Productivity

I'm actually getting shit done. And the profanity is completely necessary to stress the importance of my productivity level.

New website, here. New show, installing this weekend. New studio space that needs a good cleaning/organizing. I hope I can keep this up.

Life in general...

It happens and occasionally (more often lately) I freak out about stuff. I know this is supposed to be my "creative" blog, but who cares? I figure maybe 2 people actually read this thing, so I'm free to fill it with whatever drivel I want.

I have two lists in my head at the moment. One titled "Things to worry about..." and the other "Things to be excited about..." There has been a lot of shit added to my "worry" list in the last couple weeks.

Worry #1: My Job

Surprise, surprise... The college is looking for a full time applicant to take over my classes. With all the cuts to educational spending, I was bound for the chopping block. But it isn't as simple as, "You don't have a class to teach next semester." It's more like, "Maybe you'll have a job, maybe you won't..." Career limbo.

Worry #2: Family

Cousin and boyfriend broke up. Future-in-laws are talking divorce. My dad's dog is having surgery next week and may not survive. It's always something...

Worry #3: Living Arrangements

Fiance and I are in the middle of a short sale that hasn't been so short. Everyone has approved, can we just sign some papers and get some keys now?! I've had too many nightmares this week about this sale falling through...

About an hour ago, Worry #4 crossed over to my "Things to be excited about" list. In the last couple weeks while I've been waiting patiently for SOMETHING to be resolved, something finally has. The wedding venue I chose just announced that they were going to be sold to a chain. An expensive chain that my family can't afford... I just got an email from our coordinator that everything will be "just as planned," maybe even better. So...

Excitement #1: Wedding

It will be awesome.

Excitement #2: Finances

Future husband and I just pulled our resources together. Joint bank accounts!

Excitement #3: My Students

They're all so eager and talented this semester. Former students are winning competitions and sharing their good news too.

Excitement #4: Upcoming Exhibition

For now, I'm very excited about this. In a few months, it'll transfer over to "worry" when my paint is taking to long to dry or the framer hasn't called.

My lists have FINALLY evened out. Lets hope they stay that way (or improve!)

New Solo show

I think having "professor" on my resume has worked out well for me.

"Bubbie's Birthday" (posted previously) is at Gallery Route One. And the Merced Multi-Cultural Art Center has given me a 3 month solo show in their main gallery for the fall!

I'm thinking landscapes like this one. They're sellable.

This particular landscape won't be shown. It's a surprise housewarming gift for the future in-laws.

Awesome job, wonderful boyfriend/fiance/future-husband, wedding, new house, and solo exhibition... 2011 is shaping up to be an amazing year.

Time to start painting again!

Change in plans...

I've severely neglected my blog, but with a good excuse. I've gone from student to teacher in minimal time. Rough but rewarding transition. With winter break coming up, I'll finally have time to work on my own stuff instead of my kids.

Now what?

I've officially graduated with my MA! So now what do I do with myself? I've managed to find studio space (at work). Without any pressing deadlines or student shows, it'll be up to me to keep myself motivated. In the last week I've applied to 3 exhibitions across the state. Keeping my fingers crossed...

Because I didn't get into any graduate programs (I guess that 4.0 GPA was all for nothing...), I decided to join the Lodi Community Art Center. I know one or two professors/teachers of mine used to be members. It'll be very different working with them as a colleague instead of as a student. Hopefully working with other local, more experienced artists will keep me motivated and enrich my work on some level.

So... I'm super lazy...

And I pretty much forgot this thing existed. I got so caught up reading about the work of others I haven't bothered contributing to my own. Thesis exhibition coming up in the next month. I've been painting furiously and hope to keep up the pace. I've put together a decent grad school portfolio (or what I think of as decent). Hope to hear back in the next 2 months from a few universities.

Here's a little preview of what's to come...

New Artist Statement

As much as I hate these things, here it is...

The imagery in this series deals directly with the loss of my identical twin sister. Losing her a few days after our birth, I know her solely through dream. This series began by reconstructing personal family photographs. I’ve digitally manipulated the source images to include a double of myself, the only way I can include her presence.

I've chosen to use photographs of myself between the ages of 3 and 6. Children at that age are physically vulnerable, awkwardly growing into their own bodies and developing their personalities. Depicting myself and sister at this age helps me to convey my own vulnerability in sharing this aspect of my personal history. I've chosen to include my younger brother, cousins, and other family members in these images. I feel that by including them I can paint my sister into the family.

By reinterpreting these images through painting, they take on a dreamlike quality. The family photo becomes a different entity. The visible brush strokes, drips and palette give the image that unclear dreamy mood that isn’t easily achieved through traditional photography. I consider these works a reunification process. I’m able to re-imagine my own childhood memories with my other half.