New Calendar

Like clockwork, June brings a new calendar. Below I've posted some of the best new comics.

New Website Testing Grounds

I've been working on the new JMSpark and have a place I'll be uploading to on a regular basis. The link is:

http://www.jmspark.com/NewTesting/

Hopefully once a week the content will be updated with my progress. What I'm really experimenting with is something I'm calling a "malleable layout". No matter what your browser size, the flash content will rearrange itself to fit. Below is an image with some sample layouts. Right now the options buttons in the upper right open and expand. Some of the content inside them works as well. And yes, I know flash isn't on the iPhone yet, but I can prepare.

Christmas Card 2008

I started the blog last year with something about the Christmas card. Posting again this year with three stills.

Autumn Photos

Some photos from the fall, like I had photos from the summer. Will try to upload 2 more when blogspot feels like playing nice.


I'm a Rockstar


Posting up on Ginger.

Class - Pastel Beach

Tried a pastel. Really wanted to focus on trying to blend color gradients. Unfortunately, I used the wrong kind of paper, and I used the thick pastels to do the palm leaves when a charcoal pencil was sitting right next to me and I didn't realize it. Oh well. Next time I'll know better. Other than that, I was happy with the sky and the clouds. About 3 hours.

Site Redesign Styles

Wasn't that long ago I released a new version of my site, www.jmspark.com, but I'm toying with beginning the transition of it away from a portfolio site. Here are some of the styles I was playing with today.

Class - Pencil Still Life

So, I've started taking some local art classes here in Catonsville at a place called Staub Art Studio. I go every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30. I'm really using it for two reasons. One, it forces me to do some artwork once a week. Not only that, it forces me to work on something for the sake of doing it, not for some big goal or project. It's no pressure work. Second, it's time I get back into art at a level I haven't for a while. Techniques on shading, blending colors, representing light, etc. would be really helpful in helping me reach another level in the digital stuff I do.

So, here was my intro piece, pieced together from four scanned sections. I wasn't thrilled with the goblet or the sheet shadows, but, eh, first time doing something like this in years and years.