Things change

It's been quite some time. I am posting this from my phone as the laptop has somehow contracted a virus. (I'm actually guessing because I don't know what happened.) I was working on a story that someone had sent me. I stepped away from the laptop to do some other things and when I tried to get back to work, I couldn't. 

I have always been able to figure out the problem, but I was having no luck. I made several attempts over several days, but I was getting nothing.

When I contacted Toshiba, which is now another company, the guy told me it looks like I deleted files. He would be able to help, but I would lose everything and the laptop would go back to it's original format.

He recommended two businesses to call and that is what I did.

I have been waiting to take the laptop in. I like going early in the morning to take care of things. These days everything relies on my body and whether I have had enough sleep.

Hopefully I can get it repaired and resume writing. 

I also need to have my vehicle checked out. I was heading home the other day and I was at the traffic light and it killed. I turned everything off, and started it up and made it home. I was going to try to do what I can in the way of maintenance, but it's been incredibly hot.

I'm just being patient and trying to go with the flow as much as I can.

Thanks for stopping by. Do come back again and keep an open mind.

Magazine Files from Cereal Boxes

It's been quite some time since I've made a post it seems.

 How to make magazine files using cereal boxes. You can find all sorts of things to do on Youtube. I look for stuff and I may modify it to suit my needs or make the process easier.

I've chosen to take the cereal box and measure how low to cut the front depending on the size of the magazine and how much you would like to expose. If it's a large cereal box, you can measure the height of the magazine and cut to size. Once I decide which magazine will go into the file, I measure the sides. I draw lines from the top down to where I would like the height of the front to be for viewing the magazine spine.

 Using a box cutter or Xacto knife, I cut from the top down on each side of what will be the front. 3" to 6" depending on the size of thecereal box is a good height for the magazines. Fold back inside of the file to create added support to make the file sturdy. You can fold the sides inward at an angle or cut them with the box cutter or Xacto knife from back to front. If the back is too high, use the same technique as you did for the front. Cut on each side until you have reached the desired height and fold inward for added support.

Take two sheets of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper of your choosing. Keeping the same design makes for a more professional store bought look. Wrap the sheets around the box to measure. If the box is large you will want to make sure you cut the paper in large strips so you will have the access to fill in the gaps. I prefer to glue the box as well as the paper. Don't put to much because you don't want it to be wet and cause the paper to buckle. I prefer Elmer's Glue-All Multi Purpose Glue. Smooth out the paper so you have an exact fit. Now if you are using the large cereal box, you can use the scrap piece of paper first or you can lay it over after you have put the other two sheets in place. Depending on the ceral box and the color of paper you are using, you may choose to just leave it. It's your file, you can do whatever you feel like doing. I prefer to glue one section at a time. This way you can see if you need to make modifications.

Use clothes pins or clamps to keep paper in position. Smooth paper from bottom to top or from front to back or vice versa depending on which part you are working on. By doing a section at a time you can place the file on its side and put a heavy weight inside to make sure the glue is bonding. You can finish the project in a few hours or if you have a craft room you can take longer making sure it is absolutely perfect.

If you try this project let me know how it comes out.

Images taken with my phone

Just thought I would share some images. I've not been able to get my pictures into a program to mark them so I am reluctant to post them. Well that didn't work. Sorry.

The Ramblings of an Artist- Art edition 1

I can't believe its been over a year since I've posted here. Having three blogs off different subjects yet all tied in to each other sometimes I can't access this blog from certain devices.
I will do better and work on some new projects and revisit some old ones.
With all the social media around I just take a break from different areas until I feel as if I have something to say.

The library has become my source for art. Educating and discovering new artists and things that hey have done that are of interest to me.

Because art covers more than one area, my film blog gets the movies, films and documentaries and Open Your Mind that is my main blog, sometimes they cross over and I need to include this blog in that conversation as well.

I've been off for a few weeks now and I am trying to get inspired to draw again. Perhaps even do some painting. I did do some photographs of myself that I want to eventually post. I've been trying to get back into the fashion side of my art and using myself as I am looking for people of a certain age that are still fashionable. The focus is for people 50 and up, but still there are some younger people with an eclectic fashion sense.

I went to see a movie about the incredible fashion designer Alexander McQueen. I didn't know his history, I just loved his designs and the presentation in the fashion shows. He was a genius and he was not afraid to go after something. Once people realized what he had, they went after him. He continued to create his own designs as well as putting out the collections for Givenchy. It was not easy on him and eventually he just couldn't take it any more.

Earlier this week I saw a documentary called Dior and I which was about the house of Dior bringing in a new designer to work on the Haute Couture collection. It's very entertaining as well as colorful and insightful.

Save the date

The new Austin public library will open on October 28, 2017. Save the date.
Here are some pictures I took one night while walking back to my vehicle.

Million Dollar Quartet

Currently at ZACH in the Topfer Theatre on the Karen Kurkendall stage is The Million Dollar Quartet. The play is directed by Dave Steakley, ZACH's Artistic Director. Music direction is by Allen Robertson. The assistant director is Thomas Debello. Scenic designer is Adam Koch, Associate designer is Steven Royal. Costume designer is Jeffery Meek, Hair and Make up is Serret Jensen. Lights designer Matthew Webb, Sound designer Craig Brock, Properties designers Steve Baglio and Courtney Strong, Stage manager Cate Tucker and Assistant stage manager Megan Smith and LTO production manager Dawn Drake.

It's a full team effort to pull off such a great production of this magnitude.

Million Dollar Quartet takes place on one cold December night in 1956 at Sun Records recording studio. Before the production I wasn't really familiar with Carl Perkins. Of course, I was familiar with his songs just not knowing he had written them.

(Corbin Mayer)

 The reason was that other artists recorded his songs such as Elvis doing Blue Suede Shoes. Times were different back then. Billy Cohen plays Carl Perkins.

(Billy Cohen)

 Johnny Cash is played by Corbin Mayer, Cole plays Elvis Presley, and Gavin Rohrer plays Jerry Lee Lewis who in my opinion steals the show.

(Gavin Rohrer)

 Jeff Jeffers plays Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records and the man that brings the singers together. Thee are people who just have an eye and ear for talent and that was Sam Phillips.

(Cole)

Emily Farr plays Dyanne, Adam Egizi plays Carl's brother Jay and Zachary Yanez plays Fluke. Adam does things with the bass that are extraordinary. Talk about making love to an instrument.

(Zachary Yanez)

(Jeff Jeffers)

(Adam Egizi)

(Emily Farr)

The images were all taken during dress rehearsal.

www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com
www.ArtbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
http://psychedmaster.org

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. Do return to see where the journey leads.

Sunday at Umlauf with Ian

(The greatest form of flattery)

I first met Ian in a production of Mary Poppins at ZACH Theatre. I thought he had great facial features and then I saw him dance. I had taken a few pictures and I thought it would be interesting to photograph a dancer at various locations around Austin. I'm always thinking art and fashion when I decide to create art.

(Incredible height, the grace of a dancer)

(Inspiration from the sculpture)

There are many people I want to photograph, but the timing isn't always right. Sometimes I'm available and they aren't and vice versa. It has taken, months or years before I was able to photograph someone, but it was definitely worth the wait. I do my best to get to know the people I'm interested in photographing. I know what works as far as attire and I have an idea of how to set up the perfect shot.

(Ian in Mary Poppins, this is where we first met)

Ian told me when he would be available and we went from there. There was only one draw back, he was about to have shoulder surgery and I didn't want him to injure himself for the sake of my art.
I was quite impressed with what we had to work with. The first location was going to be The Hope Gallery, also known as Grafitti Park, but there were too many people. In the past when I was going to use tthis loccation I went right after church and there were a lot of people.

(The artist gets in on the act, using a secondary camera and a timer.)

My second location was at ZACH to photograph Ian against the blue wall and the glass along the ramp. I usually insert myself into some of the images using two cameras and a timer. They images looked good, but I wouldn't know for sure until I would look at them on the computer.
As most people know, I am not one for photoshopping images. I like capturing what my eye sees and if it doesn't come out right I work on it. I  like using natural light and making my subject as comfortable as possible. That's what makes the photographs beautiful works of art.

(When dealing with models you have to remind them to bring certain things. Ian was prepared with props, shoes and clothing choices. Doesn't get an easier than that.)

My next location was the Umlauf sculpture garden. This was going to be my first time going there as was Ian's. I really didn't know what the place would look like and I really had nothing in mind other than to have Ian strike dance poses among the sculptures.

(After looking at this image, it made me think of the film Footloose and the hat stays on)

I mentioned to Ian how I felt dancers, athletes and construction workers make for the best models. They don't really need much guidance and are used to flexing their muscles. I prefer using people who have never modeled before because the shots or so much more organic and I make it a point to do most of the work when I get a great pose.

Everything at Umlauf was impromptu. As I saw a sculpture or location I'd give Ian a few minutes to get set up and then I would start shooting. Sometimes as he was in a stretching pose or a little warm up before a leap or an extension. Striking the same pose as a sculpture...

I really enjoyed this photo shoot. Once he heals perhaps I'll have the opportunity to photograph him and his wife who is also a dancer.

www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com
www.ArtbyDlonzo.blogspot.com
http://psychedmaster.org

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. Do return to see where the journey leads.