Every Now and Then...

To Do:

-Classes

-Pay Electric Bill

-Money Order

-Haircut

-Ceramics

-Etching

-E-mail Nicole

about Painting

Anchor's Away!!!

Oh Pennsylvania Farmshow...

You are one tradition that never disappoints.

I wish you were longer than a week though

Because I could really really use a milkshake

not to mention a canoe ride.

Photo's Courtesy Caitlin and her MiniDiana.

Ty-Jack's Words to Live By...

Sometimes when I get down... I look at things friends have written or shared about me. It may be something as little as a post-it note or a whole blog post. Either way, it gives me a little bit of extra motivation at times when I need it. Below is a paper I have read and re-read multiple times since it was written a semester ago. My best friend Tyler wrote it for an art appreciation class he took at Point Park... and honestly, it's reasons like these that make me appreciate why I create art and have such amazing friends.

"When it comes to art, there are very few artists and artistic pieces that I would consider myself to enjoy; but the piece of art that I love the most comes from one of my favorite artists and my best friend, Jimmy Dunn. This piece of art is a portrait of me tht Jimmy drew for my birthday, using pencil and water color pencils. Firstly, this portrait amazes me, because not only does it look exactly like me, which most would expect it should, but it is also perfectly colored and amazingly well done. But my main reasons for loving this portrait lie outside its artistic qualities. One of the main reasons I love this portrait is because it was a gift, from one best friend to another, and one that I will probably keep the rest of my life. Jimmy has always been known for drawing of his friends for gifts, and for as long as I've been asking him to draw me one, I almost thought I wouldn't be lucky enough to receive one. But now I have an original, one that will probably never be reproduced, and that belongs soley to me; and I enjoy this; because it is a reminder that Jimmy appreciates me enough as a friend to personally take the time to create a piece for me and about me. But as a whole, this portrait will always remind me of the friendship we have, how much I appreciate that friendship, and how much I miss my best friend everyday while he's off making himself into the artist he's always dreamed of being."

-Tyler Jackson

Glitter in the Air...

"Have you ever thrown a fistful of glitter in the air.

Have you ever looked fear in the face and said I just don't care..."

I've never intentionally thrown glitter... but I'm starting to think it's one life experience I may need to make a reality. In Rittenhouse square perhaps? Anyways back to my day: So I'm definietely no master potter or anything, but I am really thankful I had ceramics right after painting today. Normally I'm not too fond of having two studios right next to eachother, but painting class was a little rough. And while I started out saying the only reason I was taking ceramics was for my teaching certificate, the more classes I have, the more I'm starting to actually enjoy it. Don't get me wrong, I'm still god awful at it, but I'm improving... today I pretty much doubled my pot size which probably doesn't mean that much to too many people. So you'll just have to trust me when I say it's kind of a big deal. I'm making a spaceship and some type of outer-space smelling concoction to put inside of it. I'll let you know what happens, but until then...Blast off!

*Since I'm still computer-less and therfore cannot upload any new photos... I'll leave you with some pictures of a few friends and I at the Farm Show over winter break. I'm sculpting butter in the top one. Yep-only in central PA.

Temple's New Branch Campus: Zombieland

Today I had my second round of first day of classes. If that even makes any sense? Anyways--Education seems like it'll be alright. My professor is from the Bronx, a "very proud New Yoooorker", and seems like a pretty engaging speaker. As far as content, I kinda feel like a lot of the education classes here are pretty similar and just elaborate on their prerequisets.

Psych with Dee is probably going to be the bain of my existance this semester. Seriously, the only good thing o forsee about this class is not having to suffer through it alone. Dee is wonderful company... even if we do whisper loudly. That and the section about all kinds of mental diseases-- I'm looking forward to that part of the course. More and more I'm itching to get into art therapy... and while I thought I wanted to work primarily with kids, now I'm not so sure. I blame it on shows like Criminal Minds and Bones.

I'm also going to have to adjust to this HUGE lapse of time I have before my next class... Etching. Today I took a 2.5 hour nap and still had an hour to go get lunch... crazy, but could be a good thing come mid-semester when I start to get fewer hours of sleep per night.

Lastly: Etching. I am in love with this class. More specifically I am in love with Dan Dallman. He is soooo cool and the best part is he doesn't even try. This may seem weird, but I can't tell you how refreshing it is to finally see someone who is successful, follows the rules, stays on everyone's good side, holds a high status of power, respect, and work. Plus he's a super nice guy and really dedicated teacher. Today he just whipped up an intaligo print in about 15 minutes as part of our demo. He's doing a very good job selling me on the printmaking department. Add to that the fact that I have two pretty close friends in the class too and I seriously couldn't be happier.

Sidenote: Saw Zombieland at the Reel $2 movie theatre. Reaffrimed a few things: I hate zombies. I hate clowns. I hate gunshots. Scary movies aren't exactly my thing... But I love popcorn. And my friends. And the low low price of $2.

And So It Begins.... (Again)

First day of classes...

Painting: 2.5 hours. We went over the syllabus, Frank scared the crap out of me with this workload. And then we watched a documentary about cinematography and compositions for an hour and 45 minutes. And while I'm mildly terrified of the amount of out of class work... mainly because I haven't seriously painted since my senior year of high school... I think I need this.

Positives: He's strict, and slightly reminiscent of Helen Bailey, who I loved. I feel as though this will force me into working harder in order to impress him. Also, he covers both oil and acrylic, which thinking about it more is probably a really good thing for me.

Ceramics: 2.5 hours. We went over the syllabus. Took roll. And played a name game. I'm not too sure what to expect from this course, I've never done ceramics before. In fact, until today I had never actually even been in the ceramics studios at Tyler.

Positives: Class was only 15 minutes today. My professor seems super cool. He's a grad student, so I kinda feel like he's going to be a little more open to all kinds of projects.

Tomorrow: Education, Psych, and Etching.

(First education assignment! To decorate a posterboad that depicts the different types of schools you've attended.)

Positives:

2010... I've got a Feelin...

I'm still alive!

And back in Philly!
But I'm without a computer.
And scanner.
And pictures.
And internet.
But there's good news!
I have wonderful friends that let me use thier computers.
And the tech center.
And my classes start tomorrow.
And my laptop will hopefully be fixed soon!
Wish me luck!

New Hampshire's Finest...

A few weeks ago Krizzy did a post about me that really made my day. In fact, since the post, I secretly go to it from time to time whenever I need a pick me up. She is just such a talented writer and an even better friend. I love her sense of humor and still can't believe how lucky I am to have met her freshmen year. To see the post for yourself click HERE!!!!

Where the Wild Things Are...

Zombies in space...

 40 year old women in windbreakers are scary... 

Sometimes We Start Over, And Go Solo...

That's kinda something I think I need to do. Is it weird to take a cue in your life from a Noisette's song? Maybe... but then again, I've been known to have done far crazier things in my short life. And with the new year, the new decade, the new semester I figure--hell, why not. Everyone else is making changes and being positive, why can't I?  2009 was a pretty interesting year and while I don't usually fill out surveys... I thought it would be a good way for me to get back into blogging. 

(I needed a break. This past semester kinda wore me out. Actually, being sick really wore me out, but I'm finally starting to feel better! Huzzahs all around!)

Survey Courtesy of Caitlin...

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Drew a 6x7ft tall picture of myself in 2 days.

Walked a catwalk in scuba gear.

Trip to New Hampshire.

Used all kinds of power tools.

Didn't lose any fingers/limbs using said power tools.

Test drove a KIA.

Zombie party at Penn.

History of Shit Show.

Numerous Acapella shows.

Wagner Museum.

Went to Pittsburgh and IUP, even though fate through all kinds of obstacles in our way.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I still procrastinate.

But I'm also still blogging, so I'm 1 for 2.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
YES!!!! And they are both adorable!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no.

5. What countries did you visit?
Amurrrica.

6.What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

Time Management.

A more outgoing personality. Time to live in the "NOW".

7.What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
any and all trips to the diner.

jan 1, 2009. ughhh.

8.What was your biggest achievement of the year?
probably my new found love for sculpture.

I loved every single project I did in that project. And my professor.

drawing final.

9. What was your biggest failure?

poor moral decision. 

(that i don't think I'll ever not regret.)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Oh lord. 

Passing out in the SAC and being taken to Temple Hospital.

Going to Health Services and being told I have one of the top 3 worst 

cases of tonsillitis on campus.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Gold owl ceramic statue from thrift shop in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Krizzy's.

Girl is a rock.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
any and all "Jersey Shore" cast members.

14. Where did most of your money go?
the colonial park diner.

Temple Star.
7-11.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Acapella.

Sparklers.

Wagner Museum.

Sibling weekend.

Penn Halloween Party.

Eastern State Penitentiary.

Sanford Biggers Lecture.

Getting a piece from every studio accepted into judging for the foundation show.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Halo. Beyonce.

Single Ladies. Beyonce.

anything by the Noisettes.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?

way happier. 2010 just feels better.

b) thinner or fatter?

probably around the same.

c) richer or poorer?

we's in a recession.

workin hardy for the party.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
met more people.

gone out with the 1300 ladies more.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

become obsessed with watching tv shows online.

procrastinated.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
at 6550 Windmere rd.

with my family.

hot tubbing... in the snow.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
nah.

22. How many one-night stands?
 zilch.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
bones.

glee.

queer as folk.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
nope.

25. What was the best book you read?
i need to read more...

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
noisettes.

florence and the machine.

priscilla ahn.

27. What did you want and get?
diana mini camera.

28. What did you want and not get?
multiple summer jobs.

especially the one teaching art in alison hill.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
avatar.

district nine.

star trek.

30. What did you do on your birthday?
pulled an all-nighter.

took an art history midterm.

lameeee.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
hogwarts.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
simple. solids. stripes.

33. What kept you sane?
this blog.

studio classes.

mom.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
zachary quinto.

neil patrick harris.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
gay marriage.

5 states down. 45 to go...

36. Who did you miss?
casa.

37. Who was the best new person you met?

studio classmates...

especially jenni, christina, matt, rachel, calvin, liz, ryan.

JUDE.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
it's a hairflip.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"I am an island underneath a setting sun. In an ocean that is churning. For all I know there may be nobody near by, but still the world it keeps on turnin. And when the sun goes down it gets brighter in my heart somehow... Sometimes we start over, and go solo."