Quack Ops

So Quack Ops has started to get more visible and created a bit of controversy...
You should check it out on Twitter and facebook. Just search Quack Ops!

Suggestions

So John suggested slumping the acyrlic and/or laser cutting it into leafy more organic forms. After I try out the sand-blasting I think these are great ideas for going futher with my projects. I plan on tryiong some different materials in the laser cutter as well.

Lifestyle Design Wrap-up

Illustrator Tool Focus

I knew it would take some Illustrator patience on my part and some serious tutorial help. After some research on-line I came up with a couple design ideas based on a more organic object and used some sketches I liked from my notebook to build on, then tackled the tutorials. The designs came together and I used the sheet we had gotten for the laser cutter to prepare the files. I was inspired to create a file that came back to little things making a big difference and so created the One drop Ripplesss…

I have found that the one step that we may not know the reason for can change things dramatically for others. Often affecting many more people than we can ever realize: So why not express that in my art. It became the first file that was cut on the laser cutter. After talking with the tech and having some difficulties with the files delayed things for a bit, I switched up my fern file and made the etching around it instead of in it by etching then cutting out the fern/branches. I spent a lot of time in with the tech and learned some really valuable stuff.

A connection with the earth around us and nature has been a part of my art for a long time. Ferns are a symbol of sincerity towards others. It can also be a symbol of magic, fascination, confidence, shelter, discretion, Tree branches are symbolic of branching and trying something new.Trees have an elemental quality to them. They connect us to the earth below us and the sky above. Who wouldn’t want to be that grounded?

My organic mother child signifies the relationships we have with family, friends and even strangers. There always seems to be a dynamic that makes one stronger. Not always the one you expect to be either. It can change over time and morph into different dynamics as situations change. I struggle for strength, satisfaction and a peaceful existence.

I have a better idea what limitations the laser cutter has and how I can achieve the effects I want. I am pleased with how they turned out and have plans to sand blast in January to create the affect I want on one of the projects.

Project Two Development

Programming for Artists Video

Programming for Artists Project from KS Dorn on Vimeo.

So Color Mixing with 3 seperate LED's was my project for the class. I am happy how it turned out. In the dark is the best way to view it though.

Thought Pattern

So my thought behind the One Drop Ripples design actually occurred because of an event in my past.

Organ donation has played a role in my life since 2000 when my brother James died of a brain aneurysm. After much discussion (and with a room full of people there can be a lot), we decided to go ahead and donate his organs. Since then we have heard back that all except one are doing well and have met 2 of the recipients Ana & Dani. Both are truly inspirational in their recovery. Ana went from poor health because of cystic fibrosis, in and out of the hospital with her twin to literally climbing mountains. Dani has now been cured of debilitating diabetes and has wonderful plans for her future.

It amazes me how much just knowing they are doing so well makes the loss of my brother feel like it has come full circle.


I wanted to somehow show one simple occurrence has many repeating repercussions. That one small step on our part can effect many others without our even knowing it. I hope people can take from it something of their own, not connected to my inspiration but their own. Other moments need not be as traumatic as this situation. It was just my inspiration for it. A tribute in a way to my Brother James...

The crack that occurred after it was Laser cut may mar the surface but strangely it kind of adds to the story behind its creation. Physical proof of the depth of feeling behind it.

Eventually I will cut another one, but for now I choose to call its imperfection a quirk of fate. I will be sand blasting it after I take a sand blasting seminar at the craft center. There is one in January, maybe it will solve the imperfection. I want to emphasize the Organic design as well. I am more than happy with the Fern/Branches design. I love the way it turned out. Instead of straight lines it is boxes etched in at 30%. More than the 40% of the Organic one that is straight lines. The tech sort of explained it but don't ask me to explain  how 30% is deeper than 40%. I think the every other box line adds something to the character of the piece. After coming up with the fern/branches I reworked the plan to have etching around outside of the fern. I think the emphasis worked out great.

Success

So after a bit of reworking we got my files to work. Let's just say the cutter has issues with certain things ... and needs some work on its mirrors that has not been in the budget to fix for some time. I got some great ideas from the tech while I was there though. She suggested sand blasting to get the effect I want on one piece specifically, and thought cutting out the stencil design on the laser cutter would work, I am thinking that a vinyl stencil would work too though. Hmmm........ I had already thought of etching glass but that is another thing she suggested with acid resist paper. I love one of the designs I reworked for the laser cutter, want to sand blast the other and am thinking of improving the other with that as well. Here are the pictures:

One Drop Ripplessss

Organic

Fern/Branches