Video Blogging

What I have been doing this year so far? I am holding my own feet to the fire! I discovered a post forum online about art on the web and video blogging is really awsome for the visual artist. You will be able to seek a peek into my studio and creative process without leaving your computer chair! I got really energized. about the possibilities and it seemed a perfect medium to get the word out about what I'm doing here.

I have spent almost every waking moment in the last few weeks preparing to create my video. I have a digital camcorder (bought it when my son was young and has mostly been used for family videos) also 3 or 4 years ago I invested in Studio 9 a video editing program (bought it to edit family videos to send to my husband who was deployed during that time.) With that program I can do Chroma screen (like they use for the weather maps on the news) and picture in picture. I also needed good lighting, had a couple of halogen work lights on stands... they hadn't been used in so long some of the contacts rusted... had to fix those... So now I figure I am tech set up.

I also am relearning and expanding my knowledge about the software and trying to get the green screen to work like I wanted, creating the green screen (tried to paint a background at first, 57" square, didn't work, found $1 yard bright green material, stretched it over the canvas and presto) redesigning my website to highlight the series, creating associated products with cafe press, shopping for masks (I was thankful for Mardi Gras season!) and buying 3 new domain names and getting them redirected to go to my curent website. (maskedartist.com - maskedmuse.com - 5ElementTarot.com)

So, now I'm ready to actually do the video of myself talking about my art and my "masked muse" - on this week's agenda! (working Monday-Wednesday and Friday then family event this weekend--- I guess that leaves me with Thursday! Whew, can hardly wait!)

I have decided to use a suggested "masked artist" idea... with a twist. I think I'll present my artwork in a conversational style but I will have the "Masked Muse" using picture in picture and the green screen to add in comments to myself and animate the aspects of the pieces. I think the muse can be a funny addition and I think it will be fun for you and myself to see the process of creating this series. I will do my best to entertain.

I do not have a video of myself painting my first few pieces because I've already painted them so, I wanted something else that would be fun. I found a free animation program online called "CreaToon" and was able to easily animate my first painting into an introduction segment. This was fun! Again the learning curve, but the program isn't difficult to learn.

Once I get these processes down it will be easier and less time consuming? (fingers crossed) At this point I can make no guarantees as to how often I will blog - my hope is to have a minimum of 2 a month, around the 1st and the 15th.

On my previous posts I have linked you to my intro video with no sound yet...I'll add sound when I edit the whole video and my first painting "Folly."

I also believe there is a huge number of people out there that will find interest in this subject as well, I hope to share this process with as many people as I can. I have noticed a growing surg of public interest in the last few years of esoteric and mystic concepts, especially online.

For my finale will be printing the deck and offering them for sale to my loyal fans. I truely believe all of my skills and knowledge over the years seem to have lead me right to this project.

I would love to hear what you think and please ask your friends to join the party!