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

Illustrator

So in trying to get something ready for the laser cutter, I realized I needed some Illustrator tutorial help and have spent time learning more about the one program I feel most in need of instruction on. I have a few designs that I am going to try out and hope that the execution of them will satisfy me.

The editing process has been a little frustrating. I guess I am expecting too much from myself based on my level of knowledge about Illustrator. The simplest design may prove to be the best one, for all I know. A test may be the best way to go, before I use the more expensive products.

I am hoping to include some text in one of my designs.

I got this one laser cut and will be in early on Friday to get the others done too. Interesting the things you find out once you have a file and talk with the tech in the laser cutting room. It takes hours to etch a solid fill...

Good to know... Anyone needing to laser cut may need to beg from now on. They are supposed to be closed next week. We shall see.

http://www.layersmagazine.com/category/tutorials/illustrator

Left Behind

Left Behind, originally uploaded by KS_Dorn.

Just the evidence of enjoying the scent of a rose. We leave behind a moment that may have brightened our day. Kind of a glimpse into the past. A nice thing to find that won't pollute the world. A spot that raises the mood.

Scattered

Scattered, originally uploaded by KS_Dorn.

Not quite dry, interesting that a shelf can become a garbage can. Are they just too lazy to pick it up and drop it just 4 feet away? Sad but curious that it becomes a bit of art in and of itself. People tracks are often significantly thoughtless. Even the design created from a person being careless in their own actions creates things that enlighten at times. However, the stuff I didn't post from this bathroom turned my stomach, so the thoughtlessness was still disgusting.

Human Tracks

Human Tracks, originally uploaded by KS_Dorn.

Drip Drop! Sometimes what we leave behind isn't so much destructive as a bit of an annoyance to someone else. The water left around the sink is rather a pain if it wets your clothes. Kind of amazing really how far it can get from the sink while they are in search of a towel to dry off with. Hmm... a reason to redesign the paper towel to sink connection... new combo piece of equipment...................

Excess

Excess, originally uploaded by KS_Dorn.

Lots of refuse! A truck full of old tires. I certainly hope they will be going somewhere to be recycled, but as we know rubber has a limited chance of that. Why can't we design things that are made to improve the earth when we have lost the need for them?

The photograph may be technically flawed but I love the flares of light on each side of this one.

More Escess

More Escess, originally uploaded by KS_Dorn.

Isn't it interesting the things that get left behind and where? When Diane and I saw this all we could do was laugh. It did draw attention to the beauty of a warped tree trunk surviving in the middle of city chaos. Illuminated by the afternoon sun it appears majestic even. The wonders of a good light source.

Tin Can Man

Tin Can Man, originally uploaded by KS_Dorn.

Creative uses for recyclable trash that make it fun instead of disposable. It has to be said that trash can make some nice things. Wizard of Oz-ish! The rust just gives it that extra something to make you want one of your own.

Wired

Wired, originally uploaded by KS_Dorn.

Our life requires electricity and we create the most complex wired situations that can be imagined. I think I will go back here and recapture this with a higher film speed and see which one I like better. The blur may just add some interest here. We'll see!

Well it's a bit brighter but not really less blurry. I like them both. The first is more indistinguishable, but the golden color of this one is pleasing too.

Oily Sidewalk?

Oily Sidewalk?, originally uploaded by KS_Dorn.

We leave evidence behind even in the strangest places: Oil on a sidewalk on campus. Could it be a maintenance vehicle leaving drippy icky waste. If so they should definitely do some work on their vehicles. We may be a fairly green campus but this could use some work.

Option

Project

So I am thinking laser cut organic shapes on clear acrylic with led light from below that reflects over water. I want people to be able to interact with the water and play with the reflections and shadows. If the led's are under glass with the pool of water over that it should work out well.

Ideas from Google Images

After seeing these designs on-line I think I may just go more organic with my designs. Something that interacts well with light and maybe even casts shades. More to consider...Hmmm!

New Projects

So TOOL Focus group has morphed a bit to include Awareness. Energy/Electricity was mentioned as a possible approach to take. I think I could get behind that.

I also thought of taking my own personal important cause and doing something with that as well... More on that latter...

Christmas gifts may definitely come into play sense I need them and feel like I need some practice before I pull off my best design.

TOOL/Awareness
Energy
POWER DOWN
Downward arrow graphic
Organ Donation
James Story
Personal
Heartfelt
Practical considerations
Need some learning time
Read/read/read instructions
Subtopic 3
Increase Laser cutter/Vinyl cutter knowledge
Try in Vinyl first
Work up to it
1. energy signs
POWER DOWN
2. cork burn
3. Christmas gifts small
6 girls 6 boys
4. larger gifts
At least 3
5. Cupboard doors?

See someone else's be made/cut
Check hours open
Energy Graphic
Learning Curve
Energy

Presentations

I was very impressed with everyones presentation.

Good Job!!!!

Reduction Results

The Buffers

• Cork artwork & shelf liner artwork

• Effective but needed help

• Door weather-stripping

• Effective but still needed help

• Bookcase

• Very effective

• Going to eventually put in shelves on the rest of the wall

• Table & garbage can bumpers

• Seem to be working

• Haven’t been there long enough to be sure

todbot

http://revver.com/video/88687/arduino-midi-drum-kit/


http://revver.com/find/video/?query=todbot&search_on=search

Finishing up Details

So I did most of my todo list for the weekenad. The one thing I didn't do was something that wouldn't have helped anyway. I figured out the screndoor needs a makeover to make it close softer. Too tight of a fit.
I moved my bookcase and now want more shelves... Not in my budget just yet though. I bumper proofed garbage cans and the table behind the screen door.

Possible Artwork

Got a little bit of artwork done through the hazy of cold meds...

 

And Just for fun

For now I will work on bookcase moving, gorilla bumpers, and the presentation on Tuesday!

Crunch Time

I have plans to bumper proof the outdoor disturbances of garbage can lids and screendoors; unfortunately I am not feeling up to it right now. I have a cold and it is getting worse. The thought of staying awake to do this in the middle of night gorilla style appeals to me, but my body says rest for goodness sake. The plan is to get so much rest this weekend that I can't sleep at night and maybe then go out there and get it done, hopefully my mind and body agree with me.

Bookcase stair wall wise, I will be moving the solid bookcase I already own against the wall to see how effective that is in the hope of making the $50 purchase of supplies seem worth it for the rest of the wall.

I plan on making a PowerPoint presentation of the photos I have taken for all the strategies I have used to reduce the effect of noise pollution on my indoor environment.

White noise does help, but it can only do so much. By the way turning the volume up too high...just disturbs the person trying to cover the noise.

Art messages are still percolating. I am still considering a canopy maybe a king size quilt but it needs to be the right opportunity to find the supplies.

Good luck everyone on your project!

Priorities

So my immediate plans changed a bit because of the stuff I found once I went shopping. I bought a few things for the book shelves that I will get back to. Another $50 is required to finish them up. The bumpers for a table on the porch that gets slammed by the screen door felt too expensive for what I needed - about $8 for 4 corner bumpers, at least the 3 places I looked, that I only really need one of. I am hoping to find used or a less spendy option. I am going to try some styro-foam balls and see how they work. I found some thick weatherstripping that I think will work well for the lids of the garbage cans next door and plan to implement that plan in the middle of the night, hopefully when it isn't raining too hard.

I will be working on the artwork for art gratitude messages this week.

Door

So after adding felt weather stripping to my door I  can no longer see daylight like in the following picture. I had previously asked my landlord for weather stripping but he gave me the answer that it was too wet and cold to apply it. LAME!!!

Cork

I painted a couple of my round cork boards to see if I liked them when I put them in place. I like the way they look. I wanted something abstract which I got from this method, but am thinking of trying a more landscape design or adding more variety to what I already have done.

Shelf Liner

I used some scissors on the waffle shelf liners cutting them into triangles and some squares, moving them around until I came up with a design I liked then applied it to my wall.

Test

So I tested the cork and shelf covers last night to see how they might work before I made them more pleasing to look at & interestingly enough they did seem to keep down the reverb within the house. They did make it more obvious that the door has big cracks that street noise comes through so I will be adding the weather stripping kit to the door this weekend.

I am still hearing my object dropping inclined neighbors though. It seems they have a hard time keeping things in their hands while carrying them. I am encouraged by my testing though.

The cork is placed in the top of my 12 foot ceiling corners & the liner is just over the walls.

Purchases

So I went to Bring and found some boards that could work for shelves. I went to a discount store and found some round cork boards for $2 a piece & got the 7 they had to make into art-full sound buffers.
I bought some waffle shelf liner and some door and window weatherproofing to see if that helps too.

Now I need to come up with a good design for making these things aesthetically pleasing.

I still need to head to a home improvement store for some of the other things I need this weekend.

Plans

Since Tuesday-Thursday are my most packed days, planning and rethinking have been the largest majority of what I could do the last couple evenings. I have decided that in order to make my bookshelves work most efficiently I need them to be rearrangement friendly and that makes me believe that a system of brackets where I can place shelf hangers will work best. This way I can place them where they seem to work the best without spending too much or creating a mass of ugly bookshelves side by side.

Shopping

    Bring
         See if they have anything I can use to make my
           projects first
  
    Home Improvement Store
           Shelves around 8 / 4-6ft lengths or 4 longer
               lengths to cut down to size
           3 Wall Brackets
           16 Bracket hangers
           Wall stud finder
           Screws
   For Gorilla bumpers
          Foam pads to be attached to lids of garbage cans &
             thinner ones for screen-door

For gratitude art messages
        Have started collecting images to use for vinyl art
        Want to see if anything inspires me at Bring
        Have thought about using an old chalkboard or
             making one with chalkboard paint

Bookcase Possibilities

Staircases that are bookcases, unique!
http://www.homeinteriorszone.com/interior-decoration/15-creative-and-modern-staircase-designs/

Easy smaller bookcase
http://www.instructables.com/id/60-minute-bookcase/

Arduino rotating bookcase/for fun
http://hacknmod.com/hack/diy-rotating-bookshelves-staircases-trap-doors/

All Kinds of Bookcases
http://incrediblethings.com/lists/20-brilliant-bookcases/

This one makes sense in a whole other way
http://www.thisintothat.com/secondeditions.html

Sollutions for Noise Pollution

Noise Pollution


Turquoise are plans for immediate future
Violet for change in plans // 10/26/09


Noise Pollution from Neighbors
    Reasons:
        1906 house -- no insulation
        12 ft ceilings
        Neighbors have kids
        Their staircase goes right through my space
        Drop things upstairs a lot
      
Solutions:
        Goofy Gratitude Art Messages/ Slap happy goodness
            No elephants upstairs
            Nothing rolls down the stairs
            Screen door isn’t larger
            Loud shouting visitor not there often
            Reciprocating cone of silence/play on term

        Physical Changes
            Fabric bed canopy
            Fabric/art covered core to absorb sound
            Bookcase wall for stairway wall  // need more cash

Gorilla Bumper Mission
            Add bumpers to outdoor noisemakers
                in dead of night // still to come

        Other options
            Input noise output sound reduction machine
            Record loudness with delayed play back for them
            Vibration triggered recording
            Fence art for outside problems

D I Y Watercolor Techniques

Watercolor Techniques from KS Dorn on Vimeo.


Try this one too!!!
http://www.uoregon.edu/~dorn/DIY/BalloonSlideshow.swf

DIY

So I had planned to show some watercolor techniques for my DIY and am still planning on doing that. It fell through for reasons of supply disfunction, but will get back to that one eventually. I did a smaller project and will post it until I can get up the one I really wanted to do.

I have a rather sad looking lampshade that needed some pizzazz. To change it without permanence I decided to add some beads with safety pins but hot glue could be used as well.

I happened to have some strings of beads around as well.

Using the pins I attached them to the top of the shade. This would work well with a glue gun as well.

This is what the finally result was. A bit cheesy but goofy good at the same time...