Light & Illusion - Space, Science Fiction & Nature Art

Thirty Five Thousand Years in the Making

Near Verona, Italy inside the Fumane Cave in the Lessini Hills, Researchers not long ago discovered images painted on the wall that dated back some 35,000 years. “They are probably the oldest cave paintings, although we cannot affirm that with scientific certainty,” said Professor Alberto Broglio, who teaches paleontology at the University of Ferrara. - (source- Oldest Cave Painting)

Art has truly been around for a long time and there have certainly been a great many innovations, experimentations, explorations, abstractions and more than a few masterpieces that have stolen the hearts of others for thousands of years. It is what an artist seeks to do, we seek to express to others our passions, the explorations of our own mind and soul, in such a way as to captivate others and inspire them to understand.

It is ever-evolving, expanding as new mixes with old, that which is treasured, that which is sold. Generation by generation, fabulous wonders are revealed, each bearing a bit of the soul of its creator. It matters not in truth, the tool by which it was created; for it is the path of enlightenment that things will change. Each true artist who masters that which is within him will find a way by which to create and there will always be new tools.

This is the way of the Universe and that is one of my passions.

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How to Purchase Artwork by Randall Klopping (Click Here)

an art blog for disabled artists to show their work

This is something that I started a while back and then had several things happen. I have begun to work on the blog again and wanted to let people know about it. The Missed Works - http://disabledartists.blogspot.com/

If you are a disabled artist and would like to show your work there, please contact me. There are only two rules = 1. Art must be family oriented (safe for children to view) and 2. you must be disabled (unable to work a normal job).

Original Fine Art Prints – by R. Klopping

These are a few of my favorite art pieces, offered as original prints. With exception to one (stated in description) no other prints are offered of these artworks. (Click on images to see larger version, click again and will show you full sized thumb)

Super-Rupture of Wormhole-AR81707
30.0″ x 48.0″ Print on PremierArt Canvas, Gallery Wrap: unframed
Price: $550.00
Description: This artwork is from my Ruptured Wormhole Series, the first Super Rupture that I have done, demonstrates an explosion nearly equal that of a supernova, it fractures Space & Time for billions of miles in every direction.

Weaving a Star –05192007
48.0″ x 28.8″ Print on PremierArt Canvas, Gallery Wrap: mounted in a classic 2.38″ Satin Black scoop frame has a quarter inch raised flat ridge on the outer edge, balanced by a subtle quarter inch scoop on the inner edge. Finished size: 52.8″ x 33.6″
Price: $650.00
Description: Myrrana, one of the oldest Solar Mages, has begun a new Blue Giant Star. She has a unique style, creating extravagant swirls of the gasses & dust so as to create a strong balanced star with a long life. I do have one inspirational open edition poster version based on this artwork (click here if you wish to see it).

Ruptured Wormhole-07202007
36.0″ x 45.0″ Print on PremierArt Canvas, Gallery Wrap: unframed
Price: $475.00
Description: Hundreds of colonists on Andreal 7 witnessed this wormhole’s eruption in the night sky. Though nearly 2 light years away, it fills the sky with captivating purple hues as it begins to grow into a storm.

Lovers Rift –08032007
32.0″ x 24.0″ Print on PremierArt Canvas, Gallery Wrap: unframed
Price: $350.00
Description: An artwork from my Spacial Rift Series, the Lover’s Rift I designed the rift itself to form a heart, from which spews gasses & dust from another universe.

disabled artists - - original art - - fine-art

Out of Frustration Comes Beauty

Yesterday was a very frustrating day with two of my designs failing to render (one of the problems that comes with having to use freeware software). I debated last night whether to even try to render this piece, which was to be the third in a three matching piece set. I loved the colors so much I decided to take the chance, hoping that it would not fail and waste another 10 hours of rendering time on top of the 13 hours I had lost on the other two failed renders).

It is one of many frustrations for me as I work hard to build something of a life for myself again. With only one computer I have to balance rendering with working on promoting myself and my art & getting new artworks done. My poor computer runs 24/7/365!

There are other things that make it very difficult for me no matter how hard I work! Despite my mental disabilities I am held to the same standard as anyone else. An example is my bank, Guaranty Bank, who fines/penalize me because my account got 67 cents overdrawn and yet when they screw up I am expected to just forgive them no matter how much their mistake may have cost me. Why am I punished for my mistake and they do not hold themselves accountable for their mistakes???

The worst overall is the Internet service I use (a gift from a friend because I cannot afford it). Clearwire advertises it as broadband but because I actually seek to use the paid for bandwidth uploading my art, they throttle down the bandwidth so that essentially, 3/4 of the day it performs at speeds equivalent of a 28.8 modem! In the year I have used their service their CHEATING has cost me 75% of my ability to get the prints uploaded. I literally am behind on Hundreds of artworks and don’t even dare try to upload the nicest ones because the files are so large that Clearwire throttles it down to ZERO, breaking the connection during the upload to my printers server. So often I can’t even offer my nicest ones.

Things like this cause me setback after setback and cost me money that I desperately need for other things, like safety handles so I can shower regularly. Other things like the City of Merced, CA promising me time & again that they would clean up the glass out here in the alley and then never keeping their word! I have not been able to take a single walk in almost a year now because I keep getting glass in my feet and I have almost no feeling in my legs so I don’t know till I see fresh blood on my floor or sheets. If it ever got a major artery, I could literally bleed to death and not know it in time to even call for help.

I am so tired of how our societies really work as compared to how they each represent themselves. For me, life is a living hell and things like these added to the problems my disabilities cause me, just keep robbing me of what little bit I have been able to accomplish. Does not a disabled person like me deserve “Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness” too?

Original Print on PremierArt Canvas, Gallery Wrap: 48.0″ x 36.0″ $600.00

Limited Edition Print (set=100)
on Enhanced Matte Poster : 48.0″ x 36.0″ $69.98
on Premium Photo Glossy: 48.0″ x 36.0″ $109.98
on Premium Photo Luster: 48.0″ x 36.0″ $114.98
on Somerset Velvet Fine Art: 48.0″ x 36.0″ $174.98
on UltraSmooth Fine Art: 48.0″ x 36.0″ $179.98
on Hahnemuhle Torchon: 48.0″ x 36.0″ $194.98
on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308: 48.0″ x 36.0″ $229.98
on Hahnemuhle Fine Art Pearl: 48.0″ x 36.0″ $249.98

Smaller Open Edition prints available in my Intricate Insanity Gallery - Available sizes: 10.0″ x 7.5″ - 14.7″ x 11.0″ - 21.3″ x 16.0″ - 32.0″ x 24.0″

disabled artists

WITH LIBERTY & JUSTICE FOR ???

There are many problems a person with disabilities face in life. In theory, this is why social programs were created and yet our leadership here in the United States baffles me. For fifteen years now, since I became physically disabled in an accident, I have watched our leaders spend frivolously on non-essential things, then make excuses when it comes to responsibilities. It infuriates me when they fail miserably at something like Katrina and then set aside MILLIONS of dollars for a victory celebration of a war so mismanaged that our Nation looks like a fool. Now, to make sure there is no misunderstanding here, by mismanaged I mean the LEADERSHIP – President, Vice President, Senate & House!!!

I find it strange that the Rescuer’s from 9/11 and our veteran’s are dealing with extremely similar problems getting help, as I experienced when I had no choice but to apply for help. You see, it is very hard to be gracious when they (politicians & bureaucrats) make excuses as to why they can’t get essential programs to operate quickly & efficiently and then spit out money left and right for window dressing that gains our politicians support & votes. They seem to have turned our Democracy into a Good Ole Boys Club/pyramid scheme! Is not the reason they want only two parties within the political system is to force everyone to play by their rules? Certainly they couldn’t manage to get away with so much corruption if they truly had to compete with say 15-20 political parties. The worst part of only a two party system is that our Nation is as mentally ill as a person with bipolar disorder and it does far more harm to we the people than benefits us.

I have lost all faith in our current administration! President Bush frequently speaks of things like “open government” and then defies investigations left and right, claiming executive privilege. Mr. President, if you practice secrecy behind closed doors then you do not believe in “open government” and are not practicing it. When you pushed for the war in Iraq, I stood behind you because you said you “KNEW” what weapons Saddam had and “Knew where they were.” Have you thought about the fact that you have been caught in so many lies & scandals that we would have to be fools to believe you now? (if only a President would read and think about such things).

Numerous times I have asked my Congressman & Senator to investigate the Social Security Administration because of the things that happened during my alleged evaluation for the SSI. Not once, no attempt made to investigate why during the evaluation they made no effort to take an x-ray or MRI, nor request them from either the hospital or my doctor. Yet they did denials to my SSI claiming my doctors were wrong in their diagnosis. What gall!!!!!!! To state that doctors, having done proper examinations & tests are wrong even as they evade the evidence! To this day I am forced to live in a horrible mess because I can’t do cleaning. I frequently take falls in the shower because I don’t have the means have safety handles installed, the last time ending up with a hernia.

I can’t speak for anyone but myself but I am sick of living in a PRetend America. Just about everyone in the U.S. has pledged allegiance to our flag. A flag that is supposed to represent Liberty & Justice for all! Yet our leaders corruption and lack of Honor deny many Americans those very things. The truth is that there is only Liberty & Justice for some, the rest they “PR” away. I for one am sick & tired of them PRoclaiming what a good job they do when the reality for thousands, if not millions, of Americans is to be denied Justice

disabled artists

To Build a New Life

As a disabled person trying to build a life for myself is very difficult. My mental disabilities go back to childhood, some pretty sick things were done to me and another relative, leaving me to struggle eternally through life. An auto accident I was a passenger in 15 years ago has left me physically disabled, each day filled with endless pain and only able to spend brief periods standing/walking and briefer periods sitting (sitting is agony for me). I have little choice other than just trying to endure it, painkillers are a depressant and not advisable for someone living with depression.

Life for me these days is VERY frustrating as I work to enter into the world of art. As an artist, I love to create but in trying to get established on the Internet I quickly get overwhelmed, each site has different variables such as image size & file size, some I have to host image somewhere else, etc. Most of the art sites, contests & exhibitions all have fees (as well as costs of having a print made, etc) which I have no means of affording with only SSI for income. I also have to live with other problems, like extremely loud stereos, specifically the bass beat just instantly jams up my thought process, robs me of even being able to focus till it stops. I try hard to absorb it all but get so overloaded that I confuse things with another site, or something someone else said. It causes me a lot of problems but all I can do is the best I can, be honest about myself (good & bad) and hope my hard work & determination somehow makes a difference. And I apologize in advance if sometimes what I write doesn’t make sense.

Since my physical disability forces me to spend most of my time laying on my side, I keep my computer set up right next to my bed so that I can work as much as possible. I put a lot of my time into my art and I recently signed up in Dr. Kaku’s forum because I often do artistic representations of various elements of String Theory (black holes, white holes, wormholes, parallel worlds, etc.). I have to read articles & posts over and over again to grasp at least part of it, but Stephen Hawking is one of my heroes for what he has overcome in life. I too seek to rise from the ashes life has dealt me.

Some days are better than others for me. There are periods sometimes for weeks that I am so bad I can’t focus on much of anything, those days all I try to do is rendering and I withdraw from the rest. Partially so I don’t subject others to my problems and a lot because I just mess up left and right, like a moment ago going to check my email, closed the program instead. Realized it about 5 minutes later and had to reopen it. When I am like this it is impossible to design/create new artworks so I try to do little tasks. Usually I wouldn’t try to write but as this is like a journal entry, I wanted to get it done so you might understand a bit about me.

I am finally going to get to enter a competition for placement in the “Embracing our Differences” Exhibition. I really don’t know if I stand a chance but there is no entry fees and them make the print, so I get to take my first baby step I guess one could say. I’ll post it at the bottom for all to see. I like the theme because I can relate to it. Functioning in life is difficult because often people, businesses, government, etc, expect me to be able to do anything anyone else can and that is not always true.

Though I suspect they may not realize it, they often expect more out of me than they do themselves. I won’t even shop at a K-mart store anymore because the one here always closes out the handicapped lane and I got too many insulting remarks for asking someone to open it (can’t even count the number of times I just left because I couldn’t get checked out quickly and was in just too much pain). It happens with many non-profit organizations too. For example, when I was getting an endless runaround during the SSI process rather than proper examinations (the gov never took a single xray or MRI and didn’t request them from my doctor or hospital, just ruled against me), I contacted ACLU. When I received a reply it wasn’t to help but to tell me about their limited resources, which I probably would have accepted except the next day in the news is them using those precious resources to push for a girl to wear to school a t-shirt stating something to the effect that Barbie was a lesbian! Things like this confuse the heck out of me and I wonder if they just represent members/contributors and aren’t really about civil liberties for others.

This is about all the embarrassment I can handle right now, I will save more for future entries.

Randall Klopping

Artist’s Note - This was written yesterday and it was not a good day. I have left it as written so you & others can see what I struggle with. It took almost two hours to focus enough to write that little bit (I hope it makes sense).

disabled artists