3, 2, 1, Happy New Year! 2010

Happy New Year

Happy New Year
Originally uploaded by Patrick Hoesly

Happy New Year Everyone!!! I hope 2010 will bring prosperity, peace and happiness to all of you. Lets all ring in the new year with positive thoughts and warm wishes to our friends, family and everyone who downloads and uses these textures. We (Everyone here at ZooBoing Illustrations) want to pray for the people who serve to protect our freedom and peace throughout the world. To you, we say a warm Thank You, God Bless and please remain safe!

Now.... where did I put all those noise makers?

This seamless texture was created by Patrick Hoesly, and is released under the Creative Commons Attribution license. You may download and use this texture as you like. All I ask, is for you to give credit to myself and a link back to my website at www.zooboing.com

Free Christmas Music

Well, I didn't get this post out before christmas, yet tuck it away for next year. HERE is a link to over 250 Creative Commons License versions of Christmas music. Most are good. Give them a try next year and enjoy the 10 months of Christmas music free radio. LOL.

I want a Podsafe Christmas Song

Well, I missed getting this out before Christmas, however.... for next year..... go to Jonathan Coulton's blog to download his 'Podsafe Christmas Song'. It's a bit dated, however funny for anyone who was listening to podcasts just a few short years ago.

Pentel 8 Color Retractable Pencil

This year for Christmas I received the new Pentel 8 color retractable pencil. It is a modern version of the old 'large lead' 2mm pencil. This really reminds me of the pencils I started off using in my drafting classes. So the use of the Pentel is simple: rotate the pocket clip to the desired color; push down on the top of the pen to release the lead; allow the lead to slide out as far as desired; use pencil. Simple.

The only problem I have with the pencil is that it is too fat to fit in my manual lead sharpener. Ah well, this is more of a fun sketching pencil rather than a precision tool... though the price says otherwise.

All in all, I have to say I like this pencil. The lead is smooth, and the pencil features are nice. It definitely will get a place in my briefcase.

Photo-a-Day: Ginger

Ginger
Originally uploaded by reitveld

Ginger the jack russell terrier.
I took this photo with my iPhone and applied this cool filter-app called 'Photo Sketch' to the original photo. It did a very nice job! I Like!

Photo-a-Day: Ginger

Ginger
Originally uploaded by reitveld

Ginger is my niece's jack russell terrier. She is a sweet!

Photo taken by Patrick Hoesly and is part of the Photo-a-Day Journal.

Photo-a-Day: Christmas Tree at Legends Shopping Center

Christmas Tree at Legends Shopping Center
Originally uploaded by reitveld

Starting to get icy here in KC. We were at the Legends shopping center and it started to get slippery. Time to travel back north to our home.

This is the tree at the center of the shopping center.

Photo taken by Patrick Hoesly and is part of the Photo-a-Day Journal.

Photo-a-Day: KU vs Cal game

KU vs Cal game
Originally uploaded by reitveld

45 min to go til the game. My Sister and Brother-in-Law got some nice seats to watch the Basketball game between Cal and KU. (KU won!!!)

Photo-A-Day - Santa Claws

Santa Claws
Originally uploaded by reitveld

Cat in Lawrence Kansas

Dressed up cat in one of the stores in Lawrence Kansas. This cat was really laid back and didn't mind all the people walking around it. It even let some of the customers pick him up and love on him. Good Kitty!

Photo taken by Patrick Hoesly and is part of my Photo-a-Day Journal. Check back every day to see a new aspect of my creative life. Also take a look at my website, www.zooboing.com/ to learn more about me, my work and my watercolor books.

Photo-a-Day - Shriner Hospital Christmas Ornament

Shriner Hospital Christmas Ornament
Originally uploaded by reitveld

This year my wife and I proudly hang the new Shriner Hospital Christmas Ornament from our Christmas Tree. It represents all the good philanthropic work that the Shriners do for the good of mankind and the children.

If your child has been burned, or is suffering from Orthopaedic problems, Spinal Cord Injury, or Cleft Lip / Palate then please contact me (or your local Shrine Temple). I can get you in contact with the right people who can in turn help your child.
Remember there is no cost for you or your child.... ever.

Photo taken by Patrick Hoesly and is part of my Photo-a-Day Journal. Check back every day to see a new aspect of my creative life. Also take a look at my website, www.zooboing.com/ to learn more about me, my work and my watercolor books.
.

Horse and Border Collie Say Hello

Horse and Border Collie Say Hello
Originally uploaded by reitveld

I took my Border Collie (Shala) on a walk today and she decided to stop to say hi to the neighbor's horse... the horse returned the hello with a deep sniff. It was just way too cute for words.... so I grabbed my camera (iPhone 3G) and took several photos.

Photos-a-Day Journal - Horse

Neighbors Horse
Originally uploaded by reitveld

One of my pics from my Photos-a-Day Journal. This horse just walked over to check me out. Very calm and beautiful horse. I took a few steps back, framed the photo and took the pic. Soon afterward the dogs ran over and started playing with the horse... and the horse with the dogs.

Check out my Photos-a-Day Journal over on Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zooboing/sets/72157622701472799/

Seamless Texture - Deep Green Wrapping Paper

452-Deep Green Wrapping Paper
Originally uploaded by reitveld

Seamless Christmas Wrapping Paper

This seamless texture was created by Patrick Hoesly, and is released under the Creative Commons Attribution license. You may download and use this texture as you like. All I ask, is for you to give credit to myself and a link back to my website at www.zooboing.com

Please support my work by purchasing one of my two watercolor books:

* Words in Watercolor: ISBN - 978-0-557-08819-5
* Quotes in Watercolor: ISBN - 978-0-615-32153-0

21 Free Christmas Songs from iTunes

For a limited time get 21 Christmas Holiday music from iTunes.... Free!

You Can Negotiate Anything

The three crucial variables for negotiating anything.

In every negotiation, Cohen says, there are three crucial variables: power, time, and information. You can hold the best hand at the table, but if you lack these three things, you’re still going to lose.

• Power is the ability to get things done. If you can generate competition, for example, you’ll have more power during negotiations. Power also comes from perceived expertise or legitimacy (”she’s a famous financial guru, so she must be right”), empathy (understanding the other person’s side), precedence (”this is how it’s always been done”), persistence, attitude, and persuasion. Your side can gain negotiating power through unity — by having every participant committed to the same goal. Most of all, you gain power when you’re willing to take calculated risks (not stupid risks).
• Time also plays a role. In negotiations, the side with the most time generally has an advantage. Patience pays. No matter how pressed you are, you should always keep your cool, maintaining an appearance of calm. “Your deadline is of your own making,” Cohen writes. Don’t ignore deadlines, but don’t follow them blindly, either.
• Information is the third crucial variable in negotiations. The more you know, the better your position. Do your research before negotiations begin. And during negotiations, act on whatever new info comes to light. Cohen is especially keen on picking up unintentional cues from the other side. Their responses, their questions, and their attitude all convey valuable information.

Free Photoshop Brushes and Patterns

Nice collection of Photoshop brushes, large wallpaper, and patterns over at StarWalt Design.

How a Website Goes Down the Tubes

This has got to be the funnest and truest things I've seen.

A must read for all designers.

Create Halftones in seconds with Photoshop.

Create Halftone images in seconds with Photoshop.

1. Use the gradient tool to create a gradient from dark to light (black to white).
   
2. Filter > Pixelate > Color Haftone.
3. Set the Max Radius to the size of circle desired.
4. Set all other values (channels) to zero.
5. Click OK, enjoy, go get a sandwich.
   

Photo-a-Day - Patrick's Journal

More updates to my 'Photo-a-Day' journal over on Flickr It is my photo journal of things I saw or experienced during the day.

See me ring the Salvation Army Bell, rant about staircases, and swerve from certain death on the highway (not really... well kinda).

35 Horizontal Website Layouts

"The Horizontal Website Design style elicits quite a response from users and design traditionalists, people either love them or down right hate them. There does not seem to be much middle ground for discussion but more and more you see horizontally scrolling websites popping up around the net.

Instead of the traditional up and down scroll this style moves from side to side. Sometimes to enhance the experience it has auto scroll, or dragging capabilities, and sometimes its just a manual slide using the scroll bar. It should be noted that horizontal designs are not for every type of website. They generally work very well for portfolios and image heavy sites, but not as much with content heavy sites. With the combination of wide screen monitors taking over the market and multi directional mice, this experience could be a great new way of interacting on the web."

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone in the US a Happy Thanksgiving Day! I wish you the best!

Dubai's Palm Island episode 1

Dubai's Palm Island episode 2

Safety at San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge

Building of Empire State Building

Microsoft Offers To Pay News Corp To "De-List" Itself From Google

"Microsoft wants to pay News Corp and other large publishers to de-list their Web sites from Google's search index, the Financial Times reports. The idea is to force Google to pay for content, thinning its currently fat margins."

Seriously? SERIOUSLY? I can't believe any news organization would consider such an offer. The primary goal of this business model is to collect news and distribute it. Via this distribution they gain eyeballs back to the website and in-turn, to the advertisers on the side of the page.

By limiting viewers (and in turn revenue) to only Bing, then it would be a disservice to the readers, the stockholders, and to the advertisers. Seriously, would any advertiser what to pay the same amount of money for an advertisement and receive less potential viewers? .... or would you want to reach as many potential wallets as possible? The answer is obvious, pay low, receive high. But then again, Microsoft has never been one to understand customer needs.

Thank you for reading my rant. grrrrrr.

Quotes in Watercolor for Business and Leadership - My New Book

I am proud to announce the release of my second book featuring my watercolor illustrations. A rich and colorful book full of inspirational quotes oriented towards the business world. I'm excited to say this book has larger images than my first book and even cost a tad less. Please click over to LuLu and check out my book. (This book is so new, it has yet to be listed on Amazon or B&N. I'm told it may take several months before it is carried). Also, you can find featured images, free to download and use, at ZooBoing.com

In this book you will find words of wisdom from movers and shakers like, Steve Jobs, General Patton, Henry Ford, Warren Buffett, as well as 40 other renowned leaders. All of these quotes relate to enriching your business and leadership life with sage advice and words of wisdom on how to engage, empower, inspire and energize yourself and those in your organization.

The accompanying watercolors emphasize the meaning of the words and helps the imagination reflect on how the words can be used within one’s own business and leadership life. Enjoy the rich color, fluid forms and inspiring images while at the same time gaining insight from the encouraging quotes.

ISBN	978-0-615-32153-0
Publisher	ZooBoing llc
Copyright	©2009 Standard Copyright License
Language	English
Country	United States
Publication Date	November 10, 2009
Page Count	116 pages
Size	8.5 x 8.5
Binding	Perfect Bound
Interior Color	Full-color

Words in Watercolor - My 1st Book

As many of you now know I have published a book featuring my watercolor renderings and words of wisdom (famous powerful quotes) which accompany the images. I'm very proud of this book and really enjoyed creating the illustrations. Please click over to LuLu or Amazon and check out my book. Also, you may find featured images which you are free to download and use on ZooBoing.com

Unlock your creative mind with over 50 hand selected quotes with accompanying rich watercolor illustrations. Each image has been crafted to reinforce the words and help open the reader's creative mind to more design possibilities.

ISBN	978-0-557-08819-5
Publisher	Patrick Hoesly
Copyright	©2009 Standard Copyright License
Language	English
Country	United States
Publication Date	July 30, 2009
Page Count	112 pages
Size	U.S. Trade
Binding	Perfect Bound
Interior Color	Full-color

Living room inside a PC

A Russian artist made a model of a living room that has a sofa, armchairs, coffee table and a working lamp, in his computer. The living room even contains a gumball machine, a bottle of coke and the New York Times.

70 cool web portfolios

Free Watercolor Artwork - Waterfall

Watercolor illustrated using Photoshop. The original CC image was photographed by WouteR and is hosted on Flickr.com

This free digital watercolor image was created by Patrick Hoesly, and is released under the Creative Commons Attribution license. You are free to download and use this image. All I ask, is for you to give credit to myself and a link back to this blog.

You can download more artwork on this blog, or by going to my Flickr page.

40 Vintage and Retro Web Designs

More great website designs

Good website design with retro colors!

Free Artwork - Amish on Route 880

CLICK ON THUMBNAIL FOR FULL SIZE IMAGE.

This is another watercolor offering on this website. The original CC image was photographed by Nicholas_T and is hosted on Flickr.com

This free digital watercolor image was created by Patrick Hoesly, and is released under the Creative Commons Attribution license. You are free to download and use this image. All I ask, is for you to give credit to myself and a link back to this blog. If you like my art, please consider purchasing one of my books, I only make a few bucks off each book, however the warm fuzzy feeling lasts a lifetime.

Free Artwork - Golden Gate Bridge

CLICK ON THUMBNAIL FOR FULL SIZE IMAGE.

This is my third art offering on this website. And its one of the wonderful Golden Gate Bridge. I love this bridge. Please download & enjoy my art, and please leave me feedback.

The original CC image was photographed by Peter Kaminski and is hosted on Flickr.com

This free digital watercolor image was created by Patrick Hoesly, and is released under the Creative Commons Attribution license. You are free to download and use this image. All I ask, is for you to give credit to myself and a link back to this blog. If you like my art, please consider purchasing one of my books, they are packed full of warm watercolor images and are great gifts (every advertisement must say that... it's a federal law somewhere... and well, ya got ta do what ya got ta do.)

Less Numbers.... More Hard Core Math.

"Numbers lie, but good math doesn’t. As a matter of fact, math gives us some common sense rules that are easy to follow."

Free Digital Artwork - Heidelbert

CLICK ON THUMBNAIL FOR FULL SIZE IMAGE.

This is my second art offering on this website. I find creating them to be very relaxing and rewarding. Please enjoy my art, and please leave me feedback.

The original CC image was photographed by Spigoo and is hosted on Flickr.com

This free digital watercolor image was created by Patrick Hoesly, and is released under the Creative Commons Attribution license. You are free to download and use this image. All I ask, is for you to give credit to myself and a link back to this blog. If you like my art, please consider purchasing one of my books, I only make a few bucks off each book, however the warm fuzzy feeling lasts a lifetime.

Free Digital Watercolor Image - Puppy!

I'm experimenting with offering free digital art for folks to download and use as they wish... similar to the free textures I offer. If you like this idea and would like me to create more art, please leave a comment. If you hate this idea, please leave me a comment. If you loath this idea, please leave. :)

The original CC image was photographed by Randy Son Of Robert and downloaded from Flickr.com

This free digital watercolor image was created by Patrick Hoesly, and is released under the Creative Commons Attribution license. You are free to download and use this image. All I ask, is for you to give credit to myself and a link back to this blog. If you like this style of art, please consider purchasing one of Patrick's books, as both of them are chuck full of similar artwork.

50+ Adobe Photoshop Tutorials

iPhone Designer Jony Ive

Cool Website Designs

Cool Coaster Designs

Nice collection of well designed coasters. Ya so what, you say... well, it's amazing how many times people look coasters, especially when there is a lull in the conversation. A good coaster will fit a good restaurant like a glove, and will reflect the mood of the restaurant. Funny, Soft, Loud, Edgy, ect, the coaster is just one aspect of good design. ok... enough of my rant.

Open Bottle of Wine with Secret Knock... Not really... but darn Cool.

Got a bottle of wine on hand but no corkscrew to get it open? You can argue all you want about whether or not the guy in this video really needs more wine, but you can't argue with the results

Open door locks with a secret knock. VERY COOL

So the Freemason's would love this device. Knock on the door in the correct (and secret) way and the door unlocks. Now you just need to know the secret handshake, secret password, and secret dance and you too can be a Freemason.

School of Wizardry on Facebook

I've found a new love.... School of Wizardry on Facebook. If you've not discovered it, let me give you the 4 word summary..... Harry Potter on Facebook. Yaa!!!

I've also discovered a blog dedicated as a tutorial / discussion of School of Wizardry. It has great advice on setting up your character and advice on playing the game. It is well written and a bit fun to read... that is if you are a Harry Potter fan as I am.

If you want to join my order on facebook, check me out and send a request to become friends... and mention my blog. Just do a search for Patrick Hoesly.

25 Beautiful Minimalist Designs

WPDFD has listed 25 nice looking simple website designs. Great resource for getting your creative juices flowing.

The Office Rocks - Male Prima Donna

water rocket shoots to 617'

iPhone Game: Dungeon Hunter

I downloaded Dungeon Hunter from the iphone app store several weeks back. I have to say it is a fantastic game! A huge world with a large variety of adventures really makes the game entertaining for a long time. What is really nice is the ability to custimise what type of character you want to play, as well as the skills, abilities and weapons the character uses. This makes the game far more personal and entertaining.
As for the graphics, sound effects, music, fight engine, and overall crafting of the game... well... it is first class the entire way! Check out the attached video below to see for yourself.

Now that I've finished the game (twice), I can't wait for further adventure add-ons, or the sequel. Good Job GameLoft!

Do you want another Texture Pack?

Would you like or would use another texture pack? If so, let me know and I'll put one or three together. It seems I've gotten little feedback regarding them.

--- Patrick

My Supply Room

Whats new in the office world? Check out the blog, My Supply Room to find out. George collects new and old pens, pencils, paper, pez dispensers, etc. and posts up images for everyone's enjoyment.

ScanCard Paper Organization System Links

Scancard Links:

• Older Mac organization software
  
• Levenger
• Levenger Wood Bleacher System
• Old discussion regarding the Scan Card System
• Dead Website of ScanCard
• T-Card System Board
• Old Advertisement

Also there is my own section on this website.

Sturgeon's Law

I've been realizing more and more that a good number of seamless textures are really poorly constructed, or lack 'real world' uses (retina burning colors, and shapes).

This observations is summed up with Sturgeon's Law which states:

“Ninety percent of everything is crud”

This seems so true, however is pretty pesimistic. Optimistically, it just means that to find the gems, one must sift through a whole lot of mud.

Sturgeon's Law is kind of parallel to Pareto Principle, or most of us know it as the 80/20 Rule. This rule is an optimistic, real world look at almost every system. From business sales, to group participation, it holds true.

So.... back to my point.... Most of the seamless textures are not well done, However those textures that are well done, shine above the others. Hopefully, you will find the textures on this site to be nicely done, and fall well within the 20% of loving-goodness.

What do you think of the laws/rules? What do you think of the textures on this and other websites?

Cheers,
Patrick

The Big Egg.

The guy could not stop saying... 'Big Egg'

There IS an app for that.

Very Fast Robo-Hand

26 Professional Photoshop Retouching Tutorials

Nice list of tutorials for editing a model photo shoot.

Humor: Lost in Translation

Enter a phrase intro Translation Party and it will translate it into Japanese and back into English as many times as it takes to reach steady state. The results are quite funny.

Out of Order, Kingston, London.

domino time

Luke...

Despite Rebel claims, the Force was not always with young Skywalker.

AAAaaahhhhh!!! a talking bird!!!

AAAaaahhhhh!!! a talking bird!!!

Watercolor effect in Photoshop

Goldfrapp - Happiness

Quite an amazing piece of music with ethereal vocals. You have to pay close attention to the lyrics as they seem to be a poke at cults who want money in return for happiness. Very interesting, and very enjoyable.... though the video is really .... well.... strange.

How Would the News Handel Man on the Moon Today?

Atari.... Wow we've come a long way

An Oldy but a Goody - Magic!

Sorry for not posting the last few days. I've had difficulties with uploading to Blogger the last few days.

Test from iPhone

Here is a test


-- Post From My iPhone

Funny Cats

High Speed Videos Are COOL

Think and Grow Rich

I'

Cover of Think and Grow Rich

m currently in the process of reading 'Think & Grow Rich' by Napoleon Hill. Already 1/10 of the way into the book and it has given me a boost of energy!

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Happy 4th of July

Image via CrunchBase

This is a test of the Zemanta plugin. Apparently it help suggest links, images, text, etc. to add to a blog post. This is only a test. Beeep. Dang I hate those test. They seem to go off just when you are drifting off to sleep, and bam! your awake, and the dog is awake, and the baby is awake, and cranky lady next door is awake. grrrr. And do they go off when there is an emergency. NO. Thats cuz the guy in charge of it is hiding under his desk crying for his mama. Dang!

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