We won an Academy Award!

We at Rhythm and Hues won a very deserved Academy Award, an Oscar, for best Visual Effects in the movie "The Golden Compass". I thought "Transformers" had it in the bag but no peanuts. Here I am holding the Oscar with Bill Westenhoffer , the visual effects supervisor. Not only is he disarmingly nice and humble but he has talents that most people only dream of *both* in the technical aspects of visual effects and in their artistic flair. He has an "eye" most painters would envy.



Since this blog is about art, let me just explain that I consider Bill and many other people that toil in the visual effects field true fully realized artists. Not only do they make stunning imagery but they make it in movement. Like Leonardo and Michelangelo, they harness the power of cutting edge science to create images that truly define our culture. Millions see the pictures put forth by these people and millions are awed. Not many artists can claim that .

Most people that have worked or work in computer graphics and animation or any collaborative work really, me included, have little patience for the snobs , divas and egos that sometimes creep into the art world precisely because we have been in touch with people that humbled us with their knowledge and talent. I find again and again that the most talented individuals are usually those who don't need to "stand out" or put on airs.

Back to watercolor

I've heard form some people now. My watercolors have "a warmth". So I am picking where I left and re-inaugurating a new watercolor year. I had a consultation with an artist rep: Mrs Margaret Danielak, she had many good marketing and promotion suggestions and watercolor came up again. May be as a way of becoming more distinct among a landscape of urban plein-air virtuosos. Her father was a very accomplished artists in this medium so that makes Mrs Danielak a little partial. But who couldn't be partial to such a wonderful means of expression. Plus I am teaching a watercolor class in two weeks so I better get good in a hurry. I did this little piece in less than 30 minutes.

Armando Ortiz fast asleep

So many times we underestimate the importance of a supportive spouse or significant other. They can make us or break us with a single word. Armando is a very loving and a very difficult person at the same time. He is overwhelmed with passion and impatience for life. I love him to pieces while he drives me to thumping exasperation. He can be sweet and earthy but also launch tantrums of irrational despair. He call ist "sponatenous". I am so afraid of "spontaneity" lately.