deviantART: by:silveriss

deviantART: by:silveriss http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:silveriss&section=today deviantART RSS for by:silveriss en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:46:43 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png I live... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/27759603/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/27759603/ Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:31:58 PDT
]]> *silveriss Over 6000 Page Views? http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/27117469/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/27117469/ Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:06:37 PDT
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Texture by `Princess-of-Shadows ]]> *silveriss I have accomplished quite a bit, actually. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/26735761/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/26735761/ Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:17:21 PDT
So far I've actually applied for one nice job in Delta, Ohio. Got no clue how I fair in the running. I have no idea what the competition is. I think I'm pretty qualified for the job. It's another municipal position. It has better pay than this one. We shall see.

SoÂ what should I do with my weekend? IÂm thinking about going to the Perennial Garden over in Colonial Park. The Rose Garden should be pretty nice as well if the weather hasnÂt gotten to the roses. ThatÂs about the only thing that I think IÂd really like to do this weekend. Of course, walking in the gardens would be largely dependant on whether or not the hurricane causes us severe weather problems. I havenÂt been back to the Perennial Garden in years. ThatÂs definitely going to have to be corrected.

I wonder if Colonial Park will look nice in the fall. We got a little washed out with color last year. IÂm hoping that this year the leaves look better. Two years ago the leaves just dried up when it came to Autumn. That was not cool. I love taking my photographs in the fall.

You know, I wish I could spend my life just wandering the country taking pictures. I love photography. I would be immeasurably happy if I could just do landscape and nature photography for the rest of my life. However, since I canÂt seem to sell my photographs I certainly canÂt pay my bills off of them and therefore canÂt live off of my photography. ItÂs really sad. ItÂs so incredibly difficult to break into the art field as a source of income, let alone as your primary source of income. ItÂs why most of the artists IÂve met, photographers, illustrators, graphic designers and others, all have regular jobs and do their art as either a secondary source of income or a hobby.

I wonder if anyone reading this journal would be interested in purchasing my artwork. If yes, what holds you back? If not, then perhaps you could explain why there too? IÂm just curious. This is by no means some sort of solicitation. IÂm wondering if IÂm doing something wrong or if thereÂs a better way.

One day I think IÂm going to get a booth in one of those craft shows to see if I can sell my artwork there. That would be really nice. I know a lot of people like to see what they wish to purchase in person or even hold it in their hands before they buy it. It might actually help me sell my work if I get a bunch of it printed up and sell it at a show. But production costs have always held me backÂ and costs of the booth too.

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Background image by ~JaedenDak ]]> *silveriss My To-Do List http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/25960688/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/25960688/ Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:52:23 PDT Watch me Note me Journal Instructions

I need to keep this list short or I'll overwhelm myself and I won't get any of it done. I've been horrible like that for months. So this is my new approach.

1 - Update Resume
2 - Choose locations I would like to live. (These are just examples to give myself some place to start. I'm open to any and all suggestions.)
3 - Search these areas for jobs. (Preferably something outside or with connection to the outside and possibly utilizing my BFA in Graphic Design, Specialization in Illustration and/or Minor in Art History.)
4 - Search for a place to live. (Apartment or condo.)
5 - Compare jobs with living expenses.

I'm willing to llive just about anywhere but I'd prefer to avoid large cities. I like wide-open spaces and small towns. It's really the big reason why I want to get out of New Jersey.

So... one step at a time. - Resume first.

On another note, life's been okay for me. I still have my job for now even if it is stressful. I have my health and I've been in contact with friends. I'm just largely discontent with my life and would like to start living now rather than having to wait until I retire... if that ever happens.

Note to self: Make Facebook page.

Still... RESUME FIRST!

]]> *silveriss Finally... Just a little downtime... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/25354227/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/25354227/ Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:22:02 PDT Watch me Note me Journal Instructions

I probably shouldnÂt be writing this right now but, I have a little bit of time on my hands and this needs to get done. IÂve owed everyone an update for a while now.

First and foremost, many thanks to everyone to offered their prayers and well-wishes. I do have a job. More specifically, I was recalled to my job. My Union did a wonderful job of preserving my job for at least another year. I am not unemployed. I can breathe a large sigh of relief over that one.

On the other hand, being unemployed would have put some time on my hands. For some odd reason, ever since this mess started back on April 30th, IÂve actually had to deal with more stuff rather than less. ItÂs funny. I get really busy once IÂm hit with a lay-off letter. I think it was remarkably unfair of them to make me come to work while I waited for the results of all the bumping and restructuring and still have them dump more work on me than ever. The stress IÂve been going through for the past month and a half has been through the roof. ItÂs only now starting to ease off. And donÂt get me wrong, everyone in the building was affected. Morale in the Municipal Building was at an all-time low. Lay-offs like that are terribly disruptive to a Township.

And thatÂs all I really have to say about that. IÂm sort of taking the hint and looking for a new job. If youÂre reading this and see anything productive for clerical staff with a BFA in Graphic Design, a specialization in Illustration and a minor in Art History, please send a job description my way. IÂm actually looking to get out of the state of New Jersey. WeÂre expected to get another series of lay-offs next year and I may not be able to dodge the bullet.

As for the second thing thatÂs hit me lately, my brotherÂs home from Iraq. After nearly a year serving there in the National Guard, my brother has finally come home. IÂm more than thrilled to have him home. However, spending time with him has been eating a great deal of my time. ThereÂs a lot of stuff he wants to catch up on and I get dragged along for the ride. Just this Sunday I had to finally put my foot down and tell him I had to do other things. He was horribly disappointed. I appeased him by playing World of Warcraft with him. It was a compromise.

IÂve had other business that IÂve had to take care of as well. I had to renew my driverÂs license and IÂm preparing for a small trip to visit a bunch of friends in two weeks. I donÂt want to bore everyone with the other little domestic duties that have cropped up throughout all of this. Apparently my mother has decided that I am also a home and garden redecorator. SheÂs constantly asking for my opinion on what she should do with either a room in the house or the flower beds outside. IÂm rather flattered.
I need a vacation from my life. ~.~Â

Finally, IÂve been fighting with my depression like crazy. Stress usually brings out the worst of my depression and the job situation has been horribly stressful. That generally destroys my creativity though I have to say my mathematical abilities skyrocket. ItÂs weird. ItÂs like my brain flicks some kind of switch and I go from being emotional and creative to logical and scientific. I much prefer the first. It makes me feel more like myself. The fact that it hasnÂt stopped raining here in New Jersey since the beginning of June hasnÂt helped my depression either. Things are starting to clear up here, in both the atmosphere and my life. IÂm hopeful for the future.

]]> *silveriss The Crisis Continues... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/24598823/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/24598823/ Tue, 05 May 2009 10:10:40 PDT
It's the waiting and not-knowing if I have a job that's the worst for me (even if it's not the one I've been doing all this time). It's bad for all of us. No one knows if they're going to be removed from their job. It wasn't just low totem pole people that lost their positions. Some pretty high ups lost theirs as well and they get premium bumping rights. That means that it's a free-for-all here in Franklin Township.

Plus, they are looking for more lay-offs next year. Even if I have a job at the end of this, I may not be able to dodge the bullet next year. I'm going to start looking for a new job one way or another. This might be a sign to get out of Dodge. This place is going to pot.

Just to put this into perspective: 20 full-time positions were laid off. 8 part time positions were laid off. These lay-offs include the Deputy Township Clerk, the Deputy Tax Assessor, 3/5 of the Clerk's office, the entire clerical staff of Fire Prevention along with 3 part-time fire inspectors, one IT person, one Police clerical position, one member of engineering, one person in Community Assistance (Welfare), one tax collection clerk, one payroll clerk, among others. There were other lay-offs in other departments as well. This consists in at least a 20% reduction in a work force that barely scrapes by as it is.

It is my understanding that they intend on doing a massive restructuring of the Township staff.

I can understand it from a taxpayer's perspective in that these economic times are hard and the government must look to cut costs and save money wherever they can but I do have to point out that taxpayers are going to have to get over this idea that the work is going to get done as quickly and efficiently as it is now. From the complaints we currently get, the taxpayers (I too am a taxpayer of my Township, by the way) believe that Township employees do nothing for high salaries. If 20 positions had to be removed to cut a mere 1.5 Million from a budget worth Billions, then these positions are not actually making that much money. Be aware that much of that 1.5 Million was already removed from other expenses to try to limit how many positions ultimately had to be cut.

To put the average salary into perspective: The annual fireworks display costs roughly 20,000. That's approximately 2/3 to 3/4 of my Annual Salary. That's just for one evening from approximately 4:30 to 10:00. I actually don't make enough money to afford the lowest cost of Low-Income Housing in my Township. I'm an average employee. I don't know the breakdown of my medical benefits but I can assure you that they aren't as high or cushy as everyone seems to think. I'm not "fully covered" as everyone seems to believe. Those kinds of unconditional benefits went out the door 20 years ago.

Thanks for reading... I better get back to work now... Ironically.

]]> *silveriss Everything's in Flux. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/24584799/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/24584799/ Mon, 04 May 2009 14:03:32 PDT
]]> *silveriss Um... Yeah... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/23719347/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/23719347/ Sun, 15 Mar 2009 19:55:34 PDT
No, I haven't had a chance to accomplish much in the way of artwork lately.

Office Update: Pretty much done. I have two things I want to add but I need to save money for the one. The other can't go up until the first does.

Life Update: Doing far too much trying to catch up after the time I took to clean up all the crap in my office. I have a plan to redo my bedroom as well but that's not going to happen until next month or so. I don't think that will take as long. I do need to reorganize though.

I'm going to the Grand Canyon March 28 to April 4. I will eventually have pictures. (I do have more pictures of Niagara Falls and I will get them up. I just need some time.)

Of course, none of this will ever happen if I die of a heart attack. I need to take some time off. My blood pressure has risen so badly I almost have a permanent tick at the corner of my mouth. I am not pleased.

I have taken myself off of caffeine almost completely. I was addicted.

]]> *silveriss I'm getting a new studio/office... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/23089257/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/23089257/ Sun, 08 Feb 2009 18:21:55 PST
So... don't expect any artwork from me any time soon. I will be photographing old stuff to prepare it for storage though. That might actually show up here.

]]> *silveriss I need to toss in my two cents. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/22719670/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/22719670/ Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:59:07 PST [link] and a response [link] regarding "slash" in the Transformers fandom. I felt I needed to toss in my two cents.

First: Canon

In "The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Official Guidebook Volume 2" the forward clearly discusses the discrepancies between the various Transformers continuities. To paraphrase the forward, there is no strict continuity in the Transformers Universe but they're working on ironing one out.

Second: What are the Transformers?

Are they robots? Are they cybernetic life forms? Are they something else? Perhaps sparks? It's all about your interpretation of the series and which parts you want to use to make your own "canon".

Everyone seems to be of the agreement that Transformers are life forms of some sort. So, let's go to basic life science 101. In order to be classified as a life form you must adhere to the defined life processes. These include: Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition.

Movement: Pretty self explanatory.

Respiration: "processes leading to, and including the chemical breakdown (oxidation) of food materials to provide energy for life " - the chemical breakdown and use of fuel (energon will suffice though I've seen other ingredients used)

Sensitivity: Basically the ability to react to your environment

Growth: to learn, evolve, expand upon an already existing state

Reproduction: Self-replication - the biological process by which new individual organisms are produced.

Reproduction is a fundamental feature of all known life; each individual organism exists as the result of reproduction. The known methods of reproduction are broadly grouped into two main types: sexual and asexual. (Please note that Biology means the "study of life" and does not actually hold a connotation that demands an organism be made of "organic" material. Organism means "is a living thing" and does not necessarily mean it's made of "organic" material.)

Excretion: To remove waste from the body. - Please note that all fuel leaves behind some residue. As it pertains to machines; you have to change out used batteries, you have to change out used oil, etc.

Nutrition: the process of feeding. - actually fueling, taking in energon.

So, yes, the Transformers can be classified as life forms.

Third: Reproduction

I don't care how you allow a Transformer to reproduce. Vector Sigma, Sparking, Assembly Plant, the All Spark. Each of these are "valid". Personally, I've come to notice that only self-contained reproduction is considered appropriate when referring to the 8 life processes. That means, a life form needs to be able to produce a new, individual life without having an outside influence being necessary. That means that Vector Sigma is merely "cloning". That's not technically creating new life. That's copying already existing life. (At least that's how I've come to understand what Vector Sigma did in the G1 series. I never saw the computer used for Transformer creation in any other series.) The All Spark produces new life but doesn't reproduce already existing life. Technically, anything created by the All Spark can be classified as a new species.

*shrugs* Make of it what you will.

Please note that while cloning does create a new physical being, it needs a source material to actually be copied from. That source material generally had to create itself through self-contained means.

Fourth: Sexuality and Gender

Definition:
1 a: a subclass within a grammatical class (as noun, pronoun, adjective, or verb) of a language that is partly arbitrary but also partly based on distinguishable characteristics (as shape, social rank, manner of existence, or sex) and that determines agreement with and selection of other words or grammatical forms b: membership of a word or a grammatical form in such a subclass c: an inflectional form showing membership in such a subclass
2 a: sex b: the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex

"Male" and "female" are sexually based genders.

You can not have a sexually based gender without a perception of sexuality. You will not have a perception of sexuality without sex. Sexually based gender is specifically created to define a role in the reproduction of an organism. I don't care what you call a sexually based gender (female, male, femme, mech), the point of a sexually based gender is to serve a specific function in the reproduction of a species. A sexually based gender is based on the necessity of... ]]> *silveriss Um... Happy New Year. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/22454477/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/22454477/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:04:41 PST
I got an easel for Christmas and my office is slowly working on gaining a makeover. My workspace should be more useful in the near future.

Good: New work environment means better chance of getting some stuff done. The new easel means I may actually start painting again. I've been rather missing it.

Bad: This is going to take a while. Consider me on hiatus until the work is done so don't expect to see any of that new stuff I promised until March or April.

My depression has been up and down. It's stress related and sensitive. To top that I have seasonal depression something awful this year. At least the office make-over will help keep me busy until winter passes.

]]> *silveriss Merry Christmas... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/22145169/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/22145169/ Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:39:10 PST
Anyway, everyone have a merry Christmas or whatever equivalent holiday you celebrate. ^^"

]]> *silveriss A promise of things to come. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/21361664/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/21361664/ Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:32:45 PST
To celebrate this momentous occasion I have planned to do... nothing really. Life goes on as usual. Work has been busy for the past month with preparations for the election on November 4. My day job has not completely blocked my creativity but it certainly hampered the completion of a lot of things I intended to finish. On the other hand I've been sick as a dog on and off for the last month or so. That HAS hampered my creativity. Being creative with your mind drugged out of existence is not fun. I'm recovering now and only taking a few things on and off for the cough I can't seem to get rid of. I have been active on the photography front. I have a lot of Autumn pictures to sort through and work out. I know I still have the Niagara Falls shots to get up as well. I've also come to the conclusion that I would like to put up a few pics of my dogs. They'll be some of the few personal pieces I put up. I just haven't had much time to get much done. That will soon change. I have a week coming up around the end of the month (Thanksgiving Week) that I've taken off and my plans that week are to get up some of my better photographs so an influx of work should be presented then.

]]> *silveriss Getting close to 5000... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/21092727/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/21092727/ Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:03:15 PDT
I'm starting to get over my cold. Cold's totally suck.

]]> *silveriss I don't feel well... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/20952413/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/20952413/ Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:42:54 PDT
]]> *silveriss Great Goggily-Moogily. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/20497133/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/20497133/ Sun, 14 Sep 2008 21:03:04 PDT
Niagara Falls was fabulous! I have to get some of my photos up. Just a warning though, the night shots are actually heavily photoshopped. I'm not ashamed to admit it. The light pollution at night is horrific there!

]]> *silveriss Yes, I still live... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/19959578/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/19959578/ Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:20:41 PDT
Art related news...

I got a new MacBook Pro. Hopefully increased mobility will allow me to get more art done.

I got Adobe CS3. Hopefully I'll love this set of programs as much as I loved CS2.

That's pretty much it. I have a ton of photos I need to primp up and get ready. It's been slow going. Again, hopefully the increased mobility will help. We'll see.

My LiveJournal is located at [link]

If you're interested in my personal life and all the strange goings-ons that generally tend to happen to me you can go there. Be warned, there are memes there and I only do real updates maybe once a month... maybe. Life is too fast paced to keep talking about it.

]]> *silveriss Twenty Eight. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/19107793/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/19107793/ Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:03:35 PDT
I did get some interesting shots of the fireworks my town held on Friday. I have to download them and probably clean them up a bit. I had to take the shots with a few phone lines in the way. It was annoying but I can work with that.

I wanted to go out to Red Lobster yesterday to celebrate my birthday but... those plans fell through. Oh well. At least I have Friday off this week. I'll be going to a BBQ then. Maybe that will cheer me up and get me out of my funk.

]]> *silveriss Quiet Nostalgia.. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/18598625/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/18598625/ Sat, 31 May 2008 18:58:47 PDT
Ah well...

Work has been evil lately. I mean it's been really, really busy. I look at the calendar and another month has passed. I haven't even been able to keep up with e-mails of all things. Still, I managed to get some stuff done.

Agenda:

1 - ARTWORK!!!
2 - Organize my DA Gallery
3 - Organize my DA Favorites
4 - Finish reading manga, etc.

Yep, I managed to get my passport renewed. I'm all set should I decide to flee the county for some peace and quiet.

I also managed to put in for some vacation time. I didn't get my usual vacation around the Fourth of July. A co-worker managed to claim it before me. Dang. Oh well. I put in for the last two weeks of August. Hopefully that pans out. I didn't have any trouble getting off for Otakon.

Yes, that's right. I will be at Otakon this year. No, I'm not selling any artwork there. Still, if someone wants something give me a note. If you want to meet me there... give me a note. If you just want to give me a note, give me a note.

In spite of my nostalgia I feel pretty good.

Apparently I write rather well too because someone asked me to beta read some work over on Fanfiction.net. Strange. We'll see.

]]> *silveriss Updated Agenda... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/17783518/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/17783518/ Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:04:41 PDT
Agenda:

1 - Start planning Vacations (Otakon's a big one I gotta work on)
2 - ARTWORK!!!
3 - Organize my DA Gallery
4 - Organize my DA Favorites
5 - Finish reading manga, etc.
6 - Renew Passport (Gotta stop putting this off)

I probably won't be exhibiting in the Clothesline Exhibit this year. The new rules state that Township Employees are ineligible to win prizes. I don't think I can even get any kind of official recognition. What's the point? I'd rather go on vacation than sit in the blazing hot sun for hours to have people manhandling my artwork only so that I can't even get a nod in my direction. I can still showcase my work for a month in the Public Library for free and there's always putting it up here. I just don't really need the hassle without some kind of "reward". I'm not talking about prizes either. I'm talking about recognition. I want people to recognize my work. I don't want my work to be segregated and discounted solely because I'm a Township Employee!

I better stop before I get mad.

I don't like what this new rule implies. If someone turns around and tells me that I only won my awards in the previous two years because I'm a Township Employee I'm going to viciously insulted.

Just a reminder:
[link] won the "Deputy Mayor's Award" in 2006
and
[link] won "Best in Show" in 2007

I think they are both wonderful pieces and I have a lot of love for both of them. I was tickled pink when it seemed like someone shared this view of them. It didn't even cross my mind that the Judge or Deputy Mayor might be biased. That entire idea just pisses me off.

]]> *silveriss What happened to March...? *blinks* http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/17610796/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/17610796/ Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:30:05 PDT
Of course... part of me really wishes March didn't happen. I've lost a good friend to my family without any explanation. My dad's partner of 13 years died of a self-inflicted gun-shot wound to the head. No one knows how or why. No one can truly determine if it was accidental or suicide. I'm so sick of even thinking about it that I've literally made myself sick upon occasion. I've lost my appetite, my ability to sleep...

Then there are the peripheral deaths... Friend of friends dying and all that. Too many of them happened this month. On top of that a coworker of mine is under investigation for viewing kiddie porn. He swears up and down that he was not. He wasn't exactly cosher in what he was doing on his computer but he says it wasn't as bad as kiddie porn. I don't know what to make of that one either.

Allergies have been kickin' my butt too.

Then there's my Municipal Clerk's Classes. I have a test on Wednesday. I'll have to be taking off to study for that soon.

So March is gone. Part of me wish I can do the month all over again. Another part of me says "Good riddance".

So... back to work now.

Agenda:

1 - Study
2 - Homework Assignment
3 - Finish reading manga, etc.
4 - Renew Passport (Gotta stop putting this off)
5 - Start planning Vacations (Otakon's a big one I gotta work on)
6 - ARTWORK (the Franklin Township Clothesline Exhibition is only three months away)

]]> *silveriss Just cause I need to change this... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/17588948/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/17588948/ Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:58:46 PDT
]]> *silveriss It's been about a week... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/16946883/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/16946883/ Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:47:37 PST
Thank you all for your concern. They really uplifted my spirits.

]]> *silveriss I'm very sick... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/16869474/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/16869474/ Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:44:54 PST
*crawls back into bed after taking more medication.*

]]> *silveriss I was tagged... Weird. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/16704941/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/16704941/ Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:45:50 PST [link]

I usually don't do these sort of things but, in the spirit of cooperation, here goes:

This thing was started by [link]
The rules are:
1. Post these rules
2. Each person tagged must post 8 random facts about themselves
3. Tags should write a journal/ blog of these facts
4. At the end of the post 8 more persons are tagged and named
5. Go to their page and leave a comment telling them they're tagged

-----------------------------

1. I work for the Clerk's Office of my hometown.

2. I have 2 dogs, one husky, one yellow lab.

3. I have been obsessed with art since I first learned to pick up a pencil and do more with it than bang it on the table.

4. I collect all manners of edged weapons such as swords, daggers, knives, etc.

5. I like to hike and that's actually where I get my best photography done.

6. I'm a Clinical Depressant which only gets worse with Seasonal Depression.

7. I love sugar and chocolate but not necessarily in that order.

8. I apparently have a green thumb for all things potted but I can't grow an outdoor plant for the life of me.

I tag... No-one. Have fun Odysseus. Try not to piss off any more oceanic gods. (My imagination extends only as far as film and paper.)

]]> *silveriss Almost... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/16271339/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/16271339/ Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:59:55 PST
I do have a nice dragon I'm working on. It's slow going. I've been more in the mood for writing lately. I'm mostly working on that in my off time. *shrugs* Don't expect to ever see any of that drivel up here. ^^"

Later...

Update: The Powers That Be have decided that I was procrastinating too much. The web site I was playing around in crashed today so I had to do some artwork instead. *chuckles* At least now I'm a little more accomplished than I was earlier...

]]> *silveriss 'Tis the Season. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/15904975/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/15904975/ Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:56:27 PST
This has been put up here mostly because some people have been curious as to where I've been and what I've been up to.

The answer to the first is "the job". The answer to the second is the same. Been really busy with that lately. It destroys my creativity and leaves me exhausted and depressed.

I'm okay, though, because I'm writing.

Now that I've rambled for a bit I'm off again. Later.

]]> *silveriss A little help... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/14580638/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/14580638/ Sun, 28 Oct 2007 14:36:17 PDT
Is anyone willing to help me out? Point me in the right direction? Want to draw my character for me?

If you're interested, drop me a note or reply to this journal entry.

Character: Feedback
Description: Feedback is a super advanced war/deep space air craft. That is to say that he's an advanced jet that can work in both atmosphere and in the void of space. He's a "bonded" pair, meaning that he's got a human pilot that is literally part of him. When he refers to himself it is with the term "We". Feedback is a little insane due to an acute addiction to power (generally in the form of radiation or electricity). It is an addiction, not a desire. He is not insane. Power is like a drug to him. He is one of only five jets made of his design (Alpha Class Solar Destroyer). If he hadn't been an identity on to himself (a sentient life form) he would have been decommissioned as too dangerous.

Physical appearance: Generally like a jet fighter or even something out of Star Wars or the new Transformers movie. However, he has long slender wings with extensions that detract from beneath them to form a second line of wings. Once these extensions are activated a glowing force, looking something like an aurora operates his flight mode and pretty much allows him to perform any type of aerial manuvour in either atmosphere or space. The wings look something like a mix between a tern's wings and a dragonfly's. (Contact me if you need a better description.)

While on the ground Feedback walks on four insect-like legs. The legs are long and the knees are generally higher than his actual height (think a spider). In front and beneath the "nose" two more insect-like arms extend to provide the ability to grip and manipulate objects. These have hands at the end that culminate in two fingers and a thumb. All the fingers end at a point. He also has several more extensions he can use for various things around his body. When either his arms or legs are not in use he folds them seemlessly against his body. His wings can also fold and manuvour like any bird's but they don't attach seemlessly against his body. He has to carry them almost like a butterfly or beetle.

The point of Feedback's design is seemlessness, manuvourability and predator grace. Feedback is a highly capable war machine and is equiped as such. Even his weapons, including two hyper plasma cannons mounted on his back, can seemlessly fold back into the base of his main body. The cockpit and it's fused human are usually not visible as Feedback usually keeps the optical skin of his main body fluid and covering everything (sort of like tinting windows like blast shields.)

If anyone is interested in this character please tell me.

Remember character concept: Feedback-Alpha Class Solar DestroyerÂ©Christine J. Burke 2007

This seems to mark the end of my uncreative stint. Hopefully I'll have some new artwork for you all soon.

Thanks,

Christine J. Burke
aka Silveriss

P.S. I write short stories on the side and Feedback is a character in one of these stories. He has not been completely fleshed out as of yet so his description is still tweakable.

Here's a very rough sketch I've made of my general concept. [link]

Feel free to play with it if you like.

]]> *silveriss I'm sleepy... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/14471675/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/14471675/ Mon, 03 Sep 2007 12:32:59 PDT
I haven't really been feeling up to par all summer. The heat has been robbing me of my desire to do much of anything.

Anyway, I do have some stuff I need to prepare to get up here but it'll be a while before I get it up.

]]> *silveriss Posted. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/13822502/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/13822502/ Sat, 21 Jul 2007 15:11:14 PDT
I don't really have much more to say right now. I still have a ton of photographs from my vacation that I have to get ready to post here. I got some amazing shots in the woods. I'll have them up by the end of the summer but I haven't been feeling well.

I also have plans on going through my older black and whites from college. I still have a bunch there that could really come out here.

Finally, I'm actually working on an illustration. It's an illustration of a hotel of all things. It's one of AirBlue's photographs so I'll just post it here with his permission but it won't be for sale. It's a gorgeous hotel though so it's inspired me. This may be some time to complete. Drawing architecture is a bit off the beaten path for me.

]]> *silveriss I did it! http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/13597508/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/13597508/ Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:56:26 PDT
Anyway, I'm amazed. I really thought at the most I would get an "Honorable Mention"... maybe. I'm really very happy. I mean there was some absolutely amazing art there.

Check out my scraps to see a photo of my award (sort of). I took it on my cell phone. :smirk: ]]> *silveriss I need sleep... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/13517972/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/13517972/ Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:37:11 PDT

I'm feeling better. I just got to see a movie with my family. I was little annoyed at missing the last five minutes of "Live Free or Die Hard" but I got a free movie ticket out of it so I won't complain.

I still have to go to work when I get up in the morning so I'm going to have to scram.

I think all I really wanted to say is that I'm feeling better.

Please give much love to AirBlue for he has lost his camera and needs support.

]]> *silveriss Whoa... 1500 pageviews http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/13381044/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/13381044/ Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:49:28 PDT
I won't be getting to anything for a little while yet. I just lost my grandmother last night...

]]> *silveriss The Last Photo... For Now. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/12967789/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/12967789/ Tue, 15 May 2007 16:26:50 PDT
I don't really have anything else to really report. I'll have to decide among these newest photos which ones I want to put in this year's Exhibition. I can submit up to 6 pieces. I've already decided on putting "Ghost Fish" in this show. It's an older piece but I think it really handles this year's theme well; "Franklin Inspired". I also think I'll put in the "The Tower". I'm thinking on putting in "Autumn Branches", "Autumn Street Leaves" and "The Autumn Path". I'm open to reecommendations though. If anyone has any photos they'd like to see in the Exhibition just leave me a message. I won't be putting in any photos that don't come from Franklin Township though.

I've been woefully uninspired in terms of drawing lately. I have nothing I particularly want to illustrate but I know I need the practice. If anyone is interested in having me do some drawing work for them please feel free to ask me. Just understand that I work full-time so it may take a while to complete any illustrations.

And I suppose that's it for now. Now I have to get back to the bitter reality of having to eat and do laundry and all of that mundane stuff.

]]> *silveriss 2006 Uploaded. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/12957830/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/12957830/ Mon, 14 May 2007 19:15:56 PDT
The square butterfly photo is also available as a set of coasters. Take a look if you're into that sort of thing.

I'm starting to sound like a pushy sales-woman aren't I. I can't help it. One of the greatest compliments I could get on any of my work would be the sale of a print.

Now... time to eat and go to bed. My steady day job must be dealt with once again on the 'morrow. Bleh.

]]> *silveriss Uploading... or Not. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/12944159/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/12944159/ Sun, 13 May 2007 16:42:50 PDT
Anyway, Spring is in full force here in New Jersey and the flowers have been trying to mate with my nose for quite some time. The constant headaches that come with allergy-riddled Spring has been keeping me a bit under the weather but I'm hanging in there.

All of my new stuff are photographs. The two I managed to get up are just a small example of what I have.

Now, I think I need to get some food. I've been working on these all afternoon. ^^

]]> *silveriss Spring is Here. Time to come out of Hibernation. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/12474007/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/12474007/ Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:44:01 PDT
Seriously, I'm awful when it comes to the winter. Not only do I get very busy at work but I also get bad episodes of seasonal depression. I much prefer sleeping my winter away. After I'm done sleeping the winter away spring comes along and I get excited about art again. I'll probably start uploading more stuff soon. I have to get ready for the Town Art Show again. Who knows, maybe I'll win another award this year. We'll see. At least an Honorable Mention would be nice. ^^

Anywho, thanks for baring with me. See you soon.

]]> *silveriss Cleaning Up... http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/11598207/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/11598207/ Sun, 28 Jan 2007 10:30:33 PST
On a slightly different note, I've seriously reduced the prices in my print gallery. If there was anything you wanted but thought it was too expensive please take a look. Some prices have dropped near 75%.

I do have some photographs to clean up and post but they will still take a while. My mundane job is getting in the way of my artistic talent. Ah well, summer will be here again in no time. ^^

]]> *silveriss I've Finally Managed to Update http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/11107143/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/11107143/ Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:57:36 PST
Now, I know I promised to put up pictures of my stuff being displayed at my library. I actually tried to put the photos up these past two weeks but DeviantART wasn't cooperating. I did take them. They are now available in my scraps. Unfortunately, the exhibit is over. Seeing it now will have to be totally through these photos (which I admit are atrocious). The day was far too sunny for photographing through glass.

I have been quite obsessed with playing Final Fantasy XII. I haven't fully enjoyed a game like this in a while. I usually hate doing the side quests, especially if they are long and very detailed. However, the side quests in this game are just as fun as sthe main story. Considering that I've put over 100 hours in the game already it must have everything it needs to hold my attention. I prefer it that way. I think this one may even have good replayability too. We'll see. It's certainly added more fuel to my Final Fantasy fire. I really do love that series! (Yes, I am an RPG fanatic.)

I'll write more about my personal life in my LiveJournal. I just wanted everyone to know that I'm still alive, I'm still here and I'm still doing art.

Thanks for your patience. ^^

]]> *silveriss Trying to Update http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/11094517/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/11094517/ Sun, 17 Dec 2006 12:49:55 PST
There must be too many people on DeviantART when I try to upload because nothing on the site loads for me. Most of the thumbnails show up as "?". I'll try to upload stuff during the week instead of the weekend. I don't have time for this right now.

]]> *silveriss Exhibition http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/10580538/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/10580538/ Wed, 01 Nov 2006 09:42:54 PST
Franklin Township Public Library
485 DeMott Lane
Somerset, New Jersey 08873
732-873-8700 (contact the reference desk, option 3)

I also have my artwork available for sale as prints right here at DeviantART. If you are concerned with the pricing do not hesitate to contact me. I can usually swing a few sales and I'm always up for negotiation.

]]> *silveriss Series Completion. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/10530011/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/10530011/ Fri, 27 Oct 2006 17:37:32 PDT
In light of my excitement I've decided to put my work up for sale here. I don't know how this will go. Hopefully people like my work enough to buy it but I have to wait and see.

I've only put up one at the moment and it's pending approval. If you keep an eye out for "The Mage's Lamp", I put that one up. If that one gets approval I'll put up the rest in the series. We'll have to wait and see though.

My brain is frazzled now so I'm off to seek out food.

]]> *silveriss A little break from the art. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/10458192/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/10458192/ Fri, 20 Oct 2006 17:03:44 PDT
Anyway...

As someone who generally works large-format I know how difficult it can be to scan one's own work. I know a lot of people who have this problem. Flat-bed scanners of any decent size cost an arm and a leg so the average artist can't get a flat-bed that can really scan their work well. They end up having to scan in sections or cut out pieces of their work.

Well, here's a little trick I learned in my last job in a print shop...

First, scan works in halves or quarters. Make sure all the sections overlap.

Second, take each section into Photoshop (or equivalent) and put them into one file as a seperate layer each. Make sure your "canvas size" is large enough to accomidate the full size of your work.

Third, take each section and line them up as much as humanly possible. (Temporarily reducing the opacity of each layer for one section at a time usually helps in lining everything up. Once the section is lined up properly return the layer to normal.)

Fourth, take a section of an overlapping area and "select"/"outline" it out. Make sure you "feather" the selection tool so that it's not a strict cut-out and then delete the area you have outlined. It makes a smoother transition between the two layers.

Fifth, flatten the image.

Sixth, crop the edges of the piece to make sure they stay crisp.

]]> *silveriss The Mage's Study - Nearing Completion http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/10363345/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/10363345/ Wed, 11 Oct 2006 21:02:39 PDT
]]> *silveriss Feeling the time. http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/10174542/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/10174542/ Sun, 24 Sep 2006 16:29:34 PDT
...I still have photos I can fall back on if it gets too stenuous. I just really would like the Mage's Study series done for the exhibit.

Wish me luck. ^^

]]> *silveriss Come One Come All! http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/9840360/ http://silveriss.deviantart.com/journal/9840360/ Thu, 24 Aug 2006 14:44:32 PDT
So here goes...

I have a few ideas in the works but most of them have been put on the back-burner in favor of my "Mage's Study" series. I'm focusing on that series because I have an exhibit I'd like to feature it in in November. For the month of November my artwork will be up in the Franklin Township Public Library, Somerset, New Jersey. You can see it there in all it's displayed glory.

I still have to do a bunch more illustrations for that series. If I can't flesh out the series with enough pieces I'll double it up with some photography. I've always got plenty of pictures.

And that's the news for now. Thanks. ]]> *silveriss