I just spent three weeks teaching my Fundamentals of Imaging students how to scan in their sketched graphic novel layouts, and alter them in Photoshop.

{Too bad both the Jets and Colts lost. Congrats Saints!}

Most got the concept but a few did some outstanding work considering it was their first project in Photoshop.

{I love the Twilight Zone scene!)

is for ALEX. As in he/she is an individual of significant importance.

The reference comes from great men/women of importance like Alexander the Great of Macedonia or Alix of Hesse. To celebrate in my own weird way the importance of being “Alex” I’ve added a new brush and wall papers.

You can find both brushes and wallpapers in my Little Gifts section. Enjoy and have a safe holiday this week.

is for Frenemy…Nicole Ritche and Paris Hilton, Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine, Martha Stewart and Donald Trump. All have been frenemies at one time. Frenemy comes from the idea of an enemy disguised as a friend. You know, the friend that is is always there for you in the beginning, and then as soon as they get their promotion, multi-million dollar contract for their own reality show, a PR leg up or even your beloved spouse–then their true colors show through.

I’m sure at some point in everyone’s life they have had a frenemy or two, I just like making fun of them. I can’t help but laugh at the smash up of those two perfect words and I’m thrilled to see that there is even a frenemy music group. It tickles me pink that recently Ira Glass and the gang at This American Life did a show about frenemies. For me, life is too short to hold grudges, but man are they entertaining to watch.

My crazy interpretation of frenemies comes from the letter “f” (presented by the Freebooter font family) and layered with a vampy Vegas showgirl – so lipglossed, laser-eyed and feathered that it would make Paul Verhoeven think more than twice about doing a smash up remake of Showgirls featuring the cut throat antics of Gina Gershon’s character, but replacing Elizabeth Berkley with Mitzi Gaynor, or Debbie Reynolds. And lastly, setting the whole thing to the time period/alien war setting of Starship Troopers. Why not? I bet Mitzi could still shake her tail feather (prostetic hip) and chase aliens against Gina. I’m just having some fun.

You can find a Frenemy wallpaper and brushes to download in little gifts.

I’ve been spending more time figuring out what aspects of design and expression make me happy. In my musings I’ve created a series of what I am calling figureheads. Each figure is made up a letter/font treatment head and then a body is taken from one of the dozens or so antique photos I’ve been collecting for years.

First in the series: figurehead.01/Qman.
Reminding you to always “Question Ye Olde Authority.” I believe that if what you have been doing is not working, than it’s time to question why are you following this process or policy. And it’s time to change. Regardless if it’s the way we treat others or the health care debate. You have to stop and spend a few minutes pondering, why are you making the same choices over and over if they only lead to same negative results?

I’m not an especially political person, I’m just always fascinated with what certain groups of people will accept, attempt and even if the chosen solution doesn’t solve anything, succeed to get away with these decisions without ever changing.

Always be ready to question anything you don’t understand.

I’ve created a wallpaper and a photoshop brush so far.

Aww, psdtuts.com you make a girl all fluttery inside with your collection of those free brushes.

I love to create my own, but this site always inspires me to create more of my own.