Quoting Art & Attacking The Borg

I'm currently putting together my next posts, reviews and follow-ups to recent, controversial ideas, so I thought I'd share a few images created on the iPad mini using two amazing apps: Concepts: Precision Sketching and Over. If you like sketching and creating things on the iPad, I highly recommend both apps. Concepts has recently added Copic Marker colors and new drawing tools, and Over has been updating their app with bug fixes and new features, so I'm excited to see how both progress.

I also recently posted this image, a quote from George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four.

I thought I'd post it again, because I'd like to add the following. If anyone has any interest in reposting or sharing these images with others, feel free to do so — just please leave the images unmodified and uncropped. Each is making a statement in a particular way, and I put a fair amount of time and effort into each. Thanks! They are also available to be repinned at Pinterest. In addition, with the two apps mentioned above, it isn't difficult to create your own. If you do, I'd love to see it!

Language is communication — essentially expression of thought — and imagery can embolden and empower words and deliver new meaning to new audiences in a beautiful way.

If we ever lose our freedom of speech and expression, it'll be because the suppression of radical, upsetting and controversial thoughts was unopposed and supported by the masses and unchallenged by free-thinkers. Star Trek and Gene Roddenberry's ideology taught me this: resistance is not futile, even when defeat seems inevitable.

Posted with Blogsy

Live Long and Prosper says Spock

Here's a new design/illustration for Blogsy, my favorite iOS blogging app. If you're wondering what it has to do with Star Trek, just take a look at the Blogsy app icon. Lance, the CEO Of Fomola (makers of Blogsy) is a big sci-fi nerd like me.

If you own an iPad and blog, you need Blogsy. It has the power of a desktop app with the usability of iOS, and supports most blogging services, including TypePad and WordPress. (If you use Squarespace like me, contact the Blogsy devs through Twitter or their website and tell them to hurry up and add full Squarespace support!)

This piece took a long time: what you're looking at is probably the tenth or eleventh draft. It was created entirely on the iPad 2, using Autodesk SketchBook Pro. The iPad 2 version supports 12 layers, and this drawing uses all of them. This Blogsy Spock drawing is probably the last artwork I'll post from the iPad 2, because I recently got a new iPad!

If you've never seen my blog before, hi.

I do just about everything from my iPad, because mobility is an issue for me. I have to deal with a lot of pain, muscle spasms, and migraines — I can't sit up a desk for very long, and I'm asleep more than I'm awake. Being disabled, it is easy to feel isolated — the iPad allows me to stay connected. My girlfriend calls it my security blanket, because I take the iPad everywhere and get upset if I don't have it.

:-)

When I'm feeling okay, I like to design logos, graphics and advertising materials, and I write as well. I've been doing more illustration and conceptual stuff, and now that I have my new iPad, I can work on large format stuff as well. I've been experimenting with digital painting and also like to take photos and post them at my tumblr using Instagram. (user: bradtastic, if you want to add me.)

What's next

I'm mostly dealing with personal things, but I can take on some small projects from time to time. If you like what I make and want something of your own, please let me know! I also produce vector art using InkPad, Adobe Ideas and Illustrator. I can design cool business cards, brochures, banners and posters, and can refer you to great web and software developers as well.

I've been thinking of ways to help other people with disabilities and limited mobility utilize technology and make the most of tools like the iPhone and iPad. The iPad can replace a notebook computer for many things, and it's a great note taking and sketching platform.

This website is always work in progress. I've been adding links to my favorite sites and services here, but if you want to follow more of my finds, add me at Pinterest and Pearltrees, "bradtastic" — you can also find me on GetGlue. The sidebar has links to my other social pages.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope to hear from you...

Birthday, 7 Days Away!

Because you're awesome, and I'm worth it.

I've been told that my blogs have been a little depressing lately, and frankly, I agree. My blogging doesn't include my actual voice, and I think some of my thoughts on disability and chronic pain have been lost in translation. So... to change that...

September 16th, one week away, my birthday!

I got the Sony PS3 wireless headset and some Blu-Ray movies... and later this month, we can play Gears of War 3 and (hopefully) Dead Island (I don't have it yet — I read that the 360 version is better).

I am very excited! I've been reading, writing, and watching US Open Tennis (Roger Federer is playing so well! Swiss Maestro, greatest of all time). In a few weeks, SLF and I are going on a wonderful little trip to the so-called happiest place on Earth. She's really never been there, so this will be fantastic. Epic. Eventually, we'll come back to reality. But that's okay! It means medications, doctor appointments and everything else, but because of my birthday, I'll have some presents!

You can send me something, too; make sure I remember your birthday!

My ThinkGeek Wish List starts at $4.99 and almost everything is under $35. It's mostly fun, but there are some very useful, potentially life-saving tools and gear on the list as well. The big item, the only one over a c-note, is a laser stars projector. It's rad; I can ponder the importance of ethyl formate while eating raspberries and think about the cosmos, while looking at my own in-home galaxy! (Did you know that the warp drive is theoretically possible, powered by negative energy?)

I've also updated my Amazon Wish List with inexpensive items that I'd love to have! I've loaded it with books, movies and interesting, useful things.

A little something for my birthday goes a long way toward making me feel 'tastic! A few dollars really improve life. I'm such a kid... I love presents. I can always use iTunes gift cards for iOS apps — I'll review them, too! (App devs, I'd love to review your software!)

Also, if you have Netflix service, can you please call them for me and request the addition of Judging Amy to their "watch instantly" offerings? It's not available on DVD and had been off-air for years (was on TNT until 2007 or 08 I think). gmc recently added it to their lineup, but because it's a Christian family channel, they not only sensor language, they skip tons of episodes. Being able to watch that show again would be a great present. (Weird, I know.) Also, while you've got them on the phone, mention Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as well. (You could mention that it's part of Amazon Instant Video.) It's the only series absent from the Netflix line-up.

Chronic pain is such a downer. Enjoy things like sports and other physical activities whenever you can — I never imagined that my athleticism could be taken away so quickly, and I really miss it.

Last wish list item, "gift of time" (not for the faint-hearted):
Please let me know if you'd like to help me hit some tennis balls on the weekends. You don't need to know how to play — I can't really "play" (crippled) — I can rent a ball machine and fire away without running around.

Thanks, everyone!

If you don't have the funds presently, that's okay. Christmas is coming soon enough!
;-) much love.