Phantomimic's Blog

Interview with Painter Jennie Rosenbaum-Part 6

9/17/2011

Rolando: Related to the last question, you have talked about the pros and cons of using virtual models. One of the cons is that virtual models don't have the imperfections that live models do. Do you think you are limiting yourself by painting mostly from virtual models?

Jennie: The new technology available is just outstanding. I am launching on a new project soon to bring 3D life (unlife) drawing to everyone and there will be a range of body types, male, female, small, large, I'm really looking forward to it. While virtual models can't get the same...gravity as live models, I think we can explore a lot that way. I do keep my senses and my anatomy skills honed by working from life or from photographs of real people on a regular basis. By using what I know about anatomy I can fill in the blanks left to me by my virtual models.

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Interview with Painter Jennie Rosenbaum-Last Part

9/17/2011

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Rolando: Let me ask you a final but very personal and difficult question. It is often commented that the great challenges that we face in life are the ones that help us grow and make us better persons. You have stated that it took being hit by a car to discover your passion in life: that in order to deal with your disability you took up painting with a focus that allowed you to become the artist and individual you are today. So the question is: If you could return to the past, to the woman you were before the accident, with only a few minutes memory of what your future will be, would you use those minutes to make a change and prevent the accident from happening, knowing that then you would probably never become the painter and person you are now?

Jennie: I think I was always destined to be an artist. It's what I always wanted to be. I was lured away by the siren song of money and regular paychecks. I loved management and being in control, the sound of my high heels on the marble floors, but the truth is that I wasn't happy. I was working my way into an early grave. I like to think that if it hadn't happened I would still have made the decision on my own. But I would have lost even more precious time. Because of this accident I am home with my baby instead of working in the city, I have my husband at home caring for us both, I have work that I love. I have passion and happiness. It's hard to completely resent it! I believe things happen for a reason and that the universe just wanted me to be an artist. I wish it hadn't taken being hit by a car, but I'm not sure I would have listened to anything more subtle. I really did like the money. I would however like the pain to go away now though!

Thank you very much Jennie, you are a lovely person and I greatly admire your work.

You can see more of Jennie's work on Flickr, visit her website, read her blog, or follow her on Twitter or Facebook.

Please note that all pictures shown in this interview should not be copied, or reproduced in any other work of art without Jennie's permission.

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My Review of "Finding Clarity" by Laura Novak

9/10/2011

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From the first sentence I was drawn into Laura's story of former reporter Clari Drake, now turned full time mom, struggling to come to grips with her career choices, her weight, and the strange world of the rich folk in the upscale Berkeley school to which she and her husband send their two children. When Clari and some friends uncover evidence of some shenanigans in the upper echelons of the school's management, this world gets stranger and more unsettling with each new revelation until the surprise ending.

I was blown away by the author's prowess for description. She can make the most mundane things and events meaningfully jump out from the page, and she endows her characters with layer upon layer of complexity that she peels like an onion before your eyes as the plots unfolds. I was so enthralled by her writing that I found myself doing something that I disapprove of: I was jumping chapters so I could find what happened next!

The read was also fun. Clari and her friends have a very unique sense of humor. I specially enjoyed their meetings at the Ice Pick Cafe with its very sui generis menu items. Did the author make this up or is there really such a place? The book is well written and formatted, with only a typo or two, and the links work. All in all, a thrilling and pleasant read.

So, does the hero of the story find clarity? To figure this out read the book, but consider the following: Today's world is complicated, and the motivations behind people's actions are so much more so. This is reflected in Laura's book, and she pulls no punches. Gone are the days where the good guy felt everything he did was right and everything the villain did was wrong. Finding clarity is about searching for the light amidst the shades of grey, both outside and within.

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Do Cats and Writing Mix?

9/2/2011

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Do you have a cat? Does the cat let you write in peace? What do you think of this video?

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Making a Living with Traditional vs Self-Publishing

9/2/2011

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I often check Joe Konrath's blog because he is a very smart and well-informed, albeit opinionated, blogger. About a month ago he provided a list of the many authors who are successfully self-publishing making his recurring case in favor of this option. Of course with me he was preaching to the choir, but I played devil's advocate and I asked him: don't you think the available data indicates that the majority of self-published writers will not be able to quit their day jobs and live of their writing alone? This was his reply.

"That's the wrong question to ask. The question is: how many writers prior to ebooks could quit their day jobs and live off their writing alone? Answer: not many. Out of the hundreds of writers I know, less than ten percent can make it without supplementary income. If I discount bestsellers, the number is much smaller--I just happen to know a lot of bestsellers. I'd wager that more writers can make more money self-pubbing than legacy-pubbing."

Although I will not take Joe up on this wager anytime soon, I don't think this question will be resolved effectively due to the multiple variables involved in the comparison. Nevertheless, I do believe there is a fundamental asymmetry in self-publishing compared to legacy publishing that tilts the scales in favor of the self-published writer. In legacy publishing you compete with other aspiring writers for acceptance by a publisher, and if they take you, then you compete against other published writers for readers: in other words, a double hurdle. However when you self-publish the first hurdle is gone, and you are left just with the task of reaching your readers.

What do you think?

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The Times, They are A-Changin'!

9/1/2011

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In case you have not heard about it, million-book-selling author John Locke signed a book deal with a traditional publisher (Simon & Schuster). However, this deal is remarkable because it only covers the print books. It used to be that the book deals of self-published authors with traditional publishers covered both print books and e-books, but in this deal Mr. Locke will keep control of his e-books (he will be able to sell them at whatever price he pleases). Simon & Schuster will only sell the print versions, which are more expensive, but this caters to the important market of book readers who still buy print books.

This is a development that bodes well for self-published authors. Traditional publishers are beginning to understand that they can't continue defending their print book market by locking self-published authors to deals that will result in e-books being sold at the same price and within the same timeline as print books.

And for those still belittling the self-published crowd, I refer you to a stanza from that great Bob Dylan song.

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.

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Forward>>

Interview with Painter Jennie Rosenbaum-Part 6

Interview with Painter Jennie Rosenbaum-Last Part

My Review of "Finding Clarity" by Laura Novak

Do Cats and Writing Mix?

Making a Living with Traditional vs Self-Publishing

The Times, They are A-Changin'!

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