I write to update all of you on the ongoing adventure of "the book". I
finally finished a draft and Harcourt Brace sent it out for reviews.
Based on the responses, I am now making the book more user-friendly for
students, reducing some of the technical material in favor of additional
art theory and criticism, and improving the diagrams and concept
illustrations.

You will all be glad to hear that reviewers felt the images by working
artists, and discussions thereof, were an essential part of the book.
Therefore, instead of having to cut down on the art images as I had
feared, I am pleased to let you know that I will be able to include even
more such examples than I had hoped. If you have new work which you like
me to consider, please do send it.

Also,

* if you know of other artists who might be appropriate for the book,
please let me know or give them my contact info. I will need to get
additional slides, etc. before the end of January.

I particularly need more examples of:

* work done with draw type programs (e.g., Freehand, Illustrator,
CorelDraw, or other Postscript programs) and

* time-based and multimedia and interactive work (2D and 3D animations,
stuff on CD-ROM, projection works, performance pieces, video, etc.).

EXERCISE and READINGS CONTRIBUTIONS

I am trying several techniques to make the book more user-friendly and
to provide some guidance for its use for teaching, including adding
provocative thought exercises, targeted hands-on activities, and a short
list of suggested readings at the end of each chapter.

If you would like to contribute to any of these I would be most
appreciative! (I would need to have them as soon as possible and
definitely by the end of January.)

*Exercises: please email me 1-3 engaging thought, writing, or
computer-based exercises/activities, that have given you or your
students added insight into either technical or issues-based aspects of
using computers to make art. I won't be able to acknowledge the creator
of each one in the body of the text but will have a list of
acknowledgments for these in the beginning of the book.

*Suggested readings: If you have favorite texts, please email me 1-3
titles for the best sources for more information on the area of the book
with which you are most familiar (or of general use). The chapters are
Intro (issues), History, Paint, Draw, 3D, Time-based, Multimedia, The
Internet (Web), and Input and Output. Of course I already have a
tentative list, but I would love to see if there is consensus on which
books/articles/magazines are really and truly informative and helpful.

QUOTES

I am also including more quotes by artists about their work and their
experiences using the computer. I may take some material from your
Artists Statements. If you would prefer me not to do that, please let me
know. Also, I may be calling or emailing some of you to get some
quotable material. If would like to call me, please do! (401) 863-7615.

THANKS

Finally, I just want to let all of you know that this project is
progressing and you are all an important part of it. I have found that
thinking about your works and speaking with you (or exchanging email)
has influenced my writing and contributed greatly to the usefulness of
this text. When I signed the contract over three years ago, I had no
idea how much time and effort would be involved in this project. I am
convinced, however, that it will be worth it in the end.

Much thanks to all of you!

and

Happy Holidays!