November HITS

Welcome back for the monthly update on my life as a visual artist. Before jumping into November, I'd love to share a highlight from October 31st which wasn't in last months HITS since I posted a day early.

After some prodding from a friend asking if I'd seen any art lately, I finally checked out the Sacramento art scene. My cousin S helped me navigate to galleries all over downtown, where we saw lots of paintings of coy fish and abstract ceramics. I was on the hunt for inspiration, networking with other artists, and scoping out venues that would be a good fit for my art.

Reviewing the paperwork for one of the galleries it said what Bay Area galleries state, that they book 12 months in advance, which is not something as a Gemini that interests me. What I am making now is not what I'll be working on in a year from now- I'd have progressed further. Starting in the new year, I'll look into other ways to bring in money as an artist, but for now, I'm working on several other projects due in December, besides making Christmas presents.

While visiting the galleries and studios I was talking with a fellow Gemini artist, who made me feel much better about exploring multiple mediums at once. It keeps up the momentum of making art and it's more exciting to always be learning something new.

November
This is the first HITS that I had a hard time recalling what I accomplished this month. So much has been going on, that looking through my photos and calendar, it made me feel better about this month. I do plan/wish that December will be more focused, but yah right, that probably not happening.

I'm starting to embrace Sac Town as my town of residence, and actually buy art supplies here, instead of buying them in the Bay Area. I found a ceramic supply store, that offers classes for adults and studio time. Just being in there made me miss ceramics even more!!!

The highlight for this month was having two friends from college spend the day with me and make art. It was really encouraging taking with them and it was so much fun spending time with fellow artists. I am looking forward to the next time!


Extended Learning
Even though I am done with college I can't help myself and research art related topics. This is what I picked up this month:

PBS Art:21
20 minute long video segments about contemporary artists!
I've rented these from the library and it wasn't until this month until I got with the times and streamed it online and like watching any series, was sucked in and watched all of the videos!












Where the wild things are
After seeing the IMAX movie last month and really wanting to work with those production companies making puppets and miniature mountain scenes, that a friend told me about this art show in San Francisco. It's of the artist/writer Maurice Sendak, which will be at the Jewish Museum until January 19, 2010 (so I have time to make it there!)


first annual art awards at the Guggenheim
It's like winning a Tony or Oscar, except for artists!!


Misc.

• Made a gluten/dairy free chessboard cake and avocado ice cream (click for the post and recipe)

• On this blog I created a widget (aka picture link to a table of contents) for both the HITS and the Liberating trip from BART. It took way longer to get that in place then intended, but I really like how it simplified the navigation on this site.

• I hired a web designer to revamp my art portfolio site (elizabethsymington.com). I tried doing it myself and ended up with a blank website. Oops. The site should be up by next months HITS! I can hardly wait!

• Took a test on being an enumerator for next year, where I will help collect information for the US census.

• Who would of ever guessed but I am learning to use Maya (a 3D program used at video game companies), a tablet and improving my photoshop skills. I have weekly lessons via the telephone and homework assignments (which I love getting!) from Mr. Photoshop (thanks Ian!)

• I traded bikes with my bike dealer, and now I have a smaller, super cute, yellow bike! Her name is Aura because I am always at her center and she exudes beyond me, plus she is an optimistic and fun color.
  

• Thanks to visiting galleries on Halloween, I got excited about joining a group show. I started brainstorming for a show I'm going to try to be apart of in January. The theme is coloring books. The deadline is Dec. 25th, so I need to get hopping!
  

I have studio space!










Last week I rented a garage for my studio space, hence the mess. I'd already outgrown the tiny desk in my bedroom and desperately needed space to make the commission that's going to be a tactile tent over Andrew's bed.

Since Saturday I now have a new found respect for the garage door. I tried to make it in one trip from the garage to the apartment, so with full hands I managed to pinch 2 of my fingers in the door. They are healing nicely. I was super lucky they didn't break. I also dropped what I was holding, breaking the shadowbox frame.

On a happier note, I figured out that if you don't have a miniature screwdriver, some nails have cross hairs at the point, which work great for a substitute.


Egg/Straw/Milk Crate Sculptures













Still playing around with emptying out duck and quail eggs, dying them, cutting them up with a dremel and arranging them on colorful straws. There may or may not be lights inside of the eggs. We'll see. I don't know where this sculpture is heading, the scale, or what it is supposed to say. All that I know is that I still have lots more avenues to explore and that I really enjoy cutting up the eggs!


Halloween Cactus Lights












I realize Halloween and Thanksgiving have both past, but my supplier for the LED bulbs for the cactus lights decided to stop carrying them and it was a HUGE hunt to find more of them. I bought out another store, but they don't plan on reordering, so it may be a while before I make more cactus lights.


Christmas Presents
I wish I could share photos of the Christmas presents I am working on, but then, it wouldn't be a surprise. What I can share is that I've made a shadowbox of the original gameboy, complete with games for a friend who is a video game artist. You're just going to have to come back on January 1st, to see what I made. :-)


Framing (my other love)
I am now a certified bronze picture framer, and already working on becoming a silver level. I asked what it takes to be gold, but much to my surprise, there is no such thing. So instead I researched online and found that the Professional Picture Framers Association has a test to become a CPF (Certified Picture Framer). Unfortunately I need 12 months of experience before taking the 3.5 hr. long test of multiple choice questions, but I've downloaded the study guide and hunting down the recommended books. Then in 5 years I can take the test to be a Master CPF!!

At work to pick up a few extra hours and to learn a new skill I am training to be the backup bookkeeper when the main bookkeeper is on vacation.

I learned that there are DIY frame shops, where the staff cuts the molding and mats and then you assemble the art into the frame. I would be really fun to teach how to frame. It's also a cheaper alternative to custom framing.

I also discovered several Green frame shops, mostly in Colorado, the Bay Area and Portland. There is so much waste in a frame shop, I think it's the shop's responsibility to recycle.

Photos for this months HITS (Happenings in the Studio) are here.

HITS Table of Contents

moving

Hello all,
It's been a while since I've written anything. This week I have two finals. Then I am packing up the loft and moving to Sacramento. I'll be sure to share more randomness when I have time.


ciao

bicycle sharing

I am trying to motivate myself to do homework, but I keep getting distracted. Wouldn't you be too? Check out what has kept me from writing a paper for class.

Bike sharing programs all over Europe. Yet another great reason to live there.

17 things I am grateful for

1. Freedom to move. I'll be moving back to Sacramento for a while. Here I come Rancho!
2. Friends with cars to drive me to Home Depot to buy drill bits
3. Space to make a mess (and leave it out) for creating Christmas presents
4. Fresh, steamed beets for snack time
5. For my mom to be home so we can challenge each other to see how much we can get done in an hour. Then we call each other and encourage on another.
6. Only 4 more weeks of school
7. Books! Right now I finished reading The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder and Taking the Leap. Ongoing I'm reading, Entrepreneurial Small Business, Rich Dad, poor Dad (on CD) and Financial Adviser (a magazine), Letters to a Young Artist and The Bluest Eye.
8. For the east bay's warm weather
9. My internet is regularly up and working. Without it, I am lost.
10. Blogs to keep in touch with family and friends
11. Braille, because it is interesting to decode and touch
12. Photo ops-I've been on a photo taking kick since my Liberating Trip from BART
13. Walborn- so much cheaper than airborn and just as yummy
14. Ian treated me to the newest Bond movie. ;-)
15. My dog is healthy, happy and hanging in there
16. Furniture nails and all of their untapped uses
17. Being less stressed today, but still feeling unfocused

Field Trip with Mom Part 2

Point Pinole Regional Shoreline with mi Madre

For beautifully written and insightful stories about our trip, check out my mom's blog.
She has the same photos except went a step further and wrote about the trip.

Field Trip with Mom Part 1

Eastshore State Park with Mom

Word of the Day

The song I'm listening to right now on Pandora is by Natalie Imbruglia, called Left of the Middle. Every time I hear it I love the sound of the word "dignified".

I knew the gist of the word, but wanted to know for sure. It took 20 seconds to know for sure.

dignified

Adjective

calm, impressive, and worthy of respect

What is one of your favorite words?

Never thought I'd be quoting Letterman

David Letterman on Bush and Americans

'As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.'

'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President.. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?'

A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state.

F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

-David Letterman

http://www.david-kilgour.com/2008/Oct_27_2008_05.php

Obama and his "seance" comment

Today I am creating a new New Year's Resolution. It was one that I considered back in January, but it felt too lofty, time consuming and overwhelming to take on. That is to follow via articles and videos on news of the nation, particularly the decisions and actions of the presidential election. Now that the election has passed, I want to continue to be involved in the goings on in my nation.

I started this morning by making time to watch videos on CNN.com of Obama's speech about the transition into office. He addressed serious issues like how to stimulate the economy, seances and the type of dog his family is looking to own. It surprised me that a reporter asked which school the girls are going to attend. I found that odd, because that is private and doesn't effect how the President Elect will run the country. It reminded me of American mindset and interest in following things that are none of their business. The deep fascination and obsession over the events in Hollywood is a great example. I am repeatedly shocked at people's rudeness at wanting to know details that are private, like the reason for a divorce. There is a huge loss of respect for privacy. Being president, there isn't much privacy. But it still shocked me that someone asked about the girl's school.

I appreciated that Obama said repeatedly that there is one president at a time. Many times he said that he's not president until Jan. 20th. It gives me a little more confidence in him as a leader, that he respects who's turn it is to be in charge.

I was very surprised at how easy it was to find a video of Obama's speech. I was reluctant to have to read through a lengthy editorial, when really I wanted the words straight from his mouth.

This resolution of being involved and informed on my countries well being and actions will require a commitment on my part. Other wise I will fall way behind on all of the major events. I really enjoyed tracking the election in France two years ago, so taking that same fascination of numbers and relationships, I'm going to stay current on America's events.

I feel silly, ignorant and very young when I talk about my political views. This is changing today. When talking politics, I become increasingly aware that I am not even 1/4 of a century old. I haven't been around all that long. This is the second presidential election that I have been old enough to vote, (which I voted both times.) Most events that are brought up in the news or in conversations, I was not born yet or too young to care. I have extra foot work to read the history books (or archives online) to become informed on the complex situation that America is in. All I can do to catch up (along with all of the other youngsters out there) is to read, talk and watch videos. It's important to know and it's better late than never to get informed.

If Women Ruled the World...

(I miss you Molly! Thank you for sending this to me, all the way from Sweden.)

Calvin and Hobbes

I've been Calvin and Hobbes (my heroes) and can across one that was very fitting. I completely relate with Susie!

Calvin: Susie, can I copy your answers?
Susie: Heck no!
Calvin: Why not?
Susie: Because you'd get a good grade without doing any work.
Calvin: So?
Susie: It's wrong to get rewards you haven't earned.
Calvin: I've never heard of anyone who couldn't live with that.

First Crash on Scooter in 2 years

Yesterday, I was in Daly City having just eaten tamales from my favorite store, when I crashed. I was riding my scooter (foot powered, not motorized) and Ian was riding his skate board. Recently I have been bolder in my skating, hopping down curbs and over little cracks and 2 inch inclines in the pavement (keep in mind the scooter has about a 2 inch clearance). When I crashed I was going to fast, plus I tried to go down a slopped curb and hop a bump in the road. BAM! I flew into the ground. Thankfully I rolled and just lay there. Instantly I was in pain, which I figured was a good thing, other wise it would mean I was seriously hurt and in shock.


















I lay there and waited for Ian to run over to me. My knee and hands hurt a lot. He helped me up and a pedestrian asked if I was ok. I bet they weren't expecting to see a scooter crash! Lucky for me, we were just a block from Ian's apartment. We were going to the San Francisco Open Studios. I guess we'll try again next weekend.

For the rest of the day, Ian took care of me, which was wonderful. Typically he is the one getting hurt: stitches in his knee, sprained or broken ankles... I tried his crutches but they are too tall, so I am riding my scooter. It hurts a lot less to stand and bend just the right knee then to walk.
















Ian cooked for me, and changed my bandages. He would bring me advil, water and arnica. I even iced it thanks to his prompting. We watched the new season of Red vs. Blue, played Mario Galaxy, and ate a ton of fresh shrimp! I adore seafood. Yummy!!! If being hurt means being waited on like this, hmmm, I could get use to this. Actually, I would get sick of being waited on, but I loved it today. Thank you Ian!

Last night Ian said that was the first day I have taken off since we went to Baja for Christmas in 2005. My first thought was, "that's ridiculous. How could I still be functioning? hmmm. I have felt frazzled, worn out and drained for a while now. Maybe he is right." He pointed out that many times I've said I'm taking a day off, but after a little bit, I'd start doing "more productive things". Even on my vacations to Colorado, the Northwest and to Rancho are filled with lots of things to accomplish. I enjoy my vacations, but now that I think of it, maybe those weren't really vacations.

I worry when I am relaxing, that I should be doing more productive things. I should be getting things done. But yesterday, I couldn't move every well, so I stayed put and it was wonderful. Mom thinks people get hurt or sick for a reason; like we need to learn something before moving on. I think I need to respect my body and sanity by taking time off during the week. Maybe not an entire day (that would stress me out), but I could see setting aside a morning for relaxing.

Right now my knee is numb from ice. I over did it today, being the first day walking around. It is hard not to bend my knee when I need to work and commute. Trying to get home tonight after class, I learned anther lesson, to baby the knee. I am back to arnica, pain killers, water, and icing. It is hard to sit still, so I trick myself by letting myself have an evening just for reading Calvin and Hobbes, playing with my digital camera, and blogging.

I did make dinner and it was relaxing to make and very delicious.
In the rice cooker I threw in raisins, pecans, sliced almonds, some cinnamon and all spice with 2 c. rice and 1/2 can of coconut milk. The result: primo!!! Next time I am going to try adding more coconut milk, just to be daring.

Then in the oven I had meatballs cooking. They had herbs from my garden: tarramon and chives with a bit of salt. Cooked them for 50 minutes at 350.

In a frying pan I chopped up fresh tomatoes, green bell peppers, mushrooms, and pineapple. I sauteed them with a little bit of olive oil and sliced almonds.

Everything smelt so good and I was so hungry (it was 8pm and I normally eat around 6), I snacked on cold hot dogs. It seemed like a perfect juxtaposition, thus making my dinner even better. I had a cup of yerba matte tea with my dinner. Some how I fit dessert, which was a pine apple and banana smoothie.

I was going to have spaghetti, but it evolved into something so much better. I love cooking and eating.

Jill-of-all-trades

"Human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dieing, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly, specialization is for insects."

- Lazarus Long, one of Robert A. Heinlein main Chars. Quote from "Time Enough for Love"

I like this way of thinking. It encourages my quizzical side to keep delving into the random things, juggling, vlogging and tipis. It makes for an interesting story.

HSM

The wonderful guy that I am dating, just finished up working on the HSM3 video game. Here is one of the best reviews so far:

"I won't EVER BUY THE GAME OE WATCH THE MOVIE OR GO TO THE PLAYS! Unless the girl i love(cannot reveal name) wants me to go with her to see the movie or watch the plays with her. I hope it doesn't happen."

comparison of McCain and Obama

For me charts simplify the situation and push me to take action. I hope this helps you too. I got it in an email forward.

-Elizabeth

2008 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE COMPARISON TALKING POINTS

ISSUE		JOHN McCAIN	BARAK OBAMA
Favors new drilling offshore US		Yes	No
Will appoint judges who interpret the law not make it		Yes	No
Served in the US Armed Forces		Yes	No
Amount of time served in the US Senate		22 YEARS	173 DAYS
Will institute a socialized national health care plan		No	Yes
Supports abortion throughout the pregnancy		No	Yes
Would pull troops out of Iraq immediately		No	Yes
Supports gun ownership rights		Yes	No
Supports homosexual marriage		No	Yes
Proposed programs will mean a huge tax increase		No	Yes
Voted against making English the official language		No	Yes
Voted to give Social Security benefits to illegals		No	Yes
CAPITAL GAINS TAX
MCCAIN	0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples). McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax.
OBAMA	28% on profit from ALL home sales. (How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.)
DIVIDEND TAX
MCCAIN	15% (no change)
OBAMA	39.6% - (How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama becomes president. The experts predict that 'Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market, yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.')
INCOME TAX
MCCAIN (no changes)	Single making 30K - tax $4,500 Single making 50K - tax $12,500 Single making 75K - tax $18,750 Married making 60K- tax $9,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750 Married making 125K - tax $31,250
OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)	Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 125K - tax $38,750 Under Obama, your taxes could almost double!
INHERITANCE TAX
MCCAIN	- 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)
OBAMA	Restore the inheritance tax Many families have lost businesses, farms, ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will only lose them to these taxes.
NEW TAXES PROPOSED BY OBAMA
New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet. New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already) New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity) New taxes on retirement accounts, and last but not least....New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!!

You can verify the above at the following web sites:

http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/election/2008/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.taxes.html

http://elections.foxnews.com/?s=proposed+taxes

http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/politics/articles/mccain_obama_offer_different_visions_on_taxes.html

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/candidates/barack_obama/

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/candidates/john_mccain/

daily looking at my dreams

My yoga studio void of paperwork and other things that need to get done.

World map shower curtain that reminds me of my dream/plan to travel often.

Tamales are a staple for me and coconut water is comfort food. I swear by mangoes and the happiness that they bring me. I guess that means it's time to travel Central and South America. More than anything I want to explore the Galapagos islands and hang out with the blue footed boobies.

Having acquired a large bathroom, with few toiletries to fill it, I decided to make it the yoga room. I shut the door making it totally dark and quiet and light some candles. Being secluded in here, makes me focus on relaxing, which I am in much need. It feels so good to stretch and not worry about anything.

Every time I take a shower, I read the country names and capitals on my shower curtain. Dreaming up adventures in places I've only read about. My driving passion is to find a way to travel for extended periods of time without student loans holding me back.

I will find a way to make it happen.