Maxwell TALKS!

I'm Okay, Now.

Okay, so let me clarify... my rant of yesterday, was brought on by a chain of events - all involving frustration with tech. It was an emotional outcry, of sorts. One day, it was the TV; I couldn't get a picture, couldn't watch the noon news; for whatever reason, my provider chose that time to reboot, or were fixing something somewhere, or whatever it was they did. Then it was the phones. I had absolutely no dial tone on any of my business phones (land lines, upstairs and downstairs). I was all over the provider website, when I checked my email, as Frank had just sent one, from his phone. He was telling me that he was unable to call me. He suggested unplugging the answering machine, for a few minutes. It worked. It rebooted itself. Something that simple. I spent another afternoon trying to align my printer. On some days, some media works well with the computer, but not the next. Then that same media, on that same computer, works fine the day after. A company wanted to install a remote VPN on my computer... I could get it to work, but it never worked well. Then after months of hit and miss, their IT guys figured out it wasn't me, nor my computer; it was my service provider. The VPN system and my service provider never played well together. The machine at the checkout counter won't take my card - the one I just used at the other store.... the list goes on. I think I have waded through enough manuals, phone calls, and websites, that I should feel pretty proficient in dealing with hardware and software. I do not. Why? After something happens, and I figure it out; the next 'new thing' is upon us. Everything goes out the window. The learning and figuring out happens all over again. And you have to keep up, your industry demands it. So, yesterday, I had had enough. As I looked over my machines, I knew my short respite of having things work in a somewhat harmonious way, was coming to an end. I knew another chunk of cash would be coming out of my budget. I could have toured Europe, on what I've spent on computers, tech devices, and tech related items. I knew I would soon be plunged into spending more time at my computer. More manuals, more websites. If you know me, you'd know I'd rather be on my drawing board, or out and about, or doing something creative thing, or... touring Europe! To be fair, let me say, there are times when I really enjoy it. There have been times that it's made my world a more efficient place. But, I hate being a 'slave' to something. Tech is the way of the world; but I don't feel it has to be my life. It's not like doing something because you have a passion for it - not a 'magnificent obsession' - when all isn't going well, or you find you are spending too much time with it; it's pure drudgery. I've, nonetheless, resigned myself to it. I "can't stop progress". Or maybe, I just need to pull a plug.

 

Sometimes You Gotta Rant!

My friend Heather Clark (on Facebook) made a good tech point when she said she had an old printer that she tried to hook up to a new computer, and the tech was so old, the prompt just said "exit".  My computer, as of this coming December, will be 10 yrs. old; my old Zip drive is much older, maybe 12 to 14; the scanner (yes, a stand alone scanner - works best for scanning traditionally rendered art) is 8; the printer is 6; the camera is around 13 or 14; my CDRW burner/reader, is non-existent on the newer computers - mine is currently built in. I've got a truckload of saved art, info, & pics on those CDs. The CDs will lose their info, over time - I've already lost stuff on them, because the files were "old tech". Now I've got thumb drives all over my desk, and in an article I recently read, the info on them won't last forever either, like the CDs. My latest and somewhat 'youthful' pen tablet is 4, but it too, is on it's way to being obsolete.

My computer, printer, scanner, camera, my old Zip drive, and pen tablet; all, still work well. So far. But once again, updates are needed.

So, here are my questions.

When will it end? When will there be, let's say, software, that lets me use an older machine and it's hardware and software, with newer machines? Some sort of "Grandfather System", if you will. Why should I toss equipment that still works, because something else won't work with it, every couple of years? Yes, I understand and use the cloud, updating, security, compatibility, new drivers, yadda, yadda, yadda, all of that. 

I read a story recently; on a blog I follow; about a writer, who was trying to retrieve his work - on floppy disks. This writer was dying, and for whatever reason, wanted to revisit his older work. But, he didn't know how. I hope, for his sake, he was able to do it. It made me sad.

To that point, I still have floppy disks, that I have real slim hopes of ever retrieving anything on them. Why do I have to keep backing up files to newer tech, every couple of years, because I may actually need those files, somewhere down the road - only to find that that newer software/hardware won't be able to read them anyway? I'm not using crazy files - I use standard JPEGS, PDFs, etc. And I'm not complaining because I'm lazy - re-backing up (if there is such a phrase) is a lot of work; but I still do it. Yes, I'm sure you'll say, 'just back up what you'll need' - how do I know what I will need in the future? An example: last year, I was asked to send art to a client, as they were using the same art, but changing the copy. I did that art and saved it on a CD, well over a decade ago. Because the art was done in an older version of software, it was neither compatible with mine or the client's newer software. Some of it had to be recreated. Example #2: a few years back, because of a server 'melt down', I had to supply old art files, of older work that was needed to save, to a client. And, I will bet they had a hard time of it, with those older files.

I already have boxes of equipment that are 'obsolete' - even thought I know they still will work. But there are no more updates, or drivers or software to make them compatible. Over the past 20+ years I've spent a small fortune on machines, hardware, memory, software - because the tech is too old. I find myself on that precipice, again.

Anybody have any good ideas? No, really. Must I dump another bucket load of money on things, that I might eke out 5 or 6 years of use? The thought makes me tired. What is my alternative, at this juncture?

I have used a computer, et al; for about 20 years of my career. It bothers my creative sensibilities that, though I have a boatload of real, tactile, put-your-hands-on art boards and papers; I also have a 'virtual boatload' of virtual art. Yeah I could print it all out, another small fortune in ink and paper. That's if I can actually find the time to print out everything, before I update or upgrade. I'm sorry, but tactile, immediately visual, art is just what I grew up with, grown accustom to. Have a human respect for. The mind is used to create; using your hands in the act, is being human. Act of humanity. It's no wonder, as I'd read, Elon Musk has a problem with AI.

Maybe I'll take all those colorful floppy disks and make a mosaic, or some thing...

 

Jack Davis 1924-2016

Because my blog "A Retro Artist in a Digital Age", is acting funky (that is, the dashboard and compose features on that particular site, are not connecting with Facebook - why? - no clue), I am writing about some sad news I just learned. On one of my blog favs: "lines and colors", I just found out that one of my all-time-favs; Jack Davis, has passed. Jack Davis was the epitome of caricature and cartooning for me. In my youth, especially when I was in art school, his art was EVERYWHERE. From Mad Magazine, to Time Magazine; an ad for some product and Hollywood movie posters - everywhere. Mr. Davis had an enviable talent - the strength of his line, the grace of his composition, the hilarity of his subject's situations - all so beautiful, funny, so right.

And even (God forbid!) if some of you don't know the name, you will know his art. Look over the links below; bow your heads for a moment of silence, and acknowledge another Icon has passed.

I warn you, the power of his art will make it difficult: it's hard not to chuckle.

linesandcolors.com/2016/07/31/jack-davis-1924-2016/linesandcolors.com/2016/07/31/jack-davis-1924-2016/

www.madmagazine.com/blog/2016/07/27/mad-remembers-jack-davis-artist

www.reuben.org/2016/07/jack-davis-1924-2016/

The Man who designed The Alien

H. R. Giger, the man who designed The Alein of the movie Aliens, passed away yesterday at the age of 74. His Alien design scared the bejeezus out of me the first time I saw that movie - which was enhanced by seeing it at the old Warner Theater, with it's curved screen, in downtown Pittsburgh.

Giger was an amazing artist, and his subject matter was a surreal - natural and unnatural; organic and man-made. Somewhere, even beyond 'fantasy'.

Find out more at Charley Parker's site: Lines and Colors: http://linesandcolors.com/

 

Related articles

'Alien' Artist H.R. Giger Dies at 74

Happy New Year

So, this is it, the last day of 2013. In reflection, for me at least, it was one very bumpy ride. I'll be glad to get off of this bus. 

No matter how, shall we say, 'uneven' the ride is, there are always smooth parts of the road, that make the ride worth taking to your destination. Here's hoping you hit the new, updated sections of the infrastructure, that will be 2014.

Like last year, I leave you with some art of The Year in Review.

 

The New York Times Notable Opinion Art 2013

 

I Hope It was Merry

Happy Holidays to All of you! I do hope that your Christmas was a great one. I apologize for not sending out my "hand made" e-cards this year; there were a couple of family-related and work issues that required my/our attention - it's a wonder that Frank and I had time to 'do' Christmas at all. However, Christmas worked itself out, it always does - somehow! Seeing family for a few hours, made up for the chaos of the past couple of months, believe me!

Since I was so late in sending you Greetings, I'm sending you to a web site, "Santa Classics", by a gentleman named Ed Wheeler. I hope it gives you an insight on a Cultural Icon's antics after The Big Day, participating in culture, over the milennia. With a wink and a smile.

Visit: http://www.santaclassics.com

 

 

 

Just an update... the tulips have yet to bloom, although it's several been weeks... hoping for tulips in the New Year... news update at 11:00...

 

 

 

Related articles

Thankful Anyway

Plants Gone Wild!

A Recent Addition to LMI

Well, somewhat recent ... last June I added the "Sketchbook" page to LMI. I'd originally thought that I'd leave it out, when I had to re-do the web site, to streamline it. But, I always wonder what media artists use; or if they have any 'tips' about how they get from point A. to point B.; so they are back. In the web site's last incarnation, there were two pages to that section, but I think I will leave it to only one. Read the posts or not, the page is there, and the info will change.

Now yesterday was only my second post on that page. Yeah, I know it's September. However, Khronos, the god of time, left me with little of that commodity to spare this Summer. So in that season's wane, I write, er, post. The info I deliver is very basic, some would say, 'old fashioned', or, 'who doesn't know that'? Well, to be perfectly honest, most people who read this blog and surf my site DO know the info I dispense. But, on the off chance that person who had basic training on a computer and little on a drawing board, maybe I can shed a little light. I dunno.  This is the information age; though mine is old and most likely better given by those who teach; it's basic, and information should be spread about, and process is a good thing.

I will be throwing in images, like the one to the right, as a component of process. This pic is of some quick sketches that I do, to loosen up and get my head into art. Nothing too strenuous, probably nothing you'd think twice about; but maybe something that's missing from your routine.

There was a time when I barely sketched anymore - when my moniker was that of "graphic artist", or "graphic designer" is the correct term today - I went right from the idea to the computer. It's a business where you hear the words; "I needed it yesterday"; frequently. I found that slowing the pace down, just long enough to 'think with my hands' brought me back to illustrating. Let's face it, I like to draw; and re-teaching myself how to do it - slowing down my thought process, to stop stressing so much about pumping stuff out of the studio - makes all the difference. Not that I don't stress about getting stuff out on time; I worry less about the quality verses the quantity. 

I guess the "Sketchbook" page is important to me because artists always have a period in their lives, when they feel that they are bogged down by quantity, and are in fear of losing quality. I have tried to just do a simple style, but it doesn't really challenge me. I feel like I sent out half the job. I'm not doing what I like, just what's required. There's no complaint from the client, but not a lot of joy in that. I like to illustrate, my way.

There are still times when I have to pump stuff out, but going back to basics has made me feel a whole lot better about it. 

I've always been DRAWN to it!

So, I'm reading the e-mail and visiting a couple of my favorite blogs, this morning, when I see that I can't seem to access one of my very favs, DRAWN! Soooo, later in the day, I try again, as this blog usually has interesting art from everywhere and informative articles. No dice. What's up?

A quick search takes me to the site of one John Martz, a Canadian artist, and the webmeister of DRAWN! Much to my chagrin, Mr. Martz has decided that Drawn! (as with everything else) has a shelf life. However, I can't blame him, he and the other contributors to this blog have gone above and beyond the call of duty; with great info and art on an almost daily basis, since 2005. 

I say, "Thanks" to Mr. Martz and the contributors for a great run. I do hope that an archive (as is mentioned in the blog link below) does go up - the information and fun are invaluable. 

Kudos to his Cohorts too! (See list of artist/contributors at the end of the post at the URL below.)

Check out John Martz's blog on Tumblr - http://johnmartz.tumblr.com/

When is a Copyright, not a Right

I was reading the blog "Once Upon a Sketch" - today's topic: U.K. passes 'Orphan Act' bill. Now, for those of you who create, and happen to post your creations on the 'Net - especially artists and photographers - the Orphan Act allows anyone who wants to, to swipe your creation and use it as his/her own. Even if you have marked it with YOUR copyright. A similar Orphan Act was bandied about here in the U.S. for a few years, but outrage from constituents of the creative community, pretty much put a stop to the whole thing. 

Now that the U.K. has gone down the 'orphan path'; will other countries follow suit? You may be seeing a lot less art and pics - and what you do see will have a big ass watermark over it, obscuring the piece's original intent and merit.

Read the article from The Register in the U.K.:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/04/29/err_act_landgrab/

BTW, the only way we can protect our selves is by registering each and every piece with the government agency. Which, if you have a substancial body of work, is gonna cost a number of $$$$$$.

This all may seem like "a mountain out of a molehill" to the layman; but if this 'trend' continues, it may well effect many facets of your day to day life. Especially since we all seem to be 'tuned in and turned on'.

Think we're a litigious people, now? Just wait.

The dreaded phrase: "It's Tax Prep Day!"

Yeeeesh! Send shivers down the spine! I'm taking a break from making sure I have all my receipts and that all the receipts match all the books, to say "Hello" - and to direct you to a couple of animations going around the web. You'll find them both on the blog Drawn!

At the top of Drawn's blog is "Adam and Dog" by Minkyu Lee

If you scroll down about 8 to 10 posts; you'll find "Paperman" by disneyanimation

These two are posted on just about every blog that I read; and they are two very, very, nice pieces. You should take a break and take a look.

Just sharin' the Joy!