iDeath

Is that what you call the demise of an iMac.
Not just any iMac - my work machine.
And only 4 years old, though apparently there is a reason that the extended Apple Care can only reach 3 years.

So it will be quiet here whilst I try to get a new one - or do I wait till Snow Leopard comes out in June (maybe)?

I thought I would be sad when this day came, but I am not. I am just disappointed it's going to cost $1500.00

New Series

This is #3, I think, in a series of 4.
All will become clearer.
As will the theme!

American Great

Get on over to Velocitynation for this great interview with a great gentleman of cycling and the real hero of American cycling in the 80's - Andy Hampsten.

Maybe this will inspire you to get a Hampsten frame and then join them both on tours.
http://www.hampsten.com/index.html

Beaudaniels Illustrations

Simply stunning technical illustrations by Beau and Alan Daniels.
Wow! These are awesome.
When I was a teenager I spent hours copying the 'blueprints' shown on catalogues for model F1 cars and Aircraft magazines in the hope of producing this kind of work.

Personally the old school pen and ink drawings are my faves, I guess it just seems like there is more skill and more craft involved than with the 3d modelling. I know that isn't necessarily so but I am a great believer in mastering the basics, if you can't draw then your 3d work will not be as good as it could be.

At the same time I still seem to be unable to grasp 3d programs.Anyway - head over to Beaudaniels Illustration and see their amazing portfolio.

Northbrook Velodrome opens in one month!

Kerin anyone?

'Pearson'

Finished!
That took some time, mainly due to other distractions and trips.

Started using a different approach which I plan to investigate more. Initially drawing on the canvas with wax crayons and chinagraph and then adding thin washes of acrylic. Then another layer of drawing etc. Sometimes the lines resist the paint and still show through, in other areas it's obvious to see where I did more 'painting'.

Definitely some good potential here for getting some more dynamic marks into the finished piece.

Time now to move onto a new piece. - Edit - Replaced image with more accurate photograph.

Happy First Birthday Molly, love Nicole Cooke.

Ok so not really a birthday posting but my daughter turned one on March 29th and we celebrated with my family back in Wales.

Makes you realize that sometimes wonderful cycling roads and mountains are taken for granted.
I would love a week or two to just ride in my old stomping ground - all that climbing would probably help slim me down a bit too. Here is one of the cards that awaited Molly on her arrival: Molly does not need to become a cyclist but I hope she can learn from strong female (and Welsh) role models like Nicole.