You may have noticed that I just flooded my blog with 13 new posts. I just imported them from Examiner.com, who I am doing freelance "self-published" work for as the Tucson Video Game Examiner. So check me out on there when you get the chance, and more geekiness on here to come!
<3 Tara
Thursday, July 30, 2009
An Interview with Kyle Kulakowski - Black Velvet Painter
An interview with Kyle Kulakowski - Black Velvet painter
July 30, 8:12 AM
Black Velvet Dragon's Lair by Kyle Kulakowski
Kyle Kulakowski is a resident Tucsonan who paints on black velvet. So what is the Video Game Examiner doing interviewing him? Well, he only paints scenes from video games! I was able to ask this artist a few questions about his work and how he got started. Keep reading to find out what he answered!
Black Velvet Senorita by Kyle Kulakowski
Q. What inspired you to paint on black velvet?
A. I was wandering in a desert South of Tucson one day and I saw a stack of 10 black velvet canvasses. Each painting was the face of a crying woman. Right then, one of our patented Tucson monsoon downpours started. I grabbed a velvet painting to use as an umbrella.
When I got home and the painting (and my clothes) dried, I was intrigued by the style of the painting and saw the event as a sign to become a velvet painter.
When the rain let up, I went back to try to retrieve the other paintings. Sadly, they were all gone. Local legend says that someone else stumbled across the paintings and distributed them throughout Tucson. You can see one of the velvet paintings of the crying woman hanging up in the Surly Wench Pub.
Q. When did you decide to do this?
A. Using the monsoon event as a catalyst, I started painting on black velvet late 2006. I completed my first painting, Black Velvet Dragon’s Lair, in January 2007.
Q. Why do you paint video game themes?
A. Most of the old 80’s era video games have black backgrounds, so they lend themselves to be painted on a black surface. Other than that, I am a gamer. Video games are a genre that I saw rise to form throughout my life. Heck, I remember playing games on 5 ¼ inch floppy disks.
Q. What is your favorite piece and why?
A. That would have to be Black velvet Señorita. The painting is based off of a level from the video game Psychonauts. The game has an entire level styled like a velvet painting. To illustrate, here is a video clip from that level:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=UnueGSD_2ZQ
It is my way of paying homage to the one video game that featured black velvet art.
Q. What's the hardest piece you've ever painted?
A. The hardest work was You are Standing. It was a tribute to the old text-based adventure game Zork and every part of it was painted with tiny words (using a sewing needle). It took over two months to complete and has given me a lingering fear of paint covered sewing needles.
Angry Egg by Kyle Kulakowski
Q. Which 3 pieces are hanging in the Solar Culture gallery?
A. Evil Robots, You Are Standing, and Cat’s Paw. Respectively, the paintings are based off of the video games Berzerk, Zork, and Fallout.
Q. Where else have you showcased your work?
A. Dapper Grooming Lounge and Shot in the Dark Café have both shown my paintings. Both places are very supportive of local artists and I recommend purchasing goods or services from them. ;)
Q. I noticed quite a few of your works include the use of blacklight. What inspired you to take such an action?
A. Black velvet painters of the 60’s and 70’s used black light paints to achieve a unique artistic effect. The contrast of the dark velvet and the black light reactant paints cause the colors to become more vivid.
As many of the games I paint have a black background, it just seems a natural fit. When black light reactant paints are used, style is reminiscent of a darkened 80’s arcade - with pixels glowing against a black screen.
Q. What's your favorite video game?
A. Of all time? Now that’s a hard question…I would have to say that the title be shared between a few titles: Grim Fandango, Fallout 3, Silent Hill 2, and Psychonauts.
Q. Do you do commissioned work, and if so, how can people reach you?
A. I do indeed do commissioned works – with one caveat: the works have to relate to video games (although, I can make about any topic relate to a video game). Price depends on size and complexity of the painting. Just drop me an email with what you want painted and we will see what we can work out.
Q. Anything else you would like to tell the public?
A. Painting on black velvet is harder than most artists think. I highly recommend that others in the art community give it a whirl.
For more info: Visit Kyle's deviantart site, email Kyle, or email Tara at tucsongamer@cybergal.com
July 30, 8:12 AM
Black Velvet Dragon's Lair by Kyle Kulakowski
Kyle Kulakowski is a resident Tucsonan who paints on black velvet. So what is the Video Game Examiner doing interviewing him? Well, he only paints scenes from video games! I was able to ask this artist a few questions about his work and how he got started. Keep reading to find out what he answered!
Black Velvet Senorita by Kyle Kulakowski
Q. What inspired you to paint on black velvet?
A. I was wandering in a desert South of Tucson one day and I saw a stack of 10 black velvet canvasses. Each painting was the face of a crying woman. Right then, one of our patented Tucson monsoon downpours started. I grabbed a velvet painting to use as an umbrella.
When I got home and the painting (and my clothes) dried, I was intrigued by the style of the painting and saw the event as a sign to become a velvet painter.
When the rain let up, I went back to try to retrieve the other paintings. Sadly, they were all gone. Local legend says that someone else stumbled across the paintings and distributed them throughout Tucson. You can see one of the velvet paintings of the crying woman hanging up in the Surly Wench Pub.
Q. When did you decide to do this?
A. Using the monsoon event as a catalyst, I started painting on black velvet late 2006. I completed my first painting, Black Velvet Dragon’s Lair, in January 2007.
Q. Why do you paint video game themes?
A. Most of the old 80’s era video games have black backgrounds, so they lend themselves to be painted on a black surface. Other than that, I am a gamer. Video games are a genre that I saw rise to form throughout my life. Heck, I remember playing games on 5 ¼ inch floppy disks.
Q. What is your favorite piece and why?
A. That would have to be Black velvet Señorita. The painting is based off of a level from the video game Psychonauts. The game has an entire level styled like a velvet painting. To illustrate, here is a video clip from that level:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=UnueGSD_2ZQ
It is my way of paying homage to the one video game that featured black velvet art.
Q. What's the hardest piece you've ever painted?
A. The hardest work was You are Standing. It was a tribute to the old text-based adventure game Zork and every part of it was painted with tiny words (using a sewing needle). It took over two months to complete and has given me a lingering fear of paint covered sewing needles.
Angry Egg by Kyle Kulakowski
Q. Which 3 pieces are hanging in the Solar Culture gallery?
A. Evil Robots, You Are Standing, and Cat’s Paw. Respectively, the paintings are based off of the video games Berzerk, Zork, and Fallout.
Q. Where else have you showcased your work?
A. Dapper Grooming Lounge and Shot in the Dark Café have both shown my paintings. Both places are very supportive of local artists and I recommend purchasing goods or services from them. ;)
Q. I noticed quite a few of your works include the use of blacklight. What inspired you to take such an action?
A. Black velvet painters of the 60’s and 70’s used black light paints to achieve a unique artistic effect. The contrast of the dark velvet and the black light reactant paints cause the colors to become more vivid.
As many of the games I paint have a black background, it just seems a natural fit. When black light reactant paints are used, style is reminiscent of a darkened 80’s arcade - with pixels glowing against a black screen.
Q. What's your favorite video game?
A. Of all time? Now that’s a hard question…I would have to say that the title be shared between a few titles: Grim Fandango, Fallout 3, Silent Hill 2, and Psychonauts.
Q. Do you do commissioned work, and if so, how can people reach you?
A. I do indeed do commissioned works – with one caveat: the works have to relate to video games (although, I can make about any topic relate to a video game). Price depends on size and complexity of the painting. Just drop me an email with what you want painted and we will see what we can work out.
Q. Anything else you would like to tell the public?
A. Painting on black velvet is harder than most artists think. I highly recommend that others in the art community give it a whirl.
For more info: Visit Kyle's deviantart site, email Kyle, or email Tara at tucsongamer@cybergal.com
Ides of Gaming
Tucson: "Ides of Gaming" provides free games every third Saturday
July 29, 1:40 PM
Thanks to Tucson on the Cheap for the heads up on this.
"Ides of Gaming" is an event held by the Southern Arizona Gamers Association every third Saturday of the month at Espresso Art on University. The games, held upstairs, include board games, family games, video games and more! Drinks and games are provided, and prizes are available as well.
For more info: See Tucson on the Cheap, Southern Arizona Gamers Association, Ides of Gaming, or email Tara at tucsongamer@cybergal.com
July 29, 1:40 PM
Thanks to Tucson on the Cheap for the heads up on this.
"Ides of Gaming" is an event held by the Southern Arizona Gamers Association every third Saturday of the month at Espresso Art on University. The games, held upstairs, include board games, family games, video games and more! Drinks and games are provided, and prizes are available as well.
For more info: See Tucson on the Cheap, Southern Arizona Gamers Association, Ides of Gaming, or email Tara at tucsongamer@cybergal.com
UO Update
Mythic Entertainment announces UO: Mondain’s Legacy expansion pack is available now for free
July 29, 1:26 PM
New 14-Day Free Trial Entices New & Returning Players with Vast RPG World and All Seven Ultima Online Expansion Packs
Mythic Entertainment has just released that it's game Ultima Online's 7th expansion, Mondain's Legacy will be offered for free. For current players of UO, the game will be automatically updated with the expansion. For new or returning players, 14 days are offered for free of UO with all the expansion packs. This comes right before the release of the 8th expansion, Stygian Abyss, which comes out this summer.
Mondain's Legacy is the expansion which introduced the Elven race, new human racial abilities, and new dungeons for players to explore. Now all players can experience these changes.
“Mythic is extremely excited about offering Mondain’s Legacy as a free upgrade to all Ultima Online subscribers, as well as new players who sign up for the 14-day free trial,” says Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer for Mythic Entertainment. “Our goal is to continually provide fresh and rewarding experiences for our thriving UO community. By opening up our 7th expansion to all players, we hope to get everyone excited for the upcoming summer release of our 8th addition, Stygian Abyss.”
Stygian Abyss introduces the new playable Gargoyle race, new areas, and new dungeons, to include the Stygian Abyss, the largest dungeon ever introduced to UO.
To download Ultima Online at no charge or to find out more information about Ultima Online and the additions from Mondain’s Legacy and Stygian Abyss, please visit: http://www.uo.com .
For more info: Visit the Ultima Online site, or email Tara at tucsongamer@cybergal.com
July 29, 1:26 PM
New 14-Day Free Trial Entices New & Returning Players with Vast RPG World and All Seven Ultima Online Expansion Packs
Mythic Entertainment has just released that it's game Ultima Online's 7th expansion, Mondain's Legacy will be offered for free. For current players of UO, the game will be automatically updated with the expansion. For new or returning players, 14 days are offered for free of UO with all the expansion packs. This comes right before the release of the 8th expansion, Stygian Abyss, which comes out this summer.
Mondain's Legacy is the expansion which introduced the Elven race, new human racial abilities, and new dungeons for players to explore. Now all players can experience these changes.
“Mythic is extremely excited about offering Mondain’s Legacy as a free upgrade to all Ultima Online subscribers, as well as new players who sign up for the 14-day free trial,” says Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer for Mythic Entertainment. “Our goal is to continually provide fresh and rewarding experiences for our thriving UO community. By opening up our 7th expansion to all players, we hope to get everyone excited for the upcoming summer release of our 8th addition, Stygian Abyss.”
Stygian Abyss introduces the new playable Gargoyle race, new areas, and new dungeons, to include the Stygian Abyss, the largest dungeon ever introduced to UO.
To download Ultima Online at no charge or to find out more information about Ultima Online and the additions from Mondain’s Legacy and Stygian Abyss, please visit: http://www.uo.com .
For more info: Visit the Ultima Online site, or email Tara at tucsongamer@cybergal.com
What Game Character
What character would you be for a day?
July 28, 9:35 AM
Would you rather run from ghosts eating everything on the way, or dive down pipes to try and save the princess?
There are many, many different video game characters that have been created over the years, from relatively normal looking human types (Mario, Link), to alienesque cartoony types (Toejam and Earl, Rayman).
If you could be a game character, from any game (Intellivision to the PS3) which one would choose? Why?
Would you choose StarFox because you get to do a barrel roll? Would you choose Cloud because he has a giant sword? Let me know, and it could be featured in a future article!
Make sure to include your name (either fake or real, as long as there's a name), and answer the question above. Email it to tucsongamer@cybergal.com
Coming Soon: What's new with the upcoming Zelda title? Interviews! Contests! Subscribe if you like, and keep updated on the latest in video games here in Tucson!
July 28, 9:35 AM
Would you rather run from ghosts eating everything on the way, or dive down pipes to try and save the princess?
There are many, many different video game characters that have been created over the years, from relatively normal looking human types (Mario, Link), to alienesque cartoony types (Toejam and Earl, Rayman).
If you could be a game character, from any game (Intellivision to the PS3) which one would choose? Why?
Would you choose StarFox because you get to do a barrel roll? Would you choose Cloud because he has a giant sword? Let me know, and it could be featured in a future article!
Make sure to include your name (either fake or real, as long as there's a name), and answer the question above. Email it to tucsongamer@cybergal.com
Coming Soon: What's new with the upcoming Zelda title? Interviews! Contests! Subscribe if you like, and keep updated on the latest in video games here in Tucson!
Stop Camping, and Frag
Tucson Gamers: Stop camping, and frag!
July 26, 9:03 AM
Let's go get 'em, boys!
You're right in the middle of all of it. Bullets are whizzing past your head and explosions are bursting ten feet away from you. Your heart is pounding as you cross the minefield, with only minutes before you and everyone else on your team is potentially dead. You must stop the threat of your rivals, and protect your teammates lives.
Well, at least that would have been the scenario.
Instead, you don't know your teammates at all, so you don't particularly care if they live. Instead of being in the action, and being part of a team, you've decided to put yourself up in a nice little hidden corner, so as to get the greatest amount of headshots. If you knew people in the game you were in, you might actually have a little more fun.
There are three ways to meet people to game with. One is the good old fashioned way of talking your friends into playing the same game you're interested in. The downside to this is maybe your friends don't play games, and if they do, they have a totally different genre that they're into. The second would be to actually participate in game and make friends that way. But then you never actually meet these people, and you could find out you're playing with someone totally out of your age range, and it's usually people you may never associate with in real life. Then, there's the third option that's a little bit of a combination of options one and two.
You can meet people online with similar interests, who are looking to play the same games. One such website you can go to for this is Meetup.com, where you can find different groups, or even sign up on a waiting list for a group that hasn't been created yet. Get in touch with these people, make friends, and frag together!
So stop being a loner and camping, and get in the action! Promise, it makes gaming a lot more fun that way. And it makes it a lot more fun for everyone else too!
For more info: Email Tara at tucsongamer@cybergal.com
July 26, 9:03 AM
Let's go get 'em, boys!
You're right in the middle of all of it. Bullets are whizzing past your head and explosions are bursting ten feet away from you. Your heart is pounding as you cross the minefield, with only minutes before you and everyone else on your team is potentially dead. You must stop the threat of your rivals, and protect your teammates lives.
Well, at least that would have been the scenario.
Instead, you don't know your teammates at all, so you don't particularly care if they live. Instead of being in the action, and being part of a team, you've decided to put yourself up in a nice little hidden corner, so as to get the greatest amount of headshots. If you knew people in the game you were in, you might actually have a little more fun.
There are three ways to meet people to game with. One is the good old fashioned way of talking your friends into playing the same game you're interested in. The downside to this is maybe your friends don't play games, and if they do, they have a totally different genre that they're into. The second would be to actually participate in game and make friends that way. But then you never actually meet these people, and you could find out you're playing with someone totally out of your age range, and it's usually people you may never associate with in real life. Then, there's the third option that's a little bit of a combination of options one and two.
You can meet people online with similar interests, who are looking to play the same games. One such website you can go to for this is Meetup.com, where you can find different groups, or even sign up on a waiting list for a group that hasn't been created yet. Get in touch with these people, make friends, and frag together!
So stop being a loner and camping, and get in the action! Promise, it makes gaming a lot more fun that way. And it makes it a lot more fun for everyone else too!
For more info: Email Tara at tucsongamer@cybergal.com
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