I'll take one, please!

One thing I miss about my parent's house is the fireplace. My meager place doesn't have a fireplace which is good and bad. Good because had there been a fireplace it would probably seem clunky and outdated given the era of the house; bad because I could use some ambiance in my living room and how else will Santa get in?

I have decided if I'm going to stay in this house awhile I'm going to invest in a wood burning stove:These are all nice, and if I have to, I will settle on one of them for economical reasons. But, if I were to get exactly what I want it would be this lovely number:

The Philbrook

I really enjoyed this museum. I went alone which was nice. I don't like being rushed while I'm trying to look at art and occasionally there are pieces I can stand in front of for minutes. No agenda, no rush, it was great. I was particularly fond of their security cameras. Maybe more museums are beginning to use cameras instead of "guards" but this is a change I welcome. One thing I always complain about is the way the security tend to alienate people and breath down their necks as they walk through museums. I understand there are ignorant people but the museum is there to display the art. If you really want to preserve the work just lock it in a dark, temperature controlled room and be done with it. (Wow, I'm on a soapbox today, apologies). The Philbrook didn't feel like this and I enjoyed having the "authority" at a distance.

The pictures already!

This is a view as you enter their garden. It's beautiful!
A sculpture in the gardens. A metal tree with glass leaves. The photo does little justice.
I don't believe this was an actual piece but I couldn't help but think about its potential. There is an extension ladder leaning behind it and all I could think about was some covert mission to paint one hell of a stencil on it. It's a blank canvas just waiting to be deflowered!

Before we head back inside I have to show you my favortire piece from the entire museum. Drumroll please...

This is a sculpture by John Kearney titled, Hippo. It is made from welded bumpers. This is such an amazing piece and it seemed casually tucked away in the back of the garden.
It's burning outside, inside we go!

This is a print by Gustave Baumann. Again, since these photos were taken with my phone the quality of the photo does little to describe the magnitude of the piece. Baumann's work inspired me more than any other in the museum. He was a print maker and used woodcuts. The process of his colored wood cuts resembles stencil painting, multiple layers and thorough planning.

Here are a few more pieces that were of interest to me:

Love those "technicolor" pastels!

Reminiscent of the closet in my studio!
Before I wrap it up, I must mention an exhibit that I'm lucky to have caught. This is a "must see" exhibit. Peggy Preheim. Her work is insane! She does tiny pencil drawings so intricate they seem like black and white photographs. As you enter the exhibit they offer magnifying glasses so that you can see the amazing detail of her work. Some of the drawings are as tiny as a postage stamp! They wouldn't allow photographs in this exhibit and it was guarded but photographs couldn't capture the essence of the show. It will be up though July 26.

Well, those are my highlights. Check it out in person if you get a chance!

Really?

Before I start my post on the museum, I wanted to share this with you first. Friday night my brother's girlfriend, Felisha and I were window shopping and we saw this in the parking lot of the shopping center:
It's an analog television and VCR. Now I know it's "out with the old and in with the new" (this is a concept I have a hard time grasping; I love quality and I'm practical, I don't like waste) but this is unacceptable. How can someone have the audacity to just leave their trash sitting in a parking lot?!? Maybe they are trying to make some statement or maybe some artist was hiding behind a car taping people's reactions. Either way it was sort of funny and bizarre and then I started to rant. I had to take a picture, I felt it was worth noting. That's all.

Bee!

I have began a new stencil. I'm two colors in and this humidity isn't helping. I can't go on because the paint isn't drying. It doesn't help that I'm using vinyl wallpaper to paint on but I haven't ran into this problem before.

Patience is virtue, that's all I can say at this point. The painting better turn out magnificent because it's taking all of my will power to refrain from just continuing. I'm trying to do the right thing these days and maybe in return the goddesses will grant me some patience. While I was waiting I cut this little stencil:I sprayed it on the side of some nasty, five gallon bucket I had outside. Considering it only took me about 5 minutes to cut all three colors and about 2 seconds to spray it I think it turned out better than expected. Yesterday I went to Philbrook Museum and it was amazing. I just wish it wouldn't have been so miserable outside. They have such a beautiful garden but I couldn't withstand the heat so I was unable to inspect it thoroughly. Maybe next time. I did take a ton of photos on my phone I just haven't had time to organize them. Tune in tomorrow, and fingers crossed that I will have time to post them.

This Just In

Last night I went to Jazz in June. It's a three day music festival but I usually just go Thursday night, blues night. I went with a couple of my good friends, Doug and Barb. Doug is a free lance writer so he was scooping the show. He just sent me the photos from last night. (All photos by Doug Hill.)Barb and I, early evening. It must have been funny because I sure look goofy in this picture.This couple was so cute. They were having a ball.Reminds me of Marlboro ad. but without the cig. Maybe a beer ad?Mike looks like a ladies man in this photo. How funny! I have a nice transparent quality in this shot.The Lloyd Jones Struggle was great! They're a blues band out of Oregon and the headliner for blues night. Just look at that crowd gettin' down!

To Much

Lately I have been busy with work and my class but I feel like I haven't done anything creative . I did come across this kitchen over at Design Sponge and I'm in love:
I am very happy with my kitchen but if I could ask for more I would ask for this type of cohesiveness.

Never finished

I tend to over work things until they are so overdone no one can stand to look at them. My laptop bag from the previous post is an exception but I must say that I subtracted from it over and over again. The seam ripper became my best buddy (even Zola was jealous). Ok, to the point already! Here are a couple examples of my love for more...When I stenciled the faces onto the wood they looked pretty nice. But after all, they were just floating heads. They needed something else. I think the one of Joe turned out alright. The minimal color scheme helps it feel less cluttered. The second one (of me) is terrible! I think I overworked it because I'm self conscious. I tried to hide my face in rubbish. The more I look at these pieces the more they grow on me but I don't think I will ever feel confident enough to hang them in the living room. I have a new stencil waiting to be cut but I have been busy with making a website for my class. In the meantime I will try to scrounge up things to post. I apologize in advance for half assed attempts like this post. Good night!

Strapping

Attempt number 2 at laptop cases:I'm pretty proud of this little number. A much simpler design seems fitting for the "hipster" mac user that I aspire to be. The little, MacBook pro is safely nestled in it's padded, mobile home and it's happy. Everyone can breath easier knowing that it's not going anywhere as it's being support by tow straps rated at 3000lbs. That's how much I love you my shiny Dear!

Luncheon

Zola and I have a new ritual as per June, lunch on the patio. Lately it has been a little warm but with a little breeze, it's not to bad in the shade. Speaking of shade:
This is a picture of my sun shade on the patio. I was lounging outside while Zola played in the yard today at lunch and I caught this beautiful shadow. Feet propped with my iPod...let's just say it was hard to return to work.

Sewing

I haven't done much sewing in a long time. Probably years. Tonight I decided to attempt making a case for my new laptop. A few mistakes and hours later I'm nearly finished. I want  to add some straps but I don't have any belting and the fabric stores are closed. Plus, I'm not sure it's worthy of any more time. It turned out looking pretty 'makeshift.' I guess my  extended hiatus is to blame for my lack of sewing skills.  I also didn't go into the project with much of a plan. The plans I did have weren't working out so I had to improvise. As of now the bag/sleeve is usable but I think next weekend I will try again. My goal is to use materials I already have. I did have to go and buy some piping and a seam ripper but I had the fabric and batting. Tomorrow I need to mow and  hopefully I will have enough energy to start a new stencil.

Splurge!

I'm usually not an impulse shopper but today I went all out. I decided to buy a laptop. A mac! A macbook pro! I have been shopping dells for a few weeks and have felt overwhelmed. I have been wanting a mac for awhile but my adobe CS is for a windows platform so I thought I was stuck buying a PC. I called Adobe last night and they said they will do a cross platform license, all I had to do was fill out a form.  This issues hasn't been resolved yet (I submitted the form this afternoon and I'm waiting to hear back) but I suppose sometime next week I will be running CS on my beautiful new mac! As for now I'm transferring files and trying to set up my profile. What a way to spend a Friday night!

"The Stencil"

I have been out of my studio for several weeks but Monday I hopped back in hoping to come out with a bang. I fell short but it's a decent start. My mind is fertile I just need to work on planning and execution. I pulled out one of my reference books for inspiration. Inside, I found this photograph:This image was taken by the US Coast Guard in 1952 in Salem Massachusetts. I'm not sure why I'm attracted to it, maybe the composition or maybe it's the automobiles. I also like the contrast of the UFO's and they way they seem to be radiating light. So what do you get when you mix this photograph with spray paint?

This. This stencil was a nightmare. This is the second try and I still couldn't get it right. Those cars are pretty difficult to illustrate without using 10 different stencils (to create tonality) but I just don't have the energy (or the time) for that level of intensity at the moment. I am happy with the composition and the colors although the black is problematic (I'm just not a fan of using black in my work). I am up for suggestions but for now I'm at a stopping point. I hope in a day or two I will have an epiphany and pull the spray paint out for the final touches. I think it's a good start to getting back in the swing of creating. I'm on my way to becoming a prolific artist, watch out!

I also wanted to include the following photo to give you an idea of the scale. I have also hung the smaller stencils I did on wood. If you read my preceding blog you may remember them. I don't think I ever included their dimensions so here ya go:

I'm Not Alone

Occasionally when I get bored I hop on blogger and "creep." I say creep because I don't leave comments (which is taboo in the blog world). I don't really have a reason for not commenting I guess I'm a bit selfish (I'm trying to work on this).To all of the writers of the blogs I peep know this: I do take solace when I find a kindred soul, someone dealing with the same issues I'm battling. I am here and reading even if I don't leave a comment.

This morning I found this blog. Well written and insightful, I could identify with this particular post. I should probably comment and let her know that she isn't alone but I think I will just smile, and hit the "Next Blog" button like I was never there. I'm such a bad egg!

Busy Busy

Lately I have been drained. Work, HTML class, and trying to get back into a creative groove is all wearing me out. Add me to this photo and this is what my evenings consist of: I'm a pretty "hip" 23 year old, let me tell ya! I left out the 5-minute decorations that my mom and Felisha hung for the June celebrations last weekend. They are still up, I just noticed them last night while I was studying:

My clever mom made these little caricatures of my brother. "Zippy Zorn" is my brother's superhero, alter ego. This little drawing illustrates my mom's mad 'paint' skills. Makes for a few laughs. Should be studying. There is a new stencil in the works, more tomorrow.

David Gray

I remember a few months ago I was scanning the shelves for new CD's to play in my car. I decided on David Gray's album, Flesh. I had previously purchased "White Ladder" years before and I still love it today! I guess I liked it so much I went out and bought "Flesh" which resided on the shelf until recently.

Surprisingly raw and beautiful I was smitten at first track. As I listened to the CD over and over again I realized it fit my life. Maybe I romanticised my life to fit the amazing compilation but I really think it just spoke to me on a personal level. I haven't listened to it in a few weeks but this morning it began playing in my car. Thinking back, I realized that either the CD changed my life or I changed my life because of this CD. Love, loss, memorials and "new horizons" (track 8) are all a part of Gray's "Flesh." This record will always be distinguished in the soundtrack of my life. For better or worse...

A little piece of such poetry and one of my favorite versus:

"And your heart ain't yours to control

No matter how tight the reigns

Love will find it's own direction

A time to reap, a time to sow

And many a time to cry in vain

But now the time to celebrate

The glory of this imperfection

Same thing that's scrawled across the stars

Is written under our skin

New horizon

New horizon within"

5/5 stars from me, check it out!

Celebrate!

Today we had our June Celebrations. It was a little hot outside but the patio is near complete. The canopy is hung and I finished the chairs for the table. Now I just need the grass to grow and a cool breeze. It's been a busy weekend. I finished the first unit of my HTML class yesterday (made a 100% on my quiz YAY!) and it was party time today. Tomorrow will be a day of relaxation and hopefully I can tackle some organization projects.

22!

Hapy Birthday to my little brother:

Master Bedroom

Like so many of my projects, my bedroom is still underway and will probably never be considered complete. I did buy some new curtain rods, which are durable enough to uphold the fabric. I still have a list of things to do to bring it closer to completion:
- mount curtain tiebacks
- buy a new duvet cover
- hang lights on each side of the bed
-create a piece for over the headboard
-new bedside table(s)
-remove carpet
etc, etc etc (you get the idea)
Here are some of my inspiration photos for the master bed:

This is the photo that I used to determine the color scheme. So far I have stayed pretty close to the initial plan, I just hope someday my bedroom will be as polished as this one.
I plan on hanging molding on the opposite wall of the bed. I really like the simplicity of this photo. I am hesitant about hanging pictures all over the bedroom (I want it to stay serene and uncluttered) and I think the molding is a nice alternative.
I purchased some hanging lights years ago from a second hand shop and I have decided I'm going to hang them on the either side of the bed. I liked the way these were mounted and was considering making mine into hanging sconces similar to the photo above.

Mirror, Mirror...

...is now on the wall (well, on the back of the door really). I finally hung the mirror I purchased from Ikea months ago. Can you believe that I have been in my house almost two years and this is the first, full length mirror in my house?!? It's so nice being able to see the 'big picture'It's nothing fancy but it will feel like luxury until I get used to it. And, yes, I am wearing a skirt and I even shaved my legs!

Making Plans

I had noted that June is a special month, a "New Year" for me, if I may. This weekend I plan on having the family over to celebrate the various birthday and anniversaries but also to celebrate change and nice weather (which will hopefully be cooperative). I quickly created this flyer and sent it out this afternoon: I can't wait to see everyone and lounge around the new patio. Ready to BBQ!

June Perks

This weekend I was busy, busy. I mowed my yard(s), spread some grass seed and planted flowers in my garden pots. For months the pots have sat empty, sad, (like me) but this month I decided it was timem for some cheer! These are out on my front porch by the front door.And, these are out on the back patio. Now we shall see if I can keep them alive. Wish me luck!

Family

Yesterday was my parents and grandparents wedding anniversaries (26 years and 56 years respectively). Friday night I rode with my grandmother and aunt and we met my grandpa out at their cabin in "no-mans-land." Saturday morning we drove over to Chandler and Davenport Oklahoma to visit the graves of our relatives. My grandma is from Davenport and she drove us around showing us where they lived and telling stories. It was a nice mini vacation and I enjoyed hearing about my family history. There is something charming about the quaint, old towns that have been around prior to statehood but it's also a little depressing to see them in their current state (weathered and dilapidated). Davenport seemed as though it were on the verge of becoming ghost town. I suspect most of the residence there are sustained by Chandler.

It was nice getting to spend time with my grandparents. It made me wonder about the legacy I will leave behind one day.

This is a picture I stitched together of their land (sorry so small). It was so beautiful and clear. My grandpa had spent the previous day on the tractor mowing.While I was atop the hill taking the land shots (above) I saw this butterfly. It was a lucky shot, so serene.After we got back it was so nice outside, there was a strong breeze but it really cut down on the heat, near perfect. We sat out on the porch and watched the humming birds.I caught two at the feeder but at one point there were five attempting to drink from it!I will always love my Nana and Papa!