tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017896341765683702024-03-07T22:34:55.107-05:00Another Blogging Artist JournalEssays on My Life...or...It's Hard to Believe Grownups Do This For a LivingPenelope Nollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216414543861690144noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601789634176568370.post-80418172701916753872011-03-02T17:12:00.004-05:002011-03-03T14:58:43.609-05:00The Further Reincarnations of Fish-GuyThe things we do to amuse ourselves is fascinating, to amuse some of us anyway, or a few of us, okay...me. Fish-Guy is back. After trading diving stories (scuba not sky) with a friend recently, I now have fish, coral reefs, and Red Stripe in my dreams or on the brain or somewhere. I've also had a long snooze-worthy week of day-job technical drawings (something I'm not good at) which has left me with a desperate need for color, and paint, and a little silliness (something I'm <i>very</i> good at.) Fish-Guy has returned with a new look. I'm grateful it's not February. Fish-Guy doesn't do Valentine's Day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tV1zF91EMH8/TW6_t-xmc-I/AAAAAAAAAIw/vYgZ-jRXmB8/s1600/fatfishguyflat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tV1zF91EMH8/TW6_t-xmc-I/AAAAAAAAAIw/vYgZ-jRXmB8/s640/fatfishguyflat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Fish-Guy made his inaugural appearance in a previous post, <a href="http://blog.penelopenoll.com/2011/01/designing-your-own-stuff.html">Designing Your Own Stuff</a>. Yes, I did carry him on a plane from St. Thomas, but I do believe he came into my life closer to twenty-five years ago, not twenty, and it wasn't exactly 'walk on the plane and go home.'<br />
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I was on an island-hopping sailing vacation and I arrived with one duffle bag, bathing suits, t-shirts and snorkel gear. I don't even think I had a hair dryer. Consuming sailboat power with a hair dryer is generally not appreciated. Generators can be temperamental. Okay, I had packed light. It's amazing how one bag can expand to multiples filled with treasures, and I don't think I was anywhere near a duty-free shop. The best goodies are found on the side of a road or in a shack on an isolated beach. I'm digressing again, but sometime I'll have to write about how two beer coolers full of conch shells spent three weeks traveling from the Bahamas.<br />
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I had stuffed my duffle bag with everything that wouldn't break and all my clothes. I said goodbye to that bag at the St. Thomas airport check-in. I lugged a heavy carry-on filled with carvings and other pieces of art. Fish-Guy was under my arm, wrapped in layers of newspaper. He is about three feet long and has some sharp edges and would probably be a weapon on an airline today. A lot to schlep, but I'd be home in a few hours, right?<br />
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I don't quite understand how this works, but where does your luggage go when your flight is cancelled because the plane never left wherever it was coming from? St. Thomas is a very small airport. My duffle was probably hiding about fifty feet away from me. Courtesy of the airline, (they were quite generous at one time,) I spent another night on the island, with only the clothes I had on, Fish-Guy and his getting-heavier bag of friends. My foresighted travel partner had a carry-on with the usual useful things one should have in a carry-on. At this point, we both thought this was funny.<br />
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About twenty-four hours later, the substitute flight landed in Puerto Rico where the connecting flight to Philadelphia was waiting. Fish-Guy and friends were hanging in there. I looked like I'd been wearing the same clothes for way too long; then the bidding started. <br />
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As I mentioned earlier, airlines were very generous years ago. The flight to Philadelphia was overbooked and the increasing offers to give up seats kept coming. When the offer hit a four-figure travel voucher and a first-class seat on the next day's flight, that was it. Fish-Guy wanted to see Puerto Rico, and I went to buy a dress for dinner.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1piYhZM_xsM/TW_yiYIUPDI/AAAAAAAAAI4/Mro0jUWG-aI/s1600/beignetfishguyfuel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1piYhZM_xsM/TW_yiYIUPDI/AAAAAAAAAI4/Mro0jUWG-aI/s640/beignetfishguyfuel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fish-Guy fueling up before donning Mardi-Gras attire.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xSPS7XDm8vQ/TW7C38g_ZzI/AAAAAAAAAI0/kaAYEFbmK6s/s1600/Janfishguyflat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Penelope Nollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216414543861690144noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601789634176568370.post-77324028453820246262011-01-16T15:47:00.002-05:002011-01-16T16:23:43.418-05:00Painting Black on Black<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The boots illustration in my <a href="http://blog.penelopenoll.com/2011/01/suede-or-pvc.html">previous post</a> is about as frivolous as art can be, but it was both fun and more of a challenge than it appears. My day-job-art is somewhere between semi-serious and 'exactly what exciting shade of light gray is this building?' The drawings I'm doing for my blog are an outlet for amusement, somewhat empty-headed expression and color (I've used gray and beige as little as possible.) The challenge surfaced as I became more aware of how I should paint shades of black on black suede boots and black tights. It would have been easier if the boots were tan with shadows, or shiny leather with reflections.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_Reinhardt">Ad Reinhardt's</a> series of black paintings came to mind. Recently, while at the <a href="http://www.moma.org/">Museum of Modern Art</a>, '<a href="http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/1098">Abstract Expressionist New York</a>' exhibit, I entered a doorway and found a large, black <a href="http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3ATA%3AE%3AAbExFeatured&page_number=7&template_id=1&sort_order=1&template_folder=abex">Reinhardt</a> piece positioned directly across from the entrance. At first, I thought about moving closer to look for the subtleties I have been told are there. I people-watched instead. There were about two dozen people gathered in front, taking turns moving closer, then back a few feet. Most had arms folded over their chests, heads tilted with wrinkled foreheads. Mixed in were the usual complement of smaller humans, texting, playing Nintendo, or whirling around while staring into space. This was an interesting piece of performance art. I imagined microphones dangling from the ceiling overhead, and an interactive playback device where one could hear the thoughts of those staring into the black hole. I imagined what they would say and what they thought they should say.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A wandering-mind is an interesting side effect of painting lighthearted subjects.</span></div>Penelope Nollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216414543861690144noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601789634176568370.post-89491269908563536972011-01-12T13:39:00.008-05:002011-01-14T15:29:27.205-05:00Suede or PVC?<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ShHNaOZROis/TTCyAel18AI/AAAAAAAAAIo/W-rdGl_E1E4/s1600/bootsflat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ShHNaOZROis/TTCyAel18AI/AAAAAAAAAIo/W-rdGl_E1E4/s400/bootsflat2.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">I laced up my <a href="http://www.sorel.com/">Sorel</a> boots this morning, for about the fourteenth day in a row. I wasn’t thinking about work, finishing up two paintings staring back at me, the state of the economy, global warming, pre-ordering a <a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/splash/iphone.jsp">Verizon iPhone</a>, or even how fortunate I am to just be able to lace up my boots. I was thinking about boots. Okay, I’m not a morning person. I walk into things; and finding my reading glasses and favorite coffee mug is as close to serious thought as I get before 10 am.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This winter, and last, has been unusual for coastal New Jersey. In previous years, the snow would disappear faster than it arrived. Snow isn’t supposed to hang around here. I haven’t had a need for snow boots since grade school. Yes, I regularly walked to school in two feet of snow (Ohio), dressed like Ralphie in "A Christmas Story."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shoe shopping doesn’t top my list of things to look forward to. Boots are a different story. I love boots. I love my </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.sorel.com/">Sorel</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> boots. They are warm and dry but not even close to sexy. Boots I feel good in, the suede heels, in particular, won’t be seeing the outside of my house for quite awhile.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is plenty of time left today to figure out how to make a concrete and steel warehouse look interesting (work.) I’m creating boot art right now. Is it really procrastination if you are <i>thinking</i> about whatever it is you are putting off, while you are doing something fun?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="huge">“The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.”<i> Albert Einstein.</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="huge">Thanks Albert, I’ll be an adult later this afternoon. I'm going to truthfully pursue the art of my beautiful boots. If I can't wear them, I'll paint them.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="huge"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="huge"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="huge">………………………………………………………………………………………………</span></div>Penelope Nollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216414543861690144noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601789634176568370.post-92161216421882467292011-01-04T13:13:00.009-05:002011-01-04T16:49:41.374-05:00I'm Officially Addicted to My iPad<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My cell phone only makes phone calls and I rarely even turn it on, so it's only taken a few short months to become totally iPad addicted. The advantages of an iPad over a 'smartphone,' are many for those of us who now require reading glasses. The pinch-zoom feature is worth the price all by itself. It's a bit heavy to carry around everywhere. I'm still never without it even though it sometimes stays in my car if I'm shopping. If the iPhone ever becomes available on Verizon, I would seriously consider it. In my area, non-Verizon phones are out of service in most of the places that top my list of “places I don’t want to be without a phone.” Although I would probably have to increase the magnification of my reading glasses, I do like the idea of being able to sync all the info on my iPad with a smaller, more portable device. I’ve been consciously trying to lighten my handbag load lately. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Although I've done my share of copywriting over the years, I’m an artist and I never imagined that article writing (for myself and others,) research, website updating and Internet communication would become dominant activities of my day. I now have seven email addresses, dozens of login names, passwords, keys and pin numbers. Keeping track and on top of these things was beginning to make me want to turn everything off and go live in the woods . . . just for a minute or two, I love my toys.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I started out adding apps slowly; <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=SHGpg8ky4jk&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fkindle%252Fid302584613%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30">Kindle</a>, <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=SHGpg8ky4jk&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fnetflix%252Fid363590051%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30">Netflix</a>, <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=SHGpg8ky4jk&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fnytimes-for-ipad%252Fid357066198%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30">NYTimes</a>, <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=SHGpg8ky4jk&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fslate-magazine%252Fid384914589%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30">Slate</a>, <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=SHGpg8ky4jk&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fdropbox%252Fid327630330%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30">Dropbox</a>, a few games, more news feeds and some reference apps. Research the reference apps unless they are free; often, it's better to download the actual book to iBooks or Kindle. Many of these apps may be too simplified in their content. The <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=SHGpg8ky4jk&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fap-stylebook%252Fid331791595%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30">AP Stylebook</a> is one example. If you are constantly on the run, the AP app on your iPhone may come in handy, but for the same price you can subscribe to the internet service directly through AP. If you feel the need to analyze this article to determine whether I’ve actually referred to AP today, I’ll save you the trouble, no. </span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As of today, there are 93 apps on my iPad. I will admit that I enjoy some mindless ‘<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=SHGpg8ky4jk&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fangry-birds-hd%252Fid364234221%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30">Angry Birds</a>’ launching and some challenging ‘<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=SHGpg8ky4jk&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fwords-with-friends-hd%252Fid364140796%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30">Words with Friends</a>’, so a third of them are games and puzzles. Thanks to the recent system update they are all in folders, which frees up screen space for the apps I use frequently. I have to blame <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=SHGpg8ky4jk&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fappadvice%252Fid364906378%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30">AppAdvice</a> for all the games. It’s a great source for almost-daily lists of ‘apps on sale’ (or free) for a short time. Why doesn’t the App Store have a reduced-price or sale category?</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Bluetooth keyboard was a welcome Christmas gift. I do some writing on my iPad, but I’m an old-school typist; first learned in high school when it was called typing, not keyboarding. You can’t ‘type’ on a virtual keyboard. According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_typing">Wikipedia</a>, “Touch typing is typing without using the sense of sight to find the keys.” For those of you who don’t type, (two-thumb texting does not count,) there are two huge advantages: speed, and the ability to just concentrate on what you are saying without the interruption of looking down to find a key. I’m still adjusting to the new keyboard. I have noticed the iPad goes wonky after I turn off the keyboard. The touch-screen does not respond as it should. Restoring it to normal requires entering the settings, turning off Bluetooth, and shutting down the iPad. On restart, the iPad is fine, but these few more steps are inconvenient.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I haven’t discovered any joys of <i>creating</i> art on the iPad. I’m sure there are some to be found, I’m not there yet. I <i>am</i> organized. Well, no, <i>I’m</i> not exactly organized, but all my info is. My emails are all linked together, photos and images I need most often are in <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=SHGpg8ky4jk&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fdropbox%252Fid327630330%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30">Dropbox</a>, passwords and pins are all in one place and easily accessible. The most important and newly added app is ‘<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=SHGpg8ky4jk&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Ffind-my-iphone%252Fid376101648%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30">Find My iPhone</a>.’ No one <i>plans</i> on losing their iPhone, iPad or all that information; but it is reassuring to know how to instantly wipe the info should the device go AWOL; which is something one cannot do with a wallet or notebook.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The App Store is an affiliate. </span></div>Penelope Nollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216414543861690144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601789634176568370.post-21551990795775603772011-01-03T13:13:00.004-05:002011-01-04T16:50:03.273-05:00Designing Your Own Stuff<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I finally have a redesigned <a href="http://www.penelopenoll.com/">homepage</a>. The original was done quickly just to get something up. Now, four months later, I have replaced it with something I actually put some work into. The paint spatters (my first page) were fun for awhile, but the new one is more like me, since I have been into adding illustrations to my blog posts. The wall in the background really is similar to the walls in my room/studio/cave, faux-painted about ten years ago. I know, it’s time to change the paint. The fish also exists in real life. (I have a thing for fish.) It’s about three feet long and made of tin. I actually carried it on an airplane from St. Thomas about twenty years ago. Fish-guy does get whimsically repainted frequently. Right now he is copper.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ShHNaOZROis/TSIQtSB47FI/AAAAAAAAAIg/pg6lMn42IUc/s1600/PNphoto+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ShHNaOZROis/TSIQtSB47FI/AAAAAAAAAIg/pg6lMn42IUc/s400/PNphoto+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As it is with much of my artwork, this drawing tended to grow into something else as time moved on. The work was spread out over three days. The drawings that are completed in the same day as they were started are actually changed less than the longer term work. I’ve come to the conclusion that this is due to waking up as a slightly different character than I was the day before; a different day, a different point of view. I have no difficulty being objective and planning the work to meet deadlines when it is for someone else. It is so much harder to design for yourself.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is a fuzzy line between adjusting imperfections and knowing when to stop. Nothing is ever going to be perfect enough. I will keep making changes for nearly everything up to the last moment, (assuming there is a deadline,) unless it is framed and under glass. Even then, if it’s a piece I’m going to post somewhere, I will still find things to alter after I’ve taken the photos.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I found an interesting post on <a href="http://sixrevisions.com/">Six Revisions</a>, (Useful Information for Web Developers & Designers, as it says it their subhead, and I agree); “<a href="http://sixrevisions.com/web_design/how-to-design-for-your-worst-client-you/">How to Design for Your Worst Client: You</a>,” by Francisco Inchauste, 6/1/2009. For any artist (of any kind) who has been at it for awhile, this article will sound very familiar, and a good one to keep around when you feel you need a kick in the head, or somewhere. My favorite (bookmarked for the next time I’m beyond my personal timeline) is “Rule #7: Perfection is infinite; ‘time to get rid of the inner critic.”</span></div>Penelope Nollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216414543861690144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601789634176568370.post-43746227995227118152010-12-21T16:45:00.008-05:002011-01-04T16:19:38.131-05:00Best Christmas Gift Ever!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ShHNaOZROis/TROfL4mOM1I/AAAAAAAAAIY/mje4qtojYBs/s1600/madtea4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ShHNaOZROis/TROfL4mOM1I/AAAAAAAAAIY/mje4qtojYBs/s320/madtea4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">There was no art made at my house this past weekend. Plans for a quick trip to New York to hear friend and awesome singer/songwriter, <a href="http://www.michelekarmin.com/MK/News/News.html">Michele Karmin</a>, turned into one festive expedition for six of us. It was all about wonderful friends, family, extravagant food, and so many laughs. I did manage to trek off to the <a href="http://www.moma.org/">Museum of Modern Art</a> for a few mind-candy hours. I caught up with the rest of the group in time for the three-touchdown, fourth-quarter of the Eagles and Giants game. We all should have bought lottery tickets . . . it was just one fantastic event after another.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I have been catching up on some overdue illustrations. Today's New York drawing is a bit ironic, as there was no time to shop this weekend. I did purchase a few drawings of the city from a street artist. I love souvenir art and the rush of memories whenever I look at it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Penelope Nollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216414543861690144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601789634176568370.post-29823961747191122662010-12-13T11:32:00.015-05:002011-01-16T20:43:31.492-05:00Read Between the Bylines<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ShHNaOZROis/TRDN8yePlBI/AAAAAAAAAIA/KgFRzzF5rfU/s1600/nails3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ShHNaOZROis/TRDN8yePlBI/AAAAAAAAAIA/KgFRzzF5rfU/s320/nails3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">Writing has become a second (or is it the third, fifth, eighth . . . too many to count lately) job for me. I'm certainly not alone. Many of my favorite artist blogs are filled with interviews, stories, commentary; and yet the artists still manage to regularly post their artwork. I'm sure many of them also write for others. Although I've done my share of copywriting, I have avoided it whenever possible. I'm an artist, not a copywriter.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This is the <i>last</i> thing I ever thought I'd spend this much time on. Paintings to finish, a new website to design, and article commitments to keep; how does everyone manage this? (I didn't even mention a regular job.)</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I am somewhat of a spelling and grammar Nazi. For my own blog, I try to edit carefully before I post, but if there is one thing I have learned from my advertising experience, it is no one will care how perfect the ad is if it doesn't make the deadline. There are some gremlins that manage to appear between my iPad writing app and the formatting on the site. I'm still catching typos and revising sentence structure after I post, but it is my blog. I set my own deadlines (I really don't have any,) and I don't have to be too fanatical because I know I can change it later.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Writing for others is a whole different zebra. In addition to a thesaurus, a dictionary and a grammar reference, I'm now a regular visitor to the "<a href="http://apstylebook.com/">AP Stylebook</a>" online version. I'm learning a new variation of 'getting over perfectionism;' write it, post it and hope the editor approves.</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I have added a new tab section, "Other Stories." I will post some guest articles here, when I am permitted to do so.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Can I go paint now?</span></div>Penelope Nollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216414543861690144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601789634176568370.post-42356882206775478892010-12-04T17:28:00.008-05:002011-01-04T16:51:15.679-05:00You Can't Always Get What You Want<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you've read this blog from the <a href="http://blog.penelopenoll.com/2010/09/it-all-starts-here.html">beginning</a>, (not all that long ago,) you might be wondering how things are going with my efforts to find a social life, so here's an update.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Still haven't actually joined anything (Groucho would be pleased.) The Art Director's Club of Philadelphia (missing for a few years now,) had a Launch (or re-launch) Party on Nov. 11th. I missed it, but I keep looking for updates on the somewhat blank website. Nothing. Another artist group proves my point. (See: <a href="http://blog.penelopenoll.com/2010/10/where-do-you-go-to-meet-people-in-2010.html">Where Do You Go to Meet People in 2010?</a>)</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What can I say about my Match adventures? I still look, but I've been a little busy the last few weeks. Before that? Well, no, you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you just might find, you at least get yourself out of the house.*</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>*Thanks to The Rolling Stones for the paraphrase.</i></span></div>Penelope Nollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216414543861690144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601789634176568370.post-62962611259655490232010-11-28T11:44:00.009-05:002011-01-04T16:51:51.493-05:00No More Excuses - Excuse Number One, Which Paint?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ShHNaOZROis/TQ-yAJIViGI/AAAAAAAAAH8/6g7dipTZMuE/s1600/painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ShHNaOZROis/TQ-yAJIViGI/AAAAAAAAAH8/6g7dipTZMuE/s320/painting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">My mother loved the paint-by-number sets in the fifties. Somewhere along the line, she discovered 'someone' was borrowing assorted tubes of paint from her sets. One Christmas . . . I think I was ten, I opened my first treasured box of oil paints, brushes and canvases. I could't tell you the brand, brush numbers or number of colors. It didn't matter. I was in love and lost in my room for the duration of Christmas vacation, except for a few ice skating breaks (the winter thing to do when I was ten.) My first painting was a still-life of an orange and a Heinz ketchup bottle. I think I liked the colors.<br />
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Remember construction-paper turkeys? That was pretty much the sum of grade school art class. My best memory of high school art class was the day we were assigned the task of creating a crucifix in clay. I attended an all-girls Catholic high school. I stress the 'all-girls' aspect, because in this environment (no boys to impress,) being a lady wasn't a consideration. A clay crucifix? Really? The energy that day was spent hurling gobs of clay at each other (the teacher had left the room,) in the most creative ways possible. I was fortunate to attend Saturday classes at the Cooper School of Art in Cleveland (doesn't exist anymore.) College level art classes taught by professors who dismissed the idea that we were kids. I was in my own little form of heaven.<br />
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I learned about materials. I discovered the pleasures of using 'the good stuff,' the benefits of one brand over another. Acrylics became the medium of choice, because of the speedy drying time and the absence of turpentine. It also washes out of most everything, except my bedroom carpet, which was never changed until my parents were sure I wasn't coming back. Lots of memories on that carpet. No televisions, computers or stereos in every room. I did have a record player, and painted to Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, The Beatles and The Beach Boys.<br />
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Sometime in my early thirties I decided to learn watercolor painting. I bought and read all the books I could find, but it was a basic class at the local art center that pulled it all together, the techniques, the tricks, the wonderful Langnickel brushes, Windsor & Newton paints and Arches paper. I tried a number of different papers, and my favorite was a 300 lb cold-pressed variety made by T. H. Saunders. As with most things, the paper (and the name of the paper mill) changed; the feel, the texture, just the way the paint was absorbed or sat on the surface. Although I've had to adjust to new paper, Windsor & Newton still makes my favorite paint, partly because I became used to how the colors mixed, which ones were 'staining,' and which ones were more permanent. And I still use a few of my original 30-year old brushes.<br />
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So, for reasons I can't explain, I need canvas and acrylics again. Do I really need to stretch my own canvas right now? Do I really need $200 pre-stretched canvas? Do I really need to research and wait for UPS to deliver the best brushes, paint and mediums I can find? This dilemma was surprisingly easy to resolve since I've also come to need some great Cole Haan boots. The boots won, and I took a trip to the local Michael's the same day, with my 40% off coupons. 'Just Do It' was playing in my head.<br />
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I came home and started painting. I'm really quite happy with the quality of my $20 canvas (have to start somewhere, or I may not start at all.) The surface is just-right smooth (for me,) it's stretched just tight-enough, and braced to retain squareness. The Liquitex paints are working out just fine. (When did acrylics start being labeled 'soft-body' and 'heavy-body' anyway?) Did you know an amplifier stand makes a great easel? (Thanks to an encouraging friend-musician.)<br />
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My painting won't be hanging in MOMA and I'm not expecting any calls for commissions or product-endorsements, but I couldn't be happier right now. Acrylic paint doesn't clean off hardwood that much easier than carpet, but finding a proper studio space has been assigned 'excuse number two,' which I've chosen to ignore for now.</span>Penelope Nollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216414543861690144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601789634176568370.post-88986246275428076052010-11-26T17:39:00.018-05:002011-01-04T16:52:25.780-05:00Thanksgiving Continues . . . I'm Just Grateful!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ShHNaOZROis/TQvOL3r4DjI/AAAAAAAAAHs/e_cVMgx3B3Q/s1600/madtea4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ShHNaOZROis/TQvOL3r4DjI/AAAAAAAAAHs/e_cVMgx3B3Q/s320/madtea4.gif" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today, I am most grateful for my very wonderful son, his most-gracious girlfriend, and her family. Thanks to all for fantastic food, a really fun time, very enjoyable company, and a peaceful night in another part of the state.<br />
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I am grateful to new friends I've made in the last few months. It may have only been a drink or an evening, but those moments will stay with me for a long time. I'm grateful that my near decade-long life of a hermit has been disrupted, in so many good ways.<br />
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I'm grateful for running out of excuses. After listening to myself talk about why I haven't done this or that (all kinds of things, really;) I'm now doing those things.<br />
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I'm grateful for new books, new inspirations, and new reflections on some older ideologies that have put my own trivial pursuits in their appropriate perspective.<br />
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I'm grateful for new work I am excited about. Sometimes things just happen when one is not looking . . . kind of like love. I'm grateful for tea. I could learn to love it.<br />
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I'm grateful for Netflix, Kindle, Elements, Wordbook XL and Angry Birds on my iPad.</span> <br />
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Today, I'm also grateful I wasn't anywhere near a retail store.</span>Penelope Nollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216414543861690144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601789634176568370.post-511336892558429712010-10-04T14:27:00.016-04:002011-01-12T13:56:53.827-05:00Where Do You Go to Meet People in 2010?<div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>MEETUP.COM OR MATCH, OF COURSE</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unless you prefer eHarmony.com or Chemistry.com. Neither was a good choice for me. After an hour and a half of answering questions on eHarmony, I was blurry-eyed. It was a “free” weekend and I just wanted to check the site out. By the time I finished answering and writing my life history, the free weekend was almost over. They sent me 4 matches over 2 days, and there is no way to search for yourself. One of my favorite customizable “matching” criteria was height. The question just asked for my height (I’m 5’5”), then asked me to rate how important that is to me. Huh? Well of course it’s important to me, it’s....me; and it’s even more important when I’m looking for jeans with a 34” inseam. Whether or not it’s important to someone else might have been a better question, or how about how I feel about my match’s height. I also think there should be an addition to all female height-related questions. I’m 5’5” barefoot, 5’8” in heels, and yes that’s very important to me. Needless to say, my matches were all shorter than I am. I’m sure they were very nice gentlemen, but I also have nothing in common with someone who hasn’t read a book since high school. This isn’t a judgement thing, I was “shopping” after all. If I went to a store looking for a white silk blouse and I was shown only green t-shirts, I’d probably say thank you and go to another store.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>ENTER MATCH</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There was a questionnaire here also. The questions were geared more to what I like and don’t like, rather than an analysis of my moral code. Match does send you matches every day, the “Daily 5.” There is also a sidebar where they let you know what criteria you’ve matched on: “He also has children that live away from home.” Unless his name is Rod Stewart, I hope so. We are over 60.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I quickly figured out the search process. It was fun looking. A photo is a must if you expect anyone to take your profile seriously. I didn’t have one, and I’m the person terrified to have name or photo anywhere. Out came the digital camera and an afternoon of self-portraits. I ended up with the camera on a ladder using the time-delay setting. The biggest difficulty came from putting my reading glasses on to read the camera and remembering to take them off before it snapped. Lots of shots of me in glasses. It did give me an idea for my homepage, so I used the same photo for my website and Match. Match got the photo before I Photoshopped paint spatters all over me and the glasses. I really wanted to use the paint-spattered version, but I was trying to keep my contrary nature in check.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The following weekend, I took my camera shopping. Dressing rooms are great for full-length shots. Quick and much less anxiety-prone. Next time I’ll use Macy’s dressing rooms...better lighting.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have not met anyone in person yet, but I have had some really nice email conversations, and there are a few interesting men I would like to meet. Whether or not they are interested in meeting me is still up in the air. There are also an unbelievable number of loonies and scammers. The other day, after a brief IM chat, I received one of the most beautifully written letters, ever, from a guy resembling an older Josh Brolin (for all I know, maybe it was a photo of JB.). Of course nothing in the profile made sense with anything this man had to say, but I enjoyed reading the email for a full 24 hours before cutting this conversation off. No point in waiting for the “send a check to Nigeria, I need surgery” request, but it was fun pretending the letter was real for a bit.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>MEETUP.COM</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A site where you can find groups of people with shared interests. Not necessarily a dating site. Did you know there are Feral Cat Meetups? Lots of them, all over the country. If feral cats can find friends and conversations, I should be able to also. In my area I found: baby playgroups, a quilters’ group, a paranormal research group, a metaphysical group, and of course, a single-parents group. I broadened my search area. About an hour away, there are a number of artist or creative groups listed. After reading further, I find they; 1) have 3 members, or, 2) haven’t had a meetup in over a year. Makes sense to me. I’m a loner looking for a group of loners. “I refuse to join a club that would have me as a member.” <i>Groucho Marx.</i></span></div><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">For reference, if you wish to check these out yourself:</span></li>
<li style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.eharmony.com/">http://www.eharmony.com/</a></span></li>
<li style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.chemistry.com/">http://www.chemistry.com/</a></span></li>
<li style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.meetup.com/">http://www.meetup.com/</a></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Edit: Match is now an affiliate </i></span></span>Penelope Nollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216414543861690144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601789634176568370.post-81584390869013339312010-09-21T12:17:00.031-04:002011-01-25T16:37:36.719-05:00It All Starts Here<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ShHNaOZROis/TO6WJFdZUHI/AAAAAAAAAFc/n0zZYh0AX44/s1600/HIBISCUS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ShHNaOZROis/TO6WJFdZUHI/AAAAAAAAAFc/n0zZYh0AX44/s640/HIBISCUS1.jpg" width="640" /></a><b style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </b><i><b>Edit</b>: I've changed my blog appearance, thought I'd try something new. Sometimes simpler is better. I still like my hibiscus (it was the background art), so here it is just in case someone else liked it also.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">WELCOME TO MY JOURNEY</b></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Changing one’s life, at any age, is always a bit anxiety-prone, starting over everything at age 60 has it’s own set of problems, as well as advantages. I’ll have to discover the advantages as I go along.</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>FIRST, A LITTLE BACKGROUND</b></span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’ve been an artist forever, and a graphic designer, art director, illustrator for over 30 years. I’ve been fortunate that I’ve been able to work doing what I love. I not only smoothly transitioned from the traditional drawing board to the computer, I was immersed in it. Work during the day, come home and read software manuals and books at night. I was very good at it. About 8-9 years ago, I took off for awhile. Since there had been a lull in what was a fairly successful career, I decided to take a side road. I’ve always enjoyed architectural work, since the pen & ink days, so when an opportunity presented itself to work in architectural illustration, I accepted it.</span></div></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: small;"><b>CHANGING THINGS & SETTING PRIORITIES </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: #134f5c;">PART 1:</b> I have come to the conclusion that since the recession thing isn’t about to change anytime soon, I need to find something that actually pays enough to live on - since my idea of living involves shopping. It’s been awhile since I’ve undertaken a campaign to market myself. We do not simply send in a resume and hope someone calls with an invitation to appear in person with a shiny leather portfolio case. It’s a whole new process and a little overwhelming. After many years in advertising (of one form or another), you’d think I would have some clue.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: #134f5c;">PART 2:</b> Not so sure about living in Southern New Jersey right now. Time for some new visual inspiration.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">PART 3:</span></b> I need a social life. I’m so good at entertaining myself that I spend way too much time alone. But even most of us hermits need companionship and conversation.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While partly therapeutic, this blog is one aspect of my “rebuild my life project.” My son is an E-Commerce consultant. After talking over my plans and concerns with him, he kindly offered to point me in the right direction. His first suggestions were to get my name out there. I have to explain here, that I am an extremely private person. I only have a Facebook account, under a pseudo-name and my backup email account, so I can take advantage of certain Facebook-only sales at some of my favorite online shopping sites. Now I’m confronted with the first baby step; signing up on LinkedIn. It’s a networking site, and the first contact I entered was my son. With that came his contacts and friends. Interesting, although I’m not sure how I will use it. I don’t have much info besides my name (yes, my actual name) and what I do. I thought I’d figure the rest out later. Now my name is out there. Will a photo be far behind? My “consultant's” checklist of things I should do included a website, my portfolio online, revamping my resume and...why not write a blog? </span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>CONTEMPLATING MY RESUME</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I used to be pretty good at writing a resume. I have somehow developed an aversion to even looking at it, and can’t seem to get it together. (Maybe I'm trying to tell myself something.) For years I managed to slide sideways into interviews through contacts. Although my current resume has landed a few freelance jobs, it’s not doing the job now. I have kind of taken the approach of making my age ambiguous. For about the last 20 years, I have been the oldest person everywhere I’ve worked. Most design studios are filled with 20 or 30-somethings, which is fine with me. Still trying to figure out where all the 50-60 year old designers go.</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>YOUR AGE IS WHAT IT IS; MAKE THE BEST OF IT</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The more I thought about my age-minimizing resume dilemma, my total shyness about my name, photo or anything personal out there in internet space; the more I realized maybe it is time to change the whole approach. Why not just put it all out there? So, I'm 60...but I'm still here. Not sure what's next. Who knows, I could end up on an island somewhere.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>WHY THE TROPICAL FLOWER BACKGROUND?</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It’s simple really. It makes me happy. In addition to computer graphics, I paint watercolors and all kinds of things. I did show my paintings at galleries and art fairs a number of years ago. Now I do it for me, or occasionally for a gift; not often enough. I like painting flowers, beaches and shells in fantastic colors. There is a lot of artistic compromise producing for other people and clients. When you paint for yourself, you can do whatever you like. I’ll probably change it sometime, maybe I’ll do a rotating gallery of backgrounds.</span><br />
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