One of the most popular subjects for paintings my painting robot is famous robots from popular culture.
C-3PO Diptych, 40″x16″, Acrylic on Two Canvases
Though not as popular as R2-D2 paintings, C-3PO definitely has his fans. This painting was made by my painting robot using a scan algorithm. All strokes are perfectly vertical. this piece has been on exhibition at the Corcoran alongside a similar R2-D2 piece that sold.
My painting art robot, Zanelle, and some of our art works will be on display at an upcoming exhibition in Washington DC. The show is entitled DC FRESHLY SQUEEZED. The opening party is scheduled for Saturday, September 13th, 2008. It will be at 1248 Blagden Alley, NW (off 9th Street) Washington DC.
More details are provided in the flier below…
In a post long ago I promised to show a history of robotic heads used by my painting art robot, Zanelle. Here it finally is. Below are pictures of the first three robotic heads that were used to hold a brush and apply brush strokes to canvas. None of these are being used any longer. They have been replaced by my fourth and fifth robotic head, the fifth one is pictured even further below.
The first head was absurd (top). A hand wrapped electro magnet that worked so poorly I had to have counter weights on the opposite side of the brush. But it made cool strokes. Unfortunately it only lasted a couple of weeks before I replaced it.
The second head was awesome (middle). Completely hand made primarily with wood, this robotic head painted for over a year without failure. I just retired it today and replaced it with a new head. Its only problem was that it would overheat and loose electromagnetic strength the longer it was in operation.
The third head was acceptable (bottom). It worked O.K., but didn’t have the style of the second. Also, it would jam occasionally. That is why when the fourth robotic head was constructed, I replacedis one with it instead of the second.
The fourth robotic head (unpictured), looks very similar to the fifth robotic head which is pictured below. It was designed and fabricated by Jacobus McKenzie. It does a majority of my paintings these days.
The fifth robotic head (above), was just installed on one of my painting robots. It too was designed and fabricated by Jacobus McKenzie. I worked with him to make a couple of improvements over the fourth one. I do not know how well it works yet as it is currently in the middle of a test run.
Will keep you updated…
Pindar
Multiple audience members created paintings with my art robot at the opening of the FLIK Interactive Art Exhibition last night (July 26, 2008). A video of how she paints with a brush on canvas can be seen at www.vanarman.com, or in the link bar on this blog.
At times there was a line of several people waiting to give the robot a shot. At first people were shy but once samples of audience work started piling up on the robot, everyone seemed to want to make a painting with it. Below is some of my favorite audience produced work.
I particularly like the walrus. It was painted by someone who told me they could not draw very well. I told her not to worry about that and loaded a picture of a walrus into the art application that is used to control my robot. She then traced the walrus and came out with what I consider a dramatic piece.
Some people traced while others free-handed. Below is a painting of a robot called “CC6”. It was designed by a 7 year old who made 3 or 4 practice robots before finally arriving at his final design.
The second night of the opening will begin tonight at 6:00 PM (July 26, 2008). Come by the Washington D.C. National Harbor to try your hand at painting with an art robot.
Pindar
