Posted on January 31, 2010

• I’ve added a couple of new prints to my Zazzle store. “Corona” and “Haiku (2007)” are now available.

  I’m especially thrilled to finally have a print version of the new “Haiku”. For some reason I never could get this one to render at print resolution using the older versions of Vue d’Esprit, but Vue 8 managed to get the job done. I’m looking forward to getting my own copy as it’s one of my favorites from my gallery.

  Also, I’ve been working with Pim Vermeyden on some themes for Google’s Chrome browser. These are still in the testing phase but I thought my Members might like to check them out. They are zipped .crx files (around 6 MB each). Download the zip, extract the theme, and drag it into your open Chrome window to apply it.

  The first is based on “The Spark” and you can download it here.

  The second is based on “Echoes” and you can download it here.

  We are working on more and I will try to have a central repository for them shortly. Be sure to leave Pim some feedback in the thread below!

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Posted on January 29, 2010

• After seeing the dualscreen of “Corona” a number of people asked if I could render a version with both stars on a single screen. I worked one up last night and I’ve posted it in the PickleJar. Which do you prefer: Single star or binary?
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• Mark has posted more Firefox Personas to my gallery. I’m also working on making some themes available for the Chrome browser.
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Posted on January 26, 2010

• I’ve added dual and triple-screen versions of “Corona” to the gallery this evening. I framed this one for multiple widescreen monitors so please don’t judge it by the thumbnail (which is a crop). The 7680 x 1600 provides the best view, with the main star more off-center than in the 4800 x 1200 version.

  I’m going to experiment with replacing the star in “Muspelheim” so I’m holding off on the multiscreen there until the scene is finalized.

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• I’ve tweaked my “front page” to show a random (large) graphic whenever you visit. I did have it set to always show my latest image, but I think this way you might discover an image you have previously overlooked. You can bookmark it and visit whenever you can’t decide what you want on your desktop.

  What do you guys think? How else could I improve the front page (short of bringing the bald guy with the fireballs back)?

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Posted on January 25, 2010

• I’ve posted a minor update to “Corona“. The texture on the star itself looked a little blurry at higher resolutions so I’ve attempted to add some detail. The ratings and reviews for the original were pretty favorable so I was a little hesitant to make any changes, but I think the new version keeps what worked in the original while adding more detail for Members with large monitors.

  I kept the original available in the PickleJar, but the downside to that is that I have to ask Members who rated the original to submit a new rating. Thanks!

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• I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was looking for people interested in creating themes/skins based on my work. I’m happy to say that I’ve found a talented individual willing to fill out my Firefox Persona gallery. You’ll find 8 new DB Personas available with (I hope) more to come. Big thanks to Mark Hamilton, a Member since ’07 from New Zealand, for volunteering!
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Posted on January 24, 2010

• If you’ve been following my posts for the past few days you’ll know that it’s been a trying week for my family. Jason is home now and seems to be almost back to normal. He’s still having nightmares about needles and other hospital unpleasantness, but I imagine that is normal. The hospital can be scary place for a grown up (I know), and I imagine it’s even moreso for a 3 year old.

  He’s running around the house and playing Legos with his brother now so all is well. Thanks again to everyone who wrote, posted, prayed, and sent positive vibes. Thanks also to the doctors and nurses at OSF Children’s Hospital in Peoria, IL.

  I haven’t had much time for artwork this week but I did get a chance to do some rendering Friday. Rather than start in on something completely new (and leave you guys waiting for another week or so) I felt like improving the star I had created for “Muspelheim”.

  I played around with it some more in Lightwave, added some fractal effects courtesy Apophysis, and recast it as the centerpiece in a new space scene (with some abstract touches). I call it “Corona” and it is up now for Members to download.

  If you aren’t a Member yet you are welcome to download a mobile version and try it out on your phone. You’ll find the mobile versions (marked with “FREE”) in the download dropdown menu. I recently made all of my mobile wallpapers free so you can demo my work on your smaller screens and, if you like it, I hope you will consider signing up to access the HD versions for your larger screens.

  The multi-screen of “Muspelheim” is currently rendering on my other box (taking a long, long time for some strange reason) and I hope to have that up soon. I am going to go play with my kids now…

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