Apple's abstract desktop pictures

Does anyone know how to create images similar to the abstract backgrounds that come installed with Mac OS X? I've been tring to create somthing similar but it seams like you can't create abstract art when your are trying to create abstract art. It just has to happen on its own. Anyway, I like the smooth plastic look some of the abstract backgrounds have espically the aqua blue one. http://www.people.ku.edu/~idesign/abstract_backgrounds
thanks!

look at the physical aspects of something that is made of smooth plastic. sharp highlights (the sharper the highlight, the glossier it will look) and lots of smooth curves and subtle gradations
thats the best advice i can give. dont try to create what you THINK it is supposed to look like, study photos and images of what you want to create and learn what creates that particular look.

There are as many methods of approaching this sort of task as there are people wanting to do so.

I have found, however, that a little program called ArtMatic is amazingly adept at generating an infinite variety of abstract images.

I actually tried to remake the blue one, but to no avail. Try the color burn/dodge tools. and a whole lot of patience.

Snore

I had a time when I was really into abstract art. A program like Ultra Fractal (free for download YAY!) Is pretty cool for stuff like that. It's all math stuff (sort of like vectors, but not even close. So why did I just say it's sort of like it? I don't know) Anyway. It's fun. Try 'er out. If you search altavista.com you'll deffinately find the programmers site. I think there's only like 20 pages on the subject. It's quite convinient. AND there's a webring.

My two cents.

Happy abstracting! (It's a word.... Well, to me anyways)