Purple Balloon Flowers June 2013

It is a good year for the balloon flower plant. The plant is producing a lot of nice purple balloon flowers this season. Very nice!

Revised Outlet Illustration

Revised image from earlier in the week. Changed coloring on screw and tried a more 3D coloring effect on outlet perimeter. Image generated using Adobe Illustrator CS5.

Updated Electrical Outlet

I have updated the look of an electrical outlet created in Adobe Illustrator back in 2009.

Still need adjustments to the text on plug.

Da Hua

One of the big red amaryllis flowers is blooming in June 2013. It started with just one plant I was given maybe back in 2002 and it has since become 5 plants. The original one bloomed last month and its bloom stem has black seed pods on it now. The stem will eventually fall over and release the seeds.








This tall stem system I think helps the plant propagate. The stem is about 50 cm tall and it will fall to ground spreading the seeds that distance from the parent plant. If the seeds take root the children will be some distance from the parent plant thus it does not directly compete for the nutrients and water of that plant. Note, I have not verified how the plant works the above is just my conjecture. The plant in the past produces another bulb that I eventually transfer to another planter.







As for the term "da hua" it is Chinese for "big flower". I learned that watching this Taiwanese drama King Flower (金大花的華麗冒險). See this site for episodes: http://sugoideas.com/idol-dramas/2013drama/king-flower/ (ones with English subtitles: http://www.dramacrazy.net/taiwanese-drama/substitute-princess/). Watching these shows is one way to learn the language... right?

As for the drama, it is pretty silly, illogical, and fun. As with most TV shows turn off some of your cognitive brain functions and think of it as entertainment time.  Some great recaps were done by Ms. Koala at this web link: http://koalasplayground.com/tag/king-flower/.

The show also has a catchy and upbeat song from the Dream Girls group seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w20itscV45M

Silhouette of Japan Overlaid on Japanese Flag

Another Adobe Illustrator creation with a silhouette of the country of Japan accompanied by the Kanji for Japan. All of this overlaid on the flag of Japan.

I like it for its simplicity and sharp colors. An interesting exercise in contrast.

American Logo Done in Illustrator

Having some fun with Adobe Illustrator... the go to tool when creating vector graphics.

Here is an American flag embedded into the outline of the United States.