CREATIVE outlets-

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  • 02-06-2004, 10:52 AM
    natatbeach
    2 Attachment(s)
    CREATIVE outlets-
    People here are SO talented---it only leads me to believe that their talents must expand outward to other areas of life and be expressed thru other mediums----

    so,what are some of your other creative outlets? post a pic or two or three or whatever of some of your projects

    here's just two
    the first is my poor man's attempt at stained glass using gallery glass(acrylic paint)...I would LOVE to eventually have the space and the time(and the money) to design some pieces...

    and a scarf I've been working on (not the quickest knitter) since I just learned two days ago...

    Look forward to seeing everyone's posts....:)
  • 02-06-2004, 11:15 AM
    Sebastian
    RIght now I'm working on a computer game as an artist. I love 3D computer animation, and it's nice to be able to get back into it again.

    Besides that, I take illustration classes on and off.

    Nice scarf, how much do you charge for those? :D
  • 02-06-2004, 12:12 PM
    Kokopeli
    Me? Artistic???
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by natatbeach
    People here are SO talented---it only leads me to believe that their talents must expand outward to other areas of life and be expressed thru other mediums----

    so,what are some of your other creative outlets? post a pic or two or three or whatever of some of your projects

    here's just two
    the first is my poor man's attempt at stained glass using gallery glass(acrylic paint)...I would LOVE to eventually have the space and the time(and the money) to design some pieces...

    and a scarf I've been working on (not the quickest knitter) since I just learned two days ago...

    Look forward to seeing everyone's posts....:)

    I don't have an artistic bone in my body! Everyone here knows that, just look at my photography!! LOLOLOLOL

    Ok.. Here's a little secret about me. I sometimes write cheezy poetry, but don't tell anyone.

    Here's one from back when I was a teen and found out that my girlfriend of the past 9 months was actually gay...

    She is hers
    She is mine
    She sends shivers up my spine
    She loves her
    And I love she
    Why does this $h!# always happen to me?
    ~Brian Liles circa 1984

    See, I told you it was cheezy!!!

    I really like the image of your scarf. I think it would make an excellent stock image and I could see it printed in "American Knitters" or some other trade mag.

    Well done Nata! :)
  • 02-06-2004, 12:16 PM
    Asylum Steve
    Sounds like you talent lies in...
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Kokopeli
    She is hers
    She is mine
    She sends shivers up my spine
    She loves her
    And I love she
    Why does this $h!# always happen to me?
    ~Brian Liles circa 1984

    ...limericks and greeting cards. :D

    But hey, I'm not knocking it. There's a ton of money to be made there...
  • 02-06-2004, 12:19 PM
    Kokopeli
    Believe me.....
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Asylum Steve
    ...limericks and greeting cards. :D

    But hey, I'm not knocking it. There's a ton of money to be made there...

    I've considered it! LOLOL

    I actually had a book of poetry that I had written, but it mysteriously disappeared around the same time my exwife moved out. The "poem" I posted is one of the only ones I can remember.

    Thanks for the vote of confidence Steve! :P
  • 02-06-2004, 12:56 PM
    natatbeach
    so what would it take
    to be a computer game tester for a living. THAT is what my 14 year old has decided to do for a living (I supposed I should be proud he picked something)...

    designing games is what I thought would be a more lucrative profession, that sounds pretty fun...

    as far as the scarf well, my scraves sell for about $2 for now (if I could only keep it straight) but may sell for more----believe it or not scarves with thoseyarns retail for about $60 around here. when I can keep them straight(by Christmas) I'll offer a PR discount -hehe
  • 02-06-2004, 12:58 PM
    darkman
    Do hobbies count?
    Hi Nat,

    I'm not sure I would call my other outlets "creative." My other hobbies are bike riding, other outdoor activities, and tinkering with cars.

    In bike riding terms I used to race a lot. I was at either an "expert" or "elite" level in mtb racing and road racing. Though I'm still recovering from an accident - lower back - I keep at riding whenever possible. I aslo love to hike, backpack, and x-country ski (skate, backcountry, and tele). I even ski patroled at sandia (I'm not sure if I should admit this) for a season in the late 80's. I hardly down hill anymore now.

    I have 4 cars in may garage. Besides the daily drivers I have a 71 porsche 914-6 (rebuilt to 2.2S specs) and an '02 miata LS. I may sell the porsche and tweek the miata a little:-)

    I desing IC's durring my day job. Some people consider this creative!

    Mike
  • 02-06-2004, 01:04 PM
    Asylum Steve
    4 Attachment(s)
    Glass is the way to inner peace...
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by natatbeach
    so,what are some of your other creative outlets? post a pic or two or three or whatever of some of your projects

    One of my new passions is stained glass. Not new in my facination of it, but new in a hands-on sense...

    I've been working at a local glass studio for over a year now, very on and off. I've only completed a couple of pieces so far, but absolutely love the organic workflow, the time consuming craftsmanship, and especially the previsual design process, where carefully choosing glass colors and textures AHEAD of time is the key to a successful piece.

    It's a great change of pace from my now extremely high tech photographic work. Yet, ironically, I rely on computer imaging programs like photoshop a great deal to help me design my glasswork. It's amazing how quickly you can change and resize designs and try color and pattern variations in ps.

    These pics are of my current project, a large violet for Sebastian's fiance, uh I mean GIRLFRIEND (hehhehheh) Rhiannon. The first is the layout design, then a shot of my workspace, then some details.

    BTW, what makes this a very meaningful gift for him (other than the HUGE amount of money he's paying me) is that the design is based on one of Seb's photos.

    Despite a lot cut fingers, it's a VERY satisfying thing to do...
  • 02-06-2004, 01:07 PM
    natatbeach
    that was...um...touching...
    I really like the image of your scarf. I think it would make an excellent stock image and I could see it printed in "American Knitters" or some other trade mag.

    Thanks...that poem really wasn't too bad---here's my HORRID teen angst poem I wrote when I was 15 after a break up with a particulary BAD bo (I got back together with him-big 'TARD that I was)

    White Picket Fences
    and Four Poster Beds
    Hopes and dreams
    that only exist in my head

    Love and Hate,
    Go hand in hand
    Never Happy
    Never Sad.

    All the Joy I can never have
    Living my fantasy
    happily NEVER after

    there ya go see maybe we should start a teen angst poem thread-lol. :D
  • 02-06-2004, 01:16 PM
    natatbeach
    That all counts
    considering they all take talent...especially the car "tinkering"

    lower back injuries are brutal to recover from...sorry to hear that

    you and my father in law have a lot in common--he's a ctually a ski patrolman in CT
    and he loves cars he just had a 1963 split window corvette restored...

    it's amazing...

    what are ICs? excuse my lack of brain power....

    thanks for your contribution :D

    nat
  • 02-06-2004, 01:23 PM
    natatbeach
    <Whimpering>
    I have wanted to do stained glass forever. I visited a studio where they sold the materials and she had bunches of glass to choose from...it was like a candy store. I have a thing for textures and colors...nice to know you are willing to do pieces for pay...

    your window is quite beautiful and iris I presume...I like the copper leading as opposed to the silver or black...

    o.k. I'm jealous...I would love to see you post more of your stuff...

    :)
  • 02-06-2004, 01:50 PM
    Asylum Steve
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by natatbeach
    your window is quite beautiful and iris I presume...I like the copper leading as opposed to the silver or black...

    Thanks, nat. It's actually a violet, although it's embellished enough because of the glass patterns to look iris-like...

    The cooper foil is only visible in this early stage of the process. It will eventually be soldered to hold the pieces together (this is the Tiffany style of glass construction). The finished solder can then either be left as is (silver like you mentioned), or patina'd black or copper color.

    I'll be sure to post a shot of the finished piece...
  • 02-06-2004, 02:25 PM
    natatbeach
    ooops sorry
    I presumed because of the coloration and the three prominent petals that it was an iris but had I been observant enough and looked more closely at the leaves I could have had a better idea. (AND had I read your text instead of drooling over the pics) never the less it's beautiful especially the variations in the glass you chose for the petals.

    nat
  • 02-06-2004, 03:34 PM
    darkman
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by natatbeach
    what are ICs? excuse my lack of brain power....

    nat

    Hi Nat,

    IC's are Intergrated Circuits. In simple terms, I desing circuits that go in computer chips. Some actually end up in cameras:-)

    I absolutely have very poor fine motor skills. Drawing, cutting glass (yikes!), etc are out of the question. I even have trouble with scissors! I do OK in machine shops where I can dial each cut and bend down to a micrometer. But I haven't had access to one of those since college.

    This, lack of fine motor skillls, is what drew me to photography. It's a creative outlet that doesn't require draftsman type skills to do.

    Mike
  • 02-06-2004, 04:04 PM
    Charles Hess
    Photography is it, for now...
    as my spare time is limited. Was a pro jazz/rock trumpeter for years, travelled with Alice Cooper, Van Morrison, opened for Chicago, Blood, Sweat, & Tears, Jethro Tull....so, I still listen to music, from jazz to metal to rap(I love Kid Rock!) I guess I can only have one creative outlet at a time. :-)



    Quote:

    Originally Posted by natatbeach
    I presumed because of the coloration and the three prominent petals that it was an iris but had I been observant enough and looked more closely at the leaves I could have had a better idea. (AND had I read your text instead of drooling over the pics) never the less it's beautiful especially the variations in the glass you chose for the petals.

    nat

  • 02-06-2004, 04:12 PM
    darkman
    I forgot!!!
    I do play guitar, which strangely enough I'm pretty good at. Not at charles' level, but much better than most I've come across.

    In this case, being left handed and playing right handed is definately a help.

    How did I forget that! I was playing around with a new midi last night.

    Mike
  • 02-06-2004, 05:22 PM
    mtbbrian
    Stained Glass - Me too!
    Although I am very new to doing stained glass, I am enjoying very much. I like the hands on appeal too. Reminds me of doing photography the "20th Century Way"...
    Steve and I have had few email exchanges about it recently(Thanks Steve!)
    I got into, becausee there is a window in my home that I have always wanted to put one in.
    My lovely and talanted wife got me a class and all the necessary tools to do.
    I am coming up on the mid way point of the class. We will be learing both the copper foil and leaded methods.
    My other creative outlets are my website and mountain biking.

    Great post Natalie!
    Brian
  • 02-06-2004, 05:31 PM
    natatbeach
    It's obvious
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Charles Hess
    as my spare time is limited. Was a pro jazz/rock trumpeter for years, travelled with Alice Cooper, Van Morrison, opened for Chicago, Blood, Sweat, & Tears, Jethro Tull....so, I still listen to music, from jazz to metal to rap(I love Kid Rock!) I guess I can only have one creative outlet at a time. :-)

    I would suspect being as good as you are at the things you do whether music or photography----that the many talents you posses can only be nurtured one at a time.

    thnaks for sharing :)
  • 02-06-2004, 05:34 PM
    natatbeach
    no fair
    Awww man---another one! now I'm jealousx2...that's pretty cool that your wife encourages it------ any pics or descriptions of color of subject that you'll be immortalizing in glass?....the next birthday portrait is being done in glass is that it :D
  • 02-06-2004, 06:11 PM
    adina
    I can quilt
    I don't have a much time for it as I used to, but I can do it. Usually crib sized because they are smaller, and a lot of our friends are in the having baby stage still. I don't have any pics on the computer though. I've also done Halloween costumes, and am going to do ballet skirts for the girls. We saw some that had flower petals in the skirt, and they were so impressed.

    We have also decided to try gardening this year. We'll see how that goes. Going completely organic, and letting the girls pick most of the seeds. We ended up with quite a few variaties of chili pepper, as they are pretty colors.

    Not a lot of time for creative outlets these days. But we did just teach our oldest to read, she is thrilled to death with it.

    Here's my oldest's Halloween dress from 2001 on my youngest. She wanted to be a princess that year.

    adina
  • 02-06-2004, 06:13 PM
    adina
    After re-reading my post, I realized we are a bunch of homebodies. I guess in another 15 years we can develop some adult interests..

    adina
  • 02-06-2004, 06:36 PM
    Asylum Steve
    Hey, Brian. Is it a MONEY PIT yet???
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mtbbrian
    My lovely and talanted wife got me a class and all the necessary tools to do.
    Brian

    Heh heh, you just THINK you have all the tools... :D

    When I started my glass classes, the tool kit they provided us with cost about $30. I remember thinking, "hey, this ain't too bad".

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!

    Well, that was BEFORE I realized I really needed my own grinder, then a Toyo Super glass cutter, then a good ceramic soldering iron, then a foiling tool, then a Gryphon Wire Saw (ouch!), etc., etc., etc.

    And that's not even counting all the glass packs and beads, and globs, and bevels, and foils, and solders, and frames, and patinas.

    Boy, now that I think about it, I really can't afford this expensive a hobby... ;)
  • 02-06-2004, 06:43 PM
    natatbeach
    "homebody" is nice
    Steve thinks glass is expensive try the tools for quilting...and it bites when you don't even stick to it! the first and only class cost me $75 (because I was sure I would love it-HA!

    I tried quilting and I HATED (did I say hate? let me say it again HATED) it....bless you and I admire you for having the patience to do that...the worst part was trying to pic fabrics out...too many choices and too many everything...

    I'm always in awe of people that can sew well (beautiful princess costume) and i've seen those little skirts with petals for the skirt (they also carry little "fairy" slippers that look like ballet slippers made from cloth that fit over a standard shoe and the ankle cuffs are sheer "leaves" pretty neat...
  • 02-07-2004, 07:55 AM
    mtbbrian
    No Worries Nat!
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by natatbeach
    Awww man---another one! now I'm jealousx2...that's pretty cool that your wife encourages it------ any pics or descriptions of color of subject that you'll be immortalizing in glass?....the next birthday portrait is being done in glass is that it :D

    Yeah I have great wife!
    Right now I am at the crawling stages of this new outlet, but I do have a desgin in mind for the window in our home. It is a geometric desgin.
    I'll post a pic or two of it when I finish it.
    Brian
  • 02-07-2004, 08:03 AM
    mtbbrian
    I know! But..
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Asylum Steve
    Heh heh, you just THINK you have all the tools... :D

    Boy, now that I think about it, I really can't afford this expensive a hobby... ;)

    I know, what you are talking about Steve, but I have a grinder, and a lot of misellanous tools, although I did buy a cutting board in class the other day. So I do have a good start.

    On a financial level, I have asked myself that already, but I plan on doing a project or two a year, to keep me in it and improve my skills.

    Brian
  • 02-07-2004, 09:54 AM
    another view
    1 Attachment(s)
    Great idea, Natalie! First off, the picture is three years old and was the one where I figured out that you need to be really careful with preparing a subject for a shot like this (i.e. dusting!). Early experiment with shallow DOF too. Anyway, I'm a mostly-retired bass player which I've been doing for about 20 years. Retirement due to the inability to stay up past 11:00, that is! I played alot of different styles with different groups and played some pretty big stages opening up for touring bands and also got to do some recording studio work too. Nothing quite on the level of our own Charles Hess, but I got a taste of it. I have another CD project coming up (it's in the "planning" stage right now) so I guess I better start practicing again.

    Could have used one of your scarves last weekend in the 30 below wind chill! Interesting to see what everyone else does other than photography. I've always heard stained glass is expensive to get into - and coming from photographers I guess I have to believe it!
  • 02-08-2004, 07:11 AM
    Jezz
    Well my other main output is Bonsai, which also helps me relax and put my emotions into something that will hopefully prosper, My other "other" output is designing furniture, that will also become a fulltime "money paying" job one day in the near future i hope.also when i get that inflow of money i hope i can indulge my other passion of classic car restoration? need money (lots) to do that well. and a lot of tools, The most important one is me!!
  • 02-08-2004, 07:18 AM
    natatbeach
    1 Attachment(s)
    my son plays the bass---a similar shot was one of my first attempts at depth of field with my son's bass

    tahnks for sharing--I can relate to the stay up past 11:00 thing hehe
  • 02-08-2004, 07:22 AM
    natatbeach
    I thought
    you might be the type of person who'd enjoy bonsai. You have really beautiful things in your garden(I think it's you that's posted garden things) and besdies most people don't have ponds and such if they don't have a love for plants and nature...
    cool

    thnaks for sharing--maybe you could post some of your furniture design that have been completed or some of your mini trees
  • 02-08-2004, 10:53 AM
    walterick
    Poetry!
    I walk my shadow on the Shadow Bridge
    I watch my shadow as it comes to the end
    I turn my shadow around and around
    I laugh at my shadow as it falls to the ground!
  • 02-08-2004, 11:06 AM
    walterick
    1 Attachment(s)
    I do nothing.
    But this you already knew.
  • 02-08-2004, 02:16 PM
    Peter_AUS
    Hey Nat,

    With your knitting, don't pull the wool so tight especially around the edges. If it is loose at the edges then pull the wool a little tighter.

    Did you check your tension before you started knitting the scarf, tension is most important to check before you get too far into something.

    I have knitted several jumpers over the years, I mostly like cable knitting and also jumpers with pattens in them done with different coloured wools.

    My mother taught me to knit when I was younger, she knitted by look hardly followed any patten at all. Used it to just check if getting a little too complicated. I was once offered $200 for one of her jumpers and that was like 30 years ago. The equivalent would sell for around $500. Of course I said no. My wife wears one of them now.

    This is a really great thread.
  • 02-09-2004, 11:43 AM
    Spike
    I make my own beer once in awhile
    Homebrewing is a fun, hands-on, creative hobby, assuming you like beer, which I do! :)

    I used to sew quite well, but it's been so long since I've sewn that I'm afraid I've forgotten all the techniques. Fabric is no bargain here in Canada anyway.

    One thing that I'd eventually like to do, but it is a big $$$ investment, not to mention space, is woodworking. Specifically, I'd like to learn how to make furniture such as shelving units and cupboards.

    And I agree with you, stained glass looks like a lot of fun.

    Spike
  • 02-09-2004, 11:50 AM
    mtbbrian
    Hhhhhhmmmmm Beeeeer!!
    [QUOTE=Spike]Homebrewing is a fun, hands-on, creative hobby, assuming you like beer, which I do! :)

    Home Brew!

    YUMMMMMY!
    Brian
  • 02-09-2004, 02:10 PM
    Chunk
    1 Attachment(s)
    I like your stained glass work, Nat. I've done a little of that too.

    A little over a year ago I took up painting. Some of my stuff can be seen here.
    http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...54&gid=1305402
  • 02-09-2004, 02:18 PM
    natatbeach
    Woodworking
    I always wanted to learn the craft...I actually wanted to register at Homedepot(home improvement store) and can you believe a girl can't get power tools for her own wedding...

    cool
    nat
  • 02-09-2004, 02:22 PM
    natatbeach
    painting
    is one of those things I can't wrap my brain around and I would love to learn it especially oils and watercolor...I've tried acrylic and I'm terrible at it everything ends up gray and muddy :o(

    that's awesome I would love to see more....
  • 02-14-2004, 03:50 PM
    walterick
    1 Attachment(s)
    I spin wrenches too,
    as my vehicles require.
  • 02-14-2004, 07:47 PM
    kafin8ed
    1 Attachment(s)
    I've always drawn, and took classes through college but now I take photos pretty much exclusively. I attached something I did back in '91.

    I also used to play guitar a lot but decided to concentrate on mountain biking more seriously about 6 years ago and rarely play any more. I do listen to music all the time though, that is still a huge outlet for me.

    I've been know to weld up a few steel mountain bike frames when the weather is nasty and I'm stuck inside not able to ride. I like to build things especially when fire and melted metal are involved.
  • 02-14-2004, 08:40 PM
    Trevor Ash
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by walterick
    as my vehicles require.

    That's a really cool photo! And a really cool photo of you as well.