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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you make these yourself?
Yes, these are all hand made by me. I do all the photographs,
post-production, research/writing, mounting, and framing. I have no assistants
(well my wife does help with the shipping).
Are the colors I see on my computer the colors of your artwork?
This is a very good question. The short answer is that it will be close, but
the exact colors and shades vary from one computer display to another (and how
it is adjusted). One of the major challenges of digital image processing is to
make sure that the colors all match between cameras, scanners, displays, and
printers. The key is that you have to have to have control over all the devices
... and I don't have control over your computer. If you are interested in
more on this topic, search the Internet on Color Management. If the exact colors
of my artwork are important to you, for matching purposes, contact me and I can
provide samples.
Will you ship canvas artworks unframed/unstretched?
I can ship the artwork rolled up in a tube with, or without, the canvas
stretchers. This will save on shipping costs for larger artworks, but will
require you to stretch the artwork, or have a framing shop stretch it for you.
How many do you make of your Artworks?
I have experimented unlimited, limited, and one-of-kind artworks. I haven't
sensed a demand for one particular edition methodology over another. Unless the
artwork is marked otherwise, it is an unlimited edition. I have changed out some
of the artworks on my store, so in sense they could be considered time limited.
I do mark some artworks as one-of-a-kind (ex: my clocks), or limited edition
(ex: my historical series works, see the next paragraphs). I generally do not
limit artworks unless there is some physical or resource constraint. I sometimes
reuse commission and custom artwork materials unless we specifically agree that
they are intended as one-of-a-kind.
My historical series are limited by the availability of good
quality chips. Chip collecting is a relatively new phenomena. People who have
not been involved in the search for collectible vintage chips don't
realize the challenge (see next paragraph). Even of the more "common" chips, finding chips that are
still aesthetically pleasing after 20-40 years of use is well ... uncommon. I
have put a limitation of 50 on these
artworks. Due to the lack of availability of chips, I may never reach 50 on some
of these. In a sense, most of these mixed works are unique because the chip
numbers, styles, and packages vary, even if the artwork itself does not.
Most chip suppliers dispose of obsolete chips after about 10-15 years. Some
are simply trashed, but some are sent to metals salvagers. The salvagers grind
up the chips and use chemical processing to retrieve precious metals, such gold,
then trash the rest. After 50 years of chip making, there have been billions and
billions of chips made. Although my efforts to preserve and recycle chips is a
drop in the ocean, I am happy that these chips wind up in art, rather than a
landfill.
I've already got the chip. Will you frame it with your art?
Absolutely! The biggest limitation on my Historical Series is the lack of
chips. I am happy to help preserve your chips. eMail me with what you have, what
you want, and I'll give you a price.
I have been asked to sell the "parts" that go into making the Historical
Series artworks. Unfortunately, I am a quality control freak and these are
complicated to put together. I have sent nearly completed artworks with just the
need to insert the chips (for those that don't feel comfortable shipping me
their chips). This has worked okay, but it is not my preferred mode of
operation.
How do you work with Decorators?
I am very flexible. I can provide swaths of artworks for color matching
purposes (it is very hit-or-miss to assure color matches over the Internet). If
different colors and sizes are needed for your requirements, let me know. I can
handle most requests for textures, color and sizes in house, so I have very
quick turn around. For larger sizes I work with a couple of print houses, which
will slow things down a bit. For more advanced projects, I can provide virtual
mockups and scaled down models. If you send me photos of a wall, I can virtually
place artworks to give you an idea of how it will look. I am happy to
collaboration on new designs and ideas. It's what I live for (I am very easy to
work with).
Do you do commissions?
Yes, I do. However, the availability of subjects may be a problem. I won't
destroy chips to get pictures of them. Chips need to be pretty ugly and
not useable before I will break them open to get at the chip die. I use silicon
wafers, busted chips, chip paperweights, chip key chains, essentially all kinds
of chip mementos to get pictures of chips. The good news is that I have over
45,000 items in my chip collection, so there is a good chance I might
have something we could use.
Do you have plans to publish a book with your pictures?
I am in the process of putting something together. There are a number of
print-on-demand houses out there and I am reviewing what is possible at a
reasonable price. I am also checking out some of the traditional publishing
houses as well.
Do you do art shows?
I have, and even won awards, but I have found that I am best served by
focusing on the wider audience afforded me by the Internet. I do consider art
shows that are focused specifically on technology and digital art, but I do this
primarily to lend support to our small community. I am humbled that my works are
collected internationally by some of the foremost collectors of computer
technology and art. Ironically, the best way for me to reach those
interested in my art is through the technology that I celebrate with my art.
Can I find your art work at any galleries?
No, not yet, but here's hoping. To me, selecting a gallery is about synergy.
How can I help them attract more patrons and, for me, how they can help broaden
the audience for my work? I just haven't come to a common vision with anyone
yet.
Do you offer volume discounts, combine shipping, etc.?
Yes. I offer a discount of 5% to those who have bought 3 or more and 10% to
those who have bought 5 or more. If you are a first time buyer, and buy 3 or 5,
I will apply the discount to that whole purchase. On an on-going basis you may
need to remind me about your discount, I am not as automated or organized as I
should be. I use the eBay shipping calculator that automatically combines
shipping costs based on weight and shipping location, this comes very close the
actual shipping charges.
Since I make these all by hand, I don't get any real economies of scale, so
that is why the discounts are limited to 10% on volume.
Will you contact Patrons of your sold works to see if they will sell them?
I am careful of all of my Patron's time and privacy. I will try to find
someone willing to sell, but it will take time because I will not broadcast
emails to them.
How can I find out about the Chip Collecting hobby?
If you are interested in collecting, try my chip collecting website
www.antiquetech.com. Another great site
is Gennadiy Shvets' www.CPU-World.com. The
Smithsonian in Washington, DC has started their own
Chip Collection. Also, for Intel
chips you should check out George Phillips' great book,
"The Collector's Guide to Vintage
Intel Microchips".
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