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.

MacArthur Award

Tara Donovan, Untitled, 2003
Styrofoam Cups, Hot Glue
6'(H) x 20'(W) x 19' 2"(D)
Ace Gallery New York

Just a couple of weeks ago, this years winners of the MacArthur Award, aka Genius Award, was announced. The MacArthur Foundation named 25 new MacArthur Fellows and gave them each $500,000 in “no strings attached” support over the next five years. "The award is based on extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction. There are three criteria for selection of Fellows: exceptional creativity, promise for important future advances based on a track record of significant accomplishment, and potential for the fellowship to facilitate subsequent creative work," (description borrowed from The MacArthur Foundation's website).

Tara Donovan, a sculptor, is one of the winners. I am in complete "ah" and I need to see her work in person. Instantly, I became a fan, after seeing her images. For more on Donovan, check this out.

To read about more inspiring people who were awarded, check out the MacArthur's link.

Art Month

October is Art Month at the Foundation Center. They offer free classes, a library and an online directory of grants for individuals. If you search online for grants, you have to weed through all the grants offered to non-profits. I forget the exact stat, but it is like 9 to 1 that a grant is for a non-profit instead of an individual. The reason for this, is so the person giving the money can get a tax break. By having a directory of grants just for individuals saves tons of time! You can use the directory for free at any Foundation location or pay about $12 per month to access it from home via the web.

I've been to many free classes at the Foundation Center and they have been very helpful. I've taken Grant seeking basics for individuals in the arts, finding foundation support for your education and getting started with foundation grants to individuals online. Some classes are offered every month and others are one-time deals. Every time I am there, I am shocked by the knowledge and helpfulness of the staff. I've also used their library to look up art residency programs.

I've been taking it a step at a time. I feel like I don't have time to write a proposal, research a grant then apply. So I am taking the first step by take classes so I will know how to write an effective grant.

Now is the time to take a class especially if you are an artist. As before mentioned, this is Art Month. Check out their calendar.

Senior Show

Senior Show at Academy of Art University

Opening Reception: Thursday, October 2, 5:30-7:30

688 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA

Group Show of graduating BFA sculpture, painting and printmaking majors.

Featuring: Mandy Berglund, Elizabeth Conley, Allison Danbom, Gene Guynn, Paul Konzen, Nathan Kurzmann, Carina Lomeli, Anne Olson, Amberlee Rosolowich, Tura Sugden, Doo-Hwa Sung, Elizabeth Symington, Michelle Tapia, and Rosemarie Vasquez.

paint your next artist's statement

This week I came to the realization that an artist's statement isn't proof that the artist failed to communicate what they tried to say through their art. Rather it is a tool to reveal another layer of the message, process and mindset of the creator. Without it, how would we hear about the happy accidents that they came across? Or the research that was done to create the sculpture?

As always with left brain activities, I have to remind myself that as an artist I can use my creative powers anywhere, including the intimidating, rule centered world of grammar. I treated paperwork, such as my artist's packet, web page design and art residency applications, with the same playfulness and spontaneity as I would making a sculpture. To get past my mental block of designing my web page on the 2D plane of the monitor screen, I busted out real paper, moss, and tempura paint, and let myself create. Then I translated the shapes and color scheme that I came up with, into a Photoshop template for my webmaster to use.

The thing that I remember the most from my art apprenticeship to a Colorado oil painter, is to play. If you are tense, the results will be hampered. Relax and have fun. I agree that paper work isn't more exciting than making art, but it can be treated in a playful manner of collage, drawing and painting. Try to have fun with it. You have to do it either way.

New Job

Monday was a huge day! I started my first day of school for my last semester, found a new job and a new place to live.

I am taking my last 2 classes! They are business oriented, which is exactly what I need and want right now. My new job is amazing. You should of heard me jumping around, giggling when I got the phone call. I am a manager at a loft complex that is a big artist and dog community. I get to use my creative, organizational and interpersonal skills! This job couldn't be more perfect for me. I am also moving there this weekend! I get to live in a loft and make art. How perfect is that?

last of the photos

I finally developed my last role of film and resized the images from my Northwest trip.
The new pics are on days:
21
23
24
25 and 26
28
33
37
49

Enjoy!