linear variation

Taken from a random batch using linear variation, and tweaked to bring out details and clarity. Not sure what to name this...maybe something like "Thatched". :)

Tiled flame

Added a few more flames to my Picasa album, mainly traditional spirals. This one is a tiled flame...

been busy

Work has been sort of getting in the way of my off time, so I haven't made very many new fractals. Taking projects home to work on was bad enough, but now my most favorite OPL is leaving at the end of April. :o( I've worked for/with Jim ever since I got here, 12 years! He has always been a fountain of knowledge, a great manager, and a friend. Mixed emotions here, as I am so happy for him and Lisa...they'll be going to the east coast close to family, and he's getting a promotion out of this! But at the same time, it's going to tough to get used to him not being there. Needless to say, we are scrambling to get whatever he can pass to us (info-wise) before he leaves. He tells me I should bid on his position. :o dunno.

Anyhoo, here is another flame fractal
(btw there are more in my Picasa albums) ...

Winter Gradient

A nice mix of deep hues make this a winter-time flame fractal. I think I'm ready for spring though. :)

More script goodness

Same script, used on a different flame, and tweaked to bring out the woven basket-like frame. Script provided by Daniel Eaton.

It's a new year

As I look back on 2007, it all seems to be a blur already. Not sure if it is because I'm getting old(er) or perhaps I'm just focusing on what's ahead. Here's to the possibilities and probabilities that may, and will, unfold in the bright days ahead. :o)

A new flame fractal...somewhat fitting for the new year. Dreamcatcher.

Merry Christmas!

Busy Time

Haven't posted in a while...and haven't been doing fractals in a while either. Just been busy with work, travel, and now all the frenzy normally associated with the holidays.

Simple flame fractal, containing mostly linear variation transforms.

In Memory

Michael, the troubles and tears of this world are behind you. Look not at what was, but ahead of you, what will be. May your journey be of quiet peacefulness. You will be missed.

In memory of Michael Pintoff

Nov 1955 - Oct 2007

Mahalo to my friends

Well thankfully Hurricane Flossie decided to spare the islands from a potentially messy situation, and afforded me nothing but beautiful weather during my entire visit. I had a wonderful time! Being back home, and seeing my friends again, is one of my favorite things. It's funny...no matter how long I'm away from the islands, when I'm back it's like I've never left! When I meet up with up with my friends, we always have a great time...lots of fun, reminiscing, and of course lots of laughing. The spirit of Aloha really does go much deeper than just the greeting itself. It is the very essence of the islands, it's in the people. I am so looking forward to the next time I can visit! Mahalo to Cyn, Mariellen and Andrew, Jess, and Patty! I miss you guys already!

wavy flame

Started in Gimp, imported to Apophysis, and tweaked and re-colored. One of my favorites...

Vacation in paradise?

Look out Hawaii, here I come!! I've been counting down the days until my trip back home, for the past six months or so! Now it's almost here, yay!!








what the...






...guess I'd better pack my raincoat

Satellite radio

I have decided to finally hop onto the satellite radio bandwagon. We have one at work, thanks to a generous co-worker, and I am liking the idea of less commercials and more music. So, I've been doing some research and shopping around. Looks like I will go with XM service, but still looking for a radio...mainly for my car, and of course I will probably use the online radio as well. There are lots of radios to choose from, but not an overwhelming choice. Hopefully I will have one by next post.

Strands

More catching up, as work gets in the way. Going on a day-trip in a couple of days...taking my friend Patty to Portland for a trip to our favorite asian grocery "superstore", Uwajimaya...then to a nearby Trader Joe's! Shopping bliss here we come!

Classic Spiral

I've always had an affinity for the classic spiral fractal, and flame spirals are no exception. I find them to be light, refreshing, and comforting. This flame was the result of some transform and gradient tweaking from Liz's Perfect Spiral script.

Gimp Import

Another flame created in Gimp, thanks to Scott Drave's plug-in and Mark Townsend's import feature.

Summer is here...

107 degrees in the shade on the 5th. Glad I didn't have to be outside for work. Meanwhile, it was a little "warm" down at my old stomping grounds, Phoenix...checking in at 116. But it's a dry heat. Saw Transformers the other day, and though it has gotten mixed reviews, I found it to be a lot of fun. CG animation rocked, and so did the soundtrack.

Catching up on some flames. New version out, 2.06...actually now 2.06c. Things change quickly, don't blink like I did, otherwise you'll be pulling your hair out trying to figure what went wrong.

Another one

Using a script which combines mods from several fractal artists, and tweaking it a bit.

Fractals for desktops?

I've been into windows customization for a while now...since around 2000. I have always been the one at work that had to be different. I still am today, making and using my own icons, and using whatever limited software is allowed. One of the easiest, and most acceptable, ways to customize one's desktop is through wallpapers. I have gone through many, both at work and at home. My wallpaper folders are crammed with so many interesting and beautiful images. About half are photographs, some of mine, and most from caedes.net. The rest constitutes a mixture of screenshots from Myst/Uru, works from some great artists like vlad and David Lanham, as well as the great new selections from Windows Vista.

As much as I love fractals, I don't have very many of them in my wallpaper directory. Not sure why. I suppose most fractal art can be too busy for my taste, at least to have glaring at me when I don't have a window or program open. I have used my own renders as wallpaper at work, and have actually received some nice feedback from co-workers. Now, when working through Apophysis, and choosing flames to tweak and render, I keep the desktop in mind. Some flames are meant to be displayed in such a manner, some not. The search continues...

Who Goes There?

My first combination of Apophysis and Uru. The flame came first. It sat on my hard drive for well over a year before I did anything with it. When I saw it amongst the random batch, I just knew it was something special, just wasn't sure how. One day, while looking through some Uru screenshots, it suddenly hit me. Took some tweaking in PSP, and a re-render of the original flame (higher res), but I'm happy with the outcome. :) The title is from one of my favorite books, which later became one of my favorite horror movies, "The Thing".