today featured:
me posting up the beginnings of a giant love letter. (pictures to come)
me applying for my first illustration-type job. (not full-time. just commission. that's how it starts.)
me calling john hendrix and chatting with him about illustration. (yeah, it's not like he's famous or anything.)
me taking a 1 1/2 hour nap. (when you've been sick for a week, it takes it out of you.)
thank you for reading.
p.s. how many of you besides whitney actually want me to keep writing on this here blog? i mean, because i can just write it for whitney, but some more hands in the air would be encouraging.
Showing posts with label becoming an artist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label becoming an artist. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Sunday, November 6, 2011
there are a pile of fashion magazines on my floor right now. not for leisure reading, but so i can draw facial features. (remember, i'm taking 12 hours of figure drawing a week.)
i was perusing some of the magazines while sketching the other day and realized how i looked at every body and every face with a pinch of salt.
it dawned on me that, because i've been drawing real bodies for twelve hours a week for the past two months, i really know what a body looks like. a real human body. flesh, blemishes, marks, hair, freckles. all of it.
i always knew that those magazines were completely photoshopped, but i never knew to what extent until now. and it gave me this sense of empowerment, knowing that i know what a body looks like, and that those bodies in magazines aren't real.
it makes me sad that people look at those magazines and feel like they need to reach this unattainable standard. because they don't. because the bodies and the people in those magazines remind me of the fake, platinum, plastic-ness of the people in the capitol in the hunger games. they aren't beautiful bodies. the bodies that i draw on a daily basis are beautiful. the real people that i see every day of my life are beautiful.
you, my friend, are beautiful.
sappy as it may be, don't let anybody else tell you otherwise.
i was perusing some of the magazines while sketching the other day and realized how i looked at every body and every face with a pinch of salt.
it dawned on me that, because i've been drawing real bodies for twelve hours a week for the past two months, i really know what a body looks like. a real human body. flesh, blemishes, marks, hair, freckles. all of it.
i always knew that those magazines were completely photoshopped, but i never knew to what extent until now. and it gave me this sense of empowerment, knowing that i know what a body looks like, and that those bodies in magazines aren't real.
it makes me sad that people look at those magazines and feel like they need to reach this unattainable standard. because they don't. because the bodies and the people in those magazines remind me of the fake, platinum, plastic-ness of the people in the capitol in the hunger games. they aren't beautiful bodies. the bodies that i draw on a daily basis are beautiful. the real people that i see every day of my life are beautiful.
you, my friend, are beautiful.
sappy as it may be, don't let anybody else tell you otherwise.
Monday, October 31, 2011
blue or the color of my nupastel.
this semester i'm taking two figure drawing classes. meaning i have 12 hours of sitting at a drawing horse, staring at a half naked model, drawing.
at times, it's lovely, really. the human body really is a divinely designed thing, and i've had a positive body image since i've taken the class and realized that curvy human beings are much more interesting to draw.
other times, though, it downright sucks. i sit there, my back hurts, i'm drawing this model when other people around me are drawing the same model infinitely better, and it just sucks.
today, i felt, was one of those days. crappy crappy foreshortening, crappy crappy lighting. crappy crappiness. so, i began experimenting with my drawing, with my technique. omitting things, darkening things, and as it turns out...it became one of my better drawings.
the girl who is the best in the class thought it looked cool. brother barrett (the professor who wrote a book on figure drawing, that's how good he is) said it looked very interesting with the way i edited it. and i thought it looked good.
sometimes the most beautiful things in our lives come from the crappiest situations. you have to push through. you have to get out of your comfort zone, because when you're comfortable in life you're not growing.
i learned that today.
at times, it's lovely, really. the human body really is a divinely designed thing, and i've had a positive body image since i've taken the class and realized that curvy human beings are much more interesting to draw.
other times, though, it downright sucks. i sit there, my back hurts, i'm drawing this model when other people around me are drawing the same model infinitely better, and it just sucks.
today, i felt, was one of those days. crappy crappy foreshortening, crappy crappy lighting. crappy crappiness. so, i began experimenting with my drawing, with my technique. omitting things, darkening things, and as it turns out...it became one of my better drawings.
the girl who is the best in the class thought it looked cool. brother barrett (the professor who wrote a book on figure drawing, that's how good he is) said it looked very interesting with the way i edited it. and i thought it looked good.
sometimes the most beautiful things in our lives come from the crappiest situations. you have to push through. you have to get out of your comfort zone, because when you're comfortable in life you're not growing.
i learned that today.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Most days
I've been watching Ever After while I sketch the human body. That's the best kind of homework there is.
Here's to nine credit hours of art classes.
Here's to nine credit hours of art classes.
Friday, January 14, 2011
maintenant.
i am so obsessed with this song right now.
current updates:
life is so okay. for whatever reason, as soon as the clock turned 12 on january 1st, i was ready to be rid of the things on my back that resided there for most of 2010 (let's just say it's time to give muslim back his book).
figure drawing = awesome. i will get better. i will be good. just being able to call myself an art major is enough.
saw condoleezza rice yesterday at the marriott center. cross that off the bucket list.
this guy (kc) comes home today. excellent. probably get to see him monday. double excellent.
we were so little. i was probably seventeen.
i'm not even sure how this picture was found.
everybody was just super cuddly that day
and everybody was all up in everybody else's business.
i'm not even sure how this picture was found.
everybody was just super cuddly that day
and everybody was all up in everybody else's business.
and maintenant: i'm going to take a nap. see ya, peeps.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
aujourd'hui
when i was a junior in high school, i wanted to be the student body artist more than i wanted a lot of things. probably more than i wanted most relationships to work out with boys. it was a big deal.
so, in no uncertain terms, i tried really, really hard to get my portfolio up to par. i drew lancers (our school's mascot) and i studied what they looked like online. i sketched. i talked to the advisor. i talked to the people who were in student government to see what i could do that would put me above the rest.
when i walked up to the door of the advisor's office in may of 2007 with one of my best friends, he covered up the paper and went down the list, showing the names one at a time. when it got to the artist, my name was there.
my name. artist.
it was one of the most gratifying moments of my life. i had worked so hard. i had done my best. and it paid off.
fast forward to college.
when i realized summer of 2009 that i wanted to pursue an art degree, those art students became my idols. they were the elite group of people who were able to get into the elusive art program that i wanted so badly to be a part of. every time i walked into the harris fine arts center, i felt like i was a little kid trying so hard to become a grown up. i felt like a wannabe.
then i decided to apply. i worked hard. i talked to people in the program. i worked and sketched and drew and looked at reference photos until my hands were permanently black with charcoal and my eyes were getting weary from looking at paper so long. then, one day two weeks ago, i submitted my work.
it was done. out of my hands. now, skill and divine intervention were the only things keeping me alive. giving me hope.
i got my proverbial name on the list this morning in my inbox.
after the initial "congratulations" i kept looking for the "but we regret to inform you." it never came.
so, in no uncertain terms, i tried really, really hard to get my portfolio up to par. i drew lancers (our school's mascot) and i studied what they looked like online. i sketched. i talked to the advisor. i talked to the people who were in student government to see what i could do that would put me above the rest.
when i walked up to the door of the advisor's office in may of 2007 with one of my best friends, he covered up the paper and went down the list, showing the names one at a time. when it got to the artist, my name was there.
my name. artist.
it was one of the most gratifying moments of my life. i had worked so hard. i had done my best. and it paid off.
fast forward to college.
when i realized summer of 2009 that i wanted to pursue an art degree, those art students became my idols. they were the elite group of people who were able to get into the elusive art program that i wanted so badly to be a part of. every time i walked into the harris fine arts center, i felt like i was a little kid trying so hard to become a grown up. i felt like a wannabe.
then i decided to apply. i worked hard. i talked to people in the program. i worked and sketched and drew and looked at reference photos until my hands were permanently black with charcoal and my eyes were getting weary from looking at paper so long. then, one day two weeks ago, i submitted my work.
it was done. out of my hands. now, skill and divine intervention were the only things keeping me alive. giving me hope.
i got my proverbial name on the list this morning in my inbox.
after the initial "congratulations" i kept looking for the "but we regret to inform you." it never came.
and today i walked into the harris fine arts center,
feeling completely and totally justified saying
that i am an actual art student.
feeling completely and totally justified saying
that i am an actual art student.
a still-life drawing i did last year.
this was my baby.
this was my confidence booster.
this was my baby.
this was my confidence booster.
i should sleep
it's late. always.
i'm up trying to finish some art, which entails me crashing on the couch while gilmore girls is playing. the christmas lights are on. it's reminiscent of this time last year when the christmas lights were on and i was finishing some art. after a first date with muslim.
i'm at peace. (funny that statement comes after the previous sentence)
maybe because christmas lights by coldplay is playing.
(sorry if you're getting sick of the coldplay business, because it's not going away folks.)
it was a rather tumultuous weekend, but i'm at peace;
a little worse for the wear, but coming out on top (eventually).
and thursday, my finals will be done.
tomorrow, my art final will be done.
maybe some day i'll find out about the progress of the visual arts department and their decisions about who is going to be accepted or not.
lots of people to be grateful for. too many to count, but not too many to love.
i'm up trying to finish some art, which entails me crashing on the couch while gilmore girls is playing. the christmas lights are on. it's reminiscent of this time last year when the christmas lights were on and i was finishing some art. after a first date with muslim.
i'm at peace. (funny that statement comes after the previous sentence)
maybe because christmas lights by coldplay is playing.
(sorry if you're getting sick of the coldplay business, because it's not going away folks.)
it was a rather tumultuous weekend, but i'm at peace;
a little worse for the wear, but coming out on top (eventually).
and thursday, my finals will be done.
tomorrow, my art final will be done.
maybe some day i'll find out about the progress of the visual arts department and their decisions about who is going to be accepted or not.
lots of people to be grateful for. too many to count, but not too many to love.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
'tis the season
it is now the first of december.
maybe i've been reminiscing a little about a year ago. specifically a year ago this saturday.
if you don't know what i'm talking about, it's cool. i won't go into details. maybe one day, but not today.
my portfolio for the art program? in. submitted. now it's out of my hands.
christmas?
oh, how i love it. LOVE it. i'm listening to christmas music as we speak, and it's bringing oh-so-much joy to my heart as i try to write an essay about byzantine and romanesque architecture that is due tomorrow at 4:30. i'll be done. i just don't want to do it.
and this christmas song is singing what i really want to say.
maybe i've been reminiscing a little about a year ago. specifically a year ago this saturday.
if you don't know what i'm talking about, it's cool. i won't go into details. maybe one day, but not today.
my portfolio for the art program? in. submitted. now it's out of my hands.
christmas?
oh, how i love it. LOVE it. i'm listening to christmas music as we speak, and it's bringing oh-so-much joy to my heart as i try to write an essay about byzantine and romanesque architecture that is due tomorrow at 4:30. i'll be done. i just don't want to do it.
and this christmas song is singing what i really want to say.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
inigo montoya
this weekend is going to be full of eating. drawing. sketching. all things that i love to do.
and watching movies. because what's better than sketching, being warm in your sweats, and watching a movie?
right now, the movie count is at three.
angels and demons
you've got mail
("happy thanksgiving back" was the motive behind that one)
and
(personal favorite)
the princess bride
please enjoy this video. not exactly reflecting the true loveliness of that movie, but it's combined together with something epic.
and watching movies. because what's better than sketching, being warm in your sweats, and watching a movie?
right now, the movie count is at three.
angels and demons
you've got mail
("happy thanksgiving back" was the motive behind that one)
and
(personal favorite)
the princess bride
please enjoy this video. not exactly reflecting the true loveliness of that movie, but it's combined together with something epic.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
blizzard.
and there i sat.
watching buttercup and westley fall in love
while i got charcoal on my hands
and wore my new moccasins.
(with my jackson hole wyoming sweat pants).
watching buttercup and westley fall in love
while i got charcoal on my hands
and wore my new moccasins.
(with my jackson hole wyoming sweat pants).
Thursday, October 14, 2010
here is some philosophical pie for you to chew on this weekend. [courtesy of mr. bayles and mr. orland....quoted in my seminar class]
p.s. i want to be an artist.
just reaffirming that fact.
"In the end it all comes down to this: you have a choice between giving your work your best shot and risking that it will not make you happy, or not giving it your best shot - and thereby guaranteeing that it will not make you happy."
...................................... David Bayles and Ted Orland."Some people who make art are driven by inspiration, others by provocation, still others by desperation. Artmaking grants access to worlds that may be dangerous, sacred, forbidden, seductive, or all of the above. It grants access to worlds you may otherwise never fully engage. It may in fact be the engagement--not the art--that you seek. The difference is that making art allows, indeed guarantees, that you declare yourself. Art is contact, and your work necessarily reveals the nature of that contact. In making art you declare what is important."
...................................... David Bayles and Ted Orland.
p.s. i want to be an artist.
just reaffirming that fact.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
something divine
spent the evening with an artist who showed me the ways of figure drawing.
the human body is incredible, isn't it?
after searching through sketches and eating a bowl of special k, i decided it was a one-verse-scripture-study kind of night. i was reading in alma 30 anyway, but this highlighted verse struck my attention:
i started to think about the human body; what i had witnessed through sketches how muscles move and how beautifully organized our frames and faces and tendons are. think about the fact that we can make another body, that cells and brains and organs are created in us without us even having to think about it.
that, my friends, is a miracle.
and that, to me, is what also denotes there is a God.
a God who loves us. a God who is mindful of us.
the human body is incredible, isn't it?
after searching through sketches and eating a bowl of special k, i decided it was a one-verse-scripture-study kind of night. i was reading in alma 30 anyway, but this highlighted verse struck my attention:
"...all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." (alma 30:44)
i started to think about the human body; what i had witnessed through sketches how muscles move and how beautifully organized our frames and faces and tendons are. think about the fact that we can make another body, that cells and brains and organs are created in us without us even having to think about it.
that, my friends, is a miracle.
and that, to me, is what also denotes there is a God.
a God who loves us. a God who is mindful of us.
Friday, July 23, 2010
answer:
i am writing a book.
it's been decided.
and i'm also going to be an artist.
but that decision was made eons ago.
it's been decided.
and i'm also going to be an artist.
but that decision was made eons ago.
Monday, July 12, 2010
in the back corner
oh, mercy me.
i just took a walk down memory lane visiting this website.
just remember. if you click that link, that was artwork i did at fifteen. i'd like to think i've made some improvement since then.
i heart art.
also!
still taking any and all suggestions about the 21 things to do before i turn 21. so please! keep 'em comin'!
i just took a walk down memory lane visiting this website.
just remember. if you click that link, that was artwork i did at fifteen. i'd like to think i've made some improvement since then.
i heart art.
also!
still taking any and all suggestions about the 21 things to do before i turn 21. so please! keep 'em comin'!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
blah
help me get inspired.
i feel like i need to be creatively hospitalized right now.
if that makes sense. don't send me to the hospital in a creative way.
"my leg is haunted!"
i feel like i need to be creatively hospitalized right now.
if that makes sense. don't send me to the hospital in a creative way.
"my leg is haunted!"
Saturday, January 30, 2010
leaving
all i can think about right now is how much i want to go back. live as a poet...an artist...a writer. thoreau it, maybe. leave provo for now; leave school and heartbreak and life. breathe in the history and revel in the beauty that is paris; one of my favorite places in the world.
Monday, December 28, 2009
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