In the very beginning of the summer, before I'd hardly had a chance to unwind, I boarded a plane bound for West Virginia where I went to visit my Dad. I had not, for a multitude of reasons, seen my father since the day I graduated high school in 2005. There had always been all these reasons and excuses why I hadn't visited him. I've realized that despite everything and anything...there are some relationships in your life and people you meet or know that are worth holding on to. While it was stressful in its own way, I'm grateful the trip gave me the opportunity to get to know him better.
Working for CTY this summer as an administrator was above all things a tremendous learning experience through which I made a small handful of incredible friends. While it was not what I had expected and my naive enthusiasm for the position did not serve me well, I adapted and made the best of it. I missed working more closely with students and found myself creating opportunities--visiting floors to join in on improvised four square games, co-facilitating afternoon swing dancing lessons, acting as a pirate judge for campus color wars, and performing in a staff lip sync for the talent show just to be a greater part of the action.
While I have not made any decisions regarding future endeavors (as I really ought to as soon as I can) I'm hopeful I will return to CLI in Baltimore next summer, where I really felt I had a tremendous positive impact on the staff and students.
Moving back to New Paltz was like coming home. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and keep reminding myself to soak up every minute and to take advantage of every opportunity I can.
I also started working on a new body of work. At the end of last semester I spent an exuberant amount of time in the studio cutting out magazine clippings. I kept finding all these characters and scenes that suggested strong narratives filled with tension. I've begun scanning these collages and am making large format digital prints of them that I'm going to continue to print over. I'll have to post some images soon.
Song of the day: The Weakerthans-My Favorite Chords
A 20-something's exploration of life, love, the pursuit of happiness, and art.
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Problem Solving
So I have a few projects in the works--more unresolved prints than I can count. I thought that perhaps, in writing a bit about the series I have developing, it might help me sort through some creative problem solving process and potentially point me in a better direction to develop my concept for my senior thesis. I feel it looming already, such an intense wish to be a credit to everyone and myself. I still have to get through this semester!
A friend of mine took a picture of me wearing a dust mask I dragged out from my days as a metals student. It's a really interesting photo--a glamor Chernobylesque image. I printed the photo using color separation photo lithography onto vellum. Kind of a torturous process. The paper rolled, wrinkled, smudged, etc. any time I tried to manipulate it. Out of about 20 or so sheets, I have about 8 that were successful. I've been layering computer print out images from the media of disasters happening all over the world (earthquakes, fires, murder, etc) behind sections of the portrait on vellum using PVA glue applied with an airbrush gun. I celebrated my success prematurely as the adhesive worked for about a night. A friend suggested I try applying matte medium and sending them through the press again but I'm bit nervous. Any suggestions?
The other work I have in progress at the moment is expanding off of a color separation photo silkscreen I did of Convention Hall in Asbury Park, NJ. It's turned into a few mixed media prints with inclusive cutouts, collaged photo litho figure, pen and ink map, and some actual sandpapering into the print. I'm printing an edition of 30 much smaller prints (8x10) for a portfolio exchange that's pretty settled. I've been doing a lot of scavenging--pulling unwanted prints from the trash, cutting, collaging, and working into them to develop something new.
I'm completely stalled on what I want to do for my final project in photo silkscreen. My professor really pushes for us to work 3D which I don't mind but I feel so directionless!
I did a collection of paper wedding/engagement rings with divorce stats on them last semester. I thought they were humorous and an interesting look into a social institution and it's rules of governance. My professor thought it was sad. I've done body casting where I interviewed a close friend about his life/medical procedures that have produced extensive scars on his body and projected the video onto the cast. I'm not opposed to creating an involved piece with serious emotional subject matter or an extensive process. I like creating socially conscious work I just lean towards creating two dimensional socially conscious work.
On a personal note: I think what I really need is to go for a walk, curl up on a couch in a corner of a coffee house, and enjoy a good cup of coffee.
A friend of mine took a picture of me wearing a dust mask I dragged out from my days as a metals student. It's a really interesting photo--a glamor Chernobylesque image. I printed the photo using color separation photo lithography onto vellum. Kind of a torturous process. The paper rolled, wrinkled, smudged, etc. any time I tried to manipulate it. Out of about 20 or so sheets, I have about 8 that were successful. I've been layering computer print out images from the media of disasters happening all over the world (earthquakes, fires, murder, etc) behind sections of the portrait on vellum using PVA glue applied with an airbrush gun. I celebrated my success prematurely as the adhesive worked for about a night. A friend suggested I try applying matte medium and sending them through the press again but I'm bit nervous. Any suggestions?
The other work I have in progress at the moment is expanding off of a color separation photo silkscreen I did of Convention Hall in Asbury Park, NJ. It's turned into a few mixed media prints with inclusive cutouts, collaged photo litho figure, pen and ink map, and some actual sandpapering into the print. I'm printing an edition of 30 much smaller prints (8x10) for a portfolio exchange that's pretty settled. I've been doing a lot of scavenging--pulling unwanted prints from the trash, cutting, collaging, and working into them to develop something new.
I'm completely stalled on what I want to do for my final project in photo silkscreen. My professor really pushes for us to work 3D which I don't mind but I feel so directionless!
I did a collection of paper wedding/engagement rings with divorce stats on them last semester. I thought they were humorous and an interesting look into a social institution and it's rules of governance. My professor thought it was sad. I've done body casting where I interviewed a close friend about his life/medical procedures that have produced extensive scars on his body and projected the video onto the cast. I'm not opposed to creating an involved piece with serious emotional subject matter or an extensive process. I like creating socially conscious work I just lean towards creating two dimensional socially conscious work.
On a personal note: I think what I really need is to go for a walk, curl up on a couch in a corner of a coffee house, and enjoy a good cup of coffee.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
save your scissors
Today I really do feel as if my head is about to explode and amused to find that "exploding head syndrome" is indeed a disorder listed on Wikipedia. Everything is listed on Wikipedia.
My head will not explode--I'm just stressed and a little worn from a few late nights in the studio, early mornings writing papers, prepping for this installation (still trying to figure out the kinks), program prep, misc. millions of little things/errands, and now...unexpected conflict with a coworker.
Honestly, I'm have not been physically present or speak enough when I am to cause conflict with anyone. When I am around the rest of the staff, I generally don't talk and this is hardly something new. I keep to myself, get accomplished what needs to, do what people ask of me, and lend a supporting hand whenever I can. Other than that, I don't bother anyone...but apparently feathers have been ruffled in a rather dramatic way and it's now being made my problem.
I'm at a loss for what to do but I'm thinking that you just might not be able to appease everybody and in any case, I can only do the best I can.
I have too many legitimate concerns to focus on and the insanely negative bits of "conversation" and energy coming my way are an unnecessary waste of my energy. I simply don't have the time to deal with this.
On a more positive note: I turned in a final paper today. One down and four to go...
My head will not explode--I'm just stressed and a little worn from a few late nights in the studio, early mornings writing papers, prepping for this installation (still trying to figure out the kinks), program prep, misc. millions of little things/errands, and now...unexpected conflict with a coworker.
Honestly, I'm have not been physically present or speak enough when I am to cause conflict with anyone. When I am around the rest of the staff, I generally don't talk and this is hardly something new. I keep to myself, get accomplished what needs to, do what people ask of me, and lend a supporting hand whenever I can. Other than that, I don't bother anyone...but apparently feathers have been ruffled in a rather dramatic way and it's now being made my problem.
I'm at a loss for what to do but I'm thinking that you just might not be able to appease everybody and in any case, I can only do the best I can.
I have too many legitimate concerns to focus on and the insanely negative bits of "conversation" and energy coming my way are an unnecessary waste of my energy. I simply don't have the time to deal with this.
On a more positive note: I turned in a final paper today. One down and four to go...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)