For this project I was trying to capture the essence of a hobby of mine, glassblowing. This footage was shot in the summer of 2014 in downtown Eugene at an event called DFO. Glassblowers from all over the world come to downtown Eugene to gather and enjoy this wonderful activity. Glassblowing has brought me much happiness and peace throughout the months. When you can bring a community of people together under a common idea, you can do anything. Glassblowing is a way to bring people together and build a community of awesome people creating things and doing things they love. Everyone deep down has a message or an expression to send out into the world and glassblowing is a way to send that message or express yourself. I used very calming music to reflect how relaxing glassblowing is.
Category Archives: Past Student Work
Last Friday Artwalk in the Whiteaker Neighborhood
For those of you who’ve already read my brothers post, history’s going to somewhat repeat itself, sorry! I had a hard time coming up with something to do this assignment on, and am a bit disappointed that I wasn’t able to find something better. Water under the bridge I guess. Friday, February 27th, was the last Friday artwalk in Eugene. As some of you probably already know, this event takes place the last Friday of every month. This month, most of it took place in the Whiteaker area in west Eugene. The event was scheduled to run from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm. My brother, and some of my other family, left right around 5:30 to head over and see what we could see. It was the first time I’ve ever been through there, that I can remember. It takes up most of the residential area over around Blair Boulevard. It was pretty dark by the time we got over there and found a place to park on the corner of 4th and Blair. Since it was the very first time any of us had ever attended a last Friday art walk and didn’t quite know what to expect, we decided to walk some of the streets in the area and observe some of the neighborhoods interesting features. I thought to myself as we were walking along, for it being an “art walk”, I’m sure not seeing a lot of art, as far as paintings/drawings. There was a really interesting mosaic sculpture made up of colorful shards of glass right on the corner of Van Buren and Blair that we stopped to take a look. It was four figures all standing back to back of each other. I snapped a picture of my brother giving one of them a high 5, and then we moved on! Further up Blair Blvd. was a Serbian Orthodox church that I thought had unique architecture with its onion domed roofs and arched windows and entry ways. We also walked past the Ninkasi Brewing Company building which also had an interesting design, especially the big gates which had the logo branded into the steel. Must have just been built within the last couple years, because I went on Google Earth to find out where it was located and as of September 2011, the only building that was there was a garage. We then retraced our steps and cut across W 3rd Ave. to Van Buren St. At a tattoo shop across the street, there was a guy twirling a flaming baton, which was kinda cool to watch. Before heading back to where we parked, we wandered up Blair in the opposite direction of where we had parked. I finally spotted the first painting that I had seen on the trip, though it was difficult to make out all of the details, because by then it was completely dark. As best as I could tell, it looked like a landscape mural. That was pretty much the last place we looked at before heading back. We wanted to stop and get a bite to eat at the little Papa’s Soul Food place there on the corner of 4th and Blair, but we would’ve been hard pressed to even get in the front door! Not a bad trip, but never was quite sure where all the art was!
Inspirational concept artist.
Professional Practices.
I had the pleasure of meeting professional concept Don Carson through my digital drawing class recently. He sat down and showed us a demo of his work, revealed his workflow and planning process, then was kind enough to answer a ton of questions the class had. Don works on concepts for many things, but I think his most impressive accomplishments are creating concepts for Disney theme parks and rides.
The first thing I noticed about Don was his warm welcoming personality. He addressed every one in the room with kindness and respect. he was very honest, and humble when he spoke about his work, abilities and passion. I think everyone in the room felt like he was our cool old uncle.
As I stood behind two rows of people clustered tightly around Don, it was clear he had the room’s attention. Don flipped through his sketchbook, and scrolled through previous projects while I, and the surrounding students watched in awe. Don’s passion for what he does was unmistakable. I think the only time I looked away from his work was to confirm that everyone else shared the giddy expression I had on my face.
Don talked a lot about how he plans and works through his various projects. I found it extremely interesting to see the projects in their different stages. Dons sketch book is the start
of a lot of his ideas. he had page after page of beautiful sketches. A single page of his sketchbook would have anywhere from twenty to fifty small objects drawn on it. Each page seemed to have a different theme. One notable page was filled with architectural details from Paris, he had made while traveling. He showed us other pages that he had sketched while watching movies for reference.
While explaining the multiple processes he goes through to complete a project, it was clear Don goes above and beyond when working or a client. He explained that our job as an artist and professional is to bring the client a project that when looked at leaves them with no questions. I thought that was a pretty important statement.Don mentioned that he hadn’t needed to show his portfolio to anyone in twenty years, proving that word of mouth advertising still works if you make your clients happy.
I found everything about Don’s presentation to be extremely motivational. From the basic planning and design, to finished project and client relation, Don Carson is a true professional.
I think everyone in the class came away with the same impression. Its amazing to have the opportunity to be around so many artists at school, but to be able to share ideas with someone with that sort of experience was a real treat.
I was lucky to be able to share some of my work with Don, and ask him a few questions. He gave me some good advice and things to think about while working. He was very kind when addressing my work. I was very proud and a little blown away when he said that he felt I could get work at any video game or movie studio, after looking at my concept art. I personally know I have a long way to go before i reach the level I want to be, but getting a pat on the back from someone like Don reminded me I’m headed in the right direction.
Check out Don’s website at Doncarsoncreative.com
A Journey In The Whiteaker Neighborhood!
For X4, I had originally intended to go with the informational interview option and try to find somebody in the multimedia or art field to interview, but as time became less and less and I wasn’t able to find someone I decided to change my mind and attend one of the events listed for the assignment. The event that I chose was the Last Friday Art Walk in Eugene. Neither my brother or I had really been to the Whiteaker area in Eugene (even though we had heard of it’s infamousness) so we thought it would be interesting to go check it out!
The drive over was interesting in and of itself because we left at about 5:30 and had to drive through Eugene right in the middle of rush hour so the traffic was insane, plus we didn’t know exactly where to go or what to expect. Once we got to the Whiteaker area we found a spot to park on Blair Blvd. and started walking down the street past the various shops and restaurants. I was kind of surprised that it didn’t seem like there was a lot going on at least on Blair Blvd. so we turned around and walked back up and took Van Buren Street. There was a little more to see on Van Buren. We stopped for a while at the very beginning of the street to examine a cool sculpture of 4 figures standing in a group. The sculpture was a mosaic crafted out of shards of glass and clay. The longer you looked at it the more it seemed you discovered. There were several smaller objects embedded in each figure that created scenes in the sculpture itself so it was like an image within an image!
Continuing on, we walked a little further until we came to the Ninkasi Brewing Company and stopped to take some pictures. We didn’t go inside but had a fairly good view of the factory and equipment looking through the window. Our last stop was a Tattoo parlor where there was a guy twirling a fire baton. It was hard to get a very good picture because we were on the opposite side of the street and there was a lot of traffic.
This pretty much concluded our little adventure. We got back to where we parked which was outside of “Papa’s Soul Food” restaurant. We had planned on going in and eating but it was jam-packed as were many of the other restaurants in the area so we decided to go eat at Buffalo Wild Wings in Springfield instead.
Overall I thought the experience was interesting! Even though we didn’t stay a long time and see a lot, it was cool to get the opportunity to explore an area of Eugene I had never really been to before. I think if I was to do it again I would try going inside a few more places and hit a few more streets because I don’t think we covered the entire area that it was going on.
From Pen and Paper to Digital to Real Life: An interview with Don Carson
I had the honorable pleasure of getting a chance to speak to and interview one of, in my most humble of opinions, the most inspiring concept artists, Don Carson. He went to school at the Academy of Art University (at the time he went there it was known as the Academy of Art College) in San Francisco California and studied illustration. At the time he was a student the idea of a concept illustrator was unheard of, when he spoke with the current head of the department.
“You know, honestly, I really do not particularly care for doing finished paintings; I really like doing just the roughs. Is there a job where I can do nothing but the roughs?”
And she said.
“Absolutely not”
And so when he left the academy he did have a portfolio, but it was of the same items that he and his fellow students worked on and so, he had no real work to show. At that moment down the road he decided to take the skills he learned and to do a project just for him just for the heck of it and so he did paintings of Disneyland a sketchbook of the details of Disneyland. Even though he did not find a publisher it did however expand his portfolio with one hundred and fifty pieces of art that is quite a bit to have under your belt not bad for “just another Academy student”.
He has worked on numerous famous projects such as The Dickens Christmas Faire in San Francisco California, The Southern Renaissance Pleasure Faire in both Agoura and San Bernardino California, creating 3D products and environments at IMVU Inc. in Palo Alto California, and of course his work for Walt Disney Imagineering, The Jim Henson Company, Universal Studios, and his current work for Dreamworks. His full résumé is available on his website at http://doncarsoncreative.com/ as well as his blog.
This experience has inspired me to keep going at this full steam ahead! From hearing of his experiences to learning about what tools he used and still uses to the techniques he applies. Learn solid design basics, never be afraid of learning something new, look back on what you have learned, keep drawing and designing, understand good composition, color, value, anatomy, design, and the correct way to use art supplies will be something you will depend on every day of your career. The best structures, even artistic ones are only as good as their foundations, and never be afraid to use your imagination because you never what magic you can create with your own two hands.
In closing I am most grateful to have had this experience and I look forward to the experiences ahead I only hope to do proper credit to those who work and study in the field of concept and design. And so I sharpen my pencils and fire up my computer and will continue to work as hard and as best as I can. To the Undiscovered Country I set forth, excelsior!
X4 Professional Practices – Portfolio Workshop
Brian Ross MUL 101 W15
I was happy to attend the “Portfolio Workshop” hosted by the Lane Media Arts program. It took place in classroom connected to the chroma-key studio in building 17. I personally feel it was wonderfully organized and very interesting. The speakers were energetic and well prepared. The seminar itself was very informative to learn the intense importance of a proper online portfolio for future business ventures. Most of the speakers were either my current or past instructors, with the addition of a few future instructors. Meredith did an outstanding job as the main host, her emphasis on why having a very professional online portfolio was important. I immediately began refining my current online resume/portfolio based mainly off her advice that your clients do not want to be “bored” and have “little patience” when searching for the right freelancer.
Knowing that I am going into my second year in the program, this workshop and Meredith’s business practices class really sparked my effort in collecting every bit of my past work to present to potential employers, since I want to be a “jack of all trades” media arts freelancer, it’s important to refine some of my past work, and really showcase my current projects to my fullest potential. Jeff Gooslby spoke about how dire it is to enter into as many local art shows as possible since recognition really reflects great work ethic and ability. I did miss the deadline on the current student art show but I defiantly plan on entering the spring Media Arts showcase.
One speaker in particular (Jon Christopher Meyers) really intrigued me with is presentation and current work, I am excited to enroll in his class in the future and really refine my photography skills. I noticed he used Squarepace for his online portfolio, and since I use the same company for my own portfolio, I was able to really gain some great ideas on how to present my photography based off his examples. Jon’s work with the raptor center was fantastic and not only interesting to the viewers, but beautifully showcased with a well produced video and presentation. When I originally entered into the media arts program, I did not realize that not only am I decent at photography, but it’s a great skill to marker for clients who want a full re-branding or design work. My biggest take-away is that I want to refine my photography skills to the same level as my cinematography and concept development talents therefore a lot of photography and lighting classes are in my future as direct electives.
Though I did have a little bit more knowledge than some of the other attendees (since I am currently taking Meredith’s business practices class), I still gained a wealth of information on my current major and excitement in selling my skills in the media arts market.
I really did not find any shortcomings in the event other than the location appeared a bit cramped and there was a class directly behind us in session, my only recommendation would be having future events in the theater room located directly above the classroom.
Unfortunately, I completely forgot to take a photo of the event, but I did speak with Teresa and various instructors during the event.
I appreciate the amount of effort our instructors put into helping us succeed in this field of work and in our own personal lives.
FIVE
Fencing has become a passion of mine and I just wanted to convey that through this video, when I was a kid younger than I am now I wanted to sword fight if anything I wanted to be a samurai, but when I took kendo I felt kinda hollow so with that skill set aside I planned to do something that could fill my emptied self, something to fill the void, this term I came across fencing and instantly felt overjoyed each still shot has or picture has something to do with fencing,
1 beginning of video: LCC’s facebook page profile picture
2 is the type of basic moves you can do
3 the four basic equipment you need to fence Mask, Vest, Foil, Glove, the fifth is not pictured The Lemma
4 the scoring board
5 a fencer saluting (a very fitting image to end the video with)
thanks and please enjoy the video 😀
Yet another project completed!
What I was trying to accomplish is to create a visual representation of what the number 5 means to me. Using various tools at my disposal such as the internet, iMovie, and my own imagination I was able to piece together a piece that I am truly proud of. A way I can explain why I did what I did is to explain using the Tarot.
- Ace of Swords reversed: The reversed Ace of Swords card generally means that one must be wary of illusions.
The Darkness can reach into our most primal fears and can cause illusions such as the feeling you are being watched or that maybe something is after you.
- Knight of Swords reversed: When you travel be prepared to spend a much longer time in your journey.
Immortal, having eternal life….Life is a journey that begins when we are born and becomes even more intense when we die and pass to the new life. So either being immortal in the physical sense or in the spiritual sense is up to fate.
- 5 of Wands: Your need to believe in yourself is stronger
Invincible, nothing in this world can harm you…Or can it? Invincibility is not something meant for us humans despite us trying to act like it does with our rash thinking.
- The Tower: Having to pay attention to what you are doing in all situations in more important than ever now. Your nerves may be frayed and your mind in chaos, do what you must to stay calm.
Insanity is a harsh and uncaring mistress that haunts your mind, body, and soul….Those whispers in the dark, those shadows you may see on the wall….
- 10 of Swords: Can you trust in what someone is telling you? Can you trust in the situation at hand? No
When one is lost in the dark woods and they hear a voice telling you to go a certain direction…Our first instinct is to believe them and go because of primal fear of what’s out there…But be very wary for they may lead you to a pack of hungry wolves.
The main idea I was trying to convey is to be wary of what you do in life and what may come….Be strong and do not allow the “What Ifs” to rule your life.
Five
The pictures in this video range from two years and one week old. The first two are pictures of the morning while the third and forth are pictures from the night time. These shots are in pairs. Two are taken in New York the other two were taken in Oregon. I really enjoy landscape and archtechtural photography especially when paired with ambient sounds or soundscapes. I choose the last photo which is of ice, to an or the two disjoint landscapes and give a sense of closure to the piece. The music was an amalgamation Latin percussion, polyphonic fm synthesis and analog rhythm elements. All of the sounds were sequenced using MIDI. The Latin percussion was sequenced using a Grids Max patch which is an emulation of a eurorack module and produces excellent results quickly.
FIVE
Fencing has become a passion of mine and I just wanted to convey that through this video, when I was a kid younger than I am now I wanted to sword fight if anything I wanted to be a samurai, but when I took kendo I felt kinda hollow so with that skill set aside I planned to do something that could fill my emptied self, something to fill the void, this term I came across fencing and instantly felt overjoyed each still shot has or picture has something to do with fencing,
1 beginning of video: LCC’s facebook page profile picture
2 is the type of basic moves you can do
3 the four basic equipment you need to fence Mask, Vest, Foil, Glove, the fifth is not pictured The Lemma
4 the scoring board
5 a fencer saluting (a very fitting image to end the video with)
thanks and please enjoy the video 😀