Lone Wolf Drafting and Design

2024-06-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

Hello, Everyone!

Hey, remember when we all had to stay home for 2 weeks, and then it became 2 years, and for me, I’m still at home? Good times.

So, I needed to work on something to keep my sanity, especially after we had to cancel our trip to Ireland in 2020. My wife and I were both devastated as we had been looking forward to that trip for a long time.

Since we couldn’t go, I decided to create a little bit of Ireland for her on my computer. So, after doing some modeling in Sketchup and rendering in Lumion, I created this video for her.

Another project to pass the time was to create a steam engine based on teh Union Pacific articulated 4-8-8-4 also known as the Big Boy series or the X Series based on the X in front of the engine numbers.

Finally, I resurrected an old project from years ago, and decided to redo it with my updated software. All of these projects helped to keep me sane, so I am thankful for them.

2024-06-29T14:08:00.000-07:00

Digital Painting

I have never painted anything, digitally or otherwise. Sure, I’ve messed around with MS Paint like everyone else did in the late 90’s. However, as far as really trying to create some sort of digital masterpiece – no, absolutely not. There have been two classes that covered digital painting, so here are some highlights from those attempts.

The first project was painting a WW2 lantern (digitally) while studying color theory. I think came out okay, especially as this was my first attempt at anything like this.

In the second class, I had to paint other projects that were completed in another medium. So, Bunthulhu and his city of R’lyehmora and an original concept, so I created a tank sort of vehicle.

You can find more on my Behance Page here: https://www.behance.net/gallery/177592671/Digital-Painting-GCU-310-0500

2024-06-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Someone asked in passing, why is this blog page called “Lone Wolf Drafting and Design”.

It’s a fair question.

When I started this, the name of my company was – you guessed it – Lone Wolf Drafting and Design. That was the name of the company that I created after moving to Arizona. Why “Lone Wolf”? At one point in my life, I was a truck driver, and that was CB handle. That’s it – no awesome backstory there.

So, why haven’t I changed it as LWDD no longer exists as a company.

Well, to be honest, I am only restarting this for my current class, which is called “business for the design professional”. One of the things that the class covers is personal branding and part of that is social media exposure.

So, here I am, trying to figure out what my new brand should be. It can take months to create a new logo and brand – I have to do it in a few weeks.

I am open to suggestions.

Maybe it should be Bunthulhu themed.

Like I said, I am open to suggestions.

2024-06-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

Hello Again

My last post showed the fearsome and terrible, albeit fluffy, Bunthulhu. Well, a terrifying Lovecraftian beast needs his own city to protect, right?

It makes sense.

This project was completed in another class but worked in conjunction with the Bunthulhu project. The assignment was to start creating environments for a film set or some such thing. I had already worked out several concept sketches, but I am a 3D modeler and animator, so let’s take it up a notch.

From there, it was time to do some modeling. At this point, it was no longer about the assignment which had already been submitted, this was just me wanting to finish it off. Here is the overall model before rendering (created in SketchUp Pro).

Finally, the completed images. At some point, when I actually have time, I want to animate the whole thing with people walking as the camera moves through the city. (Rendering completed in Lumion).

Thanks for reading!

2024-06-29T13:38:00.000-07:00

Once again, it has been a very long time since my last post. I lot has happened since January 18^th, 2013 – a lot. So, the highlights: started a new job, bought a new house, have traveled to several countries, and I now work at home since the Covid pandemic. I am also going to school again to earn my bachelor’s degree in graphic design and animation.

This post is just a quick rundown of some of the projects I have been working on both personally and for school.

Bunthulu

Yes, you read that correctly. One of my classes was a sculpting class. I have never sculpted anything before, so this class was already going to be a challenge. So, I decided to create a mythical creature that combines a bunny and Cthulhu, as one would do. The reaction has been everything from “wow”, and “very cool”, to “that is the most terrifying thing I have ever seen and it haunts my dreams”. I call it a win.

If you are interested in learning more about Bunthulu, see my full post on Behance: https://www.behance.net/gallery/164989597/The-Rise-Of-Bunthulhu-Scultpture

I will post more of my projects very soon.

Lone Wolf Drafting, Down, But Not Out

2013-01-18T13:02:00.001-08:00

Once again, it has been some time since my last post. These past few months have been both challenging and rewarding, and things remain fluid even as I write this.

First, the challenges. As some of you may or may not know, I have been struggling to keep my little company, Lone Wolf Drafting and Design, afloat in these hard economic times. Eventually, the company went further under, and I had to stop servicing my clients. Between the failing economy, aging hardware and out of date software, I could no longer continue my business as it was.

Lone Wolf Drafting and Design - It's not over yet, I hope.

So, it was time for some real soul searching. Do I want to save my company? Do I want to continue being a sole proprietorship in an economy that punishes you for your hard work? Do I want to really invest in new equipment as my client base shrinks due to their own economic struggles? Can I justify the expense of new software just to keep up in a market that is changing day by day?

Well, the short answer is "yes, maybe, sort of".

However, in order to do any of this, I was going to have to divide and conquer; I was going to have to call in favors, pull together resources, and when none could be found, I would have to create work-arounds to get the job done.

So first, new equipment. Toward the end of 2012, it came to my attention that my old Mac and PC just were not up to the task of supporting new software, the hardware was just too old.

My Mac is not this old, but in the face of new software, it felt like it!

This will run Windows 7, right?

The first option was to spend a RIDICULOUS amount of cash on a new Mac - around $13,000.00.

It's a beautiful machine, but at 13 large, it was not an option.

That was just not going to happen. I needed a new plan.

Enter in my tech guru, Rusty. I have mentioned him before - Rusty has been instrumental in keeping my hardware running, and has helped me with all computer issues, great and small. But this was a doozey. We were going to have to build a brand new machine from the ground up. We needed a new motherboard, new processor, new heat sink, memory, hard drives, the whole thing. The only thing salvageable from my old machine was the case and the original hard drive - and that was to be for on-board storage only. So, I gathered up all my pennies, and old equipment (routers, hubs cables, keyboards, antennas, whatever I had that I thought he could use) and went to Rusty's to build a new machine. Yep, Rusty didn't build it alone, I helped. I wanted to know how it worked and why we were using specific components. We salvaged a BioStar motherboard with 8 gigs of RAM from another of Rusty's machines, and from that, we were going to build this thing. We included a Solid State 128 gig drive to hold all of my programs, and installed a Radeon HD 6670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card. This machine is a beast; it works amazingly well, with dual monitors - fantastic.

Super Graphics Card

Massive new heat sink.

The BioStar Motherboard.

The super processor.

Next, the software. Fortunately, Autodesk is the maker of both new suites of software that I wanted to learn - Maya and 3DStudio Max/ Design Suite. Autodesk offers both programs for free under their student licensing program. The only restriction is that you CANNOT use the student versions to turn a profit. No problem, Autodesk, and thanks for making that available.

Maya

Max

Next up, a tutor. For my readers that have been with me for a while, you may remember me working on a project called MegaTokyo - a video game concept that is being developed by Steve Lundberg and Jade Phoenix - examples of my work on that project can be seen here. Over the course of a year, Steve was showing my work to others, and offered to put me in touch with someone that could teach me new software. Steve is a creative visionary with true heart and passion for what he does. His game will truly be a work of art as he completes it, and I hope to have a small hand in helping him develop it, especially as I continue to learn new software.

But first, I have to learn it....

Enter in Bruce Buechner. This guy is amazing at what he does. A self taught 3D artist, an expert modeler, rendering artist, animator and rigger. His work is really something to see. He has also spent time as a studio recording technician, and has won 3 Grammies. This guy is the real deal! He is so talented at what he does, universities have used his work to teach their classes. I came to know Bruce through Steve, as Bruce was one of the people Steve forwarded my work to. Without Steve's introduction to Bruce, I would have never come this far in my education. Bruce has been kind enough to get online with me via Skype, Google Hangout, and even through text messaging on Yahoo on IMO to show me the ins and outs and what he knows. You can see Bruce's tutorial videos here, on YouTube.com. His knowledge seems never ending, and I am forever grateful to both Bruce and Steve for all they have done, I am in their debt.

Here are a few of the models I have created since Bruce has taken the time to tutor me.

Train platform.

Fire hydrant based on Bruce's tutorial on his YouTube page.

Oil rig.

So, as of right now, Lone Wolf Drafting and Design is on hiatus. I hope to maybe obtain some additional software that will allow me to continue my business, or I may start looking for employment using my newly acquired knowledge. Either way, the start of 2013 is a rebuilding period; I will figure out what I am supposed to do, and what my next step is in the evolution of Lone Wolf Drafting and Design and in my professional life.

I will post again as soon as new developments arise.

Thanks for reading!

I’m Back! (Again)!

2012-09-18T15:49:00.001-07:00

It has been quite some time since my last post. Over the past few months, I have been busy with a couple of extremely large jobs.

The first job was a massive double sided garage for GarageMahals, LLC. This project was a meeting of old world class and sophistication and old fashioned American muscle.

The first side, the classic garage side, was designed to be a richly appointed showcase garage. There is not a tool box to be seen in this space! The entire garage is decked out in rich Earth tones. The flooring is a special epoxy blend with a copper tint, while the walls are finished off with hand plastering and painted a deep bronze in color. Even the wainscoting is plush; the footers and headers are comprised of mahogany, with the actual wainscoting done in black supple leather with a tufted design. The rear wall of the garage features artwork relating to the automotive industry. The front of the garage consists of two double wide doors with custom graphics affixed to the back. Custom columns flank each door and stretch up to the specially designed cover system that hides the doors when they are in the rolled up position.

Custom Columns and Door Art.

Custom Columns and Doors.

Custom Column.

Rear Wall Art and Wainscoting

Rear Wall with Columns, Wainscoting, and Artwork.

Rear Wall with Art, Wainscoting and Columns.

The second side, the muscle car side, was designed to be a showroom and a workshop. The color scheme here conjures up thoughts of high quality, American built, automotive muscle. The shades of blue, grey and black and punched up with a deep red trim and columns covered in competition orange. Like the columns in the classic garage, these columns are custom made and support a cover system that also hides the garage doors in their raised state. Unlike the classic side, this garage features a large workbench and plenty tool storage space.

Custom Column in Competition Orange.

Custom Column and Door Graphics.

Custom Column, Close Up.

Wide View of Columns and Doors.

Columns and Door Graphics.

Workbench and Tool Storage.

View Down the Garage, Laterally.

While I was working on the garage projects, I was also embroiled in the modeling and rendering of a custom home in Chennai, India. This massive home actually started as an exterior rendering project in 2011.

Front of Home.

Rear of Home.

Earlier in 2012, The Sater Design Group came back to Lone Wolf Drafting and Design to begin rendering the inside of this one-of-a-kind custom home. In all, over 100 interior images have been rendered for this project, and we are only now wrapping up the unfurnished stage of development! For this post, I will only upload images of several key rooms. Once all of the furniture has be been selected by the interior designer, LWDD will go back and begin filling in all of the furniture for each room. Once that stage has been completed, I will post another blog showing the best of the completed rooms.

Formal Living Room.

Formal Living Room, Upper Level.

Formal Living Room.

Bedroom.

Bedroom Suite

Entertainment/ Theater Room.

Soon, I will be engaged in finishing out the Chennai home, as well as a few more, smaller projects before the year is out.

I’m sorry for the long delay between posts, but as you can see, it’s been a busy year. For all those that have stayed with me and the blog, I thank you. I hope those of you who have left will come back, and catch up on the latest news from Lone Wolf Drafting and Design.

Thanks for reading!

Just a Quick Note

2012-08-22T15:05:00.003-07:00

Hello Readers! (Assuming I have any readers left). I know it has been a very long time since my last post, but it has been for good reason. Over the past couple of months, I have gained new clients, lost an old client, and have been working on exciting new projects. Throw in a family vacation or two, and that pretty much sums up everything over my writing hiatus.

I will be back soon with in-depth analysis of my latest projects, and maybe some vacation photos. If anyone is still around, please hang on just a bit longer!

Thanks, and talk to you all soon!

Tech Review Part 3

2012-05-31T14:22:00.002-07:00

This post is a continuation of my Tech Review Series. You can read Parts One and Two here and here.

Today, I will be discussing the differences between the Droid and iPhone cell phones, and how they have worked for me in my daily life.

Apple vs. Android - Let the games begin!

Before I go on – I know that there are many die hard fans of either platform. I am not writing to equivocally say one is better then the other – these are just my experiences with these two phones, and how I have used them in everyday life.

Droid Evo Shift with Sprint Service

The Evo Shift with Google by Android

I had the Evo Shift for about 2 years and I loved it. I was not a fan of the “tapping on the glass” method of text entry, so the fact that the Evo Shift had a slide out keyboard was the first very attractive quality that hooked me right away. The Shift had a very nice display screen, and was easy to use. The Droid Marketplace (now called Google Play) was easy to use, and I often found exactly what I needed right away. I also loved the way that my email, calendar, contacts, etc all synced with my phone easily and effortlessly from my Google Accounts. My Shift started off working great – it was fast and easy to use, and my favorite feature – built in voice navigated turn by turn directions from Google Maps. Every time I had to take a trip, my trusty navigation unit was right there telling me where to go.

I do miss this...

However, after about a year or so of use, I started to notice some issues. First off, the sync system that Droid uses is very slow and cumbersome – there was always some issue with trying to sync the phone with my PC. Most of the time, I didn’t even bother. Second, there was a real memory/ storage issue. When I bought my phone, the salesman did say that the Evo Shift was a great entry level to mid range smart phone, and he was not lying. The Evo Shift came with a 2 GB memory card and even less internal storage.

Not. Quite. Enough.

After about a year, I started getting low memory/ storage warnings. Add to that, many apps could not be transferred to the SD card, so I had to start deleting apps to make room for the updates to the apps I wanted to keep. And oh, the updates – there were just so many! As my phone filled up, the system got slower and slower, until it got to the point of having to power down and reboot. The time had come to upgrade.

Apple iPhone 4 with iOS 5 with Sprint Service

The iPhone 4 with iOS 5 by Apple

I was leery about moving over to the iPhone. Many swear by it, but when it fails, I hear it fails spectacularly. However, the time had come – Sprint was having a great deal on iPhones, and I decided to go for it.

I have had my iPhone for about 2 weeks, and I really do love it, but it does take some getting used to. The display screen is a bit smaller then my Droid, but not by much. The nice thing, though, is that my screen is far more sensitive, so text typing on the glass is not as big of an issue as I though it would be. I have also noted that apps work much better on the iPhone then on the Droid. A perfect example is Instagram. I enjoyed in on the Droid, but I love it on the iPhone (especially as the camera on the iPhone is fantastic).

Instagram rules on the iPhone!

The iCloud system is really what makes this phone awesome. Look, as the end of the day, most phones do the same thing in one way or the other. The iCloud, however, really does take it to the next level. I love being able to download a song on my iPad and then have it instantly available on my iPhone and Mac. The same is true with apps and documents – everything gets shared across multiple devices.

The iCloud is awesome - and is a real selling point for Apple products.

My iPhone 4 is definitely faster then my Droid Evo Shift, and it can run more apps at once without a problem. Add to that the 8 GBs of internal storage (and no need for a separate SD card), and so far, this phone really has been terrific.

All that being said – the iPhone is not without flaws. The first major shortcoming is its lack of on board navigation. Really, Apple - you can’t figure that one out? There are apps for this (and I will discuss those later), but they are not as good as the navigation system on the Droid phones. The other downfall is the ongoing feud between Apple and Adobe. This nonsense has to stop – Apple has to realize that not having Adobe Flash is hurting there phone (as a matter of fact – that was one of my deciding factors in getting the Shift). At the same time, Adobe has to realize that Flash takes up a tremendous amount of space, and weekly, almost daily updates (as it feels like sometimes) is just annoying and unnecessary. They have to get this figure out.

Adobe Flash - Get it together guys!

The final major downside is Apple does not play well with Google. After syncing all of my contacts from my Google Accounts, the showed up on my iPhone all messed up. After downloading my contacts, I saw multiple entries for the same individual, information in the wrong place, and some of it just plain missing. That was two hours of going through everything to get it all up to date. Furthermore, the iPhone contacts list does not include entries for Facebook and Twitter with real time updates – you have to use separate apps for that. The Droid platform lets you tie all of those accounts together, letting you see everything at a glance. However, the apps do work much better on the iPhone, so I guess it is just a trade off at that point.

Facebook and Twitter work great on the iPhone!

So, there you go – my simple and personal reviews between the iPhone and the Droid. I would like to point out one other thing though – I will continue to use Sprint for as long as they are as good as they are.

Sprint: The way to go for me - for now....

AT&T, which I have had in the past, stinks – I will never use them again. A long time ago, I had Cingular, (inventor of the roll over minutes) which was awesome. They had great customer service, and a terrific product line. Then, AT&T bought them out, and the whole thing went down hill in a matter of weeks. I actually paid the $250.00 cancellation fee; that’s how bad they were.

AT&T: BOOOOOOOO!

I have heard Verizon service is good, but their version of the iPhone cannot multitask, which was a problem for me.

I hope this little synopsis helps anyone toiling with the decision of purchasing an iPhone over the Droid, or vice versa. My next post will concentrate on my favorite apps available for the iPhone. Thanks for reading!

Lone Wolf Drafting and Design Gets Crafty – Part 2

2012-04-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

This blog entry is part 2 of a 2 part series. Click here for part 1.

As I have mentioned before, the slow economy has taken its toll on my small business. Work seems to come in cycles, and right now, I am in a lull. I can only do so much advertising and client follow up before I just have to realize that there is no work to be had right now. So, in an attempt to not lose my mind, I have decided to try my hand at a new hobby – Steampunk Crafting.

For those of you not familiar with the Steampunk design, here is a brief explanation:

Steampunk is an art form that finds it inspiration in 19^th century Victorian history. Items created in the Steampunk fashion usually include elements of a mechanical nature showing exposed gears, wiring, knobs and other elements not found in mainstream design. The Steampunk genre can be applied to just about anything, but is most prevalent in clothing, machinery and jewelry, but can extend to modes of transportation and architecture.

You can find more about Steampunk here and here.

Below are a couple of examples of Steampunk design found on the Internet.

Cell phone retrofit.

Modified keyboard - maybe one day I will attempt this!

No idea - but it's pretty cool lookin!

This is a particular design style that I love, and the nice thing about it is that anyone can try their hand at it. So try I did. My wife, Allie, showed me a website called www.instructables.com – an excellent resource that shows you how to make just about anything you want. Instructables.com has a massive section on all things Steampunk. My first project – a pair of Steampunk lab goggles. The guide that I used can be found here.

Most of the basic stuff I already had, and the more exotic parts I obtained from the dismantling of the adding machine, which you can read about here.

Starting with a just a pair of basic safely goggles; I followed the steps on Instructables.com to get the project going. I went to Home Depot to get the main part of the project – the actual goggle frames. They are made from 2 - 2” insulated metallic grounding bushings.

Standard rubber/ flexible safety goggles.

2" insulated metallic grounding bushing

The other key to this type of project is Loctite Epoxy. I used this miraculous bonding agent to put the whole thing together. All of the gears, knobs, and wire came from the adding machine and an old stereo. My wife happened to have all of the paint I needed. From there, I just followed the photo tutorial and made myself my very own set of Steampunk lab goggles.

The finished goggles!

The strap and details.

More details.

The top of the goggles.

I have a couple of other projects that I would like to attempt – retrofitting an old flashlight and a pair of binoculars.

Flashlight and binoculars.

I will take more photos of the process this time. I think I will continue working on these little projects until more design and rendering work comes my way.

At the very least, I will learn new skills and keep my sanity, for a little while longer, anyway.

Thanks for reading!

Lone Wolf Drafting and Design Gets Crafty – Part 1

2012-04-11T11:51:00.002-07:00

However, before I could get started, I needed supplies, first and foremost: a place to work. My current desk is jam packed with computers, keyboards, printers and other work related items.

Not a drop of space to be had!

There is just not enough room to work on anything else. So, it was time to take out some furniture and bring in some new. I sold off my black display cabinet and beautiful 1955 console stereo – it was tough to part with, but I needed the space.

My beautiful stereo has found a new home!

Now the hunt was on for a suitable desk, and my wife, Allie – the internet search queen – found me an awesome one! For $60.00, she found an all wood detectives desk from the 1950’s. Usually, I would never want to start using something like that as a hobby bench, but it was just beat up enough that I don’t feel so guilty. It really is a fantastic piece of furniture – it’s solid wood with big drawers and complete with brass feet. It matches my office perfectly.

The "new" workbench

Brass foot detail - I love this!

From there, I needed tools and equipment. I invested in the following:

- A Dremel-type multi-function tool with bits and attachments.

- A soldering gun made by Chicago Welding.

- A free standing, vacuum suction vise.

- Various storage containers.

- Various hand held tools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, and a butane torch.

- Task lamp with magnifying glass.

In this photo starting on the left: vise, multi-tool, solder gun, storage crate, task lamp.

Chicago Welding 250 watt solder gun.

Dremel style multi-tool by Craftsman.

Storage container for small parts.

I was able to get everything from these places:

- Harbor Freight Tools.

- Sears.

- Michael’s Arts and Crafts.

- Office Max.

After getting my new work space set up, it was time to find parts; particularly gears, knobs, and other mechanical pieces found in Steampunk design.

Then, I found it – a mechanical adding machine from the 1950’s sitting in a corner of consignment shop. My version was made by Victor, and, according to the lease sticker on the back, was at one point used by Hughes Aircraft Company. How’s that for a bit of history!

A Victor adding machine - not quite like mine, but close enough.

I love this! (This label is on mine!)

This thing was a work of art – I actually felt a little bad taking it apart. If you ever have the opportunity to really look inside one of these things, I would highly recommend it. I think just about anyone can appreciate the complexity and beauty of the inner workings of this machine.

I wish I had taken photos when I started, but I didn’t – so I found an image that was as close as possible to the one I started with. I did, however, take photos of the inside.

I really do wish I had taken better photos. Sorry!

It took about 4 days to wrest this thing into its basic components. However, it yielded a ton of fantastic pieces to work with.

This is just some of the treasures that came out of the adding machine.

Next up – actually making something!

Lone Wolf Drafting Has A Partner’s Page!

2012-04-06T14:29:00.000-07:00

Recently, Lone Wolf Drafting and Design created a partner’s page showcasing those in the media industry who excel at their craft. Our first partner is Bekkerschmidt Designwerks, headed up by Tedd Smith. Bekkerschmidt Designwerks is a unique graphics development company committed to providing you with the highest quality logos, packaging, print media and web presence possible.

I have had the privilege to know Tedd for some time now, and we have decided to cross promote each other’s businesses in the hope of increasing client flow to our respective companies. We also hope to begin collaborating on projects, allowing us to offer more services to our clientele.

Below are some examples of his fine work:

Click the link below to visit Bekkerschmidt Designwerks

Of course, don’t forget to visit our website (www.lonewolfdrafting.com) and out newly remodeled Facebook Page:

Facebook.com/LoneWolfDrafting.

Thanks for reading!

High End Interiors for High End Clients

2012-04-01T17:46:00.004-07:00

Recently, Lone Wolf Drafting and Design completed some interior renderings for one of our most revered clients. This home was small, but packed with detail, bringing these images into a true life like state. Please feel free to take a look, and please remember to visit our other company pages (links follow the images):

Web site: www.lonewolfdrafting.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lone-Wolf-Drafting-and-Design/13768282591

Our Facebook page was recently revamped and new work and group affiliations were added. If you have a Facebook page, and would like to be part of our ever-growing network, please send me a “like” on my page, and I will be sure to send one back to you.

Happy networking!

Another Beautiful Garage(Mahal)

2011-12-06T11:32:00.001-08:00

Recently, Lone Wolf Drafting and Design completed another GarageMahals design. This garage is the partner to the “classic” garage that we completed about 2 months ago.

The Classic Side of the Double Garage.

This side focuses on the client’s love for muscle cars. This space is going to be used to not only showcase his collection, but also to allow him to work on his vehicles. The center columns evoke a sense of the styling and contours normally associated with a high performance car.

The Center Column in Competition Orange

Close Up - Note the Pin Striping Detail.

Due to the complexity and subtly of the curves and nuances of the final design, we had to turn to an automotive designer to help us really capture the look we were going for. Gary Smith of Performance Design helped us do just that. Mr. Smith supplied us with some great illustrative graphics that really helped us get the project off the ground.

From there, we were able to select our cabinet layouts by Vault Cabinets, flooring, color scheme and custom wainscoting. Michael decided to use the ribbed seat design seen in the rear seat of classic cars to achieve a really unique wall covering topped with a checkered flag rail that really makes the whole thing pop.

Work Bench and Storage by Vault Cabinets.

Custom Rolling Door Storage Cabinets by GarageMahals.

Wainscoting With Ribbed Detail and Checker Chair Rail.

Below are some additional views of the project.

As always, thanks for reading!

More Custom Homes and Garage.

2011-11-02T19:27:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since my last work related post, but that is a good thing as I have been too busy working to really find anytime to post anything.

My first recent project was a vacation home in Colorado. This beautiful custom home took a couple of weeks to model and render, and went though several design changes before this project was put to bed. The results were satisfied clients all around!

You can see a few images of the project below. More can be seen on my website.


Front View

Front View

Motor Court

Detached Garage and Breezeway

The next project is a custom Mediterranean style villa that slated for construction in India – a first for Lone Wolf Drafting and Design. After a few design and color changes, the final images below were presented to my clients.


Original Front View


Original Front View


Original Courtyard

...And the revisions.

New Colors and Front Entry

My final project was a custom garage designed by GarageMahals. This space was to exude elegance, refinement and sophistication based on the luxury cars of days gone by. The end result was a richly appointed space that any luxury car owner would be proud to park their cars in. This same client will have a second garage designed for muscle car restorations. That project’s design is currently in progress.

Images of the "classic side" below:

Center Column and Garage Doors


Center Column


Back Wall with Columns and Art

Back Wall with Columns and Art

More images will be added to my website soon, so check them out here!

Thanks for reading!

I Am The 53%

2011-10-07T11:39:00.000-07:00

I was a NYC EMT.

I was there when it all went down 10 years ago.

When my service was done, I moved to Arizona to pursue a dream on my own.

I met my wife.

I started a business.

I bought my first home and new car.

Every quarter I write a check to cover my taxes; sometimes it’s a big check, sometimes it’s a small check, but it’s mine, and it represents what I earn, not what is given to me.

I have never needed government assistance.

I have never taken a social handout.

Some months are good, others are terrible. Some nights I sleep well, others not so much.

These are my choices, and I fight for them everyday, good or bad, right or wrong.

Corporate greed sucks and I agree that politicians are all shysters. But you won’t see me sitting in a park participating in a drum circle – I have to much work to do, and I have people who rely on me.

“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles…The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who at his worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

-Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt.

I am the 53%. I am Sean.

#1amthe53

Going Home Again

2011-09-06T12:43:00.000-07:00

In my former life living in New York, I did very little with design or rendering. My start in the field of design began with an architecture firm on Long Island. I started out in the field overseeing projects throughout Nassau County, and when those contracts ended, I was brought into the office and began learning AutoCAD. For them, I was just a draftsman, and to be honest it wasn’t my favorite job. It was okay; it did pay the bills, and I did learn a lot, but I really didn’t do anything terribly exciting or interesting. But my other job was just the opposite.

In June of 2001, I began volunteering with the Patchogue Ambulance Corp in Patchogue, New York. Patchogue is a small town located on the South Shore of Long Island. It was a fantastic gig – I learned how to be an emergency medical technician (EMT), the proper way to drive an ambulance, and how to help people when they were most in need. Then September 11^th, 2001 happened. On the 12^th, I went into New York City to volunteer with rescue and recovery efforts. To be honest, I never thought I would do much – maybe hand out some water, organize some gear, nothing major. Well, by the end of the next day, I was on the pile working with other EMTs and emergency care professionals. Who knew that would happen?

I ended up working at the site and with various other organizations developed to help in the effort for the next 9 months. I would work my day job, work with Patchogue, and then head to the city on my nights off, or on the weekends. I continued working with NYC EMS in various capacities for the next 4 years. By the time I was ready to move out west, I had made the rank of Sergeant. I met some really wonderful people while working down there, and they helped me get to where I am now – in a beautiful home with my wife in Arizona, running my own company.

A few months ago, the world learned that Osama Bin Laden, the man most directly responsible for that day, was killed by a United States Seal Team; known to the world only as Seal Team Six. It was also announced that the World Trade Center Memorial would be open for dedication on September 11^th, 2011 – 10 years after that terrible day.

I will be there.

Many won’t.

This will be an opportunity for me to pay my respects and close this chapter in my life – not forget by any means, but maybe not dwell on it as deeply when this time of year comes around again.

I would ask anyone reading this blog to just remember. You don’t have to buy a bunch of cheap crap to show your patriotism (and yes, stores like Michael’s Arts and Crafts are doing just that) – just remember. Say a prayer. Thank an EMT, a cop, a firefighter or a soldier. Just remember the sacrifices they make for everyone else – for they are at their best when you are at your worst.

I will post another blog upon my return where I will share photos of the event.

Thanks for reading.

Photoshop and Rendering, Beautiful Together!

2011-08-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

So, for those of you wondering – I have been on vacation for the past couple of weeks, hence the lack of posts. I guess the more accurate way to say that is the Choates (that’s my wife’s sister, Sami, and her husband, David), came down from Oregon for their bi-annual Arizona visit. As always, it was a great time, and true to form, there was much Lego building going on.

This visit included a new Lego came called Creationary – imagine Pictionary in Lego form.

Lego's Creationary!

Creationary is a great family game that everyone can play. Due to the size of our family gathering, we paired up into teams to keep the pace going a bit quicker. I was on team Stina, who is my brilliant, Lego building niece, and we dominated, for the most part!

Then there were the new Lego sets that were purchased by Maja and Dan (Allie and Sami’s parents). The Choates just finished the Harry Potter Series (see Allie’s blog for more on that), so all of the sets revolved around the series. For the boys, we got the Hogwart’s Express – complete with an engine, coal tender, passenger car, snack car and the Flying Ford Anglia. For Stina, we got the triple-decker Knight Bus. We happen to be fortunate enough to have an official Lego Store nearby, so we also got several large cups of random, loose parts. I feel as though I lucked out because I got to keep all the Legos after the Choates went home (even though it really is all for the kids, right?)

The Hogwart's Express

The Knight Bus

All of the parts in two bins - I can't wait to dive in!

While the Choates were here, David, a Photoshop genius, was kind enough to take some time to teach me the basics of this powerful program. Up until now, I have been using Photoshop for basic photo edits – adjusting light levels, converting color to black and white and some other very basic touch ups.

David has since taught me how to really use some of the more complex tools in Photoshop. He has shown me how to properly layer, touch up images, add light sources, how to create and manipulate textures, and how to organize and layout a proper composition. He also pointed me to a fantastic tutorial site called Psdtuts+. There, you can find amazing, comprehensive, step by step instructions in how to create fantastic Photoshop images.

So far, I have created two images using David’s teachings and Psdtuts.

Fire Text on Psdtuts

My Version

Gold Text on Psdtuts

My Version

Ultimately, I will use this newly gained knowledge to make my rendered images even better and more life like. I will be able to add a new dimension of realisim and interest to my renderings that will bring even more of a “wow” factor to my clients. If you have the means, I highly recommend sitting down with Psdtuts and a copy of Photoshop CS or better, and learn how to use the basic tools of this great image editing tool. I will admit, I was very overwhelmed at the scope of Photoshop, but, as David showed me, when you break down into its simplest components, and concentrate on the tool sets that will be useful to you, the program is not quiet as intimidating.

So, a big thanks to David Choate – I ask anyone reading this to view his Flickr page here to view his amazing collection of work.

I will post more of my own work as I complete more tutorials and begin intergrating my renderings with Photoshop.

Thanks for reading!

Pin It!

2011-07-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post about an interesting website that Allie pointed me to called “Pintrest”. Pintrest is social media site designed to allow users to share all manners of visual media with each other. I have been using the site for about a month, and I have enjoyed looking at all the beautiful images on the site. I find it to be a great source of inspiration and an interesting way to see the tiniest nooks and crannies of the world.

The only downside is that it is currently an invite only site. If you are interested in joining Pintrest, just leave me an email address in the comments section and I will send you invitation.

Happy Pinning!

Rendering for Peace and Quiet

2011-07-25T14:18:00.000-07:00

As I have written in a few other posts, I live in a little modern version of Mayberry. I know all of my neighbors, and they know me. We chat in the street, have the occasional holiday party, and help each other whenever we can. However, there is the one neighborhood nuisance that no one can avoid – the door to door solicitor.

Yep, I’ve got ‘em here – landscapers looking for work, home water delivery, irrigation guys, house painter, Jehovah’s Witnesses and of course, the myriad of door hangers for local eateries and businesses. Every week it seems as though there is a never ending parade of someone trying to sell us something. To compound the problem, my wife works nights so she doesn’t get home until 11:30 or midnight. We usually stay up for another hour or so, getting to bed around 1:30 am. So, when solicitors ring our door bell at 9 am, it is safe to say that we are none to pleased.

Never. Ending. Parade.

What to do? I suggested getting a “No Solicitors” sign, but they have a tendency to be tacky or too commercial looking, so we have not purchased one. Allie and I have worked very hard on our home, renovating it just the way we like it, so putting a standard gold and black “No Solicitors” sign just wasn’t going to fly.

A typical no soliciting sign.

I decided to use my software to create a nice sign that would compliment our home while getting our point across. The project didn’t take that long, only about an hour to try a few different looks, render the image, and then print it.

My design.

There was a small issue mounting it, however. Allie had a nice piece of wood that the shape of the sign was based on. When we tried to mount it to the wood, the ink from the ink jet printer smeared, making the sign look sloppy. So, for now, our sign is on the fridge – maybe it will help me to lose weight!

No Soliciting....of the fridge.

We will try a different approach for mounting the sign, and we may change the color scheme, as it seemed a bit to dark for the exterior colors of our house. When we complete the new sign, I will post it. Thanks for reading!

I Need Some Lemons....

2011-07-07T19:03:00.000-07:00

I feel as though I should preface this post with a bit of an explanation. I’m frustrated and annoyed at the state of the economy, the state of our country, and the state of the job market, and particularly the hiring practices currently in place by most companies. Explanation over.

So, as we all know, the economy is well, let’s just say it – total crap. Politicians and economists, those living in their ivory towers, just don’t have a clue as to how the real world works. They continually promise positive change on the horizon, but as each day passes, it seems as though the horizon gets further away, and the country slips closer to another Great Depression.

So, what to do?

I have worked hard to keep my little company afloat in dire times. Now, once again, I find myself combing the job boards hoping to find something that I can do, but I’m not sure what that looks like. I am not an office guy – not because I don’t like commuting or anything, but because I can’t stand office politics and over the top political correctness – creative people cannot thrive in sterile environments, and that is exactly what today’s corporate setting has become. I cannot stand the idea of working my ass off for some lazy bum (aka a CEO) so he can get rich. Someone very close to me tells me everyday how people are being laid off, not because business is down, but because upper management wants their bonuses. So, instead of working to increase productivity and making a better product, the just fire people, throw them away if you will, just so they can get an extra million, because the first 10 wasn’t enough. I would happily work at Wal-Mart or Target, or any other big box store, but they’re not hiring. They have an endless supply of out of work individuals with BA’s and BS’s and PhD’s – why would they hire me, a guy with no formal degree? Mind you, that’s not just retail centers, it’s everyone.

I think that’s what really ticks me off. Yeah, I don’t have a formal degree – I only went to Roger William’s University for a couple of years before I could just no longer afford to go. So, what did I do? I went to work. I planted the seed for Lone Wolf Drafting and Design in New York, while being a volunteer EMT on Long Island and paid EMT in New York City and working a full time design job. Then, when I exhausted all options there, I moved to Arizona on my own. I found a job here doing landscape design and then went to work for GarageMahals. When that went south, I restarted LWD+D, developed my own client base, got married, bought a truck and a house, all while keeping my little business alive in the worst economy, ever.

So yeah, why would anyone hire me, right? Just because someone has a degree doesn’t mean anything. You could have 15 degrees which just shows you’re a professional student – fantastic. Where is the real world experience? Where is the education that only fighting for something that means something to you can provide? There was a time when you, that is the person that YOU are was enough to get you a job. People would take a chance and give you your shot, not because of your education, but because of the unique experiences that you could bring to the table. Why is this a concept that is so foreign to hiring managers now (well, maybe it’s because there are “hiring managers” who themselves only know how to follow a company hiring formula, and have no idea how to exercise free thought)?

So, here is my question: where do people like me find a decent job using my skills; a job where integrity, talent, tenacity and creativity really mean something – where is that job board? I’m really asking. Monster.com, Jobing.com, Careerbuilder.com, AZ Central and the like all have the same 5 or 6 jobs, and they all want 10 years of experience being a sheep in someone else’s office with 3 degrees.

Really?

Well, how about 5 years of sacrifice and hard work? How about 5 years of using my talents to make a name for myself in my industry and maintaining a client base based on word of mouth? How about getting my work published, twice? And how about 5 years of hitting the pavement looking for clients, going to conventions, and just scraping by so that maybe, some day, I could have a profitable company and make something of myself, by myself.

Where is the company that hires and rewards that guy?

Until the day comes that I find that job with that mythical company, I will have to continue to struggle. I have to keep looking for at least some part time work until the economy turns around and business starts coming in again. If anyone in the Phoenix area knows of anyone that may be hiring creative, talented, hard working people, please post a comment with a way to reach you. To anyone else with a small company that is struggling, I hope you find a way through, too.

Tech Review 2011 Part 2

2011-06-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

Every now and then, I like to point out products and services that either really stink on ice, or perform really well and deserve praise. I am happy to say this post revolves around the latter. (Click here and here to read about other product and service reviews). This post is Part 2 from my Tech Review 2011Part 1 post.

So, with every good phone, you need a good Bluetooth. I am a very particular Bluetooth type of guy, meaning, I am weird. I do not like things sticking in my ear; it irritates the hell out of me. Everyone at my gym uses ear buds, and I get the chills – my ears actually hurt for them. I am the only guy in there using full sized studio headphones while working out – I like the speakers the cup over my ears. So, like my old phone, I held on to my old Bluetooth because it met my weirdness criteria. It was a Motorola H350 with a partially open arm that went over the ear.

My original Motorola H350

The speaker was relatively flat, so it did not protrude into the ear canal. The only problem was the arm of the unit wasn’t very stiff, so if I leaned to the side that it was on, it would pull away from my ear or fall off entirely. However, it had good sound quality, and a decent range, plus I didn’t use it that often given that when I was on the phone, I really wasn’t doing anything else, e.g., texting or web surfing, in other words, I didn’t need my hands free. However, it finally died soon after I got my new phone. No really, it did – I started using it everyday, and the speaker just gave out. After 4 good years of service, it was time to replace it. However, just like with ear buds for MP3 players, everyone loves the kind that sticks in your ear. So, the hunt was on. First, I tried the Motorola HK200.

The Motorola HK200

Similar in design to the H350, this unit was lighter, and a bit more snug to the ear, however, the quality just wasn’t there. The sound quality and volume was poor, and the person on the other end had a hard time hearing me. On top of that, there was a small ear bud type projection on the unit. So, the thin plastic arm went around your ear, and then, through the course of the day, the ear bud piece would work its way into my ear. This was a no go. Unfortunately, Best Buy, Radio Shack, Target, Wal-Mart and others all carry the same basic Bluetooth headsets, and none of them were what I wanted. It was time to hit the web (and that will be discussed next). So, I started the hunt, just using broad search terms, which would lead me to the big outlets in the beginning – Best Buy, Wal-Mart, etc. Then I started digging deeper and deeper until I ended up on some random site at the end of the Internet universe. But, there it was – the perfect Bluetooth headset. It was unique looking. It went over the ear. The speaker was completely flat. I must have it. It is called the Maverick Lifestyle Nica Sunrise Bluetooth headset. The what?

The Maverick Lifestyle Nica Sunrise Bluetooth available in black and red.

I started looking for reviews and doing my research, and about 90% of what I read was positive. So, I found it on Amazon.com and placed my order.

So, here is where I am an old fashioned kind of guy. I love walking into a store, trying out an item, playing with it, asking the clerk about it, and walking out with it that very day. I am not a fan of online ordering for several reasons. What if they ship me the wrong thing? What if I get double charged? What if my credit card info is stolen? What do you mean the shipping and handling is more then the item itself? What if it’s defective, where is customer service so I can return it? All of these issues and more often kept me from ordering anything off the Internet, but this Bluetooth was exactly what I was looking for and it was not available in any physical store – believe me, I looked. So, after much assurance from Allie, I placed my order through Amazon. After 4 days, it arrived in the mail. I turned it on, paired it with my phone with no issues. However, some sort of weird echo type reverb could be heard during calls. Plus, the range from my phone was about 8 inches and would randomly disconnect from the phone. So I tried re-pairing the phone, recharging the unit, restarting my phone – nothing worked. So, since the reviews were good, I figured it must be defective.

Here we go – the fight to get this thing replaced. So, I was actually pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to replace it. I went to Amazon.com, filled out the replacement request, printed out my documentation and within 4 days, my new unit arrived with 30 days to return the defective one.

The new unit works awesome. I leave the phone in my office, and walk to the other end of the house without an issue, the call quality is clear and it is extremely comfortable. The Sunrise also comes with arms for both the left and right ears, as well as a basic recharging cable. You can also order custom skins for your unit, as well as an upgraded desk dock and a car charger. I highly recommend this unit and Amazon.com for a hassle free shopping experience.

The car charger.

The upgraded desk dock.

An example of available skins, or create your own!

Do you have a favorite phone? How about a Bluetooth (or other hands free) headset that you would recommend? What online shopping experiences have you had and with what companies?

Hope to hear from you, and thanks for reading!

I’m Geeking Out, You Monster…..

2011-06-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

As I have stated before, I am a video game junky, although, now that I think about it, I think I’m more of a video game snob, as opposed to anything else. Modern Warfare and GTA/ Liberty City are two of my all time favorites; Modern Warfare because of its fast action and amazing attention to detail and GTA because of its beautiful gaming environment specifically as it relates to their version of New York City. Recently, my father in law, Dan, introduced me to Portal 2. He described it as a cool 3D puzzle solving game, to which my initial thought was “ehh, I’ll give it a try”. Dan’s description of the game really didn’t do it justice (sorry, Dan). From the moment is started playing, I was hooked. The environments are so beautiful and grand, the characters and fun and memorable (with some pretty funny dialogue), and the amount of thought put behind each challenge is staggering.

The entire game is based around an evil super computer named Glados that is forcing a captive human (you) to perform in a series of mentally challenging tests. Each test takes place in a room of her design, and you, as the test subject, have to use what is available in the room to complete the challenge. The only thing that you have with you as a constant is a portal gun – a device that creates a temporal gateway from one location instantly to another.

The Portal Gun

One of the many test environments

Glados - She makes life very difficult for you....

The catch is that only certain wall types will hold a portal. Along the way, you meet Wheatley, a small “core” that helps you here and there during the course of the game and, well – you’ll see.

Wheatley

Throughout the game, there are a bunch of other little characters each with there own unique personalities - my favorites, the turrets....

Searching.... There you are...

The game’s maps range from ultra cool, futuristic and minimalistic settings to vintage environments ranging from the 1950’s to the 1980’s; all with unique details and challenges.

The co-op part of the game is just as fantastic. The characters, Atlas and P-Body, are test robots designed to carry out the constant testing of Glados.

Atlas and P-Body on a mission...

Each test will challenge you and your partner and will either create a stronger bond between the two of you, or possibly tear you both apart, making you bitter enemies to the end. I am happy to say that my wife and I did not fall prey to the latter.

So, if you haven’t noticed by now, I love this game, and has definitely earned a spot in my top 3 favorites. I spent a week straight playing it to its conclusion, simply loving every second of it. I loved it so much, that I was moved to design my own Portal 2 inspired room.

My room inspired by Portal 2

For those of you that noticed, you will see the back round of my blog has changed. It is, in fact, my Portal 2 inspired space. Yes, the ultimate geek-out.

I plan to get the first Portal game in the very near future, as I have a serious need to keep testing. Thanks for reading!

Resting.

Tech Review 2011 Part 1

2011-06-18T12:17:00.000-07:00

Hello All. It has been a while since my last post, but I have been busy working on a new concept. As of right now, I cannot get into detail about it, but as soon as I can, I will and post images.

Cell Phones

For a long time, I mean a really long time, I had a flip style cell phone. To be specific, it was the Sanyo SCP 7050 – key word – RUGGEDIZED flip phone from Sprint.

My Old Sanyo SCP 7050 Flip Phone

This thing was awesome. I could throw it at a wall, run it over with my car, drop it in water and it would just keep working every time. I never had an issue with it, so I never upgraded the phone. I was 4 years past due for an upgrade by the time I went to the Sprint store. Every time I got the itch to get a new phone, the first thing I would ask the clerk was “where are the indestructible phones?” I would often get a puzzled look, and I would proceed to explain just how durable my flip phone was. Of course, they would proceed to tell me that there is no phone like that one, so I would leave with my trusty Sanyo.

However, eventually, my tech side got the best of me, and in the world of mini laptops and net books, iPads, iPhones, and affordable smart phones, I decided it was time for me and my wife to upgrade. After much toiling and playing at the Sprint store, I decided to go with the HTC Evo Shift built on the Android platform, and Allie went with the LG Optimus.

The HTC Evo Shift

The LG Optimus

This really is a great little device. I have found that, with the exception of writing a document, this phone has essentially replaced my laptop. It goes with me everywhere, I use it for texting (which I NEVER did on my old phone), web searches with Google Voice, GPS, as an MP3 player, portable television, and of course, Angry Birds. The versatility of the phone has been truly amazing, and its reliability has been, well, above average. My old flip phone had to be restarted due to lock up, seriously, twice that I can remember. There have been a few instances with this phone due to trying to do too much at once, or an over abundance of updates. The other thing that I really like about this model is the slide out keyboard. At 6’-4” tall, I have been blessed with large hands so the little glass touch screen keyboard it not going to cut it. The keyboard on the EVO Shift is a bit on the small side, but with some practice, I have managed just fine. As far as ruggedness goes, I purchased a hard plastic cover that mounts to the back of my phone. It then has a second hard cover that slides over the glass faceplate of my Evo and locks in place to the back piece. When the phone is not in use, or attached to my hip, it is secured in its own hard plastic cocoon. Should I upgrade the phone in the future, I may look more into something like the Samsung Galaxy, which my father-in-law recently purchased.

The Samsung Galaxy

The screen is bigger then my Evo Shift’s, therefore typing on the screen is a little easier. However, it is so light, I feel like I am holding a Noisy Cricket.

"I feel like I'm gonna break this damn thing!"

I'm Still Here!

2011-06-06T12:14:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to my readers - I have been diligently working on a new project, and I will be adding new posts soon. Thanks for stopping by!