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THE CONSERVATORY OF MEDICAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
XVII
THE SEARCHLIGHT MESSENGER
THE SEARCHLIGHT MESSENGER
Blog
Dust City Opera, the eccentric rock orchestra from the deserts of New Mexico
| Posted on July 29, 2021 at 3:20 PM |
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Dust City Opera is creating a new, bizarre, and fantastic record "Alien Summer" and we need your help! Join us August 2-31 for our 30-day, all-or-nothing, $20,000 Kickstarter!
Bring on the Alien Summer! Pledge. Share. Succumb.
Dust City Opera is an eccentric folk-rock orchestra from Albuquerque, New Mexico led by acclaimed singer/songwriter, Paul Hunton. Under Hunton’s leadership, this eclectic ensemble, which features trombone, clarinet, and accordion, creates a uniquely southwestern sound that keeps audiences wondering what is coming next.
The rock orchestra's debut album, "Heaven," sparked a wave of media appearances and captured international attention with industry leaders, landing the band Modern Musician’s 2019 Gold Artist of the Year award.
Dust City Opera’s sights are focused on sustaining their independent music career by building recognition for their distinctive music on festival stages and radio stations across the country. They are currently recording their second full-length record, “Alien Summer,” and have a US tour planned for the fall of 2021.
After having to adjust to the Covid Pandemic last year, many in the entertainment industry took a huge hit not being able to tour or find safe ways to record. But now, Sydney Counce, the band's manager is excited! "The band is back with enough deliciously amazing music to put together another full-length studio album--but we need your help to do it right! If you enjoy unusual arrangements and music that’s outside-the-box, we think this new collection of songs we’re creating for “Alien Summer” is going to blow your mind!
In May of 2021, we had a band retreat and started crafting our long-term vision for Dust City Opera. We knew creating and completing this album had to be our next step and that we needed to go BIG. We have huge aspirations and the success of this crowdfunding campaign for “Alien Summer” will be a big leap toward the future we want as a band.
Most of the tracks are already recorded and our plan is to get the album compiled, mixed, mastered, and distributed by the end of October. We have a team ready to make it happen:
GRAL Brothers will be adding thematics to new tracks!
Matthew Tobias at Empty House Studio is ready to mix!
Doug Van Sloun at Focus Mastering is ready to master!
When those steps are complete, CD Baby Manufacturing can begin pressing our CDs. They will also be coordinating the digital distribution to all major music streaming and download platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, etc. Plus, we will be able to press vinyl for the first time ever, something that we haven’t had the money to do before.
Once the album is complete, we need to promote it! Getting our music out into the world in meaningful ways, with intention, is important to us. We are looking at hiring a publicist to help us place our music in the hands of key decision-makers. We are planning an album release show to celebrate. We have hired a biographer to help us tell our story and the story behind the album. We are planning a major US tour to promote the album. We’ve got the plans, but we need you to help us make it happen!
We’ve taken the project as far as we can with the resources we have. We cut costs by recording many components from home and designing our own album cover, and we raised some initial money to release several singles through the generosity of our friends on Patreon. Now we're ready to finish this, but we need money to complete the project the way it is meant to be--without compromise.
We need to mix, master, and distribute the full album and about 40% of our budget is dedicated to paying for those services. 30% is for physical goods, including CDs and vinyl (and the cost to ship these goods), and 20% is for promotion. The remaining budget is covering miscellaneous fees and paying each bandmate for their time and energy on this project. Yes, we believe every person working on this album deserves to be paid for their time, even us!
So much has already been invested in this project. Countless hours of arranging the music, drafting lyrics, composing layer after layer, creating this beautiful thing that never existed before. It’s so close to being complete we can taste it. When you contribute to this project, you become a piece of it. You get to say, “Hey, I helped make this!” And it’s because of you and people like you that we will get to share this music with people all over the world who deserve to hear it.
Everyone who contributes to the Kickstarter will get benefits and they are broken into funding levels (for example: $10 = a digital album download, $250 = VIP backstage pass, autographed merch, $7,500 = private concert) There are lots of levels and benefits to pick from."
Here is a link to the video about our campaign:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOgDRlgBzRU
Here is the link to the Kickstarter (you cannot view details until it goes live on Monday, August 2, 2021):
Some ways you can help:
Go to the Kickstarter link here and click, “Notify me on launch.” (If you do not have an account it will prompt you to create one.)
Pledge what you can on Monday, August 2nd. When you pledge on day 1 – it really helps the campaign’s algorithm! You will not be charged until after the campaign ends and only if we meet the band's goal.
Starting Monday, August 2, 2021, share the Kickstarter link as often as you can and with as many people as you can during the 30 day campaign.
Thank you for being such great fans!
Enjoy The Alien Summer
Do Photography Masters Follow Rules?
| Posted on July 20, 2015 at 2:27 PM |
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 What helps make a good picture? Try
this activity, and you'll find out how to take better photos yourself.Do you like to preserve a moment with a photo or tell a story with pictures? It
can feel very rewarding to capture an experience in a compelling photo; it can
also be disappointing when the image does not convey what you were seeing or
what you had in mind. You might wonder what makes some
photos mesmerizing and gripping, whereas others look dull, empty or less
appealing. It might be easier than you think to create those effective
photographs. Some easy composition rules, such as the "rule of
thirds" and the "golden mean" have been around for centuries. Do
compelling photos follow these rules or does it take more than rules to create
an impressive composition? Could applying these rules improve your photography?
Do other art forms, such as drawing or painting, follow similar rules? In this science activity you will
browse through some famous works of photographic art and investigate how often
these follow some basic rules of composition. Background  Photography classes provide students with easy to follow rules on composition to help them create visually interesting photos. One of the most popular rules is the rule of thirds. To apply this rule, look through the viewfinder of your camera, divide the image frame into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, and place the important elements you want to capture either along these lines or where the lines intersect. Some cameras even show these horizontal and vertical "thirds" lines in the viewfinder.  A less famous but still practical
rule of composition is referred to as golden mean. This rule puts more emphasis
on the diagonal. To use this rule, mentally imagine a diagonal line drawn from
one corner of the frame to the opposite corner and that two dots divide that
diagonal line into three equal parts. Then connect these points to the
remaining corners of the frame. Here again, you place the main elements along
these lines or at the intersection of these lines (the dots).Now that you know two main concepts
for composition, you are ready to look at some published photos and investigate
whether or not these follow some of the photography rules—and in what cases
good photographs might stray from the rules. Materials 
Preparation
Procedure 
Observations and results
Did you find photos following one of the basic composition rules and others not
following any of them? Proportion is an important element
in composition, and an excellent tool to help create balanced, appealing
photos. But it is not the only one; shape, texture and color are just a few
other elements to consider. Knowing this, you can see that the rule of thirds
and golden mean, although handy guidelines, are not unbreakable rules. It is
always up to the photographer to decide what works for a particular case. You might have noticed that these
basic composition rules work very well in some types of photos, such as action
shot and landscapes. These rules often do not work as well in other areas.
Close-ups or photos where symmetry is important often work better with the
subject placed in the center and often don't follow the same composition rules. More advanced photographers might
use a composition rule based on the golden ratio to lead the eye and create
visually pleasing compositions. The golden ratio and golden spiral can be seen
in many art forms, and even in nature—like the whorls of a shell. Search
further and see if you can find the golden ratio in famous pictures or in other
art forms.  |
Slow Cooker Posole
| Posted on March 1, 2015 at 1:30 PM |
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 Slow Cooker
Posole (Hominy Stew) is easy to prepare, can be ready to eat in 4 hours, and tastes
really good. Well, that is, if you like spicy Southwestern New Mexican style
cuisine. This is actually my Mom’s recipe, which is modified for those of us
who appreciate good kitchen engineering, but are constantly on the move,
working, going to school, and on a regular workout at the gym. Yeah, really
busy all the time.
I once joked
that I’m so busy, if I could take in all my meals as a liquid drink once or
twice a day, I would do it. I guess at the time, I wasn’t really kidding. Thing
is, any doctor will tell you this is an unhealthy choice. We aren’t plants,
right? Although, I’ve met some people who act like house plants. This posole
recipe will feed four people until they are stuffed. I’m not kidding. This is a
high protein and high calorie meal perfect for a cold winter’s day. This is an
old Southwestern meal, meant to be hardy, and stay with a hard working cow-hand
all day. There are as
many recipes for posole, as there are for chile. And even though I say this is
a faster path to good posole, you’ll notice, it’s still work, but to any
culinarian, it’s really “play”, isn’t it? So here it is. You’ll have fun making this dish while you’re
getting other “stuff” done: You will need: 1.
1 lb.
ground pork! Yep, I’m a vegetarian, but not when someone throws a bowl of
posole in front of my face! Make sure it’s fresh, and organic though. This is
hard to find in many places. Authentic posole uses pork shoulder which is
prepared as diced chunks, and seared first. You don’t have time for this. If
you can’t find fresh ground pork, just have the butcher grind a fresh pork
tenderloin, and you’re good to go. 2.
1 carton,
Swanson’s Chicken Broth, the real stuff, not the “lite” nonsense. Organic,
and without MSG, is the best health choice.  3.
2 cups
water. You need this because the hominy gets thirsty. 4.
½
teaspoon salt. 5.
1 lb.
frozen uncooked posole, thawed. Yeah, don’t use “canned” (48 oz.) unless
you are desperate. Authentic posole requires about 1 to 2 lbs. of hominy corn cooked and prepared until
the corn bursts. You don’t have time for this. You’ll be in the kitchen all
day. 6.
1 small
onion, chopped. 7.
2 cloves
garlic, minced. 8.
1
teaspoon crushed oregano. 9.
3
tablespoons ground red chili. Yeah, “count em”, three. Authentic posole
must always have a good punch, and bite a little. This is a New Mexican recipe,
man! You can put in more if you like, but if it’s good red pod from Hatch, New
Mexico, three will make your brow sweat.  Making it:Throw a slow cooker liner in the slow cooker. Turn it on high. Crumble
the pork into the cooker. I know what you’re thinking. You’re not draining
anything. That pork fat is the flavor we’re looking for in good posole. Toss in the chopped onions, minced garlic, oregano, and ground red chili.
Now pour in the chicken broth and water, then the salt. Always add salt to your
liquid, not the liquid onto salt. The salt will go into solution immediately
(that’s what we want). Now add the frozen posole that has been thawed. Stir it
well. Put the lid on the slow cooker. Clean and wash whatever you haven’t
already. Walk away. Go get something else done. You just engineered a brilliant
meal whose reward is soon coming. Check it every hour and stir, then after 2 hours, turn the cooker down to
low, and stir. Keep checking, and stirring every hour until done. This depends
on how hot the “high” on your slow cooker gets. If it was boiling during the
first 2 hours when you turned it down, it should be ready to eat in 4 hours
from start to finish. I have made this dish with black beans too, and many recipes call for
pintos or black beans, but I think beans of any style take away the corn flavor of hominy. I like to garnish my posole with combinations of diced tomatoes, diced
onions, fresh cilantro, and avocado with a splash of lime, or shaved lime and
jalopeños.  Don’t forget the tortillas, and sopapillas. Enjoy! |
How to Paint a Water Drop
| Posted on May 9, 2014 at 4:41 PM |
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 I am often asked how I
draw water drops. Although my medium of choice is colored pencils, I do work
with watercolor, and watercolor pencils. But the technique remains similar in
all three of these media. I generally start with
wax or masking fluid as demonstrated below, then work with pencil or colored
pencil in and around the borders. This is especially important in photorealism
works. Another great medium is tempera, or egg tempera, made famous by Leonardo
Da Vinci's water droplet technique. But watercolors bring a dimension of blending that is bright and easy to render once practiced. Below are the general
steps utilized when we render these into our artwork. A well known American
artist, Birgit O’Connor, known for her great watercolors, demonstrates below,
how you can also draw or paint with this technique. This is the first in
many visual art rendering techniques we will make available in The Searchlight
Messenger. Of course most people know that I work from photographs and very
patient models who sit for hours. To practice, find a good close-up photograph
of water droplets to draw from, then have fun trying this technique. I think
you will be very pleased with the art you produce. O’Connor has been featured in Watercolor
Artist and The Artist’s Magazine, and continues to be a great
resource for those learning how to master the medium. Scroll down for one of
her quick tips on watercolor painting for beginners. “Watercolor has always been
perceived as a very unforgiving medium that offers very little control,” says
O’Connor. “This can cause a lot of frustration. But the effects and luminous
washes possible with watercolor are unrivaled. In order to take advantage of
the way watercolor works, there are some basic things you need to know.” Find the Proper Materials
Using brushes that are too small or a poor grade of paper are paths to
frustration. Think Backward
Instead of beginning with the darks and then adding the lighter colors, begin
with the lighter areas and then move toward the darker colors. Simplify As a self-taught artist with years of experience, I have found that it is
most important to simplify. I have tried to convey this through my articles,
books and DVDs. Use Enough Water
Once you have an understanding of how to really use water and color to your
advantage, the rest is up to you. The world is wide open. There is a very simple painting
technique you can use to add water drops to a painting. A realistic water drop
creates a three-dimensional illusion and leaves a lasting impression on the
viewer.
Get an idea of how this technique works by doing this simple painting exercise. Materials
you need
Draw the drop: Draw an oblong circle approximately 1 inch long, and then place a small
dot of masking in the upper left hand corner. Crimson Wash: After the masking fluid has completely dried, apply a wash of permanent
alizarin crimson over the entire area extending past the drop approximately 4
inches (MM) on either side, leave enough room on the outside edges so the
effect is not hindered and the drop can stand out.  Water application:
Once the wash has completely dried, reapply water only to the inside of the
drop, allow the pigment to soften then lift out the color from in the inside using
a No. 14 synthetic brush, you can vary the size and type brush (acrylic
brushes, q-tips and paper towels work), anything to lift color out.  Add shadow:
Before adding the shadow allow the drop to completely dry again or the color
can bleed back in. You want a nice crisp line. Using a No. 8 synthetic with a
mixture of permanent alizarin crimson and a small amount of indigo, then add
the shadow just below the drop, tapering up the side to define the edge. Add color to shadow:
Now remove the masking from the drop and lift some color out of the shadow.
This helps to show light refracting through the drop.  Birgit O'Connor |
Effective Communication During A Photo Shoot
| Posted on January 3, 2014 at 9:19 PM |
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 In
the highly competitive field of photography, being able to effectively
communicate during a photo shoot is one of the most important skills a
photographer can acquire. The better the photographer is at giving precise
instructions, the easier it will be to capture the unique perspective most
people are searching for in their photos. The photographer must demonstrate a
great deal of professionalism, keeping a positive attitude and actively
listening to their client. People are often nervous when being photographed;
therefore the photographer should empathize with their client by observing and
understanding the feelings they may be experiencing. Aside from location and
time specifics, proper compensation should be discussed prior to the photo shoot, as opposed to during or after. If the
photographer can properly communicate with the client, the photo shoot should
advance smoothly. Professionalism
is an important factor in any successful photo shoot. As a photographer,
experienced or amateur, a person must exhibit proper etiquette. In order to
make the subject feel comfortable, the photographer should make them feel as
relaxed as possible by offering calming talk when appropriate, and always taking
the time to listen when the client speaks. Arriving on time, coming prepared, and
choosing appropriate dress for the occasion is also essential. The personality
and behavior of the photographer may prove to be a deal-breaker in the future
of their business if professionalism is ignored.
 In addition, showing empathy for the
subject is an important factor when trying to make a living in the realm of
photography. The photographer should observe the individual’s body language to
see how instructions are being perceived and understood. Synonymously, the
photographer needs to watch for cues to determine if he or she is coming across
as demanding, or seemingly trying to rush the job. If demeanor and body
language is not indicative of a state of total relaxation, the photographer
needs to step into the subject’s shoes for a better perspective regarding their
emotions. Remember, “Speaking in a moderately low-pitched voice at about 125
words a minute makes you sound pleasing and professional.” Photography
often starts off as a hobby and when people start to notice one’s pictures,
doors begin to open. A friend may want her child’s senior photos to be captured
by someone who has a good eye, or a jewelry maker may want her items
photographed to sell on her website. When frequent jobs are being offered, the
photographer may wonder what the proper compensation is for the amount of time
they put into the photo shoot. Overall,
a photographer will need to determine how much their time is worth and express
that clearly and confidently to the client. This includes, but is not limited
to, how much time is spent on the photo shoot, if any equipment was purchased,
travel costs, and prices of local competition. Well known photographer,
Caroline Thompson, indicated through her experience that step one in
determining fees, is to decide which type of photography service will be
offered.  In
conclusion, properly communicating with the client, and keeping an open mind,
can do a great deal for establishing a person’s reputation as a well-respected
photographer. If the photographer is
seen as patient, empathetic, and caring, the possibility for achieving a large
client base may present itself. In addition, separating themselves from fierce
competition by properly determining their self-worth, is something with which
many photographers struggle. In order to achieve the desired client-base, it is
essential to be reasonable and consistent. If the photographer can overcome
these obstacles that often stand in the way of even the world’s best
photographers, they will be well on their way to a successful career. References
Guffey, Mary Ellen & Loewy, Dana. Essentials of Business Communication. (Vol.
9e). Cengage Learning, 2013.
Thompson, Caroline. “Photography Rates: What to Charge
for Photography Services.” Bright Hub. 3 Nov. 2012 <http:// www.brighthub.com/multimedia/photography/articles/47333.aspx>. Amanda Cornelissen About the Author: Amanda Cornelissen is a local photographer in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and a Health Information Management Degree candidate at Intellitec Medical Institute. Her portrait photography is outstanding. For more information on Ms, Corneliissen, contact The Searchlight Studios at: [email protected] |
The Growing Artist
| Posted on April 1, 2012 at 9:55 PM |
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 Kieron Williamson, now seven years old, stunned the art world, last year with his beautiful watercolors. At the time, I wrote a lengthy blog post regarding this very talented young artist. Last year’s newest art world sensation isn't a famous celebrity turned painter or an up and coming art fashionable man about town. Rather, the name rolling off the tongues of Britain's art connoisseurs is Kieron Williamson, a very young boy with a knack for painting spectacular watercolors.  Kieron, whose first show opened at Town Gallery in England one year ago, was lauded for having talent, well beyond his years. The young man’s paintings of harbor scenes, animals, landmarks, and rural vistas are rendered in muted pastel colors and shadow, baring a visionary depth until now, only found in the works of adults, moreover, the works of artists who are trying to draw you in emotionally. As a result, some media outlets are calling Kieron a "prodigy", placing him among a select group of children whose talents both awe the public and raise its suspicions. Kieron's paintings are not your usual kindergarten art projects. "I like painting because it makes me think of places I can't see," said the young artist to the press last year, and whose father is an art dealer. Art didn't interest Kieron very much before he visited the coastal towns of Devon and Cornwall with his family. The boats and local landscape inspired the young boy to ask for paper and he began drawing. His mom describes those early works as typical of his age group. However, when family friend and artist, Carol Pennington, saw Kieron's work, she recognized his potential immediately and gave him lessons. Ms. Pennington owns the gallery showcasing Kieron's paintings. The young boy has already sent originals to Elizabeth II, Queen of England, and Charles, Prince of Whales. Interestingly and not surprisingly, Kieron’s paintings are garnishing six figures when sold, and that’s in Pounds Sterling, not dollars. Wow! It seems child prodigies always become media sensations once discovered and sometimes the attention turns ugly. In 2004, here in the United States, we became taken with a four year old girl named Marla Olmstead, whose works were compared to those of Jackson Pollack. At the time, Marla's paintings were selling for as much as $24,000 and she was featured in a lengthy article in The New York Times. The overwhelming praise for Marla led 60 Minutes to video tape her creative process and show the footage to a psychologist specializing in gifted children. The psychologist, and other experts, were not impressed, casting a shadow on the authenticity of the prodigy from New York. Marla continues to paint today despite this ordeal. However the stigma to her family lingers. Hopefully at her young age, the shadow may never be truly felt. Kieron will experience his third "gallery opening" this year. As the highly anticipated paintings make their debut, the world might do Kieron a service by holding back the "prodigy" label until the boy can deal with the accompanying stress this can stir in a child.  Having won art contests myself since I was four years old, I understand some of what this little man is going through, however, I can’t imagine what he is experiencing with world focus and all that cash. Good parents and an understanding extended family will be critical here. Personally, I want him to succeed enormously. This means allowing him to be a kid when he needs to be. You guessed it. Everyday, and most of the time. Here’s to his success and continued good fortune as an artist, and as a young man. Dr. Counce |
Taking Great Photographs, Not Snapshots
| Posted on February 24, 2012 at 4:54 PM |
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If you are planning on making photography your career or avocation as I have, be sure that you have a camera with as many features as possible. The best way to get clear photographs is to have the camera with the best technology. If you are unsure which cameras are best, you can check reviews online. An easy place to start is with a Nikon 3000, an excellent Single Lens Reflex Digital Camera comparatively inexpensive compared to its competition. Almost all of us at The Searchlight own one. The Searchlight Studios also use Canon, Olympus, and Vivitar equipment, depending upon the work which is intended to be rendered, however, we all agree that the basic Nikon 3000 is a good field camera, and an excellent choice to build from. When you are looking to get tack sharp shots by using a tripod, you need to get a remote so that you can eliminate camera shake. If you don’t have a remote, you can use the timer on the camera. Even if you don't have a tripod, this can work great, but you'll need a stable surface to set up the camera. If you are ever in a situation where you think you shouldn't bother taking a photograph because everyone and his uncle have already taken the same shot, take it anyway. Put your own unique spin on it and enjoy your photograph. Use different framing angles and lighting. One of Dr. Counce’s tricks is to use trees, buildings, roads and streams for framing and perspective. He then utilizes styrofoam boards, you can get at any hardware store, for light reflection and diffusion. Styrofoam is cheap and an excellent tool in the studio or outdoors. Photographers generally do not like having to think about using regular flash photography. The reason is, most people can’t stand not knowing what the flash is going to do with the picture. Flash is sudden and a huge burst of light, and it is hard to tell what effect it will have. Adequately monitored, however, it can make for beautiful work. Keep in mind that digital photography allows for images without lighting that film photography cannot achieve. In addition, you can manipulate the image at your computer. And that’s the cool thing. The computer has replaced the darkroom in many ways.  An important tip to consider with photography is to always shoot with the lowest ISO possible. ISO comes from the International Organization for Standardization. I know! We say “ISO”, but it’s actually from “IOS”. The ISO is essentially the same thing as ASA from film cameras. The lower ASA or ISO setting, the cleaner and finer the grain of light sensitivity the image gathers in the camera. Hence, you have a more detailed and less grainy result. This is important because it assures that you get the most out of your shots. Increased ISO levels will cause distracting image noise, poor contrasts, and an overall loss in dynamic range when depth and perspective are wanted. Trying to learn a new visual artistic skill can often be frustrating and takes practice, photography is no exception. It is important, however, to enjoy the learning process. Do not stress over missed shots, blurry photos or technically imperfect pictures. You learn by trying, so relax, and enjoy the process of becoming a better photographer.The ability to render "with light" and even tease with it, will come with experience. In conclusion, you want to be able to maximize your camera's potential, especially, because of the amount of money you have already put into it. There is a lot more you can do right than you can do wrong with constant practice. Follow the tips provided and you should be happy with your results.  Julienne Chase Julie Chase, is a model and photographer for The Venture 17 Trinity. An original member of The Searchlight Six, Julie is currently completing work on her Masters Degree in Molecular Biology at The University of Colorado. |