Art School

More 'spring cleaning' I found a folder with some images from my first etching class. I decided that etching was just to time consuming and I needed something more immediate so I began Serigraphy and fell in love (Plus I adore combining technology and art and I became a huge fan of Adobe Illustrator). I love the line quality you can achieve through etching but again, working with acid and toxic hard/soft ground wasn't for me. I did spill hard ground all over my legs and feet one day...the single occasion in which I had a skirt on YAY, go me! Without further ado:
Oh, I found some linoleum prints in the same folder, they were the first project we did in Etching to get us accustom to using/adjusting the press. I think these are fun and graphic but they don't capture the greatness that is lino cutting (they lack the mark making needed to create a successful lino cut).

These are circa 2006.

Vivid Dreams

Last night/early this morning I had some really scary dreams. They involved several bad omens: snakes, gun, loss of loved ones, I hope they stay dreams. It started with a strange dream involving a random guy that I have seen at work (he is not even an acquaintance, just someone I have seen amongst the other law students) he had some scissors and cut a chunk of his hair. It was strange, I have yet to figure out what this means. Perhaps it signifies changes maybe in appearance or maybe it means illness, or mental unrest. There was also the presence of a hand gun in this part of the dream. I don't recall who had the gun or it's significance in the chain of events. I don't remember it being used, just an appearance.

After these occurrences the scene shifted to horror. I remember being outside at a picnic table with my b/f, Joey and his friends. It felt like a birthday party buy the sky was a dark grey, some clouds were even black. I remember feeling very perturbed by the sky and then snakes started falling out of the trees and I ran inside. Zola, my dog, was also there and she chased after me as I ran inside. She didn't make it as a giant constrictor grabbed her. I watched, and oddly, it seemed to be playing with her. I tried to get her to come inside and she wouldn't. I would later coax her in through a window. After this there were snakes everywhere they started coming inside and I remember shouting at Joey to get his BB gun (he doesn't even have a BB gun).

Thankfully, I woke up shortly after the snakes started coming inside but the entire dream (from the weird haircutting to the snakes everywhere) felt very chaotic and I was in a constant panic. Perhaps it regards the life decisions I have been stressing over lately, I am open to interpretations. Here is a quick drawing of the imagery, just picture this intensity and disturbance in reality:

"Hard Days Night"

How is it that I can work a 12 hour day and still have motivation to do this?:

First, all the hard work to decorate my studio has made me want to hang out and do crafts.

Secondly, I really need a design job to fulfill my passion and since I don't have one I have to do it when I get home (even if that is after working a ridiculous 12 hours).

Third and lastly, I plan on starting an Etsy store soon...ideas and pictures to follow.

"Pre-Spring" Cleaning

Today I was cleaning files from my computer and I came across this file:

This was one of the first things I created when I began using Adobe Illustrator. I was working as a student employee at the College of Law and they asked me to create a law related graphic for some project and this one of ideas I came up with (I don't remember what the project was or which design we chose). The green owl is specific to OU Law (there is a long story involved) and signifies their rivalry with the engineering school who continues to paint the Law school owl perched on the facade green (engineering school colors, I believe). The Law school continued to remove the paint until recently, they decided it was all in vein so it remains green today. Either way I found this image and it made me smile. Happy Hump Day!

Peace or Justice?

This is not a fun post. Last fall I decided I wanted to go to law school and after many excruciating hours of studying for the LSAT I was still gung ho. Today, this week, and this year have made me reconsider my choice. Like many with financial responsibility, I have hit a rough patch. I realize that not only will I be committing myself to 3 long, hard years of study but more importantly, many, years of future debt. I just don't want to burden my family with helping me through another degree, they did with a bachelors and they are certainly not obligated to help me pursue an advanced degree.

Beside the finance I have discovered that my heart may not be into it. I thought the hardest part would be the LSAT (which in calculable terms it is) but my personal statement has really been the most difficult fork in this road. As I started to write it I realized that my reasons for wanting to pursue the degree were monetary and unlike my bachelors, I lack some aspect of passion that may be required to make it through. Granted, I didn't have a clue what I would do with a Fine Art Degree (still don't) but it felt right and I was 18. Now (23), considering accumulating 60-90k in debt and possibly not enjoying my career choice just seems to risky.

I have invested a lot of time and money (by my standards) on prep course and electronic data assemble that I feel obligated but is that really a reason to continue this charade? Tomorrow I may wake up really wanting to go to law school (working at the law school and seeing the dedication of the students and dreaming of a life of wealth certainly doesn't help me make the right decision) but today I would like to continue a life of IT and possibly pursue web development and an e-commerce business. I know there are bigger problems in the world, but right now I can't decide on what path to take. Soap box closed! Insight welcomed....

Wish List

Being a serigrapher at heart I will always love the stencil. Since I graduated last May I have no access to a print studio (sad face). To fulfill my fix I have been making "make-shift" stencils and spray paint. Today I came across QuicKutz Silhouette Craft Cutter and I must have it. My mom asked me if I would like to have the Cricut cutter for Christmas but I didn't want to be restricted by there software and images. Apparently, QuicKutz allows one to import their own images which is really exciting. I think this cutter and a wacom tablet would put the finishing touches on my sewing/craft studio. Here are a couple of examples of my spray paint stencil work:

New Hair

I got my hair cut and colored last Saturday. I did take some better pictures with my real camera over the weekend but with all of the festivities of the weekend I didn't get a chance to upload them so I took these at work. The quality of my camera phone (like many) is terrible but I adore the grainy,overexposed look. It reminds me of my parents photo albums from the mid seventies. My hair style didn't really change I guess it was more of a trim but the color is quite a bit darker. I am please even if I do look even more ghostly.

Update:
A better photo.