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Hi, I am Russell Thomas (a.k.a. TheAllusionist) and this is my site. I originally started this site as an online portfolio and to learn how to set up a website and an online forum to support the CG and Architectural/Design community. The forum took off and then the online portfolio became the much needed main site for the community that was growing. Now I have had to start a completely different site for an online portfolio for our studio, so things have come full circle. Professionally, I am a graduate of Washington State University's School of Architecture and have been doing architecture since 1992. Recently I decided to focus on CG, so I quit my job and have started up a studio working with a few artist I greatly respect.
I have varied interest and have been using CAD from day one. I started doing architectural visualization via computer renderings for the most part and some forms of traditional illustration. This led to an interest in all things CG and I have dabbled in character creation as well as archtectural visualization. I have also done architectural and character animation in an effort to round out my experience. I was a frustrated artist and chose architecture since it combined art and science for which I have aptitudes for. Right out of college I did a graphic novel in rough draft form and DC comics showed interest in the project, but by this time I was staying busy doing architectural work and did not have time to pursue the relationship.
Early on I got into 3D modeling, I used DataCAD and Visual Reality, two programs you probably have not heard of. I wrote some articles for magazines and news letters focusing on the benefits of visualization. This led me to do consulting work and setting up CAD software for firms. I started my own design studio where I did High-End luxury homes and light commercial design. At a certain point I wanted to do more than residential work so I contracted out to architectural firms doing work on educational, medical and civic projects. I gained a reputation as a hired gun of sorts and helped implement CAD programs like Architectural Desktop and CAD standards in addition to doing Construction Documentation for various firms. I decided to move to the larger metropolitan area of Seattle, Washington in order to get exposure to larger projects. At this time I started working as a full time employee at firms as I jumped around getting experience in all types of architectural projects.
I am torn between all my interests and have never found my exact niche, I do architectural renderings, but enjoy creating art in other genres and thus my attention wanders from one interest to another.
Where I would like to see this site go is to be a place to show off fine work and to pursue quick studies and design exercises. Most people do not have the time to finish everything and quick little exercises could be a fun way to participate and get the creative juices going. This forum will be modified and added to as time and creative energy permits. I see the site as a place for multi-professions to be expressed and a non-specific software environment.
Well the web is full of great sites and it will be a challenge to create a place that people participate in, so let me know if you have any ideas or want to help administrate part of the forum.
Best regards,
Russell Thomas
Location
Seattle, WA USA - Northwest
Interests
Architecture, Art, Micro-Breweries, Hot Cars, Video Games, Computer Graphics and Running an Online Forum.
Occupation
ArchVis - Creative Director
Software Used
SoftImage XSI, Max, modo, TrueSpace, Vue Infinite, AutoCad, DataCAD, PhotoShop, After Affects, Corel Draw, Painter, Poser, Shade and much more...
Favorite Artist
Frank Frazetta/Robert Cray
Favorite Designer
Santiago Calatrava
Favorite Building
Milwaukee Art Museum/City of Arts and Science - Valencia Spain
Favorite Car
McClaren
Favorite Website
Here of Course
Real Name/Studio
Russell Thomas / 3DAllusions Studio
Signature
The Opinions Expressed Here Do Not Necessarily Reflect Those of a Rational Mind ~ `'•.¸(¯`'•.¸ Russell L. Thomas¸.•'´¯)¸.•'´
About Me
