Goals for the summer:
1. really learn how to use my camera- read manual, watch the videos
2. learn the basics of photography (find good book, read, apply)
3. finish the 5 Craft theory books i've started

4. continue to find my aesthetic in my work
5. redo website
6. find out more on Second Life- keep building
7. go over Rhino tutorials again.

8. find a good, simple, basic book on Photoshop and Illustrator
9. use them and gain better computer skills

10. get a job
11. work out starting points of dryer sheet series -tweak, improve designs
12. make make make
13. redo some past projects for portfolio variety
14. put together a professional, interesting portfolio for grad school applications
15. apply for shows and galleries- get work out there!

1AM sketch

Second Life: Jaidynn waffle

My Second Life progress:

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GALLERY 206

Over winter break I built Gallery 206 for sustainable design work from the Metals & Jewelry, and Object Design programs at Towson University.

Current exhibition: Melt created by Elise Robbins and Mandie Koch.

Gallery 206: I originally built the gallery slightly to the right of it's current location but i had to move it and when i did, i lost some rooms and had to reconfigure the layout based on the landscape. I didn't realize Ruby Snook had the power to move mountains so i built keeping the landscape in mind. Here's an example of the tree that was in the way but i incorporated it in the gallery design.

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HONORS GALLERY

Honors Gallery for the TU Metals & Jewelry, Object Design programs

-design based on older galleries i've visited

-traditional look

-architectural details on the back wall

-Gallery front

-i wanted a building inspired by older architecture so there's a lot of small details. I felt like most of the buildings on the island had a modern, sort of an accepted virtual look. I wanted this gallery to be different and challenge my beginner building skills.

-adjusting, experimenting with the look

-what texture, color, size, etc!

-it's growing!

-jan suggested we keep in sort of modular and open to add on so each honors person can install their own work/area to the gallery

-Honors Gallery sign? What do you think? I wanted it to be simple and easy to read.

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Senior Project Install

Last spring each person in Senior Project had to make an install in SL of their work. They could create a little booth, display, or use a presentation board. Originally, I had a flat wall with my images on it but it continued to grow into this gallery/ mega booth.

I found a love for building in SL! Who knew that I would ever be able to do that? Rhino was a huge struggle for me but building in second life is fun. It's nothing too complex, just arranging basic shapes but i enjoy it. After a room, i want to build a bigger, better room, then another building. If we didn't have limited space, i'd probably continue to build. Thank goodness i volunteered to build the Honors Gallery :)

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The 2 buildings i've created... soon to be 3!

photography day

Monday was the Honors group photography day and Taylor offered to do it. Thank goodness he knew how to do it because with $9 to my name, i wasn't going to get very far when I went to a professional photographer. I agree with everything Jan says about profressional photography and wanting to get into publications, etc but i could not possible swing the money. I couldn't ask my parents to pay for more when they have already gone above and beyond what they should.

I attended a meeting at school with art major representatives from other concentrations and it was interesting to hear what they thought about their programs as well as others. We got on the subject of the foundation courses and how each art major, no matter what concentration, has to take these intro courses such as Design, Sculpture, painting, drawing, Intro to Computer Media, etc. They felt it was a waste to cover other sides of the art field when you should be focused on your own program. I think the foundations are extremely important especially when you reach those upper level courses in your concentration- drawing skills, design principals, etc are STILL important! I know in the Metals and Jewelry concentration we are pushed to know more than your traditional metals and jewelry techniques. We learn the importance of a website, photography, using modern technology, blogging, setting up a resume, portfolio, etc etc. I actually wish there was more time for everything but you have to squeeze it into the little time you have in college. I actually stayed an extra semester to gain as much information as possible and i still find myself wanting more. I don't want to leave yet, there's too much i don't knowbut i want to know!

[Photograph taken by me! with my Nikon D40]

Thanks for modeling Elise Robbins!

Photography by me with my Nikon D40.
-trying out different layouts

[quick progress shots taken on white paper with my little point and shoot camera]

[progress shots taken with my coolpix point & shoot, also trying out different layouts]

[quick progress shots, cool pix point & shoot camera]

[progress shots, coolpix point and shoot camera on white paper]

LOST CAMERA CHARGER!

Sadly, i've misplaced my camera charger so i have been a bit absent from my blog. Hopefully i'll find it this weekend. Look for more soon!

(updated) FOUND CAMERA CHARGER

Yay I found it :) I swear i would lose my head if it wasn't attached.

The last few weeks i've been a busy bee. I actually feel like i've been making some progress.

ACC: Last week was ACC in Baltimore -- i've been looking forward to it since last year and ever since I found out Elisa Shere got into the AltCraft section! hooray! I've been doing some part time work since summer and worked Holiday Heap (Baltimore) for her. She's full of talent, a smart business lady and a super nice, genuine person. I bought a pair of earrings from her for my mom at ACC.

Sherry from Dandelion Blu was also in the AltCraft section, she's an enamelist and i LOVE her graffiti series.

I do not have postcards with me at the moment to recall their names but there were a few people that stood out to me from the show. I bought a sterling silver, cast ring from a really nice guy who went to school at RISD. (i'll find the post cards and update with names)

I enjoyed the booths from SCAD and RISD. It made me want to go to grad school even more!

Some artists at ACC I wanted to see:

Biba -always nice to see her, i hope to be her ACC assistant again some day.

Eric Silva- I'm so jealous my peer, Elise got to assist him. I wanted a bone necklace soo bad! He was super nice and took the time to talk to me when i visited his booth.

Pat Flynn- i pretty much stood in his booth drooling on the glass case. I stare at his bracelet whenever Jan wears it in school, i'm in love ...i'm drooling just thinking about it.

Todd Reed- amazing work! I wish i had gotten the chance to talk to him. He's def. one of my favorites.

4AM sketches

Installation idea--

With the space we may have for the show, the floor/pedestal is very limited so i was trying to think of a way to make the wall space more interesting. I found these antique frames and i'd like to include them somehow.

For part of the zebra bra story, i wanted to include an element of lace so i spent a lot of time piercing this pattern out but people weren't feeling it.

back in the studio

Finally back at school after the snow break, it took me awhile to get back into motivation after feeling pretty down about my work. I met with a classmate and the new grad student for additional design review. It helped to get some feedback from different people and talk things through. This week has gone by so fast. i didn't get as much physical work done because we had some problems with the gallery space and trying to arrange something for our show.

New piece: my personal goal for this piece was to make it more complex than previous ceramic pieces

[will hold a fragment of an antique ceramic duck figurine]

[thinking through the hinge]

[still thinking through mechanism]

[STILL thinking through it, double checking]

[hooray it works!]