.the late nights.

Hello all!

Thought I'd write a quick blog before bed today. The semester is already getting into full swing and I have already been pulling some late nights working on projects.

My big project right now is my first printmaking project of the semester. In my paintings during last spring, I really focused more on self-portraits. The fun thing about taking lots of different classes is that you can transfer ideas into other mediums and see what they convey. We'll see how it turns out. Recently I've been really inspired by

Alphonse Muchas' way of portraying the female figure:

 and also the structure of Constructivist Posters:

Hopefully I will be pulling a print later this week so I can post photos! 

Good night :)

.source.influence.style.

Alright, so first day of school. Almost over. Just one more class to go. I have extremely long breaks today between classes with nothing to do.. oh wait! I have a blog! So, recap thus far... went to my Printmaking class today... it was good to be back in the printmaking world.. and I also went to my drawing class right after that. Nothing unusual. Just the regular, here's the syllabus, don't be late, here's your mile long list of supplies... but my drawing class really got me to thinking...

The first exercise we did in class today was to start with three sheets of paper. The instructions given for the first sheet of paper were to draw an object in class.. any object we wanted for 10 minutes. I feverishly drew a wooden step stool (when I say feverishly, I mean I was stressed... my brain was firing so many instructions: remember how to measure your angles! remember how to calculate proportion! watch the clock! keep moving! it doesn't have to be perfect! make this look three-dimensional! but I was ok... it looked half descent). We were then instructed to pass this image we masterfully copied down to one of our neighbors to copy. The goal was to copy the image already drawn, not the object itself. This continued one last time to make three images. This exercise was used to show us three main ideas: what is a source? what is an influence? what is style? These three ideas are what our class will be pondering the whole semester.

What sources do I draw from in my art? What are some of my influences? And in the end, how does this all effect my style or "hand" in my creating as an artist?

By the end of the semester, I must answer this (or get some sort of answer or get some direction toward an answer).

So, we'll see how the semester goes! These two classes will be the meat of my work and energy, so I will post mostly about these two classes and my progress... until my next post, here are some influences or sources of mine.

Wayne Thiebaud. 

Jenny Saville. 

Giorgio Morandi.

Alfred Hitchcock.

I'm sure this list will grow and become more refined as time passes, but here are my thoughts. Happy Tuesday!

.goals.

At the beginning of new things (New years, new jobs, new projects) I love to sit down and think about my goals. Well, this is the start of a brand new school year, and my last, at that. So, what would I like to accomplish this year? Well, here are some thoughts on some goals I am setting for myself (academic or otherwise)..

1. Be involved - It's been hard for me to be involved since I currently do not live on campus and am a commuter. However, I do have a flexible job this year and have the ability to volunteer at campus galleries and the big museum on campus.

2. Focus - So many times when school starts, I get super flustered and when projects are thrown at me, I cringe. This year, I believe it is my time as an artist to really flourish, try new things, and yes I will say it: FAIL. I don't want to be afraid to fail.. I want to focus on something I want and go for it.

3. Relax - I guess this goes with my failing thought.. I become very uptight when school whips through. This is my last year. These are my last two semesters. Enjoy the ride.

4. Take advantage of resources - I've been privileged to attend a university where my teachers are active members of the art community. They are vast resources for us as students. As students, we have tons of brains to pick as far as the art world goes. I want to take advantage of the teachers I have around me during this year.

5. Take care - I really need to learn how to take care of myself - mentally, physically and spiritually. If not, I am useless to the world. This means exercise, rest when I can, and do enjoyable activities. Look for the simple things in life that make us smile. There are lots of little things out there...

6. Paint sunset clouds - Random, I know, but sunset clouds are my favorite thing. The sky is the most vibrant, electrifying, bursting thing I've ever seen... during the day, the sky is bright, neon blue and when the sun is setting, the event causes the clouds to take on this sort of bubble gum, cotton candy pink quality.

Alright, here's to a new school year! I'm sure I won't always be so focused on these goals, but they will be here to remind me...

Here are some clouds I found while Googling clouds. Enjoy!

.new adventures.

So, this has kind of become a forgotten blog for me. It actually started as a class project in college and after the class, I let it go... Well, not anymore! I am now currently in my last year of college and have decided this blog will be a great way to kind of work through my ideas and inspirations and especially challenges. I currently don't have a way to upload images easily, but once school starts I will have a better computer and will be regularly updating here with sketches and notes.

This summer I had the wonderful chance to go to New York for the first time and see the Museum of Modern Art, The Guggenheim, and I also visited the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. Of course, the New York museums were wonderful, and I must say too much to take in for just ONE DAY, however, the most remarkable "museum" that we had the chance to see was by far the Barnes Foundation. There is a lot of controversy flying around this landmark in Philadelphia, but I am so glad we had the chance to see it in its original state before it is moved into the city of Philadelphia. You can read more about the Barnes Foundation here. This entry would be too long if I explained all of the history behind this great place, but I will give a summary. All of the artwork in the building is arranged and best described as a "salon style". Paintings and drawings line the walls and the way up to the ceiling and are arranged around chairs, desks, and numerous other housewares. The founder, Albert C. Barnes established the Barnes Foundation to "promote the advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts." We learned that both music and art classes were held in this building and the art the adorned the wall was organized to enhance these art classes. It was just a really cool experience!

Needless to say, I had a great summer and saw lots of great art! Tomorrow, the craziness of school begins once again! I am excited to be around my fellow classmates and artists once more as I begin my final two semesters. More to come!