The Simpsons

I am a tad bit of a fan of The Simpsons.

Ok, I am a HUGE fan.

 I own all the DVD’s that are available and have quite a few of their dolls/action figures.  When I went to see The Simpsons movie, it was one of the greatest movie experiences I have ever had.  The crowd was awesome and I have never heard such awesome laughter.

Have you heard the controversy though? Matt Groening revealed where Springfield was located.
Shame.  This should of been a secret he took to the grave.
But I still enjoy the show.  So you pass this one, Mr. Groening.

I found this picture I made back in 2000 in one of my photo albums.  The reason I love the Midwest is because of its clouds.  I took a picture of these clouds and immediately thought of the opening of The Simpsons. So perfect!

 

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

Faith in the Land of Make-Believe

This is an excerpt from a book I just finished called "Faith in the Land of Make-Believe" by Lee Stanley.  Lee Stanley is a film director who tells of his story of helping the criminal and jailed youth through the love of Jesus Christ.  I know this book and excerpt is geared toward a filmmaker, but I think it speaks truth to all artists.  Highly recommend it for the Christian who happens to be an artist. I also recommend it for the artist who happens to be just an artist.

Why is it that when we work under the banner of  “Christian,” we are often forced to dilute the truth and power of the pen or the camera by creating characters who do not exist in real life?

Christian films have the unbridled reputation of being artificial, manipulative, and predictable, with watered-down, one-dimensional characters and unbelievable (notice I did not say supernatural) story lines.  We preach; we point; we judge, and we prance around our blatant theme to suspecting audiences for what purpose--to lead them to Christ.

Too often we are doing more earthly damage than kingdom good.

What are we afraid of?

I believe it is our responsibility as artists to create characters, circumstances, and settings as they really are--as long as those incidents are justifiable and are not used for shock value alone or as a short-circuiting of the creative process.

If we set up watered-down, artificial, phony characters in the beginning of our films or books, audiences will not believe, or even come to realize, the magnitude of their transformation or experience God’s power, forgiveness, and unconditional love.

Christians who watch our films know in their guts that the filmmaker is a born-again Christian.

Nonbelievers consistently ask, “What is it about your productions that are so different, so life changing?”

I always give the same answer.  “You experienced the love and presence of Jesus Christ.  Imagine what he can do in your life, if you only let him.”

I was once introduced on a television talk show as a “Christian filmmaker.”  I respectfully corrected the host and said, “I am a Christian who happens to be a filmmaker.”

Christ made that very clear to me the first time I picked up a camera after becoming born again.

“I died for everyone,” He reminded me. “Your work needs to be for everyone I died for.”

Scarlet Death

She watches from the window

Pain floods her body

She watches from the window

on the outside in

She watches from the windowpane.

She wonders how this happened

a girl stripped of her life

as she sees from the eye of the girl with the knife

Her hands start to tremble

as the tears start to flood

Her knees hit the concrete as she lies in her blood

She watches from the window

Pain floods her body

She watches from the window

on the outside in

She watches from the windowpane.

Scarlet death

Say goodbye to your life.

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

I like trees...part 6.

I feel that trees are representative of the miracle of life and growth. I read this story once about a man who was starting to disbelieve in God. He started to get frustrated with Him because there weren’t any miracles that this man could see. So God took the man to an empty field in the middle of nowhere. As the man traveled for a long time, he finally came to a huge tree in the middle of this field. God stopped him and said to the man, “This is one of my favorite miracles.” 

Trees are just one of God’s miracles. 

That is why I use trees in my artwork. 

That is why I like trees.

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

I like trees...part 5.

I do not like trees because they are phallic. 

Everyone thinks that. 

Perverts. 

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

I like trees...part 4.

I use trees in my artwork as well. The trees in my artwork usually have no leaves. I am not a very big fan of leaves. I extremely love the way branches twist and turn. Maybe I do not use leaves on my artwork trees because I am a Tim Burton fan. Or maybe because they are a butt to animate. I used to just make tree stumps in my artwork because I find those cool too. But I have been branching out! Hahah! Classic.

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

I like trees...part 3.

I also like Redwood trees. Yet I have never seen them in person. My goal before I die is to visit the Redwood forest out west. That is on my bucket list. 

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

I like trees...part 2.

 

I have another favorite tree.
It lives right outside my hometown house.
It is an Elm tree.
It is huge.
In the fall it turns the prettiest shades of orange, yellow, and red.
When my older siblings and I were little, we would take family pictures around this tree.
Then we would use those photos for our annual Christmas cards.
I do not know why my parents thought it would be a good idea to take pictures by this tree.
But who cares.
I still love that tree.
I will cry the day they have to cut it down. 

(It was cut down Christmas 2010. I did cry.)

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

I like trees...part 1.

I like trees.
I like trees a lot.
My favorite tree is the Japanese Maple.
It is this nice shade of blood red which just so happens to be my favorite color.
I hope to own a house where I can plant a billion of those trees.
Ok maybe not literally a billion....

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

Happy Birthday Steve!

My pastor's 40th birthday hit this year! 

I was asked to create a funny little video to celebrate his 40 years young...

I also created a blooper reel!

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

Three Frame Comic

I created these comics that were featured in  Xerox Candy Bar Magazine, an independent newspaper created at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

Church in the City Wednesday Night Prayer

I was asked to create this promotional video for my church, Church in the City, announcing our Wednesday Prayer Meetings.

I was told about the video on Tuesday and needed to finish the video by Sunday of the same week.

With three of those days filled with eight hour shifts at my retail job...

Half a day filled with creating a French video...

and the last half filled with wedding dress shopping for my sister, I FINISHED the video!

I don't think they realize it, but CITC has a SUPERHERO on their hands!

Church in the City Prayer from Danielle 'Nellie' Albert on Vimeo.
Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

I love Christmas!

I have just finished this animated jingle!  Took way longer than expected but I made it by the Christmas deadline!  

 

I Love Christmas from Danielle 'Nellie' Albert on Vimeo.

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

The Dobson's

I posted on Facebook a while back that I was going to start sketching everyday as much as I could.  My friend, Kindall, jokingly commented that I should sketch a picture of her and her husband.

Challenge excepted, Kindall, challenge excepted!

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

25 days of Danielle....

For those who don't know me during the Christmas holiday, you are definitely missing out.  This is my favorite year obviously because my Lord and Savior was born.  But I do love EVERYTHING about Christmas...the lights, snow, carols, decorations...everything! 

Over the past few years, I have built up a Christmas sweater collection.  I am up to 24 now!  Starting December 1st, I will wear a different sweater until Christmas day. 

Ready to be absolutely amazed, my friend?!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

To donate to the Christmas sweater fund, please email me at barcode0101687@gmail.com.

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

Rest in Peace Chapstick

I wrote a song about my chapstick committing a suicide jump from my pocket (click here to listen).  I am in the process of creating an animation for the song.  Here is a very raw version of my CG chapstick character.

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

I have changed my idea for how I want to animate this Chapstick.  Going back to my roots and passion, I am using stop-motion animation.  Here is my puppet thus far.

Chapstick puppet in comparison to real Chapstick

Big Chapstick puppet used for flashback montage

Chapstick puppet without cap in comparison to real Chapstick

SNEAK PEAK!

I am a Guerrilla

I have concluded that this world needs a sprinkle of excitement.  So I have decided to create guerrilla art in the form of postcards.  I have been sketching on the front of postcards and sending them to random address around the country.  Each card is an original and has a a little note on the back that will make you smile.  Here are a few that I have sent out thus far.  Keep an eye on your mailbox friends and strangers!

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

Neon Light

SAIC provided a Neon Light making class.  I took it obviously.  Who could pass that up?!  It was one of the hardest classes I have ever taken, skill-wise that is.  The lab was no more than ten feet by six feet in size and was about three hundred degrees due to a constant streaming of flames.  In the end, I could not make any letters or shapes because those were extremely difficult.  So I made this.

 

 

It is a play on twigs.

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

Special Gift

What parent wouldn't want a song and animation written about how much their child loves them?

Special Gift from Danielle 'Nellie' Albert on Vimeo.

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012

The Magic Boat...Part Deux

While working on The Magic Boat from July 2010 to June 2011, we were lucky enough to be featured in a documentary.  This featurette is based around the life of art students straight out of art school.

Here is the film, titled "Kids".

Copyright Danielle Albert 2012