources close to him say he only had a few more arrows left when he flew off the night before. He was found on a cumulonimbus cloud somewhere over Virginia. This was where Cupid spent most of his time and is most likely why the state motto became Virginia is for lovers.

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Happy Valentine's Day?

As Valentine's Day approaches - my happiness level decreases proportionally. It's really the one day of the year that makes me feel like crap. On this day I'm reminded that no one cares for me and I have no one to give chocolates, expensive roses, or even a lame teddy bear.

Granted, being single isn't the greatest feeling the rest of the year either, but I deal with it in the best way that I can. However, once February 14th rolls around there is no way of escaping it. It's everywhere and it is definitely not a day for us single people. Hearts find themselves pasted to everything and endless rows of chocolates and Valentine's Day cards make it difficult to even go grocery shopping.

Those of you out there that have someone to share Valentine's Day with, consider yourself lucky. I, Cupid have shot you with a love arrow to bring you happiness, while I fly around whimsically watching you all hold hands, kissing, and falling in love. I'm envious but I bring it upon myself. I just wish someone would shoot me. But whom? I'm Cupid.

Christmas in Seattle

I traveled to Seattle, Washington with my roommate at the end of Christmas break and I never did put up some of the pictures. The trip was made on a complete whim. We bummed around the city, saw the space needle, frequented some really great restaurants and went to a concert. The most fun I had however was taking an entire day to drive down to the the ocean.

The ocean... Wow! everytime I see it, it is the most amazing thing ever. It awakens the inner child within me. I woke up early that day so we could get a good days worth at the ocean since it would take a 3 hour drive to get there from Seattle.

We ended up at this quaint ocean town called Seaside. Once there we stopped and ate at a seafood restaurant. I had a tasty medley of fresh prawns, oysters, clams, and crab legs. After that it was time to go the the beach.

It was long and sandy and the ocean waves were crashing in. Outside a bright blue sunny sky welcomed us to a warm 38 degrees with no breeze. It was gorgeous. The smell. the sounds, it was honestly perfect.

Now you might be saying 38 degrees! That's freezing! but compared to the weather here in Wyoming that was warm. I kicked off my shoes rolled up my pant legs, sank my toes into real beach sand and ran into the frigid water. WHOO HOO!

I sat there on the beach for almost 3 hours just watching the people walking by. Taking so many pictures. I just kept saying to myself I am really here.
The beach was great.



Walking along the beach I discovered a huge tree stump. It was out in the open, in the middle of the beach. Isn't this the coolest thing ever?

A Look into Paranormalcy

My friend CJ ran across a contest on YouTube a couple of days ago hosted by horror movie website, FEARnet. The contest is designed to promote the upcoming horror film, The Messengers. The contest asks anyone crazy enough to want to win (a free screening of the movie for 100 of our friends) to put together a short film that "illustrates that children are messengers trying to warn us of paranormal threats."

So check out our entry.

A Look at Paranormalcy

on YouTube.

Pass it along and if we win you just might be lucky enough to be included in our 100 list of friends.

I star as Bob the Entity. Click on Bob above or follow this link to watch the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19pR0kb5Z-Q

Official contest rules here, the YouTube FEARnet contest page is located here.

Time to book

I was tagged by my friend CJ to try my thumb at this novel quiz thing (a long time ago). Seeing that I haven't posted in quite some time I thought this would be a good way to get things churning.

A book that didn't change my life: Dreamcatcher by Stephen King. Horror really doesn't change my life unless I'm the one panic-stricken. Though that happens more often then not. I'm sorry King but this book just wasn't that scary and didn't change my life. SSDD.

A book I’ve read more than once: The Baron in the Trees by Italo Calvino. I first read this book long ago. It has definitely influenced my life and the way I view the world. I highly recommend reading it.

A book I would take with me if I were stuck on a desert island:The Bible. Seriously, if I'm stuck on an island I better have something that can help me convert the island inhabitants and save myself.

A book that made me laugh: The Life Before Us by Romain Gary. After reading the The Kite Runner (which I also highly recommend) I was searching for another book with a Middle Eastern perspective. I found this one but I almost didn't read it because the book had the worst cover art but I picked it up anyway. I was glad I did because I laughed, cried and pondered the whole way through this fantastic work.

A book that made me cry: The very first book that I ever made me cry was Sounder by William H. Armstrong. I won't be admitting anything more as of late.

A book that I wish I had written:To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. A fantastic story that I try to apply to my life. Especially the character of Atticus Finch. A wonderful classic novel.

A book that I wish had never been written:Lord of the Flies by William Golding. I was forced to read this book in high school. I just never got into it. This was probably due to the fact that nearly everyone in my class wrote papers comparing it to the Survivor TV series.

book I’ve been meaning to read:The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. This was recommended to me but I haven't picked it up yet.

I’m currently reading:No novels. I'm too busy this semester with a 19hr credit load and 15hrs work schedule. Though I'm not stranded on a island, I am working on reading through the Bible in a year. What's in your library?