Still Unfinished Work

Another update on some unfinished work. I've spent about 30 hours on this piece and I only have to finish up the background and it's done... but I have very little motivation to do that after so many hours!
So I think tomorrow afternoon will conclude this piece and a true illustration of how I waste my time will be available for ridicule from the public.

I'll also post a photo of the model so that you can correct all of my mistakes.
Until later

Let's Face It

So here are some of my head shots. Oddly enough most of these are profiles—but I guess that's because most of what liked that was 3/4 view ended up hanging up somewhere around campus. Keep in mind that most of these are unfinished and will probably remain so...
The contour of the girl with the under-bite was my first success of the semester. I was having a lot of trouble catching a decent likeness until Amber modeled—after that I had an easier time. Thankfully something finally clicked!
All of these drawings were done in pencil—most likely HB, B or 2B on Newsprint (top two) and drawing paper (bottom two).

Better Late than Never...

Okay so here are some of my drawings from Figure Drawing this past spring. These first few were done in colored pencil. Just a small peak at what I spent most of the semester doing. I am still unsure if I will be showing any of my other full-figure drawings...

Neglect

I would like to make a formal apology to everyone that I have been less than attentive to over the past two or three weeks. I have been moving non-stop and anything that didn't have a due date or involved the word "show" in any sense was pushed onto the back burner.

While those few days—largely within the past two weeks—were really rough, with God's help I was able to make it through, and even had some very satisfying results in the end. But I am thankful that it is all over and I can now start responding to my various Emails, catch up with some neglected friends, sleep, and post on everything you have missed in the past month!

It has been hard, but I've grown so much! It has been proven once again that I can do nothing without God, and I am still loving my major despite the effort that it requires :) I'm not quite done yet though, I'm working on the last bit of homework as I type!

Thank you for all of the prayers that have been lifted on my behalf—I felt each one and appreciate them so much!

Busy summer ahead—more posts soon :)

Art Show—Spring 2010

The art show has come once again. And two of my pieces are in the show! I am very excited, though I am a little disappointed that my other two pieces did not get into the show. I was also selected by my professors to receive the "William L. Bippes Art Scholarship"! This scholarship is given based on work ethic and performance along with a few other aspects. The scholarship is given to a sophomore or a junior every year—as a sophomore I feel so honored! I'm the third person to win it since it began, and I am so excited to have my name in the art building :D It sounds so stupid, but I look so forward to coming to visit after I graduate and seeing my name. Featured are the pieces I have hanging up in the art center :)

Personal ID system

Incase you don't remember, I had to make a personal identity system for my graphic design class a few months ago. I never had a chance to load everything up, but here's what I finally ended up with. The blurry patches on the letterhead, and CD labels are where the address and Email would go—but I originally had some accurate information on those so I blocked them out :)

The rest is fake.

I got an A- on this project over all. I still have to tweak the logo, but other than that it's finished for now. I really want to go back into it over the summer and come up with something more creative, but I didn't have time during the semester because I completely revised the logo the day before it was due (stupid, but it looks much better!)

Feedback is welcome as always!

Porchfest — 2010

Porchfest:
Yet another reason to love the school I attend :)
Hopefully you'll be able to see the video—it's SO funny (click on 'Porchfest' at beginning of post)

The Domino Effect—Nap Edition

Mandie and Becky came into my room and interrupted my accidental nap so that we could go to dinner. As we waited for Emily to come back from class, I was joined on the couch and we experienced the domino effect and another short nap (about 2 minutes) until Emily came in and took a photo of us.

I love my friends :)

Shower Dash

My girlfriends and I watched the Blind Side last night. It was so good! But the 'fun' started after the movie was over. First of all, we were watching Elmo prank calls on YouTube, (which are absolutely hilarious!) but around 1:30am Mandie and I discovered that we both needed to shower that night...
Thus began the mad dash for the "warm" shower—also known as the one closest to the window. Talking trash all the way, Mandie and myself grabbed our shower caddies and towels as fast as possible. There was screaming and laughing, but unfortunately Mandie won (I'm convinced that it is because I had to run down to my room while she was already in her's). I was forced to settle with the less than perfect "2nd best" shower.
The strange events of the night did not end with that: I dropped my razor and it absolutely exploded! I mean, into 3 pieces! That was frustrating to say the least—thankfully I had an extra in my room.

George White, the Skeleton

This is my super-creepy-skeleton. His name is George—he used to be alive and living in India, but now he stands in our classroom. We have recently given him a last name: White (credit to Bethany A), and I believe he stands a little taller now that he has gained this new social status!
Anyway, this is my latest drawing piece—it was done with chalk and white and black charcoal on black paper. It was a BLAST, but it took a long time. I have estimated it to be around 20 hours, but I lost count after a while.

All credit goes to God—especially with this piece. The first day I just couldn't do it. My hands were completely useless... I remember running back to my room after about two hours and just breaking down. I prayed and told God that I couldn't do it (like He didn't already know... psh) and that it was entirely up to Him. Once again, I had to give my work over to Him. My talents don't belong to me—the only thing that I can do is dedicate my time, and give Him the glory!

I was given an "A/A-/A" on this piece... I'm not entirely sure what that means, but I can live with it. I was given something to improve on, so hopefully an updated (and better quality) photo will be up shortly.
Possibly a show piece in the near future... we'll see :)

Word Project

This was my first project for Graphic Design 1:
We were instructed to select a word and then use typography in order to make that word into the thing or action that it represented. I chose "crown" and used a script style font as a base for creating the little girl's crown. The original piece was a drawing (bottom) and I spent an entire weekend stippling, only to find out that we were then going to convert the entire thing onto Illustrator (by hand, no cheating). Well, after almost dieing, I was informed that another classmate and myself would not be forced to do the entire project again on illustrator—but the majority would be required.
Professor Shaw said that I would not have to entirely match the hair as long as I could recreate a similar effect (easier said than done) and that the face could consist of line rather than stippling.
So after another long week of work I was able to recreate my drawing on Illustrator (top).
For the original illustration I received an "A-", marked down for inconsistent style in the figure. The Illustrator recreation was given an "A"(the main objective being an identical copy of the original—focusing on the word).

Thanks... sorta

God always works out the little things. Sometimes I am entirely shocked by His ability to plan everything out. Over the past year and a half (basically my entire college career), I have really only been sick over breaks! Aside from a few small colds, I have only been sick once while at school, and it was the day before a break (and then I was sick all of the break).
As convenient as this arrangement has always been in the long run, it isn't very much fun! I'm sure my family cannot remember what it is like to have an older sister around who is not too ill to do much more than move between couch and bed. I also take over the tv, which is the highest offense known to man!
But it is nice to know that I will be rested up by the time I have to head back—though it would be nice to go without illness for a little while longer... :)

Modified

Entirely different direction.
Working out this now.
It has to be black and white now, but I'm thinking that when I make the business cards / letterhead / CD label I will change the color of the coat :D
Red will probably be the dominate color (like my own coat)

Five Fingered Friend

These hands are my latest homework assignment (graded) for Drawing II. We were required to make 5 hand drawings following the procedure we were taught in class.

Step 1: Key line (lightest color—usually yellow/orange on mine)

Step 2: Draw the major masses. Basically, make sausage-like links to represent the fingers. Be careful to overlap them in order to predict the placement of the folds

Step 3: Draw the contour (the outline of the hand in the darkest color)

I only got a "B" on this project. I was pretty disappointed, but I'm moving on :)

Bippes encouraged me to explore harder poses—with more twists specifically. And I should not do as much shading... oh well, maybe next time I'll snag that "A"!

Weekend with the Girls

I am currently sitting with my best friends in Mandie's basement (she counts as one of my best friends in case it wasn't obvious). Tomorrow the 4 of us are going to see Beauty and the Beast the Musical! We bought the tickets in December and have been so excited ever since! I have been truly geeked! Every time the movie is mentioned or a song is played (from the movie of course) I get super excited—and now it's finally TIME! Well... tomorrow it will be time :)

The car ride here was crazy. It has been snowing for ages, heavy and wet, making the roads hazardous. Needless to say, there was a lot of silent prayer being lifted by yours truly. But it was great just knowing that even if we did get into an accident, we would be going somewhere SO MUCH better! We are all completely in love with our Savior and it was just comforting to know that if one of us died we wouldn't have to wonder.

That being said, I am also glad that we made it safe! I am just so thankful for the friends I have! High school was... long and, well... hard! I never would have guessed that I would be spending a weekend with 1 great friend, let alone 3! God really answered all of the prayers that I sobbed all through high school.

So thankful :)

So very, very, very thankful!

ps. the way Becky "bowls" on the Wii is the funniest thing I have ever seen!

Ralph

This is Ralph. Fully developed—just before I ruined it by labeling the bones as is required.

I had to draw a contour, shade and then label the bones in the cranium and mandible(jaw bone).

I just found out that this project is a plus/minus project—meaning that I get full credit just for doing it, no grade. I'm bummed, especially after working so long on it (6-7 hours), but he's also using this as a chance to see where we are and what we need to improve on. So, hopefully I did a good enough job that he will find it worth his while to push me a little extra. Of course many my classmates also did a good well on theirs—and one of the best was from the same viewpoint as mine... which isn't always desirable.

The labeling looks horrid to be honest. It broke my heart to do it, but I want the grade! oh well, it wouldn't take too much work to get them off again, though a faint outline will probably always be there.

Feedback is welcome as always!

In the Quiet

I am currently sitting on the futon that has served Emily and me as a bed for the past week or so, and I am struggling to find out why on Earth there even is a 5:00 in the morning! The Chinese girls that have been staying with us are leaving today on a plane—and they have to be on the way to the airport by 5:45 am. Thus it fell to Emily and myself—okay, me—to make sure that both of them wake up on time and are able to get out the door at the appointed hour. Thankfully I will be able to go back to sleep for about an hour after they leave before I have to get ready myself.

Haha, surprisingly, I am fairly awake right now, though the lack of sleep will probably catch up to me at the most inconvenient time—such as during class, lunch, or when I am supposed to get up.

This time is a reminder that God is always awake. Always watching. Always protecting us. Normally at 5am, I am entirely unconscious (a pattern that I do not intend to change anytime soon) and the most activity that is performed would be to mumble or laugh in my sleep (yes, I laugh in my sleep—every night according to some). But God is still keeping watch, and probably still busy with the other areas of trouble in the world—though even with all this, He does not neglect me. Just as I am supervising the preparations of departure for the Chinese girls on my right, and the sleeping form of my roommate on my left—God is watching over everything. Even at the most inconvenient hours.

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever

Psalm 121:8

Chinese Food and Banshees

Well, I have now successfully completed my 3rd day of the new semester.

And I am still alive! haha, of course it is not very hard yet—but adjusting to the new schedule is a little crazy as well as listening to all of the crazy-hard assignments that the professors continually threaten us will is enough to throw anyone into a nervous break down. But I am now done with classes for the day with only homework to occupy my thoughts before non-school related activities finally draw me away from my newly attained books.

So with an intimidating to-do list and a fresh mind, I immediately sat down to write a new post. Rather typical I am afraid to say...

But it has been an interesting past 24. Starting with a visit from my dear mom and sister :) We always have a blast when we get together, talking and laughing, and this time was no exception! We truly out did ourselves and I am sure everyone in Pizza Hut was annoyed with the sounds of our obnoxious laughter (often compared to a banshee).

We returned with just enough time for me to get ready for some special visitors. A small group of students from CHINA won a drama competition and as part of their reward, they get to spend 5 days here in Arborshire. Emily and I were asked to host them in our room, letting them use our beds and guiding them through the dorm life. We agreed to do it and are now living on the futon for about a week.

Emily agreed not to kick me as long as I did not 'wet the bed'. Thankfully we are not in the habit of doing either :)

Our girls are named (American names) "Gloria" and "Mia". They are both beautiful, very sweet, about 16 years old and can hardly speak English! It is truly crazy. They can speak enough so that we can usually understand what they are saying after a few minutes, but once in a while there are some crazy mix-ups. After struggling to say my name for about half an hour, we decided that I was to be called "Trina".

It's really cute to hear them read English—in fact I have a poem on my board that they were reading, but unfortunately it is a play on words so they didn't understand it! I had to explain that 'alonio' = 'alone', but that it was changed to rhyme with 'Antonio' just like half the words in the poem.

Oh goodness.

This morning was also a little strange—getting ready in our little room with 3 awake and 1 asleep is rough, especially when the only other person who speaks must English is the one who is still in bed! We eventually got out the door and I sprinted to class after making sure they got to their meeting place without any trouble.

Then after Chapel I was mixed up and almost went all the way to one of my Tuesday/Thursday classes! I remembered just in time, and turning around I walked back to the building I had already passed and into room SMC 110. I'm brilliant.

False.

Well, now I should get back to that homework I have been putting off... Hopefully another post will be up shortly!

Spring — 2010

It has begun.

Spring Semester is already here and constant feeing of a fast paced agenda has already begun to swell within me. I feel almost like I used to when I was getting ready for a race: The blocks are set in the right position, my muscles are loose and the gun is loaded!!

I've just finished taking a warm up lap across the craziest stretch of the track of my week. Thursdays will not be my favorite day. But it will still be good :)

Not only do I have the full load of credits this semester—which feels like a weight added to my spikes—but I also have a job on campus now. I'm really excited about my job, even though it's just cleaning crew... but it is in the art department and should eventually lead to a more enjoyable position :) But right now I'm really excited for a chance to serve those around me. To give more assistance to those in the art department than I have been able to previously.

The stress is mounting, but I can tell that it is going to be a great semester—though I can already see the future holds a few breathless moments, I've been training for this and I will cross the finish line!

My spikes are at the blocks,

my hands on the line,

and the gun is in the air.

Deep breath.

Here we go.

Floor Worship

I was the SLA (Spiritual Life Advisor) on my floor for the past month. It has been a lot of fun, and a great opportunity to share my love for God with the girls I live with. For a bible study, we chose to go a more relaxing way that didn't include too much brain power for J-Term (one class, but condensed into 3 weeks!). So we repeated a successful bible study idea from last year. Armed with poster board and paints, we gathered together to worship our Lord through art :)

It was a great time to relax and just worship with our hands! We had worship music playing and painted for about 2 hours. Here are some of the pieces that we made for our Lord :)