It's Hot!

It's Hot!

I created this watercolor in a cartoon-like (illustrative or animated would be a more proper term) style simply because I wanted to show off the beautiful features in the desert. One of my favorite quotes you can find in Frank Herbert's, Dune:


"Wisdom comes from the desert and polish comes from the city."

I believe in this quote because of the strong spiritual feeling I get when walking across the desert. I've visited the Chihuahan Desert, the Mojave Desert and the Sonoran Desert in my travels and I'm always in awe by the extreme temperatures, wildlife and landscape.
I've included a vulture in this picture because I really love the turkey vulture. I have looked up the difference between a vulture and a buzzard many times and all the dictionaries and encyclopedias argue on the proper definitions and differences. Basically, here in the United States there is a difference which has to do with how they eat, (carrion or prey) and what bird they have evolved from (eagle, falcon or hawk). In Europe, there is no difference and most believe that is how we picked up the term buzzard.
Whether you disagree with my summation or not, you must agree this is an incredible bird in both wingspan and resilience. Vultures and buzzards play a major role in our environments. Many have labeled them "nature's environmentalists." Imagine how messy it would be if we didn't have this animal to clean up all the carcases in the desert! The ancient Egyptians believed the vulture carried your soul to the heavens. This is why you see the ancient hieroglyphs with vultures worked in the glyphs. One of the oldest Egyptian gods, Nekhbet, is symbolized as a vulture.
The vulture has taken on bad PR in the past. In some parts of the US they are considered pests because they would attack small farm fowl but that is a buzzard (by most definitions because a vulture feeds on carrion - dead animals, not live prey.) This is why I choose the term vulture when referencing any great scavenger bird out of respect for such a magnificent animal that's capable of surviving in such extreme temperatures all over the world.

snake mandala

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251569884460?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

snake mandala

The mandala (sanskrit for circle) has been a sacred image in hundreds of cultures all over the world from prehistoric times to the present. I'm partial to the native american mandalas and how the shaman would use these images to heal a person who came to them in need of a cure for anything from physical to mental to supernatural. It didn't matter what realm the disturbance came from because the shaman approached it all the same way.
The snake has always been considered a symbol of healing. Only in the Bible does the snake take on a sinister evil character. In most cultures, the snake symbolizes medicine. We get our symbol of the caduceus from the ancient Greek legend of Asclepius who inherited Apollo's healing powers and used the snake as a vehicle to heal the ancient greeks in the temples dedicated to him. An ancient Greek would fast for days before traveling to the temple of Asclepius to sleep amoung the snakes. They might have a dream or a vision of the great god who would answer and heal their prayers.
What's interesting about the symbol of the snake associated with healing throughout time is that we derive more organic medicines from snake venom than any other creature. In fact, the more poisonous the snake venom, the more powerful the medicine.

This image is available in a 13" x 13" modified print on ebay
I actually add more pencil lines to the work after it is printed to sharpen the details.

Roller Coasters

Roller Coasters

...always remind me of my childhood. I rode a lot of them and I also worked at AstroWorld when I was just a teenager so I had access to the Texas Cyclone after work. Roller Coasters always bring back happy memories except for one. When I was a child I talked my mother and my little sister into riding Space Mountain at Disney World. It was so scary for them they cried. They didn't enjoy it at all so I really appreciate the sacrifice they made that day.
This abstract oil pastel was created on heavy-duty black paper. I love working on dark paper because it makes the highlights glow. You can't have bright glowing colors without the dark and when it comes to roller coasters, you can't have fun without a little bit of fear mixed into the ride.

This art work is available on ebay but the listing ends early evening/central time.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/251562549492?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Salado, Texas

 Salado, TX 

...was originally built for the bridge that crossed the Salado Creek. That might not sound like an important beginning to a town but that bridge was part of the famous Chisholm Trail (A route from Texas to Kansas city that hit the major trading posts along the way. Much like how we design our road systems today - we're simply connecting the dots!) Texans used the Chisholm trail to herd Longhorn cattle. This is my best shot of a longhorn to date:

Many of the towns like Salado were named for markers along the trail. Round Rock is another one and there is actually a round rock in the middle of a creek that was so distinctive, it made a great marking point for the trail.

 

Salado is now an artists colony with beautiful Victorian homes and the infamous Stagecoach Inn.

 This is one of the stagecoaches used during colonial times. They restored it and keep it in front of the complex which includes the famous outlaw cave, a restaurant, a saloon and entertainment club and there's even a bed and breakfast on the back side.

There are spots all over this region that mark historic points in US history. For instance this balcony is the spot where Sam Houston gave his famous speech urging Texas not to succeed from the union.

 This door marks the entrance to the "outlaw cave". Salado, TX was a famous stop on the Chisholm Trail. Gunmen running from the law often used this cave as their hideout. Supposedly, the James brothers were here.

I love when historical sites are preserved along with the famous names of the people who were there. I also love the fact that now this place has become a popular tourist destination and artist colony.

Apparently the two groups go together and it takes artists to appreciate and restore all there old buildings for future generations. It is important for me to point out all the good that artists do for a community whenever I can. It's certainly worth a blog spot!

Johannes Gutenberg

Johannes Gutenberg

A Classic Case of Copyright Infringement

The inventor of moveable type had a huge impact on the world even though he didn't receive much credit (or money) in his lifetime. In fact, I would be bold enough to say this man launched the Renaissance in Northern Europe. We tend to underestimate the incredible invention of moveable type and what it did for the western world. True - many presses were already invented and Gutenberg studied and modified existing models in order to create the first printing press. True - the ancient Chinese invented the first stamps (called chops) and therefore the invention of printing.

 I mentioned before; "...there are two basic ways to come up with a 'new' design. The first way is to create something so new and original that no other product on the market compares to what it can do. The other way is to improve upon a product design that already exists. We call inventors who tackle the first way, geniuses and we tend to ignore the other group." Johannes Gutenberg falls into the second category; he invented a totally new concept from two pre-existing concepts.

I also mentioned that we are in the beginning of the "Digital Revolution" and very much like the Industrial Revolution; we are repeating history's mistakes. During the Industrial Revolution thousands of inventions were ripped off from the original inventors. In fact, our first true copyright laws in America are created right after the Industrial Revolution. The United States government saw a need to protect these small product designers and developed copyright laws for the small business owner. The horrible reality today is copyright laws only protect large corporations or those who can afford to sue. There is even talk about lessening the laws protecting the common person from copyright infringement in the future. Ironically enough, in the midst of all this, even our own government was infringed upon by another country. I hope they now know how it feels!

Let's get back to the incredible story of Johannes Gutenberg. One might think that he had a great start because he built on two already existing ideas. This deduction would not be true. He spent over 10 years studying the mechanic of wine, cheese and olive presses. He also had to invent an alloy (a combination of at least two metals) that would withstand the intense beating of a press, minute after minute, each and every day. He also had to invent an ink that would not 'bead' up on metal. He used a linseed oil base that was sticky enough to create an even coat on metal. Each one of these inventions took over 10 years, lots of money and time. This is why inventors (even today) live very humble lives and have to solicit capitalists for money. (And they have to do this while inventing!)

I've created a timeline of Johann's struggles. (You can click on the image to read it) The sad fact to this story is that on the night when his famous 42-line bible was going to be printed, bound and distributed, he was locked out of his own print shop. The man who 'legally' seized the shop hired his assistant and by doing so, stole all Johann's secrets. Johannes Gutenberg could do nothing but sit back and watch someone else become rich off of his invention. Within three years after the invention of moveable type, thousands of printing presses were created all over northern Europe which kicked the Renaissance into its peak.

You would think such a sad story would end with this horrible mistreatment but that is not true. Johannes Gutenberg was such a master of inventions; he quietly created another print shop and press and began mastering copperplate engravings. Some say he trained with a famous (yet anonymous) artist called the "Master of Playing Cards." Some say that Johann himself was the Master of Playing Cards but finally learned to keep his mouth shut until the inventions were straight off the press and in the public's eye.

(timeline of Gutenberg's struggles - by dianne curtis)

Small Change

Small Change

I've seen a lot more homeless people on the streets in the past few years. This is an issue that really gets to me. I've been so close so many times to being homeless myself that I stare at these people with fear and compassion. I was guided to start a practice last year when I quit smoking. I now use the ash tray where my cigarette butts used to go for a change compartment. When I see a homeless person I grab some change and hand it to them. I'm not there to judge who deserves the change and who doesn't. That takes too much time and negative energy. It doesn't really matter if they need it, deserve it or what. They're asking so I'm there to give.

I've met a lot of homeless people this way. I'm shocked at who is homeless on the streets these days. One woman my age was sitting on the side of a freeway one day and I gestured for her to walk up to my car. I handed her a few dollars in change and noticed she had a black eye. She saw me look at her face and replied, "I was robbed and beaten last night." I broke down right on the spot. It's like a wave of pain rushed over me.

Another time I handled the situation a little better. This man with a dog had made his 'camping' spot in a strip center near my home. I would see him every day and give him my small change. One day I saw him crying. I'm used to seeing homeless people a little hardened by life so I had to find out his story. I went home and made him two peanut butter sandwiches (one for him and one for his dog) and grabbed a ten dollar bill out of my purse before rushing out the door. When I walked over to him he wasn't crying any more instead he looked angry. I handed him one sandwich and put one on the ground for his dog. He replied "She won't eat it. She's real picky." He was right. The dog sniffed the sandwich and walked away.

I handed him the $10 bill and his face perked up right away. He then grabbed the other sandwich and began eating it. I wanted to ask him why he had been crying but I didn't have to ask. He spoke up and said, "Do you know what someone said to me?" I listened. "They told me that it was cruel to keep my dog on the streets with me. They said I should give her up!" I looked at the dog that was walking around freely with a leash dragging behind her and stated the obvious. "Well, if she wanted to run away, she would. I don't think you're cruel at all." He was grateful that I validated him and he then affirmed, "She eats before I do! I make sure she has food every day."

I talked to him for a little while and then went home thinking about how judgmentally cruel some people can be. This guy was having a tough time on the street and someone suggested he give up his only companion? It was hard to believe. I kept giving him money every time I saw him.

A few weeks passed and I saw him outside on a summer day. He told me that someone had offered him a job digging ditches in the "hot sun." I looked at him and stated the obvious, "Aren't you in the hot sun anyway?" I don't think he even realized this before my comment. I didn't see him again after that.

I think he took the job.

What Escher Has Done for Me

               (art by dianne curtis / all rights reserved)

What Escher Has Done for Me

I spent 12 years working for a school that taught computer aided drafting and design. I was not an AutoCAD artist so I taught the basics to these students like drawing and illustration. We studied different perspectives extensively throughout the semester. I knew very little about Isometric perspective when I started but I loved simulation video games and knew that isometric played a huge role in the designs of city building games.

One of the best things about teaching is perfecting your own skills while you teach. I insisted on mastering the principles behind isometric tessellations very much like M.C. Escher. I read some of Escher's biographies and showed the documentary on his life in my class.

For me, Isometric perspective is like a game, turning and twisting those cubes into impossible structures and unbelievable dimensions. I can see how Escher must have been in his own world most of his life. When an artist creates any kind of landscape, they get to go there. In fact, I've never had the need for travel the way most people do. My idea of a great vacation is staying at home and creating art. (I'm sure this sounds very boring to most but to me, it's heaven on earth!)

These are some of the Isometric Tessellations I've created. They take a long time so I usually sell prints on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Impossible-Perspective-8x10-Black-and-White-Print-from-original-drawing-dcurtis-/251565094175?pt=Art_Prints&hash=item3a9272b51f