#artwork documentation services

[jackramsdalephotography]

The Importance of Artwork Documentation Services in Philadelphia: Protecting Your Art Investment

Whether you are a collector, artist, or gallery owner, keeping track of your artwork is essential to ensure its value, provenance, and protection. Artwork documentation services in Philadelphia are designed to help you safeguard your collection while ensuring its authenticity and proper care. These services play a crucial role in the art world by offering detailed records, condition reports, and various other forms of documentation that are vital for the artwork's history, ownership, and preservation.

What Artwork Documentation Services Include

Artwork documentation services in Philadelphia offer a variety of services that cater to the needs of artists, collectors, and institutions. These services typically include detailed condition reports, high-quality photographic documentation, and written descriptions of the artwork. Condition reports are particularly valuable, as they provide a comprehensive assessment of the artwork's current state. These reports cover details such as any existing damage, previous restoration work, and any factors that might affect the piece's long-term preservation.

In addition to condition reports, professional documentation services often include a detailed cataloging system, which organizes your artwork based on factors like medium, size, and artist. This catalog serves as a valuable reference, making it easier to track your collection for inventory purposes or for insurance evaluations. Photography services are another key component, with high-resolution images that accurately capture the artwork’s details, allowing you to assess its condition over time.

The Benefits of Using Artwork Documentation Services in Philadelphia

Working with experts in artwork documentation ensures that your art is preserved and protected with the utmost care. One of the primary benefits is that it provides an additional layer of security for your investment. Professional documentation helps prevent the misidentification or loss of artwork, as it includes detailed and accurate information that can help you recover a stolen piece or verify its authenticity if needed.

Another major advantage is the increased value that properly documented artwork holds. Whether you plan to sell, exhibit, or simply ensure your collection is properly insured, having documentation that proves authenticity, condition, and provenance can make a significant difference in the piece’s marketability.

Additionally, artwork documentation services in Philadelphia also offer a level of expertise that comes with years of experience in the art industry. These professionals are trained to recognize even the smallest details that could impact the artwork’s value, condition, or historical significance. This ensures that the documentation provided is thorough, accurate, and invaluable for any future transactions.

Conclusion

In the world of fine art, proper documentation is key to preserving the integrity and value of a collection. Artwork documentation services in Philadelphia provide crucial services that safeguard your artwork, enhance its market value, and ensure its authenticity. Whether you are an artist, collector, or gallery owner, working with professional documentation experts is a smart investment that guarantees the long-term security and success of your art collection. By choosing reliable artwork documentation services, you can rest assured that your pieces are fully protected and will retain their value for years to come.

[todaysdocument]

Artwork: "Launch Preparation - NASA Weather Satellite - Vandenberg AFB". Artist: David Rose, USAF Art Collection

Record Group 330: Records of the Office of the Secretary of DefenseSeries: Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files

Original caption for top drawing: David Rose, 11-7-84, Approx 10 hours to space shuttle weather satellite launch for Nat’l Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin.

Vandenberg AFB

Original caption for lower drawing: Space shuttle launch site/Vandenberg AFB

Preparing for launch

This document consists of two drawings in colored pencil.  The top drawing shows a launch tower during the day time.  It is surrounded by lower buildings.  Hills are in the background.

The lower drawing shows the same launch site at night.

[nifexchange24]

Announcing: The Nirvana in Fire Fanwork Exchange 2024

Sign-ups — 1st-14th Oct

Prompt claiming — 17th-21st Oct

Assignments — 24th Oct

Check-in — 1st-5th Dec

Deadline — 21st Dec

Gift reveals — 25th Dec

Creator reveals — 31st Dec

The Nirvana in Fire Fanwork Exchange is an event for anyone who's a fan of the show Nirvana in Fire, its sequel series The Wind Blows in Changlin, the novel, manhua, audio drama and any other associated media I've forgotten.

It takes the form of an anonymous fanwork gift exchange: gifters will be matched with recipients based on prompts submitted by participants during sign-up. All participants will create a gift and receive one.

The event is open to all types of fanworks: fic, vids, visual art, crafts, podfic, etc.

Announcements will be crossposted to Tumblr, Discord and Dreamwidth.

If you would like an invite to the Langya Hall discord server, which has a channel for discussing the exchange, please let me know.

How It Works

During the sign-up period, you will be able to submit a Google Form with a list of 3 prompts for fanworks you would like to receive, as well as space to list any Do/Do Not Wants. The link will be posted on the DW community, the Langya Hall discord, and on this Tumblr.

On 17th Oct, participants will be sent an anonymous list of sets of prompts and asked to rank their top 5 choices. Once all participants have responded, the mods will do their best to match everyone according to their preferences.

On 24th Oct, participants will be sent their individual assignment: the prompt list of the person they have been matched with, along with that person's AO3 username.

On 31st Oct, the prompt list will be made public, for anyone, whether they signed up or not, to creat additional 'treats' for the prompters.

There will be a mandatory check-in 1st-5th Dec. Participants will be asked whether they are on track to complete a gift by the final deadline of 21st Dec. Participants who miss this deadline without contacting the mods will be assumed to have defaulted and their assignment will be sent to a pinch-hitter.

Gifts should be submitted to the AO3 collection (still under construction) by the end of the day on 21st Dec. Participants will still be able to make edits, but the gift should be in a giftable state by then.

On 25th Dec, the gifts will be revealed: everyone will be able to see all works in the collection, though the creators will still remain anonymous.

On 31st Dec, the names of the creators will be revealed.

TL;DR: Sign up with prompts, choose the prompts you'd like to fill, make a thing, post a thing, get a thing, shower your fellow creators with love and comments.

Minimum gift requirements

Treats

Fic: 500 words

Podfic: 5 mins

Art: 1 artwork (B&W or colored)

Video: 30 secs to 1 min, depending on complexity

Crafts: 1 picture and/or documentation of the finished project

If you don't want to sign up as a full exchange participant, you can still create fills for prompts as 'treats'. The prompt list will be made public on 31st Oct. Treats can be posted to the AO3 community and tagged with 'NIFTREAT24'.

General Points

BYOB: Bring your own beta. In previous years, the exchange has offered a beta-matching service, but we're running at reduced capacity this year, so if you want your work beta-read, please organise this yourself.

Timezones: Deadlines for participants are 11.59pm of the date in question, wherever you might be in the world. Timings for the mod doing stuff are based on 'when I have a spare hour during that day' and I can't be more precise than that.

AO3: You'll be able to add your work to the Nirvana in Fire 2024 Exchange collection on AO3 (currently under construction but you can see last year's collection here). If you need an AO3 invite, we can arrange this, but please let me know before December if possible.

Contact a mod: If you're in the Langya Hall discord server, feel free to ping me @ sinni-ok-sessi on there, or @ withans for a PM. You can also contact me @sinni-ok-sessi or via the @nifexchange24 Tumblr. Nominally I am on Dreamwidth, but I almost never remember to check it, so that's not your best bet. If you sign up, you will receive instructions for how to email me.

[backslashdelta]

I like to think that if you're in a fandom space posting AI art, it's because you just aren't aware of why that might be a problem.

So in case you aren't aware: the generative AI you might be using to create "fanart" is trained on a countless number of artworks created by artists whose permission was not asked. Or maybe it was, technically, intentionally buried in a terms of service document somewhere, or in an update which they could either accept or else delete an entire social media account with years of history. This "art" is only possible because of stolen art. When you post images created by generative AI, you are supporting that.

Also, fandom is about creation and community. Individuals and groups creating art of all sorts, and sharing it with each other. When you post AI art... you haven't really created anything. To me at least, that's kind of detracting from what fandom is about. I want to share and raise up works of art that my community has worked hard to create, not something generative AI spit out from a couple key word inputs.

I can't tell anybody here what to do. If you are posting AI art, I'm sure there are some people who will like it, who will share it, who will be happy to do so. But there will also be people who aren't happy about it. There will be people – and especially artists – who will be frustrated to see other people in their community who support this technology that has stolen directly from them. There will be people who will block you, who will refuse to interact with your posts, and it will make your community smaller.

I understand it's tempting, especially if you aren't an artist yourself. But if you want art that fits a specific prompt, there are other ways to get it that actually support the fandom community: submit your prompt to a fanartist who accepts prompts, or commission someone for a piece of art, or even give it a try yourself and start learning to actually make art!

I don't hate AI as a whole. I think there are a lot of really amazing things we can do with AI, if it's used correctly. But posting AI fanart is not one of them.

[shroomerr]

OPENING 1 COMMISSION SLOT !!!

SLOTS ARE NOW CLOSED !!!

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT !!! <3333333

Hihi y’all !! I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now, but I had a school assignment that gave me the opportunity to finally kickstart my commissions! For now, I’m only opening 1 slot because of my busy schedule. Once that slot is filled, I’ll have to close my commissions (I will likely reopen them sometime this summer if possible).

If you’re interesting in commissioning me, please contact me through DM’s or via email at shroomer.illustration@gmail.com ! Please also make sure to carefully read my ToS below before you contact me.

I hope you’re as excited as I am, and thank you as always for your support!! Reblogs are also super appreciated 🫶🫶🫶 LOVE YOU ALL !

Terms and Conditions:

General

By paying for my services, it means that you have read and accepted my Terms and Conditions. 

Terms of Service and Prices are subject to change at anytime. You are only subject to the ToS and prices agreed upon at the time of the transaction.

I reserve the right to reject a commission for any reason.

All artwork is transferred digitally.

Payment

Payments will only be accepted through PayPal, in USD. I require 50% upfront or full payment before starting a commission. Once I accept your commission, I will send an invoice via PayPal. Only once the invoice is paid will I start working on your commission. If the invoice is not paid, I will have to cancel the commission.

Price can vary based on the amount of detail. 

Refunds will only be allowed if nothing has started. I do not allow refunds after the sketch approval.

Deadlines

Depending on my workload, the turnaround time should take no longer than 4 weeks. I will provide an estimate time for completion, and/or indicate if there is a delay in completing your commission. 

You may request a WIP at any time. I will try my best to respond as soon as possible.

Usage Policy

My artwork is for personal use only. No commercial use of my artwork is allowed. 

I reserve the right to my artwork and the right to post it. If you would like your commission to be private and not published on social media, please let me know!

If you would like to post your commission on social media, please be sure to include my signature or to tag me in the post. 

You may not use my artwork for any kind of Generative AI Training or for NFTs. 

Other

Please provide at least one clear visual reference for original character illustrations. It could be your own artwork, other commissioned work, or even a PIcrew. If not, descriptions and a moodboard/inspiration board can be accepted, though extra will be charged. 

I will only allow 2 major changes (ex: poses, characters) and 3 minor changes (ex: colors, accessories) during the sketch and colouring process. Any more beyond this will include additional charges.

For all lineart commissions, I do not allow having other commissioned artists to color it in. If the client would like, they can color it in themselves to be used as a visual guide or for personal use. However, I do not allow that modified version to be posted anywhere. 

I would also like to be transparent and say that because this is for a school assignment, I have to document the process of this commission, but I will not include your identity nor the contents of your commission! Everything will remain 100% anonymous. 

[beardedmrbean]

CONCORD, N.H. — A New Hampshire town’s attempt to force a bakery to remove or alter its painting that shows sunbeams shining down on a mountain range of doughnuts, a muffin, a cinnamon roll and other pastries is unconstitutional, a judge ruled in a First Amendment dispute.

The town of Conway infringed on the free speech rights of bakery owner Sean Young, U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante ruled Monday, following a one-day trial in February.

He ordered the town to stop any efforts at enforcing its sign code regarding the mural painted by high school students atop Leavitt’s Country Bakery, mentioning a “complete disconnect between what the ordinance purports to regulate and the town’s enforcement, as well as the illogical way it applied and explained that enforcement” to Leavitt’s.

“I’m thrilled that the students’ artwork can remain up, I’m thrilled that my First Amendment rights have been vindicated, and I’m thrilled that the community can continue to enjoy the beautiful piece of art,” Young said in a statement. “I think our mural is a wonderful depiction of everything that makes the Mount Washington Valley such a great place to live.”

Young asked for $1 in damages. A lawyer representing Conway said they were disappointed by the outcome, but agreed with Laplante that the town and its officials “conducted themselves conscientiously and in good faith in managing town business.”

The community of more than 10,000 people in the White Mountains draws skiers, nature lovers and shoppers. Some residents want regulations enforced as they worry about overdevelopment in the tourist town.

When the mural went up in June 2022, it attracted a lot of compliments and visitors, including one from a town zoning officer.

The zoning board decided that the painting was not so much art as advertising. The board determined it was a sign, and so it could not remain as is because of its size. At about 90 square feet (8.4 square meters), it’s four times bigger than the local sign code allows.

If the painting didn’t show what’s sold inside — baked goods — it wouldn’t be considered a sign and could stay, board members said.

Gay Moceri, a former English teacher living in nearby Freedom, New Hampshire, said the town’s efforts to remove the sign were sending a “horrible” message to students “who had worked hard to do something so beautiful to contribute to the community.”

”I’ve had a grin on my face ever since I got the news because you stick to your guns and you fight for what you know is right, and sometimes the little guy does win,” she said. “I’m happy for him, and I’m happy for the community that we get to keep this beautiful piece of art.”

James Lewkowicz, who stopped by the donut shop with his golden retriever Tehya to offer congratulations Tuesday, called the town’s approach to the situation “illogical.”

“We’re really happy — at least I am,” said Lewkowicz, who has a house in Jackson and has been spending time in the area for 40 years. “I thought the town was mean. It’s little kids’ paintings. I just hope the kids who painted it are still around to come back and have a donut party.”

The town has shown that “restricting the size of signs serves the significant government interest of preserving the town’s aesthetics, promoting safety, and ensuring equal enforcement,” lawyers for Conway said in a court document.

Laplante said Conway’s interests “are undermined if the only regulated displays are those that depict products or services sold on the premises where the display is, and no others.”

Young sued in 2023 after he was told to modify or remove the painting, which he said was never intended to be a sign. He was faced with possible misdemeanor criminal charges and fines after his appeals were rejected.

Both sides agreed in court that the town’s definition of a sign is very broad. Even the judge said it seemed to include “everything.”

A sign in Conway is “any device, fixture, placard, structure or attachment thereto that uses color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol, or writing to advertise, announce the purpose of, or identify the purpose of any person or entity, or to communicate information of any kind to the public, whether commercial or noncommercial.”

The town “will continue to work conscientiously and in good faith to ensure that the constitutional rights of all are not infringed, while maintaining public safety and Conway’s natural beauty,” Brooke Lovett Shilo, one of the lawyers representing Conway, said in a statement Monday.

[chapelofmyheart]

Amulets of Early Christianity ~

Firstly, what are amulets?

"Amulets are objects imbued with magical properties that protect against bad luck, illness and evil. Amulets are universal and are answers to age-old needs: to be healthy; to be virile and fertile; to be powerful and successful; to have good fortune." -Occult World

Back in ancient Rome, at the beginning of Christianity, early Christians resorted to the traditional practice of using amulets to protect themselves from harm and to bring blessings. Christian preachers insisted on their fellow Christians to make the sign of the cross or use holy water or holy oil from a priest or monk as a replacement for amulets, but the use of amulets still continued to be practiced by the early Christians.

Amulets composed of animal and vegetable matter have perished throughout the centuries but amulets made in the forms of figurines, carved stones, papyrus texts, parchment, potsherds, wood, and metal have survived. Written amulets give an insight on how Christian prayers and worship effected how these amulets were made, including a collide of Paganism and Christianity in certain texts. Some amulets contained short spells with artwork of Christian symbols. This is one example of a merge between Paganism and Christianity within the writing of an amulet, “I bind you, Artemisian scorpion, 315 times. Protect this house with its inhabitants from every evil, from all bewitchment, […] from the sting of scorpion and snake.” The spell then follows with, “Give protection, O Lord, son of David according to the flesh, born of the Holy Virgin Mary, O holy, highest God, of the Holy Spirit. Glory to you, O heavenly King. Amen.”

Some amulets contained Christianity mixed with a Greco-Egyptian chant. Other amulets had chants that were dedicated to calling out for the assistance of a saint or biblical figure, a common saying in these chants were “now, now, now, quickly, quickly, quickly”. These amulets also relied on the use of words snd works from the bible, rather than using such things from non-Christian amulets.

Many amulets consist of bible passages or passages from liturgical services. Psalm 91 was popular among amulets, even with Jewish amulets. The Lord's prayer was also popular. Occasionally, amulets spoke of the correspondence between Jesus and King Agbar of Edessa, for healing and protection due to this being in Jesus's promise. Some amulets seem to have the intention of being used in rituals to exorcise evil spirits with the use of the creed.

When looking at the amulets, they show the different skills of their creators. Some amulets seem to have been written by a high skilled scribe while others seem to have been written by people who could barely write. Most amulets were found in common places, documents, letters, and personal copies of books. Some words were written as they would have been pronounced, instead of in proper Greek. This shows how some amulets were probably written by memory for chants and devotional texts.

Here are some examples of amulets

Source: Archeological Views: Christian Amulets-A Bit of Old, a Bit of New

[edendawg]

hello! I am a 23 year old self-employed, disabled, transmasc creative living in the us faced with rent and bills I can't pay due to “unemployment” and refusal of disability payments by state and federal government. i need to raise money and get a job asap because I don't have enough to pay to survive.

rest of description and health update below the cut ↓

I need to raise/ make $250 USD before the end of January, and I'm hoping at least half of that can come from donations, as with recent developments, I'm in a near complete shutdown. it's hard to do anything because my brain is making my body go into survival mode, and I'm constantly bombarded with body pain and headaches and nausea. I'm scared for my friends. family, and myself, and want to give up

I make art and write poetry full time, but marketing with no way to pay for advertising online doesn't get me very far, so please share this if you can. I have some examples of my work available and more if you shoot me a message, but my creative skills are mainly in freewritten poetry, acrylic painting, mix media collage/ collage poetry, anthro character design and artwork, graphic design/ logo work, and minimal web design (not the coding side, but like wix and such). I'm also experienced in tech writing, blog/ article writing, customer service, sales, and more.

I am offering lowered rates on all custom work for a limited time, with traditional media pay rates dropping from $70/hr to $45/hr and digital media from sliding scale $30-50/hr to a flat $25/hr. I'll run discounts on any finished pieces that spark interest. I don't have an hourly rate for poetry, I'd do something like $5/15 lines or send a document with 5 premade poems for $5

if you have any leads for remote work, or you yourself could use some load lightened that you could pay me to do, please reach out. my state's minimum wage is $15/hr, but depending on the work, I'd be hoping to work closer to $20/hr based on experience and education. I really only need to make $150 a week to survive, so a part time gig or two would help me at least afford food, bills, meds, and doctors

thank you for sharing and supporting me at this time. donation links available on request, message here or DM floraternum on discord for more information

--

--

physical & mental health cw!!↓

as far as my health goes, I have a bug right now, my tummy is uncooperative, my head hurts all the time, my back and neck and hands hurt all the time. this on top of the aches I'm always dealing with, it's rough. and between my anxiety about the anti trans stuff going in in the us and tension and problems on this planet, the OCD, autism, ADHD, bipolar, etc are all aligning to make the most unbearable and just LOUD depression of my recent memory. brain is just a lot to deal with and I don't know how I'm supposed to support myself through much more than surviving rn.

[usafphantom2]

Lockheed Martin Will Integrate Next-Generation Infrared Defensive Sensors on F-22 Raptor

The F-22 will receive an embedded set of TacIRST sensors as part of the Infrared Defensive System to enhance aircraft survivability and lethality.

Stefano D'Urso

F-22 Infrared Defensive System

Lockheed Martin announced on Jan. 22, 2025, that it has been awarded a $270 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to integrate a system of next-generation infrared defensive sensors on the F-22 Raptor. The system, known as the Infrared Defensive System (IRDS), will add a distributed set of embedded TacIRST sensors to enhance the F-22’s survivability and lethality.

The F-22 will receive an embedded set of TacIRST sensors as part of the Infrared Defensive System to enhance aircraft survivability and lethality.TacIRSTF-22 upgrades

TacIRST

TacIRST, or Tactical Infrared Search and Track, is a next-generation sensor developed by Lockheed Martin which allows to detect and track airborne threats with weapon-quality accuracy, says the company. The multifunction sensor, which can be used for both reconnaissance and threat-warning, features a compact design with a very small form factor and is based on an open architecture.

“We understand the need for advanced and versatile infrared systems like IRDS that will make pilots’ missions more survivable and lethal against current and future adversaries,” said Hank Tucker, vice president of Missions Systems at Lockheed Martin. “We’re committed to supporting the Air Force through continuous innovation of capabilities to deter and defeat evolving threats.”

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor prepares to be refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Oct. 10, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Willis)

Compared to traditional IRST which features round windows, TacIRST is based on a smaller staring sensor much more similar to the windows of the F-35’s Distributed Aperture System. This makes it ideal for installation on the F-22 as the sensors will be flush with the surfaces of the aircraft, since the statement from Lockheed Martin mentions that the system will be embedded in the F-22 instead of pods.

In the past, there were unconfirmed reports about the technology behind TacIRST possibly being related to upgrades to the F-22’s current AN/AAR-56 Missile Launch Detector (MLD). Given the sensitivity of the F-22 program, the statement does not delve into details, so it is unclear if the IRDS will completely replace the AAR-56 or just its sensors.

F-22 upgrades

The F-22 is receiving a plethora of upgrades as part of an improvement campaign that calls for $7.8 billion in investments before 2030, which includes $3.1 billion for research and development and $4.7 billion in procurement. While the Air Force previously planned to retire the oldest Raptors, the service now appears to be reconsidering that plan and focusing on sustaining an air superiority combat capability for a highly contested environment.

Some of the upgrades expected for the F-22 Raptor were unveiled in the Fiscal Year 23 budget request documentation and in an official artwork shared by Gen. Mark Kelly, then Commander of Air Combat Command. In the artwork we can see three Raptors loaded with new stealthy external fuel tanks, two underwing faceted pods and a new unknown air-to-air missile, but there are even more novelties in the documents, which unveils a previously undisclosed relationship between the F-22 and the development of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD).

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor performs a sharp aerial maneuver above the flight line during the 2024 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Airshow in San Diego, Sept. 28, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Seferino Gamez)

Two years after the upgrades were announced, we might have gotten, earlier in 2024, the first glimpse of the new stealthy external fuel tanks being developed for the F-22 Raptor. The aircraft was, in fact, spotted near the Mojave Air and Space Port and shows the Raptor with two fuel tanks, whose shape is reminiscent of the one shown in 2022.

The new tanks are officially known as Low Drag Tank and Pylon (LDTP) and designed to be stealthier and more aerodynamically efficient than the current 600-gallon fuel tanks. In the FY2023 budget request, the Air Force mentioned that the F-22 LDTPs are advanced technological designs providing increased persistence and range while maintaining lethality and survivability, critical to future mission execution and to maintaining Air Superiority.

The low drag tanks are intended to reduce drag, facilitate supersonic flight with external tanks and extend the range of the F-22. The pylons are equipped with smart rack pneumatic technology to accurately control ejection performance and smooth wind swept surface for minimum drag without stores.

The two pods installed under the outer underwing hardpoints have already been spotted during flight testing on an F-22 at the Air Force’s Plant 42 facility in Palmdale, California, in February 2022. The latest budget documents mention an InfraRed Search and Track (IRST) sensor being developed for the F-22, which is now confirmed to be the sensor housed inside the two pods, although they could host also other capabilities in addition to the IRST.

In July 2024 we got an up-close look at one of the pods installed under a Rockwell Sabreliner 65 testbed after a test campaign at Nellis AFB, Nevada. It would have been expected to see some kind of transparent surface associated with the IRST, however the surfaces on the nose of the pod appeared to be opaque. We still cannot exclude that there are two different variants of the pod, depending on the equipment inside.

F-22 new sensors

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and Philippine Air Force FA-50PH light jet fighters conduct joint combined exchange training, above Basa Air Force Base, Philippines, on Aug. 9, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mitchell Corley)

The last upgrade featured in the artwork is a new unknown air-to-air missile. While there are a number of air-to-air missile programs in the works, it is possible that the one in the image could be a representative design, which may or may not correspond to the real deal, for the highly secretive AIM-260 missile. So far, the missile has never been depicted in any kind of image and details about the program are very scarce.

The development of the AIM-260, also called Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, was first unveiled in 2019 and has been in the works at least since 2017. The goal of the new long-range air-to-air missile is to replace the AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile) and counter the threat posed by the Chinese PL-15 missile, while avoiding any foreign threats being able to outrange the AIM-120.

Among the few known technical details, the new missile will be compatible with the AMRAAM dimensions, but obviously with greater range, and is planned to be carried in the F-22 weapons bay and on the F/A-18 at first, with the F-35 to follow. Flight tests are already in progress and the missile is expected to be fielded by next year. Because of these reasons, it would be reasonable to suppose that the one shown in the image could be at least a hint at the AIM-260.

Other upgrades mentioned in the budget request are a Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), Link 16 and Multifunction Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS), a new Operational Fight Program, advanced radar Electronic Protection, Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation System (INS) Modernization (EGI-M), Open System Architecture (OSA), new encrypted radios.

A new helmet is also being tested by F-22 pilots, as part of the Next Generation Fixed Wing Helmet program to replace the current HGU-55P helmet, which has been the standard issued helmet for the last 40 years. The goal is to provide pilots a more comfortable, stable, and balanced platform to accommodate helmet-mounted devices usage without imposing neck strain and discomfort to the user.

F-22 Indonesia

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, conduct Dynamic Force Employment operations at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Air Force Base, Indonesia, on Aug. 6, 2024. Through bilateral training, the U.S. and Indonesian Air Forces work together to promote interoperability, thus furthering our investments and strengthening our relationships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mitchell Corley)

Despite various integration efforts in the past, the F-22 is not equipped yet with a helmet that provides the essential flight and weapon aiming information through line of sight imagery: the shape of the Raptor’s canopy, optimized to preserve Low Observability, doesn’t allow enough range of motion and minimum visibility to a pilot wearing the JHMCS or the Scorpion.

In 2024, during the Life Cycle Industry Days conference, Brig. Gen. Jason D. Voorheis, Program Executive Officer for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft mentioned that the F-22 conducted six flight test efforts to demo advanced sensors. He also added that the service is planning for a rapid prototyping effort to get these sensors fielded quickly in the near future.

@TheAviationist.com

[jackramsdalephotography]

The Art of Perspective: How Jack Ramsdale Transforms Corporate Imagery.

Jack Ramsdale, is recognized for his exceptional work for businesses in the aerial, corporate, industrial and architectural photography industry. Jack is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and provides high-quality services to a wide range of companies and organizations and individuals. He is skilled in executing both traditional and alternative photography services, producing both eye-catching and unique work. For more visit: https://jackramsdalephotography.com/

[ranchracoon]

Body, Flesh, and Bones Ch. 7 "Homework"

Chapter 6

You've never done anything official like this and it takes you a moment to get adjusted to all the information laid out before you. The math part is simple enough but without a calculator you have to scribble it all by hand. Everything is very organized and documented, including the "services" used to kidnap you and the others! It doesn't directly say 'human trafficking' but it does say 'hiring services' which can only mean one thing. You work the entire day, ignoring all other stimuli until the opening door startles you from your trance. The Lady walks in, shedding light into the now darkened room which you hadn't noticed until just now. 

Looking around you see it's well past sundown through a crack in the curtains on the windows. You look back at her then at the finished report in your hands, nervous if you should say your findings or not. She said she knew the outcome from this quarter, maybe this is the real test; if you'll tell the truth, knowing it may lead to the death of another. Your stomach churns in a hungry manner for the first time since the party, and you shake the feeling away before holding up the files. 

"There's a discrepancy."

The Lady takes the folder, "where?"

"Whomever you're using for your....hiring services is charging you more than previously."

"How much?"

"At least a hundred per head. Unless they're giving you a different amount each time."

The Lady takes the folders and shifts through the papers, scanning over your work like a hawk scanning for a field mouse. There's a pregnant pause as she shifts through before she slams the file down on the desk, causing a loud cracking noise. Perhaps she didn't know. She stares down at you before pinching her nose to recompose herself. 

"Thank you for this. The previous person in your position neglected to share this information so now I will have to schedule a meeting with them, and find another service" she scoffs the last part. 

It takes every bit to maintain a neutral expression but you want to scowl, buying humans is inconvenient? You would hope so, but she says it like they brought in the wrong coloring pallet for painting a room. How many of these, 'services' has she gone through? She dismisses you and leaves the room without another word, you stand and stretch finally. Your whole body pops and cracks from the movement as you step around the desk and into the hallway, the light barely reaching the center. It's eerily quiet unlike before when the hallways were filled witht he footsteps of others, but now only yours creak the floorboards. It hinges like your weight is heavier than your actual mass, priceless artwork shifts as if you're stomping your feet. You stop walking for a brief moment when you think you hear a whisper, but it turns out to be nothing but your imagination.

You're not sure how much more of this you can take, at least you don't have to do physical labor like the others, but you much rather prefer that than this. You assume the previous person is long gone, but what if they're weren't? Are you willing to sacrifice your life for the sake of another? Tell the truth even though it may lead to another person being disposed of? When you read stories about vampires and monsters, you never really thought about the implications of their lifestyles. The silence is interrupted by a long droning sound getting louder and louder, closer and closer until it's practically on top of you and forms into a tall woman. Not as tall as the Lady that's for certain, but still much taller than you. She eyes you up and down, she looks similar to the one you met before only she has red hair, and her necklace is a different color, at least the gem in the center is. You think.

"Mmm naughty naughty being out past curfew" the woman giggles.

"I was on my way back to my chambers, the Lady-"

"Excuses. I don't want to hear any, I only want to hear you scream."

There's another low droning sound that quickly appears from behind you, blocking off any means of escape as you back into the next figure to appear. The woman from before with the brunette hair who showed you Onsen's room, which is now yours.

"Not this one Daniela" the woman says with authority.

"Awe come on! I finally find one and I can't touch her? Why not?"

"This one is mother's, and from what I hear, she's not very good."

"So unfair" the redhead known as Daniela scoffs. 

She disappears into her swarm when a hand grabs you by the shoulder and spins you around, the brunette scowls. 

"What are you doing outside past curfew?"

"I was helping the Lady with some reports."

"I will confirm that in the morning, should I find out you're lying I'll cut out your tongue."

You swallow and nod your head as she waves her hand and you run off to your chambers while slamming the door behind you. The bed calls to you as you fall onto it and crash for the evening. The next morning you awaken to find that this all is, in fact, not a nightmare. With a heavy sigh you wash up and start your journey to the kitchens, not sure why, you know you won't eat but you don't have anywhere else to go. That low droning joins you as another woman begins walking beside you, out of the corner of your eye you see her sickle but not much else. 

"Your story checks out, but I wouldn't make a habit of being out past curfew."

"Understood" you reply. 

She walks with you through the main hallway, her steps are heavy and almost clumsy like she's not used to walking. Once at the main hall you both turn to the dining room and you turn to go to the kitchen. 

"Where do you think you're going?"

You freeze, swallowing thickly as you turn around to face the Lady who stares through you, she's on one side of the table with three chairs across from her on the other side. There's a singular chair beside her that she motions to and you take it without saying a word. 

"I believe it's time for you all to be properly introduced though my pets don't last very long, I have a distinct feeling about you."

The Lady looks down, you feel her eyes burning into you making a shiver run up your spine as she introduces her daughters; Bela is the blond with the red gemstone, Cassandra is the brunette who walked with you this morning, and Daniela is the redhead you met last night. Sitting across from them you can see the distinct differences between them, even though from far away they look like carbon copies of each other. Daniela has a rounder face while Cassandra is more pointed, Cassandra has a bigger nose and Bela has the smallest. 

"I have a meeting with Mother Miranda this afternoon, Bela you keep an eye on this one and try to find a way of setting up a meeting with our suppliers. I think a one on one is long overdue."

"What should I have her do?" Bela tilts her chin in your direction. 

"Have her go through old reports. She found out we're being overcharged from last quarter, see if there's anything else that was missed."

You sit there silently as the other staff come through the hallway door to serve breakfast, they set down a plate in front of you, the ladies, then the Lady herself. Their plates look straight from a horror movie: bloody and raw meat still dripping and looking freshly...slaughtered. Your stomach churns with hunger but not for the food in front of you. 

Chapter 8

[bogusavathepit]

(S4) Pleasure Work Career Pack

[Non Modern]

The world runs on two things: money and pleasure. The latter esp on the most...personal. Under several power structures with their own unique hierarchies, there is always an industry of skin to cater to all walks of life and their mild to taboo fantasies. Perhaps with its own developed "hierarchies".

THE CAREERS

Pleasure Work (Full Time)

For material compensation, you practice "pleasures" for the body for any number or type of clientele at the your discretion...or elsewho's. Or "pleasure" is simply part of the actual main entertianment services depending on the circumstances.

Levels

"Part-Time Path Pacer": You take time out of your day to sell physical pleasure when you can as you do other non-pleasure services to keep yourself alive. You do not have a contract and thus you "sell" in the "streets" and by word of mouth rather than openly to protect your clients' identities if they are high-classed or high-reputed enough.

“Brothel Worker”: You have found a brothel to take you in through a contract. Any client that walks into the door and has interest, you must make sure to keep happy, especially if the owner of your contract--the current brothel owner--demands you to. The only exception is when you are already with another client.

"Top Pleasurer": You bring in the most money for the brothel and have been granted certain privileges. But there's always higher....

Branches

“Ownership”: Sims who have taken control and the documents needed to officially own the pleasure establishment. Depending on the social circumstances, they likely also have the slave or work contract of those who work at their establishment.

“Independence & Companionship”: Like a entertainer, these pleasure workers may entertain clients with conversation, knowledge, artistry on top of physically, however physical pleasure is a critical & expected service, they are unaffiliated with any brothel or pleasure establishment as they are sponsored by a patron or by the city, municipality, government, etc. where they live, AND more often than not they will have only one or two clients. They live alone and may have one or two servants or a huge residence of many, thus also becoming the heads of their own households. They do not perform on stage. Some may not can be universally known as just a prime beauty and be solely known as that even with their talents having brought them to that position. These are the pleasure workers some entertainers accompany as instrument players. Many even become concubines of important players in society if they become so beloved. "Independence" is a bit of a misnomer as their lifestyle is dependent on their patron or lover's happiness with them, but this is the position with the most freedom they may get.

Pleasure Work- Private Entertainment (Part Time)

Unlike ordinary pleasure workers, more often than not, these sims either do not sell pleasure physically at all or to just a few clients. And if they don't they service artistically, intellectually, etc.

Their main role is to professionally entertain clients, usually at parties in restaurants, teahouses, plays, symposiums, etc., but they also perform at festivals and on stage singing, playing instruments, or dancing. At times, they may play various instruments for pleasure workers. They sometimes are also expected to be proficient conversationalists and hosts by keep guests entertained by playing games and making witty conversation. some may even have similar access to high artwork and literature to be able to discuss such to their clients, thus some might have long term relationships with clients.

Base Level: 

"Entertainer": You have amazing skills in conversation, music, art, or literature and accompany pleasure workers for their client's entertainment. Usually you do not provide those same physical services, but....the lines can get blurred.

Go Check it out or Download

[twishumi]

Welcome to Twishu's Commission Info Center!!

COMMISSIONS ARE OPEN!!

💙 SHOUTOUT and HUGE THANKS to zhade_ill for the amazing and aesthetic graphic design for my commission sheet!! Please commission them as well!

💚 Visit my VGen profile to view one of my samples in each service vgen.co/twishumi

❄️ Commission Info and ToS (Google Docs ver.) docs.google.com/document/d/1C...

Payment method 🌙 Local [Philippines] - GCash / Maya / SeaBank / BDO / CIMB 🌙 International: PayPal / Wise / Ko-fi / Fiverr

🦈 Upon the confirmation of commission, you are required to agree to the terms of service mentioned above. Otherwise, your request will be cancelled.

🫐 To proceed with commission, please submit the request form via VGen, DM, e-mail, or Google Form. Provide some pictures for references and details in order for an artist to easily follow what exactly you want. This is to avoid the misunderstanding and miscommunication between a client and an artist.

🐟 Once commission is done, the final product will be delivered via VGen, Gmail or Google Drive folder. The file format is PNG or JPEG.

⭐ If you are interested, please do not hesitate to DM me and if you have any concerns regarding this, please message me and I would gladly help you out!

🩵You may visit my social media at the end to see more artworks!. ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧

SOCIAL MEDIA

Gmail - twishumi@gmail.com

VGen - @twishumi

Discord - @twishumi

Cara - @twishumi

Instagram - @twishumi

Youtube - @twishumi

FB page - @twishumi

Tumblr - @twishumi

Threads - @twishumi

Ko-fi - @twishumi

Fiverr - @twishumi

Patreon - @twishumi

Bluesky - @twishumi

Twitter - @twishumi

[jakey-beefed-it]

So as many of you may recall, I got a house in FFXIV earlier this week, and it's a lovely house on the beach and everything. I've been decorating it like a madman ever since, and it's almost entirely done, absent like three major items.

The theme of the place is that it's a residence and business both, where Varian operates "The Ironcrow Agency," selling his services as a bounty hunter for those who can't or won't go to the authorities. With Varian being a brown-skinned cowboy gaijin ruffian living in the residential district of Kugane, I made the house predominantly western (as in Eorzean/European) in design, and as Western (as in cowboy) as I could make it.

The orchestrion inside is always playing the daytime music from Shaaloani- some cowboy blues guitar sound.

Now I know not everyone is gonna give a shit, but hey, some of you might, so under a cut, I am gonna post pictures of it and do a lil tour.

First up you have the front gate, with lots of lovely trees, a streetlight, and stepping stones leading up to the stone and wood house.

There are also stepping stones leading to the shaded deck overlooking the beach

And one of the trees has a treehouse in it, which Varian absolutely would have built for the twins without stopping to think they're like, late teens even though they look like 13. They're baby. They're HIS babies.

Coming in the front door, you can immediately see the reception desk thing on the left, and the open plan living room and study (left to right).

The living room is pretty cozy, the only things it's lacking at this point are the behemoth trophy to be mounted on the wall and a bearskin rug to go in front of the fire

Beside that is the little study area/den, with a display cabinet full of plushes and toys that the twins are far too old for (but maybe they cuddle one or two of the plushes sometimes)

The kitchen and dining room are to the right as you enter. I still need an icebox for the kitchen (note the milk sitting out on the counter, going bad) but otherwise it's done.

Though not quite so far to the right as the little nook beside the stairs to the top floor, which has a little desk for any business that can get knocked out in a hurry. And fishing poles right by the door for when Varian wants to go fishin'.

Heading upstairs, the first thing you'd see are my portraits of all the available field Scions, adults to the left

and babies to the right

The first door on the left is the bathroom, complete with a nice hot tub and a phasmascape depicting the royal menagerie of Ala Mhigo, which is where Varian was born (though he was a refugee from the age of 8 and finished growing up in Ul'dah) (the door on the right leads to Varian's room)

Turning around, here's the sink, some towels, the toilet i cobbled together out of 3 different decorations, and the moogle bathmat/rug.

From the hallway, the second door on the left is Varian's room. In this picture you can see his desk, somewhat cluttered with: some private correspondence and/or sensitive documents squirreled away in his room a takeout bag because he can't be bothered to actually cook for just himself the burritos he took from said takeout bag and/or had as leftovers from a meal he DID make for his friends a mug of coffee a cigar (because they don't allow cigarettes but cigars are apparently fine)

Turning around you can see the lovely fireplace, wardrobe, artwork, and sad bachelor* laundry pile overflowing the basket

Directly across the hall from Varian's room is the 'guest' bedroom, with room to sleep up to two guests! The two guests he is always hoping for are the twins, of course, but theoretically if Thancred or Estinien or someone wanted to crash that's also fine as long as they don't touch Alphy's artwork

Heading down to the basement, you have the 'business' space, where Varian operates his 'bounty hunting' side hustle- the main impetus behind which is the corruption of law enforcement in... literally every city in any of the 3 continents of Aldenard, but specifically the Sekisegumi in Kugane where this house is. There's the desk and records and a little waiting area.

To the left of that are a pair of small jail cells- sometimes you want to bring someone in alive, and sometimes you just need a place to stuff someone for a night until they sober up and can be cut loose again.

Other adventurers/bounty hunters and contacts coming by pretty often could use a meal and a rest, and of course you've got to feed any guests or prisoners passing through, so there's a fair bit of food available.

And of course, no cowboy bounty hunter hideout is complete without a saloon, albeit a small one that shows off some of Varian's more impressive fishing catches. To the left there, behind the screens, is another door leading to a very very small room full of disguise stuff (all the 'mummer's' items from the fashion report boutique), a bunk bed that can sleep two, and two chests- one full of weapons and one full of cash. That's the little safehouse the Sekiseigumi absolutely does not know about. I'd post pictures of it, too, but it's so cramped that it's genuinely hard to get any decent pictures. And it's funnier this way tbh; 'no you can't see the secret hideout it's SECRET'.

Anyhow yeah, it's mostly done! I really enjoy this stupid little fake house for my stupid little made up video game hero and his stupid prominent NPC kids. I hope you found this amusing if you read the whole damn thing.

*Varian's not actually a bachelor in that he absolutely got together with Lyse over the course of Stormblood, but she's been largely offscreen and busy being a world leader since so he's functionally a bachelor because he probably doesn't see her very often and instead is on his lonesome. So yeah- ordering takeout instead of using his big lovely kitchen, letting the laundry slide for a week, and taking off for fishing trips when the house feels too big -he's living the sad parts of the bachelor life without any of the supposed 'fun' parts :V

[scotianostra]

On August 28th 1839 The Eglinton Tournament began.

By the 1830s, tales of romance and chivalry inspired an interest in the costume and events of the Middle Ages.

At the famous Eglinton Tournament, held at Eglinton Castle, Ayreshire, Scotland, the Earl and his guests dressed themselves in medieval-style costumes and took part in processions and competitions.

The tournament was open to the public and attracted tens of thousands of spectators. Participants had spent the previous year in training, both in private and in public, building up huge public interest in the event. A variety of commemorative souvenirs was produced, such as jugs or textiles. The painting of Lord Eglinton, dressed in gold armour showed his hopes and dreams for the occasion.

The form that the tournament took was a 16th-century ‘Triumph’ whereby knights on horseback attempted to strike each other’s shields by tilting with lances. It was agreed that a pitched battle, or mêlée, would be too dangerous, although a small mêlée was held at the end of the third day between two teams of four knights. Lord Eglinton had been warned by the Sheriff of Ayr that if anyone was killed during the tournament the guilty party would be charged with manslaughter, or even murder.

In the end the tournament that the Earl imagined was somewhat different, as a Glasgow newspaper reported….

“Two knights ran towards each other, at a very moderate pace indeed and attempted to poke each other with their poles, mistakenly called lances, in a manner so utterly harmless that a child need scarcely have dreaded the encounter. Not a single knight was unseated, or even made to reel in the saddle.”

According to one source around 100,000 people from all over the world attended the event, but on the first day of the tournament, the clouds were much darker than the picture shows . By coincidence the new rail line from Ayr to nearby Irvine was opened only 3 days before the Tournament opened on 28 August, 1839. On the first day, the new rail service carried almost 3000 passengers to Irvine to view the festivities. Steamships brought visitors from Liverpool and Glasgow.

At noon on the first day the skies opened and the spectators in their fine costumes found themselves soaked to the skin and not even able to see very much. A bit like the weather we have had lately in Scotland!

The reporter continues,

"I once caught a glimpse of a horse’s tail, and once a hurried view of the end of a lance. Another time I just distinguished, for an instant, the nose of a combatant, and once afterwards obtained a full view of the Marquess of Waterford, who seemed really to enjoy the fun, and to like it all the better for the mud below and the moisture above… “

The following two days the weather improved and the tournament was a resounding success and brought a renewed interest to all things Scottish, perhaps in the same way Braveheart did 25 years ago. The newspapers covered stories about it for months afterwards.

Those who took part later had portraits painted in their armour and medieval costumes, some with their Lance’s medals and trophies they won that day. Although the Earl lost a reputed £40,000 it did not dampen his enthusiasm and he went on to organise a large-scale commemoration of Robert Burns.

Such was his fame after the tournament Karl Marx described him as ‘the Don Quixote who wanted to resuscitate the tournaments of chivalry’

The Eglinton Estate is now a country park, very little of the once grand castle remains, you can see in the background of the second pic exists, the Tournament Bridge however was recently restored to it’s former glory and looks fantastic.

Pics are of the bridge and some artwork documenting the tournament, you can see more of these at the link here https://www.mediastorehouse.com/search.html...

[xazafranx]

OPENING EMERGENCY COMISSIONS!!

‼️OPENING EMERGENCY COMMISSIONS‼️

Good day everyone! I would like to share with you that I have opened commissions in case of emergency due to various situations that have happened in my personal sphere.

I need the money to be able to support my family and myself.

I would appreciate any kind of financial support for my work if you can afford it. I also appreciate any way to share it.

I apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your attention💕

>Contact Via Md's or Email! >Email: azafranof@gmail.com >Discord: _azafran >VGen: https://vgen.co/AzaWelcomeF

Terms of Service Bellow ↓↓↓↓↓↓

>𝐀𝐳𝐚𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞<

English: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1de0U8b1lCgKg0XQU4bF3yZ4Rq4uDPFpQPKyaht0dO6c/edit?usp=sharing…

Spanish: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j6TuEO4xC65_cIlfE0E1gCftySzRZKevE209sbwa600/edit?usp=sharing…

✧Here you can find some examples of my artwork!--> https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MTKJ1R3F2ZUHN1jw8a1vEX4mWv1dpDaN?usp=sharing