Week 1

Unpacking the Bedroom and Studio

Phase 1









































Phase 2

Moved all the bedroom things into the one room and tools, art supplies and art work in the studio.
















































The hall that connects the bedroom to the studio.

























Where did everything go? In the closet. Seriously. Everything that I don't need here like kitchen stuff, cleaning supplies, old art work, was inventoried and put in the closet. When I can't find that one thing that is hiding somewhere in a box, I destroy the room looking for it. To prevent this, I labeled each tub and posted outside the closet what was in each tub and marked the color of the plastic container for easy hunting. So far, it has served me well.

Phase 3
The studio didn't make it past phase 2 because there wasn't any more room to unpack/organize and still have space to work on art. So the plan is to use up the materials I have to make the room less cluttered (which will help me focus a bunch). It's frustrating looking at some of the art supplies because I keep moving them from apartment to apartment and keep saying that I'm going to use them to make something awesome. I think this is the last time they are getting moved-so it's time to use them.










































The Weekly Challenge
For sure, it was focusing on not getting overwhelmed and frustrated for unpacking "yet again." My mind kept making mental lists of things to accomplished asap, such as unpack, job hunt, make art, and apply to art residencies. Since it would be super frustrating to try to do anything efficiently before unpacking, that was made top priority.

I gave myself a week to place the furniture, shuffle the tubs to their proper rooms, and organize. I didn't want to lose a week to unpacking, but it was essential.

My biggest problem is taking on too much. I make baroque plans, as Ian likes to put it. I am very pleased that I focused on one major task for the week.

From all the moving I was super sore, so I joined the gym to continue the soreness. I figure it's a good thing to be sore, because it means my body is making new muscles. I took three yoga classes to stretch and unwind. The best part is the membership is month to month. That fits me perfectly.



read:
Week 2 HITS
Table of Contents for HITS (Happenings in the Studio)

Women Environmental Artists Directory

Looking around for Sacramento artists to assist, I came across the Women Environmental Artists Directory. Of the couple hundred ladies listed that had web sites, 90% live in the SF bay area and NY city. Who knows, maybe one day I'll move back there.

Joanne Gair - body painter

I spy with my little eye a kiddo.

Guess who painted this? Another artist who focuses on a minimal material list (paint, people and props). Her name is Joanne Gair, a Kiwi make-up artist and body painter.

Her web site is beautiful, full of 100s of photos.
There is a great wiki article on her too.

Besides the stunning tricks of the eye, I love it that her art is tasteful, classy and some if it really funny.

sample business plans

Last semester I took a small business class. It's amazing how that's changed my mindset from a consumer to an owner. I used the government's site called Small Business Administration called SBA, which has free classes and tons of information. A classmate sent me this link, on sample business plans. This is super helpful when writing your own business plan, to compare and see what direction you could take.

Mark Jenkins- tape artist

Cleaning out my email inbox I discovered things I've wanted to blog about. That's the great thing about blogging, it's a wonderful outlet to share and store the random events and tidbits of your life. Kicking it off, Ian sent me images of an artist who uses packing tape to make installation art.

His name is Mark Jenkins.
On his site, there are videos on how to make the hollow sculptures using saran wrap and tape.

I love it that he uses a limited number of materials and pushes to see what he can do with it. That is the direction I want to go with my art- simplify.

















































To see more photos, check them out here.

Resolving Clutter Issues using Folders in Gmail

Over the weekend I used Ian's laptop, where everything is organized and clutter free. This morning I opened my laptop and felt instant anxiety from the 50 plus files on the desktop. (FYI having files on the desktop slows down the computer.) Then opening gmail another heart attack from the 800 emails in the inbox. I hate to delete things in case I need them for some unforeseen reason (or I need to refer back to a conversation for some reason).

Incidentally this morning mom proclaimed that she wanted folders in gmail. I told her Gmail does have folders, except they are called Labels. I showed her how to create labels then how to auto send incoming messages to those labels using a filter. It is amazingly helpful!! Here's the gmail tutorial (written out and accompanied with a short video) on the super easy set up of filters.

I gave a whoot!!! and danced around then the inbox went from 800 to 50 emails. They now fit on one page! That hasn't happened since I set up the account. Later today when I feel like more sorting, there won't be any in the "holding tank", for they will be either deleted or filed. One folder is called "mom", "Ian" and another is "from ME", since I get lots of emails for these categories. Another label is "photos" since I have a hard time keeping track of Picasa photo album invites.

My mom also did a "27 Fling Boogie" and went from 457 emails in the inbox to ZERO!





















BEFORE (except mine were not in neat columns)
















AFTER

New Year's Resolutions 2009

Being a fanatic list-maker, creating New Year's Resolutions was a given. From past years, I've noticed that by writing down the thing I wanted to change, it often come about. Even if I wrote the resolution, sealed it in an envelope and opened it the following year. For the most part I accomplished/improved on areas from 2008's list.

Looking over last year's resolutions shows me the importance of creating measurable goals. The goals I wrote were open ended, "like learn to type." I did download a typing program (and used it many times), thus improving my accuracy and speed, but I'm not at the level I would like to be. This year the resolution is to create resolutions that are attainable and measurable but not overwhelming with guidelines :-)

Here's a sampling of this year's proposed changes:

1. Be active 30 minutes a day. This can include juggling, stretching, sculpting, running, swimming, taking yoga, pilates or step classes at the gym, fencing, biking... The point is to make daily movement a given like eating. Weekly and monthly rewards will be given, such as going cosmic bowling or getting a facial.

2. Read at least one book a month and blog about it. This can include books on tape or books mom and I will read out loud to each other. Check out the 2009 book list.

3. Take vitamins, ginko biloba and 8 glasses of water every day. One day I will be an older lady that everyone wonders at how she accomplishes so much. I don't want to drastically slow down, so I'm going to look after my body to encourage mobility and memory.

4. Create at least one new body of art and book a time to show it some where.

5. Break the habit of the "sugar binge" by not having sugar items in the house, like alcohol, sorbet or chocolate chips. I get stuck in a cycle of craving sugar, eating it, then constantly thinking about when I can eat more. I don't want food to control me. I'm not banning sugar from my diet, just drastically limiting it. It's ok for me to occasional go out to buy a sugary treat like a Mexican drink called Jarritos lime flavor.

6. Continue with last years resolution to eat strange produce. Variety is the spice of life!


What are your resolutions? Any tips on following through with them?