Appalachian Fracking

The hydraulic fracturing market, not just in the Appalachian Basin, but globally is projected to continue growing, with market analysis expecting it to nearly double between now and 2034. It’s argued that, to meet the energy demands needed to power AI data centers, more fracking is justified.

I asked AI if fracking is considered clean, and here’s AI’s response:

“No, fracking is not considered clean because of its environmental impacts, which include water contamination, air pollution from methane, and the creation of large volumes of toxic wastewater. While the burning of natural gas produces fewer emissions than coal or oil, the fracking process itself has significant negative consequences for air and water quality, as well as public health.”

Click on image to enlarge

Technical: Sketch Club app on an iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil, some additional work in Procreate and iColorama. Here’s some Sketch Club stats, click on arrow to see a tiny progress video.

Friday Afternoon Guest

…and they weren’t in a bad mood.

iPad Pro, Apple Pencil
Sketch Club App details:

Sketch Stats

Sorolla Study

I’ve always loved the works of Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida. I thought I’d try my hand (and Apple Pencil using the Sketch Club app on an iPad Pro) at one that caught my eye, “Pescadora Valencian,” (1916).

Sorolla Study

Screenshot

Jorma & John live in Athens, OH

A few weeks ago Annyth and I got to see Jorma Kaukonen and John Harlbut at the River Of Time Boutique in Uptown Athens. That was on December 16, 2023. Now that we’re back in Athens we get to see first hand cool things like this. I took a photo between songs which I used as a photo reference for this freehand iPad digital painting. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and the live music warmed our souls. Annyth bought a really cool apron there too.

This isn’t Jorma’s first appearance on this illustroblog. Check out these two other posts, one of which tells the story of my weekend at the Fur Peace Ranch back in the early 2000s when I learned at camp directly from Jorma himself that, when it comes to finger picking, the secret is in the thumb: yep, click here. See a couple of must-see links below the following image:

Check these out too:
1. Click here
2. Click here too, this is cool!.

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Face Value* by comparison.

Click on image to enlarge

*…with several significant exceptions.

So Small!

Smaller by the day. I’m

“Beginnings,” A Commissioned Digital Drawing of a Sculpture on the Campus of UC Merced

Several months ago I was commissioned to render a digital drawing of the “Beginnings” sculpture situated prominently on the UC Merced campus. The image was printed on fine paper, matted, framed, and presented as a gift. “Beginnings,” was conceived by noted American sculptor Aris Demetrios, and according to the official website “consists of two gently curving, vertical stainless steel arms, each about 40 feet high, rising from a large circular base.” (Click here for further details)

Use the “Leave a Reply” box below to initiate contact with me if you are interested in purchasing a print of this freehand digital painting on paper, canvas, metal, or wood.

Digital image in Procreate on an iPad Pro, Apple Pencil:

Video display (effects in iColorama):

Old TV Shows and nihil moderate

I don’t usually name names, so I won’t identify any of the other members who make up a clandestine cell of hedonists known as the NIMs, which stands for Nothing in Moderation or nihil moderate, NIMSTERS, Nimsticals, Nimrods, Nimphiles, and quite a few other clever monikers. Members of this profligate group of revelers, while not armed, should be considered dangerous, when it comes food and drink. I am a member of this group; there are others, and that’s all I’ll say.

Ideally, we meet in person at semi-annual, extravagant NIMfests; however, in recent years we’ve been forced to convene online. Our NIMfests usually have themes. Several years ago, for example, bacon was our theme; this year one of our themes was TV Shows.

My contribution to this year’s NIMfest is a series of four digital, iPad drawings all done in Procreate over the span of 10 hours on December 30, 2016.

All in the Family

All in the Family

Beverly Hillbillies

Beverly Hillbillies

I Love Lucy

I Love Lucy

Hogan's Heros

Hogan’s Heros

Interactive

Interactive

iPad Pro, Apple Pencil, Procreate, reference photo

Nēnē

Branta sandvicensis, also known as nēnē and Hawaiian goose, is a species of goose found on the Hawaiian Islands. We certainly saw our share. They’re tagged because they’re endangered. I wanted a proper reference photo, and did I ever hit the jackpot with this one on Flickr.

 nēnē

iPad Pro, Apple Pencil, Procreate