Welcome to my little corner of the institution!
Please come in, come in. Don't mind the dogs, they may be energetic but I assure you they are quite friendly. Be careful of the tiger though, he can be rather unpredictable. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Jamie Dykstra, writer, artist, adorer of animals, and world seeker extraordinaire. Yes, I find few things more invigorating than the discovery and exploration of vast, uncharted realms. What you will find here are some of my projects from various worlds just waiting to be discovered, everything from animation to illustration to--what the heck is that? I do hope you will find them mildly entertaining.
Let the adventure begin!
Feel free to poke around and/or make comments; we do have a guestbook to sign below, if you wish. Just mind your fingers and your head; we've had some falling pinecones lately. Oh, and please be careful not to step on the poor cat. He's already been hit in the face with a soccer ball.(Disclaimer: The above are just some pics I thought I'd share. My own works of art begin with the links directly below. Enjoy!)
Where would you like to go?
Take your pick. And your shovel, too. (...Lame joke, I know, I know.)
Surprise me!
Show me whatcha got!
From the Frontyard to the BeachI think I'll take a little stroll out front and down to the sunny beach. That sounds fun and relaxing.
Out to the Backyard
It's out back to the happening place for me.
Off to the Caves!I'll slip out the side way and venture off to the deep, dark caverns. Who knows what hidden treasures await to be found?
Away to the great beyondI'm feeling adventurous and want to go far, far away. Over the hills and through the woods, it's to the mountains we go!
To the marketplace
What can I say, I love to buy stuff! And get in on the latest scoop.
Unsure where to go?
Reader Feedback
Your comments and constructive criticism are quite welcome.
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ashleyo
awesome lens. i really enjoyed it. i also enjoy slipcovers. http://www.allaboutslipcovers.com Posted March 20, 2008 |
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Christopher_Scott
Great lens and keep up the hard work. I love your bio picture. Posted November 08, 2007 |
My Occasional Blogoney
Seeing in the Light ~ by Jamie Dykstra ~ 11/5/07
Seeing me eyeing it, the artist hurries over and plucks it off its display hooks. "Look at it in the light," she says, hastening to a spot where the sun is shining. "Come, come, you must see. Look at the play of colors. See that?"
Of course, she knows how much of a difference lighting makes. Although not everyone is as bold, she is not the only one who insists on having her handiwork viewed in the sunlight.
Geodes particularly fascinate me, so I couldn't help but stop for a second look at some tiny intricate ones that had been cut open and crafted into hinged boxes.
"Hold it up to the light," the craftsman advises. "Go ahead. See how it sparkles?"
He even has some pieces set up so that a tea light could be put behind them and shine through them, which he very lovingly points out as I try to tear myself away.
But none is so extreme as the effect of a gold ring with what looks to be a black stone in it. The lady at the jewelry display booth singles it out.
"What color do you think it is?" she asks about the gem. "You would say black, right? Take this one over to the light and look at it."
As I hold it up to the sunlight, sparks of red, orange, and green flare up inside a dark brown gemstone.
"It really fires up, doesn't it," she comments with a smile. "Most people think it's onyx, but it's actually hungarian opal."
It is remarkable how much light can change the appearance of an object, as any experienced artist, cinematographer, or salesperson can tell you. So I wonder, what kind of light are we seeing things in? Do we continue struggling to see things clearly, when we are still in the dark? Or do we put these things in the light, so that we can see them for what they really are? Perhaps there are some things we would rather stash away in the dark. Or perhaps the light we are using is tainted or dim and we must move into the true sunlight first.
There is a saying that one should never buy a car at night. We are unable to make an accurate assesment apart from good lighting. Something might look really good that one night, but wake up one morning and you might find yourself greeting an unpleasant surprise. Or who knows but that some black object, when held up to the light, contains the sparkle of an inner beauty we would scarcely have imagined.
What kind of light are you standing in?
New ArtByUs Artist Module
Feel free to browse and/or buy the treasures offered by others.
Earth - Rob Burkhard Watercolor Original | Current Price: $250.00 Buy it now: $250.00 End Date: Saturday Jul-19-2008 21:32:21 MST Bid now | Buy it now | Watch this item |
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Great Stuff on Amazon
Folding Pick & Shovel
Ah, that's what I was referring to! This one's a two in one deal! It's your lucky day!
Forged Steel. Hardwood Handle. From the Galaxy Army Navy Store.
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/19/2008)
Suncast SK4000 Kids Snow Shovel
In case you run into a small scale blizzard.
(Don't worry, there's some for the grownups through this link, too ;)).
Amazon Price: $5.41 (as of 07/19/2008)
Toro Power Shovel 7.5 Amp Snow Thrower/Electric Broom #38360
In case the blizzard is a little bit larger.
It's another two tools in one. When in shovel mode it can clear 300 pounds of snow per minute. Measures 52.00 inches.
Amazon Price: $119.99 (as of 07/19/2008)
Victorinox Swiss Army Champion Plus
Always handy, wherever you might find yourself.
5.25 ounces, 3.5 inches when closed, with large and small blades, a file, a saw, scissors, a magnifying glass, can and bottle openers, and small, medium, large, Phillips screwdrivers, a cork screw, a chisel, a reamer, a hook, a punch with a sewing eye, tweezers, ink pen, and a toothpick pull out of the ends, the saw doubles as a ruler with both inch and centimeter marks, and a notch in the bottle opener can be used to strip wires.
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 07/19/2008)
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Amazon Price: (as of 07/19/2008)
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Columbia Sportswear Women's Mystic Peak GTX Hiking Boot,Mud/Vintage,10.5 M
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Amazon Price: (as of 07/19/2008)
Columbia Sportswear Women's Razor Ridge Mid II Boot,Tusk/Dragon,10 M
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Amazon Price: (as of 07/19/2008)
Teton Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack
This will carry all your goods, and what treasures you might find along the way. Plenty of room, lots of pockets, and even a rain fly to keep your stuff from getting wet.
Amazon Price: $74.99 (as of 07/19/2008)
JanSport Wasabi Backpack (Black)
Or this one if you prefer the more bookish sort, and I wouldn't blame you. Sturdy and long lasting, ooh, and it's even got the side mesh water bottle pocket!
Amazon Price: $29.00 (as of 07/19/2008)
Construction Helmet Yellow
In case you venture under any large pine trees or wander around any caves.
Strudy plastic construction helmet. One size.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/19/2008)
New PetCo Module
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Always the popular favorite, and especially wise for mail carriers to have on hand. Milk-Bone biscuits help keep your dog's teeth clean and are fortified with 12 vitamins and minerals.
