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Post by deb193redux on Apr 14, 2013 21:25:10 GMT -5
Ok this is the discussion and comments for the April 2013 virtual cab competition. Feel free to respond to the poll. results will be interesting, - BUT the only real influence on who wins will be contributions to the discussion. If you want to advocate for an entry, please reply with some comment. With the poll we never know why someone likes something, and it may have less to do with creativity.If any of the contestants point out any orientation error or misquote, I will modify things. Contestants can make additional statement by replying to thread. Here is the photos folks had to work with:  So now, lets discuss these entries. What is most creative about each? ... what works? ... what might you change?Also, Lets also recognize the creative effort of ALL contestants.Here are the entries and contestant's statement: | # | entry | statement | | #1 |  |
I chose this spot on the right hand slab because it first reminded me of a small tree, and then when I tilted the slab before I did the crop, it looked like a duck, so I'm calling it: Duck-Tree | | #2 | 
| at first glance I really thought a free form shape would be the way to go but I printed out 10 copies and used a sharpie to sketch all sorts of shapes and I ruled out all of those for a more formal shield design. I picked this spot on the slab to incorporate the nice streak of beige and to me the red plumes in the center appear to be floating above the beige streak giving it lots of depth.
| | #3 | 
| I did it this way for one, I'm into making bolas, and 2) I like the red and grey together and the white (cream) gave just enough contrast to highlight the other two colors. While it was up on the computer screen, I held something on either side of the long axis and it was what I was looking for.
(note: top image cannot exist. it would have to be bottom image.) | | #4 | 
| I saw a lot of framings in it but the most pictural is - to me - the one in the picture below. It's an unusual shape, but I think it frames the best the distant treeline scene. I would had slightly curved the long edges instead of making them straight but couldn't do it in my photo editing program.I think this shape would fit in a belt buckle or such.
| | #5 | 
| I know it's just a simple oval, but man what a cool scene! I'm calling it "Phoenix Rising". probably not the first to pick up on this part of the slab. | | #6 |  | ok, now that I saw what you've liked in the past, I decided I needed to make a picture cab that was more normal sized also:P. hehe. ... While I still like the first one better myself, both for size and design (hey, sword spraying blood is interesting, especially when you can use the cab for a sword crosspiece:P), I'm sending you this one because I think YOU will like it better. ... It's a caterpillar smoking a hookah pipe, sitting on a tree branch looking startled at an elephant is reaching up to snap the leaves off the branch the caterpillar is sitting on. There's a small flock of 3 birds sitting on the branch above. The mommy bird on the left is peering downwards to get a better look at the intruder to their tree, and the baby bird on the middle and right are eating white berries off the branch still above them. The bird on the right has his face covered in white berry juice. The pix is a reverse silhouette, or wood block print. | | #7 |  | I selected an area that reminds me of a tree at the edge of a lake with a reflection of it in the water, and there's snow on the ground (but it just fell, the lake is not frozen | | #8 |  | I looked at several areas. First, I wanted both red and white, but this combination requires significant gray in the background as a back drop for the strong colors. I looked at several large red areas, but it was a bit too much "dripping blood" in nature, and also not as interesting. ... On the other side of the slab, I liked both the "shooting flame" which framed nicely with the lower red area that had a slight border of white. It was a close call on that one, but I decided with rounding the highlighting white might disappear. I know it is virtual, but I was thinking "reality." There is also an interesting series of red splotches almost standing alone to the right of the "flame," but that lacked the white. ... The section I "preformed" has a shape that reminded me of a Ginko leaf. At the top of the "leaf" is another red area that resembled an undeveloped leaf. I wanted both of these in the cab, since with the lines it became vine-like (somewhere there must be a Ginko vine). I also liked the diffusing white below the Ginko leaf--almost ethereal. ... My biggest challenge was to find a shape that allowed me to incorporate the leaf, the leaf in the making, and the diffusing white. The semi-shield is a strong shape that holds up to a strong pattern, and also allowed the white line to be diagonal, which I felt was essential. ... I like balance, but not symmetry. I prefer it in landscaping, picture arrangements, cabs, et al. This choice of cab provided that. ... I also looked at a landscape-type cab, because I like them. But the red was still such that it looked rather macabre. | | late |  | Nothing fancy, just a scene. It reminds me of the scene in Gone With the Wind when Scarlett is holding the hand of soil at sunset and has her soliloquy about Tara |
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 14, 2013 22:13:12 GMT -5
Several people saw the red and though blood. I get that, although I saw wine or cranberry. Actually, except for the whole "red" thing, the blue background in Sonoran Dendritic has always reminded me of Wedgewood porcelain, so I never thought blood.
Several people use the same area, but we had "phoenix", "winter tree", and "leaf/vine" imagery, and each used the white area a bit different.
I think #2 might have the most effective use of negative space, and almost quadrant-like areas.
I understand #8, but it might be cropped a little tight.
#5 and #7 is tricky. which oval is better for the contents?
#6 is trippy because the whole eludes the eye. There is one scene at the bottom, kind of mountain pass, then another scene at the top, like 3 birds on a branch. Then the middle area. I kind of like that the eye is not allowed to rest.
#4 is a beautiful landscape, with something like auora in the sky.
I think #1 will depend on the setting to add some size. it is small but playful.
The tall bolo, #3 is very poetic at the bottom. The diagonal white line and the hanging red cluster is very balanced. There seems to be a bit too much at the top. It might look best if it was about 1/4" less tall.
I am keen to hear other comments and reactions.
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Post by gr on Apr 14, 2013 22:39:31 GMT -5
Wow, Hard decesion to make here. Based on initall eye appeal, I've narrowed it down to three for now. I have to concider this some more in the morning with fresh perspective.
All very nice designs to me
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Post by susand24224 on Apr 14, 2013 23:37:06 GMT -5
I'm finding #6 really interesting. It is not a draw I would have made, but I am impressed that unrelated elements are making something cohesive and balanced. I actually like all of them, and it is interesting to view through Daniel's comments, another perspective.
I think looking at all of these, I look through the eyes of a wire wrapper--i.e., how could I wrap this cab? This is a limiting view but also a reality of what *I* could do with it. This causes me to want the cab heavier design-wise at the top where the bail is.
*All* of these cabs have their strong points!
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 15, 2013 8:32:38 GMT -5
I keep looking at #2. I think I would actually cut and mount it so that the white stroke on the top right remained a visual element of the cab. I do noth think it would be the same w/o that bit of white up there. Maybe widen 1/16" and have high girdle w/ low dome.
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Post by tntmom on Apr 15, 2013 12:03:34 GMT -5
I chose #2 and I don't know how to explain it other than the colors and location of angles/plumes completely balance each other on the cab.
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Post by gr on Apr 15, 2013 12:19:31 GMT -5
All are very unique designs but, I have to go with #6 as it has the best balance and eye appeal to me.
Great job everyone!
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 15, 2013 13:03:33 GMT -5
OK, #3 is out. I should have caught this, but it is a mirror image that cannot exist. I should have noticed the numbers on the ruler were backwards. Sorry.
i kept looking at #8 and #3 and realized only one could be true.
if I flip the cab horizontally and make the center white stripe downwards toward the right - well it does not work as well visually.
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 15, 2013 13:19:38 GMT -5
I chose #2 and I don't know how to explain it other than the colors and location of angles/plumes completely balance each other on the cab. it is very nicely balanced, and there are distinct areas. While they are nto identical, the big plume at the top and the smaller plume at the bottom left give a repetition of form effect. Further the cab is divided in half top/bottom by the center stripe. The top plum is centered in the top half with negative space to either side. The bottom half is divided in half vertically by the blue on left and red on right. Then, the smaller plume is centered in the bottom left area, with negative space around it. This is one of my top 3. My one hesitation is that it is large, which might mean a very simple setting to avoid the overall piece getting too big. |
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 15, 2013 13:24:40 GMT -5
I think between #5 and #7 I am leaning towards #5. I like taller ovals, because the wider ovals have been over done by lapidary hobbyists, although when they are good they are good.
Also, I keep trying to see the winter tree and the lake, but the image of the Phoenix is so powerful I can't get it out of my mind. The fiery wings are edged with bright white ash/smoke. For the Phoenix, the cropping of #5 is more appealing to me.
Normally I would favor any landscape scene, but that bird/plume has the striking profile reminiscent of a singular image on a coin.
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Post by rockjunquie on Apr 15, 2013 18:04:04 GMT -5
I was scanning the pics and nothing was jumping out at me until I saw #6. At first glance, my heart kinda fluttered. Not many cabs do that for me. What I like is that my eyes and mind want the top billowing elements to be clouds, but they aren't. They are red. But, they make the scene scenic. Those shapes make the pieces come together for me as a scenic stone. I think it is the cognitive dissonance that makes me look harder and gives me a flutter. I try to reconcile the image and can't. For me- there is a lot going on in that cab and I have probably said way too much....  |
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 15, 2013 19:28:16 GMT -5
I added Tela's (see Entry #Late) just for fun. She will have to wait to next time to play for real. BTW, I was brainstorming today what other possibilities might be there, and I had a teardrop that looks a bit like Tela's idea. Just for fun here are some of my ideas:  |
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Post by susand24224 on Apr 15, 2013 21:00:53 GMT -5
I vote for the one on the bottom right.  |
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 15, 2013 21:21:46 GMT -5
And the winner(s) is: #6, #2, #4, all the others The contest slab is available, or any of the other slabs below. Helen/#6 picks 1st, Chuck/#2 picks 2nd, Adrian/#4 picks 3rd ... after that its a free for all. The remaining contestants can pick any un-chosen slab. Even the last to pick will have several choices. Please wait for Helen, Chuck, and Adrian to pick. Will everyone post their pick here so it is clear what remains.
(TAKEN) Pick#1 is the contest slab. It seems solid, but some sister slabs did break in the middle. (I would use a thin backing stone to be safe.) ... or, | TAKEN pick#2 |  | | TAKEN pick#3 | 
| | TAKEN pick#4 | 
| | TAKEN pick#5 | 
| | TAKEN pick#6 | 
| | pick#7 | 
| | TAKEN pick#8 | 
| | pick#9 | 
| | pick#10 | 
| | pick#11 |  |
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Post by orrum on Apr 15, 2013 23:00:46 GMT -5
What is the name of number 4, its a really nice colorful slab!
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adrian65
Cave Dweller 
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Apr 15, 2013 23:21:22 GMT -5
Great entries! I like the most the ones that frame the "pheonix bird". Very inspired!
Adrian
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Post by susand24224 on Apr 16, 2013 0:38:52 GMT -5
Congrats, Helen! And, with those slabs, every one is a winner--thanks again, Daniel.
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Post by helens on Apr 16, 2013 0:49:04 GMT -5
Thanks!!! I wrote this big explanation about the cab, and the forum ate it! LOL!
Oh well:). I love how everyone's a winner in this, and what a tough choice between slabs!! I'll take #4 because I love the pumpkin colors!
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 16, 2013 7:11:36 GMT -5
What is the name of number 4, its a really nice colorful slab! stone canyon, black atypical |
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Post by deb193redux on Apr 16, 2013 7:14:29 GMT -5
ok, #4 gone.
several sonoran dendritic and lots of others still left. anybody want to cut the winning cab? Helen left it on the table?
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