Design and Art Blog, Est. 2008

June 2012 Desktop and iPhone Free Calendar Download

Mitra — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:51:04 +0000

The image is a detail of “June Dragon with Flowers” by Mitra Cline. Dragons are often held to have major spiritual significance in various religions and cultures around the world. In many Asian cultures dragons were, and in some cultures still are, revered as representative of the primal forces of nature, religion and the universe. They are associated with wisdom—often said to be wiser than humans—and longevity. They are commonly said to possess some form of magic or other supernatural power, and are often associated with wells, rain, and rivers. In some cultures, they are also said to be capable of human speech. In some traditions dragons are said to have taught humans to talk. – Wikipedia

The desktop calendar includes notes on: Moon Phases, holidays, stones, fruits/vegetables, flower, and astrological signs. If you want to get next months free calendar too, sign up for my newsletter and get the calendar link sent to you via email.

Desktop Screen 1920×1200

Phone screen

Check out past calendars:

May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011

For more info on Mitra Cline’s art and design visit foreverbird.com

The information for these calendars came from: http://www.wincalendar.com/March-Calendar/March-2012-Calendar.html http://www.universetoday.com/20193/moon-phases-2012/

Update weekend! CS6, Creative Cloud and Lion

Mitra — Sun, 27 May 2012 23:09:45 +0000

Updates… thanks to the iFixit.com repair manual.

I just finished adding memory, installing a 2TB hard drive, installing the Lion Mac operating system, and CS6 Adobes ‘Creative Cloud’. Hopefully this is the last major reconstruction I’ll need on this machine. The new set up should keep this workspace current with frequent smaller updates.

I often doodle with the Adobe Ideas app on my iPhone and iPad. Traditionally, to file transfer, I have to email projects to myself or sync with my computer. The new cloud sharing will be a much smarter solution. Currently the applications I use as a digital designer/artist are exclusively MAC, Google, and Adobe. These companies are like utility service providers in my world – similar to Edison and Cox Cable.

Santa Barbara Solar Eclipse 5.20.12

Mitra — Mon, 21 May 2012 02:00:51 +0000

This afternoon I’ve been watching the solar eclipse with a little pinhole camera! The daylight gets strangely darker and the air seems cooler.

Flower sketching today :)

Mitra — Sat, 19 May 2012 05:15:50 +0000

Why build a website 4 times?

Mitra — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:28:53 +0000

Build a website 4 different times and learn something at each step of the process:

First site – HTML, CSS, TextMate, Firebug, and FireFTP
Second - Dreamweaver, WordPress, MAMP and Sequel Pro
Third – WordPress install on a test server, PHP and database what?!
Finally – Live site! DNS and MX

Over the last 8 years I have collaborated on building over a dozen websites. Historically I’ve use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to create a web project package. Recently I took a leap by building my own project and learning to use some new technology. My first idea was to watch tutorial videos on Lynda.com for an overview of the whole process. Later, while trying to figure out how to fix my broken pages, I referenced w3schools and stackoverflow Q&A. When my test site was up on the web I used validation tools make my HTML and CSS standards complaint. Finally, to fix the problems with my wordpress theme, I used help pages on wordpress.org. I’m sure that unexpected problems will show up and I will learn even more soon.

I also had to reach out for advice from several technically genius friends (Thank you!). Navigating the massive amount of information is easier when guided in the right direction. Designing a website is detail oriented work, requires lots of memorization, so the more you do it the better you get!

Preparing to design at the Santa Barbara Startup Weekend

Mitra — Sat, 12 May 2012 02:30:05 +0000

The “Startup Weekend is an intense 54 hour event which focuses on building a web or mobile application which could form the basis of a credible business over the course of a weekend. The weekend brings together people with different skill sets – primarily software developers, graphic, web and user experience designers, and business people – to build applications and develop a commercial case around them.” - http://santabarbara.startupweekend.org/

Tickets are still available for those who want to register!

According to the email confirmation I need to prepare to give a pitch. I’ll have 60 seconds to get the audience interested in my idea. No slides or props allowed – just your voice.

I have 3 projects that are close to my heart and I have to choose one to develop and present…. what do you think seems like a good start up idea?

Indoor garden sketch

Mobile facility sketch

Car tattoo!

Organic traffic and discovering unexpected popular content

Mitra — Fri, 11 May 2012 07:05:53 +0000

Over the last few years I have posted about a variety of things relating to art and design. It’s interesting to watch the reports on visitor behavior because it can be surprising and unexpected. Online content has a real advantage over traditional print media because online it’s possible to report on exactly what people are looking at. The reports are helpful for small business lead generation.

2 topics on my blog have received more attention than I expected, the recon jack and finger watch posts. Apparently the internet needs to provide more information on these topics!

When I look at search terms I think about the popular saying, “There is more than one way to skin a cat.” For example, look how many different search terms lead people to my post: recon jack, jack of all trades tattoo, recon jack meaning, marine recon tattoos, recon jack tattoos, recon tattoo, marine recon tattoo, recon jack tattoo, parachute tattoo, recon marine tattoo, recon marine tattoos, marine recon jack, recon tattoos, recon jack logo, airborne tattoo, first recon tattoo, meaning of the recon jack, recon jack of all trades, marine recon jack meaning, marine recon jack image, recon jacks, meaning of recon jack, recon marine jack, recon jack pictures, reconnaissance tattoos, marine recon jack of all trades tattoo, recon marines tattoo, tattoo airborne, marine recon tattos, jack of all trades recon, marine recon jack pictures, jack of all trades tattoo recon, recon jack image, tattoo parachute, airborne wings tattoo, recon creed tattoos, diver tattoo, 3 bullet holes recon jack, recon marine tatoo, recon jack images, marine recon creed, recon marines tattoos, marine recon jack tattoo… and it goes on!

It’s amazing that the search engines of the world manage to do such a good job at figuring out what is what – misspellings and all. I can’t help but think our language and methods of communicating/way finding must be changing fundamentally with this dependencies/abilities with data and technology.

I’m happy people are discovering the recon jack post on my blog and reading the creed – it’s a powerful reminder of the character (Honor, Perseverance, Spirit, and Heart) of the people who protect and serve our country. My intention in posting it was to honor the significance of the image and what it represents – leaning about the tattoo and creed is definitely something I’ll never forget.

Screen capture of the report on wordpress.

The Art of Autism: Shifting Perceptions

Mitra — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:40:03 +0000

Several year ago I became involved with a Santa Barbara non-profit group called Arts for Humanity. Arts for Humanity! is a Santa Barbara based non-profit that empowers low income at-risk youth, persons with disabilities, and the elderly through participatory performing and visual arts programs.

The founder of AH!, Karsen Lee Gould, invited me to an art show ‘Art Walk for Kids/Adults‘ at the Faulkner gallery. The show features work from artists with disabilities. While I was there I picked up a book for sale called, ‘The Art of Autism: Shifting Perceptions‘. This book features art and stories from 77 Visual Artists & Poets on the autism spectrum. The art of autism is a movement, located here in Carpinteria, CA. Another gem among the thousands of business doing good work here on the central coast.

I feel very fortunate to be part of a community that is so active in collaborating to creating the best possible future for everyone!

Here are a few images from the show:

Click to view slideshow.

Studio update – Adding in portraits!

Mitra — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:30:41 +0000

I’ve been working on this large painting, and I’ve added in the faces… things are starting to come together! The cat faces need some love… (the animals are next.

Click to view slideshow.

SB Jewish Festival, photo in the SB NewsPress!

Mitra — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:37:05 +0000

I got involved with the Santa Barbara Jewish Festival when I agreed to be the graphic designer for the event promotional materials. The Jewish Federation has a great community center, if your interested I would check out their community calendar. I had participated in one of their art at the JCC shows over a year ago. They have various art shows throughout the year and also a permanent interactive photography exhibit called, Portraits of Survival.

I’ve been experimenting with festivals this year, and I did some live painting at the Jewish Festival. It was fun to paint while listening to live music and enjoying the outdoor location. It was a perfect day and Oak Park is a beautiful location. I really enjoyed being involved with this community event.

Click to view slideshow.