tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130395316324095522024-03-21T17:28:13.027-06:00The Illuminators' WorkshopOur gifts are for givingJosh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-57275967857184382332015-04-04T15:21:00.002-06:002015-04-04T15:21:48.496-06:00<div style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; min-height: 19px;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I recently stumbled across a gem: the 1957 BYU Commencement Adress by Cecil B. Demille. That's right, the same Cecil B Demille who directed the film classic <i>The Ten Commandments</i> in 1956. It turns out that Demille was very close friends with the Prophet David O. Mckay, who gives the introduction.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Demille speaks in part about spirituality as it relates to his creative process, in part about his love and respect for the Mormon people, and in part about his convictions about the importance of following God's commandments. May more men like Mr. Demille arise in Hollywood— talented, uncorrupted and courageous.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Unfortunately the audio for the speech is not available, but the full get can be found here:</span></div>
Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-37436038291628275702014-01-21T18:26:00.002-07:002014-01-21T18:35:02.776-07:00Martin Luther King Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHH1vmU6rtVKGFwiTF5TkxD6Qep6u1FYxqvaoesutVb6aavNplDMeUiMhr7N3hwKHtqAVEBkR_oEhqMvmtXf93B9zjTIiaRH6wRDPIbo33I1FH8Ve7AWMfg5N_udFIrBcVqdfJyNylrY/s1600/MLK+Jan+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHH1vmU6rtVKGFwiTF5TkxD6Qep6u1FYxqvaoesutVb6aavNplDMeUiMhr7N3hwKHtqAVEBkR_oEhqMvmtXf93B9zjTIiaRH6wRDPIbo33I1FH8Ve7AWMfg5N_udFIrBcVqdfJyNylrY/s1600/MLK+Jan+2013.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yesterday was Martin Luther King day. I grew up hearing, watching, and reading selections from Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech in school, but it wasn't until two years ago that I listened to it from beginning to end. I decided to make it a tradition since then. My family and I listened again last night, and I did the drawing you see above while listening. Listening Dr. King's speech is always a powerful and sobering experience, and a solemn reminder of what a gift it is to enjoy the rights we possess in the free world today. If you didn't get the chance to listen yesterday, here's a link:</div>
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<a href="http://ia600402.us.archive.org/29/items/MLKDream/MLKDream_64kb.mp3">Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech</a></div>
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Note: Special thanks to Maggie Gallup and the <a href="http://sites.lib.byu.edu/sc/">L. Tom Perry Special Collections</a> for the texture, which they were so kind in allowing me to photograph last week from their 11th century copy of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentences">Libri Quattuor Sententiarum</a>. Your kindness will not soon be forgotten.Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-66653803362653439122014-01-18T22:34:00.001-07:002014-01-18T23:56:08.040-07:00New Project!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb6PMChZUcBFhobIULECJMOBIjsCN7ZYLSL0dFIDw3GG5td5YO1NrGKHjO2U0wvM29RjiU4BEYFT0-YHOkK3ZTF6PcxMqncSlRfq7_yIyhXO_YfAtjFYkw41cxrR9TtliVbWknkophy8/s1600/The+Art+of+Captain+Moroni+Logo+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb6PMChZUcBFhobIULECJMOBIjsCN7ZYLSL0dFIDw3GG5td5YO1NrGKHjO2U0wvM29RjiU4BEYFT0-YHOkK3ZTF6PcxMqncSlRfq7_yIyhXO_YfAtjFYkw41cxrR9TtliVbWknkophy8/s1600/The+Art+of+Captain+Moroni+Logo+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb6PMChZUcBFhobIULECJMOBIjsCN7ZYLSL0dFIDw3GG5td5YO1NrGKHjO2U0wvM29RjiU4BEYFT0-YHOkK3ZTF6PcxMqncSlRfq7_yIyhXO_YfAtjFYkw41cxrR9TtliVbWknkophy8/s1600/The+Art+of+Captain+Moroni+Logo+for+blog.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Book of Mormon is amazing. Its miraculous origin, its spiritual power, and the human stories within it combine to make it one of the most powerful and exciting books ever written. I love the Book of Mormon, and one of my greatest passions is in telling its stories visually.</div>
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I will be graduating in December from art school at Brigham Young University, and for my final project (on display this May) I have decided to do a concept art exhibit about the life of Captain Moroni (<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng">The Book of Mormon</a>, <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/43?lang=eng">Alma 43</a>-<a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/62?lang=eng">Alma 62</a>). Moroni was the Chief Captain of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephite">Nephite</a> armies, and saved his nation from the brink of destruction more times than Spiderman, remakes included. I've loved his story ever since I was a kid, but was surprised to find that it's never been visually explored to any great depth. There have been some gorgeous individual paintings, a <a href="http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2007-01-0006-firm-in-the-faith-of-christ?category=book-of-mormon/book-of-mormon-presentations&lang=eng">short film produced by the church</a>, and even a 1978 <a href="http://www.lds.org/friend/online-activities/videos/scripture-stories/book-of-mormon?lang=eng&query=moroni#31-captain-moroni-defeats-zerahemnah">comic book</a> version in the Church produced children's "Book of Mormon Stories", but never has the story been treated to a re-telling at full depth or scale. Even <a href="https://www.livingscriptures.com/seriesDescription.aspx?seriesid=1">The Living Scriptures</a>, which has told virtually every other Book of Mormon story in their fantastic animated films, has left the story of Moroni untouched. In the past, it's just been too big—both for the imagination and to handle on a reasonable budget. At the moment, I'm not up to the fiscal challenge of financing a full-scale trilogy about the life and career of Captain Moroni. However, I feel technology has caught up with imagination to the point where I can at least visualize it. Here's a taste of some of my preliminary work:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk81k4iA30Jzg5tQrgY8RP6DTUoQu50j9W9c7OBne8YMhjdbnwLIX_GagBf7c9WTXQmRB8d8kPrsnrINvIt5gvXhZp3KOei0Sv4QhHf_7b067loQOg4BADFNIuJRkALFlR92fuLuvTitM/s1600/Moroni+sketch+sept+2013007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk81k4iA30Jzg5tQrgY8RP6DTUoQu50j9W9c7OBne8YMhjdbnwLIX_GagBf7c9WTXQmRB8d8kPrsnrINvIt5gvXhZp3KOei0Sv4QhHf_7b067loQOg4BADFNIuJRkALFlR92fuLuvTitM/s1600/Moroni+sketch+sept+2013007.jpg" height="640" width="353" /></a></div>
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Basically, the idea is to create concept art (design a look and feel) for an imaginary film trilogy about the campaigns of Captain Moroni.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXBBCQyEyYP1uxvIXGwkv0qBo5H5K-sFqfk-vkYj-Ok2bI6rzybcheiegZ6glMV2bqp6SlwxbNjTJg3KvnpkoMLZQPtTDyhjl7daycC31sVbLThLH-u55RaYiMHRegWwz4M52PofOf-BY/s1600/Craig+Mullins+Inspired+Speedpaint+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXBBCQyEyYP1uxvIXGwkv0qBo5H5K-sFqfk-vkYj-Ok2bI6rzybcheiegZ6glMV2bqp6SlwxbNjTJg3KvnpkoMLZQPtTDyhjl7daycC31sVbLThLH-u55RaYiMHRegWwz4M52PofOf-BY/s1600/Craig+Mullins+Inspired+Speedpaint+2.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmV2BOHh8ufVX-po7OZna72wx0gPyL7YuOGckrJ_E8U8rEeCqq2itymeFkK5YNyNOURk954N6a8V-mFYK-WTr8xsemYlmHrJzlsqJxgyi3Nq_-nHBGJJ6gv0LqgWl4T4XrB4Qa7K0pOmU/s1600/Nephite+Gate.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmV2BOHh8ufVX-po7OZna72wx0gPyL7YuOGckrJ_E8U8rEeCqq2itymeFkK5YNyNOURk954N6a8V-mFYK-WTr8xsemYlmHrJzlsqJxgyi3Nq_-nHBGJJ6gv0LqgWl4T4XrB4Qa7K0pOmU/s1600/Nephite+Gate.jpeg" height="400" width="305" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPUlGaddS7Aj8GXCxxOzqaMsisoqVXLrfAxNbm2ieE773yZ1UyjIfjzzqcR3Q55faCjRpN_VsaN50fv1cTG1SivoVKI2oYTIwrZNGplg7P77XZ1RdHhy_ShA2OkAdSffDOJ_2laadzuM/s1600/Nephite+Market+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPUlGaddS7Aj8GXCxxOzqaMsisoqVXLrfAxNbm2ieE773yZ1UyjIfjzzqcR3Q55faCjRpN_VsaN50fv1cTG1SivoVKI2oYTIwrZNGplg7P77XZ1RdHhy_ShA2OkAdSffDOJ_2laadzuM/s1600/Nephite+Market+cropped.jpg" height="301" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTYRjRqyPmIuTWMq_yQYfs8TIDQmCs_6IuLwQBGmSqIm5uIKngWJVm7BOUHb1ls5cgauR9pd6ZXzxZf8HCiBbvJ8tNdVBjyuB11W_B1kzCObV-BfwR81LxM_REs7gxzIDlLptuS54zE8k/s1600/David+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTYRjRqyPmIuTWMq_yQYfs8TIDQmCs_6IuLwQBGmSqIm5uIKngWJVm7BOUHb1ls5cgauR9pd6ZXzxZf8HCiBbvJ8tNdVBjyuB11W_B1kzCObV-BfwR81LxM_REs7gxzIDlLptuS54zE8k/s1600/David+01.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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Several of the characters in the exhibit will be modeled in 3d and printed out as physical statuettes. Above is a model of the Bible's David that I did as a test last summer. Below is the same model, printed out 3 dimensionally in plastic. For more information on this piece, see the<a href="http://www.joshcotton.blogspot.com/2013/09/david-my-first-3d-print.html"> post on my professional art blog</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQVDFCqv2UTQqRU1gdfyXV1mrPfl8jzEgmEdCLK_lIipMSs2zpzAd5DBY-jKroI-ZQNzjI83E3x_T__nzJWjULZcV7Do6RF5Ucg5mz7GJTfnpxDb6gSG7lw0zpgcZFPDGQxfWKX-QeDS7/s1600/David+3d+print+color+adjust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQVDFCqv2UTQqRU1gdfyXV1mrPfl8jzEgmEdCLK_lIipMSs2zpzAd5DBY-jKroI-ZQNzjI83E3x_T__nzJWjULZcV7Do6RF5Ucg5mz7GJTfnpxDb6gSG7lw0zpgcZFPDGQxfWKX-QeDS7/s1600/David+3d+print+color+adjust.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'll post more as it develops, keep your eyes peeled! </div>
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<br />Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-34455764276335199662013-02-03T21:37:00.000-07:002013-02-03T21:38:43.675-07:00Nephite Costumes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELcpqWFSK7YFwbPY80moJpvXxoHe7wALNMfJWU3m2K9VToDMSVN2aRzcEMoMF9obQLa5BdF0jHZxxq7_GAZ_lWlclAR3GdX7yhScjZfuIf78XXP5qZ4l_wZ4d3TnQW0TStK-GOUDZhJg/s1600/Nephite+costume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELcpqWFSK7YFwbPY80moJpvXxoHe7wALNMfJWU3m2K9VToDMSVN2aRzcEMoMF9obQLa5BdF0jHZxxq7_GAZ_lWlclAR3GdX7yhScjZfuIf78XXP5qZ4l_wZ4d3TnQW0TStK-GOUDZhJg/s400/Nephite+costume.jpg" width="381" /></a></div>
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I've always struggled with costume, largely because of a lack of knowledge/ <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnflBERf2zM">visual library</a> to pull from. However, this semester I'm taking a <a href="https://pinterest.com/eyesofmoo/">history of costume class at BYU</a>, and it's helping a ton. It's amazing how, while technique is important, so much of art and creativity is just about having something in your imagination to pull from. I'm a big advocate of not only educating your hands and technical skills, but educating your <i>imagination.</i> Study outside fields and dabble constantly in new visual material, so that you always have fresh ideas.<br />
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These characters are intended to be Nephites from the Book of Mormon. As we don't know exactly where they lived or what their clothes looked like, I've based their clothes on a combination of Greek, Middle-Eastern, and Argentinian ideas. Not that these cultures would have had a particular influence on the Nephites, it just felt like a believable look.Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-70179082284009676662012-06-18T01:42:00.000-06:002012-06-18T01:43:30.631-06:00Bandit at Sebus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was kind of a fun sketch I left out of the hiatus post yesterday. It's one of the bandits attacking Ammon at the waters of sebus (the original story can be found in <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/17?lang=eng" target="_blank">Alma 17</a> through about 21). He's got these kind of interesting "nunchuck-axe" things going . . . lolJosh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-34327516771760900662012-06-17T22:27:00.002-06:002012-06-18T01:46:48.806-06:00Creativity: A Face of Spirituality<div style="text-align: left;">
I was doing some research for the resources section, and I came across this great "Mormon Messages" clip. It's cut from The Apostle Elder Uchtdorf's address in the General Relief Society meeting in October 2008. Though adressed to the audience of a womens' organization, I feel that these thoughts apply to all of God's children. You can check out more inspirational videos from <i>Mormon Messages</i> at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages">link</a> :)</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RhLlnq5yY7k" width="560"></iframe></div>Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-70011906460936537812012-06-17T13:18:00.001-06:002012-06-18T00:08:25.012-06:00Dust-Speak ReturnsDust-Speak is officially back, Jack :)<br />
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Some time ago, I decided to move all of my gospel art work to deviantart (<a href="http://greeni-studio.deviantart.com/">link</a>), because I felt I would have a bigger impact there. While currently my artwork reaches many more people on the DA than it ever did on this blog, it tends to be mixed with my other artwork, and I don't feel that it accomplishes some of the aims I had in starting this blog in the first place. So; while I fully intend to continue using Deviantart and participating in the LDS community there, Dust-Speak is officially back. I feel like it helps me maintan more of a focus on gospel related art, and encourages me to contribute to the community more, ie by consistently doing Wikipedia Illustrations and creating tutorials/ resources for gospel artists.<br />
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Here's some catchup work from the hiatus:<br />
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"Helaman 5: Rock of Fire, Shield of Faith"</div>
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(<a href="http://greeni-studio.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=24#/d485qga">Click</a> <span style="background-color: white;">for description</span><span style="background-color: white;">)</span></div>
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"Father, Forgive them"</div>
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(<a href="http://greeni-studio.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=48#/d3ggjkw">Click</a> <span style="background-color: white;">for description</span><span style="background-color: white;">)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV6BgEZfl9N_8NpaQOZH-lLWMgb_XmGsg2WUF6Z4PC73rrQ3oExntk49LQsVEZRd7CG-SQid_MlcJ66bTYe2QOEhc2OqyTAxtGG8votCzzpWTi0MlmMnGLCsBfi40CU56wfE8gi7QjSwl/s1600/Savior+Like+a+lamb+to+the+slaughter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV6BgEZfl9N_8NpaQOZH-lLWMgb_XmGsg2WUF6Z4PC73rrQ3oExntk49LQsVEZRd7CG-SQid_MlcJ66bTYe2QOEhc2OqyTAxtGG8votCzzpWTi0MlmMnGLCsBfi40CU56wfE8gi7QjSwl/s320/Savior+Like+a+lamb+to+the+slaughter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Breaking, Mending"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(<a href="http://greeni-studio.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=48#/d3cn48x">Click</a> for description and accompanying poem)</div>
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Stills from "The Book of Mormon Movie Trailer"</div>
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(<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTUYL0lQ2f8&list=UUcVjOcXvWuWYLIXWLfXFZXg&index=7&feature=plcp" target="_blank">Click</a> to watch)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrAZfAoG9c8U8RCLjZh9Sk2yLC8V1C0-agl2HgzhrZZPuF1TNbtwLzHkf-FhdS4eAKf9GtHjHVPeGwPKSMVB4mPuAHZ2IVqlUatEedj4T6o0X3dR4_vMYvzXAgHutKAjnoAA3rNXj4QnQ/s1600/JS_Plates_Color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrAZfAoG9c8U8RCLjZh9Sk2yLC8V1C0-agl2HgzhrZZPuF1TNbtwLzHkf-FhdS4eAKf9GtHjHVPeGwPKSMVB4mPuAHZ2IVqlUatEedj4T6o0X3dR4_vMYvzXAgHutKAjnoAA3rNXj4QnQ/s320/JS_Plates_Color.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"The Tenth Leper"</div>
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(<a href="http://greeni-studio.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=72#/d39op5u" target="_blank">Click</a> for description)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMcgL38yJ3DatDwDVt2OLXBcWSu9ez4D2lsAIeFeFWi1ofMEDV_d_BFTDSUls8HQc7TG0eTbFsY8dqsdLFZulKBTeRLavdXrGtO-oCdZQtPjlthqTKjkRiO7vOxVWL8hsaHipEJinpL2K/s1600/Leper_October_2010010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMcgL38yJ3DatDwDVt2OLXBcWSu9ez4D2lsAIeFeFWi1ofMEDV_d_BFTDSUls8HQc7TG0eTbFsY8dqsdLFZulKBTeRLavdXrGtO-oCdZQtPjlthqTKjkRiO7vOxVWL8hsaHipEJinpL2K/s320/Leper_October_2010010.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>
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"Dichotomy: 1st Nephi 8"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(<a href="http://greeni-studio.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=0#/d4mpbwi" target="_blank">Click</a> for description)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5SjzyiB5SsxllbtGjhKGWdk40QAjffv-F-r1ygGl73HwkUcUAsshdyTYUtYBpDuPimeJgKoDF-9vpIW4KE7zx6PWW2SolX15ui_bvL9qe3HZrPdPOimySP2BlyEfTkg4aXbkMLdmVCT6/s1600/Great+and+Spaceship+Building+Josh+Cotton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5SjzyiB5SsxllbtGjhKGWdk40QAjffv-F-r1ygGl73HwkUcUAsshdyTYUtYBpDuPimeJgKoDF-9vpIW4KE7zx6PWW2SolX15ui_bvL9qe3HZrPdPOimySP2BlyEfTkg4aXbkMLdmVCT6/s320/Great+and+Spaceship+Building+Josh+Cotton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Nephite Haberdasher Lady"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8M31VKnmuFThs4TGL2b6xYCiXc0ncdJZzuMGCDjcyhHU3RvHrGyx_aatb8hUt3GY4318SkLjGT80keDyh2MoQyURysAGXh-zAHMkqsgA4gKXC68DFxri7hyhzhnBjaCVSrw1z2G20E8or/s1600/Nephite+Haberdasher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8M31VKnmuFThs4TGL2b6xYCiXc0ncdJZzuMGCDjcyhHU3RvHrGyx_aatb8hUt3GY4318SkLjGT80keDyh2MoQyURysAGXh-zAHMkqsgA4gKXC68DFxri7hyhzhnBjaCVSrw1z2G20E8or/s320/Nephite+Haberdasher.jpg" width="189" /></a></div>
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"Flight"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveJcXQ3JpcGcNKldkaXjv-fQAAl5i6dNrDXOEvMN5sYImOSRVmjvWv6RQMtPKRW9avuUlaYfPCfrRxFfRTsURNV4UMK9nyz9Z1KRKLRXjeEyrmGDekPXJLo21X9pClpDch3yy-w7DkVEh/s1600/Jan+8+2013+Moon+Alma+people+escape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveJcXQ3JpcGcNKldkaXjv-fQAAl5i6dNrDXOEvMN5sYImOSRVmjvWv6RQMtPKRW9avuUlaYfPCfrRxFfRTsURNV4UMK9nyz9Z1KRKLRXjeEyrmGDekPXJLo21X9pClpDch3yy-w7DkVEh/s320/Jan+8+2013+Moon+Alma+people+escape.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Horseman"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapLTJgPI7EDkrU_Qf5kMZ7-1hGYCwtqvnXCq9OkP4zkOJ8C2s5K47uQMHbGrVBuXcm8mWgiwdB_gpqU6ypmKyXve9Tkr2JQrzkhfCE99er0CvtwuSKtohLvU8DMXsiyqSM0J4wVFUNZx_/s1600/05+horseman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapLTJgPI7EDkrU_Qf5kMZ7-1hGYCwtqvnXCq9OkP4zkOJ8C2s5K47uQMHbGrVBuXcm8mWgiwdB_gpqU6ypmKyXve9Tkr2JQrzkhfCE99er0CvtwuSKtohLvU8DMXsiyqSM0J4wVFUNZx_/s320/05+horseman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-29230743388651233662011-02-28T01:13:00.003-07:002011-02-28T01:18:56.447-07:00New wiki image :)<meta charset="utf-8">Hi folks, guess what? I just posted a new wiki image for Ammon:<div>
<br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0Oiz3hJmx7eBln_1W8l8kxdDsgmGjXicI1LNcqdP3qZu5IvG4J9QgE_zFdC1zsSh3Lbz50HTm1yYKdEIHINtMc4FwZV9-fgaTJKibKoym160A9wz3lrqMa-OXOz1nrNOCU-zs1eUXfU/s320/Ammon_Wiki_Josh_Cotton.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578651029977810450" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 263px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
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<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammon_(Book_of_Mormon_missionary)">(Link)</a></span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Enjoy!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Also, a PS for my friends in Sharing the Gospel on the Internet-</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I know in the post below it says I've moved, I have. But this blog will remain active at least temporarily for class :)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Have a good 'un!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Josh</div>Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-39301640127656065222011-02-24T12:03:00.003-07:002011-02-24T12:12:40.821-07:00Change of Address!Hi everyone, a brief but monumentous announcement: Dust Speak is Moving!<br /><br />I've recently launched a new page on DeviantArt, which can be found at:<br /><br /><a href="http://greeni-studio.deviantart.com">http://greeni-studio.deviantart.com<br /></a>Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-37609119968931405962011-02-24T12:02:00.001-07:002011-02-24T12:02:39.517-07:00People, Not Processes: CRM(For sharing the Gospel on the Internet class)<br /><br />After studying various articles on CRM and E-mail Marketing, it seemed there was one over-arching principle that each author was trying to express. That principle was that CRM and E-mail Marketing are about people, not processes. They are mediums of communication; a way to express your message to the public and simultaneously determine the needs of the people you serve.<br /><br />In class we've been debating about which CRM and E-mail marketing packages to use to launch the 6-week member missionary program. It seems we have come up with some good options. However, the writers of the articles made sure to emphasize that the software is not so important as a clear plan, direction, and vision.<br /><br />Basically, we want to inspire people to do missionary work. We want to be a source of simple ideas that they can apply in their lives and use to make a difference in the lives of others. To best serve that dream, what does our message need to look like?<br /><br />The reason we are sending these e-mails out in the first place is to build relationships, and to build an online missionary community. They have to get people excited, and can't feel like spam. Each one needs to be an enjoyable experience, and the recipient should be excited to open it, not like "okay, this is getting annoying. Where's the unsubscribe button?" I know I have definitely received e-mails like that in the past.<br /><br />But I have received and continue to receive others that I feel make a positive difference in my life. One of these is a simple "quote of the day" e-mail. I always open these e-mails, because I feel they enrich my life. What can we do to help enrich the lives of the people we're serving in this e-mail campaign?<br /><br />Articles:<br /><br />http://www.customerfocusconsult.com/articles/articles_template.asp?ID=17 <br /><br />http://www.crm2day.com/editorial/EplAklAAyVvLtxYPNO.php <br /><br />http://www.glocksoft.com/em/Tips-for-Successful-Email-Marketing-Campaign.htm <br /><br />http://www.allbusiness.com/marketing/direct-marketing-e-mail/4118-1.htmlJosh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-7675490653450354902011-02-19T12:31:00.000-07:002011-02-19T12:31:42.194-07:00Famous Failures<iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y6hz_s2XIAU?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe><br /><br />I found this on Youtube today- great video, very inspirational. It really drives home that NOTHING is impossible.Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-80517537717006618222011-02-10T21:52:00.019-07:002012-06-18T00:10:39.564-06:00Blast from the past: "Ye olde mission pics"<br />
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Above: Spokane in December</div>
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Hi, this is Josh again. I was digging through some old mission photos/vids and I thought I'd post a few that brought back memories:</div>
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Above: This was just after an encounter with a charming Rotweiler named Buster :) Okay, I didn't say they were all <i>pleasant</i> memories . . .</div>
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Above: Elder Frost. With a "Frosty". Can you say "Photo Op"?</div>
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<br />Above: Elder Lestarge and his ooidal doppleganger. The family we were staying with was nice enough to put together a genuine Easter for us- complete with egg decorating and easter baskets. They really made us feel like part of the family :)<br /><br /><br /><div>
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<br />Supra: Elder Davies about to be devoured by the Mittened Monstrosity from Planet-X. I hear Michael Bay is doing the sequel.<br /><br /><br /><div>
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Just a few memories. Funfun.</div>Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-69041174911707064812011-02-10T21:42:00.008-07:002011-02-11T00:24:38.706-07:00LDS Church Wikipedia page<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEulnQaNw3oEAUVQXriErAdwQr0M4tD1rTDld19Sz6fXIVGGTbxAOte9N6sNz3hEZgm_40pNYuX7tNc-KCg5ifl428N1xt-18LnFW-rV4HbePwhytTM7osQ8L5lZGGunLhvL8v50L0Lg/s1600/Plates_on_leaves.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEulnQaNw3oEAUVQXriErAdwQr0M4tD1rTDld19Sz6fXIVGGTbxAOte9N6sNz3hEZgm_40pNYuX7tNc-KCg5ifl428N1xt-18LnFW-rV4HbePwhytTM7osQ8L5lZGGunLhvL8v50L0Lg/s320/Plates_on_leaves.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572288115960584866" /></a><br /><br /><br />I'm currently in a class called "Sharing the Gospel on the Internet", which is a complete blast, but I have a lot of catch up to do :)<br /><br />This week (well, not this week. But it is for me, since I'm behind) our assignment was to check out the LDS Church Wikipedia page, and read the discussions of the people who edited it. Hoo-boy. I was not expecting what I found.<br /><br />Wikipedia is a great resource. Anything and everything you are interested in learning about, you can get your start on Wikipedia. However, beneath its benevolent exterior crust lies a mantle of debate, nitpicking, clashing agendas, cloaks, daggers, and plastic smiles that conceal editors that hate each other's guts. Which is great, because that's how good, neutral, articles happen: argument/debate and compromise.<br /><br />But as much as academia values neutrality, the truth is not always neutral. Honestly, it was tough to read some of the stuff in the discussion. The longest running thread was a debate about whether to classify Mormons as Christian. It was pretty hairy.<br /><br />Wikipedia is definitely a unique format of expression. It is able to reach millions of people throughout the world, and influence their thoughts on thousands of subjects. The thing is, it's all run by volunteer users, who may or may not have any expertise on their subjects. Worse, they may have expertise <i>and an agenda</i>.<br /><br />On our second day of class this semester, Dr. David Wiley (our teacher) gave us a challenge. He challenged us to try to find any way to connect with the Church from its Wiki page. The LDS.org link was there, but it's more of a study resource than a way to connect. Mormon.org is where you want to go to connect with missionaries, but the link was no where to be found. We decided to try to add a link to the footnotes of the page. It seemed to work in the short run. The link showed up on the page, and everything was hunky-dory. . . but then it started.<br /><br />Within a few minutes our link disappeared. We went to the discussions page to find some kind of an explanation. The removal edit was explained simply by (and I quote) "No, no, and no."<br /><br />We double checked the rules of wikipedia, everything seemed kosher. So we posted it again. Same guy deleted it. Now curious, we clicked the link to his profile page. From the nature of the pictures, it became immediately obvious we were dealing with an "Anti-Mormon".<br /><br />We read through the discussion history, and found that through its entire existence, the page has been a Mexican standoff between advocates and opponents of the Church. The proponents of the church would not allow slander to be posted, and the opposing side did their darndest to prevent anything useful from being posted. Case in point, the link to Mormon.org. We read that at one point the link had been there, but one user had decided to remove it along with all the other Church links, and no one had been allowed to post it again since.<br /><br />So, I lost a little faith in Wikipedia. Still, it's neat to know that sharing of the kind Wikipedia offers can exist in this world. When I want basic knowledge of a subject, I still punch it in to the wiki searchbar. However, I think I'm much more likely now to read a little deeper before taking anything at face value.Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-76849115023613647582011-02-06T15:22:00.006-07:002011-02-06T22:10:05.600-07:00Captain Moroni Comic Book!Okay, a few pieces of news-<br /><br />First off:<br /><br />I've decided to start a web comic based on the life of Captain Moroni from the Book of Mormon! And uh, yeah. That's about all for that one :) I thought it would be fun, and a neat way to explore the world of the Book of Mormon in a way it hasn't been as yet. I'll keep ya posted :)<br /><br />Next, a couple of wiki page updates. For those of you who don't know, Wikipedia has articles for nearly all the Book of Mormon people and places but illustrations for very few of them. So, I've set a goal to start filling it up. If you're an artist, feel free to join in :)<br /><br />Here are this week's wiki posts:<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teancum">Teancum:</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5ZkWXox2MO0RaPGz140u_-MtBkAk9Gyf1VFFle7fw9tXhOZwo4WYkEEmjrgySkelv8l0rpIf1oAhuBOYJzaVFRFal_JMKEvx-1qvszOqr_SXzMNhMbiMJoHxKeE3OFh6rS8_Y5bwd98/s1600/Teancum_For_Wiki.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5ZkWXox2MO0RaPGz140u_-MtBkAk9Gyf1VFFle7fw9tXhOZwo4WYkEEmjrgySkelv8l0rpIf1oAhuBOYJzaVFRFal_JMKEvx-1qvszOqr_SXzMNhMbiMJoHxKeE3OFh6rS8_Y5bwd98/s320/Teancum_For_Wiki.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570792515108261138" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli-CSoSOs25xmkuxM-QxDZYOb_XB0f-meCJ5h5dhn0x3EcfX3cMjWV7ZR74NDpKadIMUl8K88bjJFYXBz3dgOm1utbV2NvNCQu9PLHUwIo5ZLkC6N4VQaKaSRNyChPfGITSxsNFhNE78/s1600/Teancum.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli-CSoSOs25xmkuxM-QxDZYOb_XB0f-meCJ5h5dhn0x3EcfX3cMjWV7ZR74NDpKadIMUl8K88bjJFYXBz3dgOm1utbV2NvNCQu9PLHUwIo5ZLkC6N4VQaKaSRNyChPfGITSxsNFhNE78/s320/Teancum.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570792509898529122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bountiful_%28Book_of_Mormon%29"><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bountiful_%28Book_of_Mormon%29">Bountiful:</a><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bountiful_by_Josh_Cotton.jpg" class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Bountiful_by_Josh_Cotton.jpg/400px-Bountiful_by_Josh_Cotton.jpg" class="thumbimage" height="267" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Lastly, I've been doing a bit of tweaking on the trailer, I should have a new and improved version out in a couple weeks. Here's a still of the Savior over Bountiful with some new color correction. Again, kudos to my buddy Andrew for the awesome model of the Savior. If it weren't for Andrew, no way would the movie have been done in time. Many thanks<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRAOQJkb22qlSFGdZF3FGzLE6-i2tFisCof42_ZWqG3HzwxmgBM4d81f6osIGe8msYpvAc_LUGZx7rMQcBkCfK3v166QHKiKpsZRJXWUn-tpwmzzexJakSt40uZMRNQ1D61lak9zqJ50/s1600/Savior_over_Bountiful.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRAOQJkb22qlSFGdZF3FGzLE6-i2tFisCof42_ZWqG3HzwxmgBM4d81f6osIGe8msYpvAc_LUGZx7rMQcBkCfK3v166QHKiKpsZRJXWUn-tpwmzzexJakSt40uZMRNQ1D61lak9zqJ50/s320/Savior_over_Bountiful.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570705871331131986" border="0" /></a>Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-34169850498654716832011-02-04T16:01:00.002-07:002011-02-04T16:05:56.931-07:00"From the rooftops" :)Kind of a cool video from the "More good Foundation"<br /><br /><object height="390" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DztScAztunE&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DztScAztunE&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="390" width="640"></embed></object>Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-18404727483251924412011-02-01T01:06:00.001-07:002011-02-01T01:06:31.265-07:00Book of Mormon Movie Trailer Completed!<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400px" height="325px"><br /><param name="movie" value="http://www.linkedtube.com/static/flash/player.swf?sum=click%20to%20read%20for%20free&btn=Click%20to%20Read&txt=Full%20text%20of%20The%20Book%20of%20Mormon&vis=hover&url=http%3A%2F%2Flds.org%2Fscriptures%2Fbofm%3Flang%3Deng&vid=FTUYL0lQ2f8"/><br /><param name="quality" value="high" /><br /><param name="menu" value="false" /><br /><embed src="http://www.linkedtube.com/static/flash/player.swf?sum=click%20to%20read%20for%20free&btn=Click%20to%20Read&txt=Full%20text%20of%20The%20Book%20of%20Mormon&vis=hover&url=http%3A%2F%2Flds.org%2Fscriptures%2Fbofm%3Flang%3Deng&vid=FTUYL0lQ2f8" width="400px" height="325px" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><noembed><a href="http://www.linkedtube.com/FTUYL0lQ2f804ec2603480a0b4c4bafb9e7197dcbf7.htm">LinkedTube</a></noembed></embed><br /></object>Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-35583849310873669632011-01-29T10:37:00.003-07:002011-01-29T10:42:39.882-07:00The City Bountiful<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlL6y-XbyUqtloLkTqOcXd2J8KTvuLQSy94y4h-GOX6trUIw64cJ39s1rX6D1B8-3GUuezBNSc-y-3cHWiZFlfFd2rO1c2oORk2wVvaF1T7AgOrY9vmj3V9gon0ho_h5AAEYaC_-DwnMM/s1600/Bountiful_in_Anticipation.284.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlL6y-XbyUqtloLkTqOcXd2J8KTvuLQSy94y4h-GOX6trUIw64cJ39s1rX6D1B8-3GUuezBNSc-y-3cHWiZFlfFd2rO1c2oORk2wVvaF1T7AgOrY9vmj3V9gon0ho_h5AAEYaC_-DwnMM/s320/Bountiful_in_Anticipation.284.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567663703953628274" border="0"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Just a quick update, on the trailer, I just finished the background element for the opening shot (where the Savior is descending over the City Bountiful in 3 Nephi). A good friend is working on a model of the Savior for the foreground, and I am way excited to see how that turns out. It looks like the trailer is going to get done by Monday!Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-29753946333273691662011-01-26T23:53:00.002-07:002011-01-26T23:56:56.283-07:00Coming alongHi folks, just a quick update. This week I've been scrambling putting the final touches on the Book of Mormon trailer, but fortunately a friend offered to help me finish it. Plus, I just got some awesome new software that's making everything go a lot faster. Here's a shot I did yesterday:<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wrNI2oEDcL8" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe><br /><br />Have the good'un! I'll keep you postedJosh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-57291326927502459722011-01-20T13:14:00.002-07:002011-01-20T13:17:07.402-07:00Wiki!Hi folks, Josh again. I noticed that a lot of the Wikipedia articles on <span style="font-style: italic;">Book of Mormon</span> characters have no illustrations as yet, so I've just started putting some in. Here's the first one. Rough, but enjoy!<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_thousand_stripling_warriors">Link</a>Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-52941060114029884182011-01-20T12:50:00.006-07:002011-01-20T21:33:31.079-07:00Join the Conversation: First Class PostOkay, this post is technically for a class (Sharing the Gospel on the Internet), but I'm going to try my best to write like it's old times and I don't have to do it for a grade :)<br /><br />So here goes.<br /><br />I've always loved technology, but haven't always been the type to jump on every single social media bandwagon that solicits my inbox. E-mail? Okay. Facebook? I guess I can deal with that. Texting? Okay, if you insist. Myspace? I already have a facebook. Twitter? I don't get it.<br /><br />I tend to join sites that either help me meaningfully connect with my friends, that help me with my current interests/hobbies, or because of necessity in daily life. But I can't keep up with more than a few at one time, so I like to use sites that allow me freedom to multitask. Redundancy in sites gets just plain annoying. Typically on a social media site I am either there to coordinate activities, connect with friends, or learn new skills related to my interests.<br /><br />Still, social media can be a powerful tool. As suggested by Elder Ballard, there is great potential to spread the gospel through social media. Sharing the gospel online has advantages and disadvantages with sharing the gospel through direct interpersonal interaction. Online, you can provide all kinds of information to people who are interested. You can even chat and answer people's questions directly. In the initial stages, sharing the gospel through the internet is a lot easier than face to face. Even later on in the investigation, and even in membership, it's a great supplement; but it can't last forever as the sole means of contact. At some point there is a need to have real, physical friends close by who can support you as you continue to grow in the gospel. In class, we skyped with some Missionaries at the MTC who share the gospel through digital media 24/7. The had some great stories and wonderful successes, but almost always social media worked alone only in the very beginning. They would teach the first one, maybe two lessons online and then invite the investgators to meet with missionaries in person. Afterward they would continue to work with the people online, but it was in combination with "ground zero" physical interaction.Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-53607590619493137252011-01-09T16:36:00.003-07:002011-01-20T21:33:56.843-07:00Continuing with the catchup :)<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihomeigrarh3sMIZeKEI518XBPCNds9yT98nDsTWFbkvPI7PNSJIzSH2gZWArXL_rzYhHmsAf5mYO_yieXdDNkkdgo-9WQh0nAkzmdB-6Gfkl55BWY4yNywqWbaIyezc0ctjvdipSGhcg/s1600/Punch015.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihomeigrarh3sMIZeKEI518XBPCNds9yT98nDsTWFbkvPI7PNSJIzSH2gZWArXL_rzYhHmsAf5mYO_yieXdDNkkdgo-9WQh0nAkzmdB-6Gfkl55BWY4yNywqWbaIyezc0ctjvdipSGhcg/s320/Punch015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560334477630209330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-yWdVWpc1izK9LCk_4HRBvveMgKkn79RoEFDxjn2egQQU3YBB1ke4F5cQinAkoIWYCkfSi7urA6Ia539pIyxA6iTQKaocgaFLzD0KyykOvi1gvnO9lGT9hVHMldSZJIS9QFFcG9csek/s1600/Gadianton_Robber_decpost.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-yWdVWpc1izK9LCk_4HRBvveMgKkn79RoEFDxjn2egQQU3YBB1ke4F5cQinAkoIWYCkfSi7urA6Ia539pIyxA6iTQKaocgaFLzD0KyykOvi1gvnO9lGT9hVHMldSZJIS9QFFcG9csek/s320/Gadianton_Robber_decpost.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560337825288233394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihomeigrarh3sMIZeKEI518XBPCNds9yT98nDsTWFbkvPI7PNSJIzSH2gZWArXL_rzYhHmsAf5mYO_yieXdDNkkdgo-9WQh0nAkzmdB-6Gfkl55BWY4yNywqWbaIyezc0ctjvdipSGhcg/s1600/Punch015.jpg"><br /></a>Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-86083172419245041212010-12-25T15:13:00.002-07:002010-12-25T15:19:24.757-07:00Merry Christmas!Hi all, here's a little Christmas gift. Its a song from a Christmas CD my siblings and I are making for our family:<br /><br /><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F8423976"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F8423976" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="81" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/josh-cotton/angels-we-have-heard-on-high">Angels We Have Heard on High</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/josh-cotton">Josh Cotton</a><br /><br />Enjoy!<br /></span>Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-91396471521255201342010-12-19T15:17:00.011-07:002010-12-25T15:13:34.872-07:00Finally Postng some DRAWING again :)Aloha from BYU,<br /><br />This week I decided to do a bit of catch-up posting. I've been drawing a lot, but most of my blogging time lately has been spent editing videos, so I haven't had time to scan or post images. But I have a little bit of time tonight, so here goes! :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4HRjVszLjaYJwdeonxADw7v-ThoEx7C8o6I3sPjmll1m2DleLzq7s3wvqiGg-gmREsxrLfqNVPPb28RO7wd-FUo_tdU08T3wJcLolP2KnCuKqK6yAC3kdQx-jSXfcPc_gisvoS1RZfE/s1600/Savior_thorns003.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4HRjVszLjaYJwdeonxADw7v-ThoEx7C8o6I3sPjmll1m2DleLzq7s3wvqiGg-gmREsxrLfqNVPPb28RO7wd-FUo_tdU08T3wJcLolP2KnCuKqK6yAC3kdQx-jSXfcPc_gisvoS1RZfE/s320/Savior_thorns003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553078893037763458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The Savior enduring the mock- adoration of the Roman soldiers. The crown of thorns was meant to sting, but they couldn't know they truly crowned a king.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1ygjKcliv6uxtxocW9R3lzT8PqtpNPtRUaPqbk85si4pKDRH3X28_esRWy1ne_Y9FAzpE5bWiPLmsfhPvsrMRSC2pHuN1IvHWh8XMl2d5QCEDWOGJxgnjvL_OSbLWCnQTM5pcWSjqGg/s1600/Leaping_Sword_Thrust.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1ygjKcliv6uxtxocW9R3lzT8PqtpNPtRUaPqbk85si4pKDRH3X28_esRWy1ne_Y9FAzpE5bWiPLmsfhPvsrMRSC2pHuN1IvHWh8XMl2d5QCEDWOGJxgnjvL_OSbLWCnQTM5pcWSjqGg/s320/Leaping_Sword_Thrust.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553062036705204242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A Nephite warrior mid-strike<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrx8MUeqx6QkBcJtbqOZ5WXf0-dZEaZRVgnwd8IA4CIe_LZMwrktJSsqmFLtdSeo0EohhuBaWahUlrIQJhXWoensDr6GnN5Q91gt1SZunvFUVtozhlYlRchyphenhyphengCSNowS_DybmiBaweLR8/s1600/Aaron+in+Prison.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrx8MUeqx6QkBcJtbqOZ5WXf0-dZEaZRVgnwd8IA4CIe_LZMwrktJSsqmFLtdSeo0EohhuBaWahUlrIQJhXWoensDr6GnN5Q91gt1SZunvFUVtozhlYlRchyphenhyphengCSNowS_DybmiBaweLR8/s320/Aaron+in+Prison.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553585522553039634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Aaron in prison. Aaron was a missionary to the Lamanites who was captured and imprisoned; later on he was freed and allowed to preach to the king, who was converted<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUG4SoPFA0wZiJvRKK1ZC8P4ieIqcSGkQa95H6rNjG67xEOlLU-eiLcmUg-riPhf3ky26_BxQdsXXx4ycGOKvuj6w5IQAJoBfgI_OOuDCVKQomjzlZM5V4R2YNAtTcqA97o21GQYYBDM/s1600/Nephite_Herald003.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUG4SoPFA0wZiJvRKK1ZC8P4ieIqcSGkQa95H6rNjG67xEOlLU-eiLcmUg-riPhf3ky26_BxQdsXXx4ycGOKvuj6w5IQAJoBfgI_OOuDCVKQomjzlZM5V4R2YNAtTcqA97o21GQYYBDM/s320/Nephite_Herald003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552603908849938290" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The idea here was kind of a Nephite Herald. The trumpet is based on Aztec designs. Oh, and the sword is kind of fun. Its hilt is carved out of an antler, so it's curved like Count Dooku's lightsaber from Star Wars :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFEbpK2lBMgf7WUrafNFNcPTHuzN9yzspKi0oAkyEhJaBYSd6Fxv41-FmWrGOC3zrQBgiDFqrh9YUYOef8GZbJ4NvNdB7-DRAGDiGijQEw1pwTYGVtmNlIbSgJjTTwqTWyOoln6-ZKKQ/s1600/Lehi_Paint.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFEbpK2lBMgf7WUrafNFNcPTHuzN9yzspKi0oAkyEhJaBYSd6Fxv41-FmWrGOC3zrQBgiDFqrh9YUYOef8GZbJ4NvNdB7-DRAGDiGijQEw1pwTYGVtmNlIbSgJjTTwqTWyOoln6-ZKKQ/s320/Lehi_Paint.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553578935766907154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />You may recognize this drawing as Lehi from a previous post. Just goofing around with digital painting, lol :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUG4SoPFA0wZiJvRKK1ZC8P4ieIqcSGkQa95H6rNjG67xEOlLU-eiLcmUg-riPhf3ky26_BxQdsXXx4ycGOKvuj6w5IQAJoBfgI_OOuDCVKQomjzlZM5V4R2YNAtTcqA97o21GQYYBDM/s1600/Nephite_Herald003.jpg"><br /></a>Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-27623720784794441492010-12-11T13:40:00.013-07:002010-12-11T14:34:00.420-07:00Replica PlatesHi everyone, a quick update on the Trailer-<br /><br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OPWGiiSOL9g?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OPWGiiSOL9g?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />David Baird, traditional metal craftsman and owner of Historical Arts and Casting, Inc. was kind enough to allow us to borrow a hand-made replica of the Gold Plates. Brother Baird is an expert metal worker and has studied for years the firsthand accounts of the people who actually saw the plates. His replicas have been used in various exhibits and professional film productions, including <span style="font-style: italic;">Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration</span>.<br /><br />Above is a rough version of the final shot at the end of the trailer, accomplished Using Brother Baird's replica plates and Adobe Aftereffects software.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQZstpOfTzxpDDbrL5ntc_xIW6woqWf60HrW42EC2FjGFzUUMX_FvBgyQl0OB7w_ZtWbskQGk80ynxuDaSLPjhD4Kat05tQpyHZdTqtAernKK2mqQRJ7kxg22c2RA04RSfCJnNmbg73w/s1600/Joseph+with+Plates.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQZstpOfTzxpDDbrL5ntc_xIW6woqWf60HrW42EC2FjGFzUUMX_FvBgyQl0OB7w_ZtWbskQGk80ynxuDaSLPjhD4Kat05tQpyHZdTqtAernKK2mqQRJ7kxg22c2RA04RSfCJnNmbg73w/s320/Joseph+with+Plates.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549528629626013458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Joseph Smith (played by Joey Lestarge) with the plates<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTORbVLD90C_Wx2Ylecdtdxt6V_lIYvxLzm5EUeAzSY8WLTY0yoJekAzQKvw6v6Rb1LYZ2OLywgGS_pVNpYqlJY073Zy5k_XTKJ-qRUF5fRa5sAV5jZYsAmzT4TESooowfApRVvGTXhmY/s1600/Joseph+with+Plates+Color+Corrected.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTORbVLD90C_Wx2Ylecdtdxt6V_lIYvxLzm5EUeAzSY8WLTY0yoJekAzQKvw6v6Rb1LYZ2OLywgGS_pVNpYqlJY073Zy5k_XTKJ-qRUF5fRa5sAV5jZYsAmzT4TESooowfApRVvGTXhmY/s320/Joseph+with+Plates+Color+Corrected.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549529281953642162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The same shot after color correction<br /><br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZQ1c3e2ApUQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZQ1c3e2ApUQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />As a final note, above is a test render of the opening shot where the Savior descends over Bountiful. The model is unfinished, but I really am starting to like the mood and the way the cloth is moving.Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213039531632409552.post-67305595684230949022010-12-06T23:00:00.004-07:002010-12-07T10:34:03.329-07:00Meet the Sims- Book of Mormon Trailer Update<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7zZWjU0jNLs?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7zZWjU0jNLs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />Simulated cloth, simulated hair, simulated fire, "Sim Cities"- this week has it all. At least in progress. Enjoy!Josh Cottonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09728823585585006569noreply@blogger.com2