Love these men. Though I shouldn't after the beast of a paper I had to write about them. They were just so good at what they do though. 

Jacob A. Riis
   William H. Jackson

stillness

So we had the final critique for the semester in my painting class this morning, and it actually turned out to be really helpful and productive.  Sometimes they aren't, but I got lucky this morning.  We critiqued our last project which consisted of 4 paintings essentially of our choice. I did a series of fabric, and how fabric is sculptural, etc. that wasn't the exciting part. the part I enjoyed was when my professor made a comment on how she likes the stillness of my paintings, how there's a certain still quality to them. This got me thinking a lot, because it wasn't something I planned on.  I don't have any problems with it, the stillness just happened subconsciously.  Which got me thinking about how it's true pertaining to me in general. How I'm a still person.  Yes I can be silly and crazy sometimes, but in general I tend to be calm, and still. I don't make rash decisions, everything's always weighed and measured before I buy it, etc. I always play it safe. I tend to be the mother of whatever group of friends I'm with, despite my mere 20 years. I have no problems sitting quietly and waiting in general. I'm just a still person.  But I was thinking about the stillness again in reference to art work, and I was confused for a minute because when I'm looking at art and critiquing it in general, I'm always drawn to the vibrant, energetic paintings. The ones that practically dance right in front of you, with obvious brushstrokes and color.  And magically, this rings true to my personality as well. When it comes to people, I naturally gravitate to the crazy fun, busy people. Those people who are always moving, even if it's not physically, but mentally. Those people who are full of wit and humor. Some of my favorite people in the world are this same kind of fun, energetic, surprising people that are like the paintings that I love. Time after time when I'm painting I think about those paintings and how I wish I could paint like that, because I do, and I've tried, it just doesn't work. and that is because I am a still person, therefore a still painter, and I'm loving that about myself merely because I now know that about myself. It's good to know I do have a style, and why it's that way. 

So thanks Barbara.

beutifying the blog

I'm not so sure about this here blog design. There is a good chance it'll change soon. I decided that in order for me to be a truly dedicated blogger, my page should be cute.

end of the semester hatred

So I have one week exactly left of classes and I cannot wait for them to be done. As I previously mentioned, I have a spectacular summer planned, part of which involves sleeping which I'm anxious to get started.  The problem is, since it is the end of the semester, every single teacher of mine has decided to make sure we have more work to do than there are hours in the day. So before exams even start I have 4 paintings, one very large etching project, an 8 page paper, and two tests to take before the week is over. It does not help however that mother nature decided to skip spring entirely and go straight into summer weather in order to distract all students from the tedious mundane existence that is school. It especially does not help when I have to enclose myself in the painting studio with the blinds closed and the lights off save for my little clamp lights to light my canvas as I finish these little paintings. It's a good thing I love it. 

I do manage to find time here and there to enjoy the weather however, mostly just on the weekends.  I love it especially when my nephew comes over to play. I tried to teach him the spider game on the swing last week, but he didn't quite grasp it. We had a sweet bonding moment because of it regardless. 

This picture just makes me happy in general. Mostly because I love this kid. We're basically BFF. 

neglect

It has been almost a year since I last posted here, but I'm excited to be back. I started the blog initially for my design I class with Lee Walton who happens to be one of my favorite teachers (check him out www.leewalton.com), and I just barely decided, a year later, to continue it on my own. I'm approaching a busy summer full of travel and excitement, and I relish the idea of keeping track of my adventures in a more publicly creative outlet than my own personal sketchbook and journal. So my intent is for this to become a hybrid of the two, only less private. so I hope I can keep up with it in the way that I imagine I can. 

So with that said, here we go.