S'not So Bad.

I've spent the last two days floating away on a cloud shaped like Michael Bublé's new album, "Crazy Love". This does not account for the two weeks of silence before this but I thought I would share.

It's cheesy but oh, what a guilty pleasure:

Do you know that feeling when you're sick and all you want to do is sleep and forget the entire world? But just when you lay down, one side of your nose plugs up. Suddenly, you don't even care about sleeping anymore. Your entire existence becomes about getting your stupid nose to drain to the other side because you cannot bear to lay in this position one more minute. You blow your nose, get up and walk around, there may or may not be plugs of tissue shoved up your nose. Finally, you're so exhausted that you finally give up and just start to drift off to sleep when your nose, that Judas of a facial feature, decides to slosh to the other nostril and the whole thing starts over again from scratch?

Well, that's why I didn't blog.

Speaking of blogs, all 12 of you should check out Davina Choy's newish blog, Uber Fantastic. She's a budding writer, blogger, journalist extraordinaire and, I'm proud to say, a personal friend. She makes my blog look like the homely cousin no one talks about except in whispered tones at family gatherings. It's okay, I'm taking one for the team.

ONE LAST THING: this is a dyptic I painted with acrylic. Keep in mind this is the very first painting I have ever produced that didn't mock me from the easel. That is not to say that it's perfect, but I'm very proud of it.



I apologize for the picture quality. Just pretend they match up.

Julie & Julia, or, The Life of Ashely the Artist

Tonight, for her birthday I went with my good friend Laura to see "Julie & Julia". I am inspired. We loved it. The movie was totally adorable, Meryl Streep is my new favorite actress and Julia Child is my new favorite cook (move over, Gordon Ramsay, you old coot). I completely identified with the movie version of Julie the blogger. I think we share a lot in common. We both started out as frustrated 20-somethings, created a blog, and besides a great body we do not both share (I'll let you decide who has the better), both made strides towards a goal. Where she has already reached hers, I am still searching for mine. It's okay. I am comfortable in my slightly ambiguous personal and professional life and my meager audience in the the blog-o-sphere. I'm...not jealous. My blog, instead of being a short-term journey to finish a cookbook and find oneself in the process, is more of the life's journey of someone who already knows who she is but just needs to find where she fits.

But back to the movie. Can I just say the relationship between Julia and her husband as portrayed by the movie was so endearing and sweet. I wanted to cry on several occasions and would have done so had I not been surrounded by a packed movie theater and one particularly bad breathed man sitting behind us. Poor guy.

In a nutshell, go see the movie. It's worth your $10.50. The only thing we didn't like was towards the end and fairly easy to explain away. I won't tell you what it is in case it doesn't bother you. I don't want to ruin it.

Meryl Streep will win an award for this movie. If she doesn't, I'll sue.

Oh, and just to keep this thing art-themed, here:



Bon appetit!

Endings and Beginnings

It's a terrible thing to be all inspired to blog, fired up and ready to go and then have nothing to blog about. My life is THAT. EVENTFUL. I'll see what I can muster.

I'm obsessed with a show called The Colony. Mainly because I would like to imagine if there was a global catastrophe I would kick everyone's butt with my cunning and resourcefulness. The reality would probably be me in a corner, clutching my stubbly drawing pencils and sobbing miserably.

I took that drawing class this summer so I would be forced to draw, and draw I did. A lot. To be honest, what I wanted to do was to skulk around in my pj's and watch Jane Austen while chomping on a crunchy carrot but instead I was elbow deep in graphite trying desperately not to move lest the angle on the still life I was drawing should become askew. Despite all that, I'm really glad I did it. I learned a lot and can see changes in my drawing style.

Here's the final project of the summer:

The concept was to take a landscape (a black and white poster, in my case) and then stick something oversized and out of place in it. I chose a sock. Not sure why. Seemed right. Sorry it's so dark. I'm far too lazy to actually turn on lights when I take pictures of these things.

I'll post more drawings later, I have to save some to build suspense.

One last thing: my friends had a baby last night! It's a girl and they named her Karis. They're the first ones from my circle of friends to take the plunge into parenthood and I'm so happy for them. I'm pretty sure they don't read this blog but I'm saying congratulations anyway (I'm screaming it into the internets, maybe they'll get it): CONGRATULATIONS GUYS! I'M AN AVAILABLE BABYSITTER!! WILLING TO SPOIL HER THEN SEND BACK!!

Womanizer

Okay, here's the deal. I'm feeling really great right now. Mostly because I stood up for myself in a way the feminine gender has been fighting for [in general] for centuries: Respect. I firmly yet politely told someone I didn't appreciate being spoken to in an inappropriate, friendly, but inappropriate way. It worked, and I feel empowered.

Okay, on a mostly completely unrelated note here's the same drawing I posted earlier today. Only this one went through the scrutinizing eye of my professor this evening who promptly forced me to make it better.

Before:
After:
Haaaaa! It's a good thing I have a professor that isn't afraid to tell me when my art is crappy. Seriously.

It's a Smallish World After All...

So I just found out today that I've been in a class for two semesters with a woman my mom and I knew when I was little and I had no idea. Through our conversation, we discovered an intricate web of connections and coincidences that has been brewing for 15ish years. So. Bizarre.

Anyway, here's a drawing for the blawg:


Notice how my hair looks so fantastic from the back? That's photo-realism my friends.

Guilt

It's been a while but let's pretend it hasn't, shall we? K.

Here's a pen and ink drawing for my class this summer.

In-progress:

Finished:

I went to the midnight showing of Harry Potter last night. It was really fun. I thought the movie was really good but keep in mind I completely forgot what happened in the book (except the dead bodies. Couldn't forget the dead bodies). According to my Facebook news feed, the movie is different from the book in some spots. Whatever. The camera angles were fantastic and those poor boys have finally grown into their bodies. I was worried.

I would think of a title if the sunburn on my face didn't go all the way to my brain.

Wow. I am just now starting to realize rodent-free housing and clean clothes are actually the norm and not the life I lived for the past week. Despite the particular hygiene issues, camp was a blast. I'm thinking about working there next summer on the condition I don't have to clean anything.

As a bit of a consequence of taking a week off, I have to come back full steam. School and work wait for no man. That's the way I like it.

Here's the drawing I did for my mom a while back. It's the kindergarten teacher at her school.



In retrospect, it's a little terrifying.

FTPs and Scanned HBs

Guys, can I tell you how pooped I am? I can? Excellent.

I'm pooped.*

It's the computer. It's a marginal excuse, I know. But can I just say "FTP" is now a permanent fixture in my vocabulary? I fought with the Great-Kahuna-Internet and I won. The only problem now is letting go of my little pet project and giving someone else the reins.

I wish all of my sketchbooks would look like this. Not dark, shiny and kind of hard to tell what it is, but more what it looks like in real life. Like I care. Because I do. It's just sometimes hard to tell. I'm telling you. I need a scanner.


*I don't actually like the word, "pooped" because it brings up images in my mind I would rather leave un-thought. Something like leaving bags of flaming fecal matter on doorsteps on Halloween only instead of laying there inconspicuously they're flying through the air toward my head. I'm going to venture a guess and say this was too much information.

Fail.

This blog is a good art tool. Example: here I am taking pictures of my latest homework assignment to post thinking, "Ha ha ha, these look exactly like me," when, I look at the pictures in photobooth and realize...they don't. Guess I wasn't as done as I thought I was. Sob.

I'm taking beginning drawing for the third time. Parts of it are a little exhausting but it's good to go back to the basics (again). It was the only drawing class offered during the summer and if I'm not forced to draw this summer my brain is going to turn to mush. It's also with one of my favorite professors and she's sort of adapted some of the assignments for me.

Haughty laugh.

(Kidding. I'm kidding.)

Productivity?! Sob.

I'm distracted, I'm procrastinating, I'm wide awake, tired, lazy and missed perfect setup to flirt with a cute guy today. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?! Hhh, I know. I haven't had my second cup of coffee today.

I had the whole day yesterday to work and all managed to do was a bit of half hearted doodling:

See the part I'm covering up? That part was more half-hearted than others.

Oh, I forgot to tell you: the guitar came in the mail the other day. Just about the only really productive thing I've done lately is start to teach myself how to play. I never imagined it would be so fantastic. I can play about 6 chords. I'm ready for a band. Sign me up.

Ignore the crazed, disheveled look.

On the Twelfth Day of Ashmas...

There are exactly twelve days until my 23rd birthday and I'm feeling old. If you're older than 23 don't take it personally. I don't think 23 is old. Just me. Although the fact that a quarter of my life is over contributes a little. Am I allowed to have two quarter-life crises? Because I've already had one and it might be considered regressive behavior if I curl up in a corner with High School Musical and like stop using punctuation and only srt talking lak thiz idk lol omg roflxkhhhylgsaklcn.

I need to get out of this house. Too much summer vacation.

Speaking of getting out: I'm playing wing man at an engagement shoot today. Woo! I'm excited.

This Post's Going to be Packed:

Hello, All. I'm not sure if I should apologize for all the video posts or not. It's just that I've had a lot of time on my hands lately which inevitably leads to gorging myself on all things Internet. I. Must. Share.

This is "Best Laid Plans" by We the Living. Not usually the kind of music I listen to but I can't explain why I like some songs over others. It just happens. Like hiccups*. My amazing and creative friend, Elise, shared it with me today. I've watched the video no less than 24 times.

* I feel the need to share a cure for the hiccups because, well, I have one. Plug your ears and drink water at the same time. Use a straw or a friend. It's an old family cure and it works every time. If it doesn't, you're clearly broken. Or, ur doin it wrong.

Also: do you remember me telling you about a top secret project a few posts back? Well, it's not secret anymore. I got a commission of sorts from a friend of a friend to illustrate a book that he then used to propose to his girlfriend this weekend. I didn't want to post about it before on the chance that someone would see and I would be the one who spoiled one of the most momentous days in a couple's life.

I have to admit, the project was a roller coaster ride of self-loathing but here are some of the pages I really like:







Basically, Aaron gave me the story, what he wanted on each page (thought bubbles, images, etc), and reference photos. Then, I illustrated (ink and watercolor). I was an excellent way to get experience in illustration without actually...illustrating.

Congratulations to Aaron and Kari on your engagement and life together!

Okay. This post is stuffed. Like me. On these incredibly expensive (yet delicious) cookies I just ate.

Home Os-stretch

This is about how I feel today:

Because, seriously?

One more day. Just one more day.

RIP?

It is possible this is the last look anyone will have of Accidental Picard. As I was hollowing him out, I found mounds of air holes in the clay. It was my own fault for being sloppy with my reconstitution skills. He's in the kiln as we speak. I'm picturing shards of him embedded in the walls. That is unrealistic I hope.

Don't leave us, Accidental Picard.

These are the voyages...

I don't think he's that disproportionate in real life. He's sort of looking up. So, independently of any suggestion from myself someone in class said, "Do you know who he looks like? That captain from that Star Trek show."

Hhh.

I changed him up a little bit and took this picture as I was running out the door this afternoon. If you cover the lower part of his face, he still sort of looks like Picard. Oh well. I'll just call it my silent homage to the wise old captain and the show that devoured my pre-teen popularity.

Today I sent an email to the chair of animation at one of the colleges I applied for to tell them I couldn't accept their acceptance. This translated to a crummy day, which led to excessive caffeine consumption, a sense of entitlement, junk food and an "IT Crowd" binge. I am now feeling better and realizing I have the greatest best friend (ever) who has an apparent case of swine flu. Nobody panic.

Familiarity

The beginnings of a 3D Design project. Maybe the one I've enjoyed the most this semester. Actually, it's really a re-do of an original. This morning, when I walked in the clay room, his face was severed right through the middle. Sob. We're trying a different technique this time around.

It wasn't until I was halfway through this incarnation that I realized I've been sculpting Jean-Luc Picard of the starship, Enterprise. At least from the nose-up. It's all subconscious. I've been watching a lot of Star Trek: The Next Generation Best Show Ever Created. Well. It's more obvious in person. He is significantly farther along at this point. I'll update tomorrow.

Why does it happen all at once?

Me:

EDIT: I need a scanner.

I look cooler than I am by no fault of my own.

Okay, this is post is going to be fraught with my face, prepare yourselves.

Today, I was the before and after "model" in a very loose form of the word for Cori Mensing of Moxie Hair Salon. She does hair and makeup and is so. great. And, since I'm a freelancer for Caryn who did the photos, I got an advance copy. Huahahaha! It helps to have friends in high places. Man, I'm tired. It's so exhausting to have a camera taking pictures of you all day while you sip cocktails and nibble on hors d'oeuvres.*

*none of this is true.

Here are the in progress and the afters from today. The befores are absolutely hideous or, according to my mom, "so wholesome!" Hhh.














This is the pose I'm going to use for the back cover of my autobiography and/or bestselling novel that I never intend to write.

Doesn't my hair look great?!

I can't find Moxie's site just yet (it might still be in progress. They're so new and hip.) I'll post an update later when I find it.

Eikon Photography

EDIT: Moxie's hair site is in progress but when it's up and running it'll be attached to www.moxiehome.com. Moxie also does home design. Such talent.

Graceful? No.

I rue the day I ever heard this song. Why? Let me tell you. For approximately one year I have tried to play it on the piano. It's not overly complicated. It's a fairly simple song. It's pretty. But measure 30 and 32 have signed a pact with the devil to destroy my confidence and my self esteem. My thumb refuses to find the right spot when coming out of that grace note.

I needed a good angry rant and as an only child this is my outlet.

Thank you for listening.

This is my canvas. It has taken me 3 days to make it look like a monkey splattered poo on it. Although, I have to say, I'm much prouder of this poo than its previous incarnation: a Pepto Bismol colored cloth hanging over a crooked easel. I decided to start again from square one and just paint the background.

I thought about a title for 5 minutes. No luck.

So, here's some artwork.

I'm using this one for an intaglio print in my printmaking class. I hope, hope, hope it turns out well.

Here's the rendering I did for the coffee shop. Ignore the Fred Flintstone car in the front. That is one thing I don't believe I have ever drawn in. my. life. It was sort of an "I haven't slept for a week and I have pencil shavings in my hair" situation so you've got to cut me some slack.

Neighbour is up here this weekend and today was entirely dedicated to "Twilight." Yes. It's true. I'm openly and freely admitting it to be immortalized on the Internet. Don't judge me. I thought it was a passing phase until the movie was just recently released and all of these confusing emotions started flooding in again. I am now re-reading the books and obsessively watching all the behind the scenes and special features. This will be the last I speak of this ever. Unless of course I meet and fall in love with Robert Pattinson in which case you will never hear the end.

As repayment for getting me hooked on...certain things (see above) and leaving too early today, I'm sipping more of neighbour's chai tea she left in my refrigerator. I do not. feel. guilty.

Now, I'm off to finish watching "The Mask of Zorro" and apply for some scholarships.