I had forgotten this word, and so I had completely forgotten the meaning of the word too –
I looked it up online and found these two definitions:
dys·to·pi·a [dis-toh-pee-uh]
noun
1. a society characterized by human misery, as squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding.
2. An imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one.
Thank you to my brother Bill, who sent me this video. The artist’s name is
This video is on MSN _Bing as well as You Tube here :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ozc6t4KwEko
I never know what links and stuff will work for different people with different softeare and computers - so I try to give you several ways to see what I am trying to share with you - hopefully something will work and you can see this video - it's cool.
This kid - Thijme Termaat - a very talented young Dutch artist has made a very entertaining video here - I love watching and listening to it!
I'd like to know how you pronounce his name too.
His web site is https://www.thijmetermaat.com/
Enjoy!
And thanks Suzanne for sharing this with me!
Regarding yesterdays post "BUMP" - I forgot that the videos don't show up in email - and forgot to give you links to see what I was talking about. So sorry. Go to my blog -or to get to it you can just click HERE
Does anyone know how to fix it so the video post will go out in the email subscriptions?
In my last post I told you I was reorganizing my studio. Well I did - sort of. I am not finished, but I've made a good start. So I thought I would make a little video tour of my studio, which I did. That lead to another whole set of problems. It would not upload to YouTube because my camera shoots in .MOV - or at least that is what I think the reason is. I have a nice Canan Powershot SD780 which is supposed to shoot HD videos, as well as my iphone which shoots videos too, but I never seem to remember that. So I began looking at Flip cameras, which led me to consider the Kodak Zi8. That led me to start looking at bigger, more elaborate camcorders. What should I get? Panasonic at Costco becasue it seems to be a good deal? Canon? Sony? Research - research - research! Frames per second, size, weight, touch screen or not, 1080P or 780P, sound and microphones, flash or hard drive and what kind and how much, battery type and life and on and on. Hours and hours and hours. Maximum confusion! I still don't have an answer, or a camcorder.
I then decided this whole thing was spinning out of control - as is my pattern. A few years back I wanted a Vespa scooter to run to and from work, and do errands. Just a cute, nice, economical little scooter. That spun out of control. I ended up with a Virago 750 - so NOT a scooter! I promptly went out and got in a wreck. Yep - that's what I do. If I want a sheet of paper I am likely to end up with a 50 foot roll of it. I am not sure why I do this - but I am working on it.
So back to the saga. I tried a few free online file converters to no avail, just a lot of time spent (I refuse to think of it as wasted time). Way to complicated, huge learning curve. I went and bought Corel Video Express software to edit and convert from .MOV to .MP4 and it turns out my laptop was too full to install it. Figured that out after about two hours or more of trying, more learning. So I tried to install it on my desk top. It installed great and I thought finally I am on my way. Nope. The video card is too old and not compatible, I need new one. Back to my laptop. I took programs and files off my laptop and burned them to CD's and DVD's - time consuming - and FINALLY got the Corel software installed and the studio tour video converted and uploaded to You Tube.
So here it is - so not worth the effort! But I am putting it here anyway after all of this effort - darn it! I learned a few things in the process:
1. Don't rotate my camera to shoot video. You then have to turn your monitor sideways to watch it - or rotate the video clip in editing...and then it doesn't fit on the screen very nicely. Better to just shoot it right.
2. Video editing seems way more complicated than photo editing.
3. I tend to over do and complicated things - well, I already knew that so I didn't actually learn it - just very much reminded of this tendency, again.
4. I am freaking TIRED of learning curves! I never EVER in my life thought I would get to a point in my life where I would say - I do NOT want to learn anything else - for a while. I need a week or a amonth or something of just vegging out. I live for learning, I eat, drink, dream and breathe learning - but I am just tired and weary of it for a while.
5. The first quarter of 2010 is almost over and I am still at the starting line spinning my wheels.
6. I want a Mac...
As usual - for those of you who get my blog by email - it seems like these videos don't show up, so here is where you can see it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERQZQM4joY0
Over the weekend Rick and I went down to Art-walk on the Bay at Seaport Village. It was a beautiful day. While we were there we encountered this guy playing a didgeridoo. I have never seen or heard one before, although Rick had on his recent trip to Australia. This is unedited - which I will apologize for in advance - you will see why - LOL. It 's just that I have a new camera and have no idea how to do the video thing, and well, when you are in a public place, you just can't control what people do either.
Not know anything about didgeridoos I looked on Wikipedia and learned that, among other things, that playing the didgeridoo requires circular breathing, which means you are breathing in through your nose while at the same time breathing out through your mouth...and that is can reduce or stop sleep apnea and snoring.
view on you tube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5pV7IaMjSU
This man played for very long stretches at a time, and played much more interesting sounds and tunes than what I have recorded here - and had little kids dancing up a storm, but as I said I don't know how to work my camera and I thought I was video recording when I wasn't So I hope you enjoy this - I sure did.
Oh! I just found an even better video of him on you tube - check this out!
Or view the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3iBe6J8lrY
Tonight we met Mark Fangue, the man who actually took this video. The people (Kim and Bruce) we have purchased some of our furniture from in the past recently bought the store they worked at (in San Marcos on furniture row) and it is now called Sacred Space Imports. They will be carrying items from Exotic World Imports and tonight was their opening reception. It is a very cool store to visit if you get a chance. But this video I was not ready for. I knew there was going to be something about elephant painting - I expected a bunch of abstract, smeary colors. I did NOT expect this! Astonishing - amazing - incredible.
If you can't see this in your email - go to my blog by clicking here - or by clicking on the title of this message - it is so worth watching.
You can see more elephant paintings on their web site Exotic World Gifts. The elephant that does this painting is very special. Her name is Hong and she is about 8 years old. It took about 6 months to teach her to paint by rewarding her with sugar cane and bananas. I think he said there are about 8 elephants at this camp that paint. The rest of them just try to eat the paint brushes and have no interest at all. Before she painted Hong would draw in the dirt with a stick and that is what gave them the idea to see if she would paint. Watch how she retraces some of her lines with incredible exactness. She is so sure of her marks. Amazing. There is an attendant that dips the paint brush in the paint and hands it to her. Also the paint brushes have been adapted with a "t" handle so she can grip it and control it better. Hong is the only elephant to paint pictures of other elephants. He also said that the elephants will only paint when they are very calm. Enjoy!
I am back from my visit to Ohio to see my Mom. It is really causing me to rethink a lot of things - but I can' t really share much as I am a very slow processor. I am still thinking things through and trying to put feelings into words. That is a hard thing for me. Until I get back to painting I have to share this video with you. It is little baby sleeping piglets reacting to sound. So cute and funny - I just have to share. I am eager to get back to the studio and get back to painting again - hopefully soon too. It's good to be back - enjoy.
or go here to see the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIWf_hc1_TM
I have not been painting - obviously, or you would see paintings here. I am heading back to Toledo for 10 days to 2 weeks to see my Mom, and do some work on the house. I haven't seen her in 2 years or so - maybe a little more. I am eager to get back to the Joyful Project, and I will be back - but it may be a few more weeks. I also hope to go back to my regular traditional portrait class again soon. I like the structure, discipline and fellowship of that class. While I have benefited and enjoyed my break from that class, I am missing it now. In the meantime Dominique Eichi, a wonderful artist (whom I have yet to meet in person) had the following video on her blog. It moved me so much, I just have to share it with you. You can find out more and see more videos HERE The basic concept is these guys recorded street musicians from all over the world and put it together. Beautiful. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did - do. I love this-
I got up this morning - reluctantly, as I usually do - shuffled to my Wii and did my yoga with my virtual trainer - who I am beginning to love. She tells me "your doing great" and "you have great posture" even though I have just completely fallen over and off of the balance board. I grabbed my morning bowl of cereal and sat down to my email and right off, first thing, found a link to collage artist and sculptor Margaret Conte. I love the whimsical nature of her work but the thing that hit me like a ballbat is her artist's statement - right there - staring me in the face:
“My sculpture is about making a word, a phrase,a part of a song, or my thoughts into something tangible using discarded pieces of wood as well as designed elements. “ Margaret Conte
Why the big deal you ask? Read on...
Those of you who follow my blog and writings already know that I had an unusual dream on Jan 6th, (which is by the way my husbands birthday). It came complete with "smell-a-vision" sort of (if you are new to the blog just scroll back to Jan 6th if you want to know). Yesterday morning (Sunday) we went to church for the first time in months and months and months. We really have never connected to any churches here since we moved here from Dallas area - where there was a multitude of churches we loved - not so much here in San Diego. The kind of churches we attend seldom, if ever, sing classic hymns. They are much more contemporary, but we walked in and they were singing "Joyful-Joyful We Adore Thee" - one of the maybe 3 classic hymns I know - it was a contemporary version - but it was the Hymn nonetheless. They project the words to the songs up on screens to make it easier to sing along. I immediately went on high alert, got goosebumps, and instead of seeing lyrics I saw painting titles on the screen, almost as if the titles were in bold letters, but I know they weren’t. It was that clear and strong though. I went home, Googled the lyrics and there they were - 45 titles for the paintings in this series. So - this week I will wrap up all the loose ends I can and buckle down on creating the 40-45 paintings in what I am calling the "Joyful-Joyful" project. This is a DAUNTING task - how in the world can I ever put such abstract thoughts and phrases into something visual that evokes an emotion in the viewer? and in me? I mean really - I sit a person, a pear, maybe a photograph. or on a risky day a flower, down in front of me and paint it. Can I do this? How? I have no idea right now ... but I can't really remember feeling so confident and excited and CLEAR about something - at least not for a very long time. Now read back to Margaret Contes quote - get the connection? Encouragement! Confirmation. Bright and early - first thing in the morning. Coincidence? I don't think so...
And now for your viewing pleasure - Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee as interpreted by Hollywood in the movie Sister Act 2
(or go here to see it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_c_MHkba5c)
By the way - having the title to these paintings before they are even painted is like having the hardest, worse part over with already - in a way - I am the WORST - absolutely the lamest - at titling my paintings! It is the hardest thing ever - that's why I number them so often.
Visit me here: NathalieSDavis.blogspot.com www.NSDavisArt.com
I have had this video on the back burner waiting to show it to you. Watch this -
go here if the video doesn't show up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFx2hSkuWk8
Are you kidding me? I certainly admire the technical skill and expertise - and maybe the creativity of this cake decorator - but SERIOUSLY! are people supposed to EAT THIS? How could you possibly?- this is just twisted! What do you think?
I have been having bad headaches almost daily and my knee has been giving me problems since the L A Art Show. I think the headaches are partly weather and partly because when my knee is messed up I stand and walk funny causing back and foot and hip and neck pain - might as well make my head hurt too, and my eye, pretty much the whole right side of my body - LOL.
I've been working on the big portrait and also on a website and online store. I was up until 2 AM last night trying to figure stuff out. Plus I have been doing a lot of writing, journaling really.I really have been working hard - just not on stuff I can photograph and post.
I have chosen my 2009 theme. Introducing (insert drum roll here)...2009 THE YEAR TO SIMPLIFY & STREAMLINE...tah dah. So to that end each day I am tackling a box or shelf and getting rid of stuff. I am also working toward painting and working more efficiently as a part of the streamlining. I think by the end of the year I would like to have close to 50% less of almost everything...well, like clothing, books, craft supplies, junk.
And my major intention or goal for 2009 is to get my portfolio together and approach some galleries. 2009 will be my "make it or hang it up" year. Either I get in the black with my art or I just make it a hobby or something. Eww - a little old lady with a painting hobby - that doesn't sit well with me - well, so this is my intention/goal for now anyway. So any way - IF I am going to fulfill my goal/intention I will have to produce more which means I need to be less encumbered and more streamlined. See how it all works together? Genius. Right? LOL
I have a lot to say about what I learned - or figured out - from the L A Art Show - I have thought and talked and sorted and processed and have a real handle and focus - but this is enough for tonight. Tomorrow is another day - I'll write about it then.
Visit me here: NathalieSDavis.blogspot.com www.NSDavisArt.com www.NathalieDavis.com
