End of Term

End of Term, always so far away, then upon us before we are ready. Except this time! I got ahead because I was expecting a final project on my most intense course. I got ahead in everything else. But, the teacher decided to go easy on us. We just have to finish up our previous project and call it a day. Or even a term.

So I have an exam in Public Speaking. It is a comprehensive exam on a textbook which I am proud to say I never read. Thank you very much. That will be Thursday. I expect to enjoy it.

I have a slideshow to put together for my print class showing all the stuff I've make this semester, showing that I learned a good variety of techniques and tried different styles, etc. I still need to photograph some of my work for that, but here is some that I can show you now.

This first piece is a linoleum cut print. It is based on a photograph I took of James not too long ago. It is about 9"x7" or something.

The next is more or less a doodle because I had little bits of lino and big bits of imagination. The studio was a mess.

 The sugar skull is a two color lino print. It is done on butcher paper.

This sugar skull is just the key plate from above. I hand colored it with watercolor crayons.

For this one, Lady MacBeth, I "rainbow rolled" two colors and attempted a chine coli. I still don't know what that means, but I'm pretty sure this is it. And I'm pretty sure it is awesome.

There were some other processes that we tried, but I can't show you examples until I get them photographed. Also, one is a familiar nude and I don't know you as well as that, so you won't be seeing that piece.

The last process we learned about was lithography. I quite liked it even though it was a beast to figure out. Hours and hours of trial and mostly error. It is a portrait of little James Ambrose:

I based it on a sketch I did of him while he and Bea were watching a movie recently:

So that is what I've been up to. One week form now, the semester will be over and I will have weeks of house cleaning, potty training, grocery shopping, laundry and all those other domestic things that I've let fall by the wayside.

(Also, parties, art exhibits, daytrips, rock shows, skinny dipping, banner dropping, puppet making, drinking, reading, gardening, painting, etc, etc.)

Feminist Art

I'm doing a three layer reduction print. It is apropos of nothing, for all you Dumas readers out there.

I just wanted to try reduction printing. That is all.

And I wanted to make something for Kerri Beth in case she needs art for her awesome 'zine, Lady Talk. Plus, we've been having great lady talks in printmaking class (which is mostly ladies) because I just watched Miss Representation and Beth already saw it and it is quite much fodder for conversation. That, my friends, is a sentence if I ever saw one.

And I'm thinking a lot of our lady issues. Reading this and that.

I'll show the print to you when it is done.

Nap Time

Today I have gotten a lot done! It's 4:30, so I probably ought to be getting the kids up, but whatever.

I have two potential plans for my next print. See part of one up there? I also came up with a text-based poster for the next Club Art and Design event. It's entirely hand lettered. I'm going to print a few extras and number all the prints. Like it's real art or something.

There's a local print competition hosted by another school and the submission deadline is today. Luckily, I have a good camera and a few prints at my disposal. It's $5 per print and you can enter up to 3. I'm entering the maximum quantity allowed. Just to be extreme, you know?

In other news, I'm getting awfully tired of the Avett Brothers latest album and The King Is Dead by the Decembrists. What are you listening to that one ought to check out?

Greenpeace

I applied for the Greenpeace activist training camp. It's in California in March. During a school week. Well, not just any school week; It is the week right after Spring Break.

When you sign up, you choose a track out of four possible study areas: Arts in Action, Climbing, Blockades and Boating. All these are specific protest tactic areas. I chose Arts in Action. You have to put your second, etc. choice as well. But really, if I don't get into my top choice, I won't go. It's too far and too expensive. And Art Activism is my track, so there.

Will you cross your fingers for me? It's a long, time consuming application and then you are told about a possible waiting list. But this girl holds out plenty of hope. :)

Also, I already emailed one of my teachers who not only approved of the idea, but agreed to be a reference on my application!