Happy New Year To All!

It is my wish that we all can enjoy a new decade of good health and prosperity in the New Year - 2010!  We leave the first decade behind us [with mixed emotions], and  look forward now to creating and discovering new and better things that will make out place in the world a healthier and better one for the next generations.

It is already tomorrow on the other side of the globe, so Happy New Year to you all! Check in often. We plan on talking about and sharing new and exciting images, information, and ideas.

We also celebrate the New Year tonight with a 'once in a Blue Moon' event .  Good way to start the new decade!  Check out this link: http://hamptonroads.com/node/536025

New Widget

I have added a new 'Widget' at the bottom of the page.  It tells me/us where our visitors are from by country and city.  It is great to see the interest building in viewing the images and the Blog. If you have any questions when visiting, please feel free to email me.  I will be happy to respond as soon as I can.  I do want to mention, however, that all text, art, photographs, etc., is covered by US and World copyright laws. If you would like to use an image, feel free to contact me.   We can decide on usage and placement after your contact.  My email address:  galfaye@gmail.com

2010 Calendar

It's not too late to buy a custom designed 2010 BlueOean Calendar at CafePress.  You can view it by clicking on the My RedBubble Profile, where you can then click through the entire calendar before purchase. Remember, it is a one-of-a-kind collection of favorite images for the year.

Last Minute - Belated Shopping

There is still time to shop at both RedBubble.com and CafePress.com for beautiful and unique photo gifts.  Note cards, prints, posters and a calendar have been artfully designed using my images.  Many of these images have also been recognized, and featured in prestigious categories including a RedBubble site feature.  A great way to wind up the year 2009. Take a look. Happy shopping.

Attention Shoppers!

CafePress.com is offering a 25% discount on purchases TODAY ONLY.  Use the shopping code:  MERRY25 and Choose Standard Shipping, and at no extra cost, they will automatically upgrade you to 2-Day Shipping 9when needed to ensure delivery by December 24.  Delivery address must be within the United States, and cannot be a PO Box. [This excludes SIGG Water Bottles].

Off To RedBubble --->

If you click on the red RedBubble profile in the side-bar, you will be directed to all of our images available for purchase.

Another selection

I am happy to announce that this image was selected as a feature image in 'A Kaleidoscope Kraze'

on the RedBubble website.  This was a pretty dynamic image when I finally created it. Glad to see it recognized.

Chrstmas ordering deadline passed

Well, the day [deadline] has passed, but you can still order from RedBubble in time for the New Year! It's the sentiments that count. Take a look at both RedBubble and CafePress.  There is quite of selection of images and products to choose from. Don't forget, you can still order the 2010 calendar!  It really looks great, at a great price too.

Last day to order at RedBubble for Christmas delivery!

If you were planning on purchasing either greeting cards or wall art from RedBubble at our BlueOcean site, you have until TODAY [December 13] to do so.  After that, you will not be able to receive your purchases in time for Christmas/Holiday giving. You can get to RedBubble by clicking on an image to the right of this post. Cards are great too. They can even be framed [hint].
So...take a look and make your selections now.  These images make awesome decorations in any home or office.

Buy now - Christmas delivery

Hi everyone,
If you were planning on purchasing either greeting cards or wall art from RedBubble at our BlueOcean site, you have until December 13th to do so.  After that, you will not be able to receive your purchases in time for Christmas/Holiday giving. You can get to RedBubble by clicking on an image to the right of this post.
So...take a look and make your selections now.  These images make awesome decorations in any home or office.  Cards are great too! They can even be framed [hint].  Take a look at the wonderful collection of beautiful and unusual Diatom art I have assembled. Thank you for stopping by.  Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.
Fay

More Kudos

This kaleidoscope image was recently selected as a Feature Image in 'A Kaleidoscope Kraze'

It is always gratifying to see these designs being recognized. They are fascinating.

Immersion Learning

I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I have added a new element to this Blog - Immersion Learning  - "Providing exciting, real-world exploration programs for kids".

"In 2002, Dr. Robert Ballard and Dr. Stephen Coan founded Immersion Learning™ — a non-profit science education organization that brings ocean adventures and discoveries from Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, the University of Rhode Island and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration to kids in classrooms, after-school settings and informal learning arenas.

In our constantly changing world, Immersion Learning™ helps students understand the positive roles that science and technology play in their everyday lives. Immersion exposes students to ongoing scientific expeditions in an effort to ignite their interest in real discovery and learning."

Click on the red "Immersion Learning" label on the right and you are brought directly to the site.  Tomorrow, December 3
What: A day of live, interactive, 30-minute programs
When: December 3, 2009, at 1:30 pm, 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm EST
Where: Webcasting live from the Inner Space Center
Why: Learn about Dr. Ballard’s most recent explorations, get a sneak peek at the new Inner Space Center, hear about Dr. Ballard’s new ship of exploration, and find out about his exciting plans for 2010!

Log on to: www.immersionlearning.org.

Holiday Time

Where else can you buy great gifts like journals, note cards, framed tiles and keepsake boxes and even wall clocks at reasonable prices?  The totes are especially great.  I use mine all the time. I actually have three! This is a photo of one of them!

If you missed out on the Cyber Monday deals at CafePress, you still have time to buy some great gifts. The tile coasters, pillows, t-shirts, note cards, post cards, and totes, are just to name a few reasonably priced items that are great gifts with unique designs, that speak of individuality and good taste.

We have 31 items in our 'CafePress Store' for $25 or less! Don't miss out, really.

Cyber Monday at CafePress

For today - MONDAY - only - you can enjoy FREE SHIPPING on your order at CafePress.  Use the Code:
FREE4VIP to get your shipping discount!

CafePress Update

Take a look at the fresh, new designs - the Tile Coasters [new price] - you can buy 4 different images for $25.00 - a wonderful set, Framed Tile Coasters, Throw Pillows [gorgeous].  All ready and waiting for holiday purchase - time is 'dashing' by.

Kudos Again

This new image was selected as a featured image in 'A Kaleidoscope Kraze'.  It was created by using this new colorized image I call 'The Piper".

Holiday Time

We have 31 items in our 'CafePress Store' for $25 or less that are super holiday gifts that showcase our unique images and designs.  All designs are created from original diatom images that have been hand colorized, as you know.

Kudos for a favorite

Just received word that this image, "Amazing Graces", was  named a Featured Image in Kaleidoscope Kraze. It is exciting to see these images recognized.

New designs

This is a somewhat different approach to the Kaleidoscope image format that I have been using.  What amazes me is the continued symmetry, resulting in these really beautiful designs.

RedBubble and CafePress Updates

Well, it's nice to announce that several images have received awards.  It was really nice to see that 'Deep In The Curl' is now a featured image in 'Featured Art & Photography' [though it now appears on Page 28]. Diatom Kaleaidoscopes - 'Delicato', 'Electric Eyes' and 'Jewel Eyes'  have been featured in Kaleidoscope Kraze.  If you click on the image to the right of this post, you can see all of the images, including these award winners.  It is also a good time to do your holiday shopping both at RedBubble and CafePress.

NADS Update

This in an update from Dennis Vander Meer regarding the NADS Symposium:

"The 20th North American Diatom Symposium went very well.  We had a great turn out and no real logistical problems.  Your donated print was extremely well received.  There was lots of bidding, and I remember that it sold for well over what your suggested value."

In a second note to me Dennis wrote:  'Frank Pickett won the bid for your print for $95'. 

Thank you Frank for your generous bid, and for helping support the NADS program.

Imagine These

Imagine these two images as greeting cards or prints.  The Holiday season is fast approaching. Look for these and more at RedBubble.com. for your photo print needs, or go to CafePress.com and order these beautiful designs as ceramic coaster tiles.  They look wonderful on any table or desk.

Red Bubble.com

I have to say that I have posted quite a few images to Red Bubble.  One image, 'Deep In The Curl', is a featured photograph on the front page of 'Art' on Red Bubble.  I am also receiving very genuine and complimentary comments from fellow artists, all of whom are extremely talented people.  Interesting that those outside the scientific community are so fascinated by, and attracted to the colorized shapes.

About 'Red Bubble'

You may notice the 'Red Bubble' square to the right of this post.  If you click on it, you will be forwarded to the Red Bubble site, where you can purchase any image currently offered in "BlueOcean" in sizes from note cards all the way up to posters.  Just click on the word "BlueOcean" and you will be directed to the images currently available for purchase.  We will be adding new images fairly soon. Check on us often to see what's new.

Recent Activities

Well, I have to go back to last month on August 22nd, when I attended "Earth Focus/ a Showcase of Art inspired by Nature." at URI's Bay Campus. I have previously showcased here some diatoms that were part of a collection of 15 images that appeared as a background "interlude" between 'chapters', if you will. The students who prepared and executed the entire evening's presentation did an excellent job under the guidance of Ana Flores, Artist in Residence, Kettle Pond Visitor Center, RI headquarters for US Fish &Wildlife Fed. The diatoms appeared as floating images interspersed with lovely photos of marshes, sunrises, sunsets, and meadows. A great way to bring it full circle.

Moving on to a recent happening, I just shipped off a custom Giclee' diatom print to the The North American Diatom Symposium (NADS). This symposium will be held from September 23-27 in Milford, Iowa. The print was submitted as a donation by Dr. Hargraves and me as an item for their Silent Auction. The proceeds from the Silent Auction supports travel scholarships for students presenting at the symposium.

The most recent happening is the submission of a Diatom Mandala to the Rhode Island PBS36 annual auction to support PBS programming during the year. The Diatom is also a custom Giclee' print that is framed. Hopefully, it will command a good price, and help keep Public Broadcasting going in Rhode Island for another year.

Charmers

These are a couple of new images I have colorized. Extremely detailed and amazing forms. These cells, by the way, are the potentially toxic dinoflagellate Protoceratium reticulatum.

New Images

The image on the right is a dinoflagellate, not a diatom, and its name is Prorocentrum micans. Pretty interesting shape.

Want to special order, contact us here ~

If any of you are interested in purchasing an item or items from this Blog, please contact me at the following address: galfaye@yahoo.com.

Additional Sample Photographs

These are just a few items that are available at our CafePress store. L - Postcard, R - Journal.

Samples

These are samples of items available with Diatom images on them: 4" x 4" ceramic tile coaster to the right, and a great canvas tote with image on both sides above.
This and other items can be found on the CafePress store site.

What Are They?

The images shown here are microscopic algae, many of which are diatoms, provided by my friend, and project associate, Paul E Hargraves, PhD., Emeritus Professor of Oceanography, GSO, University of Rhode Island. For the past year or so, I have been colorizing some of these images, using various digital paint programs. As an artist and colorist, I am always fascinated by the order and detail of these amazing creatures. The variety of shapes has been astounding to me, and creating color images from black and white has been a challenge. Nevertheless, the results have been pleasing and illuminating.

These are some of the images that will be shown at the Earth Focus event

Greenhouse Earth Focus Art Exhibition

We have been invited to participate in the Greenhouse Earth focus Art Exhibition:

"Since the fall of 2008, the youth-run environmental advocacy group, Greenhouse, based at Kettle Pond Visitor Center has been expanding and developing. The group, made up of a core group of 10 teenagers representing four area high schools uses art to encourage awareness and appreciation of the natural world. They figure," summer is a great time to fine tune that song about the butterfly chrysalis you've been writing for your guitar, or that poem that you've only half written about that encounter with the owl on your walk." So on August 22nd from 7-9 pm. at the Corliss Auditorium on the URI Bay Campus, the group will be culminate their year of public events by hosting "Earth Focus/ a Showcase of Art inspired by Nature." The event will provide avenue for poets, singers, musicians, artists, and filmmakers of all ages to share their perspectives about the natural world, and how we can learn to live more in harmony with it."