I Literally Cried As I Made This Graphic! So, Please Don't Ignore It!!!

[DistressedAmerican]

That happens to me sometimes as the sadness of this situation washes over me!

My best to vetrans, service members and their families on this memorial day weekend...

[MrScorpio]

1. You hit a Bullseye, DA

Perfect for these days

[DistressedAmerican]

My Memorial Day Tribute!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

8. It's a very fitting tribute

:thumbsup:

[RetroLounge]

2. Very moving indeed

nice work...

RL

[Droopy]

3. Very good, Distressed

I'm sure a lot of military people would agree.

[demnan]

4. It's a beautiful tribute

to those patriotic people who have given their lives for this pointless war.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. Very true,

and very moving. Thank you.

[BikeWriter]

6. Me, too. It's very moving, Pard. Thank you.

[MuseRider]

7. Very nice.

A fitting tribute.

[hlthe2b]

9. That hits the mark.... Good job! I was touched as well.

[NWHarkness]

10. Well done!

Thank you for sharing it with us.

[zippy890]

11. Excellent

you are a true patriot

[lady lib]

12. Good job!

[OKNancy]

13. Hard to ignore.... good job

as a great speaker said today

We are not just the beneficiaries of their bravery.
We are the stewards of their sacrifice.

[displacedtexan]

14. Extremely powerful, DA!

I plan to post this on my blog on Monday.

[DistressedAmerican]

18. Just Sent You A Copy In My Reply To Your PM

like I said there, I am more than usually proud of this one. It came from the heart.

as did this recent gif:



It can all be SO sad sometimes.

I shout graphically sometimes. Often you have to to make anyone listen.

Other times I am quite and try to make folks strain to hear the whisper.

These were two of the latter occasions.

[GOPFighter]

85. American Heart Break

Your gif really got to me. Thanks for pouring your sadness into your art.

One of the images you used, the little girl with her foot hanging by a thread being gently held by possibly her grandfather chokes me up every time I see it. I have it on my bulletin board at work and it has touched everyone who has seen it. I tell everyone it's there so I never forget the cruelty of war and why war MUST always be the last resort.

GOPFighter

(nominated)

[DistressedAmerican]

86. I Have Never Seen Much Difference Between That One And This One:

They are both the results of senseless violence perptrated in the name of vengence!

AND

Now excuse me while I get to work on my new graphic...

[DistressedAmerican]

87. Finished...

[lady lib]

21. Just added your blog to my favorites file.

:hi:

[JohnnyRingo]

15. Very nice....You're heart is good

Memorial day shouldn't be allowed to become a "glorious war" day.

[Immad2]

16. Great job and thanks for sharing it with us.

[Nite Owl]

17. Thank you DA

This is a message fromt he heart, it's all of our message to those who really believe in a Culture of Death. Bring them home NOW!

:patriot:

[DistressedAmerican]

20. Apparently So, I Was Typing The Very Same Phrase While You Posted This.

Thank you!

[Nite Owl]

22. All your work is terrific

you are a very talented person. And so are many here on DU!

[bigwillq]

19. Nice work!

Thanks for sharing.:hi:

[auntAgonist]

23. your graphic speaks volumes.

thank you

:hug:

[Blue_In_AK]

24. Beautiful, DA... n/t

[DistressedAmerican]

25. kick!

[undeterred]

26. Thank you, DistressedAmerican, for putting your heart into it!

[Left Is Write]

27. Good work, DA.

[knowbody0]

28. thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you

[seito]

29. Very Moving

Thanks

[DistressedAmerican]

30. THANK THEM FOLKS! ALL I DID WAS MAKE A GRAPHIC!

It is the service folks that deserve the praise!!!

[MadisonProgressive]

31. It's my desktop background now - Great job!

[DistressedAmerican]

32. Excellent!

[leftofthedial]

33. that's a great Memorial Day graphic

best I've seen!

[yorkiemommie1]

34. thank you

it should be a poster.

[DistressedAmerican]

35. I'll add it to my Cafepress Store Soon!

Just haven't gotten it done yet.

[KoKo]

36. Helmet, Gun, Boots.....Bring Em HOME! Many Thanks...and yes

it breaks my heart. Here in my Red State I see very little in "Remembrance" of our IRAQ/Afghanistan Soldiers who have died or even those killed in Korea and WWI AND II.

Everybody is at the beach or the mountains. Who cares about the DEAD...it's a free vacation day...let's head out!

Who knows what it all means, except that Bush never asked us to SACRIFICE for his ENDLESS WARS...we are just supposed to shop, buy houses and SUV's and Hummers to support the economy. :-(

I'm from a generation that knew war and knew sacrifice. But, the Bushes never had to sacrifice for anything...maybe that's the difference. :shrug:

[Fiona]

37. It almost makes me cry, too

[samplegirl]

38. Wonderful Tribute

Im glad to know some of us....can still cry.

[Pithlet]

39. Definitely not ignoring

I just found out my brother in law in Iraq took some shrapnel. He's okay, but he lost three members of his platoon. Seeing your graphic now brought me to tears.

[DistressedAmerican]

40. I Hope He And The Rest Of Those That Are Still in The Fight

Return Safe and Sound As Soon As Possible!!!

[DistressedAmerican]

41. Kicker!

[Mr_Spock]

42. Good Job!

Very nicely done...

[EFerrari]

43. Thank you.

:hug:

[Mnemosyne]

44. Simply beautiful distressed!

Sometimes all that is needed is plain and simple, you've hit it beautifully. Thank you for this.

:hi: :toast:

And a huge amount of love and appreciation to our folks far away and at home now!
:grouphug: :patriot:

[BensMom]

45. Very Good Job

This should be on every front page - a wake up call.

[KitchenWitch]

46. DA: very powerful

I love your graphics....What do you use?

[derby378]

47. Very well done!

Don't know if you read my Memorial Day "vision" from last year, but I hear you.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

48. Well done!

Succinct.

[hiley]

49. ...

:cry:

[Turn CO Blue]

50. Huge kick for your creativity and message ! n/t

[Desertrose]

51. Your graphics are excellent DA

They come right from the heart and are very well done. :thumbsup:

Thanks for caring and for sharing them with us on DU!
:hug:
DR

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

52. The message is great. The execution - not so much

I recommend not relying on Photoshop filters for the main graphic statement. Why not just post the main photo without the filter?

[Swamp Rat]

54. Because, perhaps, use of the bas-relief contains a deeper meaning?

The Walpiri in Australia paint on rocks, trees, many surfaces. The juxtaposition of the markings with the medium contain the corpus of the semantic meaning... that's how I see this piece... but that's because I am more like the Walpiri than the Average Bear. ;)

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

55. If you want to equate the use of a Photoshop filter with primitive art go

ahead. My opinion is that this is an overly gimmicked rendering which would be much better served in a more natural treatment - more honest. Just because you can use Photoshop filters doesn't mean your piece is well conceived visually. If he had painted it on rocks or blew charcoal like they did in Lascaux and then digitally filmed it that would be more of an achievement.

I am, once again for the people who can't take constructive criticism ever, speaking my mind about the aesthetics of the piece. I find the sentiment very, very true indeed.

[Swamp Rat]

56. Walpiri art is NOT "primitive!"

It's a sophisticated form of communication and expression.

"If he had painted it on rocks or blew charcoal like they did in Lascaux and then digitally filmed it that would be more of an achievement." - I am interested to know why you think that one is "more of an achievement" than the other.

"I am, once again for the people who can't take constructive criticism ever, speaking my mind about the aesthetics of the piece. I find the sentiment very, very true indeed." - What are you talking about? Who said you're not allowed to criticize? :shrug:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

57. I apologize for using the word "primitive" - to me it means magic, in the

sense that it was originally created and in the sense Picasso described it - my bad.

As I said, why put all these elaborate, yet simple Photoshop styles into effect when a more straightforward approach would convey the message better? This is visual communication, after all.

When I bring up even t he slightest form of criticism, even when I'm practically kissing ass so as not to offend, it seems to offend people. So what are you talking about? The man said I have to put him on ignore now, for fuck's sake.

[Swamp Rat]

58. Between you and me, you can criticize all you want.

First, please do not think my post to mopaul in the other thread was about you. I was making a joke about Zarqawi (his pic), Muslims, pork and right wing nutjobs who eat at Denny's. :D

I am genuinely curious as to why use of Photoshop filters lessens the work... I am actually playing Devil's Advocate in a way, even though I have myself been doing Photoshop art, what I call "photo vandalism" (about my work only), that others might call collage. I learned to paint (badly), throw pots, make batik and tie-dye art, etc. since I was a baby because my mother's an artist. I am a musician by trade and do scientific research, but I have discovered I can take the images from my mind and translate them just the way I want them via this computerised medium. I have struggled with my own prejudices about the medium, but my mother, who is a well-known painter and sculptor, has convinced me this medium is as legitimate as any other.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

59. Well it has alot to do with the final aesthetic value of the piece.

Certainly that is subjective, no doubt- and that is why I put my initial comment as politely as I could. Part of the problem comes from the simplicity of it - a group of people have worked on a computer algorithm to try and emulate a technique it took people generations to come up with - bas relief, mezotint, etc.. The other parts come from training in composition, color theory, line quality - things it takes people decades to develop which Photoshop can help you cheat at.

Don't get me wrong - I think Photoshop is the greatest invention in mankind's history - and I'm not kidding - I use it every day. I just feel that it is a tool which, more than most, promises a flash and flare that is superficial. It's true worth lies in using it like an oil paintbrush or a pastel crayon - another tool in an ancient quest of creating meaningful lasting images.

[Swamp Rat]

60. Great response.

I cannot disagree. As I said, I have also struggled with the legitimacy of computerised art and found that "cheating" sometimes is the "mother of invention" - that's why I started using the medium. Plus, J.S. Bach used to "steal" melodies outright from Vivaldi, et al and Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple once said, "just steal it!" :D

On the other hand, there's nothing like touching clay and cajoling it into a new, never-before seen shapes, or applying layers of acrylic to get texture (and I like the smell of paint, especially oils). The breakthough for me, in digital art, came when I realised that I have been using my LEFT hand to paint, probably for a year or so. Only last week did I consciously realise that I have been picking up the mouse with my left hand and drawing. :)

The most important thing to realise is tha... my radar has pick up three large objects entering Earth's orbit! ... DEFCON4! ... get away from all refineries and storage tanks, "They" are here for the OIL!!! :scared:

[DistressedAmerican]

63. It's Value Lies In USING IT PERIOD!!!

Why do you want to declare some uses legit and some just flash and flare. Why do you feel the need?

Use it how ever you would like. I'll do the same.

You are so obsessed with the medium that you seem to completely loose the message...

It does seem a bit much for you to have come to me with the same "constructive criticism" on multiple different threads.

You responded to the graphics thread post. It wasn't the first time you had expressed yourself on the issue. Now you come onto this memorial thread and start in here too?

Don't you think perhaps you are a little TOO strident in your criticism? Why do you feel so strongly about it? Why do you care one way or the other?

I got your point. I strongly disagree. Feel free to follow your own aestetic.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

64. Ok - just wanting to discuss. Nice trying to talk with you.

You put work up on a public message board but only want praise - never criticism. Once again, I am touched by the sentiment of your piece.

[DistressedAmerican]

65. Yeah, I Think All Of Them, Spread Across Multiple Threads!

Unless you have posted somewhere I haven't seen.

You act like you are just trying to offer your constructive criticism. All you have said it that you do not like my aestetic choices. Then you couch it in terms that imply that what I do I do because I lack training or experience.

Maybe you should reread your own posts.

Constructive criticism sounds something like this. "The text may be a bit easier to read of you..." Or maybe "if that was a little lighter you'd be able to make out the ..."

Constructive criticism is pointing out things that should be changed for REASONS. Not just because ChavesSpeaksTheTruth does not find it aestetically to his liking.

I'm sure a lot of people didn't like cubism for example. They never told Picasso to get some more experience!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

66. I explained exactly why I think your execution doesn't work.

You obviously only want praise.

I will never post on one of your threads again. Have fun, man.

[DistressedAmerican]

69. I Have Taken And Incorporated A Lot Of Constructive Criticism Into My Work

What you offered was your opinion on MY aesthetic choices. I understand you do not like my aesthetic. There is little there that is constructive.

I am wide open to criticism. I frequently ask for just that.

I just reject your implication that I somehow produce graphics that look like they do because I need more training and experience. They look the way they do because I chose to make them look that way.

You seem to have a personal issue with certain photoshop filters that you clearly do not think well replicate painting. I have no such issue. I do not try to use photoshop to paint. If I wanted to paint, I would. I am working with a specific tool and accomplishing with it the results I am looking for.

I clearly reject your argument that Photoshop's value is in using like paints. Why limit your options like that?

I am not the first poster to reply to your criticisms this way. The others had nothing invested in the graphic. Their feeling weren't hurt by your comments. Maybe you should consider listening to what they said since you are no longer speaking to me. There is value in what they are telling you.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

70. I'm sorry I said anything.

[DistressedAmerican]

71. Like I Said Please Consider What Others Have Told You.

Since you do not want to discuss what I have posted...

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

72. What do you want to discuss? I read all the posts.

I clearly stated my criticism. You don't seem to be able to take anything constructive from what I said and only want praise. At least Swamp Rat and I had a real conversation - you seem to reject anything that isn't praise.

[DistressedAmerican]

73. Thank You! I Have Addressed Several Points You Made To Swamp Rat.

For starts.

I do not understand your contention that the value of photoshop lies in using it like painting. I think the value of painting lies in painting. I think the value of photoshop lies in exploring all of its possibilities.

I happen to find many of the techniques that you do not like aesthetically pleasing. In fact, I love playing and expanding. everything I do is constantly changing and evolving. In general that has been a trend toward simplification. I assume simplicity of design is what your are referring to when you say "over the top". So, you are not alone in that criticism. I have been trending in that direction.

A recent example:


Short of loosing the stroke around the text (which greatly reduces its readability and loosing the border, that could not be more stripped down. I think I made it the very day you made your first comment about the murderer graphic, your comments specifically in mind. I do take criticism.

I do recoil at the suggestion that my aesthetic reflects a lack of experience. My aestetic reflects several things. First a love of photoshop as a tool. It does a lot of fantastic things. I like the photoshop aestetic. I think your tastes are more oriented to brush and pigment.

Also, and more importantly. While, I have been moving to a more spartan look as many of people have made similar comments to yours. I love DENSE.

I study Ancient Mesoamerican Art as part of my archaeological work. In fact it was what made me an archaeologist. The aspect That I love most it its density. The Ancient Maya abhorred white space. It is not very Bauhaus but, It is to MY taste.

Here's a couple of good examples from a 500 years old Maya manuscript, the Dresden Codex :



And from a highland Mexican Mixtec Manuscript called the Codex Borgia:



Many modern viewers would find those unbelievably dense. Difficult to deal with. Believe me. I see it all the time when I teach on the subject. For me it is just more to decode.

So your reference to "primitive" art was somewhat in the mark although, that would not have been the term I would have chosen.

Thoughts?

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

80. I simply find that alot of the visual impact of your Photoshops lie in the

effect themselves. I didn't mean to say that Photoshop needs to be done like painting I just feel that the tool, be it paint, pastel, photography, vector Illustration program, etc, should be the medium for the message, not part of the message. What I mean is - when I look at your pieces I think - look at that photoshop - not look at that piece of art. I am not saying it isn't art and I certainly didn't try to insult you ( I love the fact that you're doing this stuff).

If it comes down to us not agreeing about what we like to look at it's cool - I hope we can be friends as we are definately on the same side moving towards the same goals. I have no doubt that you are going to keep plugging away and will only get better and better.

I'm sorry I have to be brief - my fiancée and I are moving today so I can only pop my head in every now and again.

[DistressedAmerican]

81. I Go Both Ways. It Depends...

Thank you for clarifying your point.

Sometimes I love to play up the effects. Other times I play them down. I do not claim to love every graphic I produce. Some are a little embarassing in retrospect. I hope that you understand in most cases I create the look I do not because I need more experience but, because it it the look I am going for.

You clearly have a developed eye. That is probably what makes you so sensitive. Most folks would not know a gaussian blur from a bevel and emboss. I suspect that most internalize the message without dwelling at length on the layering and effects.

Although I too now share your (possibly over) sensitivities. When I see a protoshop that I do not love, me brain immediately starts picking it apart and thinking about how I would have done it differently. See, we are probably more a like than we are different.

I never lose friends here. I understand your intention was good. I think I understand pretty well where you are coming from. The only folks I cut off are those I decide are probably freepers. You are certainly NOT in that category.

Hope your move goes well. Don't feel pressure to keep darting back on my account. We have our differences but, I think we both respect where the other is coming from. Probably enough for now!!!

See you around and thanks for the comments!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

88. Cool. Feel free to comment on anything I post

-peace

[Swamp Rat]

91. :-)

[DistressedAmerican]

92. It Is Always Good When Peace Returns To DU!!!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

95. Agreed!

:)

[Zuni]

75. you don't seem very open to critics at all

your stuff might be a lot more palatable if you listened to Mr. Chavez

[DistressedAmerican]

76. Please reread these posts and get back to me about the substance of the

discussion at hand. If, you can to do so without all of the personal attacks that you left me in GD...

[DistressedAmerican]

62. I Was Going For A Slightly Anonymous War Memorial Feel.

Sorry you do not like my style.

Although, you seem of late to have made it your mission to repeat how you feel they are "over the top". That is your opinion and you are welcome to it. It is quite clear to me however, that your sentiments are not widely shared. Style is style.

Since I don't know what your style is, just that you dislike mine, I have little to compare my work to. Hell, maybe you should be my new master!

Again let suggest you put me on ignore. It was a joke originally. But, You have made your criticisms clear. I have gotten your point.

Over the top! I'd say the same criticism over and over is over the top. I get your point. Please don't trouble yourself in the future.

I invite folks to enjoy my work or not as their tastes dictate. You don't. Fair enough. Message received loud and clear (repeatedly).

Does this make you a little happier? Warning, There are some effects applied to this image TOO!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

67. Dude - you seem to have not gotten a word that I wrote. I tried to tiptoe

around my criticism to avoid this type of reaction. I will now put you on ignore. Again, I admire your drive.

- Peace

[Swamp Rat]

53. Powerful pic DA! Allow me to lend a hand with the message...

[NMMNG]

61. Poignant graphic

And given a well-deserved recommendation!

[In_The_Wind]

68. Bring The Troops Home!

[JimmyJazz]

74. Support the Troops - Bring them Home!

Nice work, DA - and nice work on your other thread as well. :hi:

[DistressedAmerican]

77. Thanks! I Thought A Weekend Blitz Was In Order!

It hurts to think about. But, failure to do so breeds complacency about these crimes!!!

[Left_Winger]

78. Thank you

My brother was killed in Vietnam (17 November 1967) and I served shortly thereafter (USMC, 1974-80).

I agree. Bring them home now!


www.veteransforpeace.org

[DistressedAmerican]

79. I'll Be Sure To Keep Him In My Thoughts Along With All Of The Others!

My condolences to you, your friends, family and community...

Post a pic if you have one, I'd love to have a face.

[the other one]

82. Wow.

That is really and truly an amazing piece of work. Thanks.

[blondeatlast]

83. Amen, brother, amen. nt

[flvegan]

84. Another great one, DA.

[sojourner]

89. I see why you cried - I'm moved , also. Powerful imagery.... n/t

[DistressedAmerican]

90. Thank You!

[DistressedAmerican]

93. Please Pardon The Self Kicks! They Are For A Good Cause!

[DistressedAmerican]

96. ...

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

94. kick for the great work

thanks DA
:kick:

[Radical Activist]

97. I posted this on my blog

Thank you
http://downleft.blogspot.com/2005/05/honoring-troops.html