Posts Tagged ‘travel’
Cover Painting for ‘Meniscus: Reckoning’
In preparation for the release of ‘Meniscus: Reckoning,’ the next book in the Meniscus Science Fiction Series, I have finished the painting for the cover.
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The painting is based on the pencil drawing ‘Travelling the Lip.’ It shows six travellers as they cross the treacherous El’ban Elevations, on their way to rescue James, imprisoned in El’ban. The group, in order, are Kotildi (the wild alien ‘wolf’), Belnar (one of the Slain), Odymn (heroine of many of the stories), Daniel (also a Slain), carrying Danny (Odymn and Daniel’s baby), and Don’est (the Dock-winder child, with her long neck).
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To be consistent with other covers, I need a distant view of the Meniscus moons (Cardoth roe and Cardoth grill’en), a mid-range view of the travellers, and a nearer scene from the book. Campfires are a common theme in the story and who better to sleep by the fire than wolf-like Kotildi?
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I was pleased with the painting. For a couple of days, I showed the travellers as black silhouettes against the Elevations. In the end, I gave them some colour, to suggest clothing and hair. I love the browns, blues and yellows in the painting.
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To make the painting fit the space on the book cover, I made some alterations in GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program). I brought the moons closer to the mountain silhouette and moved the fire and sleeping Kotildi closer to the travellers. In the end, the image fit well with the cover design. Here is a sneak peek at the final cover.
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I am now re-reading Meniscus: Reckoning for the last time, making a few revisions as I go. I have also sent the proof to my beta-reader for her reactions.
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I plan to release Meniscus: Reckoning in early May. I am looking forward to my reader response!
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All my best!
Alexandra (a.k.a. Jane)
another virtual bike ride … Ireland
Those of you who follow my blog may remember my virtual bike trips across France, along the Cornwall coast and in northern New Brunswick. I have decided to go virtual travelling again … along the southern coast of Ireland. According to my DNA, some of my ancestors were Irish so this will take me to my roots!
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My virtual trip will be incentive to exercise on my stationary bike. While I am on the bike, I click along my ‘path’ using Street View of Google Earth. With the various tools in Google Earth I can plot my journey, measure the ‘distance’ I have travelled, and take some photos along the way. I began my journey on September 4, 2017 and you can follow along if you like, by following my other website http://www.alexandra128.wordpress.com
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Hi. I would love you to have a look at my wellness blog http://www.alexandra128.wordpress.com
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Best wishes
Alexandra (a.k.a. Jane)
The beginning of my trip, near Donegall West, Cork County, Ireland
jet-lag (days 46 and 47)
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I had a great time during my week in California, but it has been hard to return to my regular routines. The four-hour time shift left me out of sync. For about ten days after arriving home, I was constantly sleepy, napping at odd times through the day. I also had a hard time regulating my eating and for a few days, breakfast was a three course meal (doesn’t make sense since in California, I would still be sleeping).
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I slacked off my biking as well and after only two 30 minute sessions in 10 days, I woke one morning to find my knee in pain and almost locked into a bent position. Besides its other benefits, I think the stationary biking keeps my knee flexible and lubricated. I started biking again every two days and now my knee is back to ‘normal’.
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7-46 November 13, 2013 35 minutes 3.0 km (from Port Navas to Constantine)
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Being able to climb stairs easily is important, especially since I wanted to try out this set of stone stairs along the road in Cornwall …
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November 21, 2013 ‘stone stair near Constantine’ Jane Tims
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My experience with jet-lag has shown me how much easier it is to just hop on my stationary bike and see the Cornwall coast via Street View.
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7-47 November 19, 2013 30 minutes 3.0 km (from Constantine to Mawgan)
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The route for the last few days of my virtual travel has taken me across the inlets of the Helford River. This is interesting to me since I worked on waterways for so much of my career. I also saw a flock of ducks on the water of the Mawgan Creek, also worthy of a look since Street View captures so little wildlife.
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A short distance farther along, the road crosses another branch of Mawgan Creek. It was a good subject for a watercolour, so I tried to capture the reflections in the water and the contrast between the soft vegetation and the hard stone bridge. In a lazy mood (more jet-lag???), I decided to use a spatter technique to give some interest to the scene. I got a little carried away with the red!
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November 18, 2013 ‘Mawgan Creek’ Jane Tims
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I coped so badly with my ‘jet-lag’ experience, I now have renewed admiration for those who must travel constantly because of their work.
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I’d love to hear about your experiences with ‘jet-lag’.
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Copyright 2013 Jane Tims
California #1
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Spent last week in California! The Streets of San Francisco. Trolleys. Wharves. Sight seeing boats. Sight-seeing buses. Alcatraz and the Presidio. The Golden Gate Bridge. Star Fleet Academy -well, the site where it will be built!
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Then to Calistoga in wine country. Tours of wineries, a cable car, a trip to an African Safari park, giant Redwoods, and The Pacific Ocean! Had lots of fun!
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My camera ran out of batteries, but my son took lots of photos, so I’ll be sharing these in future …
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Copyright 2013 Jane Tims
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