cOnCeNtRaTiOn

So it is getting time to decide on a concentration. I'm not really sure how to phrase it or whatever, but I want to work with the concept of empty space while working with old metal signs and other sheet metal. The idea stems from several months spent rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. Down in the 9th Ward, there were road signs everywhere that had been destroyed by the storm and looked really artistic. Also, road signs can be pretty hilarious sometimes. Example A:

Also..... I like this kid. Here name is Quinn. "Me gusta mi iguana"

TrAsH dAy

So six hours may be a really, REALLY, rEaLly long time to do art BUT.... the day was actually productive and sort of a good release to just let go of every other stress. I learned a lot about my creative style: I can't deal with a cluttered work station, I can't sit still, and I work a lot better with music. With all of that said, I brought a project to about 90% completion. I still need to decide if I should add the terra cotta pots and/or the silver metal things on top. I'm just gonna let the art settle for the while and see what I can come up with. I'm gonna work on just leaving things alone for a bit instead of just making everyday in the studio trash day.

In other words, I have been thinking about my concentration and I really want to work with the concept of empty space (figuratively and realistically). Who knows....

That's All Folks. :)

sTeEnS

So my family project is sorta coming together finally! It has been really a unique challenge for me to work with leather hard clay because I usually do a lot of my final touch ups at the bone dry stage but because of the under glazing I want to do, I can't do that. Anyway, I am excited to see how they finish up. The project is really making me miss the Steens Mountains.

Here is a picture of the Kiger Gorge in the Steens Mountains that my sister and I spend the summers running through.

In other news, pit fire this weekend! So jacked! Guest artist next week! 7 hours of sculpting!

P.S. PACER POLO FOR THE WIN TONIGHT!

StRuGgLe

As many of you know, the clay family project has really been a struggle for me. I really just hit a block with clay and everytime I was working on a project, I ended up just destroying it. Needless to say, a lot of time has been wasted the past week in the studio because of my destructive tendencies. As frustrating as it has been, the not-so-productive time has made me really re-examine why I love art so much and how I am really not willing to give up art next year because it is such a release for me. I am much more seriously looking into studying art next year. As for the family project, I have decided to go with a wall hanging that represents something that means a lot to my sister and I. More details will be up soon, but it is sort of incognito at the moment.

In other news, pit fire next Friday night at Sam's!! So excited to try it out with my Sarah project. I've been doing a lot of research on the pit firing, and I really liked this picture!

Peace out ARTJUNKIES.

tHoU sHaLl KiLl

So this week wrapped up with my finished shocking art piece. I ended up making an AK-47 out of paper and covered it in images of the Bible and placed it on some black and red wax hands. I was pretty happy with the final project, but it was not as shocking as I was hoping for. It was quite liberating destroying the Bible so I could paper mache with its contents. I go to church almost every weekend, but religion is used by people in the wrong way all too often. People use the Bible as a justification for horrible things. It is so frustrating to me and that was the point of the piece. It was not an anti-God piece, but focusing on anti-religion because they are such different things to me.

I was rather disappointed at the reaction of our pieces in general in regards to Back to School Night. I truly believe that art is a mode of commentary and expression. All of our pieces should have been displayed because students should be proud of their art. I don't mean to cause a fight, but art is intended to force discussion.

The Sarah Davis-inspired project has been fired and I decided to try a smoke firing with it because I am interested in exploring the idea.

"I just wanted to find out where the boundaries were. I've found out there aren't any. I wanted to be stopped but no one will stop me."

This is a picture of Damien Hirst's piece Virgin Mother. His portfolio is filled with shocking pieces and is a great source of inspiration.

sOmEtHiNg ShOcKiNg

So I've been working on coming up with my shocking art piece, but every idea I come up with becomes worn out to me. It's been really easy to help others with their ideas, but mine keep falling apart. So, honestly, I have not made good headway on that piece. My current idea is taking a platter of fake cupcakes that is inside a plastic box and putting a pad lock on it. It represents anorexia and how food seems kept in a place that you can't reach, but you can still see it. I think the sculpture has potential, but it is not that shocking. I really need to figure this one out. Some past ideas have been a playground of crack pipes (because drugs ruin childhood innocence), an iv bag made of beer bottles attached to a baby (fetal alcohol syndrome), one of my tape sculptures holding its own head (not really sure why)... there are all just feeling empty to me.

Put, anyway, here is a picture of the cupcakes that I'm learning how to make. The "cake" is made from expanding foam and the "frosting" is made from plaster.

The vase got fired. I'm not sure what to do with it now... Trash can is still looking good :)

"Hell isn't merely paved with good intentions; it's walled and roofed with them. Yes, and furnished too."

CIVIL WAR VOLLEYBALL TOMORROW NIGHT!

CuRrEnT wOrK

Here is a picture of what I am trying to finish up from the retreat. It is a vase, about 10 inches tall. I'm really liking how the whole is an organic shape instead of just a circle. No idea how to glaze this yet so hit me up if you have ideas.

I'm starting sketches on a sculpture made of denim. I saw this picure of a birdhouse and I found it really inspiring. Jeans share so much about who a person is and every pair has a story. I'm keeping the sketches incognito at the moment, but this is still a cool pic.

Well that's all folks. Gingerbread cookies in class tomorrow.

"Reason is powerless in the expression of love"