STEM and STEAM – Feature

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Art, design, engineering, feature, history, math, science, steam, STEM, technology, writing

Instead of a review today, I am just going to talk.  I don’t often stray from book reviews, but after reading three successive books about women in scientific careers, and noticing an unintentional theme, I was inspired to put some additional thoughts out there. And then ramble a bit…..

Perhaps you’ve noticed that the theme this week has been academia.  All the books I’ve been reviewing feature women who were, for at least a part of the story, in graduate school.  Kate Khavari’s A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons by took place in the 1920’s.  Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus took place in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Wednesday’s book, The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, is a contemporary academic romance.  All three main characters have a scientific field of study.   

While I was putting this week together, I learned a new word.  STEMinist.  The Urban Dictionary gives more than one definition, but the one I like is “A person who believes that all social groups deserve equal representation in STEM fields.”

Continuing in the STEMinist theme, tomorrow’s review will be of a book that features a female engineer.  A Love by Design by Elizabeth Everett takes place in 1820 London.  The books reviewed this week cover two centuries of strong women determined to succeed in STEM careers.  

STEM is a big deal these days in schools and in libraries.  STEM activities get lots of support.  Boys and girls are encouraged to explore analytical fields.  I am all for that.  In an ever-changing technological world, we need people to pursue those fields.

However.  (Did you know that “However,” was coming?)  Without creative thought, there would be no advances in any STEM field.  While I am not hugely blessed with artistic talent, I feel the arts are just as important as science, technology, engineering and math.  Many people feel this way. That’s how STEAM came about.  Guess what the ‘A’ stands for.

STEAM recognizes that creative skills and knowledge of arts including design, writing and history are needed in order for the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and math to even exist.  Without some initial creative thought, there would be no need for advances in the sciences. Encouraging creativity in kids is critical for our future. We need those original thinkers in all disciplines to solve tomorrow’s problems.

Sadly, the term STEAM is used far less often than STEM.  (The Urban Dictionary says this when I look up STEAMinist “Sorry, we couldn’t find: STEAMinist”.

As a reader of the types of books I feature on this blog, I can’t help but think you also believe that creativity is important.  To that end, I am asking you to support the arts in your community.  Whether it is in the schools, libraries, or community projects, making the arts accessible to all is good for everyone!  I believe this whole-heartedly! Support comes in many forms. At my library, my favorite form is enthusiastic thanks for the programs we offer. Donations are good. Volunteering is lovely! By tickets to concerts. Purchase art pieces from your local artists. Somehow, let the creative people around you know that you appreciate their contributions. I probably don’t need to tell you that buying and reading books also supports the arts. 🙂

I will leave you with two quotes. First from a writer:

“There are two kinds of truth: the truth that lights the way and the truth that warms the heart. The first of these is science, and the second is art. Neither is independent of the other or more important than the other. Without art science would be as useless as a pair of high forceps in the hands of a plumber. Without science art would become a crude mess of folklore and emotional quackery. The truth of art keeps science from becoming inhuman, and the truth of science keeps art from becoming ridiculous.” Raymond Chandler, writer

And because this also about STEAMinism and I like equal representation, here is what an astronaut has to say about science and art:

“Sciences provide an understanding of a universal experience, Arts are a universal understanding of a personal experience… they are both a part of us and a manifestation of the same thing… the arts and sciences are avatars of human creativity” Mae Jemison, astronaut

An Illustrated Tail – Feature with Artist Tracy Lovett

Tags

Art, cats, childrens books, creative process, dogs, feature, guest post, Kellen, pets, photography, Tracy Lovett

Thanks to all my blog visitors who have come back every day this week.  Furry Friends Week has been all about the pets.  Cats, dogs and otherworldly creatures (if I may use the PISA tagline).  Monday, I reviewed No Kitten Around by R.J. Blain.  Tuesday was release day for Pets in Space 4 by a lot of authors.  Wednesday I reviewed a few of my favorite stories in Pets in Space 4.  And Thursday, I reviewed Catalyst by Jodi Wallace.

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To cap off Furry Friends Week, we are staying right here on Earth.  In fact, I am not even leaving town.  My guest today lives in the same zip code as I do.  I met Tracy Lovett a couple of years ago when I conned her into teaching an art class for the library. One class led to many classes as well as a new friendship.

Professional photographer, artist and author, Tracy is bundle of energy with a perpetually creative mind.  Constantly looking for ways to market her photography services, but wanting to do something other than the typical (senior pictures, weddings) she started doing pet portraits.  I took my Mini Australian Shepherd, Kellen, to her studio (with much trepidation – he was barely a year old at the time and a bundle of puppy energy).  But both Kellen and Tracy were great!  The result was a lovely bunch of photos of Kellen doing what he does best – that cute thang!

Kellen will wait for the word ‘Okay’ before he eats the treat.

From there, Tracy built on pet photography and came up with Illustrated Tails.  I selected one of the Kellen photos for Tracy to turn into an Illustrated Tails masterpiece.

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The Illustrated Tails Creative Process by Tracy Lovett

When I start to illustrate, I take into consideration the color scheme of the animal, and the owner’s preference of colors. Generally, we have discussed the pose that will work the best for the illustration, and it is usually a head shot of sorts. So, I begin by blocking in basic shapes.

Eye placement is critical, as is nose, and I do sometimes revise this as I go along. If eyes and nose are wrong, EVERYTHING cascades into “wrongness” as I move forward. I usually use a colored background to provide either mid or dark tones to the illustration. This also serves as a bit of a “mood builder” for the drawing. A red background gives a much more energetic feel to the final piece than a tranquil blue background does. I take into account the personality of the dog, the personality of the owner, and the color of the dog when I make these decisions.

After basic color blocking is done, I work with more details, adding shading, highlights, and big fur details. As I move along, my brush size gets smaller and smaller, because the details become much more fine. The last portions of the drawing are fur texture and details, highlights in the eyes, and some lighting decisions. For instance, is the animal back-lit a bit, making a slight glow around the edges of the ears and top of the head? I often draw the tiny, highlighted hairs individually to give the feel of golden sunshine falling on the animal. In the very end, I make a background decision. Do I want a simple, plain background, or do I like something more complex and layered? Kellen ended up layered–it just felt right to me and to his owners.

I use a Wacom Intuos Pro graphics tablet and pen with over 8000 levels of pressure sensitivity to do the primary illustrations. My favorite media are conte’ crayon and pastel, but I do use others, depending upon the feel I want. My favorite illustrating software is Corel Painter. Between all of these digital tools, it is the closest thing to freehand drawing on paper that I can get, without ACTUALLY getting out the paper and the pastels. The pen feels the same as it does on paper, the pressure sensitivity is just as if I was drawing at my drawing table. Heavy pressure produces heavier lines and deeper color, and lighter pressure is just the opposite. I love illustrating this way, because it not only creates beautiful art, but it is art that can then be applied to different products for the owner–canvas, coffee mugs, tshirts, jewelry–the list is endless. It makes me smile when I perform this process, and it always brings the owner great joy to have their pet turned into an original illustration. It’s one of my favorite art practices.

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Tracy, thank you so much for giving us a glimpse at your creative process!

In Kellen’s case, Tracy worked from one of her own photographs, but can also use good quality photos that a customer sends to her.  She ships her products all over the United States so pet parents everyone can show off their furry friends.

I don’t know about you folks, bu I absolutely love what she did!  Want to see a couple more Illustrated Tails?  Say hello Muffin and Harley……

 

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About Tracy Lovett

For this part, Tracy gave me a few notes and along with editorial license to write this bio.  Even said I could make things up.  From what I know, this should be fairly accurate: 

Tracy Lovett has lived in Sidney, IA for 20 years.  She has written 9 kids books, several of which feature her cat Soda Pop.  Tracy’s photography business, Images By Tracy Lovett, has been in operation for 20 years.  She claims she is photographer by day, crazy creative person by night.  She lives by the credo “Losing my mind, one creative project at a time.”  With this attitude, she encourages other to do the same.  (I have been so encouraged.)

Tracy loves animals alot and people sometimes (Tracy’s words.  Though I share that sentiment, truth is, Tracy is always kind to everyone, so I’m not sure I believe her.)

Tracy has been married to Mike for 22 years, has 4 kids, 4 cats, and one dog.  At any time, Mike, kids and pets may become subjects in her photos, art, and stories.

Find Tracy here:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/imagesbytracylovett/

www.imagesbytracylovett.photography for commissioning sessions.

www.anillustratedlife.homesteadcloud.com for commissioning illustrations.

www.tracylovett.com for art photography.

www.inclementiowafun.com for kids books.

The Art of Piracy by Cecilia Dominic from the Rogue Skies collection – Review

Tags

5 stars, airship, Art, Book Review, Cecilia Dominic, mystery, pirates, romance, series, Steampunk

About The Art of Piracy by Cecilia Dominic

Sometimes the clearest skies hide the deadliest secrets.

Veronica Devine is determined to return home in triumph and show the family who disowned her that she’s made it as one of the world’s premier art historians. Her one chance – escort art rescued from an abandoned chateau to the new art museum in Terminus. A simple airship trip over the Atlantic aboard a luxury liner promises to be a much-needed break and a chance to get her head on straight before facing the disgrace of her past.

Luc, the Marquis de Monceau, abandoned his chateau in the face of the Prussian invasion and is determined to recover one of the pieces. The problem – he can’t reveal who he truly is, or he’ll be arrested for aiding pirates. The other problem – he’s not sure which of the paintings he’s searching for since the information he needs is hidden in the art itself. Perhaps the beautiful art historian who’s escorting the collection can help him.

As clouds gather above, the ocean surges below, and air pirates pursue the ship. Veronica and Luc – locked in a dance of hidden identity, secret passions, and past betrayals – need to figure out which piece of art holds the key to unlock a metaphysical mystery, or else the pirates will be the least of their problems.

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Review of The Art of Piracy

Veronica has an eye for art. Well, maybe a feeling for art. Regardless of how one describes her talent, she manages to pick the one painting everyone else seems to want. Yes, that will cause trouble. One does not think an art curator will so troublesome. That she is, makes for a good story!

Luc is one of the people looking for that painting. Trouble is, he is not sure which painting it is. He just knows that Veronica is probably the key. Looks like he is going to have to get closer to her. Such a setup for a romance!

Most of the action in The Art of Piracy takes place on the Acadia Pearl, a brand new airship on its inaugural flight. To me, airships are the epitome of steampunk, so I always enjoy the in-the-sky setting. On the airship, Aether Physics series readers will be reunited with Inspector Davidson. At the request of the captain, he attempts to expose any possible piracy on this shiny, new luxury airship.

The title of this book is a giveaway. There will be pirates, ruthless pirates  –  as such characters tend to be. They are present throughout the story so the eventuality of the inevitable meeting with the pirates and the good guys (Veronica, Luc, and Inspector Davidson) makes for a nice bit of anticipation. Along with that anticipation, a slow-burning romance, a series of suspicious events and a bit of magic all combine to serve up a rousing good tale of adventure and love in the sky.

As a fan of Ms. Dominic’s Aether Psychics series, I am delighted with her return to that world in her new Steampunk/Romance The Art of Piracy. This might be my favorite so far!

The author provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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The Art of Piracy is one of 25 stories in the collection Rogue Skies.

About Rogue Skies

The skies have gone rogue. Space can’t be tamed. And magic is a law unto itself.

Transport yourself to new worlds where dark magic clashes with witty witches, diabolic demons, feisty fae, and sexy shifters. Or travel through time and space with cosmic spies, space thieves, and telepathic pirates. Add in a dash of Victorian heroes and inhuman soldiers, and you have a one-of-a-kind science fiction and fantasy collection of intoxicating proportions.

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Links

Add Rogue Skies to your Goodreads shelf:

Purchase Rogue Skies:

 

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