Who is audre?
Fundamentally,
audre
is a computer dweeb with an addiction to eyecandy who is fascinated
with 3D software as well as fractals, bright colors, and loud
noises. I've a technical background (electrical and software
engineering) but have always been a closet CG (computer graphics)
nut. Why closet you ask... Well, only in recent years has "the
computer" been recognized as a valid 'art medium' so it's been
pretty rough trying to survive in the traditional-media-centric art
community as a Computer Graphics artist. This prevailing attitude
is why I've bided my time and stuck with my dweeby
day job
until very recently, when I decided it was finally feasible to make
a living doing Computer Graphics. (
As of next week, I will be
an officially unemployed geek, actively pursuing my Art Career. -
Whooohoooo!) At this time I'd also like to take a moment to
thank all of you who did take the time to vote in the Artist of the
Month Poll... whether you voted for me or not. I think this is a
wonderful opportunity for sharing ideas and showing appreciation to
those folks whose art you enjoy. I am very excited and grateful to
have this opportunity myself. Finally a ginormous THANKS to my
friends in the Render Wars Forum, without whose support, both moral
and immoral, I would not have had this chance to be AOM! Thank you
guys! *Group hugs* (And a special thanks to tio, thee_immortal_one,
for starting the Render Wars in the first place!) You see, in
addition to being a geeky dweeb CG artist, I am also very proud to
be a member of the fine group of Renderosity Citizens, who are 'The
Render Warriors". Warriors take great pleasure and show gut
splitting, wicked humor, coupled with 'knock-yer-socks-off'
graphics every time they launch an attack at one of their
opponents. The atmosphere in the Wars is an excellent combination
of genuine fondness for the other members coupled with that
slightly competitive (okay and slightly twisted ) slant that brings
out the best in all of us... It really is amazing, the stuff I've
seen posted in the forum. It really is inspiring too and makes me
want to get in there up to my elbows and participate in the
creative free for all. It's really worth a visit... and everyone is
welcome to join the party!
How long have you have you been
rendering? Rendering (in the strict 3D-definition of the
word)... not too long... a few years - since Bryce 3 for a few test
pics but seriously only about 6 months. Doing CG in general? Much
longer - since 1992 or so, when the very first Macintosh came out
with MacPaint and the images were printed on 24 pin dot matrix
printers! Heck... I remember doing ascii art on my typewriter!
What are you currently working on?
- Learning to use the 3d modeling software (eg.
Carrara, 3Dmax... etc)
- Trying to stop using Photoshop as a crutch for
my inexperience with 3D :^P
- Getting a handle on ProPack and how to utilize
the technology it exposes
- Working on having cool stuffs for sale for Poser
and Bryce at Renderosity
- Artwork for Music CDs
- Book Cover Art
- Business Graphics and Corporate
Identity
- Web Development
- Web Development
- Oh, did I mention Web Development?
What software do you use and why? 1. Photoshop - it
IS the industry standard for 2D Computer Graphic / Image
manipulation and I cannot imagine creating a single image without
using it for something 2. Kai's Power Tools - instead of costly
drugs, I find Kai's to be immensely relaxing and fun to use as well
as invaluable in creating complex effects in images. 3. Poser - the
best software available at a reasonable price for creating images
of living organisms like human and animals, and insects. Really
unbeatable product whose versatility and use I've just touched the
surface of. 4. Bryce - very powerful for natural (and unnatural )
landscape renders where material control is important (see
Toothache, in which the material for the Gargoyle/Dragon is 100%
Bryce material)... another amazing product whose versatility is
mind boggling. 5. Carrara - a viable and accepted platform for the
generation of 3D meshes/objects and images which costs orders of
magnitude less than it's nearest competitive product. I think it
actually puts those 'heavy hitters' to shame. 6. CorelDraw -
personal choice... can't get into Adobe Illustrator (UGH) -
although I do use AI for some vector functions that CorelDraw just
isn't capable of yet. I really like CorelDraw's versatility and
hidden features - like attaching a database to your image objects,
a feature which I've used successfully to budget projects and even
generate the annual working grounds budget for a hospital! 7. Flash
- is the 'new thing' - like it or not anyone wanting to any web
work has to know how to use it. 8. UltraFractal - very cool
shareware fractal image generator - nice control of colors, size
and fractal formula. 9. Fractint - the very first shareware fractal
generator - can't beat the price, cause it's FREE!.
Why do
you like 3D art? Unlike traditional art, 3D art engages
both sides of the brain and is therefore more fulfilling, for me.
Also, it is created on the computer, which is a real plus, since I
love computers and the technology they encompass. I really love the
whole process, starting from that germ of an idea, selecting the
right tools/software, and then creating a piece and experimenting
with it each step of the way. I also love the ability to 'go back'
and try a different path anytime I want. This non linear work flow
is what I find lacking in traditional media art. I also like that I
can explore the myriad possibilities of a 3D scene... change a
texture here... move the camera over there ... play countless 'what
if' games with the elements in the image to see what effect it will
have. It is like going on a trip without leaving my chair!
(Yes,
I am very easily amused .) Actually I view it as a cross
between gambling and treasure hunting since I use the randomize
features of Kai's and Bryce allot.
What inspires you?
Art inspires me. Nature - Chaos and fractals, electron microscope
imagery, Hubbell space pictures, macro views and natural scenes.
Odd perspectives and juxtaposition is nice too. Sometimes music
does. And often, personal experiences inspire me to attempt the
capture of a mood or feeling or convey a thought. Being around
talented people inspires me too. Working with creative and
supportive people is probably
the most inspiring thing for
me! I get a charge from other people's ideas and enthusiasm...
their perspectives... their views... techniques and style. I love
experimentation and learning! I also think a bit of genteel
competitiveness is really motivational, which is what I find so
engrossing with the Render Wars. It's an extended group project,
but within the group are minor competitions where we each have a
chance to 'strut our stuff' and have fun too (hopefully at the
other guy's expense <
wink>). Finally, technology
inspires me. I am very happy that computer technology has finally
caught up with my passion for computer art! Five years ago, it was
almost unheard of for an 'everyday' computer to create the stunning
graphics we now take for granted. Talk about mind boggling, awe
inspiring and down right exciting! How has this online
community (Renderosity) enhanced your work, relationships, and
learning? In an effort to finish up this rather lengthy
dissertation ... I'll hit on a few of the key points... but I want
to say that this online community is by far, the very best one I
have EVER participated in. The talent combined with the great
people here make for a dynamic 'critical mass of inspiration'...
there is ALWAYS a masterpiece being posted! There are always some
folks around willing to help you out... and there are always
friendly faces willing to give you hand up when you are down.
How has Renderosity enhanced my Work? Constructive criticism
is invaluable and the members here actually take the time to post
feedback! Seeing other artists work allows me to compare, to see
where I might enhance my own work, or learn a new method to make my
work more interesting. Being around other computer graphaholics is
invigorating (Its nice not to have to explain to everyone what CG
is all the time <rolls eyes> or defend your choice
of tools.) How has Renderosity enhanced my relationships?
Contacts. Unfortunately in this world it is often WHO you know, not
what you know... I really think that this community has a large
enough membership where it is quite possible to find clients or
vendors for just about any computer graphics related project! That
is cool. I know that I've met a few people who I look forward to
working with in the future! How has Renderosity enhanced my
learning? The members themselves are a veritable cornucopia of
information, shared willingly and with a smile. And exploring the
uploads... what a treasure trove of new ideas and techniques! I can
spend a few hours clicking my way through hundreds of great pieces
that serve to fuel my imagination for weeks on end! To view other
AOM (click here)
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