AEDM - Day 3

Now I knew I wouldn't have much time for art today so I made use of the little bit of free time I had at work in the laboratory, between fiddling with cells and solutions, to look for some faces! This is a continuation of one of the projects I started on day 1, and is ongoing. 

Once I started looking for faces I found quite a few that I'd never noticed before! I'm sure I won't look at them again without seeing 2 eyes and a mouth!

Meet Mr Microscope.......

I thought he looked like a cross between a bug-eyed frog and an old man - or maybe that's just  my imagination stretching a little too far?!

And look who I found on the front of the laboratory centrifuge today. He looks a little grumpy if you ask me. He does work hard though so that's probably why he's not smiling..........

 Tap Happy........

And the last one I had to create myself.......

I like that AEDM is already encouraging me to be more creative in ways to fit art into my everyday life even when there isn't much time. I'm not under any illusions that I'll manage to do this every single day, but I'm going to give it a good go!

Dubious Science Fact 12

The human brain is composed of 75% water.

AEDM - Day 2

For Art Every Day Month today I made a start on the first page of my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project. I created this pen and ink drawing called 'Harmony?'. The title is a question because the boy-girl relationship is not always harmonious! It was a very quick sketch, and I think I'll leave it as it is rather than add any colour.  This is only my third pen and ink drawing so am quite pleased with it. I find ink quite a challenge because you can't rub it out and it has to be right first time (or you have to think quickly to alter it when it goes wrong!). 

The 365 Scientist - Days 103-106

Day 103

The 365 Scientist was stressing out about his almost empty sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project 2011 - only 2 more months left to fill it up!!

 

Day 104

It was a very cold day today so the 365 Scientist tried to wrap up warm. Perhaps those boots might be a little too big for him though.

 

Day 105

The 365 Scientist tucking into his duck shaped fried egg for breakfast! I want one too - that's cute!

 

Day 106

The 365 Scientist felt like making some cocktails this evening so I gave him free reign with the drinks cabinet!

Art Every Day Month - Day 1

Art Every Day Month starts today! I just signed up, and I'm hoping it will encourage me to do a little more creating each day! I doubt I'll finish a whole piece each day but I will try to work on something every day. Even if it is only a few experimental photographs or a quick sketch. I'll update this blog with my progress whenever I can!

So, Day 1......

...today I wanted to start a couple of mini photography projects that I've been thinking about for a while. I want to start looking for hearts and faces in everyday objects and places. Today I found a pretty tree with it's autumnal leaves that looks like a heart when you look at it upside down.....

...and a face on the side of this building!

 

I also took my first Bench Monday photo. I'm not doing the usual 'stand on the bench' photographs, but just photographing anything random on a bench! Take a look at this flickr group for an idea! Here is mine:

Why don't you sign up for the AEDM yourself here and encourage yourself to create a little every day?

Happy Halloween!

A little summary of my Halloween weekend........

The 365 Scientist - Days 99-102

Day 99

We spent the day at Sheffield Park in East Sussex today, and the 365 Scientist took a little break from roaming the parkland.

Day 100

Woo hoo! The 365 Scientist celebrated his 100th day in style! Yippee!

 

Day 101

The 365 Scientist and I were messing about with the camera this evening, experimenting with longer exposures - very retro!

 

Day 102

The 365 Scientist was checking out my new windows and making sure the fitters had done a good job!

My current obsession!

I am easily obsessed by things - things I want to buy, things I want to do, the list goes on. My new obsession is cameras and photography. I've loved taking photos for ages now, and I have my favourite camera - my Sony HX5V which I love to bits, but I want more!

The macro feature on my Sony isn't great (only 10cm) and I was used to a better macro on my previous camera, so I bought a cheap Canon PowerShot A470 from Ebay a while ago because it takes super macro (cool name) photos at 1cm!! I'm so impressed with this setting. I'm thinking of doing a Macro 365 - for those who don't know, this means taking a macro photo every day for a year, and posting to a flickr group. Hoping to start this very soon.

Anyway, I was at my mums looking through some old photos from my childhood and beyond, when I realised how much I liked the old style photos - the way the colour is slightly odd and the edges are sometimes a little darker, and I asked my mum if she had any of their old cameras I could try using again. A few days later she appeared with a large Kodak cool bag full of cameras and films. The pride of the lot was my dad's Zenit EM camera, a manual SLR bought in 1977. Even the receipt was still there with the manual! I read through the book and realised this is one confusing camera! It took me well over half an hour to work out how to get the old film out and load a new one! I still don't know if I've even done it correctly. Aiming to start taking snaps soon.

I've also got my mums old camera, a Kodak ColorSnap 35, complete with sellotape to hold the case together! We're not sure if it still works as it looks like there is a shutter problem. Still, I've started a new film in there so I guess I just have to wait and see.

Well, my obsession continues........I discovered Lomography.com and just bought a Diana Mini with flash, a Holga 135BC (in purple!!!) and a Robot 3 lens camera  from eBay. The Holga takes photos with a vignette round them, the Diana Mini can take square photos or fit 2 small rectangular shots on 1 frame and the Robot takes 3 photos within a second in the same frame! You can also do multiple exposures on the Diana. Very exciting.

One day I want to save up for a digital SLR camera and lots of lenses......we can all dream I guess........

Dubious Science Fact 11

The tooth is the only part of the human body that can’t repair itself.

The 365 Scientist - Days 95 - 98

Day 95

Tonight when I got home I caught the 365 Scientist with his hands in the sweet tin! Very naughty behaviour (although I can't blame him!).

Day 96

That looks a bit dangerous there 365 Scientist - be careful playing with electricity in the lab!

Day 97

The 365 Scientist giving his grey matter a workout with a crossword.

Day 98

The 365 Scientist had a little trouble with his breathing today so he had a bit of help from his inhaler. Poor thing.