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Trees, today!

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Dr. John, Betty, and assorted Linnas: I saw the reports of severe weather in Wisconsin. I hope you guys are safe and well!

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I'm in a time crunch with a BIG PROJECT that has to be finished by Friday night, so I won't be around much for the rest of this week. I'll tell you moe about that next Monday or Tuesday.

In the meantime, I'll try to drop by once or twice for comments, and to post some eye candy.

No funny stuff while I'm away!

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In local news, a 68-year-old man was arrested at the local Greyhound Bus Station. Authorities found over $2,000,000 (yes, that's TWO MILLION DOLLARS) worth of Black Tar Heroin, in small packages, strapped to his body and concealed in his "sack lunch."

Hey, a guy's gotta eat!

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No rain in the forecast . . . still.

Edit: I've been trying to upload these pics for nearly five hours. Blogger, what's up with that???

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~ Beyond the Sun
Available at Art166.com.

~ In the City

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Today, we were expecting a veritable deluge. Oh, joy!

This morning's weather report explains that said deluge will completely bypass the entire county. ~ Sigh ~

In protest of Mother Nature's abrupt brush-off, I've posted two "hot" pics.

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In other news, three masked men robbed a local "Jack in the Box", overnight.

"Would you like fries with that?"

Enjoy!

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Under Siege!

Because of a strange pattern of drought, rain, and summer heat, parts of this fair city are aswarm with countless Snout Butterflies! In my garden, clouds of the little invaders are flitting from Mountain Laurel to Lantana to Fig Tree in an endless loop, and even steppping out to the mail box entices them to dive-bomb me like tiny, fuzzy missiles.

I've attempted a stylized, pretty version of the "Snout", 'cause, frankly, they look a little like airborne winter leaves. Kind of . . . brown.

On the one hand, I'm pleased to provide a verdant haven for them; on the other, they're becoming a little like "The Man Who Came To Dinner."

Time for them to move along!

~ Aloft
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Available at Art166.com.

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Today, I dream of flying . . .

The backstory ~

A few days ago, Cynthia posted a gorgeous painting of a sunflower.

Her painting reminded me of some old childhood memories which I'd planned to spill, here, 'en blog'. On second thought, I've decided to keep the memories to myself; but I'm happy to show you what happens when I direct my mind toward a sunflower (liberated from a neighbor's yard), a scanner, and Photoshop.

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Local weatherman, Maclovio Perez, just said, " . . . as for the weekend, you should either plan to stay indoors or underwater."

" . . . "

Why does Mother Nature despise me?

Have an amazing weekend!

Introducing a new line of greeting cards, "Suitable for Framing!"
- coming, very soon, to my Art166 "Small Works" Shop.

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Up, up, and away!

Did you want to grow up to be an astronaut? I did, and still would, if the opportunity presented itself. (Be an astronaut, I mean -- not grow up!) Until then, I can look over an astronaut's shoulder by watching NASA TV. It's free, and currently a lot of Space Shuttle Discovery and International Space Station feed is running.

In addition to hearing commentary and conversation by the crew, there's also NASA commentary and special events, like this morning's AP/USA Today in-flight interview at 7:18 a.m. CST.

Watching those guys float around is just fun; and the views from the earth-side windows is awe-inspiring.

Another space walk, tomorrow!

So, if you've ever wondered what goes on up there, click the following link, choose your video player of choice, and enjoy! I've spent many insomnia-related hours at NASA TV. It sure beats watching endless infomercials. Who needs cable?

Here's the link: Nasa TV

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I've posted three new pieces in the "Profondo Rosso" gallery over at Art166.com! That's either exciting or distressing news, depending on where you stand on this red series. From here, it's ALL excitement!

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The "Great Greeting Card Caper" is on temporary hold. While attempting to run a couple of very late night test prints, I ran into some major technical issues (paper & template crises) which will take me a while to sort out. No biggie.

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"Oppressive heat."

Those are two words I don't like hearing during the first weather forecast of the day.

In other news, a local grandmother solves a family dispute (knives and stabbing were involved!) with a 14" cast iron skillet. Two men are hospitalized.

Go, granny!

Introducing a new line of greeting cards, "Suitable for Framing!"
- coming, very soon, to my Art166 "Small Works" Shop.

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Me, and my bright ideas . . .

As if my schedule weren't already a logistical nightmare, I've been working on some abstract designs for greeting cards, which will be available in my Art166 "Small Works" Shop (hopefully, in the next day or two). Of course, I'll offer more traditional designs, too; but, it's the colorful abstracts that kept me awake last night!

More on these, when they're available!

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Thank you for all the positive feedback on the new "Profondo Rosso" pieces! I've been urged by a friend to get more of them offered for sale, so I think I'll be doing that, this weekend. I'd hate to get hit by a bus, or something, and not have the rest of this collection out in the world!

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Dr. John, thanks for making Art166 part of your marathon blog tour, yesterday. I enjoyed seeing all the new faces that stopped by!

~ Sudden Leap

~ Flagged

~ Chamber Trio

- (click image for a larger view)

These images are available, now, at Art166.com.

Look for them in the “Profondo Rosso” gallery.

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The Backstory -

For the last few days, I haven't blogged, haven't responded to comments (which, of course, would lead to blog-surfing!), and, honestly!, have not been goofing off!

What I have been doing, is tweaking and finishing some new images, and finally loading up and unveiling my new "Profondo Rosso" gallery over at Art166.com!

This is a "tribute" gallery, in honor of one of my very favorites movies: "Deep Red" (released in Europe as "Profondo rosso"). Deep Red is an amazing, surreal, horror/thriller written and directed by Dario Argento and starring the late, wonderful, David Hemmings.

I've seen this movie countless times (certainly more than 100) and still watch it whenever the mood strikes me. About a year ago, in the middle of a "Deep Red" night (after midnight -- the movie on, the lights off, a pack of Red Vines and a cold bottle of water for sustenance), I had the (bright?) idea of creating a collection of very red images in honor of the movie's title. After months of fits and starts, and several dozen finished pieces later, the "Profondo Rosso"
gallery is finally a "Go!"

New images will be added, weekly, as long as my existing supply holds out, or while my red muse allows me to produce them. Now, on to the Next Big Project! (More on that in a week or two.)

Note: All of my red images are general-populace-friendly. The movie, however, is not for the faint of heart. Don't say I didn't warn you!

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So, what's one of your favorite movies? Has watching it ever inspired you to action? Were the results of such action a good thing, or a "what-was-I-thinking???" thing?

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Oops, almost forgot; it's Canada Day! Click here to see the festivities, straight from Parliament Hill!

And here to listen to "O Canada!", the national anthem!