Drawing Projects

I finally got around to taking pictures of all my drawing projects. Sooo... here they are.

This project was to draw a distorted self portrait in oil pastels. First in black and white, then in color.

This is a slightly better picture of my "She's in a Funk" project. The assignment was to create a "post-modern artwork about a social issue." Mine was about depression... and I embroidered the whole thing by hand (


And below is our final project. I can't take all the credit for this one; it was a group project. We had to create a manifesto, a la the Futurist Manifesto and then create a collage, drawing, or painting that was based on the manifesto.

Ours was about the lack of face-to-face communication now days. All our communication is sent through wires via text messages and the internet. Hence, the plush hearts, sewn by me from the softest red corduroy. If you know a thing or two about computers, you'll notice that the 1's and 0's in the background are actually binary code that translate into Elizabeth Barrett Brownings's poem "How Do I Love Thee?" Also, we spelled out internet-speak ("lol, omg, rofl, wtf, etc...") with wire.
Sorry the pictures are slightly blurry... I took them in a hurry right before we started critiquing the projects. Click on any of them for details.
So, there's my last 3 projects of the semester. I'm glad it's over and will be even gladder(?) to work on some of my own projects for a while. I still have a quilt to finish, you know.....

Soft Hearts

Once again, these are for a group project in my drawing class, and they will be part of a large mixed media collage, but I just finished these and couldn't wait to post them.

I'm so in love with these. That red corduroy just makes me soooo happy. I have a little of the fabric left over, so I might just make one for myself to keep. I'd love to have one of these just hangin' out on the couch.

Pink Plush Heart

Okay... it has recently come to my attention that I am a little obsessed with anatomical hearts. (Remember this?) Well, here we go again.
This is for a group project in my drawing class. I know, I know... there really isn't much drawing in this particular project. It will be a nice, big, texture-filled mixed-media collage. There will be two plush hearts, much like the one pictured above, except they will NOT be in vintage pink fabric with flowers. They'll be in a nice, blood-red corduroy. Very tactile. This is a prototype... just to make sure the pattern works. And it does... mostly. The right side seems to have flattened out a bit, but other than that... it looks quite good. The finished product will have veins and such done with copper wire. I'll be sure to post pictures when it's all complete.

Anyway, this is what I'm working on tonight.

More Bad Drawing. Lucky You.

Funny story. After my professor looked at my drawing (as it was in the previous post) and gave me some ideas as to how to fix it, I worked on it today in class for around half an hour. It helped. Alot. See? The spoon is more.... round-ish.


Here's the funny part: The object of this project is to take a direct-from-observation drawing and abstract it slowly over 4 drawings. To help us abstract the original, she photocopied some of our drawings, mine included. When she came back from the copier, she said "Okay, guys... now I know this is weird, but some of the photocopies look better than your actual drawing." Oh yeah, she was definitely talking about mine. Here's the photocopy:



I'm baffled. I suppose it has alot to do with contrast, and the way everything is either black or white, not gray like the graphite in my pencils. In any case, I thought it was quite strange.

And here's a sneak peak at the first abstraction drawing, it's just zoomed in on part of the image. And this is in no way finished! I've got whole areas that aren't shaded at all. It needs about another hour and a half or so of work.


Sorry I don't have anything more interesting than drawings to share. Although I did get a nice surprise today when I found out that my financial aid check hit my account this morning... which is a very good thing since I've been rationing shampoo and toothpaste for a few days now. And I haven't seen my refrigerator this empty since I moved in. I think there's one wedge of Wee Brie and a single serving of applesauce. Pretty pathetic. Tomorrow I will go to Wal-Mart and buy lots and lots of groceries.
Happy happy!

My Spoon Isn't Concave

So, here's my really terrible drawing. There are several things wrong with it. First of all, I'm not really good at drawing... so there's that. Second, I never know when to stop; I can't really tell when it's finished. Third, reflections and shiny metallic things are hard. Also, the shadows are wonky and the spoon doesn't really look concave.

I got an A in my first drawing class, but that was mostly for effort. I'm not very good at it, but I work pretty hard.... mostly because it frustrates me that I can sew/crochet/embroider my butt off, but I have trouble doodling stick people. Hope you enjoy viewing the fruit of my labor.

Speaking of crafty things, I've been working on something for the LDQ, but it isn't finished yet. So don't think I've abandoned my crafty pursuits. This is a big one that's taking a while, but I promise to share when I'm finished.

In other news, I have a new digital camera! I just got the huge box 'o' camera goodies my Dad sent me today. I can't wait to read the manual and figure out what aaaaaaaall the buttons do! You can count on pictures-a-plenty in the near future.

One last thing. I saw Seven Pounds today, and it was amazing. I cried.... alot. But since I'll cry over diaper commercials, that may not mean much. In any case it was very good and everybody should see it.

New President, New Memories, New Drawing, New Dilemma, New Music.

New President:
I watched history happen today. How cool is that?


New Memories:
Kristen came to visit me this weekend. We made a platter of tuna salad on
Triscuits and rice krispie treats with homemade (pink!) marshmallows, watched the new episode of The L Word, watched like 6 episodes of Veronica Mars, giggled alot, and had a generally awesome time.


New Drawing:
This is the beginning sketch for my first project for my Drawing II class. I'm not a very good drawer, so I basically just try very hard to get the shapes and proportions right. Then I worry about the rest. This 9x12 sketch took me a few hours. The shape of a spoon is very difficult, apparently...

Sorry it's so light. The scanner had trouble getting it dark enough to see. It's done in a 2H pencil, so it's not very dark in real life, either. I'll post more pictures as it goes along. Hopefully I'll get most of the shading done in class tomorrow.

New Dilemma:
The lady from Epworth (where we're getting married) called Friday and very politely and apologetically told me that the room we wanted for the reception is booked and that we can't have it. Since it was the only room at Epworth that could accommodate our numbers, we have begun the search for other options. That means that we have also begun the search for catering options and a rental company for tables, chairs, and linens......
I am trying very hard not to turn into anything resembling the picture below.


New Music:
Little Joy.
I found these guys through Rachel at Bling on My Sewing Machine a while ago and am really digging them. Especially this song.

Goodnight, all.

New Semester, Same Ol' Statesboro

So, today was the first day of the new semester. I really hate the first week of class. This always happens. I always forget how much I hate the first week. We don't do anything of substance, the buses are way too crowded, and I have to spend hundreds of dollars on books and supplies. This semester will end up costing somewhere around $500 for books and supplies... mostly books. In fact, almost half of that is from just one class. My packet for Spanish (including textbook, lab manual, workbook, pocket dictionary and codes for the online course content) was $200. I spent $441 today and have to go back tomorrow to get a few drawing supplies that I don't already have. The only thing that makes it a little bit easier is that the money comes directly out of my financial aid. I'm not actually spending the money, it just means that I won't get as much back when the checks are cut. Oh well, such is life.

As far as the classes themselves, I don't think it will be too terrible of a semester. Mondays and Wednesdays are definitely my heavy days; I'm on campus from 10:30 or so till 5:30. That makes for a long day and a very tired and cranky Katie.

I'm slightly worried about my Spanish class. I haven't had any Spanish since my very first semester of college... that's been a while. My only consolation is that there are others in the class that seem to have the same trouble. I really hope I catch up soon. It brings a whole new meaning to not understanding the professor.

I leave you with the song that got me through today. I must have played it 30 times. Jenny Lewis is my hero.

Bloggin' from the IT Building

Here are a few observations I've made in the last two hours sitting in the lobby of the Information Technology building here at Georgia Southern.

1. The "Hard Drive Cafe" (yeah, I know... lame) never has the same thing twice. I don't mean that they change their menus, they don't. If you order something twice, you're going to get two different meals. I have tried this. I have ordered the same thing 3 of the last 4 weeks, and I get a different sandwich every time. "The Monterey" is supposed to be shaved chicken breast and pepper-jack cheese on cibatta bread with sauteed mushrooms and onions with lettuce and tomato. Sounds tasty, huh? The first time I ordered this delightful sounding sandwich, I got shaved turkey on cibatta bread. And nothing else. No cheese. No veggies. No nothing. Meat on bread. Very disappointing. The next time, I made sure to ask for "The Monterey- with everything on it." I received strips of chicken breast with swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato and onions. No mushrooms. Today, I decided to test the staff again, curious if I was to ever get the sandwich I ordered. I asked for "The Monterey" once again. This time, when the lady behind the counter took my order, she asked for my drink order too, said it was included in the price (nearly $7). This is the first time I received a drink! Not to let this opportunity for a free drink pass me by, I quickly asked for a Cherry Coke. As for the sandwich itself, I finally got the sandwich as described on the menu. Way-to-go, Georgia Southern. You finally got it right. Sigh.

2. People who listen to iPods while walking in and out of buildings sometimes forget that nobody else can hear the music.... and that dancing and singing down the stairs isn't really a "normal" thing to do. In any case, it amuses me.

3. Even after my tasty sandwich, something about this building makes me crave food from the little place Abbie and I know affectionately as "CPBW" (the Chinese Place by Wal-Mart) in Athens. Mmmm.... best sesame chicken ever.

4. The book I'm reading for my "Turning Points and Connections" class is the single most boring book I've ever encountered. As a warning, do not read this book:



Now, this has nothing to do with the IT Building, or anything else for that matter, but I just ordered the sweetest earrings from Etsy. So excited.



Class in 4 minutes. Have to go.

Pop-up Cards

The first assignment in one of my classes is to make a pop-up book. As a precursor to that assignment, we had to make several pop-up cards. Here are two of mine:

Is that you, blog? It's me, Katie.

I hardly remember what you look like, dear blog. My brain has been taken over by school, by thoughts of projects and papers and notes and books.

It isn't all bad, though. For my 3D design class, our first project is to make a pop-up book. How awesome is that? As a preliminary assignment, we've already had to make 3 pop-up cards. I promise to post pictures when I get them back.

As for other classes, they are slightly less awesome. No pop-up books for those.
I'm taking Introduction to Language (it's an anthropology/ linguistics class and seems to be somewhat interesting so far), World Archeology (unfortunately, we do not study Indiana Jones. Instead we have a quiz... every single class period.), and Cultural Anthropology.

In other news, Statesboro has once again been taken over by college students. This is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, all my friends are back. Lydia is back in her apartment and it is absolutely AWESOME to live next door to her. Kristen is also back in town and it's like having a little piece of the Marvin House back again.
On the other hand, traffic is backed up. The buses are slow (and incredibly hot). Freshmen don't know where things are. Walking all over campus dodging bikes and skateboards isn't exactly my idea of a good time. Wal-Mart is the very definition of Hell right now. Did I mention how hot and humid it is? And the gnats... oh, the gnats... they should be the official bird of Bulloch County.

But really, it's all worth it to have my friends back in town again. Kristen and I have already decided to get together every Wednesday night. Tonight was "Tuna-Fest." It's sort of a ritual with us. We make my Mom's tuna salad and rice krispie treats (that have too many marshmallows and are eaten out of a bowl) and watch The L-Word. It is pure joy.

I'll leave you with a few pictures of the impromptu road-trip Chris and I took last weekend.

(Click to Enlarge)
(...that's what she said...)

I don't even remember where we went. We just drove north for a few hours, then turned around and came home. It was sort of a warm-up to Labor Day weekend. We plan on driving all afternoon Friday after he gets off work, then stopping wherever we decide looks good, then going some more on Saturday... and so on until we have to turn around and come back home again. We aren't making plans or reservations, just taking a few maps and going. I'm sure we'll wind up somewhere interesting.

Off to bed with me, now.

Summer > School; Input Device Envy

Woah... (she says in a Keanu Reeves-ish voice), classes start Monday. Where the hell did the summer go? I think the dryer ate it like it eats socks. Wait... I don't have a dryer. And for that matter, I don't usually wear socks.

So, let's talk about how bad I want THIS keyboard.



Honestly, it's probably just about the most awesome thing I've ever laid my eyes on. I want it. I want to have its little glowing babies. Guh...
But alas, it shall never be. The $200 price tag give me hives. (Also the fact that you have to order the number pad- that doesn't light up- separately for another $35.)

In other news, ex-roomie Jessica is coming to stay with me tomorrow night. We're planning a Whedon-athon. I've been thinking about my picks for the episodes of Buffy we'll watch for the last 3 days. Does that make me obsessed?
This will certainly be among the first chosen:



Ohh! Oooh! Also, I got my hair cut. It's rather short. Almost a bob. I'm very pleased. Much less Drain-o will have to be used on my shower drain now. (That's kinda gross, huh?)

Off to watch TV, then bed.

Summer in the 'Boro.. and Why It Won't Suck.

I just found out that I will not be taking summer classes as I previously thought, due to:

1. I have reached my "maximum loan allowance for the 2007/2008 school year" and I doubt I'll be able to discover $854 in the couch cushions.
2. The drawing class I signed up for has been canceled due to low enrollment.

Therefore, my plans for the summer are:

1. Find a job.
2. Move out of the Marvin House and into my new apartment.
3. Work on arts and crafts projects! (This is the only one I'm excited about.)

I have several projects that have fallen by the wayside, what with papers and tests and classes and college and all.

Among the neglected projects are my embroidered anatomical heart, an old suitcase that's half painted white, a big round pillow that's only half full of stuffing, and this little abstract rainbow/wave thing. Check out all those French knots! (click to enlarge)



I'm not really sure what to call it, but I know I like it and want to frame it. I still have some gaps to fill in, as you can see, and it needs to be extended about two and a half inches on one side to fit a 5x7 frame. It's probably going to take another 1-2 hours of work, which isn't really all that much. A few episodes of Doctor Who should get me through.

And those are just the projects that I've already started. There are plans for many, many more... including:
1. Customizing a few action figures (including a made-from-scratch Veronica Mars)
2. Building a new work table for my new apartment
3. Creating a magnetic wall for my gigantic collection of magnetic poetry
4. Embroidering a rudimentary solar system model. See sketch below:



I have since added moons and the actual names of the planets, not just letters.... Jupiter also looks more like a circle and less like a wibbly-wobbly doodle now. And YES, I grew up in a time when Pluto was a planet, and in my heart, Pluto will always be a planet.

So even though Georgia Southern University has crapped all over "The Plan" for getting me out of school in this decade, I'm optimistic. And as I study for finals and realize that I really didn't do so great this semester, I think that maybe, just maybe, it'll all be alright.

Getting My Crap Together....

So, I went to talk to my adviser today (when I was supposed to be in my Intro Anthropology class, shame on me!) about classes for the summer and next year. It was my first official advisement as an Art History major. How exciting. To make a long story short, I'm now an Art History major, Anthropology minor who will be nearly fluent in some type of foreign language. Spanish is the obvious choice, and since I have already had the first Spanish, I planned on doing that. I told my adviser this. She suggested that since I'm not that far into Spanish, I should really think about either French or German. Apparently German is the "language of art history." Well, I thought about this and decided to go for French. I'll have to take 4 classes total. If I take one this summer, one in the Fall, one next Spring, and one next summer, I'll be done. The only drawback is that I'd be here in Hell (Statesboro) over the summer next year. But, here's the thing: I'll have a 12 month lease anyway.
Basically, next year I'll really only have one or two art classes at all. It will be mostly French and Anthropology. The only real art class I'll have is my Senior Art History Thesis (scary!).

I just realized that nobody in the world cares about me getting advised. And that it's almost time for 20th Century Art... and we're doing Dada/Surrealism today. Whee!

Woot!

My art history professor told me that I have "an eye" for art history. It made me feel all tingly inside.