Pick-me-ups

| February 6, 2010
Tuesday Night Outfit

An imaginary, ideal outfit that can easily transition from work to Lost watching parties at BJ’s. I know we have plenty of throw blankets, but how comfortable does that wool blanket from Dace look? Maybe if we move north…

I’m feeling a little sick towards the end of the week, and I’ve been curled up on the couch watching ABDC. I’m a little sad the crew from Providence with former Hope High kids didn’t make nationals, but thank God this season isn’t so gimmicky. I overheard some pretty funny conversations when I mentioned to my class that I watch the show. Speaking of which, I realized Friday that my ear can’t pick up certain frequencies anymore. I prided myself in the fact that I could pick up on the mosquito ringtone when students texted each other. It must be annoying for students who hear it but don’t want to be the tattletale. Fortunately, some kids don’t care about that, so when one called out his friend for using the ringtone, I quickly fibbed and said I could hear it too!

A few winter pick-me-ups that have made my days a little brighter:
  1. Smores at least twice a week*
  2. Girls concert at Walters
  3. Tofu Cheesecake at Aka Sushi
  4. Waza happy hour
Hah! Most of them involve food.
*Microwave marshmallow on crackers for 8 sec., add chocolate, microwave for another 9 sec. = two perfect smores.

relieved

| January 22, 2010

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Shabd SS10 Collection. So beautiful. Hat tip: unruly things.

Hi. Outfit #1 for July? Hmm. Growing up, tie dye was a staple for field day uniforms. I especially loved the event where the entire team had to maneuver a gigantic beach ball around the obstacle course. The second picture perfectly captures my mood this week: relieved it’s Friday and ready to spend some time outside!

Starting new projects like those that involve clay can be exciting but exhausting. Students are eager to begin but don’t want listen. I think I impressed a few with my (ahem) loud voice—I just don’t like to bring it out much. Also, high school kids are not sneaky at all. Why would you ask if you can make a bong, shot glass, martini glass, or ash tray? I wonder if they sincerely thought I would say, “Sure, as long as it has great surface treatment!”

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| January 7, 2010

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Some Christmas books that I need to spend time with. I got BJ Painting Today, and he also recieved American Illustration 28 in the mail, so we’ll be set for awhile. At least that’s what we always say, but you know how it goes. :)

One of my favorite gifts was a jewelry torch kit from BJ. I loved the intro to jewelry course at RISD, and the size is perfect ’cause that’s all I used for my projects. I’m super excited to get started but also a little nervous—I hope I don’t blow something up!

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I’m brainstorming ways to use all the beads and charms I’ve been collecting, like these skull pieces from International Beads & Novelty, a little place near Michigan Avenue in Chicago. They had an awesome vintage stock, but after 90 years, they closed their shop. Lucky for me and you, some of their goods can be found online here.

I don’t want to say I’m busy and tired because that’s all I ever feel like/complain about, but man, I am busy and tired. My grades are due tomorrow, final exams begin, and contests are approaching. I feel fortunate at my job, but arriving at 6:40am and not leaving until 6pm—plus taking additional work home—is hard. Today, one of my colleagues discussed the possibility of me taking over painting courses next year (something I would love to do), but that would mean 4 preps and that class is a combination of different levels. And don’t even get me started on how my class sizes increased from 25 to 35 this year. But I am lucky…

olly moss

| October 16, 2009

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Olly Moss‘s film poster remixes. Genius. I really admire how he uses  limited tools to perfectly capture the essence of the subject—something I try to reiterate to my students. I can’t blame them for thinking kitchen-sink maximalism is good; ads and magazine pages today are so crowded. I got a headache flipping through my sister’s Seventeen magazine last night. Those layouts are craazzzzy.

Gah. These are so good. And he’s only 22!

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| October 6, 2009

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We started a Post-It gallery in the classroom, anticipating Where The Wild Things Are.

figuring it out

| September 23, 2009

Things are starting to settle down at school. Faces become familar, routines established, relationships forged. It’s a huge sigh of relief.

I haven’t had much time to spend on my art, but it’s nice when I can incorporate my personal projects into class demonstrations. For now all I have are doodles and “figuring it out” work.

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My doodles. I had my kids create ink grounds using a straw and then asked them to created drawings from the marks.

bowsDrawing on fabric & hand sewn bows w/ recycled cloth.

Melissa (Hi, MOJO!) sent me a cool link. Wanna participate? I think I’ll give it a shot.

more maija

| September 20, 2009

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I love learning about illustrators like Maija Louekari. I first was drawn to this album cover in the Musikraphics book, and when I checked out Maija’s website I was happily surprised to recognize her other work for Marimekko. Some of my favorite images I posted a long time ago were her designs. Like these two:

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And I bought a set of towels a year ago with this print, but I never knew who designed it until now.

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For my class, I’m thinking of showing her work as a visual reference for a hand drawing + design exercise. She actually makes it look fun!

6:45am

| August 20, 2009

workshop_sketch2Quick sketch during today’s workshop.

With 3 more days until the start of school, I set a goal to be in bed by 11pm. If I had it my way, I’d probably push it back to 3am. I guess I associate the wee hours with a lot of good memories: ones where relationships were built, adventures were taken, and better work was produced. Especially in college. But since I have to be at work at 6:45am, this is something I’m going have to commit to. Wish me luck…

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| August 18, 2009

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This is how I feel about cleaning. (Probably what my back looks like too. Gotta be vigilant about my posture!)

It’s been a long day and my feet are starting to remember what a school day feels like. The classroom is getting closer to being in order, but sometimes it feels like a mountain load of unfinished tasks.