Oertli Design Art Notes

Safe Mouse Mousepad from Zazzle.com

2011-09-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

Inspiration and art

2011-06-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

My drive to "make art" has been fallow lately. Life events get in the way sometimes, and I've been focused on other things. Now I am finally feeling the quiet nudges of new creative urges. My husband and I recently visited our vacation home in Oroville, CA with a friend who was visiting from Canada. As we took her to different "sites" and spent time in nature, I was inspired by her picture taking, documenting what she was seeing around her.
Watching her delight in capturing these new surroundings, inspired me to see things in a new way -- as possible take off points for a new series of abstract paintings. Snapping away like a "tourist" gave me the freedom to resist self-editing and also focus in on details and patterns. I realized that I usually try to capture a very large scene when I shoot, so this time tried to zoom in on the patterns and shapes the natural world provides. Now I need to get into the studio and start some work!

Loss and Grief

2010-12-08T16:49:00.000-08:00

Just checked back on this after quite some time, and found the past post... didn't even remember it. I lost my mother on November 6, 2010 and tonight I'm going to my drawing group for the first time since that date. Ironic, that I would find myself here at this blog.

The things we do just because we love them are the things that heal us.

Getting back to what matters

2010-11-05T07:54:00.000-07:00

Just realized this blog is still up and running, even though I've abandoned it for quite some time. Lost my little buddy Boo, and now it seems I am slowly losing my Mother... she seems to be fading away despite all the care and concern she's receiving from various quarters.
That, work and other things have consumed me in the past few months, but just the other night I returned to the life drawing group at Alameda Artworks.

Peace.

When I draw from life, I focus. And while I focus, I can forgot everything else. Bliss.

Losing a furry muse...

2010-06-07T22:21:00.000-07:00

We lost our dear Boo Bear this weekend... in the end she was a shadow of this former plump self. Boo "lived" in my home office, keeping me company during many years of self-employment -- always there to listen and if needed, be gathered up in a hug.

I will miss her very much...

The Life Drawing compulsion

2010-04-29T17:46:00.000-07:00

The last few months I've had some major changes in my life, joining the staff of the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County as a part-time marketing communications associate, and leaving my business networking Leads group behind, as well as most other freelance work. But one habit has stayed constant throughout this time, my addiction to life drawing.

I've been enjoying life drawing as a habit/compulsion/therapy since I discovered it as an art major in college, and off and on throughout the years have found different classes, groups and gatherings to continue the practice. For the past two years I've joined a group that meets at the Alameda Artworks in San Jose, run by friend and fellow artist Deanna Beye. What a relief after a long day staring at a computer screen to join like minded artists to just DRAW. Drawing from a live model, ever changing and moving, is challenging and totally absorbing for me. Some nights I feel like I've made absolutely no progress in the past 20 years, other nights I pat myself on the back for creating something that is pleasing. Whatever the outcome, it's the process that I enjoy -- and the company!

SWAN Day Event

2010-03-28T21:03:00.000-07:00

Just back from the wrap-up reception for our local SWAN Day (Support Women Artists Now) event at Alameda Artworks in San Jose, "Tenacity, Guts and Grace". Enjoyed seeing the film "Who Does She Think She Is", an inspiring and upsetting look at the choices women artists have to make -- even today -- to pursue their artistic path. And the under-representation in galleries and museums that we still face. A must see for every woman artist, especially younger ones.

My painting for the show is called "Kitchen Comrades" (at left), featuring an ever present cat and a room I'm often found in! The artist Joan Brown was my inspiration, not in style, but the substance of using everyday life as a subject for art. It was a pleasure to be invited to show in this event, and I hope it continues to grow each year.

The Obsession to make art...

2010-01-13T10:59:00.000-08:00

"the obsession to make art is a neurological disease" -- Gail Wight. Read the "about" page on her website to get a taste of the way her mind works!

Just came upon this artist via SF Center for the Book's latest email notification.

"Restless Dust: A Ghost Walk with Darwin -- in exhibition January 15 - April 17, 2010 SAN FRANCISCO CENTER FOR THE BOOK"

I visited SFCF several years ago and was fascinated, but have never had the opportunity to take classes there. In the light of the fact that I'm now reading with an eReader (Barnes and Noble's "Nook"), revisiting the art of traditional bookmaking has even more pull. The renewed interest in assemblage via the book form is really intriguing... need to put that on the future project pile!

I LIKE doing the work!!

2009-12-29T19:19:00.000-08:00

Things seems to be changing at the speed of light, and no where is it more apparent than in my chosen career as a visual designer. I just read a well done (and rather depressing) article on the Commarts.com website ("Embracing Marginalization" by David C. Baker) which highlights the dilemma that a lot of us are in. The author suggests going with the outsourcing trend and using it, being the thinker and not to doer. But I LIKE the doing, the puttering with type, the spinning of idea variations... that's the part I ENJOY!

I remember the days of typesetters as a separate department, wax, Exacto knives and RubyLith, rapidograph pens... etc. Oh, yeah, the "stat machine"... wow, have things changed. But as an artist as well as a designer, I enjoy the process of making art, and making the visual images. I don't want to pay someone in Buenos Aires to do the part of the job I enjoy.

I want to give my clients good value for their money, but if I just become a go between...that's not worth it to me.

Get out and see...

2009-10-20T10:06:00.000-07:00

My friend Corinne Friedman has a passion for making the "Artful Shoe"

Don't miss Corinne's fantastical shoe display in the window of the newly relocated IN HER SHOES store in Palo Alto's Town and Country Village.
Corinne's whimsical and fanciful one- of--a kind shoe creations will make you smile and think fairy tails.However no one will be able to wear these works of art not even Cinderella.
These would make anyone who has everything a wonderful gift.
www.artfulshoes.com

AND DON'T MISS THIS!
The Alameda Art Works is doing an Open Studio and Benefit Show for Sacred Heart Community Service. Nov 7 & 8 11am to 5pm, Reception Sat 2pm-5pm
1068 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126
Over 30 artists participating!

I'm not a member of Alameda Artworks, but I enjoy being part of a small drawing group that meets about once a month for life drawing (figure drawing). It's such a great space for artists and an easy way to see a variety of work all in one place! www.thealamedaartworks.com

Upcoming Group Show with SBAWCA

2009-08-18T10:13:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to be a part of The SBAWCA 20th Anniversary Group Show,(SBAWCA 1989 - 2009)

Location:
Object Art Gallery
592 North Fifth Street, San Jose, CA 95112

Dates: August 29 - September 19, 2009

Opening Reception: Saturday, August 29, 6 - 9pm

I'll be showing two pieces, "Motion Window" and "Nature Refuge"

Resolution: Tech Tips

2009-08-12T08:06:00.000-07:00

Basic screen and print resolution requirements can be confusing. I got a great eNewsletter from iStock.com today & wanted to pass on the information. Hope it's useful to you too!

"Required resolution varies depending on use, but in general, for web & online use, you don’t have to worry about the dpi: just look at the number of pixels. For print you'll need a larger-sized file with a higher resolution. Check with your printer, but large presses usually require an image at 300 dpi. If outputting on a large format inkjet printer, the minimum resolution is probably about 100 dpi, but (with diminishing returns), a higher resolution will produce better results. An average home or office inkjet printer can usually produce fine output with 150 dpi, but higher resolutions produce better results. Your best option is to do a few test prints and see where you can perceive the difference.

The two most important measurements you need to be aware of to ensure your image will be big enough for your use are size and resolution. Yes, especially in this case, size matters. Both can be manipulated in Adobe® Photoshop® under Image, then click Image Size.

The magic resolution formula
To find out if your image is large enough for your end use without pixelating the image, divide the number of pixels by the resolution. For example:

This means the printed piece can be a max of 10” before some loss of image quality. If your printer only required 150 dpi, you could print the image as large as 20”.

What size image do I need for web or print?"

Need just a little something, web-wise?

2009-07-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

I network with a lot of great entrepreneurs who have access to semi-customizable web pages through distributors and parent companies. But sometimes that's not enough. There is a need for a personalized portal to that parent company or distributor page. Entrepreneurs want the opportunity to get their name and brand out to THEIR clients, before the client falls visually into the much larger organization they work with. After all, that personal connection is at the root of successful sales efforts, and shouldn't be lost along the way.

I just created a sample web portal page with this idea in mind -- Take a look:
http://tinyurl.com/lanjo8

The idea is that you get your own web page at your domain name, customized with your photo head shot, and a stock photo relevant to your industry, a navigation level link to your parent company, home office or distributor's website, 4 other navigation level links to sites of your choice like Industry News, Your Blog, PDF files, other Helpful Links, Your LinkedIn page -- You choose.

I can help you set up your own domain name through a name brand hosting company, and suggest hosting packages that make sense for you.

Email me for more information or to get started on your own page! Barbara

Linking Color to Politics

2009-06-21T11:49:00.000-07:00

I am struck by the use of color in two current political events/uprisings: Green in Iran, and Pink in India. Does the message become more poignant, more instantly recognizable with the addition of color itself as a message?

The Pink Sari Gang captured my attention a few weeks ago: http://tinyurl.com/395yns

"They wear pink saris and go after corrupt officials and boorish men with sticks and axes."

Can color now strike fear in the hearts of the oppressor?

And of course we've all seen the internet videos, stills and TV coverage of the unrest surrounding the "election" in Iran:

http://tinyurl.com/kkcx5y

"As the people of Iran take to the streets, a related revolution is erupting on the Web. All week, Twitter avatars, Facebook mugshots, Web sites and blogs have been going green in solidarity with Iranians protesting the results of last week’s election..."

The times we live in are so much more VISUAL than in the past, no longer muted by black type on white paper, our struggles and those of our fellow human beings around the world are colored by emotion -- COLOR for all to see and feel.

Ready for Walden's Pond...

2009-06-01T17:39:00.000-07:00

Whew! Big concerns about computer security this last week, seems my "Twitter" account got hacked and because it was linked to my Facebook account, something appears there that I hadn't posted. Got rid of that quickly, but a few days before I'd received a virus in an email from a FB contact and stupidly opened the link. Much mess ensued.

Eventually got a computer security expert in to run more tests on my machines, and of course he found more Malware and Spyware that we eradicated. All of this had my head spinning and I realized things these days are just too unbelievably complicated! I long to escape to a cabin in the woods and live like Thoreau-- if just for a little while-- to clear my head.

When one is basically a "creative type" all this concentration on security and passwords and cyber-wackos is so draining. I need to set aside a block of time when I don't touch the computer at all and give myself some breathing room...

And, PS: I've decided I can live just fine without "Twitter"!

Airline Seats, Website grader... finds of the week!

2009-05-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

Just stumbled into this site: http://www.seatguru.com/ via an article about upgrading airline seats to first class. And, although I'm not a frequent flyer, being tall makes flying a challenge. This site allows you to actually put in the airline carrier and type of plane & get a visual of "best seats/worst seats" etc. Very helpful! I'm often guessing about seating so this should come in handy.

Here's another "find" http://website.grader.com/ a free tool from Hubspot, got me motivated to improve the SEO of my own website, and those of my clients. There is always more to learn... fun too, put in a competitor's site and see how they rank in comparison to yours.

Keeping motivated, calm and refreshed

2009-04-29T10:58:00.001-07:00

Restarting my graphic/web design biz in a down market has been a challenge! But not impossible, and with the help of my extraordinary friends and extended network. This has become a time of growth and change, re-evaluation and new attention to health. My friend and colleague Sue Elliott just posted a great blog on "Avoiding Recession Depression" with some great tips on staying the course and not falling into the dark hole of depair.

Yesterday my friend and fellow Leads Club member Alys Milner came over for a few hours to give me some tips on organizing and rethinking my creative spaces. Her ideas on making my art studio more "user friendly" were outstanding. Sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes to see how you can improve your immediate surroundings.

For my health and well being I've also utilized the services of my network visiting Dr. Paula Strauss, "The Headache Doctor of Campbell", who is unfreezing my almost frozen shoulder. And attending the gentle Qi Gong sessions of Angie O'Sullivan, also a skilled healer in Acupunture.

More next time... stay tuned!

Some new things...

2009-04-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

One good thing about having a little more free time, now that I'm done with my UCSC Certificate in Web Design & Development, is that I can actually think about my own website. I decided to add a section call "Pet Portraits", which is a little sideline for me. A long time friend asked me a few years ago to do portraits of a couple of family pets in watercolor to give as gifts. Apparently they were well received. I also did a portrait of the son of another friend, and his beagle -- this one was in oil. He was actually going off to college when this was done, and it was a way for her to capture that time that slips away so quickly.

These are a lot of fun for me, since I'm such an animal lover anyway -- so now I've got them up and am officially "putting it out there" as something I do! Enjoy. I can work from your photos or digital files, or in certain cases shoot a reference photo to use. Prices vary according to size, generally in the range of $250 to $500. Framing is additional.

Sometimes the little guy WINS!

2009-03-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

Gee, this blog should be more about graphic design and art, huh? But lately my theme seems to revolve around consumer issues... perhaps because of the man I'm married to. He's quiet and thoughtful, but when his sense of unfairness or injustice is tapped he's quite tenacious! Case in point, our "fight" with Samsung.

After his bonus at the end of 2007, when the economy didn't seem so dire, Tim decided to reward himself for all his hard work by purchasing a big screen plasma TV. He bought a 58" Samsung model. It was great -- beautiful picture, a nice swivel stand so that it could be viewed from various points in the room. After initial suspicion and unease about the sheer size of the thing, I embraced it too. We even invited my Mom over to watch movies and SHE liked it.

But then, within less than a year, the burn-in set in. My husband noticed it first, and he tried to eradicate it with the programs on the TV to "clear the screen", leaving it on for periods of time with a white screen and gradated bars moving slowly across it. The cats were transfixed, I was slightly annoyed. I was willing to ignore this whole burn-in problem, but Tim was getting more and more annoyed. He'd spent a large sum of money for this "gadget" and it wasn't working right -- it just wasn't right!

First he called about the warranty, but was informed that burn-in wasn't covered. Then he tried the retailer he'd purchased it from, but they couldn't help. A "tech" was called in from the manufacturer, and pronounced that there was, indeed, burn-in on this less than year old product. But there was nothing to be done about it, if those "clear screen" programs didn't take care of it, well then we were just out of luck. Tim didn't like this answer. Escalating the fight further, he sent a letter to the attorney general of New Jersey where Samsung was incorporated. I thought nothing would come of this... a needle in a haystack for large faceless corporations like Samsung, but I was wrong.

Low and behold, within a week we got a call from a woman at Samsung who handled things like this. She was going to arrange for us to return this monster and get (most) of our money back! I was amazed! And skeptical, I didn't believe that this would actually happen. But Tim was convinced, convinced enough to have me help move this 100+ pound monster off the TV stand and out of the way -- and purchase a new LCD big screen TV from the same company! (apparently his research showed that their LCD product was they best in it's class) Ack!! "What if they never give us the refund?"... but they did. Several weeks ago two men came with a truck and took the offending plasma back to dead plasma land and handed me a check. I ran to the bank and deposited it. So far so good.

I really can't believe it, but sometimes the squeaky wheels does win!

Marketing Survey Overkill!

2009-01-28T15:27:00.000-08:00

OK, is it me or are we inundated with marketing surveys these days? I took my car in several weeks ago to the dealer for a scheduled maintenance visit. Everything went fine, in and out, no big hassles. All I wanted to do was go about my business, but no, there are the SURVEYS... you can't escape them!

First via email, I almost took the time to fill it out, but then got busy and DELETE! Fine, now I'm done with all that and then...just last night... Whammo! they got me by phone!

I had just been on the phone with my husband and thought he was calling back again for some reason so I picked it up and low and behold it was the X car company doing "a quick marketing survey"... The young woman launched briskly into these inane useless questions. "How would you rate your visit from one to ten"...

I told her, "look, it was all fine, everything was fine, give them all 10's" trying to get off the phone quickly without being totally rude. But then, I added, "...except there was one thing that annoyed me..." "yes?" she said.
"Well they changed the setting on my headlights and I drove off in the dark and didn't realize the auto setting was off -- I had to fumble with it to get the lights on -- they need to leave these settings as they were when people drop their car off!"

"OK Mrs. Oertli, I will let the supervisor know that" and "you will be receiving a survey in the mail in the next week, can I be sure you will fill it out?"

What? Not another one! That would be the third contact, ACK!

"No, I might not" I said... and then "this is really my next complaint, your company does too many surveys and frankly as a consumer this is a real pet peeve of mine"

I believe I hung up after that, I don't remember what else she said. Am I solely responsible for the marketing research at X car company? Where does customer feedback end and customer harassment begin? Can't these companies figure anything out on their own anymore? I've been in and around the marketing business for a long time in the role of a graphic designer and have actually seen the rise in this sort of "device" for "gathering data" and frankly I must say "enough"!

Here's a radical idea -- personal contact. Be nice and helpful when the customer comes in to get their car or drop it off. Ask them as they leave if they are happy with everything, if they have any questions or concerns. Watch to see if their headlights are on as they drive off into the dark and stormy night!

Facing 2009 with Courage!

2009-01-08T11:01:00.001-08:00

As I go forth to my first Leads group meeting of 2009, I realize the courage it takes to remain self-employed in the face of such extreme economic pressures we all face. But perhaps we self-employed folks are on the right track afterall? With all the layoffs and downsizing in corporate America, maybe the contractor or freelancer is actually one step ahead of the game?

What are the steps we must take as we go bravely forth into this next year to increase our sales, connect with new clients and not lose heart? I've started working on my own marketing materials, updating things, getting forms ready for use -- thinking ahead to what my new 2009 clients might need in terms of services. If they run small businesses like mine, do they have a blog set up? Maybe they need the services of a copywriter? I know several -- it would be a snap to set up a relationship with a local copywriter to get your blog on a schedule of updates. Send me an email and I'll put you in touch with one today!

Keep your website updated! Show off your most recent work -- that goes for artists as well. I know my site is not the best example of always following my own advice, but I vow to make it more of a priority in 2009!

Here's a little more advice that I need to practice too -- shake off the cobwebs and get out to see some art! Visit your local galleries and museums, they are treasure and need our support! Seeing something new might spark a new idea or mood that will put your life in a whole new direction, you never know!

Social Networking and Almost Introverts

2008-11-13T08:50:00.000-08:00

When I was younger, I was labeled an "introvert"... but perhaps that was a misnomer, as I've matured and... well let's just say it, AGED, I find I'm more in the middle. Perhaps on a sliding scale it hovers between Introvert and Extrovert according to the weather and position of the planets? All that being said, I believe that as a self employed business person, networking and "being social" are crucial to building my business. Yet one needs to temper all that with a certain amount of "alone time", especially for those of us in more creative fields -- this is how we recharge our batteries, and absorb the information we've received in the more social realm.

Online social networking is something I've been slowly venturing out to as well. I'm listed on LinkedIn and Facebook (although I must admit I got onto Facebook to see photos my niece had posted...). I'm finding those and other social networking vehicles are a hot topic of conversation at the "real time" networking events I've attended lately. One group I'm involved in, Women in Consulting, had that same topic highlighted at lunch this week at their South Bay gathering.

An interesting site I just discovered via the WIC blog was Mzingaa
a deep site with many interesting links about maintaining an online social networking presence that most of us just don't have time for... but you can see how the dedicated marketeers do it and get some interesting insight into the process, not to mention loads of links that lead you on a very long time gobbling path... Oops, guess that's the down side!

I just love doing the work (design, art) and am trying to build up my business after some time off spent upgrading my skills. I would always rather be solving a visual problem than going to my Leads group lunch (sorry gang ;-) but I think the key is balance whether one is in Introvert, Extrovert or solidly In The Middle!

Xmas gifting? Think Local Artistry!

2008-10-19T17:25:00.000-07:00

The gift giving season is rapidly approaching and often we forget to plan ahead, and then in a rush, grab gift certificates or gift cards that have no personal appeal. This year, try thinking more locally... and give the gift of art! Your friends and family will feel that you spent considerably more time and thought on them, and you'll be supporting the arts on a very real local scale. Visit your local museums with gift shops that feature work by local artists, try Triton Museum in Santa Clara, the San Jose Museum of Art or travel up to Palo Alto and drop in on Pacific Art League of Palo Alto. Attend Open Studios or Art and Wine fairs around the bay area.

I recently had lunch with a friend in Pleasanton, and stumbled upon a great art gallery/collective Studio 7 Fine Arts where I was enchanted by the illustrations in a children's book, a part of the Rip Squeek Series. I bought two books and mailed them off to my nephew and his wife as gifts for their new baby and older son & just received a nice thank you note.

It may take a bit more time, but shopping at local galleries, museums and artist's open studios can be a fun adventure and very rewardind!

Retreat to art...

2008-10-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

Turned on Charlie Rose today during lunch, but the discussion of the economy was so dire I turned it off. When I jumped back online and checked my email, I discovered a new email blast from Center for the Book in San Francisco detailing a new workshop they are offering in Paper Marbling... how delightful! Just the thing to take us back in time to the days when books were works of art in themselves... marbled inner sheets, leather embossed bindings... ah... yes. Just the place to go immerse oneself in the world of art and forget the tangled economic web that surrounds us.

Learn something new every day...

2008-09-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

Hey, just found a great website to gather a color palette to match a photo! Try Color Hunter, just upload your photo and the website generates a nice hex decimal value color palette to use for web work. Great for inspiration, design or special pages.

Guess I'm learning a few things from this latest class I'm in at UCSC Extension "Graphic Design Principles for the Web", which I believe is the last in my series of courses to receive the certificate. One of the most valuable things I find in these classes are the lists of web resources that I've received...

It's Monday again....

2008-09-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

Back from a relaxing weekend in Reno visiting friends, watching movies, catching up on family news. The landscape is to different there it was a vacation for the eyes and ears... so quiet in the neighborhood we were visiting, in the southern hills above the city. Just crickets and stars, lights from the city below. Saw some fire damage along hwy 80 at Yuba Gap and elsewhere... very sad. Traveling past Soda Springs, and past Truckee made me nostalgic for long ago summers spent sunning and dreaming in the mountains.

Control... that's the theme of a show coming up next year with art group SBAWCA that I'm involved in. I'm still trying to come up with a visual image or collage of images that best represents that theme as applied to women. I feel lucky I have not had much of a problem in that respect during my life --- our country, messed up as it is, is a far better place for women than some.

Another Monday...

2008-09-15T15:15:00.001-07:00

So... I'm taking this over! I had set this blog up as sample for my friend Esme, who's website I just completed -- check it out: http://www.esmesachsstudio.ca
Esme is a talented, creative and very spiritual individual who has been quietly "enlivening" homes and businesses around Burlington, Ontario, Canada for the last 15 years or so. All without a website! So... her site became my "web design project" as I work on completing my certificate at UCSC Extension program in Web Design & Development. Perfect example of a win/win situation!

Esme and I met YEARS ago at a summer session of Lacoste School of the Arts, held in beautiful Lacoste, Provence, France. This school is still run, now under the auspices of Savannah College of Art and Design. When we participated in the school it was run by Sarah Lawrence College and Cleveland Institute of Art. Still a beautiful place -- would love to return there some day! The little town of Lacoste is just down the hill from ruins of a chatteau once owned and occupied by the Marquis de Sade... and what would the Marquis have said about the current market meltdown today?