Updates

- Grad school is a go: including 2 10hour a week GA positions, one in ceramics, one in fibers. Meaning lots of time spent in the studio, lots of work, less tuition, a bigger stipend, and amazing providence providing for me!

- the Spring Guild sale is over and done, and I did well. Better than in November in fact. Yeah, I'm just as surprised as you! Here are some photos of me sanding, pricing, and packing my mugs.

Those big bins and box are what I used to transport back and forth
All 3 were full there and only 1 1/2 were full on the way back, which is pretty good all things considered!

- New work in the studio: large planters. Thrown from two pieces, a large 'bowl' on the bottom and a bottomless ring on the top. needless to say they're super fun to make (big things usually are) and even more fun to carve into. There is a 3rd one in the works, but I'm still working on it. the first and second one here you can see 'finished': they still need glazing and final firing. some of the in progress shots.

1st one bisque fired on it's shelf with all sorts of other pots (not mine however)

1st one on the table, gives you an idea of its rim...
I kinda like the larger flat rim for a planter and more shadow on the carved design
(took about 4 hours total carving)

2nd one about 1/3 done
design drawn on & started
added clay to the surface to bulge out, as well as carved away parts of the design

2nd one all done carved and added to
green, but ready to fire.
(carving/additions took about 5 hours)
I think they kinda look like pebbles... but not necessarily what I was going for.
I was thinking seeds/bacteria... who knows

3rd one, freshly thrown.
it's the largest and has a much longer neck to carve/draw upon
the design I've started looks kinda like grape hyacinth
the stems are carved out, and the 'flowers' are added on clay
I haven't added leaves yet, but I think they'll be a combo of added clay and carved

- work and teaching going well. but ready for a vacation and to see the whole family in a few weeks.

- that's about it for now, I'll try to update more often... and get more photos up soon... I have things I still need to photograph.

I GOT IN!!

just a quick note, I'll tell you more as I know it.

I just got my acceptance letter from EMU's art Department.

I still have to have the actual graduate school review my transcripts/whatever but the art dept is recommending full admission. 

So needless to say, that hurdle where the art professors look at and judge my work has been crossed.  

I am way to excited now to write more, I'll let you know more as I find out!

mix of work

Ok so I got off work early today and spent the majority of my afternoon/evening in the basement working on some things I've wanted to get done for a while. 

First of all, here are three of the pears I made a couple weeks ago... yes, one's blue.

Anyway, so I've been thinking that these might be fun to try and sell at the spring sale.  They're not a lot of work, as they're one of those that you need to work in stages to allow the clay to stiffen. So today I made 5 more; some a bit bigger than the littlest one that's fired already.

Stage one, roughly put together, with stems attached, but in need of lots of tweaking.

Stage 2, the pears shape has been refined, and the surface has been gone over once with a loop tool, carving away and smoothing.  Next step, using a sure-form tool (think cheese grater) to get rid of some of the weight and thickness of the clay wall, and also smoothing at the same time.  Then I'll use a 'green scrubby thing' (like the back of a scotch-brite sponge) to really smooth and finish before firing.

My other project I'm working on is more hand built forms, that will hopefully together make a cool sculpture.  Because I'm in the idea of dealing with creatures that make up larger conglomerations/communities I thought that this would be fun. But of course I'm abstracting the forms, because it makes it more fun.  Really. Fun.

Stage 1: pinched forms, joined and shaped; stiffening.

Stage 2: forms have been carved, and smoothed with damp sponge and a rubber rib.

When they are leather hard, I will see if I need to reshape any or get rid of some of the weight with the sure-form.  Right now I really like the forms.

And for Mom, my progress on the quilt.  

I'm very happy with the colors so far and am having fun.

So that's it for now. Hopefully I'll be able to update more frequently with pictures, I just keep forgetting my camera!

DAM fine afternoon!

This afternoon some friends from work and I took the light rail into a snowy Denver and braved the cold for the free Saturday at the Denver Art Museum.

It was the first time I had been there and the collection was spectacular!  The new building was constructed a couple years ago and is a great building filled with modern and contemporary artworks, and one of the great things was seeing so many great artists I know and love... 

And then there was the old building.  Floor after floor of art that was curated in the most fantastic way; the art was arranged by culture, and time period, but they also stuck in contemporary works of the same cultures in the exhibits as well... 

For instance, traditional native american pottery was placed right next to contemporary native american potters that I've studied.  

A contemporary Chinese painting of a goldfish was hung above a 10 foot Ming dynasty table.  

Needless to say it was amazing and a blast to experience.

It also got me super excited to get back into the studio and start making new work of my own!

time to reflect

The funny thing about this time of year is how reflective one can become. Maybe it's because of my recent trip and how I'm looking at where I want to go in the next year. Maybe it's because of the fact that it's fall and things are winding down outside. Maybe it's because of the fact that I'm getting ready to apply to grad schools and I'm looking back at my work, but this past few days have been very reflective for me and I've had lots to think about.

Needless to say, I'm fairly sure that there are some big decisions I have to make in the near future. And at the same time, it's kind of fun to see how my reflection will influence my artwork and what direction I will be going in.

I do have a few pictures from my trip, but they will have to wait for another day, as my camera batteries need to recharge!

Ok, enough sappy self reflection. I'm going to have a cup of tea and do some research for a new art piece I'm working on...

Snippets

* My latest attempt at the barnacles theme... I'm thinking of calling it 'Barnacles and Sea Snail'. I like that the snail is just a little surprise and not too overstated, but still gives it some sense of reality that is different than the previous ones. I'm actually kinda geeked about it.

Can you see it??

There!

And close up...

* I was watching 'Stranger than Fiction' while I worked on the new piece Saturday night, and again I was struck by the genius and humanity of that movie. Seriously, how great.


And my favorite line of all: "Harold Crick lived his life."

* Spent time with Jess, Justin, Benjamin, and Philip Saturday afternoon... Philip slept on my shoulder for a while and he was too cute. All warm and snuggly... and after his bath smelled like wonderful baby.

* Sunday went to a friends in the afternoon to watch the Bronco's pull one out (somehow!) over the Chargers. Seriously, super game.

*For some reason, I've been having some bad headaches over the last few days. Methinks the weather has been a changing quite a bit.

* I'm debating setting up a website (or having someone do it for me) so that I can have a place where people can look to buy my work... I've had about 10 questions about that in the last week. My only issue is business issues about which I have no idea. Hmmm, things to consider.

* Favorite CD of the moment: Coldplay's 'Viva la Vida' some people can't stand it (overplayed) but I think the title song is amazing. And as a whole it's a great collection of new songs...

back in Denver

Well, aside from a little bit, ok a lot, of turbulence, my flight got back to Denver ok. It is nice to be back in Denver, where I have a bed and bathroom of my own (but thanks Alisha and Chris, and Scott for use of yours!!) and there is a nice comfortable familiarity to ones own bed.

My trip was in a word, wonderful. I got to see friends that I didn't realized I had missed as much as I had. I got to see family, including Kim's new house! and hear Mike's proposal story. And I had WAY too many dinners out. :) Not that they weren't appreciated!!!

The art show was amazing, and I am so proud of all the work that the BFA grads had done. It was amazing to see all the work in the gallery and get a little glimpse into the art I've missed being made.

I also got a shot in the arm and a great pep talk and critique from Anna, and there is no doubt in my mind as to the direction I need to keep going in... back to gradschool. Hopefully it will be sooner than later, but one day at a time is all I can do.

a list

things that made me laugh in the past few days:
- the 'ladies' at Potter's Guild on Tuesday night telling me not many men last working with them in the evenings. this after a 30 minute discussion of menopause and the temperature of the room.
- the dog last night, upon receiving new toys and a new kennel pillow. hopefully she will not destroy the pillow in a day or two.
- finding Mighty Morphing Power Ranger valentines to give to my coworkers for only $1.99. at least they were better than 'Bratz' valentines.
- the way in which the weather can be sunny and 60 degrees in the afternoon, and cool down and snow later that evening.
- Hal the cat chasing shadows.
- emailing my friends and catching up on how things are.
- attempting to explain what I'm doing with my ceramics to other people at the art center. 'But that's a lot of work for a vase' or 'How many hours did you spend on that?'

Trip to Denver

Well, the trip out to Denver went well. No problems with the truck or the car, though I had a few anxious moments when I was looking at all of my worldly possessions in a single space, and though things are not the point of life, they make things easier and hold memories that I was worried about losing. Nothing happened though, no boxes flying off the back of the truck at 70 mph, no stolen truck or any thing like that.

And now I'm here, and have been doing the things that one needs to when one changes residences, such as waiting for 3.5 hours at the DMV for a transferred driver's license, sitting at the bank while they add me as a new member of the Members Federal Credit Union, and all things like that...

I've already filled out about 6 applications, and am well into the process of unpacking my things, and I've even made friends with Hal, who is on my lap at this moment, begging for head scratches. And of course I'm willing to oblige him. When he's not meowing at 3:00 in the morning, he really is quite sweet.

And now, some pictures- some of the trip out, and some of my studio setup which i worked on today for a while, setting up the fish tanks and moving the table and chair to where I want it...

Loaded and ready to roll.

What I watched for the entire trip....

Ok, so the plains states are pretty pretty.

One of many windmills we saw while driving... even cooler was seeing 5 semi's with the huge blades for new ones going up. A single blade was the length of the semi flatbed... maybe longer.

My studio/own space in the basement, yes for those of you who know that is Dad's old Lay-z-boy

My shelves, with art books and art supplies.

A cool plant in one of my tanks... yeah, its cool, trust me.

And finally, two pictures of my buddy, Hal.

-Halbert, Halidol, Haliburton, Hallelujah-
whatever his name is, he's the funniest cat.

Moving

All my bags are packed,
I'm ready to go...

No seriously, I'm ready already.
While exccedingly wonderful and great it has been to hang out with my friends, and how amazing it has been to sleep in late and stay up even later. I'm ready to go.

I'm looking forward to the challenges that are coming up, and while it kinda stinks to say goodbye for now to so many friends, it's time for me to go.

I can't wait to live with Bee and explore a new city and look for a job and all kinds of things.

I'm ready to go.

Graduation

So there it went. My graduation day.
It was a lot of fun, and I got to see a lot of good friends walk across the front of Van Andel Arena and get their diplomas...
The party/open house afterward was fun and I was surprised as to how many prople came! It was lots of fun.

Not too many words today to describe how it feels, so instead I'll just show some pictures.

Me and my friend Christy before the ceremony.

We three BFA...

With the BFA to prove it!

Organized chaos

From the floor... surrounded by friends and family.

Heather and Brad

Exiting after the whoo-hoo.

People people everywhere, and where's my family?

There they are!! Mom, Dad & me.

My life in Disarray

So now that I'm officially done with classes, I have been focusing on attempting to really begin packing and getting ready for my westward move. Needless to say as the images will show, I have a lot of stuff and it's spread all over the basement/my room/which is the basement.

Three things I'm looking forward to the most about moving to Denver:
1) My walls won't be cracked foundation letting in the rain/melt water to soak my carpet and create ideal mold living conditions.
2) I will be above ground.
and a big ol' 3) living with Bee!!!

Really though, the house has been really good. I've loved living here this past year and will miss my roommates terribly.

On to the photos showing the disaster area that is packing central...

My once orderly shelves, a mess and half emptied...

My bed, covered in random stuff to be boxed/sorted/who knows what... unmade, with boxes ready to be filled.

The rest of the basement. No not all that is mine, but that is a lot of my art supplies... not all, but a lot. Hmm...

So, I think I have a good start on things. I should be able to get everything packed and done by May 30. But for now, I need to head to bed; tomorrow is another day.

But first I have to clean off my bed...

Irony...

So while perusing CNN's headlines while at work this evening, I found an ironic and somewhat frustrating story.
This compounded not only by the fact that I disagree with what originally happened, but by the reasoning for his resignation...

From CNN:
"The No. 2 official at the Justice Department, Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, submitted his resignation to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, the Justice Department announced Monday.

McNulty cited personal reasons for his resignation.

"The financial realities of college-age children and two decades of public service lead me to a long overdue transition in my career," he wrote in his resignation letter.

A source close to McNulty told CNN that the deputy attorney general had planned to resign from the $165,000-a-year job about a month ago, but decided to announce the move at a conference of U.S. attorneys in Texas."


Ok, so the politics aside, he's getting $165,000 a year, and he claims hardship for putting his children through college?! What has he been spending his money on?! I do believe that all 4 of the Bosschers went through CALVIN on two Christian school teacher's salaries, and unless I'm mistaken that's no where near $165,000. Talk about money-mismanagement.

This the same week I sign my loan repayment plan does not make me happy.

Sunday Studying

So, after a very nice Sunday dinner with the family, I went home to continue my studying for my final exam which I will take tomorrow at 1:30pm.

It's art history of Baroque and Rococo, and it was a very interesting and good class to take. But I'm kinda glad it will be over tomorrow. All my undergrad stuff will be over tomorrow!

Anyway, so after studying for about 5 minutes inside, I decided it was too nice outside not to study there. After a short while, my roommate Jose decided to join me, but since he's not taking exams anymore (he graduated last year) he read a book. I got some nice sun and my skin is no longer scary white winter pale. And boy was it a georgeous day!

To prove I actually was studying- that top card is 'Versailles' designed by leVau and Mansart, 1670's-

Mmmmm, green.... I love the springtime.

Beautiful blue sky...

After studying for a few hours, and taking a short nap as well, I went inside and studied some more, only to discover I was getting a migrane.
So, off to bed for a few hours with some Excedrine, and then I was up and back to work this evening.

Now, however, I'm uber-awake, thanks to that nap and the caffeine in the Excedrine.
But on the plus side, my migrane didn't wipe out any of the dates or names of the paintings and buildings I need to know!

With one exam left, I'm very anxious in both a good and nervous way. But, it's time for bed, and later today will bring a close to my undergrad course work. Hooray!

Numb Thumb

So... today at work, I discovered that there is an area on my right thumb that is numb. I believe that this happened recently, but as of yet have not diagnosed a cause.
The numb spot is about the size of a dime and it is right on the pad of the thumb, almost centered on the whorl of my finger print...

here's a photo for clarification...



No, the skin is not actually discolored. I colored it with a highlighter to see how big it actually was because I couldn't feel it... and then I outlined it with a pen... to make it visible for photos... yes that's what I do when I'm not doing homework in the last week of class... I color my numb thumb and take photos of it...






By the way, do you know how awkard it is to take a photo of your dominant thumb with your non-dominant hand... very.


So, anyway, it's not really problematic right now, just kinda annoying. Oh, and for more info, only the center is completely numb. Around the edges of the spot it's that tingly feeling like when you've had novacaine at the dentist and your lips are all puffy and tingly feeling... not the pins and needles of a sleeping foot... but just tinglely. Yes, I said tinglely...

So... if anyone has suggestions, causes, remedies for restoring feeling to my Numb Thumb, I'm very interested in hearing them...
Oh, and let me know if you think it's serious...
I doubt it, but you never know.