Sta.sh
Theme
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But of course there are always the rules......
Please please please fave the journal!
Make another journal about this giveaway and provide a link of that journal in the comments (this will help spread the word about this giveaway)
this journal 
Rules
Should be about School Times!
, comment and watch!
I noticed yesterday that one of my prints, Torrent, is on the list of recent art on the main page of the print shop. That's a first for me, maybe someone will actually buy one...
I haven't updated this thing in a while, mainly because I wasn't feeling well at all for a bit so I didn't feel like doing it, or much of anything else.
But I saw a new doctor, heard some good and bad news and got a cortisone injection for the first time a few weeks ago, and I have to say it's amazing stuff. So I'm still taking things slowly but I am feeling much better than before, and not nearly as grumpy. 
Last week was also busy because a member of my extended family passed away just before the Easter holiday, which was very sad of course and very tiring with all of the family things that went on. Things have slowed down now, barring any disaster... Above all Spring is finally here in Canada and I'm feeling good. 
I'm also starting to get some function back and doing more active things finally. (Started Taoist Tai Chi last week... 
)Some other, not so personal stuff: Apophysis 2.04 beta has just been released with a lot of new features, if you use Apophysis and haven't tried it you can download it from sourceforge.net [link] . . .
Also I've been thinking about putting some digital art resources together so I would like to know what people think would be most useful:
Fractal Photoshop brushes for *painting* (not stamping ) A UGR gradient file with some custom gradients for Apophysis and Ultrafractal (personally I think this option is pretty lame because it's much better to make a new gradient to suit whatever you're working on every time, or at least do a lot of tweaking!) A tutorial for Ultra Fractal's gradient editor... I think this option is best because a lot of people seem to only use random or even standard gradients in their work. 
Gradient control makes a huge difference in producing good fractal art but I haven't seen anything that really explains how to use that editor properly. It could also be used by Apophysis people if they wanted to get creative....It might take me a long time to finish them, keep that in mind.
I would also like to just briefly mention something that has been bothering me for a long time, and link an article that I found that I think every fractal artist should read. [link] It's called "When is it Yours?" and discusses copyright and ownership issues with fractal art. Essentially, not putting enough of your own work into a fractal image is not only morally objective, but may also be a legal issue. I thought it was something to think about, especially given the large amount of "random batch render" and other similar images we see posted here every day. I would be interested in discussing this further, because I think copyright and ownership of fractal images is largely neglected in some parts of the community. Personally, I think I will start doing my part by critiquing people on this issue with a link to the article mentioned above. If you're just pressing a few buttons and then hitting render, you are essentially ripping the work of a formula author and do not have the right to call that work your own. I would also be interested in finding out where DA stands on that issue, given the firm attitude they seem to have toward copyright violation... Personally I think it would be hard to prove any fractal work was actually ripped from the formula author, but it's certainly something the community should be mindful of. Thoughts anyone?
Finally updating my features:
:thumb32093275:
Featured Artist:
`MichaelFaberHe's only been here for about a month and his gallery is already great.
Check it out.
:shop272042: :shop303921: 
any passion to creating fractal art work at all.
I think it will show in your fractal work.
It's interesting about the copyright issue ... reminds me
of Apples logo ipod/mac computers and the Apple record
label where the group Beatles use to be.
It's being fought in court of law!
Why? Because there's money involved.
I bet if one the fractal artist is ripping the rewards
earning milllions millions of money. This copyright
issue in fractal art will be dealt with once and for all!
"Personally I think it would be hard to prove any
fractal work was actually ripped from the formula author"
I agree!
Fractal programs can be a stand alone artwork itself.
The idea that fractal programs can create fantastic
texture, shape, form, color, color combinations,
and sometimes symbols or semblance of graphic
representation can be used as a source of
original image by digital artists, graphic artists,
multimedia artists or graffiti artists.
The artist uses tools [fractal programs is just one of them]
to create something!
Nobody would care if a fractal formula writer's rights are being infringed because formula writers don't get anything for their work anyway and anyone violating their rights isn't going to make much money either.
I think the formulae, colouring algorithms and programs are art! They can be art on their own or can be further refined by a fractal or other artist to make something even better than the original. I was thinking about it yesterday, it's very much like someone taking stock photography and manipulating it to make a new work of art. The photo itself can be a great work of art, the manip can be a great work of art, but if all the manipulator is doing is cropping a little off the sides to change the composition a bit, they don't have the right to claim ownership of that work. Fractal art is essentially the same but instead of photos we use formulae and algorithms, bits of code and mathematics.
I couldn't agree with you more.
"Nobody would care if a fractal formula writer's rights are being infringed because formula writers don't get anything for their work."
That statement reminded me of my mother. She is retired now, she use teach piano lessons.
When ever she have this piano recital, she always informed her pupils to give credit and a sort of pay homage when ever they play the piano music pieces they have chosen in there piano graduating
recital. To pay restpect, a homage to the masters, piano composers who made wonderful music.
So there music lives on. That you care and their music will be heard for generations!
Mister Mandelbrot rocks!