Migrating digital art to new design site
I’ve been working hard to build a new site dedicated to my web design and digital art work. I’m still working on some of the details, but the Digital Art Galleries are up and running. I’m offering web design, search engine optimization, custom digital artwork & gift items, and business coaching. If you enjoy 3D art, fractal art, or digital paintings, check it out over at my Custom Design and Digital Art blog.
Between building the new site, and figuring out all the new WP v2.6 bugs, I’ve hardly had time to play some of the new games that have come out. I did find the time to finish “Fitness Frenzy” though, it was a nice break from all the coding work I was doing. I’ll be posting more about that as soon as I’ve caught up on some much needed sleep. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a fun game to pass the time, Fitness Frenzy is worth the download!
Tags: business coaching, digital art galleries, Fitness Frenzy, fractal art, games, offering web design, search engine optimization, wpRelated posts
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Digital art and casual games are good for you!
Digital art and casual pc games; it seems like such an odd couple, doesn’t it? I’ve been struggling with maintaining focus here on this blog, but often find myself torn between my two greatest loves… digital art creation and casual pc games. After reading a recent article citing survey results by a casual game development company, I think I’ve reached a better understanding of why these two seemingly unrelated topics remain my focus, and obsession.
Fully 94% of disabled players of casual games said they believe playing casual games “provides physical or mental benefits” — compared to 80% of casual game players overall. The most common benefits cited by disabled gamers (when asked to choose as many as applied) were stress relief (81%), mood lifting (69%), distraction from issues related to disability (66%), improved concentration (59%) and mental workouts (58%). Interestingly, the top benefits varied significantly based on the type of disability; the top three benefits by disability type were:
• Physical: Stress relief (84%) and distraction from issues related to disability (73%)
• Mental: Stress relief (87%) and mood-lifting (78%)
• Developmental/Learning: Improved concentration (79%) and improved coordination/manual dexterity (73%)
As a mother of teenage twins, who is dealing with the chronic pain of nerve damage due to a car accident, I guess you could say I’ve got stress and physical disability pretty much covered LOL. The distraction of the casual pc games has gotten me through more than one sleepless nights, and sometimes it’s the only thing that can take my mind off the pain. Creating a digital painting, or delving into a detail oriented 3D render requires so much concentration that the pain, as well as the hours, just seem to slip away.
Both activities (playing the pc games and creating digital art) have also helped to keep the nerve damage from eating up whatever mobility I have left. So, perhaps I should consider my game playing and art a form of therapy, both physical and mental? Maybe, but in the meantime, I’m not going to stress over the duality of content here on this blog. Casual pc games and digital art are my two favorite things to do, and they both serve more than one purpose. Obviously.
While I understand that everyone may not be interested in creating artwork with digital graphics programs, I would encourage anyone experiencing stress, or a long recovery or illness to try their hand at today’s casual pc games. Even a stroll through an online art gallery (like mine at DeviantArt.com) can lift your mood, or at least distract you for a while.
I find it comforting to know that I have the alternative relief of games if the creativity just isn’t there for creating artwork. On the other hand, when I become frustrated with a game, then it’s good to know I can open up my graphics programs and channel that emotion into a new piece, as I did tonight with the graphic at the top of this post. 
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Vampy studio pose
While trying out new props and models in my Poser runtime, I sometimes come up with interesting combinations. The “Vampirella” outfit, placed on a Vampy character, in a studio pose within an ancient Egyptian setting is just one example. As you’ll see below, I also wound up practicing my hair painting. As you’ll also see, I still need a lot of practice in the hair painting department. 
Vamp Glamour by *webwenchginger on deviantART
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Fractal art and wallpapers
I went through a bit of a “fractal” phase recently, and thought it was about time I updated this site with some samples. If you’re interested in viewing my entire art gallery, visit my DeviantArt page here. I offer some of my work as prints, coffee mugs, magnets and postcards… if you’d like to check out my print shop, visit this link.
In an effort to keep the load time of this blog to a minimum, I’ve included the sample images below. To view the larger versions, simply click the art work to be brought to my gallery… there is a “zoom” link in the left column which will enlarge the pictures. Read the rest of this entry »
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Bad weather makes for lots of new Digital Art
Well, I may not have been posting here a lot, but I have been busy creating all kinds of new Digital Art! With all the rain we’ve had, it’s not like I could be out on the bike with Hubby anyway… this weather KILLS my back, and I’m pretty immobile for the most part… so digital art is how I pass the time till the sun’s shining again! All the “guys” were out in the garage all weekend fixing and fabricating parts and add ons for their bikes… if they can’t ride, they’re workin’ on ‘em! LOL I’ll have to remember to take a pic of the Road Glide to post here.
Not only does my online gallery include 3d art, but I’ve added digital painting & airbrushing… and a new addiction of mine, Fractal Art. I’ve been using PhotoShop CS3 almost exclusively for painting, postwork and editing. I’ve pretty much switched over to Poser 7, instead of DAZ too (the render engine in Poser is nicer to my computer!). The newest addition to my graphics software collection is Ultra Fractal, which was the result of my discovering another fractal program, Apophysis.
I’ve always been a fan of fractal artwork, but never thought I could actually produce them myself. I’ve got a lot to learn about making the type of fractals I enjoy most, but it’s the learning process that I enjoy the most. 
I’ve included a few of my most recent creations here for you, after the break. If you’re interested in seeing more, visit the main gallery here, and notice the categories of different types of art on the right hand side. Enjoy!
For previews without leaving this site, click here –> Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 3D, 3D Illustrations, 3d scene, DeviantArt, digital, Digital Art, digital painting, fractal art, fractal program, gallery, graphics software, Home life, morgan lefay, painting, PhotoShop, photoshop cs3, Poser, ultra fractal, workRelated posts
Spring Infusion for your desktop
We’re having a cold, and very rainy Spring here in Upstate NY, so I found myself inviting Spring with some colorful fantasy artwork. She’s the Spring Fairy, who simply breathes Spring into the air for all of us to enjoy! Below the wallpaper preview below, (click it to view full size), there is another wallpaper pack with three screen sizes. Enjoy!
Spring Infusion WP by =webwenchginger on deviantART
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Free fantasy art wallpapers!
I haven’t been posting here because I’ve been elbow deep in my graphics programs! I finally managed to put together a piece of fantasy art that inspired me to create a package of wallpapers for us to use as our computer desktops! The first piece below is the original art, which I used Poser 7 and PhotoShop CS3 to create. The second piece is the Wallpaper pack, so click through on that one to download the free goodies! The third piece is just a little portrait I did while playing around in Poser. Enjoy them, and tell all your friends about them! LOL
Note: To view these pieces in their original sizes, click on them. You will be taken to my online gallery at DeviantArt.com… from there, you just click the preview picture to see the “zoomed” version. Constructive criticism is always welcome! *saying “she’s kind of ugly” is NOT constructive… and I probably meant for it to be ugly if that’s your first thought… remember that I specialize in dark and/or fantasy art. Ex: A vampire that’s about to feed probably isn’t going to be the most attractive being. 
There’s a spell brewing by *webwenchginger on deviantART
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Vampire Fashion Contest
I continue to plug along learning how to use Poser, PhotoShop CS3 and my wacom tablet, and am having fun doing so. There’s SO much to learn. Through the process, I found out that I really need to update my graphics card to use the lighting effects I’m hoping to incorporate.
The piece below is something I did for a contest over on DeviantArt.com… Enjoy!
VampFashionShootHauntedMansion by *webwenchginger on deviantART
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Still learning new stuff
Let’s see… in the past couple of weeks I’ve gotten three new graphics programs, two sets of video tutorials for learning how to use them… and very little sleep as a result LOL. I’m really glad I finally went and got some of the stuff I’ve needed for a while. I consider it all “reinvesting” in my business… (and it’s all tax deductible, who am I kidding here lol). Along with the tablet (I’ve so needed that), I’m really able to use all the traditional art skills I learned so many years ago. It may be digital, but it feels good to be painting again. The First picture below is the result of my learning to paint the hair on the figures I render in Poser and DazStudio. Click here to get an idea of how they start out, before painting (it’s a shot of the same figure before painting, just as she came out of Daz).
Late again by *webwenchginger on deviantART
WordPress came out with a new version, so I’ll be updating the ‘ol journal today. If things get a little weird here, that’s why. The twins are in a play, so I’ll be busy watching their performances for the next couple of nights. Rehearsals are over… Yay! LOL My Mom and Gramma Julie are going to be there tomorrow night, so there’ll be four generations together again. How cool is that?
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Weekends go by so fast
This weekend went by so fast I can’t even believe it! Friday night we went out to dinner and it snowed! What a tease the weather is this time of year… mid fifties during the day, then snow and freezing rain at night. Enough already, we want to go riding! I spent some time this weekend watching Poser 7 tutorial videos, which are a huge help. I’m still waiting for my PhotoShop CSIII disk to come, but in the meantime I did render some new stuff, and played with the new tablet. It’s taking some getting used to, I’ll say that much. There’s a new version of WordPress out already. I’m *so* not ready to deal with that! Sleep now.
BlondeDeco by *webwenchginger on deviantART
