I created two videos for the student sessions presentations. They've been sent to a number of people to enjoy and watch. The videos will hopefully contribute to promoting the ACA's student opportunities.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
archive: 25 october 2007: understanding
Maybe one of the things that motivates me to want to help someone else come out of their own hole, their own sunken ship, is that I have been in the same position. How can one help another in this way? One is that both come out with the strengths and encouragement of the other, but as long as neither berates oneself for long about faults and flaws. The only problem is that scenerio is all too optimistic and very often unrealistic. As much as I would like to help someone see that they can do so much more and be happier with oneself... As much as I would like to say over and over again, "you're intelligent; you're attractive; if you'd just get up and go get what you want, you'll be happier."
I know the same applies to me. It doesn't take others telling me that I need to bring myself out of this rut. No, it takes me noticing that someone else I care about is very much in a similar spot, and although I am sympathetic and wish him the best, I cannot do much more than that. He will have to do it himself. And the same goes for me.
That's all for now...
I know the same applies to me. It doesn't take others telling me that I need to bring myself out of this rut. No, it takes me noticing that someone else I care about is very much in a similar spot, and although I am sympathetic and wish him the best, I cannot do much more than that. He will have to do it himself. And the same goes for me.
That's all for now...
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
archive: 23 october 2007: recent quotes
I watched a movie I have always liked a lot again last night... I knew there were some quotes in it I appreciated at one time and needed to read again...
"We must assume our existence as broadly as we in any way can; everything, even the unheard-of, must be possible in it. That is at bottom the only courage that is demanded of us: to have courage for the most strange, the most singular and the most inexplicable that we may encounter. That mankind has in this sense been cowardly has done life endless harm; the experiences that are called "visions," the whole so-called "spirit-world," death, all those things that are so closely akin to us, have by daily parrying been so crowded out of life that the senses with which we could have grasped them are atrophied. To say nothing of God. But fear of the inexplicable has not alone impoverished the existence of the individual; the relationship between one human being and another has also been cramped by it, as though it had been lifted out of the riverbed of endless possibilities and set down in a fallow spot on the bank, to which nothing happens. For it is not inertia alone that is responsible for human relationships repeating themselves from case to case, indescribably monotonous and unrenewed: it is shyness before any sort of new, unforeseeable experience with which one does not think oneself able to cope. But only someone who is ready for everything, who excludes nothing, not even the most enigmatical, will live the relation to another as something alive and will himself draw exhaustively from his own existence. For if we think of this existence of the individual as a larger or smaller room, it appears evident that most people learn to know only a corner of their room, a place by the window, a strip of floor on which they walk up and down. Thus they have a certain security. And yet that dangerous insecurity is so much more human which drives the prisoners in Poe's stories to feel out the shapes of their horrible dungeons and not be strangers to the unspeakable terror of their abode. We, however, are not prisoners. No traps or snares are set about us, and there is nothing which should intimidate or worry us. We are set down in life as in the element to which we best correspond, and over and above this we have through thousands of years of accommodation become so like this life, that when we hold still we are, through a happy mimicry, scarcely to be distinguished from all that surrounds us. We have no reason to mistrust our world, for it is not against us. Has it terrors, they are our terrors; has it abysses, those abuses belong to us; are dangers at hand, we must try to love them. And if only we arrange our life according to that principle which counsels us that we must always hold to the difficult, then that which now still seems to us the most alien will become what we most trust and find most faithful. How should we be able to forget those ancient myths about dragons that at the last moment turn into princesses; perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave. Perhaps everything terrible is in its deepest being something helpless that wants help from us." - Rainer Maria Rilke
"We don't see things as they are; We see things as we are." - Anais Nin
"We don't click in any ways... We don't have chemistry or banter or common interests... You don't appreciate the chaos and absurdity of life on this planet. You don't understand irony, or ethnicity, or eccentricity, or poetry, or the simple joy of being a regular at the diner on your block. I love that. You don't drink coffee or alcohol. You don't over eat. You don't cry when you're alone. You don't understand sarcasm. You plod through life in a neat, colorless, caffeine free, dairy free, conflict free way. I'm bold and angry and tortured and tremendous and I notice when someone has changed their hair part, or when someone is wearing two very distinctly different shades of black or when someone changes the natural timber of their voice on the phone. I don't give out empty praise. I'm not complacent or well-adjusted. I can't spend fifty minutes breathing and stretching and getting in touch with myself. I can't spend three minutes finishing an article. I check my answering machine nine times every day and I can't sleep at night because I feel that there is so much to do and fix and change in the world, and I wonder every day if I am making a difference and if I will ever express the greatness within me, or if I will remain forever paralyzed by the muddled madness inside my head. I've wept on every birthday I've ever had because life is huge and fleeting and I hate certain people in certain shoes and I feel that life is terribly unfair and sometimes beautiful and wonderful and extraordinary but also numbing and horrifying and insurmountable and I hate myself a lot of the time. The rest of the time I adore myself and I adore my life in this city and in this world we live in. This huge and wondrous, bewildering, brilliant, horrible world. ...In these ways I feel that we do not click." - from Kissing Jessica Stein, written by Heather Juergensen & Jennifer Westfeldt
"We must assume our existence as broadly as we in any way can; everything, even the unheard-of, must be possible in it. That is at bottom the only courage that is demanded of us: to have courage for the most strange, the most singular and the most inexplicable that we may encounter. That mankind has in this sense been cowardly has done life endless harm; the experiences that are called "visions," the whole so-called "spirit-world," death, all those things that are so closely akin to us, have by daily parrying been so crowded out of life that the senses with which we could have grasped them are atrophied. To say nothing of God. But fear of the inexplicable has not alone impoverished the existence of the individual; the relationship between one human being and another has also been cramped by it, as though it had been lifted out of the riverbed of endless possibilities and set down in a fallow spot on the bank, to which nothing happens. For it is not inertia alone that is responsible for human relationships repeating themselves from case to case, indescribably monotonous and unrenewed: it is shyness before any sort of new, unforeseeable experience with which one does not think oneself able to cope. But only someone who is ready for everything, who excludes nothing, not even the most enigmatical, will live the relation to another as something alive and will himself draw exhaustively from his own existence. For if we think of this existence of the individual as a larger or smaller room, it appears evident that most people learn to know only a corner of their room, a place by the window, a strip of floor on which they walk up and down. Thus they have a certain security. And yet that dangerous insecurity is so much more human which drives the prisoners in Poe's stories to feel out the shapes of their horrible dungeons and not be strangers to the unspeakable terror of their abode. We, however, are not prisoners. No traps or snares are set about us, and there is nothing which should intimidate or worry us. We are set down in life as in the element to which we best correspond, and over and above this we have through thousands of years of accommodation become so like this life, that when we hold still we are, through a happy mimicry, scarcely to be distinguished from all that surrounds us. We have no reason to mistrust our world, for it is not against us. Has it terrors, they are our terrors; has it abysses, those abuses belong to us; are dangers at hand, we must try to love them. And if only we arrange our life according to that principle which counsels us that we must always hold to the difficult, then that which now still seems to us the most alien will become what we most trust and find most faithful. How should we be able to forget those ancient myths about dragons that at the last moment turn into princesses; perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave. Perhaps everything terrible is in its deepest being something helpless that wants help from us." - Rainer Maria Rilke
"We don't see things as they are; We see things as we are." - Anais Nin
"We don't click in any ways... We don't have chemistry or banter or common interests... You don't appreciate the chaos and absurdity of life on this planet. You don't understand irony, or ethnicity, or eccentricity, or poetry, or the simple joy of being a regular at the diner on your block. I love that. You don't drink coffee or alcohol. You don't over eat. You don't cry when you're alone. You don't understand sarcasm. You plod through life in a neat, colorless, caffeine free, dairy free, conflict free way. I'm bold and angry and tortured and tremendous and I notice when someone has changed their hair part, or when someone is wearing two very distinctly different shades of black or when someone changes the natural timber of their voice on the phone. I don't give out empty praise. I'm not complacent or well-adjusted. I can't spend fifty minutes breathing and stretching and getting in touch with myself. I can't spend three minutes finishing an article. I check my answering machine nine times every day and I can't sleep at night because I feel that there is so much to do and fix and change in the world, and I wonder every day if I am making a difference and if I will ever express the greatness within me, or if I will remain forever paralyzed by the muddled madness inside my head. I've wept on every birthday I've ever had because life is huge and fleeting and I hate certain people in certain shoes and I feel that life is terribly unfair and sometimes beautiful and wonderful and extraordinary but also numbing and horrifying and insurmountable and I hate myself a lot of the time. The rest of the time I adore myself and I adore my life in this city and in this world we live in. This huge and wondrous, bewildering, brilliant, horrible world. ...In these ways I feel that we do not click." - from Kissing Jessica Stein, written by Heather Juergensen & Jennifer Westfeldt
Sunday, October 14, 2007
archive: 14 october 2007: mood swings
"Characteristics: Emotional charge and sensitivity increases. Do not get swept away by irritability, mood-swings, hysteria, big and small excitements, desire to quickly change everything. People tend to become more conscious of self and others, and see everything in dark tones.
It is a good time for self-analysis and self-improvement, correction of bad habits and shortcomings. When we improve, so does the world around us."
This is exactly how I have been feeling this weekend. Why don't I pay attention? Saturday and Sunday, all day, especially Saturday... I felt completely unwanted and disliked, unappreciated and forgotten. I expect too much of others doing as they said they would do. Just because I will try my best to do as I said I would, and if I can't I let those dependent on it know, doesn't mean others do. It just disappoints me when others don't do that. For me, it is a matter of respect and value of friendship, effort and care. That's why I do those things, and that's why I feel terrible when others let me down by not doing those things.
I guess I had better get used to people being this way, not believing them when they say they will do something. Then I can be surprised when they do follow through. But then I might get used to that. It is all easier said than done.
And then there's this matter of definition. How does one define friend, personally? There are many kinds of friends. It seems mine come and go quite easily. The close ones.... rare and very far between indeed.
It is a good time for self-analysis and self-improvement, correction of bad habits and shortcomings. When we improve, so does the world around us."
This is exactly how I have been feeling this weekend. Why don't I pay attention? Saturday and Sunday, all day, especially Saturday... I felt completely unwanted and disliked, unappreciated and forgotten. I expect too much of others doing as they said they would do. Just because I will try my best to do as I said I would, and if I can't I let those dependent on it know, doesn't mean others do. It just disappoints me when others don't do that. For me, it is a matter of respect and value of friendship, effort and care. That's why I do those things, and that's why I feel terrible when others let me down by not doing those things.
I guess I had better get used to people being this way, not believing them when they say they will do something. Then I can be surprised when they do follow through. But then I might get used to that. It is all easier said than done.
And then there's this matter of definition. How does one define friend, personally? There are many kinds of friends. It seems mine come and go quite easily. The close ones.... rare and very far between indeed.
Friday, October 12, 2007
archive: 12 october 2007: mama j you will be missed
One of my favorite teachers in high school was "Mama J." She was my yearbook teacher all four years and she encouraged me to pursue photography and magazine design. I continued with the photography but never went further with the design. She had this high pitched voice, was caring and attentive, but was quick to make sure no one walked on her either. I have one of her little water colors... I wrote her several times after I graduated undergrad and graduate school, just to let her know what I was up to and that I wished her well and wanted to know how she was doing. I need to find that water color at home, frame it, and put it on the wall.
-------------------
MADISON — A Madison woman has died following a two-car collision on I-55 this week.
Vera M. Jaeger, 74, of Madison was transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center where she died of multiple trauma from injuries sustained in the wreck Tuesday, Madison County Coroner Alex Breeland said.
The wreck had noon traffic backed up along I-55 north for more than an hour.
Jaeger's Toyota Camry was struck by an 18-wheeler driven by Michael Ongley, 50, of Morton, Ill., after Jaeger reportedly attempted to switch into one lane then jerked back to the other, according to a news release from Madison police.
Ongley was not injured.
Witnesses told police that it appeared Jaeger had passed the 18-wheeler, which was in the center lane. She attempted to enter the far right lane, but another vehicle was there, so she attempted to go back to the center lane, according to the release. Witnesses said it appeared she had overcompensated.
The third vehicle was not hit.
No charges have been filed in the wreck, but police said they would be investigating it.
Vera Menning Jaeger, Madison, MS
Vera Menning "Billie" Jaeger, 73, a retired school teacher with Madison County Schools, died Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at University Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Visitation is today at 1:00 p.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church in Jackson, Mississippi. Funeral services are 2:00 p.m. today at Ascension Lutheran Church in Jackson, Mississippi with burial in the Mark Seepe Crematorium, Jackson, Mississippi. Mark Seepe Funeral Directors & Crematorium in Jackson, Mississippi is handling the arrangements.
Vera was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, December 14, 1933 to Else and William Menning. She was a retired school teacher with Madison County Schools where she had taught computer programming, gifted student classes, and art. In addition to teaching high school computer, she was also a member of WRAMPS, a wildlife rescue organization, and was home to numerous "found" baby birds which she raised and released. After retiring, she began art classes and was a member of the Mississippi Artists Guild. She painted several canvases for friends and family, but never took money for any. She was a member of the Mystery Lover's Book Club and also attended water aerobic classes three times a week at Fitness Lady. She was a lifelong Lutheran and attended Ascension Lutheran Church, where she also sang in the choir.
Survivors include: daughters, Stephanie (Peter) Haddow of Madison, Patricia Jaeger of Salisbury, N.C., Susan (Mark) Crady of Titusville, Fla. and Barbara (Mike) Kent of Madison; grandchildren, Katherine and Arielle Shore, daughters of Stephanie; and Devon and Krysten Crady.
Published in the Clarion Ledger on 10/12/2007.
http://www.legacy.com/clarionledger/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&Pers..95985609
-------------------
MADISON — A Madison woman has died following a two-car collision on I-55 this week.
Vera M. Jaeger, 74, of Madison was transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center where she died of multiple trauma from injuries sustained in the wreck Tuesday, Madison County Coroner Alex Breeland said.
The wreck had noon traffic backed up along I-55 north for more than an hour.
Jaeger's Toyota Camry was struck by an 18-wheeler driven by Michael Ongley, 50, of Morton, Ill., after Jaeger reportedly attempted to switch into one lane then jerked back to the other, according to a news release from Madison police.
Ongley was not injured.
Witnesses told police that it appeared Jaeger had passed the 18-wheeler, which was in the center lane. She attempted to enter the far right lane, but another vehicle was there, so she attempted to go back to the center lane, according to the release. Witnesses said it appeared she had overcompensated.
The third vehicle was not hit.
No charges have been filed in the wreck, but police said they would be investigating it.
Vera Menning Jaeger, Madison, MS
Vera Menning "Billie" Jaeger, 73, a retired school teacher with Madison County Schools, died Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at University Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Visitation is today at 1:00 p.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church in Jackson, Mississippi. Funeral services are 2:00 p.m. today at Ascension Lutheran Church in Jackson, Mississippi with burial in the Mark Seepe Crematorium, Jackson, Mississippi. Mark Seepe Funeral Directors & Crematorium in Jackson, Mississippi is handling the arrangements.
Vera was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, December 14, 1933 to Else and William Menning. She was a retired school teacher with Madison County Schools where she had taught computer programming, gifted student classes, and art. In addition to teaching high school computer, she was also a member of WRAMPS, a wildlife rescue organization, and was home to numerous "found" baby birds which she raised and released. After retiring, she began art classes and was a member of the Mississippi Artists Guild. She painted several canvases for friends and family, but never took money for any. She was a member of the Mystery Lover's Book Club and also attended water aerobic classes three times a week at Fitness Lady. She was a lifelong Lutheran and attended Ascension Lutheran Church, where she also sang in the choir.
Survivors include: daughters, Stephanie (Peter) Haddow of Madison, Patricia Jaeger of Salisbury, N.C., Susan (Mark) Crady of Titusville, Fla. and Barbara (Mike) Kent of Madison; grandchildren, Katherine and Arielle Shore, daughters of Stephanie; and Devon and Krysten Crady.
Published in the Clarion Ledger on 10/12/2007.
http://www.legacy.com/clarionledger/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&Pers..95985609
Thursday, October 11, 2007
archive: 11 october 2007: familiar faces and banjo learning
It keeps dawning on me I look an awful lot like my Dad when I smile really big... Its more noticeable then how my eyes are also like his (though green when his were light blue) and the nose - bridge bump and all - is his also. If I grew a beard and mustache I would look practically just like him. haha
When my dad was a young man I think he was good looking, but at 63 years old he was old, tired, ragged. That is how I remember him most. I also remember those nights of arguing with Mom after he'd gone out drinking till he was belligerent. Those are not favorable memories. But that look, that appearance is how I see myself in the mirror.
----
Side note:
I bookmarked maybe 30 websites tonight dealing with clawhammer and old-time banjo music. I saved a bunch of tab sheets and music files for easy banjo tunes. Going to listen to them when I get home and might try learning a few this weekend....
OR
I might figure out how and what I am going to make for my mom and sister for Christmas. Possibly also think about something for a few friends, too. I keep thinking large scale but I know I need to stay small scale. I can't afford to overdo it. haha!
When my dad was a young man I think he was good looking, but at 63 years old he was old, tired, ragged. That is how I remember him most. I also remember those nights of arguing with Mom after he'd gone out drinking till he was belligerent. Those are not favorable memories. But that look, that appearance is how I see myself in the mirror.
----
Side note:
I bookmarked maybe 30 websites tonight dealing with clawhammer and old-time banjo music. I saved a bunch of tab sheets and music files for easy banjo tunes. Going to listen to them when I get home and might try learning a few this weekend....
OR
I might figure out how and what I am going to make for my mom and sister for Christmas. Possibly also think about something for a few friends, too. I keep thinking large scale but I know I need to stay small scale. I can't afford to overdo it. haha!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
archive: 10 october 2007: madison
Gluckstadt, Canton, Madison, Ridgeland: Madison County, Mississippi
Berea, Richmond: Madison County, Kentucky
? Mars Hill, Marshall, Hot Springs: Madison County, North Carolina ?
Connections:
I was born in Jacksonville, NC (which is on the East Coast of the state, but still.)
I grew up mostly in Madison County, MS.
My family tree branches down from England and Ireland to Virginia, then Western Kentucky, Bowling Green and Glasgow area.
My first archival job was in Madison County, KY.
Now I have the opportunity to apply for a position in the next few months in Madison County, NC.
Coincidences? Random? Fate? Meant to be? Who knows?
Berea, Richmond: Madison County, Kentucky
? Mars Hill, Marshall, Hot Springs: Madison County, North Carolina ?
Connections:
I was born in Jacksonville, NC (which is on the East Coast of the state, but still.)
I grew up mostly in Madison County, MS.
My family tree branches down from England and Ireland to Virginia, then Western Kentucky, Bowling Green and Glasgow area.
My first archival job was in Madison County, KY.
Now I have the opportunity to apply for a position in the next few months in Madison County, NC.
Coincidences? Random? Fate? Meant to be? Who knows?
Sunday, October 7, 2007
archive: 7 october 2007: amazement
It never ceases to amaze me how people can surprise me with their actions and attitudes.
~*~ on another note ~*~
I have a phone call to make (or maybe email) to find out more about something in NC. I have no idea how I would manage it in the best case scenario, but for now I shouldn't worry myself with that. For all I know something else might crop up.
~*~ on similar note ~*~
I need to spend time sorting out exactly why I feel such a close tie to Berea. Is it really the town or specific individuals? Is it fear of starting all over again somewhere in a place where I know no one: the same thing that happened when I moved from MS to Berea on Sept. 7, 2004. A LOT of time ticked by before I felt a sincere connection, emotional attachment, familiar faces who cared.... I will have to sort it out. And, if certain small hopes are realistically possible to maintain or are they unrealistic? Possible the latter.
~*~ on a musical note ~*~
Love when Regina Spektor sings in French... :)
~*~ on another note ~*~
I have a phone call to make (or maybe email) to find out more about something in NC. I have no idea how I would manage it in the best case scenario, but for now I shouldn't worry myself with that. For all I know something else might crop up.
~*~ on similar note ~*~
I need to spend time sorting out exactly why I feel such a close tie to Berea. Is it really the town or specific individuals? Is it fear of starting all over again somewhere in a place where I know no one: the same thing that happened when I moved from MS to Berea on Sept. 7, 2004. A LOT of time ticked by before I felt a sincere connection, emotional attachment, familiar faces who cared.... I will have to sort it out. And, if certain small hopes are realistically possible to maintain or are they unrealistic? Possible the latter.
~*~ on a musical note ~*~
Love when Regina Spektor sings in French... :)
Friday, October 5, 2007
archives: 5 october 2007: ideas, recycling, art
(I was writing this great blog and then I clicked on something and lost the whole thing... so, now I begin again.)
Today Dianne and Lori were ripping up books. Ok. Let's begin that again. :)
Today Dianne and Lori were going through books which were in Tony's collection and determining which ones can go to ACA libraries and which ones need to be disposed. There were a large number of textbooks which were outdated, massively abused, and not college level. These really could not be reused in a high school or junior high, and there weren't enough to do so. So we slated them for recycling yet we figured the covers could not be recycled. So Lori was taking the covers off and I was stacking them to throw away when it dawned on me what I could DO with the covers.
The bottle collages I plan to do sometime soon were also going to have accompanying handmade books to explain and depict more information that I could not put on the bottles themselves. I was going to get old books and glue the pages together and paint and paste things into them. But now I will instead use the covers from these textbooks that Lori took off, strengthen them, add pages of a slightly smaller size made of cardboard and whatnot. I saw the concept and knew I have to do it.
I think I want to make these bottle collages through ALL recycled materials. I bought several things from Walmart and Michaels and other corporate stores for the chakra collages. Much of the stuff was from flea markets and yard sales, but I think my aim for these collages is to show how art can come from recycled materials too. I guess the only things which won't be recycled is paint and adhesives.
So my apartment is looking kinda funny: a floor full of wine jugs, a few boxes and plastic bags full of empty liquor bottles, a window in the kitchen lined with wine bottles. Now t here will be a stack of history, algebra, and Spanish textbook covers (23 total) for the other half of the project.
I really need to get started on collecting the items for these things. It adds up. I guess if I set aside $10-15 a week for garage sale pilfering I could get a good number of things as long as they are very small and very cheap. haha.
I researched the Pleiades and the Nine Muses. I need to sit over the material and design some concepts: how many bottles will I need for each of the stars in the Pleiades, especially if I do portray how some of them in fact are made up of several stars (astronomically speaking) and each bottle represents that form, and then those would be tied/wired together. I need to do some sketching I am sure.
So here's some links for the book concepts. I saw something like this several years ago, but my project will be a little different from all of these.
http://www.donna-engstrom-abstract-art.com/custom_art_work.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~bsalter01/_Dianes_friends/friends.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~bsalter01/_wsn/page4.html (pictures load slow)
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/Linda-books.htm
http://www.quietfiredesign.com/classes.html
http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2006/06/altered_books.html
http://karenswhimsy.com/altered-books/dreams/altered-book-techniques.htm
http://www.outsidethemargins.com/ab.html
http://www.artbytheyard.biz/altered_books.htm
I guess that's about it. A Google search for "altered books" in images will show you a lot.
Today Dianne and Lori were ripping up books. Ok. Let's begin that again. :)
Today Dianne and Lori were going through books which were in Tony's collection and determining which ones can go to ACA libraries and which ones need to be disposed. There were a large number of textbooks which were outdated, massively abused, and not college level. These really could not be reused in a high school or junior high, and there weren't enough to do so. So we slated them for recycling yet we figured the covers could not be recycled. So Lori was taking the covers off and I was stacking them to throw away when it dawned on me what I could DO with the covers.
The bottle collages I plan to do sometime soon were also going to have accompanying handmade books to explain and depict more information that I could not put on the bottles themselves. I was going to get old books and glue the pages together and paint and paste things into them. But now I will instead use the covers from these textbooks that Lori took off, strengthen them, add pages of a slightly smaller size made of cardboard and whatnot. I saw the concept and knew I have to do it.
I think I want to make these bottle collages through ALL recycled materials. I bought several things from Walmart and Michaels and other corporate stores for the chakra collages. Much of the stuff was from flea markets and yard sales, but I think my aim for these collages is to show how art can come from recycled materials too. I guess the only things which won't be recycled is paint and adhesives.
So my apartment is looking kinda funny: a floor full of wine jugs, a few boxes and plastic bags full of empty liquor bottles, a window in the kitchen lined with wine bottles. Now t here will be a stack of history, algebra, and Spanish textbook covers (23 total) for the other half of the project.
I really need to get started on collecting the items for these things. It adds up. I guess if I set aside $10-15 a week for garage sale pilfering I could get a good number of things as long as they are very small and very cheap. haha.
I researched the Pleiades and the Nine Muses. I need to sit over the material and design some concepts: how many bottles will I need for each of the stars in the Pleiades, especially if I do portray how some of them in fact are made up of several stars (astronomically speaking) and each bottle represents that form, and then those would be tied/wired together. I need to do some sketching I am sure.
So here's some links for the book concepts. I saw something like this several years ago, but my project will be a little different from all of these.
http://www.donna-engstrom-abstract-art.com/custom_art_work.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~bsalter01/_Dianes_friends/friends.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~bsalter01/_wsn/page4.html (pictures load slow)
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/Linda-books.htm
http://www.quietfiredesign.com/classes.html
http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2006/06/altered_books.html
http://karenswhimsy.com/altered-books/dreams/altered-book-techniques.htm
http://www.outsidethemargins.com/ab.html
http://www.artbytheyard.biz/altered_books.htm
I guess that's about it. A Google search for "altered books" in images will show you a lot.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
archive: 3 october 2007: pinnacle pictures and thinking about thoughts
I spent some time the other day at the East Pinnacle just letting some energy out hiking up there and soaking some energy in while resting for about an hour on the flat rock up top. What a gorgeous view. I was looking out across the other foothills and it really sunk in how they look from above, the curves and colors, the distance, the beauty. I loved them all along, but truly seeing it right then took me away. Almost the entire hike up was void of other people; I met a group briefly coming from the West Pinnacle at that rest point when you can choose either direction. And then the rest of the entire hike up and back down was just me, the green trees, the oncoming Autumn, birds and insects, the sun, the sky, spirit and energy. It was beyond great. A few breaks to catch my heart (beating too hard; so out of shape endurance-wise) and the slowing down of breath...
Anyway, last night I watched a little bit of What the BLEEP – Down the Rabbit Hole and the part about the water sunk in and impressed me. I am going to work towards that... Its an interesting concept and I like it.
Anyway, last night I watched a little bit of What the BLEEP – Down the Rabbit Hole and the part about the water sunk in and impressed me. I am going to work towards that... Its an interesting concept and I like it.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
archive: 2 october 2007: winter feelings
I was talking about a lot of stuff yesterday with a friend. Stuff that I don't talk about often because it makes me think of things I wish I had right now. Poignant. I was on the edge of tears, it was getting to me so much. It was good to talk to her about stuff I know that might help her, but at the same time it was opening something within me that I've kept shut 'cause if I think about that much it really gets me down. It emphasizes what is missing that I have been wanting.
We're not having a premature winter, honey.
Also... why is it I am almost always attracted to those who are unattainable in one way or another? Either emotionally or physically or spiritually out of my reach because they need to do some things for themselves before becoming involved with someone else, or they're on the other end of the country, or the releasing of baggage and getting to know oneself again, or any other number of things I can guess. But somehow I am nearly always attracted to these people. My emotions are sympathetic.
I was talking about how long its been, but its not the last activity that bothers me, but its the disconnection altogether that bothers me. The kind of emotional distance connected with physical distance. And even the smallest of hints go ignored or misinterpreted; I hardly even miss sex itself. No, I miss the simplicity of innocent intimacy, that which I have not had in a very long time.
I am going hiking this late afternoon up the Pinnacle. Yes.
We're not having a premature winter, honey.
Also... why is it I am almost always attracted to those who are unattainable in one way or another? Either emotionally or physically or spiritually out of my reach because they need to do some things for themselves before becoming involved with someone else, or they're on the other end of the country, or the releasing of baggage and getting to know oneself again, or any other number of things I can guess. But somehow I am nearly always attracted to these people. My emotions are sympathetic.
I was talking about how long its been, but its not the last activity that bothers me, but its the disconnection altogether that bothers me. The kind of emotional distance connected with physical distance. And even the smallest of hints go ignored or misinterpreted; I hardly even miss sex itself. No, I miss the simplicity of innocent intimacy, that which I have not had in a very long time.
I am going hiking this late afternoon up the Pinnacle. Yes.
Monday, October 1, 2007
archive: 1 october 2007: seasonal motivations
My motivation lately has been slim.
I don't feel compelled to really put much of myself into this class I am taking. I want to drop it, but it is really just too late.
I want to be taking lessons and learning to play my banjo. I need to set aside time to work on it and practice. I have an instructional DVD borrowed from a friend which has been helpful, but I know I am going to have to take in-person lessons.
I really want to be working on my bottle collages. I have talked a lot about them, but I haven't started work on them. I have the research done for two of the ideas (Pleiades and the Nine Muses) and I need to collect some items and images to put into the project. I really need to work on the design. And I want to begin research on the third idea, strong women in world religions, but I know that will be time consuming and intensive.
It might be true that I have been spending too much time sitting around just talking and chatting, loitering about socializing, but... there are times when I need that particular kind of connection. Winter is coming soon - I am more reclusive in winter, and unfortunately, feel loneliness moreso than I do in Summer.. But autumn comes first and I will want to be outside, a lot. I will want to see the sunrise and sunset, the amber and topaz leaves, the stormy contrast of sky and pine trees, etc. I love autumn.
I might need to start reeling myself in. Get stuff done. Friendships are growing. Love in general is felt. But as I said, Winter isn't the friendliest season for me. It hurts. Maybe something good will come with the cold, other than my warm coats and sweaters.
I don't feel compelled to really put much of myself into this class I am taking. I want to drop it, but it is really just too late.
I want to be taking lessons and learning to play my banjo. I need to set aside time to work on it and practice. I have an instructional DVD borrowed from a friend which has been helpful, but I know I am going to have to take in-person lessons.
I really want to be working on my bottle collages. I have talked a lot about them, but I haven't started work on them. I have the research done for two of the ideas (Pleiades and the Nine Muses) and I need to collect some items and images to put into the project. I really need to work on the design. And I want to begin research on the third idea, strong women in world religions, but I know that will be time consuming and intensive.
It might be true that I have been spending too much time sitting around just talking and chatting, loitering about socializing, but... there are times when I need that particular kind of connection. Winter is coming soon - I am more reclusive in winter, and unfortunately, feel loneliness moreso than I do in Summer.. But autumn comes first and I will want to be outside, a lot. I will want to see the sunrise and sunset, the amber and topaz leaves, the stormy contrast of sky and pine trees, etc. I love autumn.
I might need to start reeling myself in. Get stuff done. Friendships are growing. Love in general is felt. But as I said, Winter isn't the friendliest season for me. It hurts. Maybe something good will come with the cold, other than my warm coats and sweaters.
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