Creative input time!

I often get asked just how I manage to be creative so much of the time. The answer is to constntly feed your brain ideas. I gather ideas wherever I go bu sometimes I need a heavy infusion. Once such place to gather ideas is a Disney theme park. These folks are among the most creative in the world. So since I'm already in Florida it is just too good an opportunity to pass up.

Among the endless eye candy are the wonderful signs that hang just about everywhere. I started snapping pictures as soon as we arrived...

From then on I had my camera out a lot for there was lots to see and remember...

But I didn't just look at signs for creative details were EVERYWHERE I looked. Here's the dimensional cast emblem that adorned a garbage can in Tomorrowland.

It got dark today before I did toom much collecting of ideas but no worry. Tomorrow I'll be out gathering once more...

grampa dan

Learning in Orlando

The group in Orlando is small but very enthusiastic. Each student is eager to learn and soak in all they possibly can. We've gone over design, digital design tools ane the endless possibilities of the things we do. In the process I see many 'aha' moments as the students discover new things and ways to doing projects. All were eager to jump into the hands-on portion of the workshop as we sculpted, painted and glazed various small samples. Along the way we've all made new friends. The workshop has now passed the midway point and everyone is eager to continue. It's been fun! 

Now it is time to get back to being creative. More later...

-grampa dan

Almost ready

The workshops we do on the road can be tricky to pull off. I arrive in a far away location, unfamiliar with the surroundings, not knowing exactly what I will find. I don't have family and staff handy to make sure everything is ready and to remind me of things I may have forgotten. I am in unfamiliar surroungings, not knowing what tools and supplies are available or where they might be located. Thankfully our hosts are always eager to please and have things laid out as best they can. The samples we will use are all routed and the shop is neat. Tables and chairs are handy, the projector and AV cablles all are ready. The sculpting epoxy I sent ahead is there as are the sheets of Precision Board provided by my supplier. Then the scramble begins.

I have a long list of supplies we need and we search out local suppliers and stores. I defer to my hosts as to which is closer and more apt to carry the things we need. Then we jump in the car and begin our shopping spree in earnest, criss-crossing the city as we gather the supplies, many common items, but some hard to find. These are brought back to the training facility and then everything gets laid out.

Connections are tested, I run through the whole program, making sure everything is in it's proper place and working. Inevitably, some snaffu occurs and another quick trip to town is needed to remedy the situation. Today I discovered I had left a necessary projector connection adapter on my desk at home. Now I have a spare.

Tomorrow, the last day of preparation I'll go through everything one last time, making sure all my reference files are handy and accessible and that I am totally ready. The furniture will be rearanged one more time, the supplies laid out and ready for our guests. 

Thursday morning we begin the real show. I'll be ready!

-grampa dan