2006
iaian7 » blog John Einselen, 24.12.06I pray it’s been a pleasantly eventful year for everyone! It’s sometimes difficult trying to keep up with old friends, always cool hearing from some I hadn’t seen in awhile, and so rewarding finding new ones. After my whirlwind through 2005 (graduating, art show, and freelance work), 2006 has seen it’s own share of changes.
January brought a new job opportunity and a major move – to Kentucky. Never did I see myself willingly moving here. But God’s way is best, and it was pretty clear this was (and is) the path to take!
February 6th I started working for Answers in Genesis as a designer in the presentation department. This was presumably to work on illustrative animations and video, but after a few months those projects were canceled and the job devolved into powerpoint work. I also did packaging layout, a lot of graphics, and various photography jobs. Thankfully the occasional photo shoot was a nice break to the day and good bit of fun. I got to document some of the spring Creation Museum construction, shoot some events, and work on projects for print (such as ads to be placed in Answers magazine). We also got a visit from the presidential helicopter. How cool is that? I got to shoot a helicopter from the roof!
By July I had at least half my boxes unpacked, and was feeling a bit more at home. The living room is done in greens, blacks, and creams (of course with some of my black and white photography on the walls). Oh, and two mostly dead plants, since I just can’t remember to water them. In the kitchen I have my brown, blue, and clear bottles, a few bits of pottery, and some colour prints. There’s a lot of other art pieces I need to hang, but haven’t had a chance to matte and frame yet. A lot left to do!
The bathroom I did mostly in white: white curtains, frosted shower curtain with white leaves, clear glass oil lamps, and salted cedar branches. I’m trying a bit of antique ruggedness in the bedroom, as I’m keeping the old Singer treadle machine and my giant old trunk in there. Curtains are white with black hardware,
including a rather tricky installation hanging above the bed. I really hope no one notices the ceiling anchors whenever it comes time to move out of the appartment!
The summer weather was absolutely miserable, 90 degrees fahrenheit and 90% humidity, all the time. It was impossible to even breathe outdoors, so I pretty much stayed indoors till Fall arrived. Then Fall left a few weeks later in lieu of bitter Winter weather. I still got to do a little hiking (both Kentucky and southern Indiana), and a camping trip down to Red River Gorge. The timing was right to catch a few leaves as they were just starting to turn colours. Very beautiful area, with a ton of rock climbing opportunities!
September 2nd a friend died. Justin Vanderburg passed away after two weeks of complications from a motorcycle crash. Though I’d known him at Indiana Wesleyan University, lately he had been studying law and working with his dad’s firm. The funeral was in Ohio, and a lot of his college friends visited, along with hundreds of family, friends, and colleagues. He leaves a gaping hole I’m not sure will ever be filled for many people. A legacy was left that’s staggering considering how young he was, and amidst the tragedy, there was hope and glory in Christ’s clear salvation.
Back at work, things are always in full swing for the designers. I got to help with some more magazine production; a photo shoot involving fake snow in sweltering heat with Buddy Davis, and some cool photos for the Kid’s section of the magazine. Then there was the trip to the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History, which is housed in an incredible old train station. While most areas have been converted into assorted museums, the photo of shadowy chairs is from part of the train station still left in tact.
I might have known that print projects were done well ahead of time, but it was weird doing Christmas stuff in August! Answers magazine goes to print months before it ships, and deadlines have gotten tighter with each issue.
After a couple days shooting for a nativity scene, I designed some Christmas cards for AiG, two of which were selected for print (the shepherds and earth cards) and went on to sell quite well. It was a welcome and creative respite for a lot of people, as we worked in the SFX theater using a monstrous fan, tons of cloth, and a couple lights to create the elements needed.
These were a few of the highlights, but to make a long story short, I started working with some of the other departments at AiG that needed visual effects. By the end of November I finally transfered departments, moving from presentations to the Creation Museum art team. It’s been an incredible change, and I’m finally working in video again! Lots of effects shots and animations for various displays, gearing up for the museum’s opening in 2007. I’d love to show you something, but it’s still very under wraps. Besides, it’s only getting better with the projects coming up this spring… you’ll just have to come visit the museum when it opens!
2006 also brought the birth of my online journal Iaian7.com, and the new year will be bringing updates to both JohnEinselen.com and SymbolEffects.com. I spend quite a bit of my free time working on my websites and prepairing for upcoming content. Hopefully I’ll be hosting tutorials for Lightwave, and a podcast that’s just starting.
Well, this has gone on long enough, and anyway it’s caught up to the end of this year as I spend these final weeks visiting family and friends. I’ve been incredibly blessed, and in so many ways. God has been taking care of me, wether I’ve thought so or not, and I’m truly looking forward to 2007!
I pray that all is well with you. May the wind be at your back, and the sun on your face.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and God Bless.
John Einselen
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John,
This was a beautiful letter. Thanks for the update. God Bless You!
Aunt Karen