Hello everyone and welcome back. A few weeks ago, during a late night drawing session, I decided to concentrate on designing a new fractal. The results were indicative of my mood at the time. I was thinking of something wicked. After applying variations and moving the triangles, I feel that I captured the essence of my thoughts with the creation of The Devil's Workshop.
As usually happens once I look deeper into the image, a story emerges surrounding the circumstances of the inner figure in the drawing. I'm sharing my story with you today:
Tobias discovered that the path to evil was not that hard. In the late evenings, while lying near the creek with his head buried in the rich, moist earth, his destiny seemed drawn in the shape of the stars by the stranger who appeared. Each night for the past few months, before the sun disappeared, the stranger sat next to him talking in a language he couldn't comprehend.
Tobias didn't want to visit the creek each night. The words from the encounter with the stranger directed his path.
By day, he was an honest, hard-working young farmer. But by night, after the meetings with the stranger, something stirred him from sleep to grab his hat, head toward the back of his barn, remove the pitch fork, and set out on his small tractor in the direction of his neighbor's estate a mile down the road.
Holcomb Schellings didn't mind Tobias helping out at first. His ranch was over 50 acres. However, the recent tractor accident left him partially debilitated in his right arm. With a family of seven depending upon the harvest due in two months, he was worried this year's corn crop wouldn't bring in enough income to last the winter.
What Holcomb did mind was the fact that Tobias was neglecting his own small farm. Some days his arm ached to the point he didn't feel like working. The rocker on his front porch became the perfect spot, after his medication, to dwell on the numerous scenarios that worked their way from his mind to his heart.
The hardening began a few weeks ago the evening he caught Tobias and his youngest daughter, Amelia, romping through the rows of the corn field. At first, laughter; then, quiet. All he could see was that black, worn-out hat above the stalks. He'll not take my livelihood and my youngest at the same time, Holcomb thought, as he banged his left first on the edge of the rocker. "I still have one good arm and will use it if need be," he mumbled.
By the time his wife called him for supper, Holcomb was in no mood to dine with the family. He continued rocking, gathering evidence of the takeover Tobias was planning. Of this he was certain. All he had to do was remember the small details the past few months provided. Then he'd confront Tobias. His demands would be harsh; his decision, final. Stay away from my ranch and my daughter, or else.
Tobias was poor by farming standards. His total acreage covered only one-fourth that of his nearest neighbor, Mr. Schellings. In Tobias' mind, that family was rich in resources, and they were close knit. Watching their interaction, he longed for a family of his own.
But he had to make the farm work. His parents' death left him penniless, with no other relatives. He'd sold much of the equipment to pay property taxes. The small amount Mr. Schellings paid him for helping out was enough to purchase plantings.
Tobias dreamed of a wife to help run the farm. Together they could grow, then start a family. He found the perfect free spirit in Amelia. She was beautiful, headstrong, and ready to leave her family. But he didn't dare ask her dad for her hand. He had nothing to offer. Helping out her dad seemed the best route to securing his approval.
Clearing his head each night by the creek, ideas he didn't know he had flowed with how to help both farms.
On Saturday morning, Tobias woke early, deciding it was time to confront Mr. Schellings. He shrugged off the uneasiness he felt lately whenever he visited Amelia. The atmosphere and her dad's attitude had drastically changed.
Thirty minutes later, he arrived. Mr. Schellings sat upright. Within seconds, Tobias jumped upon the porch and stood within inches of the rocker. Tobacco just missed Tobias' overalls and landed on a corner of the porch.
Amelia rushed outside just as Tobias began his well-rehearsed speech.
"You seem to have developed a problem with me lately, Mr. Schellings. All I want to do is help. But I feel as though you have thoughts toward my relationship with your daughter. My parents taught me that an idle mind is the devil's workshop. With all due respect, sir, seems to me you've been twittling away valuable time, stewing in your own handicap.
Tomorrow, Amelia and I are going to town and get married. Then she's moving to my farm. It's all set. You can either help us or get out of our way. Doesn't matter to me none. But, I'm going to be your son-in-law. We're first going to get this farm back in shape. So, why not get up from there and show me how to run a profitable farm.
Then, we'll work on our farm. I'd be happy if you'd lend us some tools to get started. We'll return them when we're able to stand on our own.
I know I don't have much to offer you or Amelia, but that's my plan. All good deeds start with a plan and positive thinking. That's about all I got to say on the matter. Let's get started."
Mr. Schellings stood up, shook Tobias' hand in silence, then embraced Amelia.
Designing "The Devil's Workshop"
To design this fractal, I utilized Apophysis 2.09, a digital drawing software that utilizes algorithms to generate code known as "flames". The flames are produced by the mathematical coordinates. Once the flames are rendered, they produce the fractals. The source code behind the program produces flames.
The software was originally written in 1992 and released as open source.1 The program expanded to several platforms, including the version I use for Windows. Apophysis 2.09 also allows for editing flames after the fractals have been rendered.
Below are the steps I took to create this fractal. I wanted to make a transparent version of the image to use as an overlay in another program:
Finally, I utilized Canva to complete my fractal. I uploaded my fractal. Next, I changed my background to black. I added another fractal drawing that represents the flames. I placed them on the edges surrounding the image. This helped to complete the drawing.
Thanks for taking the time to view my post and my fractal. "The Devil's Workshop" is now available on NFT Showroom. If you'd like to visit it, the link to my Gallery is below:
NFT Showroom: "The Devil's Workshop"
I also provided directions on how to create fractal drawings. To see complete instructions on maneuvering and manipulating the triangles, see my how-to post here.
Happy rest of the week everyone with whatever your endeavors.
SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines.
f) Sandwiteer of Mrach 2021 Banner gifted to me by the Blockchain's International Team of Excellence upon winning the B.I.S.S. Contest in March, 2021.
g) Thumbnail image created by me in Apophysis 2.09 Fractal Rendering Program.
h) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/
