This is a thread for the creative arts - art, music, photography, writing and anything else.

Let's talk about our creative work, the process and tools used in them.

I love music and can talk guitars, recording and songwriting all day.

I love photography as well. I have a Nikon DSLR, but in retrospect I will I'd bought a Canon. I really want a RED camera, but I need to find ways to make it pay for itself (big $$$$ with the lens and storage). I'm not a skilled photographer by any means, but I like to take pictures.

I like art as well, but sadly I just don't have time for it. I'd love to oil paint and I've always wanted to take a class. I tried it once and I was terrible at it. I really need to take a class. I can sketch fairly well.

Computer graphics are a big passion of mine. 3d, 2d, compositing, etc. I'm into all of it.

So that's me.

Your some creative RC! That's so cool! I'm an artsy fartsy person, I love photography, drawing, painting, graphic arts, film, etc. I like music but I'm not a good musician.

I like film photography better than digital. My mom has a Nikon film camera and my dad has a Cannon digital. I want to study film, and I'd love to get a nice film--as in movie--camera, but like you said RC, you need big $$$ for that stuff.

I too don't have as much time for art. I doodle a lot. I need to work on some stuff though, maybe take some more art classes but so far they have been on Thursday night, and those are reserved for TO!

I love graphic design too! I'm not as good as you RC, and I've only got Adobe CS, but I enjoy it. I mainly do little layouts and avatars and stuff. I did FGC's sig, and a few of my old avatars and sigs.

Maybe I'll scan some of my drawings to show you guys.

Definetly scan some of your artwork. I'd love to see it!

I'm a big fan of film too. I like digital too, but film has a certain 'look' to it. Have you ever worked with a large or medium format film camera? I never have personally, but I've seen some incredible photographs done with them.

Awesome idea for a thread RC! I can't wait to see what people will post!

I like photography but am more into the digital version than the film version.
Mostly I use Canon for the my field photography and Hasselblad for studio and medium format.
I've been looking at a P30+ back for one of my cameras...but I get nervous thinking about it.

SOT,

What's your opinion on digital photography vs the Hasselblads? I'm totally ignorant of medium formats, so excuse the uneducation question -

If you had an extrememly high resolution digital camera and good glass with it, would there still be reason to use the Hasselblad? Are there benefits to the Hasselblad beyond the resolution?

Hey all you creative people! I don't really post much (kind of shy ), but I am on these boards everyday! I'm really excited to have learned about this thread though (thanks RockerCreeed)! I can see myself being a little more social over here!
Anyway, I guess I'll tell you all a little about my creative ambitions/interests. I'm definitely a fine arts person, but I think art is art and I appreciate ALL forms. I am a high school art teacher, so it's great to be able to get paid for my creative skills. I feel pretty lucky there. I love to draw (hence my screen name ). I have done many portraits of my two young daughters in mediums like charcoal (my favorite), chalk pastels, graphite. I teach drawing and ceramics, so I guess I'm pretty competent in those 2 areas. I like to write and I have ALWAYS wanted to learn the piano (maybe someday). As far as digital art, I have done a little but totally take the position of Michael Scott when it come to the digital age. I'd much rather do art with a pencil or a brush (on real paper) rather than with a machine. But unfortunetly, I think that art is moving in that direction in our schools. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy doing a little graphic art from time to time and I think that is a very important element to learn (especially if you want make art your career), but I think that the basic foundation of art should drawing/painting. I think we've lost the process of art, which in my opinion is the most important part. OK, so there's my two cents. What do you guys think? And RockerCreed, what are your ideas for the direction of this thread? Thanks for starting it!

Nice post IDrawLikePam! That is so cool that your profession is being creative. I would love do something like that.

You asked about my direction for the thread. That's a good question. I guess I'd like to see everyone share thier work, plus tips and tricks of their creative process.

For example, I love all things creative, but I'm really only schooled in music. So I'd be all ears (and taking notes) when someone talks about drawing, painting and photography.

I'm hoping questions and an exchange of opinions will also be the standard here.

I do have a question for you IDrawLikePam. Of all the traditional art mediums, which one has the most difficult techniques to master? I would guess that sculpting is very difficult, but that's just a guess. I really don't know.

Ah, now here's a thread that might lure away from my passionate fascination with Jim, Pam and JAM...well, from time to time anyway.

My creative interests are diverse. Writing, painting, drawing, photography, music and the Office. I look at the Office much like a painting or a song so I include it as creative interest.

Other than occasional special interest classes, seminars and workshops I'm not trained or formally educated in any of these areas but whether it's something I've created or someone elses work, I'm moved to feel something when I look at or hear an original work of art. That's the what I find so great and inspiring about people who pursue and share their muse.

In a lot of ways I took the conventional, safe route and chose a career in healthcare. It's been a satisfying way to earn a living and a good way to connect with people and be a part of something that makes a difference in people's lives. It's actually helped me to appreciate the importance of art in people's lives too. I look forward to visiting this thread and hearing your stories as well as seeing some of your creative works one day.

Will do, I have a few nice sketches I'd love to show you guys!

Here is a sketch I did for Mambo--she wanted a model to design some clothing on. I used a picture in a newspaper from 1931 as a guideline, and it's pretty rough , she has no facial feature, but it served Mambo well!


Yes, there really is nothing like film. I don't really want to get into a debate about it--I already have with my photoshop teacher --and I'm sticking to my opinion. I like it the old fashioned way. Plus, I know that digital is easier in many ways, but it is the processing that is different. Digital processing is just not the same than film. Don't try to convince me other wise, people already have and I'm quite stubborn!

I've never held any big cameras, but next year in CEGEP--pre college in Quebec--I'm going to do some film and photography, so I'll probably get the chance to try using some then--oh I just can't wait !



Hey IDrawLikePam! That is awesome! You should say hi more often, don't be shy, we won't bite! I'm shy and not the most social of people, but I love the MBs!

I agree with you, I love fine arts. I have to say, I never thought graphic design and fine arts were in the same league, but you bring up a good! As a person who loves and uses/does both, I have to say they are really so different. Graphic art is great for certain things, but you can't go without fine arts.

IMO, doing fine arts like drawing and painting, can help you in either arts like photography and film. It takes quite a while longer to draw something then to take a picture of it, but when you draw you have to look at every little detail, from shadows to highlights, an so on. And having that knowledge and experience in taking you time and looking at the details helps you when you do photography.

IMO, you really should do many different arts to be good at one. You should also do the classical stuff before you go and find your own style and/or technics. For example, I'd like to become a cinematographer, but next year in CEGEP I'd like to take photography, some fine arts and maybe graphic design along with film. And the specialize more in film in university--or college in the States. I think that it's help me become a better well rounded artist if I do a few different things.

Very nice CHBO!! You totally captured the look of the 30's. I like the clean lines and smooth flow of your work.

How long did it take you to draw that?

My Hasselblad is digital as are almost all of my cameras. Really the issue seems to be that for a studio and in place photography, for the web, and for many print items under 11 x17, most of the high end digital cameras and lenses will do very well. I know quite a few pro photographers that run even some of the "older" digital cameras for print media and do very well.

So unless you are making your living with the medium and large format, you can probably do EVERYTHING with a 1.3, 1.6 crop, or full frame digital camera and decent glass.

I've started trying to do my own "comics" via Adobe and a wacom sketch pad...
I was going to do a lot of them ab out the stuff in Iraq and SWA but it sort of got boring fast.

Like CHBO said, don't by shy. This thread can be your coming out party...only in...you know...not THAT way. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

I'm not a very creative person. When it comes to artsy stuff I'm a failure (hence the choice of mechanical engineering as a major). I do have some interests though.

I'd like to get into video editing. Just small time...fanvids, football highlight vids (imagine that!) and the likes. I think if I get a chance I'm going to try and find a class somewhere to take, just to get me off the ground. We'll see. I have all of these ideas for videos, but no way to execute them...

Thanks RC ! It's not really my best, but I'm not to good at drawing people yet. I am very good at drawing horses though--I used to ride and horses were my Office/Carnivale!

Um, I did a few different sketches. It took me I guess like an hour or so on that one, sometimes you have to put it down though and look at your art from a distance to get a better prospective. I have a tendency to draw really small and intricate details. I took a few art classes last year and I learn how to push myself to draw/paint using the whole sheet of paper/canvas, and how to draw faces a little among other things.

Wow, that's so cool! You have nothing to be shy about! Your a really interesting person! I agree that you should learn classic art, like Picasso. He did classical art before doing abstract.

I'm really self tought. I've taken some art classes, though, which got me to draw other things than horses (which I used to draw all the time), and to look at the big picture, instead of focussing on details (I do that cause I'm a perfectionist). I like to write as well, and I might go into that in CEGEP next year. I also love photography, and I too would love to learn to play piano (someday IDLP!).

Video editing! YES! I love video editing.

One of my favorite (and totally geek) hobbies is trying to figure out movie fx shots. I'll watch Harry Potter films 10 times just to try to sort out what they're doing onscreen.

That is awesome SOT.

Thanks RockerCreed! That sounds like a great direction to take this thread. I'm sure as more people reply, we can get a better feel for where this is headed. To answer your question, you're right, 3-demensional art can get a bit challenging, especially when you are trying to model it after something. I find subtractive sculpture, to be the most difficult. In subtractive sculpture you are starting out with basically a big block and go into it, taking away pieces to model it into something. I find it hard to think that way. It's especially intimidating because once you take a piece away it is gone forever. You have to really think about what you are doing before you do it, lots of planing involved. I'm very impatient, not a good planner. I just like to get right into the piece I'm working on...no thinking, just doing...kind of impulsive that way. How about you and everyone else reading, are you a "planner" or a "do-er"? Sometimes I wish I was more of a planner. It would save me from making a lot of time consuming/dumb mistakes. Oh well. I am what I am (that's pop-eye)~Pam

What a great new thread RC! I'm so glad you started this. I know we have so many creative and very talented people, and I'm realy excited to see what people share.

Growing up, the only thing I ever wanted to be was an artist. It was always the one subject in school I did well in, but as I got closer to graduation I got less and less encouragement from my parents. By the time I was ready to apply for my first choice art school, I was told that I was making a huge mistake and that I wouldn't be supported if I went to art school. It broke my heart, and I just didn't have the courage to stand up and fight for what I wanted. I'll always regret that. So I went to community college (my grades in every other subject were average at best) and went in a totally different direction. I didn't draw or paint for years. Then I hit a rough spot about five years back and as a form of therapy I started drawing and painting again. The difference in the way I felt was amazing! I never realized that I lost a huge part of myself all those years ago. (Wow, I'm crying just typing this). So anyways now I take a class here and there when I have the time, but I mostly just paint for myself. I love drawing and sketching, but I mostly paint in watercolor. I'd love to learn to paint with oils, but I know it requires a lot more patience and maybe even a lot more courage in technique and style, and I'm not quite there yet.

I'm not very technical, so the whole area of graphic arts goes right over my head, but I'm still really interested in it. This is going to be an awesome thread to experience as it grows!

CHBO - that's a very nice drawing! and bravo for stepping up and being the first to share.

Aww, that's such a sweet story QoE! I'm glad your doing art now! You should scan some of your work, I'd love to see it!

To answer your question IDLP, I think I'm more of a do-er too. I usually go by feel. If I feel like drawing something, I'll draw it. Like Stephen Colbert, it's all in the gut!

Ok, I posted this short story in another thread a while ago, but I don't think anyone read it and I think it would be more suited here. It's a ghost story my dad has told many times and I decided to write it down when we were assigned to write one for english class. Here it goes!





As I stood, with my father, overlooking the mirror like pond and gazed upon the rock that protruded from the water about thirty yards from shore, I tried to imagine the scary ghost story my father had told us so many times when we were young. Sugar Loaf Pond always seemed deeper and darker in my imagination, seeing it on a clear summer day made it harder to believe that this place was haunted by a young boy whom had drowned one fateful night.

As a young man, my father rented a cabin near Sugar Loaf Pond. The cabin was down a heavily wooded path with kissing trees that created a tunnel effect. One late October evening in 1970, as the fog quietly rolled in, drifting over the pond and blanketing the forest and land around, the soft sound of a boy's whistle traveled along through the windless dusk and quickly made its way into the ears of my father's cats. The cats, frightened by the eery sound, jumped and dashed out of the cabin. As my father opened the door to see what caused the cats to jump, he himself heard the whistling. He ran out in the woods, through the tunnel of trees, his heart racing. Suddenly, as he came to the end of the path, he came face to face with a man holding an ax. My father's heart nearly stopped in terror.
"Did you hear the whistling ?"
said the equally frightened man. His name was Jocko and he lived in a house on a hill that overlooked the pond. He had also heard the whistling. After a brief introduction, he invited my father to come inside. Jocko wore a plaid shirt and overalls and looked like a gentleman farmer that one imagines living in an idyllic English countryside. Since his retirement, Jocko had taken up gardening and had installed fish ponds with streams that quietly trailed through his garden and down to Sugar Loaf pond.


Jocko told my father that he believed the whistling was the ghost of David Eveley. My father knew about the drowning of a boy named David Eveley who as a boy scout, like my father, had camped at Sugar Loaf pond. Intrigued, my father told Jocko that, in a dedication he had read about David Eveley, the boy was known, amongst other talents, for his whistling. Jocko's face turned white. He then, proceeded to tell my father about the night David drowned.

As the fog rolled in, one cool October night in 1960, David Ian Eveley and his friend got ready to secretly take the camp canoe for one last row on Sugar Loaf Pond. David laced up his heavy boots and went to grab a warm jacket, the fog slowly rolled over the tranquil water and blanketed the pond where a smooth dark rock protruded 30 yards from shore. In his home by the pond, Jocko sat with his wife in the living room sipping his tea. Dusk settled early that evening.


Sugar Loaf Pond was now covered with a thick blanket of fog, hiding the rock, like a child hiding under his covers. David and his friends suddenly hit the hiding rock and jolted. Before they knew it, they were in the water. David struggled as the water seeped into his heavy clothes. The other boy managed to take off his boots and swim to shore. The boy ran to Jocko's house up the hill.

As Jocko's wife comforted the boy, Jocko grabbed his gaff and ran with a neighbor to his row boat that lay turned over on shore. Gliding on the smooth motionless pond, Jocko leaned over the side of his boat with his flashlight, looking for the boy. Suddenly, Jocko met David's dead and empty gaze. David stared calmly up from the cold clear water, his mouth closed. Jacko froze staring at the boy scout's glassy eyes, 10 feet below. This image would stay with him forever.

Ever since that fateful night, on cool quiet evenings, as dusk falls early and the soft gray fog rolls in over the still water of Sugar Loaf Pond, if you listen carefully, you might just hear the whistling ghost of Sugar Loaf Pond.

Ditto that. While I have no musical capabilities (I appreciate music but with the exception of my Liza Minelli in Cabaret impression which my roommate loves, that's the extent of that). I do draw, paint, and I've been writing since I was seven. I'm in the process of setting up a web site thing through school that will let me post my short stories but I think they're a little long for a normal post (when a story is about 15 pages single spaced, it might not be a good idea to post it). But if anyone is interested in them they are free to PM me. I've got some pictures of the landscape/plaques that I've painted over on the crafts thread. I'll go find the link.

Edit: Here are the links to my paintings. You'll have to scroll down a little and the picture quality isn't the best.
Painting orchard
Paintings light house, Niagra Falls

As far as photography goes, I've only dappled in it so far as using my Canon camera and getting them developed at CVS but I've always liked taking pictures and I've got a few good shots. Unfortunatley, I have no digital copies of them (yet).

But back to QOE, wow that sucks! That makes me so sad when parents don't support their children's dreams and ambitions just because it won't make them a lot money. Why has that become the most importnat thing? I see a lot of that particular mindset being a high school teacher. There are a ton of talented and creative students that are so good at art and then to see them pursue something totally different in college breaks my heart. I know that it's probably because they don't get support from their parents. I was so lucky. I grew up with my dad, and he always just wanted me to do what made me happy. He didn't even pressure me to go to college...and when he found out that I wanted to study art, he couldn't of been prouder. But this is so NOT the norm! Trust me I know. My husband had the same dilema as you (QOE). He majored in Fine Art and got a ton of slack from his parents. But he kept with it and eneded up finding a really nice job as a photo researcher. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I understand how damaging it can be when youre creative spirit is trampled and crushed. But I commend you for pursuing it. It's never too late, right? And whether you are doing it as your career or just for fun...it's all the same so it really doesn't matter in my opinion. Thanks for being so open. You are a testemant to the power of creativity. If it's in you, it never stops being a part of you.

FYI-the first part of my last post was a quote from QueenOfEngland~ not sure why the little quote thingy didn't work. I'm still new at this...anyway, carry on...

Those are really nice Lenny! I'd love to read one of your stories sometime too!

Thanks. I'll PM you one. I'd love to hear what you think.

Hey guys, great conversation! I'm loging out now! Be back tomorrow for sure (parent/teacher confrences all day!) I should have a lot of down time...no one ever visits the art teacher.

Great, I got it! Thanks! I'm sure it's great!

IDrawLikePam, there aren't many parents that will encourage their kids to go into arts. My parents, like your dad, are very supportive, and since they are both creative people, they understand why we would want to study it. I used be in an International program, and most, if not all the kids were really high achievers. They were all disappointed when they'd get like an 85 on a math test, and they all wanted to become doctors or lawyers. I can't imagine having parents who wouldn't encourage me in everything I do, and I feel so bad for kids that get discouraged by their parents.

Talk to you tomorrow IDrawLikePam!

My parents are pretty funny about it all. They're both in science but they resigned themselves early on to the fact that I was going to be an English major and would write. Lately, my mom's been really into asking me about things I've submitted for publication, etc. but I don't think that she's ever read my work. She bought about twenty copies of the high school literary magazine when one of my stories was published in it and has told me what everyone else thinks but probably could tell me the name of my main character. My dad has always been supportive and means to get around to it but hasn't yet. I'm okay with that though. I'm a little afraid of what they might read into it. I'm convinced my mother is going to read something at some point and ask me what I meant by that? Was it supposed to be her? Do I think it's funny? or something along those lines.

Wow, what a story Queen! It's so nice that your getting back into it! I'm so glad that my parents are supportive with my dream to become a cinematographer and pursue art. Art really is nice to do, and it's great that your doing it for yourself, it really is the best way to do everything!

And thanks BTW !



Aww, ***HUGS*** don't feel bad!

Lenny, good stuff! You should post links to your stories, I'm sure we would all love to read 'em, or at least I would !

Here is some of my photography, my pets are my best subjects, I also like to take pictures in cemeteries, not brave enough to take pictures of people yet though:

Carnivale HBO your cat is adorable. I really like the one where he/she? is looking out the window.

I definitely find it easier to get pictures of things like landscapes and my cat. I've had a few good shots of my friends at prom with black and white film that they actually used in the yearbook.

I'm working on being able to post a link to a site with my stories. New endeavor in the English department but I haven't quite figured it out yet. If you want one of my stories I can PM it to you though.

Thanks, it's a she, her name is Brigitte!

Ya, my mom said that the next step is to take pictures of people in a documentary style, but that is quite intimidating.

I can wait, I have SO much to read already! But I hope you can get it to work soon, if not you can PM me, cause it sounds like your quite a good writer!

Okay, this is my attempt to set up a website with some of my work. I'm not sure how well it works and right now it's set to shut down at the end of the month (I'm pretty sure I can extend it beyond that later). I've only got two up right now but I'm working on some other short stories. Let me know if there's a problem with it.

Edit: It didn't work. It was asking to log in when I'm trying to get it to be simply viewed. I'll be back later.

Lenny, that's too bad your mom doesn't read your stuff. My mom encourages my sister and I a lot, and doesn't mind that we don't want to go into stuff with math or science, partly cause she hates math and understands that as creative people, it isn't something we're going to want to make a career, or study in college or university. But it's great that your persuing your dreams! Good for you!

I was more upset about it back in junior high. I've been saying that I was going to write since the age of about seven and I think she thought I would grow out of it and find something more practical. In junior high I spent an entire summer writing a short novel (which I did finish but it's complete crap because I was thirteen or fourteen and there are so many plot-holes that I just keep it in a drawer of experience). She basically thought that that would have gotten it out of my system and when I kept writing she asked me once what I was doing wasting my time. That was the low point. She continued to humor me but was still waiting for me to come to my senses. When my story was published in the lit mag she bought them to appear supportive but didn't actually become supportive until the people who had read it commented on it. I think she's afraid to read them but I'm okay with her not reading them. It's less embarrassing, if that makes any sense. Of course, now she is totally supportive and saves articles, contest announcements, etc. and I find a pile waiting for me whenever I go home. I haven't had time to send more stuff out and she keeps asking me about it and my only response is "I've still got homework; I'm in college now so time is limited." She's really just been looking out for me, trying not to get my hopes up too much.

As far as the site goes, it looks like it's available for viewing, but only if you're part of that site/program. So anyone here at school can see it, but it isn't a real site. It feels like a real ripoff. I was under the impression it would be for the general public too. I'll figure something out.

Not a creative person reason I am becoming an engineer and not a Architect. Though I can have some pretty creative solutions to problems but they always involve technical things. I have done my fair share of blue prints for houses in high school. Most people find that boring and that is good.

You spent an hour drawing that so I could design clothes for fun??? I love you! Thats so nice. I hope you got some use out of that drawing as well. Or someone else has. Here are a couple drawings that I did off that sketch. I posted this in the Girl's Only thread a couple weeks ago but here they are, since I guess they really belong in this thread now.





*edit*: I am no artist! Well, not when it comes to drawing haha.

Oh, well it was my pleasure really ! You got me to get off me butt and do some art, which I really don't do enough. Plus it was a lot of fun, and I was only too glad to help you out! I really like your designs!

You're nice. I've drawn a few others, but they're pretty weak. Especially since the only time I have to draw is right before I sleep (while watching season 3 haha).

Ok, first of all, you wrote a novel?! That's awesome that you have that determination! I'm sorry about your mom. I'm very lucky to have parents that support me. My mom actually wants me to write, and she'd love to see me go into literature. It sure takes guts to do what your doing. I mean, you even got published! That's amazing! At least that showed her that your serious about it and your very talented.

I hope you get the site working!

I couple of shots I took. These photo are the only ones I ever had published. I still like taking photos, but I lost interest in doing taking it beyond a hobby.

Lovely moody photographs RC. Mother nature provides such beautiful moments - thrilling when someone can capture the mood of the moment on film. The streaming rays of light in the first photo and the distant fog in the second are rare.

Thanks for sharing.

CBO, those are great! She is so pretty!

Jeepers! Those are AWESOME! Wow...



Thanks ! I love my kitty and puppy !

Great cat shots CHBO! You really captured her coloring really well.

Thanks RC ! I love your photos too, your really talented!

Thanks. You make it sound better than it actually is though. My high school was/in tiny so there's a limited pool to pick from and I was the secretary so I got a say in getting it in. We only rejected really obscene materials (I'm pretty sure there was only one that got cut). And my mom is very supportive of it now. It was almost like a test of dedication. And I think I've found a way around using that site. I'm not sure how long it'll take to get them up but I'll post the links when I get them.


These are great, I especially love the cross one RC with the way the light filters in. I'm going to try to get some of my photos scanned so I can post them when I go home this weekend.

That was a very cool story FGC! I love ghost stories, and that one gave me goose bumps.




Those are very cool Lenny! What is it about painting on wood that you prefer? Just curious...




Thank you so much, and welcome IDrawLikePam! I'm glad you're out there, inspiring and encouraging your students. Without my art teachers I would have been completely lost. Art really made high school enjoyable for me, and I couldn't imagine going through those difficult years without it. You have such an important job!

CHBO - your pictures are beautiful. I love the last one.

RC - WOW! your pictures are great! That first one took my breath away.

Wood absorbs paint pretty quickly and dries fast which is great for me because I have limited patience and have ruined a number of paintings on canvas board because it hadn't dried entirely.

That's so interesting! Do you get your wood at craft stores? Personally, I hate working on canvas. I think that's part of the reason I prefer to paint in watercolors...the texture of canvas can be incredibly frustrating to work with.