Stay calm, relax

It seems like the last few semesters in school, the last month of final projects have stressed me out to no end. It's been kind of routine for me to get a series of really annoying headaches that refuse to quit, all while I really need to get work done.

Tonight is one of those nights of course. I have a project due in Fibers next Wednesday which we were only given two weeks to conceptualize, plan, and execute. I really hate trying to be creative in a hurry - nothing makes it more uninspiring and of course that sets off the panic buttons. What's worse is that we're forced to use a technique that I'm ok with, but definitely don't enjoy when being forced to do it: pattern-making/sewing. I do definitely want to improve my skills, but not when I have a week to try and pull something off and my fabric refuses to cooperate with me!

Ok, I'll clarify. I somehow decided that it would be cool/neat/a smart idea to use several layers of netting as my fabric..........a fellow classmate successfully fused several layers of netting together for a small sample, but when I try to do it, I keep getting crap stuck together like the foil glued to the netting, or the netting not sticking at all.

deep breath....

I'm going to try sewing it together instead of fusing because I just about give up on that. If the sewing doesn't work out then I give up. I'm going to have to find some other fabric to use.

Sorry. Had to rant here. I'm obviously deeply frustrated and annoyed. I hope that my next post will be the flip side of the story where everything works out.

I really hate rush jobs.

An award! Me?

 

The super sweet Marika from Marika Makes nominated me for the Liebster Blog award - my first! If you haven't seen her blog, check it out - she makes daily art featuring birds! I love the variety and sheer fun she puts into her work. I wish I had that sort of energy.

Here are the 5 blogs I am nominating for this award! In no particular order...

1. Onyxnox from My stuff, my life: This blogger makes beautiful artwork, oftentimes in mini bead sculptures! Oh my eyes hurt but she is amazing!

2. Belladune from SpinHeartSpin: I have fallen in love with fibery goodness over the last few years and this woman is amazing. She is going through a master spinner's course and is educating me along with it. And providing plenty of fiber porn free of charge =D

3. Jennie over at The Quilt List: This crafty lady has a way with beads, baubles, and fabric. Check out her amazing loaded charm bracelets, shiny!

4. TroubleT at The Trouble with Crafting: I love a blog that feels like my mom is writing it. And TroubleT does that! Good advice, and lots of awesome crafty tutorials. Check her out!

5. Trekky from Trekky Gets Crafty: Knitting is not something I have ever been able to master, but I love seeing other people's awesomeness. Trekky is one of those people! Check out her fiber!

Ok so onto the rules!

The Three Rules of Liebster:

1. Choose FIVE UP AND COMING blogs with less than 200 followers to pass the award onto.

2. Show a BIG THANKS to the blogger who gave the award to you by linking back to them.

3. Post the AWARD on your blog. List the bloggers you are giving the award to with links to their site.

Now go check them out!

How many barnacles is enough?

Finally took pictures of my barnacles! I think it turned out pretty well.









Onto the next project...

A jaunty step down histories past

So I kind of forget silly things I've done and taken pictures of before. But when I'm bored sometimes I manage to stumble upon greatness forgotten! I thought I should share for posterity sake.

All of these were made in my high school years, though I'd be arsed if I could remember exactly when...

Two pieces made in my ceramics class. I took so many art classes my teacher basically let me do whatever I wanted. The first is a foot/boot obviously. Makes total sense. Second is my attempt at a "painted deer skull".





This was a GIANT papermached llama I made for an art club fundraiser. Why orange? Um, I don't know.



And a super super horrible self portrait done in oils - my first and likely last attempt at that medium. Just for my own vanity I'm posting a self portrait I drew last year; though a different medium it is sooooo much better. Also, note the weird little cemetery behind me in the painting.....why? I am/was/will always be a bit odd I think.





A camel head. For an art parade. Not bad.



And this most awesome headpiece for my sister's Carmen Miranda costume for Halloween one year. I ended up burning the crap out of my hand with a glue gun when I saved her face from imminent damage of dripping glue.



That's all for now. I will very very soon have finished pictures up of my weird barnacle project which turned out pretty neat. Time to go try to sleep (I hate daylight savings time).

Night all.

Exciting news!!!

Being in my final semester of school before graduating, I feel more of a need now, more than before to really try to submit some of my work to local shows just to see what happens.....cut to: I submitted a few pieces to a show going on at my school called Women of Art and got 2 pieces in!! This will be the first art show I've ever been in and while it's a relatively small show, I'm still very excited.

Here are the pieces that got in!

"Valley" - just have it be known that I am rubbish when it comes to titles, but it works.



"Root"



Both have to do with an ongoing theme I've been exploring in printmaking about derelict technology and how that relates to self-worth and value in society where it is common to replace things over and over again when it's not necessary....a bit obscure but take what you will.

=)

Barnacle encrusted week

Here are progress pictures on the two big projects that have consumed my entire break this week.

80+ "barnacle" shapes I crocheted and felted for fibers class. On Monday I'm going to dye them all different levels of ombre in a dirty purple shade...I'm thinking to mount it on some fabric covered cork or foam board so I can pin them in place...its due on Wednesday so I've got to get going on it. And just fyi - it used up almost 5 entire skeins from the original 10 I ordered....I wish now I had done more barnacles, but oh well, I have a good amount and I'm going to make it work with what I have. I think the key to making this project successful is getting the right sized board so that the amount of shapes has the right amount of impact.





And the other project for printmaking; it's open so the method and content is completely up to us. I'm doing a linocut mostly because it was the easiest to get done over break without having to go into school a bunch. But more so, because I enjoy this technique the most but want to push my style to be more detailed and intricate. I've got the basic scene done, but I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do for all the negative space around it.