And that's the way it was...

I wasn't planning on posting today, but I had to sign on and say goodbye to news legend Walter Cronkite. "The most trusted man in America" passed away just a few hours ago at the age of 92. Mr. Cronkite delivered the "CBS Evening News" for 19 years, covering the highs and lows of the 21st Century: the assassination of JFK, the arrival of the Beatles in America, the first man on the moon, the Vietnam War, the Iranian hostage crisis.

I am too young to have seen any of Mr. Cronkite's live broadcasts; he became the CBS anchorman a year before my mom was born, and left three years before I was born. Still, I've come to know him through TV clips, documentaries, and online videos. It is obvious from this plethora of tape that Walter Cronkite loved the news. He loved journalism. He loved America.

Goodbye, Walter Cronkite. The news will never be same.

Typewritten Art

Another fun art pod from Current:

Pinhole photography sounds a little dirty, but I swear it's not.

The same class that produced those lovely Lomo photos from my previous post also introduced me to pinhole photography. Now, you can buy actual pinhole cameras, but our project was strictly DIY. My camera was made from a cereal box that was masterfully taped up with at least two rolls of black electrical tape. The cameras were loaded with a single sheet of photo paper, so there was a lot of walking back and forth between where we took our images and the photo lab. The limitations were a great way to get creative without the luxury of film and portability.

Here are a couple images I created:


Fountain/lake thing in a CSUF Art Department courtyard


Sculpture in the CSUF Art Department's admin building courtyard

For the life of me I cannot remember how we got the negative images. I'm sure it's a pretty simple process, but as it's been nearly five years since I took the class I've completely forgotten the steps.

Instructions on how to make your own pinhole camera, here.

Some cool pinhole images from other people, here and here.

Action!

I dug out my Lomography Action Sampler over the Fourth of July weekend. It was a lot of fun playing around with a non-digital camera again. Now I'm waiting to finish my last roll before sending them all off to be developed.

In the mean time, here are a few shots I took several years ago for a college class. The assignment involved photographing shadow and light.

In Progress...

An update on a previously posted sketch:



Made from magazine pages, adapting paper bowl making techniques.

Website Sneak Preview

Hoping to have the new design up and running by this weekend.

UPDATE: I probably won't have things finished by this weekend, but I'm still trying!

Current TV Programming + Chalk = Yet another reason I need to visit NYC

The TV has been on nearly all day today (Fourth of July recovery was needed), but the channel hasn't been changed once. That's because my family has recently discovered Current TV. Well, re-discovered it actually. My dad showed it to me last year, but we both kind of forgot about it, what with the regular television season being in full swing.

Anyway, they aired a "pod" about street artist Ellis Gallagher that I particularly loved. Ellis has made a name for himself by creating chalk outlines of shadows on the Brooklyn streets. The outlines are of everyday objects like mailboxes, streetlights, or his bicycle. The effect created is really beautiful: transforming the mundane sights of everyday life into something people actually stop and look at.



Also, a quick shout out to my friend Amy who is currently residing in Brooklyn. When I saw this video I thought of her. I also got a little jealous because she probably has a good chance of seeing Ellis' work in person. I'll make it up to her by plugging her blog, all those nothings. Enjoy!

Happy Independence Day!

Have fun and be safe!

Inside the Jefferson Memorial (Washington, D.C.)

New Blog Banner & Website Redesign

I finally made a banner for my blog. Actually, I made two. After trying out the first Pollock/Punk design I decided I needed something cleaner. The second banner also ties in with a new design I'm working on for my website. I hope to have that finished by next weekend (*fingers crossed*).

Summer Distraction #2: Mountain Biking

I forgot to bring a camera, so here's a visual approximation of San Diego's fine mountain biking trails:


Oil on canvas.

I'll remember the camera next time, and I might even take a few short videos if I can manage it. It's good being back on the trails and getting some fresh air.