text:
I often get this very question: How did you get this good this fast?
Thanks for all the comments! I will do my best to reply to most of them, even if it sometimes takes a while, reading these always cheers me up a lot!
Wanna ask me direct questions? Come hang with me on Twitch sometime where I paint and give feedback
Disclaimer: The artwork posted in my journals are not made by me but artists I admire. This is my way of sharing their incredibly work with the rest of you. All these journals are based on my personal experience and that of artist friends. English is my second language and I have dyslexia so do note I am prone to make mistakes. I write these journals to remind myself of the things I've learned.
Thank you!
Now as I consider myself not being as good as people tell me, even struggling quite often with being an artist in general.
I do know how to get better and how to reach it fast. I'm still growing as I go and it's the main thing that keeps me going.
You need to get into the right mindset and the rest will follow. With the rest I mean:
1. Willpower.
2. Endurance.
3. Positive energy.
4. The NEED to draw.
Seeing growth in your work gives you the courage to work harder. You know that feeling when you're just about done with an image
and feel like this image is better than your last one, that great feeling. Use it!
Do studies! Lots of them!! Make film shot studies, live object studies, master-painting studies. They will teach you a lot about composition, lighting, colors, shapes storytelling etc.
You will hardly notice that you are learning things, but you really do. Just remember you need to try and understand the image while you are copying it. Don't draw what you think you see, draw what you see and understand why it looks that way.
You want to get better art art? How much? Measure it with the amount of time you spend on it. Busy lives can create reasons to not be able to paint, those reason will also mean they have a higher
priority in your life. (Sadly some of those reasons are forms of illnesses like MS or Crown, it will limit yourself, you must take the slower route, but that does not discourage you from getting there!)
This means sacrifice, perhaps not go to hang with friends that often, maybe don't waste time on Facebook that much or 9gag. With that in mind you will eventually pretty much guilt trip yourself back to painting. Don't over-do it!! Don't give up on your best friend or your grandma! Leaving a job is a big step, so seriously reconsider that. I did give up my job, but I am able to
This means sacrifice, perhaps not go to hang with friends that often, maybe don't waste time on Facebook that much or 9gag. With that in mind you will eventually pretty much guilt trip yourself back to painting. Don't over-do it!! Don't give up on your best friend or your grandma! Leaving a job is a big step, so seriously reconsider that. I did give up my job, but I am able to
Always keep in mind, that you will ALWAYS have to feeling that you want to get better and this is good! Wanting to get better is your drive to improvement. If you're ever satisfied with your skills, you wont be able to grow that much further.
We all go up and down. This means that sometimes you feel okay about your current work and other times you absolutely hate it. It's not just you, we all got it! Some people get those terrible
We all go up and down. This means that sometimes you feel okay about your current work and other times you absolutely hate it. It's not just you, we all got it! Some people get those terrible
Art-blocks, and this is what's causing those feelings:
Your sense and knowledge of great art and realism, often outgrows your current skill-set = Feeling bad, the lack of inspiration, art-blocked.
When your skill-set catches up with your knowledge and you see it in your work= Feeling good and motivated to go in.
So when you're art-blocked or feeling bad about your work. DON'T STOP! Keep painting, even if it looks terrible, keep painting so you keep developing.
Take rest, catch the right amount of sleep, go watch a movie or play a game, even catch some daylight perhaps? Even though you might be guild tripping yourself into wanting to paint because you want to get better. Being well rested and healthy will keep you in the right track to getting better. Nothing beats keeping you back than being sick or depressed.
Take rest, catch the right amount of sleep, go watch a movie or play a game, even catch some daylight perhaps? Even though you might be guild tripping yourself into wanting to paint because you want to get better. Being well rested and healthy will keep you in the right track to getting better. Nothing beats keeping you back than being sick or depressed.
Challenge yourself. If a topic seems easy to you, choose something more difficult. You will grand more satisfaction when you've reached the end result.
Make many mistakes, if your work seems to look bad, or perhaps an older piece that used to look good for you but looks bad now: Find out what you did wrong and how to do it right. This is a personal way to cure your own weaknesses.
Ask for feedback. For some people this is really hard. Asking something from a person can be hard, or accepting someone's critique that might hurt your pride a bit, because oooh we artists can be so proud sometimes XD Some artists offer tutoring (I do to) Take this chance to learn from another. It's really a more direct approach to your personal requirements to getting better.
Having said all that, some things might not add up: Work hard/ Take rest. Sacrifice elements in your life/ Don't give up on important things. The real key in the end is balance. find the balance that is right for you.
If you're into getting in the concept art industry, this 5 dollar gumroad video will teach you all about the knowhow!
Hope I was able to motivate you guys! Feel free to ask me for feedback or some motivational words!
Having said all that, some things might not add up: Work hard/ Take rest. Sacrifice elements in your life/ Don't give up on important things. The real key in the end is balance. find the balance that is right for you.
If you're into getting in the concept art industry, this 5 dollar gumroad video will teach you all about the knowhow!
Hope I was able to motivate you guys! Feel free to ask me for feedback or some motivational words!
I do video's btw: www.youtube.com/channel/UCwrDw…
And I'm making an artbook! :www.facebook.com/Caldyra
All my other journals:
The 5 bullshit myths of concept art.Concept art is getting bigger and bigger. More people know what it is nowadays, it gets shown in the media more often and more books get released. This automatically results into more people wanting to become concept artists. So many artschools are now creating special courses all towards game art or concept art. (Game art can also include UI design, 3D modeling etc.).
Yet it is a fairly new thing to most people and the idea of "becoming a concept artist" has grown rapidly over such a short time that a lot of people who are new to it seem to get a lot of misguide info. I am going to try to list this misguided info and direct you to the correct info.
(Again I would always advise you to do your own research and form your own knowledge and not just simply agree with what you read online, not from anyone, not from me. Even though i'm right .. ofcourse. *wink *wink )
Are you on the right track? + Fuck Talent!Am I on the right track?
This is a thing people often wonder and think it's a complicated to find out, but it is actually pretty simple. It's a different question you need to ask yourself based on different topics.
As for: Fuck talent! You'll find it if you scroll down
Topic 1: Am I on the right track to becoming a better artist?
Does your work from today, look closer to your initial goal than your work from last week? (this needs to be both in skill and idea.)
Good skills: Honing your technique, training you muscle memory, being more knowledgeable about your tools and art rules. With art rules I mean: Perspective, form, light, texture, composition.
Good ideas: Storytelling, characteristics, charm, emotion and design. Not just making things look polished but also convey something more, something that brings it to life and speaks to pe
How to win Art-contests! (+ Caldyra winners!)Let me start by saying how incredibly happy I am with all these amazing and inspiring entries! This definitely calls for doing another such contest soon!
Most of you have really tried their best and it shows! I couldn't have asked for better or more, choosing the winners among these was already aching my brains.
This journal will show the winners and the special mentions but also a bit about how to higher your changes on winning contests (maybe good for the next one).
This was my contest for those interested:
How to win contests?!
The change on winning a contest always gets smaller based on the amount of people joining in, however this doesn't mean that your work will be diminished by the numbers.
Here is a list of tips and tricks to make sure that your work gets into the top 10 !
Triple read the contest's description. Make sure you got every detail right.
In this case it was pretty important that the Skyworm loo
A big black hole called: Procrastination.Procrastination is an infinite cycle that becomes bigger and bigger the longer it's there and the time wasted being sucked into it is a dark matter of nothing.
hahah I figured this was the most dramatic way to put it, but yeah, it's real and it sucks.
For those who don't know what it means: Procrastination is the practice of carrying out less urgent tasks in preference to more urgent ones, or doing more pleasurable things in place of less pleasurable ones, and thus putting off impending tasks to a later time, sometimes to the "last minute" before the deadline.
We all suffer from procrastination. It is pretty innocent when you have it with household chores or packing your suitcase before you go on a holiday.
But it becomes a serious problem when you do it with the important things in your life. I take it you're an artist if you're reading this and the biggest aim of being an artist is to be an even better one.
As shown in previous journals there are many
What to do as an artist in training.There are many ways to Rome they say. But I meet a lot of aspiring artists lost and asking me for guidance
and this is what I tell them.
(This is a revisited version of an old journal with new and updated guidelines/info)
Find out what you really want to do with art, there are so many different professions or hobbies to take on.
Graphic designer, Concept artist (mobile and high end), Illustrator of book covers or for card games and so much more.
Once you can make your pick, or at least pick 1 or 2 you must do research on the most valued artwork from that niece.
Find out what makes the best artist of your favorite field the best artist. What do they paint? How do they paint it? With knowing this you can find out about the things you need to study.
The most basic study aims are the following:
What forms of light art there? And how does it influence things?
The book Color and Light by James Gurney will
Where to get started before you can apply for workThere is no such thing as suddenly knowing when you are ready to turn your
passion into your profession. But there is a way of measuring your chances on being
able to get work and eventually sustain a living from it.
Accepting commissions or freelance for low payment won't help you. You can think any penny counts, but it will lower the worth of your work and damage the market.
How to measure that you are ready?
You probably have high goals, but they are usually not your first step. You must search out the clients who can be that first step. Often found in the card game industry, book cover illustrations and smaller game company's.
Look at the artwork shown by a company such as the card game company: Fantasy Flight games. Compare your skills with the average of their artworks. If it matches yours, you will have a chance. However, keep in mind that those artworks had been done in a limited timeframe, usually within 12 hour
This is why you (and your art) get ignored.People often get the sense of being ignored in the art-scene, especially here online. We all try so hard to get our foot in the door, it's like trying to stuff yourself in an overfull bus like a sardine in a can.
Sometimes you just want to socialize with other artists you admire and you seem to be talking into a brick wall or perhaps you've send your portfolio to a company over a dozen times and still don't even seem to get the smallest response or feedback. I will try and tell you WHY you get ignored and HOW you can get noticed instead.
I will go through the following cases of being ignored:
Your comment.
Your art.
Your Portfolio.
Do know, that even though being ignored feels very personal it's hardly ever personal at all!
Your comment(s) gets ignored.
It happens ever so often. You notice an artwork or a discussion and you weigh in with your opinion or admiration, perhaps even some feedback? T
The problematic behavior of online artists.There is a bunch of things online artist do terribly wrong on a regular basis. Some of it might be directly aimed to you and some might be things you from others.
Way too little time spend on painting/practice.
People making nit pick pointers.
The extreme fuzz about labels and methods.
Witch-hunting/ talking smack.
However I'd like to start with a totally opposite note:
This year I've also experienced great support from the art community for which I'm dearly grateful for.
:icontituslunter: got me an amazing birthday gift(video), made by him and fellow awesome artists:
And the support I've had this past week with the event of my sisters death has been incredibly helpful. (Thank you for all the donations, there are no more worries about money anymore thanks to you awesome people!)
(most of) You seem to spend way to li
Don't let the crap of the internet brainwash you.warning: This journal is my opinion and my view on things. I support open-mindedness and the possibility of anything.
The internet is full of it: People with strong opinions. Usually about 'how to do things' and 'how to absolutely not do things'.
Ask any given person this question: What is good art?
They will all give you a different answer and some of those answers are waaaay to specific for their own good.
Meaning they have a very specific view on what is good and see other work that does not meet up those qualifications as: bad, fake or cheating.
It is natural to have a preference toward certain topics or techniques when making art, but it's wrong to push those ideas upon others as a set of rules. (kinda like forcing someone into a religion)
Art should be a free medium for people to express themselves, even if this means their work goes against your standards or deems unpleasant for your taste.
(Child pornography, animal cruelty etc not included, there are limits to
The stuff that artists go through.There are so many pro's and con as to being an artist, professional or as a hobby.
It feels nice to be able to express yourself through something you make and when that something turns out to be looking good we get this sense of accomplishment.
Most of the time though there are bad feelings mixed with the good ones.
Not being understood. Those moments where your friends or family does not understand that you have to desire to be alone and work on your art. Those copious amounts of hours you spend working and they wonder why you wouldn't rather be outside relaxing in the sun or hang out with your friends.
The only people who will ever fully understand this are other artists or simply very understandable people. It's important they they will eventually understand so there wont be any hurt feelings. Try to explain ti as calmly and rational as you can, perhaps with using examples in terms they would understand.
Overcome your unfair obstacles.We all have certain obstacles that gives us the feeling of: 'This is so unfair!.'
To me it's one of the most annoying feelings in the world because in general we don't really know how to deal with it. One little part of us says: 'Don't whine about it, you are just being jealous.' the other part of you tells you: 'If I didn't have this obstacle or disability I would rule the world!!'
So you bounce around anger, sadness, hopelessness and envy.
If you were just sad about something or simply angry it would be a lot easier to deal with, you cry or you just vent a bit towards a friend.
But how to deal with he feeling of unfairness?
There are many things that can form this unfair obstacle for you.
Physical obstacles such as: MS, Lyme disease, Arthritis, Color blindness, missing fingers?
Mental obstacles such as: Depression, being a procrastinator (yes I'm naming it because it's a mental blockade that keeps you fro
Fast lane to becoming a better artist.I often get this very question: How did you get this good this fast?
Now as I consider myself not being as good as people tell me, even struggling quite often with being an artist in general.
I do know how to get better and how to reach it fast. I'm still growing as I go and it's the main thing that keeps me going.
You need to get into the right mindset and the rest will follow. With the rest I mean:
1. Willpower.
2. Endurance.
3. Positive energy.
4. The NEED to draw.
Seeing growth in your work gives you the courage to work harder. You know that feeling when you're just about done with an image
and feel like this image is better than your last one, that great feeling. Use it!
Do studies! Lots of them!! Make film shot studies, live object studies, master-painting studies. They will teach you a lot about composition, lighting, colors, shapes storytelling etc.
You will hardly notice that you are learning thing
Why it's so important to unite as artists.We are with many though yet we are with few. We're all divided over little subgroups such as, fantasy illustrators, concept artists, comic book pencilers, photomanipers, techartists, anime drawers, realism sketchers etc. You might even find your place at multiple sections.
I found that the biggest united groups on Deviant Art are mostly evolved around fan art, such as Sonic, or My little pony.
Observations aside, I think the good thing about those groups is that they serve for companionship. Being an artist all by yourself with no one to share/talk about/discuss your work with can feel rather lonely. And that lonely feeling is not encouraging at all. Most of us keep a lot of things taboo as well, like techniques or rates. If we were more openly with these the changes of being underpaid or missing out on a job because someone else does it for hardly any money at all will grow slimmer. People should know what they are worth and not be afraid to ask for it.
When I joined Deviant Art
Are you being honest with yourself?As part of becoming good at something you need to be able to reflect upon yourself. Judge your own abilities and work and consider the possibility that what ever you have been doing it wrong all along. Or perhaps you're actually being to hard on yourself and you're better than your conscious is telling you. (This is bad too because it leads to insecurities.)
Signs that you might overestimate your current skills.
Do you often feel these things when you look upon work from good artists?:
I can totally do this too.
This is not so hard, I can do this faster.
My work is way more interesting.
It's not fair that this person gets way more attention than I do.
Why am I not being recognized for my skills.
This other technique is cheating! (photo-bashing, using reference, filters, effects etc)
I don't need to draw and learn all day to become this good.
I spend 2 hours on a painting, Masterpiece!!
Signs that you might underestimate your skills.
Do you ofte
When someone brings your art down...Putting our art out there makes us very vulnerable, especially when you've made something close to your heart. Perhaps something of your own fantasy, a story, a fan fiction your passionate about?
As much as most of us really want to improve, we also simply want to make art because we love it and when we share it there is a slight hope there is someone out there who will love it too.
There are all kinds of ways other people can bring you down by saying something about your art, or by doing nothing at all! Perhaps YOU are even part of making someone feel down and you're not realizing it!
The harsh critique.
This person might want to help you or simply likes to bring you down. In either case this person will write in length about your lack of technique, uniqueness and/or skill.
Respond option: Thanks but no thanks! Tell this person you appreciate the time spend on their post, but you rather hear constructive c
How to deal with or get feedback.Getting feedback or critiques may be hard for people.
Some people want it really bad but can't seem to get it, at least not from the people he/she is hoping for.
And other get it all the time but feel a little attacked or bullied by it.
Pretty much anyone with eyes and some intelligence is able to spot mistakes or irregularities in someone's work. This person doesn't have to be more skilled than you.
However, this person... might be wrong....
How do you judge a critique?
You initially made your artwork according to the knowledge you currently have. Leaving room for mistakes in the elements you're not trained or knowledgeable in. Or perhaps you think you know something and you are not aware that it's wrong.
When someone gives you feedback, even though it might feel incorrect. Take a little time to do some extra research on the matter.
You can ask others if they agree with someone's feedback.
You can search online (with anat
So tired of not achieving what you want?So tired of not achieving what you want?
Everyone has something they really want dearly, a career, to have a certain loved one, to be able to make certain things...
The most common one among us artist are:
- I want to be able to draw better
- I want to be able to draw like "this"person.
- I want to earn money with my drawing.
- I want to be able to draw what I imagine in my head.
- I want more people to appreciate my art.
- I want more feedback from artists I admire.
- I want more..
- I want better....
All this wanting.. dreaming of... hoping for.
How about doing it!! With these sort of "wants", it's a matter of DOING IT!
How? You ask?
There are many ways, but the usual and only answers to those desires are:
- Spend the most time you have on drawing/painting.
- Go and ask people for help, it is okay to do so!
- Look at that amazing artwork and try and figure out how this person made it, perhaps he/she will tell you? Perhaps this person has made a video or tutoria
Avoid getting ripped off by a client.As a freelancer most of your business takes place online, which makes it really easy
for people to rip you off. How many times have we seen the following scenario's:
1- Someone offers a descent payment for your artwork but wants you to do an art-test first.
after the art-test you're being told you're not good enough. Later you find out that other people
got to do different art-test topics and also weren't good enough. The client clearly ripped people off to get free artwork.
2- Someone offers good money for your artwork. The sketch gets approved so you continue working. Right when it's done the total image suddenly becomes a great disappointment and the client ends up not paying you.
These were just 2 examples of situations that happen a lot to freelancers. There are many more like it.
How to detect if a client is a bit fishy...
Does their email address look professional? Some legit people may use their Gmail address, with their real name or nickname, those are questionabl
The emotional shield that prevents hurt.Being an artist = Being sensitive.
We all know it. Making something and then showing it out there makes you very vulnerable, emotionally.
What if people think it's shit? What if they think it's weird... what will they think? Will that reflect on how they think of me as a person?
I know what some of you are thinking right now... 'You should care less about what people think of you or you art.'
In a sense you are right.. than again, you SHOULD care what people think of you and your art! They are your market and potential clients.
It's easier when you're already doing your dream job and couldn't care less for other potential directions... but most of us will always stay interested in new opportunities.
They= Everyone who see your personality and/or artwork.
Being an artist = Being lonely.
Artists of a certain type tent to stick together. Industry veterans seems to ignore the public eye and the internet fully. Some artists in the making clut
Being a miserable artist = being a bad artist.I recently felt it being one of the most important things, not just for an artist; being happy with what you do. No one wants to get up every morning thinking.. shit .. another work day. Of course there can be days, maybe even a full week of that, but the majority of your time you should be feeling content and happy even.
With that lack of love and enthusiasm it is most likely reflected into your work.
Now it's not always your own fault that your work doesn't make you happy and doesn't feed your creative monster. But it can be in these cases.
You make your OWN workday miserable when:
If you don't speak your mind and stand up for your opinion and values.
If you're not open minded regarding feedback and new techniques.
:buletblue: If you don't aim for improvement. (though aiming for perfecting all the time can be stressful)
when you allow yourself to work under stressful circumstances for too long.
These are
Timing fucking matters.Time does a lot of things, it makes you older, it gets you to places, it never stops going forward. However you control when and how you use it!
Everyone makes choices on a daily bases, most of them are actually done with your auto-pilot function out of habit.
Most people usually sit in the same spot on the couch, chooses what to wear based on previously made combinations and so on, unless they consciously become aware of their action and might decide it's time for a change. It can be a small thing that makes people aware of their options
You can count that pretty much every person out there works like this and YOU often depend on THEIR choices.
My point of this journal is saying: Use this in your advantage!
Time can be compared to a diet. Eating to much bad stuff will make you unhealthy and feel bad, while eating healthy things will keep you going and feel good. So time can either make you feel stuck in one place, maybe even going backwards (ageing already does that for you) or
Things I learned at: The Industry Workshops 2014Holy shit amazeballs... this past weekend....
But let me start of by shortly telling you what the industry workshops actually were.
(The artwork in this journal are from some of the lecturers.)
What is: #IW_14?
The Industry workshops took place last weekend August 29 to 31 2014, at 2 venues both located at Hoxton Square, London United Kingdom.
It was organized and hosted by a group of industry professionals in the fields of concept art, matte painting and illustration in film, games and freelance.
Let me name the people that profited the lectures and demo's from 10 in the morning to 8 in the evening, ending with a 1+ hour QA session as seen on the picture below.
(Not in the same order as the picture)
Alex Brady, Alex Heath, Alex Negea, Andrei Riabovitchev, Björn Hurri, Dave Neale, emrah elmasli, Jama Djurabeav, Jon McCoy, Jonas De Ro, Kan Muftic, Levi Peterffy, Mark tompkins, Nadia Mogile
When inspiration is far to be found...We all get these anoying times when we really want to make something cool, get inspired and work that magic. We see everyone around us (online) do it, but how come we are not?
So we look for ways to get inspired, we ask around, find these usual answers: go watch a film, listen to music.. take a walk...
But even when we do that, we still end up stuck most of the time.
Part of the solution is knowing WHY we get stuck and this is my theory.
ADT - Attention Deficit Trait.
'Experiencing an inner frenzy of distractability, impatience, difficulty in setting priorities, staying focused and managing time. Those are our biggest enemies as they all end up cluttering your head and keeping you from spending quality focused time on a singular topic.
Everything we do now a days is based around multitasking and it is giving us a constant overdose of information. Let me elaborate.
How many of you travel daily by public transport and don't look away
A simple guide on: Commissioning an Artist.It's often not as simple as one wants it to be when both artist and client want it to be: Cost efficient, time efficient and quality efficient.
I've often spend my time discussing the best way to handle commissions with clients and artist friends that I came to the conclusion that clarity and understanding is key.
I will divide the guidelines I work with based on 3 commission types.
Character commissions.
Book covers ( or illustrations)
Concept art.
Reading all 3 parts will give you the full scope as a lot of it applies to one another as well.
Character commissions.
1. Reference board.
If you as a client have very specific characteristic features all set and done for your character it can be very useful for the artist if you'd make them a reference board of art and photos that portray these things.
2. Personality.
The artist does not wish for a life story of your cha
The Key to keeping yourself motivated properly.Let me start off with telling you what motivation is and why you need it.
A motivation is a reason behind doing something a certain way to work yourself up to a certain goal. Just having a goal but no understanding of how to get there, means you have no way to motivate yourself and your goal will be hard to reach.
Therefore motivation is needed desperately in order to become truly good at something.
The motivation to eat is the feeling for hunger and the end goal of ending the hunger and feeling healthy and energized. This type of motivation is a feeling.
Which brings me to: Intrinsic motivation and Extrinsic motivation.
Shortly explained:
Intrinsic motivation: Is a drive that comes from within the person itself. It's a self-desire to seek out new things and new challenges to see how far you can reach to observe and to gain knowledge. This person can enjoy the struggle towards a goal absent the reward.
Extrinsic motivation: This is a motivatio
Thanks for all the comments! I will do my best to reply to most of them, even if it sometimes takes a while, reading these always cheers me up a lot!
Wanna ask me direct questions? Come hang with me on Twitch sometime where I paint and give feedback
Suzanne Helmigh Twitch channel
Disclaimer: The artwork posted in my journals are not made by me but artists I admire. This is my way of sharing their incredibly work with the rest of you. All these journals are based on my personal experience and that of artist friends. English is my second language and I have dyslexia so do note I am prone to make mistakes. I write these journals to remind myself of the things I've learned.
Thank you!
What to do with your insecurities as an artist.
Openly showing our insecurities seems to be trending and it's good that more and more people are sharing their struggles! I won't be lying when I tell you I get people approach me nearly every day, expressing their insecurity in their work and seemingly unreachable goals for their career. They'll ask me to look at their work and I'll help them lift their spirit. I tell them that we all started somewhere and all we can do is work hard and see ourselves grow over time and that their work has potential. Yet the more I do this, the more I realize that simply having someone's spirit lifted doesn't help them, it
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Vixxiin Digital Artist
Willpower. I have none of it. I struggle with a "gotta catch them all pokemon" list of mental health issues. I get ideas constantly, but can never decide what to draw, picking one thing is practically impossible so shoddy versions get made of some of the ideas. When I want to draw, which is often I get a giant knot in my stomach and just plain can't, then I get really mad, because it shouldn't be a big deal, it's something I enjoy doing. It's nearly been ruined for me. I'm horrendously judgmental on all my work and I'm amazingly impatient, which I've been told could be from my ADHD, so nearly all my work is a WIP or sketch that I don't get back to.
I'm trying to just put down each day I do anything, even a line for a drawing i worked on or something really small. I doubt I'm alone, but I don't usually see people have this particular issue say anything about it.
In my own life establishing patterns and habits is my Achilles heel and it definitely extends to fun hobbies.
I'm trying to just put down each day I do anything, even a line for a drawing i worked on or something really small. I doubt I'm alone, but I don't usually see people have this particular issue say anything about it.
In my own life establishing patterns and habits is my Achilles heel and it definitely extends to fun hobbies.
broqentoysHobbyist General Artist
you are a life saver. i love your views on being an artist! i'll definitely come back to these journals.
SoloeusStudent General Artist
This article and your article about staying motivated are the ones I really needed.
For me, it is really about getting your hands moving.
For me, it is really about getting your hands moving.
YohadopteeProfessional Digital Artist
whoaa this is really encouraging. Just in time when i feel stuck and suck (what a rhyme). Thanks Suzanne!
plain-riceHobbyist General Artist
I have a tip. Instead of working for, let's say, 2 hours and feeling like you were kind of productive, work really well and really hard for 1 or 1.5 hours and rest for the rest of the time. Taking breaks can really help with any work, and it can help you feel more productive when you get back to it.
DraugthStudent Digital Artist
This read is very motivationnal, and comes from someone who i feel has strugled a lot to be the artist you are today. Thanks for the read!
I am not an artist (even though I love art).I am a chef and a lot of the principles that you discuss apply to everything .I love cooking (even on my days off) the secret is to find what you love doing ,be it carpentry art or whatever and if you can make a living from it then what a bonus!The word " passion" is over used.I like the word love.In cooking the best meals are cooked with love .I once met a famous artist once and there was a big party going on at his house - where was he?Out the back in the shed painting!I just discovered your articles and find them enjoyable.Cheers!
Dark-SpectrumDSHobbyist General Artist
This is a really well written journal. The part that I liked the most about what you were saying in regards to education and skill set is that you are going to notice over time that you will eventually come to a point in time where your knowledge and your skills will be pretty equal. I have the same mindset. It felt like it was almost for nothing when I knew a lot about art and took a lot of classes in art and art history in college (and I still am) when I couldn't quite understand why I couldn't get the same effects in my own artwork. I am certainly not there yet and I've only been doing this seriously for about three years since 2011 but I am slowly beginning to see a lot of the things I have learned come into play when I draw new things now. I am glad to have come across another person who understands this as well.
M-A-FHobbyist Digital Artist
My eyeballs bounce everywhere with so much info but I get the gist...ish :>
Thankews! ;>
Thankews! ;>
featureEnvyHobbyist Filmographer
This is somewhat encouraging (as are all your journals, which are very informative....I've been reading through them), although I have to admit that my energy and time to practice are regularly drained by my considerably taxing job. I'm in this catch-22 right now, where I know that in order to become a really good comic artist I need to devote more time than I possibly can to it, but there is no way I can leave my job. Especially since...well...I'm not good enough to make a living at my art. So I make a living as an engineer, while not having the free time to get myself to the point where I could make a living as an artist. I rarely hang out with friends or do anything outside of work besides work on my comics (and related things like writing), but the lack of free time means that my progress is just maddeningly slow (although I feel like I am improving a little bit). The motivation, the drive, the NEED to work on comics is there, but the time just isn't.
Uhg...I feel like I'll be in this situation forever and I want to go crazy sometimes.
Uhg...I feel like I'll be in this situation forever and I want to go crazy sometimes.
Suzanne-HelmighProfessional Digital Artist
yeah sometimes it's a go or no go. It's risky but it might be worth it in the end.
It's up to you how badly you want this and if you might find a way around it (talking about giving up your job to be able to study comics)
If you consider yourself a happy person with the way it is It might be good enough to keep it as is and just keep working on comics in your spare time ^^
It's up to you how badly you want this and if you might find a way around it (talking about giving up your job to be able to study comics)
If you consider yourself a happy person with the way it is It might be good enough to keep it as is and just keep working on comics in your spare time ^^


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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas accomplished something only one other team had managed against Kentucky during its 87-85 overtime win Tuesday night.
The Razorbacks attempted more free throws than the Wildcats.
Kentucky — which has spent plenty of time at the stripe because of big men like Julius Randle and Willie Cauley-Stein — held an overwhelming advantage against opponents from the stripe this season (500-286). But Arkansas attempted 41 free throws in Bud Walton Arena, while the Wildcats finished with 40.
"I didn't even know we won that free-throw battle, but that was one of our biggest and main points," Arkansas guard Michael Qualls said. "We knew Kentucky shot more free throws than any other team in the country. So winning that battle is big."
Kentucky entered the game averaging 33.3 free throw attempts a game and topped that mark in a foul-filled game. It was the fourth time the Wildcats had attempted 40 or more free throws in a game this season.
But it was just the second time a Kentucky opponent attempted 40 or more free throws as well. North Carolina held a 45-43 edge in an 82-77 win on Dec. 14.
"Usually we take 20 more than the other team, so you've got to give them credit," Kentucky coach John Calipari said about the Razorbacks.
Arkansas went 29-for-41 (70.7 percent) from the line, struggling at times to cash in on the opportunities. It included eight missed free throws in the second half, which helped Kentucky (26-for-40) force overtime.
But the Razorbacks went 7-for-8 from the line in overtime to help wrap up the win.
"You've got to be consistent on the line," said Qualls, who went 7-for-11 to lead the Hogs. "I feel like Kentucky is so used to putting pressure on other people, other defenses, getting to the line. We wanted to put that same pressure on them.
"It's easy to bring the fight to someone. It's a lot different when people fight back."
Anderson's Success
There aren't many coaches who can claim success against Kentucky, which is one of the most storied programs in college basketball.
But Arkansas coach Mike Anderson can so far.
Anderson has a winning record against the Wildcats, improving to 3-2 on Tuesday night. He led the Razorbacks to back-to-back wins against Kentucky for the first time since the 2000 and 2001 season and improved to 2-1 as Arkansas' coach.
"It's just another game," Anderson said Tuesday night, brushing off his success. "I don't even … I guess I'm not into me. I like winning. I just like winning.
"Kentucky is a tremendous program. Cal's a great, great coach, has a great, great team, great staff. We were just fortunate. We had the ball last and we made a play."
Anderson went 1-1 against the Wildcats during his four-year tenure with the Blazers. Both games came in the NCAA Tournament. UAB knocked off Kentucky, the No. 1 seed, in the second round of the 2004 NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats returned the favor the next season with a first-round win in Anderson's final game.
Working Overtime
Arkansas played an overtime game for the second time in four days.
It was the first time the Razorbacks had played consecutive overtime games since the 1995 season, when Arkansas needed extra time to beat both Syracuse (Round of 32) and Memphis (Sweet 16) in the NCAA Tournament. Arkansas eventually reached the national title game, where it lost to UCLA.
The Razorbacks had never played back-to-back overtime games in Bud Walton Arena before this month. But Anderson said his team "showed great poise."
"We'd been in this place before," Anderson said he told his team before overtime began. "Let's show not only ourselves but everybody else we learned something from the last time we were in overtime. In order to get that experience you have got to go through it. It was tough playing Florida and losing a game that we thought we were in control, but at the same time it was a lesson learned."
Arkansas has never played in three straight games decided in overtime.

subset: commoncrawl


text: A couple weeks ago we looked at how the Lakers dismantled and, um, re-mantled five championship teams throughout the '80s. Here's a look at the shifting tides for Chicago's first and only six championships. I'll keep the commentary to a minimum, but I always forget how different the first three teams were from the last […]Please, blog, may I have some more?


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The Rhone Alps region is nestled between the south of Burgundy and the north of Provence, spreading from the Rhone Valley to the French Alps. Rhone Alps shares its borders with Switzerland and Italy.
Rhone Alps is well known for its gastronomy, famous vineyards of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône, lavender fields and for the three largest lakes in France (Leman, Annecy and Bourget lakes). Rhone Alps is also home to the world famous Mont Blanc and to the most extensive ski area in the world.
The gateway of the Rhone Alps Region is Lyon, a UNESCO world heritage city easily accessible by train on the Paris-Marseille route.
Start the day by exploring the old Lyon, its small historic streets, the Saint-Jean cathedral and its trésor, have a break by having a lunch in a restaurant or bouchon as known locally. Indeed, Lyon is the capital of gastronomy in France with more than 30 renowned restaurants and many star rated chefs who work their magic there. Continue your trip to the impressive Basilica and the Roman ruins at the top of the Fourvière hill and enjoy the magnificent view.
Start the second day with a stroll on the banks of the Rhône and don't forget to admire the trompe-l'oeil wall paintings. Visit the Croix-Rousse district for its history of silk industry and drop in one of the few remaining silk workshops to watch a canut (silk weaver) at work. Engage in a shopping treat in the historical Presqu'île district and its Place Bellecour. End your day with a dinner in a brasserie and taste one of the local specialities which include charcuterie and quenelles de brochet (finely minced fish meal) with a glass of Côtes du Rhône wine.
Lyon > Annecy
Travel by TER train from Lyon to Annecy, the town known as the Venice of the Alps (2h trip). From the greenish surrounding mountains, transparent lake water, pure air and azure blue sky, life is pretty much about relaxing and contemplating the natural beauty of the region. You can chill out in the small medieval town enchanted by its canals and its arcade houses with many-coloured façades.
Fancy sun bathing or something more fun? Then you can try canoeing on the crystal clear waters of the lake or you can cycle along the cycle path which runs along the shore of the lake.
Our tip: Do not miss the morning market! Dinner cruise on the lake is a must.
Annecy > Chamonix
From Annecy, take the TER train to reach Chamonix, the highest mountain town in France, overlooked by the Mont Blanc (2h trip). Chamonix is a popular destination where you will be able to hear languages from every corner of the globe.
Take the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi and enjoy the spectacular views over the Alps and Europe's highest peak. Take the little railway line and its cogwheel train to visit the Mer de Glace, an immense glacier on the slopes of the Mont Blanc.
When you're out shopping in the town centre, wherever you look up you'll see 'it' there… 4,810 metres of rock, snow, ice and dreams of things to come. End the trip with a typical alpine dinner.
Our tip: Don't forget to taste a cheese fondue at the Brasserie de l'M. Take a detour to one of the micro-breweries where you will be able to enjoy brewed beer from the glacier melt water of Mont Blanc.
Events 2012To know more about the numerous events that are to be held in 2012 in Lyon, please visit the dedicated page on the city: Lyon – Events 2012.
Lake Annecy Festival > Annecy > 4th August 2012
A pyrotechnical extravaganza that takes place on Lake Annecy, with fireworks and illuminated cruises.
Mountain Guides Festival > Chamonix > mid-August 2012
A traditional ancestral festival to honour the only day in the year that the Chamonix guides can take off. There is a religious component where their ice axes and ropes are blessed, plus a mountaineering display, fireworks and dancing.
A massive celebration of mountain life and its traditions, involving craftsmen, folk groups, processions of Alpine animals and local produce tastings. There is always a wonderful atmosphere that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Les Sarmentelles > Beaujeu > 15th November 2012
Every year, tasting of the new Beaujolais wine takes place on the third Thursday in November in the bars and restaurants of Lyon and the Beaujolais region. In Beaujeu (accessible by coach from Belleville sur Saône, 32 min by train from Lyon), the most popular of all the celebrations takes place - les Sarmentelles. There is dancing and singing, a night of fun and frolics! At midnight the new barrels are opened and there is a torch procession through the streets of Beaujeu.
Popular routes


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LCG, June 30, 2020--The JEA Board of Directors in a special meeting last Friday unanimously approved a transaction that will result in closing an 848-MW unit at Plant Scherer and entering into a 20-year purchase power agreement (PPA) with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL).
LCG, June 30, 2020 - LCG Consulting just released its analysis of ERCOT for the second half of 2020, July through December.
News archives for September 2015


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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dresses like Darth Vader for picture with Katherine Webb
Mike Foss, USA TODAY Sports
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar used the power of the dark side to make some Internet gold Monday. The Basketball Hall of Famer took a picture with Katherine Webb while on the set of Celebrity Diving while wearing a Darth Vader helmet.
Not to be outdone, Webb snapped a photo of her own. The purple robe really makes the ensemble.
Abdul-Jabbar removed the picture from his Twitter account later, seemingly out of respect for Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who lost his fight with cancer earlier in the day.
This season of Celebrity Diving has already proved to be immensely entertaining with headlines like Ndamukong Suh saved Louie Anderson from drowning, and the first episode isn't set to air for another month.


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Winter is in the air. I had to turn off the water to the hoses yesterday. Topaz's pool has thin film of ice upon the surface each morning. By the time the boys are jumping on the trampoline in the afternoon, and Topaz is running laps around the tramp, the ice is melted and he can immerse his hot tired body into the pool. But not for long! Soon I will have to put his pool away.
Last night the wind was whipping. Out came the long pants, ear band, even a neck gaiter! Ech. It seems too early, but really, mid November is probably right on schedule for cold air. Topaz and I enjoyed 8 miles last night on the trail, running along with the deer. As we were coming around a corner I spotted an odd sight. I saw a deer that didn't have a long white tail. It looked like it was docked. The tail was a stub, laying flat against his butt. Do we have mule deer in the area? Or was he just deformed? Very strange that I haven't seen him before.
This weekend I'll run a 50K Fat Ass with friends at the Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve. We'll run a 50K and Les is hosting a pot luck afterward. What fun! I can't wait.
The rest of the weekend is all about Thanksgiving preparation. I have decided I can prepare the pecan pies without gorging on sugar, I'm strong, I'm OK. I can do it. I'm also putting together every one's favorite Christmas cookies.
We celebrate an early Christmas at Thanksgiving with my parents. They head out to Texas on the Saturday following Thanksgiving and I won't see them again until March, when we head to Padre Island for Spring Break. Mom has her FINAL chemo on Wednesday in Duluth; they'll head to our place following her appointment. Thursday is turkey day and Friday we're all going to the Science Museum to see the Pompeii display. Saturday they head for warmer climates and I have the Afton Fat Ass fun day. Another day of running with my friends in the woods, with a pot luck following. I'm loving it!


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Is it safe to hire a man convicted of abusing children to teach college-age students? Is it wise?
Akiva Roth's employment history since his 1997 conviction illustrates the patchwork of policies and practices at institutes of higher education in the Jewish community and beyond.
There are legal and scientific disparities, as well. Consultants who advise schools and colleges on risk management caution against hiring anyone with a conviction for a child sex offense. But psychiatrists, who are more focused on diagnosis and treatment of offenders than on damage limitation for institutions, offer divergent views on the risks of hiring such an offender to teach students of college age and older.
Roth's story came to light in an October 8 report in the Forward that Roth, a recently hired Hebrew teacher at Yeshiva College, was sentenced to 10 years of probation in 1997 after pleading guilty to lewdness against four boys in his work as a private bar mitzvah tutor in New Jersey. During the bar mitzvah classes, Roth exposed and touched himself and encouraged the boys to do the same, according to court records.
Y.U., which is currently fighting a $380 million sex abuse lawsuit related to charges that it mishandled abuse allegations at its Manhattan boys high school decades ago, announced in an October 11 statement that "after an extensive review of this matter, Mr. Roth is no longer employed by the University."
"To our knowledge, he has not engaged in any inappropriate conduct during his time at Y.U."
Y.U. will not respond to questions about whether it knew of Roth's convictions when it employed him. But a spokesman did say in a statement that the university had "erred" in hiring him and that he had been hired "before the screening process had been completed."
Y.U.'s action called into question the university's hiring policies and procedures at a time when it is trying to repair the damage from abuse allegations first reported by the Forward in December 2012. An investigation commissioned by Y.U. in the wake of the scandal found that "sexual and physical abuse took place" at a number of Y.U. institutions during the 1970s, '80s and '90s and was not dealt with appropriately by university staff.
But Roth's hiring also called into question policies at two other Jewish institutions, the Jewish Theological Seminary and Hillel, that deal primarily with students of college age with whom Roth was previously affiliated.
JTS, which employed Roth as a Hebrew instructor in a summer program for post-college students from 2000 until 2003 — while Roth was still on probation — said that it did not conduct a background check when it hired him.
Furthermore, JTS said that to this day, it does not conduct a criminal background check on employees unless they are involved in a small program that it runs for high school students.
Such a policy would be unthinkable at Brandeis University, where, according to Massachusetts law, all employers that have residence halls, and dormitories must conduct a background check of employees, said Ellen de Graffenreid, senior vice president of communications at Brandeis.
A JTS spokeswoman, Elise Dowell, said: "JTS is committed to creating a safe environment for our students, faculty, and staff. While we believe our processes to be consistent with best practices among our peer institutions, we regularly evaluate to identify areas of improvement and will continue to do so, including in this area."
On paper, Hillel has a much more stringent hiring policy. Ellen Goldstein, a Hillel spokeswoman, said that Hillel conducts criminal background checks on all employees — except those at several smaller private universities, where Hillel relies on the universities to conduct background checks themselves. Goldstein said that universities are all capable of conducting background checks, "and I believe that today, they all are."
Drew University, which employed Roth as an adjunct lecturer of Hebrew from 1999 until 2006, and where Roth was also the university chaplain and Hillel director, did not respond to repeated requests for clarification about whether it conducts background checks on employees today.
Drew would not comment on Roth's employment except to confirm the dates he worked at the university.
Daniel Swinton, senior executive vice president of The NCHERM Group, a law and consulting firm that advises schools and colleges on risk management, said that although background checks are best practice in higher education, they are often overlooked at smaller, private universities that do not want to commit the manpower or money to do the work.
Even if background checks reveal a past history of abuse, experts differ on how to use that information in the hiring process. Some say the recidivism rate for sex offences is so high — 90% or more — that it is not worth the risk. Others say such recidivism rates are wildly exaggerated and that in a controlled environment, someone with a record of sex offenses could work with young people.
Such experts point to studies showing that recidivism among sex offenders is reasonably low. One such recent study, part-funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, found that recidivism for sex offenders 10 years after conviction was just 10%.
Dr. Howard Zonana, who chaired the American Psychiatric Association's Task Force on Sexually Dangerous Offenders, said a child sex offender may not pose a risk to students over the age of 18 if the offender is attracted to only prepubescent boys, and if no direct force or violence was involved in previous offenses.
Zonana, a professor of psychiatry at Yale University, pointed out that students age 18 and older are "capable of being consenting adults." Although, he added, "most schools have prohibitions against faculty getting sexually involved with students" anyway.
Y.U. did not respond to a question about its policy on sexual relations between faculty and students.
Dr. Fred Berlin, director of the Sexual Behaviors Consultation Unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital, said that recidivism rates among sex offenders are as political as they are scientific, and that people often "select the number most compatible with the point they are wanting to make."
Berlin said that if an adult with a conviction for child sex offenses is to be employed, it must be done "thoughtfully and in a way that is not going to endanger others."
He said that he would not put such an offender into an unsupervised setting with children. But as long as college students are properly educated about reporting when "lines have been crossed" and know they should not be sexually involved with their teachers, employing an offender at university level is not "taking an unreasonable risk."
In recent years, there has been a movement toward helping convicted sex offenders fight workplace discrimination. But Park Dietz, a forensic psychiatrist, said that recidivism studies that are often used to buttress such arguments are unreliable.
Dietz said that because only a small fraction of sex crimes are ever detected, it follows that only a small proportion of recidivist crimes would be detected. "All studies are consistent with the hypothesis that recidivism is 90% to 100%, but offenders vary with how often they get caught and what proportion of their offenses get detected," Dietz said.
Dietz, who also runs a company that advises organizations on how to prevent workplace violence, said that employers must build in safeguards "by not allowing the offender to be within the vicinity of his target group."
In the case of Yeshiva College, Roth was employed on the same Washington Heights campus as Y.U.'s boys high school and dormitory, which is one block away from the Furst Hall building in which he was teaching.
Dietz says that employers have to be extremely careful. "People drop the ball again and again out of some misplaced hope that people will learn their lesson or that if this time we put him around adults or the elderly, we won't have a problem," he said. "But then some family brings their children along to visit their elderly grandfather, and a sex offender offers to take their kid for ice cream.
"We see this again and again in all institutions that function under this premise of hope and redemption, and I think religious institutions of many persuasions are particularly susceptible."
Contact Paul Berger at firstname.lastname@example.com or on Twitter, @pdberger
Rules on Screening for Sex Offenders Vary Widely at Jewish Schools
Paul Berger
Paul Berger was a staff writer at the Forward from 2011-2016, covering crime and healthcare issues, such as sex abuse, circumcision, and fraud. He is a fluent Russian speaker and has reported from Russia and Ukraine. He also likes digging into historicalmysteries.


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Invasive Species in Island Ecosystems
NWRC Research Project—Hilo, HI
Developing effective methods and strategies for managing invasive species damage to agricultural crops, natural resources, and human health and safety in Hawaii and other islands.
Invasive Mammalian Species
NWRC Research Project—Fort Collins, CO
Investigating promising methods and strategies for surveillance, management, and eradication of established and potential invasive animal species.
Brown Treesnake Management
NWRC Research Project—Fort Collins, CO
Focusing on management of the brown treesnake through development of repellents, attractants, toxicants, fumigants, reproductive inhibitors and improved trapping methods.
Avian and Invasive Species Population Management
NWRC Research Project—Gainesville, FL
Looking at methods to age birds, estimate bird population sizes, estimate total numbers of birds affected by avicide use, control reproduction in birds, and track bird movements and activities subsequent to roost dispersal.


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Social Circle Macaroni Pie from 'Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking'
The name "macaroni pie" is confusing on multiple fronts. This recipe, from Nathalie Dupree and Cynthia Graubart's Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking, is neither a pie nor made from macaroni. It also obscures the fact that the dish in question is actually just custard-style macaroni and cheese. But this old-school title is also a reminder of the history of the dish. In most older Southern cookbooks, all pasta was called "macaroni," no matter the shape. The spaghetti used in this recipe was favored by Dupree's mother-in-law. And the name pie? It is most likely an import from the Trinidadian name for a similar dish picked up in South Carolina.
Why I picked this recipe: Mac and cheese is total comfort food any time of year, and it would make an excellent addition to any picnic or potluck spread.
What worked: Despite the plethora of cheese and eggs, this macaroni pie actually tastes relatively light. The preparation process is much simpler than roux-based mac and cheeses as well: all you've gotta do is cook the pasta, grate the cheese, and whisk together the custard mixture. The oven does the rest.
What didn't: Measuring out 3 cups of cooked spaghetti is an exercise in frustration. I found that 3 cups worked out to about 8 ounces dry.
Suggested tweaks: You can use any type of pasta you prefer, but the spaghetti actually makes for a pretty fun twist on the usual noodles. I used all cheddar cheese in this version, but a blend with the suggested Gruyère or fontina would taste great. A dusting of parmesan would also be good.
Reprinted with permission from Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking by Nathalie Dupree and Cynthia Graubart. Copyright 2012. Published by Gibbs Smith. All rights reserved. Available wherever books are sold.
- Yield:serves 4 as a main course, 6 to 8 as a side
- Active time: 20 minutes
- Total time:1 1/2 to 2 hours
- 3 cups cooked and drained spaghetti (macaroni)
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 4 large eggs, beaten to mix
- 3 cups milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground hot red pepper, optional
- 1 pound sharp Cheddar or Gruyère cheese, grated
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Roughly cut the cooked spaghetti into 3-inch pieces and toss with half the butter. Lightly whisk the eggs with the milk in a large bowl. Add the mustard, salt, peppers, and half the cheese. Put half the spaghetti into a greased 3-quart baking dish, sprinkle with cheese to cover and 1 tablespoon of the butter. Ladle on half the egg/cheese mixture, top with the rest of the spaghetti. Ladle on the remainder of the mixture and enough cheese and the remaining butter to cover the top. If the dish is deep, it may not need all the cheese.
Move to the preheated oven. If the dish is less than three inches deep, bake for 30 minutes; if deeper, bake for about 45 minutes. Check and reduce the heat 25 degrees if the cheese is browning too much or the custard is bubbling. Cover lightly with foil and continue to cook until a fork inserted in the custard comes out clean and the top is golden brown, up to 40 minutes more, depending on the thickness of the baking dish.


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The Texas Legislature starts session Tuesday with 140 days to figure out how to pay for public schools after slashing $5.4 billion from classrooms in 2011, whether unemployment recipients should be drug-tested and perhaps confront a water crisis under the strain of a rapidly growing population.
That says nothing about the significant political backdrop of the 83rd legislative session that is poised to renew hot-button issues over abortion access and gun laws.
Not only will this be among the most inexperienced Legislatures in recent history -- there are 43 freshman in the 150-member House, the most in four decades -- but Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst are out to reassert their power following failed runs for higher offices last year.


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Villages Nature® Paris - Directions & map
With public transportPer train
Take the Eurostar from London/Ebbsfleet or Ashford to Marne La Vallée/Chessy.
From Paris take the RER A train in the direction of Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy, then take bus 47, alighting at the stop "Villages Nature". You can buy your tickets from the driver.
By taxi:
From your home (within France) or from any Parisian station, reserve your chauffeur on our partner site Youmoov'.
The chauffeur will wait for you at the exit of your train platform, holding a sign with your name, and will take you directly to your accommodation at the Villages Nature® Paris. For the return trip (before 10am), the chauffeur will pick you up from your accommodation.
To book, visit: https://www.you-moov.com
By planeOur park is easily reached from the Paris airports.
From Roissy Charles de Gaulle (CDG), take the TGV train to the Marne-la-Vallée Chessy station (approximately ten minutes) and transfer to bus 47. Alternatively, you can take the Transdev shuttle from the airport.
Transfers by Shuttle Bus:
From CDG airport, Magical Shuttle buses make 3 trips per day directly to the park.
To reserve, visit: Youmoov.com
Transfers by Shared Shuttle:
From the airports of CDG and Orly, shared transfers are available. Please be aware that the arrival time is not guaranteed as it will vary according to the number of drop offs.
To reserve, visit: Youmoov.com


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Touch the Revolution with MSP MCUs featuring CapTIvate™ technology
MSP430 Capacitive Touch MCUs featuring CapTIvate™ Technology Training Series
MSP430 MCUs featuring CapTIvate technology are the most noise-immune capacitive touch MCUs, and first to feature an IEC61000-4-6 certified solution. These MCUs feature the most configurable combination of buttons, wheels, sliders and proximity sensing interfaces, as well as support for metal touch, glove-proof and moisture-tolerant designs, all at the world's lowest power.
This training series details the key features of MSP430 MCUs featuring CapTIvate technology, enabling you to get started on your next great capacitive touch design and get to market more quickly.
DLP® 4K Ultra HD Now for Home Theater, Enterprise, and Education
Plug, Play, and Display - TI DLP® LightCrafter™ Display 2000 EVM
How to Improve Battery Efficiency and Audio Quality with TAS5825M Audio Amplifier
As the entrance of search engine, the explosive growth in wireless speaker or AI speaker is driving the new requirements of audio amplifier - higher efficiency and better audio quality.
Facing these new challenges, TAS5825M (closed loop classD with 38W stereo output) develops a lot of advanced features compared with traditional audio amplifier, which includes:
DLP® Pico™ DLP2000 EVM
Design considerations for USB type-C power delivery Part 2
Capacitive Touch Basics with MSP430 MCUs featuring CapTIvate Technology
Fundamental PCB Layout and Design Guidelines of MSP430 MCUs with CapTIvate Technology
This training covers the fundamental design techniques required to implement a successful capacitive sensing hardware design. This series will explore a number of design topics, including: Basic layout guidelines overlays, back lighting; Dealing with moisture; Self capacitance sensors; Mutual capacitance sensors; and Proximity sensors.
Introduction to EMC Challenges and Design with CapTIvate MCUs
Application Demos of Capacitive Touch Featuring MSP430 MCUs with CapTIvate Technology
BOOSTXL-CAPKEYPAD Capacitive Touch BoosterPack Module Introduction and Demos
TAS5825M Innovation Features Overview
What are the audio amplifier requirements for wireless / AI speaker? How TAS5825M improve battery lifetime and audio quality?
This section provides the overview of TAS5825M innovation features.
TAS5825M Hybrid PWM Modulation to Improve Battery Efficiency
Compared with traditional PWM modulation, TAS5825M develops innovative Hybrid modulation, which dynamically maintains differential switching with several common duty options.
The benefits of Hybrid PWM modulation mainly includes:
- Higher efficiency for longer battery lifetime
- Good THD+N performance
- Ultra-low idle power dissipation and idle noise
TAS5825M Thermal Foldback, Inductor Free and Audio DSP Resource
This training section descripts some innovation features of TAS5825M, which includes:
- Real-time thermal foldback: maintain max safe output power for uninterrupted listening experience
- 122MHz DSP resource: 192kHz high definition audio processing or Smart Amp algorithm for better speaker protection
- Inductor less: state-of-the-art EMI reduction technology
High-power, high-performance Class-D audio amplifier overview for 35-600W applications
Looking for an LDO?
Live from CES 2013 - Smart amplifier technology
Introducing the EVMK2G Evaluation Module for 66AK2G02 Processors
LP5569 I2C RGB LED driver demo


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Police: Hoax Led Workers To Spray Extinguisher, Disrobe
KFC Employees Treated After Being Exposed To Fumes
A Hazmat call to a Manchester Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant was determined to have been sparked by a hoax call, police said.
Firefighters were called to the restaurant on Hooksett Road because employees reported eye and skin irritation from a fire extinguisher. When emergency crews arrived, they found three employees disrobed outside of the building.
The employees told police that the restaurant got a call from someone claiming to be from corporate headquarters who asked them to test their fire suppression system. When they did and reported that they had chemicals from the extinguisher on their clothes, the caller told them they needed to take their clothes off.
The workers said they became suspicious when the caller then told them to urinate on each other.
Two officers were sent to a hospital for treatment from being exposed to chemicals inside the building, and two employees were also treated at a hospital. The third employee refused treatment.
Police said they are investigating the incident as a criminal matter. The restaurant was closed until health officials could determine that it was safe to re-open. KFC released a statement saying it was cooperating with the investigation.


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Hey Girls, Only a few more days to submit to win a custom pair of shoes or pumps from http://www.punkyourchucks.com/ and also win a signed copy of either Almost 5'4", Short Stuff or Model Life. The contest ends 2/28/2011
2 winners!
Send me a photo of yourself modeling/rocking your favorite pair of shoes or pumps to firstname.lastname@example.com
Here are the contest details:
This weekend send on over your photos, contest ends Monday!
Aim high and strive,


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Market Updates
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It's Friday and it's release day over at A Day For Daisies. This week's release is called School Days and here is my card made using one of the lovely images from the new release.
We are also combining this week's release with a new challenge over at A Day For Daisies Blog. The new challenge theme is "Break Out the School Supplies." All you need to do is to incorporate some type of school supplies in your cards/projects. It could be notebook or graphic paper, paper clips, etc. Have fun with it! I am hoping that watercolor pencils count as school supply... =)
The image that I used is called Painter's Pallet and it's printed on watercolor paper, colored with watercolor pencils. After coloring the image, I then went on and made a mess with lots of water and more watercolor to make the splattered background.
The sentiment is from Spring Fling set by Paper Smooches.
That's all for now. Don't forget to find out what the other design team members came up with using this cute release for the challenge. You can find all the newly released images here! Hope you can join us on the challenge! =)
cardstock: (white watercolor) Canson, (kraft) Papertrey Ink
digital stamp: A Day For Daisies
clear stamp: (sentiment) Paper Smooches
dye ink: (Smokey Shadow) Papertrey Ink
coloring medium: (watercolor pencils) Derwent
other: (foam tape) 3M
card size: 4" x 5 1/2"


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Lackawanna Pro Bono is holding a "VIRTUAL" FAMILY LAW HELP DESK on Thursday, July 9, 2020 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
Information and links to additional information regarding the evolving situation surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Federal Trade Commission and federal, state, and local agencies, consumer groups, and national advocacy organizations, will participate in the 22st annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) on March 1-7, 2020.
Get Legal Help from the your local legal aid office from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network. Click Here to view the Legal Help Finder on the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network website.
Get the latest News Updates from PALawHelp.org sent directly to you by email or on Twitter:
Subscribe to PALawHelp.org Email Updates
Subscribe to PLAN newsletter.


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Tips For Photographing a Home For Sale
How-To: Photograph a Home For Sale
How-To: Photograph a Home For Sale
One of the most important tools in selling a home is how it looks in photographs online and in brochures. Along with price, pictures that capture your pad in the most appealing way are the first step in getting buyers in the door. If you're using a real estate agent, they're usually pretty adept at photography (or will have someone their broker uses). However, I've been known to use my own pics after being less than impressed with those that my agent took. No matter if you're using a broker or selling your place on your own, use these tips for getting shots that will help make your house a star.