Giddy

After about 12 years of missing teeth....I am missing teeth no longer!!! I can't even describe to you how happy I am right now. I know most of you are like, "oh, cool, teeth. Good for you."
No, FANTASTIC!!!!! I've always been self conscious of my smile. I've gotten used to wearing a retainer around friends that know I wear one. But when I meet new people....they look at my mouth when I smile. So I'm beyond excited right now. All the pain and the wait was worth it! And I'll admit that as soon as they were done putting the teeth in and gave me the mirror to see how great it looked, I cried. I felt so stupid with everyone staring at me looking in the mirror and crying and this may sound silly to some, but I just feel pretty.

Crappy picture. But after crying like a baby and walking throught the rain...just focus on the nice smile....

What did I do to celebrate? Went to work and stood in front of a copy machine for three hours. What was that? Work? Oh yeah...I got a job!!!! Just a temp position but the pay is pretty good and hours are flexible. And now when people ask I can tell them something legit...not "I'm a babysitter" or "I do stuff here and there"
I could care less about this job right now except for the fact that it's helping pay for my student teaching. But I love that I can say "I have to go to work."
So I have a job. My primary calling is going well. I've been "inspired" and am working on a few new projects. And most importantly.....I no longer have to worry about accidently leaving my teeth in the bathroom on the way out the door or looking like this :

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go throw out my stupid rubber bands that go on my retainer and brush my new theeth!!

I'm Expanding.....in a Good Way

I thought that just a table would be good enough, but the more I work, the more room I need. Right now I'm nestled inbetween a wall and my Dad's junk. So maybe once I start clearing out some of the junk, I can use more space because this little table is overflowing. Someday I've have real studio space, a place where I won't have to worry about packing it all up in a few months to move, or worry about splattering paint on something that isn't mine.

Also, I've never painted people before, so I thought I'd try on myself. Here's my unfinished self portrait.

It's not the greatest, but now I can say I at least have done a self portrait.

One of My Favorite Artists

Mary Cassatt. She was born in Pennsylvania but spent the majority of her life in Paris. She was upper middle class and when she started studying at the Pennslyvania Academy of Fine arts she was really the only woman who was there that wanted to make art her career, not just learn about it because it was socially valuable. There wasn't alot offered to women at that time but she didn't let that stop her, and it seems to me that she didn't take alot of crap from people.

She's mostly known for her paintings of mother and child and some of the people she painted were friends and relatives. When she got older she was forced to stop painting because she was almost blind. She had cataracts and diabetes but even after she stopped painting, she became a big figure in the Women's Suffrage.

AND she worked alongside and studied with some other of my favorite artists like Thomas Eakins and Degas.
I think that people overlook her because some of her paintings are over-used on greeting cards and for mother's day. She's a very interesting woman who did alot for her time. This little post does not do her justice But rather than writing her whole biography, you can look her up on your own. I think she's one of my top 5 Artists I wish I could've met.

I Have Good Friends

Who give me my own mat cutter. I was over at the Terry's today and Pearl said she had something for me downstairs that I might like. I don't like it. I love it. I can't believe they just gave it to me! These things are way out of my price range, and now I can cut my own mats for my pictures. Granted, I haven't figured out exactly how to put it together...there's a screwdriver involed but once I get the blade in I'm good to go! I loved the Terry's before, but they are just the best!!



While admiring my new mat cutter I thought I try painting again today. I figured I'd paint something I've already done before, you know, re-explore the landscape....about an hour later I got super frustrated and smeared it all over. Turns out...I kinda like it.

It's not the greatest, but I'm so done with it that this will have to do. I picked up a few more canvases... I have some ideas for a new painting....

It's Happening

Apparently I'm making a book. I was suprised at how many people actually think its a good idea and want a copy! haha. So let's make a book.

(Obviously the letters will be in order when it's done)

Maybe because I've been in the "home bubble" for a couple months, I've gotten used to my routine of not alot, here and there jobs, and paint whenever I want.Today I realized I have a lot to do this week for school. I need to defer for the summer semester because I wont be there...and I'm done with classes. But since I'm a student I'm technically on track this summer. I also need to set up a skype interview with some principals in a potiential partner school I will teach at this fall. That's got me nervous. I don't know when it will be, and I'm not nervous for the actual meeting or skype thing...maybe nervous isn't the right word. Anxious. I'm going to have to teach someone elses class for three months to be able to get a class of my own.

Also, my Praxis Exam is on saturday. I'm studying a bit everyday and getting less and less nervous about it. I need a 151 score on it. I don't do well on tests, even if it's something I'm usually good at. I just don't test well, it's a little embarrassing. So now that everyone knows I'm taking the Praxis, I can't fail. haha.

So now I'm going to draw some more animals and think about coloring them or leaving them black and white. and how the heck I'm going to make a book. Then I'm going to study my little heart out.

Be ready for some history lessons this week, we're going to go over a bunch of artists, including contemporary because I hear that there are alot of contemporary artist on the test. Get excited!!!

ABCs

I think I might do the whole alaphabet..make them into prints or something. I'm failing at everything I paint lately, so I'll switch gears and focus on something else.

Re-Vamp

There have been a ton of little changes going on in my life in the last few months. Some bigger than others. I've graduated, got a new haircut...I'm getting teeth in three and a half weeks(ohh yeah, countdown ON!) I've been put in the Primary Presidency, and because I can't find a job, I've had a ton of time to work on art stuff.
I was reading somewhere that when art students graduate college the amount of art they produce decreases because they feel like there's no reason to make it anymore. No deadlines, no grades, no feedback. I think I've been making MORE since december, because I sell some of the good stuff, and I feel like I can't blog without something to show. haha.

( These are just from my sketchbook....some ideas I might push further. I know I want to do something way cool with the waves..).

So I wanted to re-vamp the look and feel of this blog. I've had it since I moved to Idaho for

school. Its chronicled alot in the past 4 or 5 years...mostly random stuff. Now, I'm going to make it more about art and the processes I go through, and hopefully in another year or so, I can include teaching art into the stuff I write about.

I like the look, and new title. Its not a major chance but it feels like a different blog to me and even if it doesn't make sense to anyone else but me...I have a place I can write about everything that happens to me in the next few years.

One of Those Days

I have zero creativity. I feel like once I finally start doing things I like...the block comes and hits me in the face and all the sudden, everything I make looks like I threw up on it.



But everyone has these kinds of days, in some form or another. It doesn't mean that I can't make a masterpiece tomorrow. I'm not going to keep thinking that I've already done my best work. Hopefully soon I can make something that I'm happy with. Instead, I'm "studying" for my Praxis exam next saturday. I'm not too worried about it. Except that today I couldn't remember where the nave is located in a cathredral or what the definition of chiaroscuro was. I should have paid more attention in my Art History classes.

Black Birds

I did this print while I took a break from studying for my praxis exam in a couple weeks. I think it came out alright.

Look What I Did Today

I feel like I've been blocked for a while... I didn't have any ideas. Today I woke up feeling very creative so I took advantage! These paintings are bigger than I've done in a while and my little table-top easle did not fit these at all. I really like them!!