Soulburn 3D Education Page Updated Jan 31st 2009

The Soulburn CG Education Page has been updated:

http://www.neilblevins.com/cg_education/cg_education.htm


* Added a bunch of new info to my Anisotropic Highlights lesson, including a better max Standard example, info on mentalray, and a warning about smoothing groups.

Mischa Barton - Aging, Drugs, or Weight Loss?


Ayyyy.com has posted this photo of an extremely gaunt Mischa Barton. What has happened to her? Her face has gotten extremely thin and wasted. Can this be aging, drugs, or weight loss (or a combination)?

As the face ages, it loses volume. The best surgical treatment for this is facial fat grafting. Nonsurgically, Sculptra (although not FDA approved for this purpose) is a fine treatment for volumizing a gaunt face, but takes several treatment sessions.

Mischa was such an attractive woman before. Hopefully she can gain some weight, get healthy, and maybe even try a little fat grafting if needed.

Thanks for reading,
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.
:




Work in Progress





I am working on my large wood piece today. Here are some images showing the various steps. I'm not happy yet with her face, but lots more work is still to come.

Looking for Finds!



Yesterday my cousin and I made a trip to find some vintage treasures to sell. I did find this amazing piece of mid-century pottery to sell or maybe to keep. This is the dance we do in every shop, we find plenty of things that we want for ourselves, but not so many to sell. We laugh and joke the whole time wondering if we're going to get kicked out of the antique shops for having to much fun. Some behind the desks are friendly, but others are showing their aggravation with a slowing antique business. This business is having a really rough go of it in this economy, so if you like vintage you might want support your local vintage shops. Sadly they may not be around if we don't. Keep smiling vintage veterans!lisascala.com

Scott Turow Salutes Literacy

Previously when I posted about the NIE ad series, I have concentrated on the fun aspect of the ads. Chicago-born lawyer turned author Scott Turow was one of the first celebrities to have an actual literary connection.
In 1977, after his first year at Harvard Law School, Turow published One L, a non-fiction book about that first year. Turow became an Assistant U.S Attorney in Chicago in 1978. In 1986, Turow left the U.S. Attorney's office and published his first novel, Presumed Innocent, in 1987.
Turow has won many awards over the years, including the prestigious Silver Dagger Award of the British Crime Writers. Turow is also a partner in a Chicago law firm.
Getting Turow to appear in the NIE ad series was quite a coup. As a native Chicagoan, a successful author and a national name, Turow might have been our biggest achievement celeb-wise.
Sheepishly, I must admit to not being as familiar with Turow's life as Laurie was, but writing is her passion. I think initially, she was more excited than I was about landing Turow. Of course, I realized she was completely correct on this one.
For me, Turow represented a certain legitimization of the ad series. With no offense to the great celebs who graciously appeared before him, Turow's appearance showed we could get a serious national literary figure.

The Artist Known as Connie Persampieri (TAKACP)

I stumbled upon Connie Persampieri (for the second time) at the Motor City Comic Con. Persampieri is a self-employed artist, who works primarily with watercolor/gouache and graphite. Among her credits are designing the Marine Corps Marathon logo for 1990 and illustrating sketch cards for Topps: ‘Lord of the Rings Masterpieces’ Card Series.
I purchased a few of her smaller pieces and they now hang in my home. One piece is an intriguing mermaid, which fit in wonderfully with my aquatic theme in the bathroom. The others are mystical
and whimsical and they simply make me smile.
I had originally seen Persampieri's work at a show in Carol Stream, a suburb west of Chicago. Unfortunately, time constraints made me leave the show early. When my planned next day return trip got derailed, I never had the chance to pick up any of her work, nor even find out who she was. Fortunately about a year later, there she was in Novi (MI). This time I made sure to get her info and her artwork.
Connie Persampieri and me in Novi, MI-May 2007.

INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE SYSTEM

I've started up my ongoing collaborative international sign Esperanto system again.
Christmas was so busy i put it aside for a little while.

The system so far:



German, Serbian, Greek, Thai, Malay, Spanish, Korean, Swedish,
English, Chinese, Japanese, Norwegian (and French not included in picture)


My theory is that there are the ten beginning words that any desperate traveller needs.
We can argue about the ten I've chosen:
  • 1. hello
  • 2. good
  • 3. yes
  • 4. no
  • 5. thank you
  • 6. go away
  • 7. please
  • 8. shit
  • 9. how much?
  • 10 good bye
People have suggested 'beer' needs to be there, and maybe 'how are you?'
I think it doesn't really matter too much.

My mission is to teach everyone in the world these ten meanings and the associated numbers.
When this is achieved we should be able to communicate with anyone on the planet just signing these 10 numbers.

Imagine rolling up at passport control and holding up one for hello, an eight when you find out your passport's expired and 10 for good-bye as you leave the airport to go home.
Four two as they say/sign!

All of the templates have been created by native speakers that I've encountered at the Rose St. Market in Fitzroy. The deal is they translate for me and add themselves to the archive and I give them one of my hand made badges and a place in the international language hall of fame.

Check out the beautiful script from Thailand.





Big thanks to all who have participated so far.

If you're in the vicinity of Fitzroy on a Saturday and can contribute,
I'd be happy to see you.

Steampunk Ring : New Material CHAROITE

I'm always looking for some unusual material to set in my steampunk rings . During the Holidays i ordered so many materials , i don't even have the time to use them . You should see my treasure box . Here's one of my newest superstar : CHAROITE



Charoite is a rare mineral, named for the Chara River (though this etymology is disputed by some), and found only in the Sakha Republic, Siberia, Russia. It is found where a syenite massif has intruded into and altered limestone deposits.

Charoite is a strong, translucent lavender to purple in color, reminding some of a granite or marble with its pearly, swirling luster. However, it is a discrete mineral rather than a rock. Charoite is strictly massive in nature, and fractures are conchoidal. It has an unusual swirling, fibrous appearance, sometimes chatoyant, and that, along with its intense color, sometimes of a "grape" nature, can lead many to believe at first that it is synthetic or enhanced artificially.

Though reportedly discovered in the 1940s, it was not known to the outside world until its description in 1978. It is said to be opaque and unattractive when found in the field, a fact that may have contributed to its late recognition. Charoite is used as an ornamental stone and sometimes a gemstone, generally as cabochons set into pendants.

Russia has fairly strict prohibitions on the exportation of charoite. Generally, charoite is permitted to be exported only after the stone has been worked, for example, into figurines or other type ornaments. It is therefore difficult to procure "unworked" or "rough" charoite in a form suitable for further working into jewelry such as cabochons.

Charoite often contains inclusions of the mineral tinaksite, which appears as a golden, spire-like shape running through the material.

-------------------------------
For the metaphysically inclined :
-------------------------------
Used to overcome fears.
"Stone of Transformation" Convert anger and fear to positive emotions.

I really like this new material it reminds me of SERAPHINITE because of it's chatoyancy and mysterious nature .




New Methods of Liposuction - Body Jet and Cryolipolysis?


It seems that everyone wants liposuction without the surgery. Two interesting new techniques have recently garnered attention: the Body Jet and Cryolipolysis. The Body Jet was FDA approved last summer and apparently infiltrates anesthetic fluid under a pressure system and then immediately sucks it out with associated fat. It is touted as having less pain, less downtime, and less swelling as compared to traditional liposuction. To my knowledge, it has not been studied by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and there is very little (or nothing) in the medical literature about it. It sounds like it may be a gimmick, but at this time the information out there is so sketchy it's hard to tell. The only physician that admitted to using it in this article is an Ob-Gyn who is now a cosmetic surgeon (not a real plastic surgeon). Click here for an article on the Body Jet.
Cryolipolysis involves a chilling device that is placed on the skin to rapidly cool it. It is believed that this can create death of the underlying fat cells, allowing them to be eventually cleared away through the lymphatics or blood stream. Clinical trials are currently underway. Click here for more information on cryolipolysis.


As of now, liposuction is the only proven treatment to permanently remove fat cells from the body. Although there are some alternatives being used, none have proven to be safe and effective...yet.

Thanks for reading.

Scruffy Johngy Meets Grizzly Adams

Some stars live their gimmick, but some legitimately are their gimmick. Donna Douglas of The Beverly Hillbillies has been known to still wear pigtails and a rope belt. Somehow, I doubt she wears that rope belt in her private life. The hillbilly gimmick, complete with the rustic wardrobe, is her trademark and is a hit at public appearances.
Dan Haggerty is the other end of the spectrum. He is Grizzly Adams (or darn close to him anyway). Haggerty is a former animal trainer, stunt expert and animal handler, whose ability to coexist with many different animals fits in well with his preference for doing outdoor films. There might be some unnatural assistance, but Haggerty looks much the same as he did when he starred in the Grizzly Adams projects.
When I met Haggerty at the Motor City Comic Con, he seemed happy to be there and just happy in general. There were no false pretenses or any attempts to jump in to the Adams character, however Grizzly Adams was very evident.
Adams works tirelessly on several charity events, as well as producing and promoting his own products. I joked with him that his food products might sell even better at the conventions than his dvd's and pictures.
Dan Haggerty and me in Novi, MI-May 2007.

Exclusive blog previews : Steampunk Necklace

This is a necklace that i will be listing shortly .
(NOW AVAILABLE)







Do you have any idea for a name ?

Art Show and Wondercon in February

I will be displaying some of my artwork at the "Science Fiction & Fantasy Art Show At Periscope Cellars" at 1410 62nd Street Suite B (@ Hollis) Emeryville, CA 94608 from Feb 2nd till Feb 27th. I will also attend the reception on Feb 6th from 6pm till 9pm if you want to drop by to say hi. A number of other artists will also have work in the show, including Brenoch Adams, Robert Hunt, J.B. Lowe, Deth P Sun and more. Go here for more information.

I will also be selling my prints and posters again at this year's Wondercon in San Francisco from February 27th till March 1st. Go here for more info.

From Park Ridge to Hollywood

One of my friends recently got an acting gig. I didn't even know he was an actor. He didn't even know he was an actor. Yet, there he is, Tony Pasko starring in an Empire Carpet commercial.
I have known Tony for about 15 years. We met on a softball field. Louie Atsaves asked me to substitute for one of their missing players. Since then, I have worked (or wormed) my way onto the team as the regular catcher.
Tony is a good athlete and has played several positions. I am not sure where he was playing that first night, but he has settled nicely into the role of our regular pitcher, leadoff hitter and a team leader. Tony is a great teammate and a great guy, never complaining and always giving it his best.
I knew he worked for Empire. I didn't know Empire used their own people for commercials. Yet, there he is on tv and on their website, starring in their commercials. Ironically, the Empire Carpet guy, Lynn Hauldren has never worked for Empire. He was an advertising copywriter working on the Empire commercials and he wound up playing the role of the spokesperson.
Maybe Tony will follow in Hauldren's footsteps. Maybe we will see a 3D Tony and a Tony bobblehead doll. If so, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
Tony Pasko (back row, blue shirt) and the rest of the team in Park Ridge, IL-Summer 2007.

Comic Aside

Hello,

Here are two images I worked up a while ago, playing in ZBrush, 3DSMAx and Vray. I wanted to see what Superheroes in their classic costumes looked like in the real world. I have to admit that their classic costumes look garish and silly when rendered as real - and yet, somehow, I much prefer them to the post-Matrix, black leather you always see in films nowadays.

First up is Magneto, who was an obvious choice - I remember buying the anniversary reprint of the first issue of X-Men and found his choice of clothing totally bizarre. Such bright colours for such a dark, complicated character.


Next, Green Lantern who, I have to admit, I didn't know too much about about until several years ago - I always found superhero comics to be a bit dull, issue-led and earthbound. But the Green Lantern Corp had adventures beyond space and would tackle crazy ideas, with funky aliens. That was more my thing, what with being a kid obsessed with Star Wars, Doctor Who, Battlestar Galactica and Blake's 7.


I'm fascinated by the Green Lantern Corp, their uniforms and quasi-military organisation, it's something I'd never really counted on seeing in American comics. Consider me a convert!

SNOW DAY

Today was a snow day for the big kids – twenty somethings!
My daughter and her boyfriend came over and took turns using our “gator” to drive each other up the hill to slide or snowboard down. They brought their dog, Charley, who hopped in and rode along! He also played with our dog, Stray.


Dressed in neon pink - we can't lose her!
My son rode his four wheeler, which Stray goes crazy over. Sometimes it’s dog chasing man, and sometimes man chasing dog!


They all had fun!
And I managed to get a painting drawn out! Can’t wait to get it started!
They are predicting freezing rain - which I can hear on the skylights right now - with more snow on top of that for tomorrow. So my "job" tomorrow will be to get that painting started! Then it's on the road to Atlanta, GA - where it better not be snowing!!!!

No Nails Today...

...due to the fact that this weekend, while making dog food, I sliced my thumb open right beside the nail, partially down the side. I was using my nifty apple corer/slicer tool, and was an idiot - jammed my poor thumb right down on the cutting edge.

Frankly, I'm a baby when it comes to nail polish remover in cuts, and this one is *deep* (it bled on and off all day Sunday, and again yesterday when I bumped it).

So as soon as this heals enough to use polish remover around, I'll have another manicure to show. Until then, Tangy lives on!

Knox and Viv Are SO Cute!

This afternoon Brad and Angie arrived in Japan with the WHOLE family, giving us our very first look at Knox and Vivienne! How adorable are they?! (Just look at Brad and Knox's matching caps!) And I must say, there's a huge resemblance to Shiloh. Definitely one of my favorite families!

Photos Credit: Splash News

Thoughts of Spring and Garth Brooks

It is frigid in Chicago. It has been this way for about 2 months and we still have at least another month before we can expect it to get much better. Is it no wonder that my thoughts turn to the Spring, more specifically Spring Training.
In 2004, a few friends and I went to see the Chicago Cubs in Spring Training in Mesa (AZ). It was extremely hot. We were extremely lazy. It was awesome! We hit the games in the late morning and relaxed by the pool for most of the rest of the day. At night we hit some of the finer spots in Mesa.
While we were there, the Cubs were hosting the Kansas City Royals. The Royals had a new player, a 42 year old career Spring Training guy who had not appeared since 2000, when he was with the New York Mets. He also appeared previously in 1998 and 1999 with the San Diego Padres, where he batted a crispy .045. He was listed as a 3rd baseman. My research shows he did get a hit for the Royals early that spring, raising his career average to .047 (2 for 42). Reports are unclear as to whether he added to those stats after his big hit.
Who was this mysterious non-phenom? Why would any team even give him any playing time? It was Garth Brooks and he did it for fun and for charity.
In 1999, Brooks co-founded the Teammates for Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization which enlists the participation of athletes in pro baseball, football and hockey. These athletes contribute a predetermined sum based upon selected statistics.
Teammates for Kids benefited greatly from the exposure, although not much from the stats that Brooks accumulated. Still, it would be hard to heckle this charitable guy!
Garth Brooks in Mesa, AZ-March 2004.

THE YEAR OF THE GOAT



I've been working my way around to making larger pieces and finally something has arrived that I'm content with.
It's too big to be a postcard, maybe it's a placard?
It measures 41cmx41cm and it features a red goat.
I'm calling 2009 my year of the goat.
I'm not really sure what that means but please take from it what you will.

The Purple Bee - Steampunk ring

Name : Apis Mellifera Purpurea Annulus ( The Purple Bee Ring )

Collection : OOAK RELIC STEAMED

Material :

Artistic wire Gun metal color copper

Antiqued metal bead

clock part

antique vintage brass bee on purple glass button

Size : 7 ONLY








Casein Still Life (Part 5) - TEA WITH THE CLASSICS


Or maybe - not quite!
After looking at this picture a while longer, I decided the cloth was too white, so toned it down a bit.
Now – is it finished???

The Process






Here they are! Some of my feather jewelry pieces. These were some of the most fun pieces to to work on. The process was almost spiritual, I know I'm getting a little cheesy but it was great! The feathers are just beautiful and are a nice connection to nature. I love pairing organic, with manufactured items like the heavy chain, it's unexpected and edgy. I know I'm a little wacky with how I get so excited with these vintage finds. I just respect the artist and craftsman of the past and love the care and quality they put into their work. I'm addicted to finding treasures and giving them a new life. When I'm creating, either an object or color combo is where I start, next is balance with symmetry or visual balance. Third is finding an edge and/or an elegance in the look. Most importantly I enjoy it! lisascala.com

Is the Dark Knight's Two-Face a Realistic Description of Third Degree Burns?


From the Kevin MD medical blog:

Patient-blogger Duncan Cross takes exception to the cavalier treatment director Christopher Nolan gives to third-degree burns in Aaron Eckhart's super-villain."There is no way that eye would have survived intact, much less be able to function without a lid and tear ducts," he writes. And his refusal of pain medications in the film? "The idea that someone could suffer Dent’s injuries, be in that kind of pain, and still be capable of coherent thought is just plain BS."

I spent a considerable amount of time during my plastic surgery residency working in a regional Burn Unit. Burn injuries are some of the most painful wounds we can suffer, and often need massive amounts of narcotics to control. I would have to agree with the statements above.

I haven't seen the Dark Knight yet, but currently have it on my Netflix queue. I was a bit of a comics geek when I was a kid, so I'm excited to see this one...

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.
:

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

I came across Pete Ruggieri (aka Evil Pete) while doing research for an
online piece for Global Traveler magazine. Ruggieri is the founder of 505, a social network in the Lancaster (PA) area. As the 505 site states, "Done work at 5, at the bar by 5:05."
The Lancaster 505 Happy Hour Club is about socializing and networking. There is no pressure, no dues, no rigid rules. While they are concerned with having fun and updates on the world of bacon and other shenanigans, the business benefits are undeniable. At 505, the business end just happens naturally, a nice byproduct of developing friendships and associations through the casual meetings and events.

More pertinent to this blog is Ruggieri's encounter with Mike Boryla, a former Quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles. Ruggieri met Boryla at the Eagles Training camp in 1975, right about the time that I got my first football card of the former Stanford star. Little did Ruggieri or I realize how 30+ years later, this would all fit together.
Mike Boryla and Pete Ruggieri in West Chester, PA-Summer 1975.

My next project


While it wasn't raining (or snowing) yesterday, I purchased some birch plywood. I used my trusty scroll saw to cut out a body shape for my next painting. It's the shape of a torso with head, that I will paint one of my girl images on. I was all excited about it yesterday, but today, I do not feel very motivated. Hmmmm, more coffee? When finished she will be approx 3' tall and 2' wide.

Bobby Hull, Tony Esposito and Some Wine

My mom was a big hockey fan in the 60's. Of course, most of Chicago loved the Blackhawks in the 60's. The Hawks were exciting and loaded with talent. Unfortunately, the 70's (and 80's and 90's) were not so good for the Blackhawks or their fans. I grew up watching some mediocre teams (or not watching them, as they were not on regular tv).
Lately, the Hawks have started to regain the attention of Chicago. Along with the new attitude, marketing philosophy, televised games and young stars, the Hawks have also been embracing their past. For a team with such a rich history, this would seem to be natural, but it took a while to get here.
Tony Esposito and Bobby Hull are 2 Hall of Famers who wore the great Blackhawks crest. Esposito came over from Montreal and earned the nickname 'Tony O' (as in 0 goals allowed) over the next 15 years. After 14 fantastic years in Chicago, Hull left to play in the new WHA (after the Hawks would not offer him the money he deserved).
Esposito and Hull are 2 of the legends in the NHL Legends Signature Wine Series. I had the pleasure of meeting these legends at a wine signing event at Binny's Beverages in the south loop. This was a real thrill.
I heard that the previous night, they had stayed several hours later at another wine signing. They wanted to accomodate every last fan there. Despite the overtime, they both arrived on time and raring to go. Hull immediately started joking with the staff and fans. Esposito was his usual dapper self, but just as friendly as Hull. I have met a lot of stars (and my star-struck days are finally mostly over), but meeting and talking to these 2 was awesome. It would be hard to meet 2 bigger stars together.
When I went to take the picture with them, Espo stood up, while Hull remained seated. As I started to sort of pose halfway between each, Esposito lightly slapped me on the back of my head and told me to stand up. It was hilarious. It was simply just an old-school Italian fatherly gesture.
Esposito's wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon. Hull's wine is a Chardonnay (or Golden Chardonnay, as Hull liked to say). Like both former players, both wines are also Hall of Famers.
Bobby Hull, me and Tony Esposito in Chicago, IL-December 2008.