Cybeo - Exclusive Bio

[cybeo]

Hi. My real name is Mark Smith, I live in the KwaZulu Natal province of South Africa, 14 kms inland from Durban. Please note this bio is mostly focussed on my ventures in art.

I started off drawing cartoons and was well known at my school for sketches of the teachers, some of which were done on the backs of shirts for the end of the last year. For some reason everyone wanted a charicature of the least liked teacher. After school I joined a local college to study cost and management accounting where I discovered a large library with an extensive section on graphics and all kinds of art. Rather than attending lectures I was mainly studying these books or in the computer room overseeing the network, lecturing, programming or experimenting with autodesk animator which offered movie creation in an exciting 320x200 format.

After 5 years of accounting and finishing a diploma and a degree I tentatively ventured out into the big world full of very tiny opportunities being in Durban which is a city known for holidaying and nearly void of the possibilities in excelling in exciting areas such as technology, design or other thrilling careers. So I joined a shipping company as a trainee accountant and never received any training and left after a month disgusted at the empty promise of advancement. I however helped them with a year-end and consequently lost most of my speech from all the pressure related to the monstrous task.

Being determined not to be subject to similar tension I browsed the papers for an opening of another type and was welcomed immediately at a computer networking company which supplied equipment to the region. The job interview was quite interesting, basically two minutes into the interview the manager was telling me how to handle the new job of logistics and I had sealed the position almost instantaneously.

Incidentally I was quite happy to join up there as the secretary was an exquisite beauty. Here's my portrait of her...

The company merged shortly and became QData Networks, moving to near the centre of Durban. Lunchtimes were interesting with visits to the book and art shops. After seeing airbrushes for sale I commenced research into purchasing one. I settled on an Iwata HPSB or is it HBSP
Soon I was churning out near photo-realistic pictures at a slow rate. Anyone tell you how much of a hastle airbrushing is?

The company merged again, becoming PQ Africa and moved to Westville. At work I spent my freetime sketching and could produce a clean inked A4 pic in less than an hour. The one series I did was Rollerbabes - girls in rollerblades. My artistic flair and ease with computer software was noticed by management and they fired the graphic designer and placed me in his position as well as taking care of logistics. I didn't mind this much as my salary was double that of anyone in admin and I was scooping up any new graphics software at dealer prices. Fireworks 1, Flash 1, Corel Draw 3, Painter 5, Bryce 1, etc. Most graphic apps were just emerging and I was enjoying the ride.

The company then merged again and they were moving to the north coast. Now I don't drive so that presented a problem and I applied and received a very nice voluntary retrenchment. It was quite nice because the HR manager at head office was on an extended holiday and I kept receiving cheques until they returned back to work.

Well I may as well go into design. Easier thought than done. I received my break when commissioned by a friend to create the website for his business. More followed and people are still pestering me more than five years later. In fact as I type I'm busy on 7+ sites and a DVD. I also design logos, create business cards, posters, and something I particularly enjoy, developing multi-media discs and product presentations - they happen to be quite lucrative and it's nice to be free of the download restrictions of the net. One of my flash animations came to over 24 mb. You try sending your customers to a 24mb website. Yup, CD is great, and DVD's are phatter.

My interests are Bible study, computer interface and software design, Japanese, architecture, jet design, manga art, reading, web development, information systems, etc.

I'm here at 3D Allusions to keep my 3D skills current and to present ideas that people haven't thought of before. Thanks to Captain Allusion for providing this online facility. Much Appreciated.

[cybeo]

My website is Brain Wave Studio in case anyone is interested. BWS is a one-man studio. I don't employ anyone yet, but may do if I secure a project which is in the pipeline.

Personal info - I live with my parents and work from my bedroom which doubles up as my office, very small but adequate. I don't have a girlfriend, but used to have a very cute Japanese girlfriend . My plans are focussed 99.9% on working, research and development so I currently don't have time for any relationships. I descend from the English, Scottish and a bit of French. Height 6"4½, build slimish. One brother - Phd in Chemistry, chief senior research chemist for a platinum group - a bright spark and good company.
Cousin - Phd in astrophysics, currently bringing up a 1¼ year old boy. My other family live in England, Italy, and Australia. My faith is Christadelphian. Online we're labelled as a cult, which is not true. The false accusation is made by the owner of a particular website and forum who kept losing arguments with us. Because we made him look silly in front of his followers he embarked on a hate and smear campaign and the bad labelling has resulted.

Why some people agree with him or are persuaded to his line of thought is because Christadelphianism is opposite to popular Christianity. We're 100% Bible based, but because many people don't read their Bibles they can't tell if we're the correct faith or not. You can visit my website to find out more T C O

[TheAllusionist]

Captain Allusion here! LOL Great bio, I was hoping to hear you ended up marrying the hot secretary Some great and interesting bios around and I appreciate you taking the time to share it with us. We just want to create a fun place to show off and share knowledge, hope you stick around and post once in a while, every bit helps. I also want to thank you for participating in our lastest contest, good luck!

Best regards,

Russell Thomas

P.S. Looks like you were posting a follow up as I was posting mine

[pBarrelas]

Very nice bio!! Thanks a lot for sharing all that information. I'm glad to know that your career is going fine.
One thing you said, interests me, the Bible study!! It's because i also make Bible studies and IMHO, its stills the best book ever made!!

I wish very good luck with your career!!

[Da_RoCk]

Welcome aboard