last picture 11-28-08

MacLeod's Highland Amber Ale "Duncan"
February 12, 2002 - December 3, 2008
He had the best personality. This was one of his last good
days. Poor guy, he was suffering during the final two days.

Internship

A retraction from an earlier post, I'm not going to start new blogs for thesis and internship, I will write about those topics here. But stayed tuned, I now have a domain and hosting so I will have a portfolio website up soon.

I haven't taken an opportunity to write about my internship at The Band, a multi-platform media agency.
If I had fewer classes this semester I would spend much more time there as the atmosphere is great. The office is small and the in house staff are smart and upbeat folks. Everyone engages in a variety of spirited conversation on all topics, politics being a popular one currently. Levity plays a large part in some of these discussions and thankfully everyone maintains a sense of humor. Yes, much hard work does get accomplished in this setting.
The creative director Jared Wolf is an energetic designer whose brain seems at times to run at supersonic speed. He is very patient and encouraging as an intern mentor. He also is immensely helpful to me on my school related projects since he can brainstorm and problem solve quickly. Added bonus, he is an alumnus of UCD.
Check back for more.

election

Darn, I wish Colin Powell was a presidential candidate for any party. He served his country honorably for 40 years, so one can't blame him for not wanting the job. If most of congress had his common sense and integrity the US would be able to solve or avoid many of its economic and foreign policy problems.

stream of...

The display on my little Nikon reads "lens error!" when I turn it on, very sad.

I'm trying to learn a bit about Flex. It makes sense when my instructor demonstrates it but now when I try to apply it I'm scratching my head. If I wanted to be a web programmer I think I could rule the world.

Still struggling with thesis. There is this invisible barrier. I know it is there but I'm drawn to it by some mysterious magnetic force. If I could articulate it visually in 3D it would be an interesting sight.

Blah, Blah, Blog mania

I swear I am not egotistical or afflicted with multiple personality disorder. I am forced, by college class requirements, to create more blogs geared to specific topics. This blog will now be my general chatty and newsy blog about life events and random thoughts and interests. In the next couple of days I will post links to my new thesis, internship, and Practice of Design blogs.

New and final semester of school

So I don't have to rehash, here is an update on the events of this week

On a happier note, some artistic inspiration. (Like you'd never guess I'd like this style of work.) Andy Gilmore, More Gilmore, & yet some more.

day full of creatures

These guys startled me this morning as I was about to toss a dog waste bag into a dumpster. They were definitely scared. They were shivering and making a soft but high pitched whining noise. After our morning outing my dog had a walk in appointment at the vet and we waited about 2 hours as there was a emergency which required the attention of the staff. I passed the time by visiting with numerous canines. I was surprised how many small pups were there - 3 chihuahuas, a yorkie, a king charles spaniel, and a beautiful grayblue great dane girl. Post emergency, a human mom was presented with a brand new maltipoo who was delivered by c-section. See the newborn

neglect

A month flew by without me blogging. Thanks to my distant friend Ape for suggesting I update. I can't believe school starts next week. I can't account for how I have spent my days. I have been taking many photos, keeping up with bookkeeping, and I have a couple of video projects in process. I made a card for the Steve's and Rich's race team to hand out to fans. I hope to update their blog soon.

random ramblings

It has been great not to be chained to the computer the last few days. This week I started summer semester of school. My one class is beginning Spanish. It is a refreshing change to be in a class with new faces instead of the usual suspects. The pace of the class is fast so I have to stay on my toes to keep up. I'm up to date on bookkeeping and Steve and I met with our accountant on Sunday to file taxes - hooray, what a relief to be done with those tasks.
Back in March I worked with Steve on custom coloring the concrete hearth and wine cooler floor at Tipsy's, a mega liquor store in Jeffco. I did not have an opportunity until yesterday to see the store since the grand opening. One side of the hearth is pictured in the photo above.
I have many art projects on my to do list. I have the beginnings of my own logo, a blog in progress for the train racing team (more to follow), and a preliminary outline for the thesis project with some sketches for a couple of the video storyboards. My resume and portfolio also require intensive attention.
I have also been posting to a daily photoblog the last month. Here's the link since there are now a some pics to view:
Random or Not

Inspiring Impressionism

My sis and I finally made it to the DAM exhibition on the closing weekend. The concept seems like a no brainer, but hey, seeing a great selection of Impressionistic works along with Hals, Botticelli, Velasquez, Fragonard, etc., works for me. When I was a teenager I thought Renoir was it. As one becomes more educated and sophisticated (ha) tastes supposedly evolve. I was surprised how much I loved Renoir's Confidences and Monet's Still Life with Fruit and Flowers. Perhaps one gains more thoughtful appreciation for the things one likes upon first impression (no pun intended). Yes, these are particularly luminescent paintings. My sis and I always comment how much reproductions pale in comparison to originals. Conclusion: see art in person as much as possible.

Link to Getty Museum

Link to Portland Museum of Art

installation fever

My thesis project is going to be a installation piece if I can work out the technical bugs.

I've been inspired by the sculpture work of Jen Stark among others.

See art by Jen Stark

Digital Threads

I found an online project Digital Threads on the Textile of Museum of Canada's website. I'm thrilled to see alternative/interactive digitally based textile art.
Users are allowed to create their own image with elements from the art pieces. Here is mine, I made it quickly so I wouldn't obsess over it.

Go to Digital Threads website

resource

I borrowed Ellen Lupton's new book from the library Graphic Design the New Basics. I'll probably purchase it as it has great visual examples of design elements and principles. I've only read the intro and like Lupton's inclusion of transparency and layers as universal design elements that have emerged with the development of digital imaging tools.
I've always been interested in layers visually and conceptually. I can also easily spend time fiddling around with filters, blending modes, effects, etc., in software applications. Yes, it marks me as a newbie, but so what, I love to experiment.

A picture of the decorative glass ball from my garden - reflective and transparent.

wish I had some spaghetti

so I could throw it against the wall and see what sticks. It may be a more productive approach for working on my final project for my thesis prep class.

A still image from an After Effects experiment with shapes and pattern.

Matilda, beloved cat

Tillie went to cat heaven this morning after trying to recover from cyst removal surgery a few months ago. She had been losing weight and we found out recently she had cancer also. We will miss her so much. It is very sad indeed. I feel bad for my step-daughter Vanessa. She took great care of Tillie. Vanessa previously thought she might want to be a veterinarian but realized these types of situations would be difficult. Yes, she is very kind hearted. V, I am so sorry honey.

These pictures show Tillie how I want to remember her, sweet and content.

We are going to spread her ashes in our garden.

forget art, pretty pictures and flowers are more fun

I went to the Denver Botanic Gardens on Tuesday, Earth Day. I took over 200 pictures with my new Nikon point and shoot - not a DSLR alas, but I think it is great anyway. My mission was to take pictures of the art on display for the Urban Nature exhibition to use in a video class project. I'm refining a promotional motion piece.
It was a lovely day despite the crowds due to free admission. I'm not a skilled photographer but I could happily spend a lifetime snapping pix of all the plants and garden areas. I particularly like the contrast of colors and textures between the spring blooms and the still bare remnants of fall and winter plants.
I was happy to recognize plants there that exist in my own yard. I planted some perennials and a few pansies on Sunday. I am normally cautious of frost and wait until Memorial Day to plant but I couldn't resist the temptation of playing in the garden for a couple of hours. Over the years the backyard has developed nicely. The goal is to have extensive color during every season throughout the whole space.
Steve has been a contractor of custom concrete for several landscapers. One of them drew up a plan to revamp our front yard. Time and funding constraints have put this on hold for awhile.
Anyway, going to the Botanic Gardens never fails to make me almost giddy with happiness. It is a great escape.

I fear I'm becoming what I despise

When I returned to higher ed I made a solemn and determined vow to not be a poor student. As graduation comes closer to reality I have lost a good portion of my optimism. I'm discouraged and feel like I can't compete with the talent and technical skill level of most of my classmates. I have missed classes and assignment deadlines due to some unrealistic notion of trying to produce high quality work. I get tunnel vision and bogged down in projects despite planning, scheduling, and untold hours of effort. I become frustrated and can't let go of things at the appropriate time. Today I worked on two video pieces I already turned in because they were less than adequate upon submission. I'm ashamed of myself. I never, ever, missed deadlines at my paid jobs. Oh, well - the good news is the end of the semester is near.

thesis paper

It is still in progress, although it doesn't seem progress is the correct word to describe what has transpired. I'm not sure why I am so stymied by this particular assignment. I have received an "A" on every research paper I have done during my college careers. OK, I take that back, one of my Multimedia professors gave me a "C" on a short paper - there is some irony in there somewhere. I definitely like researching and writing about art. I am putting an unrealistic burden on myself by expecting this paper be as perfect as humanly possible.
I must also work on three video projects due in the next week. In typical fashion, I was initially enthusiastic about doing them but now I'm losing interest.

time...

isn't on my side, perhaps I need to be on its side. One of my classmates has asked fellow students and teachers how they see time. This is an interesting question. As one who overanalyzes and waffles, I don't have a definitive answer. I know how I want time to be. I want it to be everchanging to fit my needs. Ideally it would have fluid periods which could overlap like an artful and seamless transition in a movie. I also wish it had static and safe niches where one could escape to as a respite from the day to day rhythm which never ceases.
I'm wondering about time because this is the final weekday of spring break and I have accomplished only a couple of things on my to do list. The surprising element is the fact there has been relatively little slacking on my part. I have been putting forth effort to get caught up on office work - I'm almost done. I've done only one of four items related to school, and zero of three desired museum visits, and one of half a dozen other personal errands and projects. For the last couple of weeks I have been assisting Steve with two custom concrete dyeing projects. Hopefully the second one will be completed to the client's liking by tomorrow. It has been nice to spend time with him, but I'm sure he would agree a little extra closeness is enjoyable but a tad too much can border on annoying.
The break in my spring break has allowed me to sleep in, read periodicals, and watch a couple of movies including "Goya's Ghost." I am also reading Original Self by Thomas Moore. More on that to follow.

it ain't jellin

I received helpful feedback following my mid-term thesis presentation. It is interesting how one gets so bogged down in a project you totally can't see obvious technical and conceptual flaws. Fresh perspective in the form of constructive criticism is so helpful. I wish I had a full time mentor or critic on call for guidance.

I wonder if there ever comes a point as an artist where the fundamentals become almost second nature and most of the effort and focus can be placed on the ideas and not design principles and technique.
I won't give up despite my frustration over lack of professional and technical proficiency.

luck 'o the Irish

I'm proud to say I have inherited a bit of royal Celtic genetic material from the Isle of Erie (my maiden and preferred name is Collins).

I did not have to present my mid-term project due to time constraints during class. Admittedly, I was scrambling to get it done and now have another day refine a couple of parts of the presentation as well as review, edit, and add more content to my brief video intro.

No green beer for me, only homework.

there is going to be a reckoning...

...tomorrow, my mid-term presentation is due. I have some image elements made but barely the beginnings of a 2-3 minute video in process. I want to change my thesis statement. Apparently this is a normal state of mind for others in this situation and of course for me, the queen of indecision. Here is the statement as of now:

The quilt, as a contemporary art form, can be created in non-textile media and retain the fundamental elements and qualities associated with traditional quilt making.

My instructor, based on my understanding of his advice, cautions me not to merely create interesting motion graphics, i.e., animated 3D quilt blocks flying in space. I think he also has concerns about the proficiency of my technical skills. Yes, I am still a novice on the edge of intermediate level ability. But I'm up for a challenge and I believe I always have solid conceptual ideas backed up by reasonable research efforts.

The focus of the non-linear narrative will be on the personal investment a quilter, or any artist, imbues into a creation via exploration of various themes. These include global causes, gender roles, spirituality, etc. I will focus on identity and personal power. These are inextricably tied to memory, family, and tradition. These are all themes common to quilt and artmaking.

thesis project diary

This blog is a requirement for my Fine Arts thesis preparation class. My hope is this will aid in keeping me on track with research, writing, and the exciting and potentially frustrating and painstaking work of creating 2d and perhaps some 3d video based art. I am prone to indecision, procrastination, and can easily lose focus and want to abandon projects when newer and more interesting concepts emerge. So hopefully blogging will force me to be accountable. More about the project to follow.