Tenth Anniversary on YouTube!

In October of 2005, upon returning to the New Orleans area, I purchased my first digital camera. At the time I didn't realize the camera had a digital video feature. Once I discovered that ability, I learned through trial and error how to shoot and how to edit video. For 6 months I experimented with the medium, drawing inspiration from an assortment of videos I watched online.

Then in May of 2006, I made my first ever YouTube channel, dotdude. Over a ten year period I've shot video subjects that interested me and poured over that statistics provided by YouTube.

Along the way I purchased a couple of Flipcams and more recently a Sony camcorder. Some of my videos are simply observational, while others are more experimental. At times I’ve added music and sound to my videos. As the software changed, I tried new features.

Below is the first videos I shot. It includes an angel statue next to a small lily pond with a fountain. A number of homes in New Orleans have patio gardens that include fountains and/or ponds. A still image of the statue with pond served as my initial channel avatar.

Experimental Acrylic Techniques Workshop, Third Time!

Last May I was asked by the West Bank Art Guild to conduct an artist workshop. Based on enthusiastic reviews from my fellow artists, I decided I would again put together an “experimental acrylic techniques” workshop. The last one I taught was in 2012. So, it took a while for me to track down all the materials I had squirreled away. This time, however, the workshop took place in a new location.

Again, I encouraged the artists, who attended, to try different methods. Some even came up with their own ideas. Below are photos of the participants. The group was very productive and enthusiastic.

Honorable Mention at Lakeside!

This morning I entered art into an art show competition sponsored by the West Bank Art Guild. It was held at the Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie. Participants designated three pieces to be part of the judging. Anyway, my acrylic painting, "Veinte," was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Not Under Glass Category. The judge was Martha Guthrie.

Calendar Dot Art!

The Jefferson Art Guild (JAG) 30 Month Calendar is out. Thirty of the guild's artists have work featured in it. My dot painting, "Veinte," appears above December 2016 - which is a year away now.

Algiers Point Fine Art Gallery

Recently my dot art hung at Algiers Point Fine Art Gallery at 837 1/2 Opelousas Avenue in Algiers Point. Algiers Point is across the Mississippi River from the French Quarter. The display included works from the last nine years: 5" x 5"'s, 6" x 6"'s and 20" x 20"'s. The gallery's entrance faces a street corner.

The Reception!

Last night was the reception for my one artist show at The Rook Cafe located at 4516 Freret Street in Uptown New Orleans. My sister, who organized the event, made sure there was plenty food and drink to be had. Below are some photos from the evening. There was a steady trickle of friends and family coming and going.

The Show Is Up!

As of Monday eighteen of my dot paintings are hanging on the walls of "The Back Room" at The Rook Cafe. The cafe is located at 4516 Freret Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. The group of paintings are from a series I call "Numeros." A while back I needed to give the paintings titles before they were finished. So, I chose Spanish numbers. Anyway, these works will be up through October 9, 2014.

Friday, September 19, 2014, from 6 to 8 p.m., is the evening reception for my art show. Hopefully the weather will remain mild and free of hurricanes. September is often a busy month for tropical storms.

The Rook Cafe

This past Monday the owner of The Rook Cafe allowed me to hang two of my dot paintings on the wall. He has scheduled me for a show, in the back room, in September. Below are photos from The Rook Cafe is located at 4516 Freret Street in Uptown New Orleans.

Ele Shoes Closes

Ele Shoes and Accessories is closing at the end of June. I took down my art this Friday. For nine years my dot art hung at Ele. I'm sad to see the shop close. Below are the paintings that were hanging at Ele this past spring.

Exhibit at Ochsner Medical Center West Bank Campus

This month ten of my dot art paintings are hanging in a corridor on the first floor of Ochsner Medical Center West Bank Campus. They will be up through Friday, March 7th. I am one of three artists exhibiting. Here a photos of me and the artwork at Ochsner.

Release the Ladybugs!

For two months now, two photos of ladybugs on my Tumblr blog, Random Art Media Mix, have attracted the attention of Tumblr users. As of right now I have 31,842 notes. Below are the two photos that have received all the attention. I posted them back in May of this year.

Honorable Mention Not Under Glass

Sunday afternoon I participated in the St. Bernard Art Guild (SBAG) Members Fall Art Show. I won an Honorable Mention in the Not Under Glass category for my dot painting, "Veinteuno." The one-day-art-show took place at the St.Bernard Parish Government Complex Center, 8201 W. Judge Perez Dr., Chalmette, LA. The painting is one of three new dot paintings I recently completed.

art at radom now, My New YouTube Channel

Recently I created my third YouTube channel art at random now. It features my non dot artwork. Already I've uploaded two videos to my new channel. And, I have plenty more ideas for future videos.

In 2006 I started with my first YouTube channel dotdude. Right away I experimented with videos using iMovie software. As time went on I bought fancier cameras and upgraded versions of iMovie software. Then in 2008, I added my second YouTube channel, dotartdude. In keeping with the name of the channel, I focused on making videos having to do with dot imagery and my dot art.

There are plenty of ideas kicking around inside my head. Now I just need to get busy and bring some, or maybe even all, of them to fruition. I will be adding videos to all three channels.

Apha Series Music Video!

Four years ago I created patterned dot paintings that I call the "Alpha Series." Recently I decided to make a music video using still photos of the paintings. I used iMovie to assemble the images and add the "Cross Zoom" transition - which adds an animated effect. After uploading the video to YouTube, I added the music, "Swing on It (Instrumental) - Heavy Hitters" by Frederik Rubins, from the YouTube library.

In 2010 I started on a second group of paintings, but then got bogged down in the BP Oil Spill story. That tangent sort of put me in a funk and I abandoned that effort. I do plan to do a "Beta Series" that is closer to my "Alpha Series." Sketching new patterns has been a delaying factor. In the meantime enjoy this video.