Steve McKinnis: Web & Graphic Designer

New Page features photos by me...

2012-02-12T03:02:00.000-08:00

For http://www.ncruz.com

New BCards and PCards on their way...

2012-02-12T03:00:00.000-08:00

Utilizing an awesome photoshoot for The Unoptical to promote my own business.

Ncruz.com updated...

2012-02-11T19:38:00.000-08:00

Noel Cruz's web site has been updated,
new section for Fawcett as well as his drawings/artwork.

Phenommenally talented. Below are pencil sketches by Noel. They are not scanned, traced or adjusted. They are real works of art and a great example of true artistic talent.

Some of his artwork:

Mousepads for IBtech support

2012-02-08T21:59:00.000-08:00

The UnOptical Updated/Revised after Today's photo shoot

2012-02-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Visit http://www.theunoptical.com

Raw images from The UnOptical Photo Shoot on Superbowl Sunday

2012-02-05T20:18:00.000-08:00

You'll Never Make A Living With Art. The Art of Noel Cruz, Part 1.

2012-02-04T13:54:00.003-08:00

You'll Never Make A Living With Art.
The ART and Passion of Noel Cruz, Part 1.
by Steve McKinnis

You might think “Those are photoshopped!” or someone cleverly adjusted photos of dolls to look exactly like the person Noel Cruz painted over on a factory painted doll but, in fact, they aren’t. Noel Cruz has perfected his artistic ability of drawing and painting to a three dimensional canvas of dolls. Tonner, Mattel, Gene, and other doll manufactures’ have seen Cruz repaint their factory produced dolls. Cruz most recently repainted a doll for a very prominent doll manufacturer and technically outlined what he did and how and where on the points of the dolls face.

The reality is this; many doll companies do not and can not replicate what Noel Cruz does because it takes a human eye and hand to meticulously put the strokes of paint on to the dolls face to shade, curve and contrast what then becomes the image of those being replicated.

Noel Cruz did not start off as an affluent artist born in the lap of luxury. In fact Noel grew up poor and one of six brothers. In 1974 Noel was twelve years old and drawing everything he saw and imagined. Noel did not see a television or television program until he was sent off to live with his Aunt and watched, in amazement, his first program “The Miss Universe Pageant” peeking through the window of his neighbor’s house. Noel was already an artist at heart. Constantly sketching and drawing and making portraits. But it wasn’t until he saw the parade of different ethnicities walking across the stage in quest of a crown that he became transfixed on the female face and form. It was shortly thereafter that Noel saw the muse of his future fixation, “Lindsay Wagner” in The Bionic Woman. Noel was hooked on Jaime Sommers, played by the beautiful and talented Lindsay Wagner and began sketching her. Smiling, running, whatever Lindsay did, he would sit and watch and draw and sketch. Trying to capture and recapture whatever it was that Lindsay did as Jaime.

“In the Philippines, what your Parents tell you is Wisdom. They told me to be an accountant. That I would never make a living at art. So, that is what I did.”

(Left to Right) Noel's son James Cruz, Noel, Lindsay Wagner and Noel's wife Emma.

Noel shared with me that he and his brother would race home and, from memory, try to re-draw everything they had seen while watching The Bionic Woman. Noel’s infatuation and admiration for Lindsay aka Jaime grew and did not dissipate over time. His passion for drawing her and other personalities never diminished even in the wake of an unsupportive family who quickly and consistently denounced art and his talents. Born in the

Philippines

and growing up poor, Noel said, “In the Philippines, what your Parents tell you is Wisdom. They told me to be an accountant. That I would never make a living at art. So, that is what I did.”

Cruz was not happy studying accounting. Noel had no passion for numbers or the classes he was fortunate enough to be able to attend. His truth and his heart were for art. His sketches now resembled photographs. Meticulous pencil work that you could swear was traced or a scan of a photograph.

His family and his friends would often shower him with accolades about his prowess as an artist but still their support was not in his abilities as an artist but solely on the pursuit of life as an accountant. It was while Noel was living with his Aunt and attending school for accounting that he became deeply hurt and struggled with the negativity that his Aunt showered upon him daily about him “never amounting to anything.” Cruz was verbally abused by his Aunt and began to doubt and believe that he could achieve anything, let alone his pursuits as an accountant.

Fast Forward.

It’s 2012 and Noel Cruz has just posted his latest repaint, a replica of Angelina Jolie. Cruz is now a much sought after re-paint artist with a stellar reputation for his strikingly accurate and beautiful repaints of the famous that garner thousands of dollars on a weekly basis. Cruz has repainted over five hundred dolls in just ten years.

Cruz has mastered what most artists struggle with; teeth, the balance between shadow and light and most importantly, the ability to capture the essence of someone extremely well known and photographed.

Exacting and then Perfection. The Process of Making Angelina Jolie

Cruz has an exacting method to his “madness” and he does not settle or compromise his pursuit as an artist in any way, shape or form and that “perfectionism” that he strives for is why his repaints can demand the amounts that they are reaching on Ebay as well as his commissioned work. Currently Noel does not take commissions as his schedule and production list is long and lengthy. Cruz’s passion for repaints have drawn the attention of top doll making companies like Mattel and others to seek him out and meet with him for his thoughts and expertise on the art of painting a dolls face.

“The problem with mass produced dolls is the face paint. It is virtually impossible to recreate small scale features and shades by a mechanical production line,”

- Noel Cruz.

Clearly, it is a problem as famous nods to those passed and living do not resemble those depicted. “Doll collectors are becoming very savvy and demanding that the dolls look like the celebrity.” Cruz does believe the talent is there but the cost is why the mass produced dolls are not technically accurate. “I can see that the sculpt is there but the facial paint it not.”

Cruz has painted Farrah Fawcett, Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep, Ann Hathaway, Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor, as well as the cast of the Twilight Series and hundreds of others. You can see more of his work through his web site http://www.ncruz.com/.

Noel Cruz and his wife have one son and reside in Anaheim California.

Noel Cruz Updated and new page...

2012-02-04T12:32:00.000-08:00

Angelina Jolie is Noel's currently on auction via EBay... if you like her, you'll love the repaint and if you want her you better bid quickly!

Site updated

2012-01-29T13:45:00.000-08:00

Chris Tina's Site is updated, with a new press section and photos from the shoot for Press. I also updated mysite and have been playing with site fronts.

Chris Tina Bruce Photoshoot

2012-01-28T16:36:00.000-08:00

Shots from the shoot today of Chris Tina Bruce

Ncruz.com New pages & Updates!

2012-01-28T13:54:00.000-08:00

Noel Cruz's web site is still growing! Just added the Pirates page and here are a few others. You can visit his web site and see his amazing talent by going to http://www.ncruz.com/

His Fawcett repaint is also featured on my web site!

Building NCruz.com

2012-01-23T23:20:00.000-08:00

See the site at http://www.ncruz.com/test.php

(it's not live yet!)

Updates to Bollotta.com

2012-01-20T05:31:00.002-08:00

Visit the web site: http://www.bollotta.com/

Photoshoot of Documentary for Hillcrest Fitness

2012-01-20T05:31:00.000-08:00

Visit the web site: http://www.chrisbrucefitness.com/

Vignette's Antiques Updates

2012-01-20T05:29:00.000-08:00

Visit http://www.vignettesantiques.com/

An interview with Artist Noel Cruz

2012-01-15T15:42:00.001-08:00

The video above is part of an interview I had with Noel Cruz who repainted a Farrah Fawcett doll for MyFarrah.com. I met with him yesterday, January 14th in Anaheim. We discussed everything from his technique, school, experiences growing up, to meeting Lindsay Wagner and coming full circle as an artist.

At first glance you might think you are looking at an actual photo of Farrah Fawcett. That is just how good Noel Cruz is as a painter. His three dimensional canvas, in this case, is the original Mattel version of Fawcett. The sculpt was “right on” for the shape and face of Fawcett however the machine paint was not. Cruz is currently at work on Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd for a bid (on those four Charlie’s Angels) to benefit Cancer. Cruz hasn’t just created a few images but over five hundred specialized repaints. He is not only a talented painter but is also an avid Sketch Artist and also specializes in pencil sketching you would swear were photographs. Sitting and talking with Noel, you will find that he is extremely skilled at capturing the essence of an individual down to the slightest hair and style on the dolls head. He manipulates those tresses with water and toothpicks. His capability to capture an individual is as exacting in skill as is the depth of his talent.

Note: The photographs above were taken by Noel Cruz of the commissioned work he did for myfarrah.com. None are retouched or photoshopped at all.

Me (Steve McKinnis) with Noel Cruz
(photos above are of the commissioned work by Cruz)

Woodward's Disposal Updates

2012-01-11T06:49:00.000-08:00

Visit the web site

2012 Talk of the Town Recipient!

2012-01-04T13:47:00.000-08:00

2010, 2011 & now 2012 Recipient for the
Talk of the Town Award!

San Diego, CA, January 04, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Stephen McKinnis of stevemckinnis.com is a third year recipient of the Talk of the Town Award for Customer Satisfaction for Web Design in California for 2012. McKinnis also received this award in 2010 and 2011. Steve’s specialty is custom designed sites but he also fixes and corrects poorly coded or improperly coded web sites. Steve’s emphasis is on Cross Platform Verification and stresses the importance of making sure your web site works on every platform, be it a cell phone or iPad.

“A site has to be graphically dynamic

to hold someone’s interest.

You only have a few seconds &

IF a site is poorly constructed

or doesn’t grab your attention immediately;

it will cost you business.”

A graduate of Hastings College McKinnis currently resides in San Diego, CA but works all over the United States and has created web sites for companies and individuals in Nebraska to California to New York City.

Ratings are calculated based on consumer-review websites and blogs, social networks, business rating services and other award information to determine the top companies across the country. Only those high ranking businesses with a 4-5 star rating win the Talk of the Town News Customer Satisfaction. Celebration Media U.S. and Talk of the Town News established CMUS Power Ratings™ with industry-leading, sample-based methodology to track customer satisfaction. We gather information from a combination of highly respected, no-cost online user-review websites, blogs, social networks and business-rating services to measure customer satisfaction. Star ratings from the websites, the number of user reviews, scores from other business-rating services and accolades found through our research establish the basis for our ratings. This annual audit provides data to determine a mathematical formula, or matrix, to evaluate and rate its findings. Based on the results of this formula we assign our own rating to act as a representation of the data we have accrued. By combining all online information into one score, consumers and businesses receive a fairer overview of customer feedback without having to spend hours locating all the information. Talk of the Town News takes the worry and work out of finding the top consumer-rated businesses across the country.

Click link for Pr.com Press Release Web Designer Awarded Third Year for Customer Service in Web Design

Read both Google and Yelp Reviews here.

New Shots for Woodward's Disposal/Great White Shredding

2012-01-03T12:35:00.000-08:00

My Site Westernized

2012-01-03T12:26:00.000-08:00

New Blog Up

2012-01-02T09:04:00.000-08:00

Stills & Cover from Pankratz Family DVD

2011-12-27T16:59:00.001-08:00

Updates to LCCHastings.com and BaristasofHastings.com

2011-12-15T09:50:00.000-08:00

Visit: http://www.baristasofhastings.com/ or http://www.lcchastings.com/

Both are PDA/Handheld device friendly.

Cross Platform Verified.

BCard

2011-12-08T15:55:00.001-08:00

CTB PC

2011-12-07T12:58:00.001-08:00

Updates/New page for Woodward's Disposal

2011-12-01T21:27:00.000-08:00

http://www.woodwardsdisposal.com

New Future Fronts for 2012

2011-12-01T21:25:00.000-08:00

X-Mas Fronts

2011-11-26T11:32:00.001-08:00

Racy Christmas at the UnOptical

2011-11-24T09:52:00.000-08:00

See the web site

see my site

The Unoptical Updates...

2011-11-20T19:22:00.000-08:00

Ch-Ch-Changes... proof at http://stevemckinnis.com/TUO/The_UnOptical_Update.php

Views of Vignettes Antiques on the iPhone, iPad and Mac

2011-11-20T19:21:00.000-08:00

Visit the web site

iPhone views of the UnOptical

2011-11-20T19:18:00.000-08:00

Visit the web site

VIews of Upscale Hair Gallery on the iPhone and iPad

2011-11-20T19:16:00.000-08:00

Visit the web site

iPad & iPhone views of the Ocean Beach Antique District Re-vamp

2011-11-20T19:15:00.000-08:00

Visit the web site at http://www.antiquesinsandiego.com

Fronts

2011-11-18T11:45:00.000-08:00

YouTube Video and Channel Set Up for Upscale HG

2011-11-17T09:14:00.001-08:00

Visit the channel

Dr. Milberg Updated w/History Form

2011-11-17T09:12:00.000-08:00

http://www.drmilberg.com/

Backs for Tech3

2011-11-17T09:07:00.000-08:00

Updates/new pages/links for Upscale Hair Gallery

2011-11-14T06:24:00.000-08:00

New Page/section

Updated Site

Google Account/Listing for Toi Butler

FRINGed Fronts

2011-11-12T19:35:00.000-08:00

Two shows I love: FRINGE & The Good Wife. Played with an image of Anna Trov of Fringe... no copyright infringement intended... just a true appreciation for one of the best shows on TV.

Next Fronts?

2011-11-12T09:54:00.001-08:00

Updated; The Ocean Beach Antique Districts Blogs

2011-11-12T07:27:00.000-08:00

http://newportaveantiquescenter.blogspot.com/

http://www.newportavenueantiques.blogspot.com/

My nephew Kyle

2011-11-10T18:45:00.000-08:00

Kyle Anderson is 12 years old. He loves playing soccer, basketball and the Huskers. On November 9th, 2011 he had a bone biopsy and was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (a Cancer of the bone). He will now undergo chemotherapy and eventually have surgery. As his uncle I have watched and enjoyed seeing Kyle grow up into a smart, athletic and optimistic boy who demonstrates a maturity beyond his years and although I will never understand why Kyle or children his age get Cancer I know there is a great purpose and meaning to life and those that struggle with this type of battle are only one thing: A True Hero.

If you would like to learn more about Cancer in Children click to go to the American Cancer Societies Web Site.

Help eradicate Cancer. Make a donation. Make a difference.

Prayer Chain on FaceBook

Kyle's page through Children's Hostpial: http://www.caringbridge.org/

type kylanderson2 in the visit prompt.

IBTech Support Blog Re-Done and final logo

2011-11-10T09:53:00.000-08:00

Visit the BLOG

Logo for Tech3

2011-11-09T13:07:00.000-08:00

Playing with the retro look for Annie B.

The Ocean Beach Antique District

2011-11-08T15:19:00.000-08:00

Web Site and Blog updated/backed up and minor tweaks/edits made as well. Background no longer scrolls with page and flash element/slideshow replaced with a module that displays on all platforms be it iPad/iPhone/PC/Mac or handheld devices. All the images/photos of the antique stores were taken by me, same as for Vignettes on the Vignettes opening and slideshows presentations.

Vignettes Antiques Updates and Module Replacement

2011-11-08T15:15:00.000-08:00

Blog/Web Site updated. Minor tweaks & Edits as well. Cross Platform verified. The only elements that will not function on iPads/iPhones or some blackberry devices are the sound/swf files. Other than that everything else is CPV.

Dwayne L. Scott site updated...

2011-11-06T10:34:00.000-08:00

From blue to a lighter hue... visit the site.

Bollotta Entertainment Logo

2011-11-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

Re-drawn figure, slightly different font... for cleaner lines and larger output as no original logo on file.For http://www.bollotta.com

Baristas of Hastings...

2011-11-04T06:55:00.000-07:00

More site work to do... an on-line ordering form...

Flesh Skin Grafix

2011-11-04T06:53:00.000-07:00

Updated. Recent recipient of Talk of the Town as well.

Ocean Beach Antique District Updates

2011-11-04T06:50:00.000-07:00

Blogs updated/revised and re-upoloaded for http://www.antiquesinsandiego.blogspot.com/,

http://www.vignettesantiques.com

and http://www.antiquesinsandiego.com/

and http://www.newportavenueantiques.blogspot.com/

as well as Google profiles for both Vignettes and Newport.

Woodwards Updated

2011-11-01T14:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.woodwardsdisposal.com

Robek.com updated

2011-11-01T01:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.robek.com

Robek Chiropractic has changed its name and their web site is completely different. I updated/changed the new one for the robek.com address but if clicked it goes directly to the new address/site as far as tabs and other information. I did not construct this site but adjusted it slightly for the robek.com address. There is a flash element to this new site that will not show up on different platforms, such as the iPhone, iPad or other blackberry devices. It is not app friendly. Overall though, the site looks nice. It's also missing a solid Meta Tag block.

IB Tech BLOG/LOGO Update

2011-10-30T23:26:00.001-07:00

Working on Annie Blevins blog and her logo.

Work in progress.

My Site front updated

2011-10-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

New site front as well as section with all the reviews currently posted to Google and Yelp (filtered and unfiltered). Here are some views from an iPhone. Cross Platform Verified.

Every site, every time.

New Photos of Balboa Park

2011-10-29T00:52:00.000-07:00

I took these today after taking a few shots for Cafe on Park.

Cafe on Park Shots from this AM

2011-10-28T17:57:00.001-07:00

Here are some
shots from today

@ Cafe on Park
of different dishes.

Click for
more HERE!

Google

2011-10-28T06:32:00.000-07:00

Did you know you can set up your own Google profile? Yes you can. Any bit of promotion, that's done in a good way and professionally, that gets you listed and out there is a GOOD THING. Here's what I did for Anthony Bollotta of Bollotta.com. The direct listing is: https://profiles.google.com/101286289359946006190/about?hl=en

Cafe on Park APP friendly...

2011-10-24T22:28:00.001-07:00

The new Cafe on Park site is verified Cross Platform Friendly on any hand held device with Internet access. Here are some views from an iPhone. Click image for larger view.

Bollotta Entertainment Web Updates and planning the next xmas card

2011-10-23T18:35:00.000-07:00

This was last year’s card. I've suggested, for this year, something in a theatre/show setting... a tie in to the current site and overall "theatrical" theme

Updates to FleshSkinGrafix.com

2011-10-23T08:34:00.000-07:00

Working on the site http://www.fleshskingrafix.com/ and completing some revisions updates and additions with new Tattoo artists joining the shop. As I just posted a blog about Noel Cruz, I thought this would be an additional spot to showcase another doll from Mattel that actually has Tats.

You can order the doll at http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/tokidoki-barbie-doll-t7939 I suspect this doll will be extremely popular both with kids and adults.

NOTE: This doll has already SOLD OUT! Not sure if Mattel will issue more or not. You can find her on EBay but the doll that originally retailed for $50.00 is going for over $200 and up.

Issued/Released on 10/13/2011 this is one doll that didn’t' set long.

Updates to MyFarrah.com

2011-10-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

In addition to some updates, there is a new blog post about Noel Cruz, an extremely talented artist who crafted a re-paint of the recently released Farrah Fawcett doll for Mattel.

Read the blog post and see more images of his work: http://myfarrah.blogspot.com/2011/10/noel-cruz.html

You can also see his web site at: http://www.ncruz.com/index.html

Or his facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/noelcruz.art?sk=wall

Cafe On Park - Twitter/FBook, Google & SITE views

2011-10-21T02:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.cafeonpark.com

[L to Rl] Twitter, Facebook, Menu on CafeonPark.com and GOOGLE Maps.

Cafe on Park overhaul...

2011-10-20T14:42:00.000-07:00

Created a new logo for Cafe on Park for the site and it's coming together...

http://cafeonpark.com/

New Site/1st Draft for Pediatrics Office

2011-10-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

See the rough by clicking here!

The Unoptical is back on line!

2011-10-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

It pays to be careful when you set up your hosting and domain name. If you have signed on with a company or second party, make sure your domain name is registered in YOUR name not theirs. Fun site and great owner. This is not a rare occurrence. See the site at http://www.theunoptical.com/

Photos of the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer

2011-09-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

This is probably, one of my favorite museum's located in Grand Island, Nebraska. The home that Jane Fonda's, actor Henry Fonda was born in is here. You can walk through all the buildings and really experience the days long before television, cellular technology or modern medicine and schools. There is also a bison on the prairie and they have festivities throughout the year. See their web site for more information at: http://www.stuhrmuseum.org/

You can see 22 of the many shots I took on Shutterfly.com by clicking HERE.

New Shots of Chautaqua Park and OK Cafe in Hastings, NE on Shutterfly.com

2011-09-20T10:29:00.000-07:00

See the albums

Steve McKinnis: Web & Graphic Designer

New Page features photos by me...

New BCards and PCards on their way...

Ncruz.com updated...

Mousepads for IBtech support

The UnOptical Updated/Revised after Today's photo shoot

Raw images from The UnOptical Photo Shoot on Superbowl Sunday

﻿You'll Never Make A Living With Art. The Art of Noel Cruz, Part 1.

Noel Cruz Updated and new page...

Site updated

Chris Tina Bruce Photoshoot

Ncruz.com New pages & Updates!

Building NCruz.com

Updates to Bollotta.com

Photoshoot of Documentary for Hillcrest Fitness

Vignette's Antiques Updates

An interview with Artist Noel Cruz

Woodward's Disposal Updates

2012 Talk of the Town Recipient!

New Shots for Woodward's Disposal/Great White Shredding

My Site Westernized

New Blog Up

Stills & Cover from Pankratz Family DVD

Updates to LCCHastings.com and BaristasofHastings.com

BCard

CTB PC

Updates/New page for Woodward's Disposal

New Future Fronts for 2012

X-Mas Fronts

Racy Christmas at the UnOptical

The Unoptical Updates...

Views of Vignettes Antiques on the iPhone, iPad and Mac

iPhone views of the UnOptical

VIews of Upscale Hair Gallery on the iPhone and iPad

iPad & iPhone views of the Ocean Beach Antique District Re-vamp

Fronts

YouTube Video and Channel Set Up for Upscale HG

Dr. Milberg Updated w/History Form

Backs for Tech3

Updates/new pages/links for Upscale Hair Gallery

FRINGed Fronts

Next Fronts?

Updated; The Ocean Beach Antique Districts Blogs

My nephew Kyle

IBTech Support Blog Re-Done and final logo

Logo for Tech3

The Ocean Beach Antique District

Vignettes Antiques Updates and Module Replacement

Dwayne L. Scott site updated...

Bollotta Entertainment Logo

Baristas of Hastings...

Flesh Skin Grafix

Ocean Beach Antique District Updates

Woodwards Updated

Robek.com updated

IB Tech BLOG/LOGO Update

My Site front updated

New Photos of Balboa Park

Cafe on Park Shots from this AM

Google

Cafe on Park APP friendly...

Bollotta Entertainment Web Updates and planning the next xmas card

Updates to FleshSkinGrafix.com

Updates to MyFarrah.com

Cafe On Park - Twitter/FBook, Google & SITE views

Cafe on Park overhaul...

New Site/1st Draft for Pediatrics Office

The Unoptical is back on line!

Photos of the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer

New Shots of Chautaqua Park and OK Cafe in Hastings, NE on Shutterfly.com

You'll Never Make A Living With Art. The Art of Noel Cruz, Part 1.