Some of you were interested in the reconstruction I posted last month. Click here if you missed it.
Some of you wanted more information on the process. Here's one sheet that is used in determining the skin thickness to measure marker for placement on the skull.
For drawings, we place them on the skull and then work off a "to scale" photo to render a 2 dimension drawing. For clay, you work directly on the skull or a casting of the skull.
I've done both and I prefer the former because clay rendering are manikin-like and I don't like the fact agencies have the person's skull displayed at a press conference. A drawing naturally has the viewer fill in the blanks when identifying someone just like a composite. That is why the computer generated composites have never been as successful as the hand drawn ones. More on that if you're interested.
What's a little funny on this sheet that was handed out during my class at the FBI academy was the instructor felt the need to show the cops and other students the difference between a millimeter and a centimeter when measuring and cutting the markers. Oh, and the markers we cut and glued to the skull? Not a fancy government or forensic material...just the long white Pentel erasers. Easy to cut, glue and take off after the process.
Actually your help in pricing this would be greatly appreciated. Etsian or not, what do you think of $45.00 for a custom mini-portrait of your pooch or kitty on a matching mini-easel?Would you pay that price for a 2 1/2 x2 1/2 inch gallery wrapped canvas with matching wood easel?
Give me your two cents on this. I would really appreciate it.
More hugs!
can be applied to life many times. "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." I learned this from studying traffic collision investigations but the longer I go on this journey called life, I find it can be true in events that occur and affect me.
So I get off the phone in tears after talking with my ex again and the reason is not important. I think I am most upset about how I let him and his wife upset me more than their actions. I go to check my favorite blogs and find that Akiko and Linda tagged me with this adorable and precious "I x o your art blog" award. So thank you for being the opposite and equal reaction to my morning tears ladies. I am supposed to list things that I love and then tag other artists.
1. My children Donovan and Malissa. I was fearful that I was too old to have kids but God blessed me with two miracles. Their presence is worth every torment my ex and his wife put me through and each day they teach me how love is boundless, how wonderful the world is and how important to see each day as a gift.
2. I love life. With my former job, too many times, I've seen people die or killed at the prime of their life. Say "I love you" every chance you get and get in a hug if you can.
3. I love my pets. With my kids prodding, we have a rat (Zumi), hamster ( Snowball), two cats (Meatball & Sami) a lizard, (Charmander) and turtle (Squirtle) . Can you tell my boy collected Pokemon? We're saving for the day we can add a dog to our clan.
4. I love the smell and beauty of fresh flowers. I used to work for my cousin's flower shop when I was in college. Amazing creations.
5. I love a good movie. My preferences are scary ones because I think I'm an adrenaline junkie and ones that make me cry and/or appreciate the basic goodness in people or a deep love between two people or a person and an animal.
6. I love fresh baked bread. The smell of the dough, the feel of the glutten making its magic and the crunch of a crisp crust encasing the sour or sweet baked spongey dough.
7. I love all my friends I've discovered and who have reached out to me. [I know I'm getting sappy again - DEAL with it!] HUGS to all of you.
Artists that I'll tag are:
Tom Pohlman
Douglas Hoover
Stephen Gardner
Michelle Burnett
Suzanne Cabrera
R. Garriott
Diane Hoeptner
I know you may be getting tired of me gushing about how wonderful you all are but I must gush again. I have never met or worked with more generous and wonderful people than I've met through DSFDF and my blog. I've always worked in environments where people were so proprietary with their knowledge and experiences because it is competitive. I 've learned that old mindset really dragged you down. There is something about helping someone and encouraging someone that lifts you and your spirit. I have to admit, I didn't learn this until I was promoted to sergeant in my old job and I'll blame it on having to double prove myself as a woman, [back when we were less than 7 % of the work force] and triple prove it because I am Asian. [first Asian female to be hired at that dept.]
Today I want to give special thanks to Michelle, (my first follower on this blog) Akiko, Erika, Judy Mackey, Diane Hoeptner, Paulo and all the others who have exposed me to Etsy.com.
I set up shop last week and think I won my first bid. It's the acrylic on 8x10 canvas on this post. She agreed she wanted it but has not paid me yet. LOL. It's not much money because I just wanted to get a positive review on something I sold. That may have been foolish on my part but I figured it is such a cute painting, I may be able to sell it if she changes her mind.
I was also unexpectedly contacted by another Etsian who wanted to feature me on her blog. She did a really nice job so if you want to drop by Wendy's blog, please do so and check her out.
Thank you again friends. I know the folks who have been following my journey for about a month know its been very difficult these past years. Every one of you has helped me embrace this second half of my life as confirmation that it is the right path. Like the phoenix, I feel I can start to dust the ashes of my past life off, heal my wounds and start to grow new feathers. Love and blessings to you all.
I've been following, admiring the art of two great artists who have a delightful sense of humor.
Douglas Hoover and Tom Pohlman dared each other to post their college era rock band photos. I was amazed to see this other side of them. So often we have a preconceived view of fine artists in a Queen Anne armchair with a pipe in one hand and a thick leather bound book in the other. These guys were the cool kids on the block!
They always want people to jump into the pool so I dug up a college era photo of me. My friend on the right is now an ICU RN at Stanford Hospital married to a surgeon. Me on the left is trying to look cool in her huge Gloria Steinem glasses and even bigger bell bottom jeans. Sorry guys I never had a picture taken of any of my "disco" outfits.
I was browsing the news on the web today and realized it was Ground Hog Day. I was struck by the AP photo of Punxsutawny Phil that memorialized the fact he did see his shadow and thus predicted 6 more weeks of winter.
If I was jerked out of a deep sleep and flung undignified up in the air in front of a crowd of 40,000 I'd probably predict 6 months more of winter.
Okay, so I'm "copping" out by posting another piece from the past because I don't have anything completed to post today.
This man attacked a woman while she walked alone along a relatively desolate street in a neighboring city. He tackled her from behind, threw her into a clump of bushes to sexually assault her.
What I always have is deep admiration for a victim willing to force herself to revisit that event in order to help the police catch the guy and prevent him from doing the same to others. It is not a pleasant experience and we both are emotionally drained after the session.
As you may or may not know there are people who chose not to help with a composite. I found that the most reluctant were not sexual assault victims but bank robbery tellers. For some reason tellers were most reluctant to sit and provide a description when cameras had failed during the hold-up. Most cited that they were afraid of retaliation [ which never occurred during my 26 years experience] and trauma from the incident.
Some of you were interested in the reconstruction I posted last month. Click here if you missed it.
