Happy Fall!

09/24/2011

As with most journal-like media, I tend to start things and then get distracted, so it's been a while since I've posted.
I'm currently taking two art classes at George Mason now and I'm still researching grad schools. I need to choose which ones to settle on, and I think I'll apply to 5 or so, since it's expensive.

I'm in an artist book class and a digital printmaking class, mostly to figure out if I wanted to consider pursuing any of those routes in the printmaking realm. Its funny how after a few weeks I feel like I was meant to be in those classes at this time. I'm glad I have the background I have, and these classes have helped me both reflect on all that I've learned, and unlike at other art classes I've had, it forces me to dig deeper into my subconcious to find my interests or reoccuring themes and what not I really haven't focused on before. I used to try to avoid sentiment, in a sense, since I used to feel it wasn't professional and some people don't take it seriously, and I knew that just because I was emotionally connected to something doesn't make those pieces valuable except to me, and besides, I liked the inherent beauty of things around me more at the time than trying to do things by memory or imagination. But now I guess I'm at the point where I'm ready to infuse a bit more memory and some imagination into my work, and it has helped with my first books for sure.

But then again, these classes could just as easily be distracting me from focusing on grad applications. I haven't made an oil painting since summer. But visiting friends, orchestra, and playing tetris battle and games on Facebook are also major distractions, as well. Maybe that is a weakness to keep in mind for future interviews? Maybe not... Oh decisions!

One of my first assignments was to bring in 8 3x3" images I liked.
I used some of my grandpa's photographs.
Apparently I am drawn to images that are cinematic and filled with a sense of nostalgia. Hmm

I finally got around to beginning to print my woodcut from the summer. Here it is inked up!

Here it is printed! I mixed etching and lithograph ink for this, so it was a little strange,
but I got the color I wanted that way.

First pronto plate image! It's supposed to be about our relationship to George Mason.
As I don't feel all that connected to Mason, I am much more connected as a commuter

One of my first completed prints with two pronto plates.
The orange writing is a plate I made from my journal entry on what I think about when I drive/commute.
I managed to write about 4 pages.

Went to Potter's Violin recently with my dad to get my viola checked up. They had this broadside hanging on their wall- I love all the slab serif, fat face type faces!

Working on the latest book. Lucy sometimes gets in the way.

Lucy sitting on my homework. Talk about a distraction!

Ink drawings part way completed for my first Concertina Book.