I shall warn you; this blog will be a bit rant-y. Deal.

Tomorrow is my last exam for the semester, though it's not really so much of an exam so much as a doughnut, coffee, and critique fest. Two of my grades have already been posted. I have one A- and one B. I have no idea how I'm doing in History, so I'm a bit nervous about it. I think I should at least be able to make an A- in Drawing II though, depending on how my professor reacts to both my life drawing portfolio and my mapping project.

Here are some pieces you should expect to see soon!
Fred (Preliminary to George)
Multiple figure drawings
Self-portrait work (Approx. 3 drawings)
GIGANTIC projection project
Christmas presents, once I finish them.
Mapping project (4 panels)

I will be trying to sketch more during break, and I hope to also do a collaboration or two with the wonderful (wink wink, nudge nudge) In general, I really need to make more art. I'm going to try to push digital art more as well. I've improved so much since last year, but I need to consistently make a stronger and stronger body of work. I'm still struggling to find out where I fall stylistically, though I do see patterns emerging.

Which leads me to my next thought; you really do need to make a ton of work if you want to find any sort of pattern in both the styles and themes in your artwork. This is the main piece of advice I have for anyone who wants to get serious about their work. Make art often. It doesn't matter if they're all beautiful, pristine works that your parents would be proud of. Just create. Make a mess, then the next day, go out of your way to be as neat as possible. Find the common ground, and take note of it. Build on what you learn from past projects. Give yourself assignments. Push your comfort zones in both media and subject matter. You don't have to show the world every little piece of art you make. Make it for you because YOU deserve to improve. I know not many people ever read my journals, but maybe what I've learned can help someone else.

Just as a quick way to wrap up the blog, I'm generally doing quite well. I just can't seem to fall asleep tonight. I'm happier right now than I've been in a long time, even though the subject matter of my pieces is getting darker all the time. I've decided I enjoy cooking, particularly stir-frying. Also, cayenne pepper = <3

I hope you're all doing well. Hang in there, Christmas is coming!

So I'm back in Boone right now awaiting the start of the school year, and I felt like I should record current happenings in some way. I am sitting in my apartment (The Turret... a magical place) listening to [link]

Life is good.

At first, we moved into the apartment and there were a bazillion things wrong, some of which needed attention, some of which were more urgent than others. Among that was the rotting, sinking bathroom floor. Thankfully, John at the apartment office was able to get the repairmen in quickly and they're nearly done redoing our entire bathroom!! The shower drain is still clogged, but the floor is now straight, new linoleum has been laid, and we're getting a new vanity. The painters should come in sometime soon as well. Of course, it'll be a plain white bathroom, but eh... NEW STUFF YAY.

Also, I applied for a telemarketing job at Appalachian State, and my phone interview was yesterday. Generally, I'm pretty horrible on the phone, but I'm a decent actress and know how to manipulate the tone of my voice to sound professional yet sincere. And I'll be damned... I got the job! This is going to beat working in food services any day... I'm super-stoked about working with people who actually want to work where they are, and I'm also super-stoked about the extra money!

We still have no couch. This is unfortunate, but my roommate and I may go get a futon from Wal-Mart shortly.

I want to do some more art, but I haven't come up with any good ideas. I need to sketch more. I think a sketchfest is in order.

Our neighbors rule. Just saying.

I will be so happy when everyone moves back to Boone permanently. I miss a couple people. They know who they are.

And I can't wait for classes to start! Yay!

<3

I haven't updated Deviant in forever, and I have several pieces I intend to upload as soon as I have the appropriate photographic device. I'm super-excited to show you all what I've been up to, because I've been producing art in mastevious amounts. Here's the kicker; NONE OF IT'S BAD! I'm genuinely happy with just about every major project I've done, except for one which I will not upload. Perspective kicks my ass. Just so you know.

SO ANYWAY-here's some pieces to be on the lookout for.

Rose Composition - symmetrical
Rose Composition - asymmetrical
Shoe Drawing
Multiple figure drawings
Roundabout drawing feat. Mr. Skully
Burning Monk pastel drawing
*Memory Environments - dead whale, age 3
*Cody's Christmas present (though he gets to see it first, duh)
*Pen and Ink abstraction
*Self Portrait - Realism
*Self Portrait - Interpretive
*Final project for Foundations 1.

(All projects with an * indicate that the work is not yet complete, but will be very soon!)