Been a while!

It aint that I have not had anything to post here, just got sucked into the Facebook world of late!

But here is the latest installment of what is inside me!

Recent visit to the dentist, had to get a new set of x-rays in an awesome new machine! All is good, just the ole updating of stuff.

Nothing new in my mouth, all is good, but look at me teefers!

RAKU

WOW! What do you get when you mix pottery and a whole lot of fire? Look above for one and my photo album on Facebook for more!

Pottery v. Sculpture

I have been working off the wheel lately and came to a sculptural vase inspired by nature.

Who knew there was a little sculptor in me!

An Informal poll

If you were pregnant, or maybe it is your partner, and you needed help with handling all those things related to having a baby; doctors, hospitals, products and services related to your new needs, etc., and you made more than 6 figures and are pretty sophisticated and savvy, which of these two baby planning services might you go to?

Do these two companies look competitive to one another? Of the two which do you feel is better suited to your needs?

FREAK PARADE!

Spring Break found me in Milwaukee, WI with a group of my students visiting studios and agencies. A little side trip brought us to the Haggerty Museum of Art on the campus of Marquette University where we saw a show by Thomas Woodruff.

About Thomas Woodfruff
On a cold and windy night in 1963, Thomas Woodruff, a peculiar cub scout, carried a large American flag for his troop in the New Rochelle, NY Thanksgiving Day Parade. The event left lingering scars. He was known in the neighborhood as the boy who staged elaborate puppet shows in his darkened suburban basement. While still in his twenties, Woodruff collaborated with the avant garde theatre director Robert Wilson on the decor for his opera Edison, and adapted and storyboarded his stage spectacles for television. He has contributed award-winning illustrations to every major periodical in America, including the memorable backpage series “Rock and Roll Still-Life” for Rolling Stone in the early 1990’s. He has created the book covers for novels by Ann Tyler, Robertson Davies, Gabriel Garcia Márquez, and many others.

Woodruff has had over 20 one person exhibitions, and his paintings have been included in museum shows internationally. His major gallery works are created in series. In the past these works have often been elegaic in nature and have dealt with the AIDS epidemic. Some of his major projects are The Secret Charts (1994), a series of tromp l’oeil scrolls depicting an alphabet of loss; Apple Canon (1996), his collection of 365 individual apple “portraits” to “keep the doctor away”; and All Systems Go (1999), images organized as “missions” incorporating rocketships, Woodruff’s meditation on the end of the millenium.

Freak Parade has been his most ambitious project, five years in the making. He has recently finished Solar System (The Turning Heads), which showed at PPOW October 2008. Woodruff illustrated Jack Handy’s “My Big Thick Novel” for the 2002–3 Emmy Award winning season of Saturday Night Live; and continues to design for the theatre, most recently the decor and costumes for Salome at the Hawaiian Opera Theatre (2002). He briefly worked as a tattooist in the late 1980’s, and has promoted this and other “alternative” forms of image making in the many exhibitions he has curated. He has taught at the School of Visual Arts since 1981, and is currently the Chair of Illustration and Cartooning.

If in Milwaukee before April 18, check the show out live, or here for a virtual viewing.

12:34

And it JUST happened again, well two minutes ago according to the time stamp for the post!

I do not know what it means, but it seems like an interesting coincidence that daily, I mean DAILY, when I look at a digital clock, anywhere, cell phone, actual clock, computer, car, I see 12:34. And this is not a recent thing. It has been for quite a while.

I am not a clock watcher. But somehow when I do look at the clock always once a day, often twice, if I am up late, I see the time 12:34

Sometimes I feel like they are the mysterious numbers from LOST!

Why pitch?

An interesting stand from the ad community. And on topic from the last post!

Why pitch?

Make sure you look at the links on each page. Looks like there are some big players behind this.

Crowdsourcing! Yay or Nay?

I fear this post is going to be longer than I intend, so here goes!

Often times, the best ideas come from somewhere unexpected. In my world of design, this often happens when sharing work in the form of critique, just looking for inspiration by sharing or just someone looking over your shoulder. The best designers are opened to this form of input.

Sometimes you are given a problem, you use all your skills to do what you feel is right in solving that problem. Then you turn your solution over to the user and they say "Looks really nice, but the real problem was the handle was slippery. We don't need a new pliers, just one with a better grip." AHA! The client thought they needed a new product, when the real problem was a much smaller fix. THE USER, a mechanic let's say, came up with the REAL and RIGHT solution. Does not make the solution I came up with any less valid, just not right for the problem at hand.

Clients today have taken this idea, and are using it sometimes for good, think grassroots charity work, and sometimes for bad. It is often called Crowdsourcing.



Most recently, The Joffrey Ballet offered up the "opportunity" via an open call to design the invitation for their spring gala. Anyone who fancies themselves a designer due to their owning a computer has the chance to compete with students and top professionals. The winner will receive $700. Not sure how many top "professionals" would partake in such an opportunity, but the current climate makes people do crazy things! This type of crowdsourcing creates buzz but some professional designers are rebelling, and should!

Of course, the Joffrey believes this could be an outstanding opportunity to build one's portfolio and client base. A perfect opportunity for a young designer. But really? How many unknowns are going to really garner this project. But then again, how many pros are going to participate. So I guess there may be a chance for that diamond in the rough to make it to print.

This has a stink of spec work to it. The AIGA, the professional association for design, has a strong position in regard to spec work. Briefly they state "AIGA, the professional association for design, believes that professional designers should be compensated fairly for the value of their work and should negotiate the ownership or use rights of their intellectual and creative property through an engagement with clients.

AIGA acknowledges that speculative work—that is, work done prior to engagement with a client in anticipation of being paid—occurs among clients and designers. Instead of working speculatively, AIGA strongly encourages designers to enter into projects with full engagement to continue to show the value of their creative endeavor. Designers and clients should be aware of all potential risks before entering into speculative work."

For more info on the AIGA's stance on spec work,
click here

The Joffrey stands and expects to raise $1.3 milllion at this annual gala. The cheapest ticket to the gala is $600. And they will pay the winning design/designer $700!

As a professional designer, i would KILL for a chance to work with and for the Joffrey Ballet. But not lke this.

Can't wait to see what happens and the final decision of the Joffrey.

Splish Splash!

I got me some new backsplash!

They are done and look awesome! Now when HGTV comes to check out my place they can not say my kitchen could really use a backsplash!

White subway tile is the main tile, with some black bars framing multicolored glass tiles. Tile all came from Home Depot.

With a great contractor, same who did my bathroom, a day later you get a great kitchen addition!

Adhesive Capsilitis

To you and me, that is a Frozen Shoulder and that is what I am currently dealing with!

Unfortunately, that IS NOT my xray pictured. You know how I love to post my body parts in the form of xrays (knees, teeth, heart) but orthopedist was first visit. I will get them some day!

So what is frozen shoulder? Frozen shoulder is characterized by pain and loss of motion or stiffness in the shoulder. It affects about two percent of the general population. Frozen shoulder most commonly affects patients between the ages of 40 and 60 years, with no clear predisposition based on sex, arm dominance, or occupation.

Frozen shoulder is the thickening and contracture of the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint.

Today I got a steroid shot. . .BURNED LIKE A MOTHER! That and along with some physical therapy should do the trick. If not better in a couple weeks, doc said we will look inside me via an MRI!

Let's hope it clears up!

FIGures!

I am having a bit of an affair with figs. Lovin' them!

Used to love the ole Fig Newton! But have not had one of those in a long time. Actually have not eaten many figs at all.

Then a couple of weeks ago, I was at a party and someone made a goat cheese and fig spread. OH SO GOOD!

Then on Iron Chef America they had Battle Fig.

And the other night I took some inspiration and made a pork tenderloin stuffed with couscous, figs and apples. WOW!

Bought some dried figs and love em as a snack!

FYI! Figs are one of the highest plant sources of calcium and fiber. According to USDA data for the Mission variety, dried figs are richest in fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin K, relative to human needs. They have smaller amounts of many other nutrients. Figs have a laxative effect and contain many antioxidants. They are good source of flavonoids and polyphenols. In one study, a 40-gram portion of dried figs (two medium size figs) produced a significant increase in plasma antioxidant capacity.

My FIRST Cover!

Yes, I have won several design awards. It is as much fun seeing my work in print as it is just printed.

I just received the most recent annual of American Graphic Design & Advertising 25 that includes some of my work. But to my delight, a poster that I designed, and that won an award, is shown on the cover. . .the COVER I said!

Now granted, it is the back cover, but it is the only cover that shows a mere 13 samples of the many pieces included in the whole annual. The poster I designed for the Earthquake relief effort for the Sichuan Earthquake is mine, and if I can add, the LARGEST of the samples shown!

Color me proud!

BEST gifts of 2009

I know it seems a huge cop out not picking the ONE best, but this year was just too hard! SO the winner for best gift(s) of the 2009 holiday season are. . .

Fred, the cardboard moose trophy from my sister and lined crocs from Lisa!

THANKS!

Dominic the Donkey

This just may be my new favorite Christmas song!

My future is bright!

Madame Ryan, that's righ! an Irish Gypsy gave me a virtual palm and tarot card reading!

Here is what she said!

I am reading your left hand as that is your passive hand.

Your hand shape is mixed, not quite square but not pointed or cone shaped either. A mixed shaped hand signifies a personality that contains creativity and practicality.It is an earth hand. How flexible is your thumb? The more flexible the thumb, the more easy going the person is (I have a fairly flexible thumb!).

Your life line is strong but breaks at the end to join with your destiny line. A break can indicate a change in lifestyle, an accident or illness. As your life line continues on strong though, you will overcome what ever that might be. The position of your line shows you have an expansive and giving nature.

Your heart line is long and curves upward. This suggests a warm hearted and affectionate nature in relationships. You have two lines coming off of your heart line. These indicate affairs of the heart. They are fairly far apart suggesting one earlier in life and one later in life. The one later in life is etched deeper so is stronger. Your heart line begins between your index and middle finger- you can tend to easily give your heart away.

Your head line and life line are joined together at the beginning, showing cautiousness and your mind ruling over your body. These lines do not stay entwined. The separation shows a love for adventure and enthusiasm for life.. So good things happen when you are a little less cautious.

Your destiny line is strong! It starts at your palm and rises to your index finger. It is intertwined with your life line at the beginning which indicates you knew early in life what your life's aspirations were. You are a self-made individual.
I see one marriage line - on your palm. I can't really see it too well in the scan to see if it has lines crossing it or if there are more than one. Your marriage line indicates a marriage or strong romance.

I did a one card reading for you. I like to pull one card from the deck in answer to a question. My question for you "what does Richard's future hold?" The tarot card answer

" The World' This is a great card. A robed figure commands the elements and forces of the universe. This card represents the completion of life's circle and mystical unity with the cosmos. the power of transcendence is within reach. You can attain worldly success and liberation through your vision.

SO.... strong lifeline, strong heart line, VERY strong destiny line and the tarot showing you the world. I would say you can easily bring forth what ever it is you want in life.

Segwaaaaaaaaaaaay fun!

I spent a day on a Segway, hence the fashion statement, as a tourist in my own town.

What huge fun! After a shaky start getting my footing, it was some of the most fun I have had in days!

It was a beautiful day in Chicago along the lakefront and we toured the city like all good tourists.

Willie's Mug Revealed!

Here it is!

Willie got it yesterday and was amazed at just how much clay shrinks! Nonetheless, he loved it!

* See more of my pottery here.

Animal Friendly Manliness!

There is something very cool about hunting I suppose, the primalness of man versus beast (sans guns and all)!

And then the whole bringing home the trophy! But no matter how you slice it, it just aint really right, unless you eat what you kill!

Now you canhave the trophy of a successful buying trip.

I want me a moose, or a deer (they also have bison and rhino)! You can find then at several places online. . .DUH!

2 Mugs

Willie was in town and we got dirty!

I brought him to the studio where I create my pottery and got his hands in some mud. He actually did quite well. Got the clay centered, pulled it up and got himself a small mug. I had to finish it up, but it came out great. I would show it to you, but right now it is in the air making its way to Dallas. As soon as he receives it and is the first to see it, I will post the finished piece!

Always fun in the mud!

A feel good!

Check this awesome video out!

You gotta love Grandpa Elliot.

Thanks for the head's up Lisa!

BIGGEST tools EVER!

Paris Hilton is a genius compared to these two fools! I just saw them on The View, and thanbk you Whoopi Goldberg for not tolerating their nonsense and being famous for being famous schtick! Heidi has the true belief that she is a "Modern version of Mother Teresa"?! Spencer says his future plans are Pratt and Palin?! Someone get these two some ginormous frickin reality pills!

Why do we tolerate these fools and support their ridiculous behavior?

Please make them go away!

35.000'

Flying in to Portland we past this majestic beauty. . .Mt. Hood!

A little piece of heaven in Oregon

I have been to probably one of the WORST smelling places in the country, Moss Point, MS at a facility across from a pogie processing plant (pogie are a fish used for fertilizers and such)!

But last week I was in one of the BEST smelling places, The International Rose Test Gardens in Portland, OR

One of my favorite and I think most beautiful roses was Broadway, not yet available to grow. The whole area approaching the garden smelled like heaven!

For all ye Potter Fans!

Just sit back and enjoy!

At The MoMA

Detail

Marcel Odenbach, German, born 1953

You Can't See the Forest for the Trees
2003

Cut-an-pasted printed paper, cut-and-pasted colored paper, ink, and pencil on two pieces of paper

The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift, 2005

Odenbach's upbringing in postwar Germany was inextricably linked with the country's sociopolitical history, a heritage he addresses in his compositions though the bits of text and images culled from a variety of mass-media sources that often fade into the background of the larger drawings. You Can't See the Forest for the Trees plays on a common expression and is a plea to not only see this particular forest as a forest but also take into account its context: the largest Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, was named after the many birch trees surrounding the complex.

Green Porno

Who can resist Isabella Rossellini dressed as an assortment of insects and aquatic life and talking about sex?!

Check out her two seasons of short films on the Sundance Channel

Stuff

We as a country use a lot of stuff. We are consumers often consumed. Something to think about.

Thanks Annika!

Mmm! Matzoh Toffee

Spring means Easter and Passover!

You canhave your hard boiled colored eggs that get reused into egg salad (yuck)! We, from the Jewish side of the fence, celebrate without leavening, Charlton Heston as Moses and Matzoh Toffee!

A classic Passover treat that's great anytime - and you don't even need to be Jewish to like it. But if this had fallen from heaven instead of manna - we'd still be in the desert!

Chocolate Toffee Matzoh

4-6 sheets of matzoh 
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)
• Preheat oven to 350
• Line a cookie sheet with foil, and top that with wax paper - it gets really gooey and sticky
• Lay matzohs on baking sheets - break in half to fit gaps if you want
• Melt butter and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat - stirring constantly
• Let mixture boil and continue cooking for 3 more minutes
• Remove butter/brown sugar mixture from heat and pour over matzoh
• Bake approximately 15 minutes - don't let it burn
• Remove from oven and quickly sprinkle chocolate chips over the top
• Let chips melt for a couple of minutes then spread melted chocolate with back of spoon
• Sprinkle nuts over top of chocolate and press down lightly to stick
• Refrigerate until set, then break into smaller pieces and look out - you can't eat just one piece.

Spring is a coming!

And in my garden the bulbs are starting to break ground! But for $2 this weekend I got these daffodils all closed up wanting to open. This morning I woke up to this burst of color!

Spring cannot come too soon!

A little creative excercise!

CREATE YOUR OWN ALBUM COVER!

1 - Go to "Wikipedia." Hit “random” or click band name

The first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to "Random quotations" or click album title

The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days” or click album cover art

Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use photoshop or a similar program to put it all together.

5 - Post it to FB with this text in the caption and TAG the friends you want to join in.

Next Stop. . .TOP CHEF!

But first moto!

At a weekend benefit I attended for AIDSCare, I won a day in the kitchen at one of the top restaurants in Chicago. . .moto!

From their website:
"Inventive. Innovative. Artistic. Imaginiative. Thought provoking. Futuristic. Inspired. All words to describe (Chef) Homaro Cantu's moto, an internationally recognized leader in the world of molecular gastronomy. A term with many interpretations, at moto molecular gastronomy is the application of both scientific and artistic principles in cuisine. Equal parts chef and inventor, Cantu challenges culinary convention and diners, stretching the boundaries of the former and taking the latter on a post-modern, interactive and fantastical gastronomical ride."

I am going to get to spend a day in the kitchen of moto working side by side with their team doing preparation for a Saturday evening service! And then I get to eat too!