The Fire in my Eyes

Light. Dark.

2014-01-17T10:11:00.000+02:00

Blogging can be Scary

2013-03-19T13:14:00.000+02:00

"Get out of bed, experience life and if you want to blog, but it terrifies you, realise that while these fears might be valid, the experience of having a blog might be worth more than the terror of being misquoted."

Just saying... Well, what am I saying exactly? I'm saying this: isn't it slightly terrifying that you would publish writing on a topic that is important in your life and everyone can see it and copy and paste to their hearts' desire?

For me it is.

Why? Well here are 2 reasons off the top of my head.

1. Once it's published, it's difficult to take it back.

Much like Twitter, blogging has the potential to attract global readers, and although you can delete a post if you aren't happy with it, the truth still stands that it was on the Internet, for anyone to behold, for a duration of time. It's possible for someone to read your article, take offense, and link it to you. Now, I know this screams paranoia and I probably am a bit paranoid.

The Good News: If you haven't said anything offensive, and think before you post, you probably don't have anything to worry about - unless you're a bit like me and tend to worry anyway.

2. Copy right or copy wrong, it still happens.

It's unfortunate but it's true. Words are cheap sometimes, and some people view them as a free for all on the internet. They are either thieves and liars, taking those words and pretending that they wrote them, ignorant, or just uneducated about ownership and copyright, in which case, a conversation could clear up any infringements.

Having said all this, I would still encourage one to go down the blogging path, even with these things in mind. So, blogging can be scary? Yes, I know I'm the one that said so, but there's a good end to this daunting story.

Life is scary. Getting out of bed in the morning can be seen as scary, but nobody ever got anywhere by sleeping all day. Get out of bed, experience life and if you want to blog, but it terrifies you, realise that while these fears might be valid, the experience of having a blog might be worth more than the terror of being misquoted.

Still this is not the final conclusion and should not be taken as blogging advice. What about you, blog visitors? Are you afraid of blogging? How valid do you think this fear is and what are some of your blogging pro's and con's?

Rumors of an Art Blog

2012-07-17T16:32:00.003+02:00

The rumors are true.

There's a new blog on the block, and it's... mine.

Well, after grappling with my magnetic attraction to starting new blogs and my general addiction to blogging, I decided it was time. It's time to create a blog that will focus on my studies, rather than steal me away from them. Hopefully, this new blog will get me to think more critically about art and dive into the reality that I am a fourth year fine arts student.

As these things usually happen, it was a spontaneous decision, and it went down on Wordpress.com. Who wouldn't be lured into the visual amazing-ness of their arty themes? An art blog was a definite choice. Now I can blog about what I am actually supposed to be focussing on at university. There is hope for my degree, with blogging addiction afterall!

Where does this leave "The Fire in my Eyes"?

Actually, it leaves it exactly the same as it was before. It really is the fire in my eyes and will remain a passionate, spontaneous blog which documents the whimsicalities of my mind. The new blog, The Incredible World of Art, is one of the branches off The Fire in my Eyes, and I thought it would be cool to start a blog to share art news and views and share artistst that really make me think and/or inspire me.

Where can you find this new blog?
Well, here:
The Incredible World of Art
Follow on Twitter
Follow on Facebook

Now that you've read that these rumors are true, it's up to you to investigate further.
Hope that everyone is enjoying this Tuesday!

Until Next time.

Oh, and don't forget to share.

4 Fun and Fast Online Games

2012-06-24T12:36:00.000+02:00

Hi bloggers and readers,

A while back I gave you a list of Cute Online Games.

Today I'm going to give you a list of 4 Quick Online Games that I consider to be creative, fun and fast.

They are all available to play online and what I like about them is that they are quick to load and relatively easy to play. Most of the time, all that is required to play is a computer, an Internet connection and Adobe Flash Player. Some of them are the type of games that you can play in your coffee or lunch break. They might be slightly addictive but they're much less addictive than the three alternatives I will mention later.

1. Factory Balls 4

This game may seem juvenile at first, but I found I actually got into it after a while, and I realised it was exercising my brain, After a while I realised that it's probably one of those games that would be considered brain exercise or educational on a visual level.

Screenshot of Factory Balls 4

I'm sure it's wonderful for children because it involves creating a replica of a ball by dipping it in paint and figuring out the correct strategy to go about the whole thing (which colour to dip first, etc.). Constructing stuff is fun. Actually, I have to admit, this was fun for me. It's cute. Not the most gripping game in the world, but entertaining, and not as juvenile as I originally thought.

2. Haunt the House

Wow. This is a great game that doesn't take long but it's still really fun. In the game, you are the ghost. The objective of the game is to Haunt a house and scare all the people out of the house. You haunt objects like tables and cabinets and make them do creepy things to scare the characters out the house.

Screenshot of Haunt the House

The game design is cartoon-like and the animation is well done.

3. Feel the Beat

This is one of those rhythm games that might be compared to Guitar Hero. It's not nearly as cool as Guitar Hero though, because it lacks the colours, the amazing modes of play, the general fun atmosphere and the variety of songs to choose from. Plus, the computer keyboard acts more like a piano than a guitar.

However, this game is free to play, and Guitar Hero... Well, Guitar Hero is not free.

Screenshot of Feel the Beat

To summarise, the design of "Feel the Beat" is average and the game-play is simple, but it is still a great free online musical game that makes you feel like your computer keyboard is an instrument and rewards you with "Perfect!" and "Great" when you manage to hit the notes: simple yet effective. What more could you ask for from a free, online rhythm game?

4. Fat Slice

This game is highly addictive. Warning: playing this during your lunch break may lead to not wanting to stop! Then, there are those seemingly impossible levels... You know, the ones that make you want to pull your hair out but at the same time finish, whatever it takes? Yes, those levels.

Screenshot of Fat Slice

The objective of the game is to make the given shape smaller, using your mouse to slice pieces off the shape. Do this without being hit by the bouncing white balls. The bar at the top is an indication of your progress. Sounds easy, and it is, until... those levels.

What to do if you don't like quick, online games?

Of Course, if you don't like quick online games, downloadable games like The Sims are much more addictive and really fun. Disclaimer: I will not be held responsible for addictive gaming behaviour induced by having too much fun living in virtual worlds.

And, if The Sims is not your thing, you might enjoy more of a RPG (Role Playing Game) like Alice: Madness Returns. This game is a much darker interpretation of Alice in Wonderland than the sweet movie by Tim Burton. It's Alice with a twist, with really creepy graphics.

Oh, and then of course, there's... Final Fantasy! I've always wanted to play this game, but haven't had the chance yet. If you have any thoughts on the matter, please let me know in the comments section. How did you find it?

Discussion

Now it's your turn. What is your favourite online game, and what do you think of faster, online games versus more in depth offline game. What games do you play?

Don't forget to share this post using the buttons below!

Recent Products: Quirky Creations

2012-06-19T12:42:00.000+02:00

There's something for everyone at the Quirky Creations store- from kitsch to quirky to down-to-earth and downright cool. Find gifts for loved ones or buy something unique for yourself, be it a t-shirt, a coffee mug, an apron or even a cookie jar. The best part is that most products are customizable!

Feel free to browse the products in the flash panel below, or just go straight to the online store.

create & buy custom products at Zazzle

Tomás Saraceno's intricate web

2012-04-29T09:49:00.001+02:00

Looking at Tomás Saraceno's art may evoke feelings of the vastness of the imagination and the universe, or it may remind you of spiders. However, experiencing his artwork would be the ultimate. I love installation art, where the viewer gets immersed into the scene. Saraceno's art makes the viewer navigate around his imaginative web to get inside of it, so it makes me wonder: is it obstacle, puzzle or pure fun?

Check out this time-lapse video of one of his installations being installed:

Tomás Saraceno, Galaxies Forming Along Filaments, Like Droplets Along the Strands of a Spiders Web, 2008. Filmed by Mark Diamond

Check out the link below for an article on Tomás Sarenco's art, courtesy of ARTnews.

Head in the Clouds | ARTnews

Thanks for reading.
I always look forward to reading your comments!

Doodle Challenge on Hold

2012-04-26T18:48:00.000+02:00

Doodle Challenge is on hold until further notice.

The reasons for this are varied...
but it's mainly because I made an irrational commitment this year, in my FINAL year of university (honors) which is much more difficult then I expected. Yes, I do compulsive, irrational things. lol.

Keep smiling!

I'm really sorry to break this challenge/commitment but, trust me, it's needed.

But please, stick around and go through the doodles that have been posted so far. I beg of you. I'll be spying on my stats and comments. lol. Please still spread the word about my little shop in Zazzle-land and doodles if you feel positive about them. I will really come back to the doodles when I feel I have more time. This might be next year.

Much blogging love!

I'll miss this.

Doodle Challenge #169

2012-04-17T22:56:00.000+02:00

Yesterday showed the first doodles on two eggs. This is how they finally came out.
Egg Doodle!

#169

Thanks for visiting!

Doodle Challenge #170

2012-04-16T22:57:00.000+02:00

It's raining eggs. Well, thankfully not, but it was Easter not too long ago and I doodled two chicken eggs up for the occasion for an online doodle challenge. This is what the eggs looked like after I'd doodled on them at first. Sneak a peak tomorrow for how they came out in the end!

#170

Come back tomorrow for more eggs.

Doodle Challenge #171

2012-04-15T23:09:00.000+02:00

We all need a few stars in our lives.

#171

Happy Sunday Everyone!

Doodle Challenge #172

2012-04-14T23:57:00.000+02:00

A pretty abstract doodle for today...

#172

Image Credit: Flameheart

Doodle Challenge #173

2012-04-13T22:10:00.000+02:00

It's a... another Doodle Bug! Surprise!

#173

Doodle Challenge #174

2012-04-12T22:34:00.000+02:00

Another cute little bug.

Yay! The 28 Doodles in 14 Days mini-challenge is complete. Now it's back to one doodle per day again. Phew!

Here's today's doodle: a sweet-looking doodle bug.

#174

Thanks for coming!

Looking forward to your comments.

Doodle Challenge #176 and #175

2012-04-11T23:49:00.000+02:00

Little doodle-bug doodles!

#176

#175

thanks for visiting!
Looking forward to your comments.

Doodle Challenge #178 and #177

2012-04-10T21:57:00.000+02:00

Doodles on the decorative side
Here are today's doodles:

#178 Design-like doodle

#177 flowers and twirls doodle

Thanks for visiting!
I always look forward to your comments.

Doodle Challenge #180 and #179

2012-04-09T22:27:00.000+02:00

Doodling in Silhouette:

So, here are some fun doodles, but the more I look at them, the more I wonder if they're fun with creepy undertones. If the two pictures were to be made into a narrative, I would call them "love and intrigue on the dance floor".

#180

Image Credit: Flameheart (also known as, me.)

Are they dancing together or is she dancing alone..?

#179

Image Credit: Flameheart

What's the woman holding? Is the man really holding flowers?

As you may have noticed, I love the mystery factor of the silhouette, and the ambiguity. The viewer can interpret what the viewer wants to interpret.

#182 and #181 Doodle Challenge

2012-04-08T21:04:00.001+02:00

Some more doodles with lines and mapping.

#182

Image Credit: Flameheart

#181

Image Credit: Flameheart

#184 and #183 Doodle Challenge

2012-04-07T23:06:00.000+02:00

For the sake of being random, here's an abstract doodle drawing and a bug doodle: the exploding kind. Much of the time, I doodle with whatever pen is in my hand at the time, but sometimes, I take out the box of colored pens and markers and become colour-happy! I have to point out at this point (for no reason whatsoever) that I use the word "color" and "colour" because I get visitors from all over the world and the American Spelling is "color", but I've always written "colour". Now, I seem to use both. Hope that doesn't confuse anyone.

Oh dear. Rambling on again... Well, here are today's doodles!

#184 Abstract Doodle

Image Credit: Flameheart (own image)

#183 Bug Explosion

Image Credit: Flameheart (own image)

Thanks for coming!
As always, I look forward to your comments.

#186 and #185 Doodle Challenge

2012-04-06T23:45:00.003+02:00

Sometimes things seem to crawl out from the centre of the doodle, or rather grow, or travel from the center, or do they grow into the centre? Maybe the lines just revolve around the centre. In any event, today's doodles resemble circular structures in some way or another. They were actually on the same page, and, interestingly, neither was in the centre of the page.

Don't mind me.

That was just some random rambling doodle-analysis. Here are the actual doodles!

#186 Doodle Challenge

Image Credit: Flameheart (own image)

#185 Doodle Challenge

Image Credit: Flameheart (own image)

Thanks for coming!

Looking forward to your comments.

#188 and #187 Doodle Challenge

2012-04-05T23:20:00.000+02:00

#188 "Reminds me of stained glass and an octopus" doodle

The first doodle reminds me of an octopus, which reminds me of The Beatles:

"I'd like to be, under the sea
in an octopus's garden, in the shade" ~From Octopus's Garden by The Beatles

Image Credit: Flameheart (i.e. my octopus!)

I loved that song when I was a little one. Still do!

#187 Little Flowers doodle

Image Credit: Flameheart

I included this doodle just because little flowers are happy things, and remind me of childhood. Somehow, I don't get as much enjoyment out of drawing flowers these days (and it probably shows). Twirls seem to be replacing the flower set-up. However, seeing flowers still creates happiness in my heart.

Have you heard the quote:
"If friends were flowers, I'd pick you"? According to searchquotes.com Albert Camus is the one who said that. I think that quote relates quite well to the innocence of being a child (or what being a child should be).

Thanks for reading!
Looking Forward to your comments.
What is your ultimate happy memory?

#190 and #189 Doodle Challenge

2012-04-04T23:02:00.000+02:00

Intricate Doodles:

There is a tendency for my doodles to be intricate. This probably has some worrying psychological meaning in the world of doodle analysis, but doodling in that way really helps me to destress and take my mind off what's worrying me.

#190 Intricate Tree Doodle

#189 Creative Exposion of Intricacy

There you have it! Sometimes I feel like I'm building a map with these doodles, or a fantastical city, or growing organisms. Mainly, I just do them, and one doodle flows into the next.

Thanks for stopping by!
I look forward to your comments.

#192 and #191 Doodle Challenge

2012-04-03T23:15:00.000+02:00

Days of the Week Doodles:

When you're a bit of a doodle fanatic (like me), you tend to doodle every time you write something down, especially if that something is something like class notes. You see, doodling is very hard to control. It's a bit of a compulsion.

The other day (Sunday, to be exact), I decided to plan this week out. I then got briefly involved in writing Monday. Then I stopped myself and wrote the list, making a few squiggles along the way.

#192: Monday doodle. Credit: Flameheart

Moving on, I wrote Tuesday, and the urge came to - wait for it - use another color pen.

#191: Tuesday doodle. Credit: Flameheart

Making lists and writing anything down becomes really difficult for a doodle addict like me.

Thanks for reading. Now you can read a poem about stick figures or an article about long term goals!
Or, you can scroll to the bottom of this blog (well, not right at the bottom) to find popular posts to read.

Don't forget to Tweet, Share and comment below!

#194 and #193 Doodle Challenge

2012-04-02T23:16:00.000+02:00

Today's two doodles are the essence of quirky. They also happen to be in use at the Quirky Creations art, doodle and design store at Zazzle.

#194 Hop Along Doodle

Image Credit: Flameheart

Look, it's Mr. Hop Along! He's a creature that looks a lot like a frog and yet a lot like a human. Even he seems confused! Poor creature...

#193 Barking Love Doodle

Image Credit: Flameheart

The Jury is also out on whether this doodle is a dog, cat or neither. Two things are for sure though, the tail is wagging and the quirky little creature loves you!

The real question is, does the dog wag the tail or does the tail wag the dog..?

Thanks for reading, sharing and commenting! Can you pick a favorite out of today's doodles?

#196 and #195 Doodle Challenge

2012-04-01T23:08:00.000+02:00

#196 Quirky Creations Thought Session

Image Credit: Own Image (Flameheart)

What do you think of today's doodles? They started out like brainstorming for my zazzle shop, quirky creations...

...but they became more like splatters of my conscious and subconscious bundled into one.

#195 Random Doodle

Image Credit: Own Image (Flameheart)

#198 and #197 Doodle Challenge

2012-03-31T23:37:00.005+02:00

Hi Friends and Visitors!

Sometimes, I wonder if I played too many games when I was smaller...

#198 Doodle Games

Image Credit: Flameheart (own image)

I did. Mostly Pacman on the PC and Snake, that game on those old Nokia phones.

Yes, I had a Nokia 3310 for quite a while, until I dropped it in my tea (true story. Really really embarrassing, but true story).

#197 Doodle Twirls

Image Credit: Flameheart (own image)

Twirls. I've always doodled twirls. What can I say?

I can probably say quite a lot, about the meaning of doodles and why I would doodle twirls, of all things.

At first I thought it was a confusion thing, but there is a theory that it's about what you take in versus what you give out.

Mostly, though, it's fun.
---------------------------------------

Did you play games like Snake and Pacman? How has that affected your outlook on life?
(haha, I am not sure this goes very deep as a philosophical question but you never know)
---------------------------------------

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this post, share it with your friends using the buttons below. Don't forget to leave a comment to make my day!