Dare Me

A few ATCs

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:19:00 +0000

Believe it or not...

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:36:00 +0000

I'm still alive. Between my computer issues, my scanner issues, losing my house and having to move, & working on about 5 commissions all at once... I've been a bit busy and so have let this blog slip away.

With another of my pseudonyms, I've started another blog that I don't need a scanner to keep up with. While I've been doing art, working on ATCs and such, I've not been able to share any of them online.

News like this...

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:56:00 +0000

With news like this, you have to open your eyes and really see the whole picture. It makes news stories like the one below seem so petty and insignificant.

"In 1968, a white firefighter saved a black baby girl, touching the heart of a divided city. The two did not meet again. Until yesterday."

Go read the whole story here.

Artist Rights Nightmare

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:54:00 +0000

I read this on Yahoo from the Associated Press this morning and thought I'd share if you haven't already read it.

By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer Hillel Italie, Ap National Writer
Wed Feb 4, 6:56 pm ET

NEW YORK – On buttons, posters and Web sites, the image was everywhere during last year's presidential campaign: A pensive Barack Obama looking upward, as if to the future, splashed in a Warholesque red, white and blue and underlined with the caption HOPE.

Designed by Shepard Fairey, a Los-Angeles based street artist, the image has led to sales of hundreds of thousands of posters and stickers, has become so much in demand that copies signed by Fairey have been purchased for thousands of dollars on eBay.

The image, Fairey has acknowledged, is based on an Associated Press photograph, taken in April 2006 by Manny Garcia on assignment for the AP at the National Press Club in Washington.

The AP says it owns the copyright, and wants credit and compensation. Fairey disagrees.

"The Associated Press has determined that the photograph used in the poster is an AP photo and that its use required permission," the AP's director of media relations, Paul Colford, said in a statement.

"AP safeguards its assets and looks at these events on a case-by-case basis. We have reached out to Mr. Fairey's attorney and are in discussions. We hope for an amicable solution."

"We believe fair use protects Shepard's right to do what he did here," says Fairey's attorney, Anthony Falzone, executive director of the Fair Use Project at Stanford University and a lecturer at the Stanford Law School. "It wouldn't be appropriate to comment beyond that at this time because we are in discussions about this with the AP."

Fair use is a legal concept that allows exceptions to copyright law, based on, among other factors, how much of the original is used, what the new work is used for and how the original is affected by the new work.

A longtime rebel with a history of breaking rules, Fairey has said he found the photograph using Google Images. He released the image on his Web site shortly after he created it, in early 2008, and made thousands of posters for the street.

As it caught on, supporters began downloading the image and distributing it at campaign events, while blogs and other Internet sites picked it up. Fairey has said that he did not receive any of the money raised.

A former Obama campaign official said they were well aware of the image based on the picture taken by Garcia, a temporary hire no longer with the AP, but never licensed it or used it officially. The Obama official asked not to be identified because no one was authorized anymore to speak on behalf of the campaign.

The image's fame did not end with the election.

It will be included this month at a Fairey exhibit at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston and a mixed-media stenciled collage version has been added to the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington.

"The continued use of the poster, regardless of whether it is for galleries or other distribution, is part of the discussion AP is having with Mr. Fairey's representative," Colford said.

A New York Times book on the election, just published by Penguin Group (USA), includes the image. A Vermont-based publisher, Chelsea Green, also used it — credited solely to Fairey_ as the cover for Robert Kuttner's "Obama's Challenge," an economic manifesto released in September. Chelsea Green president Margo Baldwin said that Fairey did not ask for money, only that the publisher make a donation to the National Endowment for the Arts.

"It's a wonderful piece of art, but I wish he had been more careful about the licensing of it," said Baldwin, who added that Chelsea Green gave $2,500 to the NEA.

Fairey also used the AP photograph for an image designed specially for the Obama inaugural committee, which charged anywhere from $100 for a poster to $500 for a poster signed by the artist.

Fairey has said that he first designed the image a year ago after he was encouraged by the Obama campaign to come up with some kind of artwork. Last spring, he showed a letter to The Washington Post that came from the candidate.

"Dear Shepard," the letter reads. "I would like to thank you for using your talent in support of my campaign. The political messages involved in your work have encouraged Americans to believe they can help change the status quo. Your images have a profound effect on people, whether seen in a gallery or on a stop sign."

At first, Obama's team just encouraged him to make an image, Fairey has said. But soon after he created it, a worker involved in the campaign asked if Fairey could make an image from a photo to which the campaign had rights.

"I donated an image to them, which they used. It was the one that said "Change" underneath it. And then later on I did another one that said "Vote" underneath it, that had Obama smiling," he said in a December 2008 interview with an underground photography Web site.

___

Associated Press writer Philip Elliott in Washington contributed to this report.

Sitting cowboy

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:44:00 +0000

Done for the portrait illustration for the next issue of Stephen LaRose's Christian Western.
(I'll add the text when I get it.)

Bailys Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 03:00:00 +0000

Bailys passed away this past year. His owner's sister asked me to paint a portrait in honor of his memory. I hope I was able to do him justice. Here is the original picture and the painting. I added a bit more dark around the eyes after this picture was taken, but had such a hard time getting a decent picture the first time around that I left it at this. (Forgive the lousy photo - my camera is not very good at this sort of thing.)

I hope that all of you out there celebrating winter holidays are safe and happy and surrounded by love. Wishing you the very best this winter ~Moony

Man In Hat

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:19:00 +0000

Stand-by for story.

She's here!

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:16:00 +0000

Madelyn Ann has joined us just in time for Halloween, not to mention our anniversary (two years today)! Making her debut at 7 lbs 7 oz and 20 in long, she arrived two weeks early on October 28th at 4:18 pm!

Maybe now I'll have a bit more time to draw. ^_^

Logo

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:34:00 +0000

A logo in progress for a gentleman in Florida.
Hell Bent, a determined looking face, and flames... this is the result I came up with from those three. ^_^

Edit: After sending in the first few designs I was reinstructed as to what it was he was looking for. This last image is the one he is most satisfied with. Who knew? lol What do you think?

Gravesite

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:45:00 +0000

An hour later, Lee had filled the grave and had fashioned a cross from a couple of tree branches. After pounding the cross into the ground, he stood silently for several minutes.

Hanged Man

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:02:00 +0000

Then he saw it. A colored man was hanging a few feet off the ground, his body swaying in the breeze. His head was in a noose and his hands were tied behind his back. The rope creaked every time the man swung from side to side. A burlap bag had been placed over the man’s head, which protruded at a fatally odd angle from his torso.

For several moments Lee stood staring at the grisly scene. “Oh, Elijah....”

I can haz Rhino?

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:54:00 +0000

Found exclusively at Big Red Kitty.

1870s Woman Profiled

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:30:00 +0000

This drawing was done from 3 images. One for the profile of the woman, one for the hat (which was also a drawing), and one for the cameo. I've never done an angle like this before. The angle was taken from the profiled woman, but it was of her back, not her front.

I'm not sure if this looks right. Any tips?

Zucchini-Carrot cake

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 05:30:00 +0000

A friend at work brought in a zucchini cake Friday and everyone raved about it. Though I have gestational diabetes now, I had to try a slice after all the comments about it. I had a small piece and it was delicious! Moist, flavorful, and it has zucchini and carrots in it! (Carrot cake is my all time favorite!)

I snagged the recipe from him before I left and thought I'd share it with you.

It's not as easy as most of the recipes I've shared here but it's well worth the effort.

Zucchini-Carrot Cake

• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teasoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup grated carrots
• 1 cup grated zucchini
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• Cream Cheese Frosting

Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl; set aside.
Combine carrots and next 3 ingredients; add to dry ingredients, and beat at high speed with an electric mixer 4 minutes. Pour into a greased 9-inch square pan. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan on wire rack.
Spread with Cream Cheese Frosting; cut into squares. Remove squares, and place in an airtight container; freeze up to 3 months. Yield: 9 servings.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat cream cheese and butter at mediuum speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; gradually add powdered sugar, beating mixture well. Stir in vanilla. Yield: 1 cup.

• Note: Batter may be baked in paper-lined muffin pans at 350 for 25 minutes. Yield: 15 cupcakes.

(I'll find out where the recipe came from originally because I don't think this is his recipe. The image came from Taste of Home for an Orange-Zucchini cake.)

Woman in vector

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 04:11:00 +0000

In hopes of winning a bid I had yet to apply for, I widdled out this vector of a woman. By the time I was done with the vectoring the bidding was done and the job was gone. *shrug* Oh well, I need to work out some vectors anyhow. It's my next personal project. ^_~

Salmon Bake

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:53:00 +0000

Thanks to a hefty doctor's bill, I've spent two weeks of scrounging through the fridge and freezer for food to make for dinner. Tonight we are having salmon and I've found two relatively easy recipes for quick salmon bakes. Thought I'd share:

From Kraftfoods.com:
Prep Time:
5 min
Total Time:
20 min
Makes:
4 servings, one fillet each

What You Need
4 salmon fillets (1 lb.)
2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. GREY POUPON Harvest Coarse Ground Mustard
16 RITZ Crackers, crushed (about 1/2 cup)

Make It
PREHEAT oven to 400ºF. Place fish in single layer on foil-covered baking sheet; spread evenly with mustard.

SPRINKLE with crumbs.

BAKE 25 min. or until fish flakes easily with fork.
Kraft Kitchens Tips

Jazz It Up
Mix 1 tsp. dill weed with crumbs before sprinkling over fish.

From Cooks.com:
BAKED SALMON STEAKS

What you need
3 salmon steaks (about 1/2 lb each)
lemon juice
Ritz crackers, crumbled
garlic and onion powder
3 pats butter (1 tablespoon each)
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced

Make it
Spray a shallow sided aluminum baking pan with olive oil spray. Place fish steaks on pan, each with a pat of butter on top. Sprinkle evenly with garlic and onion powder and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Crumble the crackers evenly your hands) over the top of the fish (using your hands). Sprinkle with minced parsley.

Broil (on the top rack), without turning, until the edges of the fish are browned and the flesh is a whitish pink (no longer clear) and it starts to look flaky when touched with a fork. This will take about 10-15 minutes, depending on your oven and the size of the fish steak.

Squeeze lemon juice over top before serving garnished with a sprig of fresh parsley and lemon wedges.

Submitted by: CM

Try not to laugh. I took the first recipe and basically only used the oven setting and time. I used the recipe from Cooks.com and since I don't have Ritz crackers I used Crispix cereal instead. It turned out great! I cooked it as instructed and splashed on a bit of ReaLemon Juice when done and my husband and I gobbled it up. My 7 year old, decided she'd rather have my husband's cooking so he made her a couple of hotdogs. *sigh*

For more great tips on uses for ReaLemon Juice check out this link I found!

My Masterpiece (2)

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:00:00 +0000

As some of you may know, I've been working on my second masterpiece. I wanted to share the progress with you. (It's why I've been rather busy lately.)

Meet Madelyn Anne. She's due to arrive in early November. Due to gestational diabetes I've been spending more time at the doctor's office and hospital than I'd like. Keep your fingers crossed for us that this masterpiece turns out as beautifully as the first (her big sister, of course!). =)
Thanks for looking!

Frog Prince

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 02:24:00 +0000

Another ATC I'm working on, but for Monday Artday's theme Brother's Grimm.

Crochet Along

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:25:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I joined a crochet along. I haven't had too much time with illustrations, family, work, and doctor's appointments to work on the assigned afghan, but I've gotten out about 3 1/2 blocks.

If you've never joined one, it's not too late to do so! Just go here to sign up! Lionsbrand is hosting the crochet along and offering a simple pattern to work from. It's good for beginners too!

I asked a man at work who crochets to join me and he's gotten a bit ahead of me. I think he might be using a slightly smaller needle than I am because he's more experienced. I didn't really follow up on anything and have just been following the pattern. Each of my squares is coming out at almost the size of a sheet of paper! But they are big and fluffy so this afghan will be light and airy.

It's actually quite fun seeing what others are doing with their afghans. Check them out here!

The Gunsmith

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:55:00 +0000

The gunsmith inhaled a short draw of cigarette smoke and blew it out his nose. “Yes sir. We got the new Peacemaker.”

Autumn

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:56:00 +0000

It's a bit off but this is another ATC I started, just because...

Fairy magic

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:25:00 +0000

A new ATC I made. Though most of my art supplies are packed away, I'm trying to get back in the groove of things.

Easy Cobbler

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:46:00 +0000

Taken straight from the local paper:

Yum, homemade cobbler. What's even better? It's delicious, fast and works with almost any fresh or canned fruit.

AUNT ERSULA'S OLD FASHIONED COBBLER -

1 stick butter
1 cup Bisquick
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1 quart (4 cups) fresh, frozen or canned (and drained) fruit

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt butter and brown slightly in oblong deep-dish pan, spreading butter over bottom.

Combine Bisquick, sugar and milk. Pour batter gently over melted butter.

Add fruit over top, not stirring.

Bake 30 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. Cool for at least 10 minutes to set and serve with vanilla yogurt or ice cream.

Cooks.com

Psycho Kitty

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:46:00 +0000

My daughter liked the kitty when she came home and saw it so I took her to the store to pick out her own color. She picked out a Multi called Banana Berry by Red Heart which in this case is a green, blue and yellow mixture. We also picked out different button packages by Favorite Findings and she chose red. So, we have Psycho Kitty. (psychedelic) The pattern was by Yarni Gras and can be found here.

Haggler

noreply@blogger.com (Moony) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 03:58:00 +0000

He approached the bar and told the bartender he was looking for Vince Hackett. The bartender pointed to a table near the back of the room. Lee made his way through the crowd to the table. “Which of you gentleman is Vince Hackett?”

“I’m Hackett.” The man sat back in his chair and lifted his hand to his chin. He quickly looked Lee up and down.

Nope, the last scene wasn't working out so the author requested something more like this. I'm not going to argue. ^_^