What? You didn’t know even know there was a Phase One? Well, let me begin there, then. At the dawn of fractal art.Phase One, the first stage of fractal art, has been oriented around software. The big developments in fractal art came from developments in the software that made it. True color fractals were a … Continue reading →

Sure you do. But, the kind of professional help I’m talking about is online software courses. I know that sounds like a common subject line for spam, but this is the real thing and it includes some of the most popular fractal art programs in use today –taught by experts and reasonably priced. The place … Continue reading →

I view Garth Thornton’s recent resignation as a judge in the Benoit Mandelbrot Fractal Art Contest 2009 as a cause for celebration and renewed hope in one’s fellow man.  I know that may sound rather lofty and glorious, but what Garth has done is definitely the most encouraging event that I’ve seen in the fractal … Continue reading →

While it may not be official yet, a  response by Garth Thornton to a thread at Fractalforums.com early today gives a fairly clear impression that he intends to step down from his new judging role at the Benoit Mandelbrot Fractal Art Contest 2009. I have come to the conclusion that there is likely to be … Continue reading →

It’s been more than three years now since the original Benoit Mandelbrot Fractal Art Contest made it’s debut.  For those of you who haven’t been following these things, we’ve criticized the Contest over a number of things but primarily for the reason that the contest favors art work made with the program Ultra Fractal rather … Continue reading →

It’s the job of the Coroner’s office to make an official pronouncement of death I’m filling in at the Coroner’s office while he’s away on vacation.  That is, the Internet Coroner’s office.  That’s where the virtual, online dead go.  I was told to just “tag ’em, bag ’em and put ’em the fridge till I … Continue reading →

Cool fractals made chillingly easy (Parameter file: “fract0.xpf“)Xaos Website So simple What’s new in 3.5? Glad you asked. XaoS 3.5 has been released for download. This version contains a new Portuguese translation, several bug fixes, and some UI improvements for the Windows version. So maybe I over-reacted. I find their use of version numbers is … Continue reading →

Over the years, while browsing online galleries, I have from time to time experienced something that I have casually labeled Thumbnailitis.  It’s a condition that occurs when you see what you think is a very appealing image –in thumbnail form– but when you click on that thumbnail you are suddenly confronted with a full-size image … Continue reading →

“You’ll only find dirt, digging where other’s have dug”–Long John Silver, Treasure Island Pebbles by Jonathan Hunt, 2008. Made entirely in POV-Ray There is a definite use and function for digital photorealism, but it is almost exclusively the domain of the craftsman and not the artist. Artists don’t get a thrill out of copying the … Continue reading →

Senorita’s New Attire by Rich Jarzombek.  Click for larger image. The general field of Fractal Art abounds in pictures that may be largely described as beautiful random designs or geometric shapes. It is rare to find Fractal Art pictures that strongly portray substantive images such as people or specific objects. However, it is the intent … Continue reading →

Pantheon Good software makes images that are too slick.  It’s hard to get good software to make smudgy, jagged, off-color stuff.  Purebred imagery is predictable.  Artists often make junk and crazy mistakes but it’s a process of trial and error that leads to new styles.  Good software and professional skills is a toxic combination that … Continue reading →

Consider this: And about these continuous and pointless attacks against Ultra Fractal, maybe you should just start displaying some fractal images that obviously cannot be realized in Ultra Fractal. I haven’t seen any on your blog so far. The ease with which it is possible to implement ideas into algorithms and then works (especially with … Continue reading →

What?  By who? Why I call myself O. Most people think of Chaos as the opposite of Order, but actually Order is merely Chaos constrained. In this respect, Order and Chaos form a continuum that comprises the fullness of existence. The opposite of this “fullness” is the “nothingness” or a Void, often represented by an … Continue reading →

Terry, much of your discussion revolves around the notion and concept of a fractal art community.  I need to address this first because I believe that will clarify this discussion immensely because this community thing complicates everything else. There is no fractal art community. There is no fractal art community; not in either a formal … Continue reading →