I just got back from an amazing conference- Flashbelt, in Minneapolis. http://www.flashbelt.com

On the one hand it was amazing and inspiring and energizing, on the other hand it made me look at the work I’ve done over the past couple of years in a new and less favorable light, and on one foot it makes me realize just how awesome the work I’m doing single-handedly really is, and on the other foot it makes me realize just how much more I need to / want to grow.

So, really a lot of different things going on here. Go check out the speakers page at the flashbelt site if you want to be awed.

edit — I guess WordPress doesn’t automatically link to URL’s anymore. that’s annoying. Also- there are supposed to be many line breaks to show the 3 seperate paragraphs in the above text, but I guess WordPress does not want to show those either.

here’s the link to Flashbelt: http://www.flashbelt.com

so I went to a conference last week and signed up for a give-away thing for Wacom. Monday, I got to work and had a message in my in-box that Wacom had UPS’d me something, and it will be here Thursday! pretty cool. I don’t remember what the prize is, and the message didn’t say, but I think it is a 4×6 Intuous tablet. that will be a nice thing to have around. I have a 6×9 Graphire at home, so another tablet will be cool.

also- I tried to install some new software on my computer, and everything went smoothly, until I tried to start up said software and it gave me a “User lisence has expired” notice. then I did “uninstall”- and it took close to 2 hours. what crap! - I’m going to try to re-install tonight. if that doesn’t work, I’m going to bangledesh.

also- my WordPress install on my “can I skate” blog is fucking up, and it is very annoying. I can’t make it work right. I want to load an older version, but I can’t find one, and finally, I don’t have time to deal with it. lame.

I’m getting hooked up with the Technorati. I’m not sure exactly why, but I’m interested in knowing/seeing more about how the blogosphere works. here’s the link to the profile : Technorati Profile

http://www.fauxto.com/

I came across this today. If you want some of the features of Photoshop without installing and purchasing a graphics program, try it out. I was really impressed by the way you can upload, manipulate, and download your image seamlessly. The filters and paint tools are a little clunky, but if you don’t need high-end, this should wrok in a pinch.

I’ve been working on a new site- eyeskull.com 

I guess it is a street-art campaign, but it’s also a user-input fueled game. It’s kind of like a photo treasure hunt, with one half of the photo provided by me, and the other half by the user.

It’s a … sticker distribution site, where users get free stickers, submit photos, and do special missions to get specific photos. Users get points for adding photos and commenting. Users can use points (eventually) to buy things. Users will also be rewarded for completing special mission.

I’ll also be selling some stuff on there.

I’m developing the site in Drupal (new to me) using a wide array of modules and administration controls. It is kind of tricky to put together, but I think I have most of the important multi-user, points earning functionalities working.

Have a look and let me know what you think. Hopefully you will be seeing eyeskull in your neck of the woods soon.

http://crazeone.com/

http://onebeta.com/

http://tugboatpresents.com/

http://thematchfactory.com/ - local people doing all kinds of great art

http://dennyschmickle.com/ - Denny does great work and is a great guy, now in Tulsa

http://www.tugboatgallery.com/ - local gallery I’ll be doing some posters for

http://www.justinkohmetscher.com/ - great guy, now located in NYC

http://jakegillespie.com/ - old friend, great artist

http://www.gomezartsupply.com/ - the only art store for me!

printmaking-materials.com

printmaking-materials has the cheapest quarts of Speedball Emulsion I can find anywhere, and they are nice.

victoryfactory.com

I have yet to order from them, but I hear good things. They have a great selection of aluminum and wood frames, inks, squeegees, etc. I will be getting aluminums from them soon.