I’ve also long been a computer and 3D world enthusiast. I guess you could say I’m almost a (whisper) techie geek. But not geek enough because I don’t know very much code. I do know that I see a lot of potential in the type of technology that is coming into use these days for play, PC gaming, and Massive Multiplayer Online environments (MMO’s)

We’ve had a website up for the Studios for quite a number of years. I’ve tried to keep the software updated and keep the look fresher than it actually did. I could even use to update this skin, but it will have to do for now since the Dissertation has to come first. But….. since I’ve joined the Croquet Consortium and the Immersive Education Initiative, I’ve suddenly seen a wedding between Marty’s art and Dauna’s academics. Now there is something for me to talk about. Whoot!

I’ve begun building the 3D Gallery in an MMO called Kaneva. It isn’t the highest quality, and it isn’t a place I would suggest to my colleagues, but it does provide building materials (shapes, objects) and most importantly, it allows me to place them and position them wherever I need to place them. People can actually go in there and look at Marty’s paintings and drawings on the walls. The sculptures are a bit more challenging, since I can only wrap the digital image around objects of a specific shape and size. But hey, that’s what all those creative gray cells are for, right?

It is still in the rough stages, but you can see a little of my progress in these pics:

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This is the ground floor, where the pub is. It is a great place to gather, get a bit to eat, or listen to music, poetry, or a talk on art.

You can see some of Marty’s work along the wall.

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Click on the pictures to see them full size.

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The Drawing and Painting Gallery above the Pub.

Behind the camera is the balcony where visitors can sit and look out over the street

To the right is a flat-screen TV, where I have music going.

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This is the 3D Gallery, where the Raku and Stoneware pieces are shown.

The masks and ensembles you see are being added. There’s not much on the shelves yet, but at least I did manage to get shelves in there…

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Now I know the post title is about education. I’m getting to that. Probably in the next post, since this one is getting so long. Be patient — it has been a while in the making, just like our marriage, Marty’s success as an artist, or my PhD Degree. So, like them, it is worth waiting for.

It’s ironic that the Federal Aid had to be attached to the bill to send more money to Iraq… You’d think it would be more important to save lives and property at home than to support a, um, WAR.

…and you can bet who got the bulk of the money….

….it wasn’t the people with homes under water.

What a mess….

Some pics that the national news might not show:

I’ve also put together a video with more pics, and explanations of their location that are of better quality than on youtube. Right click on the link and download the video file, then double click and let your media player play it. Iowa Flood around the Kisers

For more information on the situation at the University of Iowa, they have a link to information– lots of photos.

When I have time, I’ll add a video here that will play automatically.

Next, we’ll add some new pottery to the shopping cart. The functional stoneware, votive holders, and bowls. Dauna does love making those beautiful bowls…

That glaze is wild — and works out every single time. Gotta get those bowls on up here!

Time for another Raku, too. Marty has sold nearly all of it. Problem is, it has been so darned cold…

One more month, then we’ll start cranking it out again.

But, people can actually see some new work, and even buy something. Wow.

The aromatic art will take more time to add, as that requires getting back into creating and distributing the aromas. But no worries, that will happen when it is time.