Halfway and then some!

MORE!

I am home in Greenwich. And now for some sketchbook project pictures.

I've Been Working On The Railroad

Not really. But I have news AND pictures. Hooray!
News first. I am moving back to Ohio. I am gonna work there for a while and then go back to school. Also, I signed up for 5 new projects, so I will be putting those on here as well! Hooray! Ok now speaking of projects, here are more pictures of my sketchbook project!

Ridiculous.

Story time!
Started the day out with a friend getting fired. Sad!
Then, a bunch of school groups came in and trashed an exhibit... which just opened today. Made it 3 hours before getting shut down! Awesome.
Finally, come home and the landlord's son is trying to put on another party, apparently a sweet 16 (with a keg?!) and the landlord is yelling at people and calling the cops. Go Donna! About freakin' time she got this under control. Anyways, the cops came, the kids left, the landlord yelled at her son and the maintenance guy.... good day. Really great. Awesome even.

This has nothing to do with art, really.

The honeymoon is over. The thrill is gone. The sparks have flown the coop. I am done with Chicago, and once I find a replacement roommate, I am leaving to go back home before I have weddings to be at and school to start back up. I am not sad about it.

Also, my Grandpa Cobb is having health problems and he's not really getting better. He was just home from the hospital and they had to take him back to an urgent care place because he's wheezing and weak and confused. I am going to go to Michigan on my days off to visit him.

That's all.

Time Time TIME

As in I have none. To do anything. I work and sleep. I want to make things. Day off tomorrow, hopefully I can find time amidst the errands to make some progress in the sketchbook and in other stuff as well. Only time will tell....

More in the Sketchbook

I did this one while waiting for the internet guy to arrive. He was an hour and a half late, but at least now we have internet. I think it looks like a black lung, so that's what I'm calling it.

Less pod, more scribble

First things first, this is page #5 from the Danger Danger project.

And now for some other artworks unrelated to the sketchbook project.

This one is made up of 4 smaller sheets. I need to get some bigger paper so I can do these easier.

I seem to have found a theme....

First off, the newest Danger Danger page.

Next, some more just random scribbly things. I kinda like the graphite with the watercolors and white acrylic, but I need to figure something out that looks less like eggs and avocados.

Better photos make for better updates

Self-explanitory. Comments welcome.

This one is new. First page of the danger sketchbook. Not new, redone version of the so-called butt picture.

For those about to rock...

And by that I mean for those of you who have been complaining that I'm not adding enough pictures, here are some pictures! The first two are from the sketchbook project based on the terrible horrible impossible theme, "Danger danger." Keep in mind as well that these pictures are not of the greatest quality or detail, since I still haven't dug through enough of my stuff to retrieve any camera battery chargers, so I used my phone. 

 

These next two are just a couple of things I felt like messing around with. I'm trying out different things with line and watercolors and white acrylic to see if that could eventually be a big part of my "style". Opinions are much welcome, as usual, and I hope the colors aren't too messed up since I took these pictures at night, inside, under the horrible ceiling fan lighting in the living room, sitting on the duck foot stool. Critiques are much welcome, naturally.

Overachiever

I may have planned to do a bit too much. How about I work on the sketchbook and occasionally do some other stuff here and there and then post it? Sound good? Yeah, I thought so too. I have instead devoted my time to finding a worthy graduate school. So far I've requested information from LOTS of schools, and I'm even considering Edinburgh, of all places. I really don't know how Scotland would suit me, but man, I would love to find out. Anywho, I should start getting information within the week and then perhaps I can start applying.
It's weird, doing this again, and so long after the first time, when I was still at Taylor and still had so much to learn. At that time, I had decided I didn't want to do the grad school thing. Now, it would seem, I really really do. I'm ready for change, a new step, to push myself farther.
The only difficulty with the grad school thing is deciding what to study. I have always been bad at making decisions....

Danger, Danger?

The other day I was trying to get people at work to help me brainstorm about this whole "Danger, Danger" theme (which, by the way, is driving me absolutely up the WALL!) and so I was asking them, "What does danger make you think of?"
The responses were vague and varied, which I suppose goes along with the fact that the question itself was vague, but one thing stuck out to me. One of the managers said to me that there aren't specific things she thinks of, not concrete items, but more the way being in danger makes her FEEL.
Upon hearing this response, I sorta brushed it off but I keep coming back to it. I realized it's because I myself do so much of my best work based on my own feelings, so that's what I'm going to do. Think about dangers in my life (none that I plan on revealing, thank you very much) and put those feelings on paper. Maybe it's not what they want in this project, but "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." This is MY sketchbook and I will fill it the way I see it. More to come on this later, which hopefully means lots and lots of pictures. Now I just need to find my camera battery chargers....

Update - this is for you Alex

So I don't have any pictures yet because apparently all of my camera batteries are DEAD! Frustration! I have been sketching away, however, and it's been getting a bit easier to find ideas the more I sketch. The only thing left to do is find my watercolors... I am terribly lost in my art without them, as I am discovering more and more every day. In the meantime, I think I do have some pictures of some watercolors I did immediately before the big move that might be interesting. They're just abstract little things, some of which started out being inspired by peppercorns (which I inevitably spilled all over the place).

The Big Black Pit

I seem to have fallen into a hole. Somehow, once again, my bank account is in the red. There are no new jobs to be had, nothing interesting to be found for an Art major. The worst thing about it is that what put me in the hole was my visit home. I wanted to see my family. I NEEDED a break. But now I have no money and I WON'T have money because I had to take 2 days off this past work week, due in part to the visit and in part to packing and moving. Living in the city seems more and more worthless by the day.

Not so in the movies. Ever notice how things are so easy for the people we watch on that screen for two hours? Here's the formula. Intro, major crisis, redefine your self identity, become a huge success. When I think about how many times I've had a major crisis and ended up finding a new identity.... well I should be pretty freaking successful right about now, that's all I'm sayin'!

So now I've decided to start a few new projects. Ready for this?

Project #1 - The Sketchbook Library

I have decided to take part in something called the sketchbook library. Basic idea is that they send you a sketchbook and a very (VERY!) generic theme and you have to fill the book up with artwork based on the theme. Mine is called "Danger, Danger". Pictures to follow.

Project #2 - The Movie Ripoff

While I was home, I went to see Julie & Julia with my mom and sister. While the movie was, to me, extremely typical and at times disappointing, it did leave me with just a touch of inspiration. While I perhaps flatter myself that any of you would be interested in seeing me post ridiculous amounts of artwork, that's what will be happening. I am going to find a new something to create an artwork of every day for a year. This will commence tomorrow, September 3rd. Self portraits, strangers, animals, plants, food, the floor, the point is not necessarily the content but just to DO! The more artwork you create, regardless of what it is, the more easily you find your style and inspiration. So that's what I'm going to do. Any medium, any subject matter, it's all up for grabs at this point. And it's all going to go on this blog. That may eventually lead to some sort of name change for it. We shall see.

Project #3 - Reader's Challenge

At this point, you may be discovering that all of the projects are Art based, and there is a reason for that. If I am going to be an artist, I need to produce lots of Art, and I need to do lots of kinds in lots of mediums to be able to show myself as versatile and successful. So this project is where I need YOUR help. You may be a friend of mine or a complete stranger, but I need ideas and feedback. HONEST feedback. So this is what I ask: you, the reader, whoever you may be, send me challenges to create. Anything and everything. The more challenges I get, the more I will be challenged myself. Once I accept a challenge, I will post it and give myself one week to finish it. If I finish before a week is up, I will post the result for your judgement and critique and move on to the next challenge immediately. As for the critique, I need everyone that comments to be as honest as possible. Feel free to debate with each other and with me, I don't care, but I need as many opinions as I can get.

As of right now, 3 projects may be all I can handle. It actually may even be MORE than I can handle, but if all of you hold me to my word I think I can do it. Once the sketchbook project is done in December, I may be able to start a new one. If anyone has ideas for more projects, by all means, share them. As for this post, I think I'm done typing.

A plan.

I think at some point I have had a conversation with every single one of my friends about traveling overseas together. Plans were half made and fantasies sparked but nothing ever happened. All the while, I have kept my hopes high that someday I will make it to Europe with at least one of them. Now, one by one, they're marrying off and my list of possible travel buddies is getting shorter and shorter. After all guys, I mean no offense, but I'd rather not travel with you and your husband. Talk about awkward. Now that I find myself in a position to budget setting a little something aside for a trip, I am becoming more sure by the day that I will be taking this trip on my own. Bring it on. Next summer, after the marathon of weddings, I am going somewhere. Anywhere. Just for myself.

Gifts Galore

It's interesting how a tv show can offer validation in a world that favors the married folks. They get married, we get them gifts for their new life together, new house together, new... yeah... together together. Nowadays we even help pay for the wedding and the honeymoon with cash bars, dollar dances and checks inside congrats cards! Next comes a baby and you get gifts for the kid you've yet to meet (who knows if they'll turn out to be a brat or not?!) and for the parents (getaways, free babysitting, a night out) and in the end we end up broke with our single incomes and rent for the apartment and the 10 bridesmaids dresses we bought and altered and the gifts... oh so many gifts. Why can't single girls register when moving in to their first apartment? How about a party in congratulations for not ending up with that guy who turned out to be gay? In all honesty, I could use some pots and pans, maybe a blender, and quarters for the laundry. I won't turn down a new pair of shoes either, because let's be honest, you try to buy me some lingerie and I won't have any use for it. Us single girls need to step up our expectations. If we all go out and register for ourselves, who knows, maybe we could start a revolution.

All sorts of goings on

We found an apartment! Erin and I just signed a lease for an apartment closer to downtown that should be perfect for us! It's a three bedroom with a newly redone kitchen and it's got TWO living areas, so we may turn one into a bit of an all purpose room. Jules should be moving in shortly after we do, once she's finished up her job in Cincy, and then Manny will have a new kitty friend. Also, there are a number of contests I think I am going to enter and of course Hannah's wedding is this weekend so I shall be the photog for that as well. I am starting to become a very busy person.

Booyah.

I love getting all calm and condescending on people's asses. It's empowering.

Career Drama

I like my job. I really do. But I am worried about how long it will last. It has been 5 months and I am still a temp. What's worse is, there have been layoffs happening and rumors of them making visitor services only staffed with temps. On the one hand, it enables them to hire more people because they don't have to do paid time off or insurance. On the other hand, that means no paid time off or insurance. Granted, I do already have insurance. But I can't afford to take days off because A - I don't get paid much to begin with and B - I don't get paid for them. So now I need to start looking for a different job. Which I don't want to do because I like my job. But I have to do because I can't survive on this job for much longer. I'm getting burnt out.

Ridiculously Tepid

Well, life has been pretty boring here in Chicago, now that I'm "enjoying" my first days off with no roommate. I get to sleep late, hang out with my cat, watch as much NCIS as I want and slowly but surely turn myself into a social hermit. I haven't left my building in the last two days. I really have no desire to. Next week I'm going home and bringing Manny with me, so we'll see how that goes. Also going to see some doctors and get a haircut. Woot. I feel so very dull.

Sigh

I am only few days away from having no more roommate. It's a bit of a weird feeling. I'm not sure I'll know what to do with myself. I kinda already don't. Still trying to find a new apartment with Erin and her friend Jules and I think we're getting closer to actually finding something. We'll see what happens. 

What?!

Sometimes I feel like such a freaking idiot. 

Date?

Mmmm yes please.

My New Philosophy

I will live like I make Art. Messy and with lots of passion. Sounds good to me.

Oh Me Oh My

If I keep telling myself that it didn't mean anything, maybe I'll mean it eventually. If I keep saying I'm not a bad person, maybe that will come true. It's not that I wanted that specifically. It's that I wanted to want it so I could justify having it. It didn't make it better. It didn't make me happier. It didn't do anything good. How is it that some people can live this way day to day? 

One is the loneliest number

I do not want to be one of those women who perpetually dates. I don't want to have a list 10,000 men long of everyone I've been out with. I also don't want to be infinitely single. Which unfortunately seems to be the trend in my life at the moment. I'd like to think my life is heading somewhere. With SOMEONE. Not all alone.

Consequences

Everything in life has consequences. This is something I am sure you already know. But consider this. The consequences do not only affect you. They affect the people around you and perhaps, just maybe, people you've never met and never will. For instance, choose to abuse a privilege and it may be taken away. Simple enough with your parents. But do it at a public institution, and it's removed for everyone. Millions of people will be affected because you broke a rule or skipped a step. But no one ever thinks of these things. They only think about how the rules affect them. But then I won't get to have fun, the cool kids won't think I'm popular, and God forbid I have to throw away a freaking TWO DOLLAR BOTTLE OF WATER! But I won't think about what will happen if my bottle of water leaks on someone's thousand dollar laptop and then I have to pay for it because I broke the rules and then instead of just trusting people at the checkroom, we have to start searching bags for food and beverages. Talk about invasion of privacy. And it's your fault because you wouldn't suck it up, forget throwing a tantrum and just get rid of the water bottle. Idiots.

Recent Thoughts About Myself

I am alone, confused, miserable, crazy, muddled, ridiculous, emotional, broke, backward, awkward and strange. It sucks. I can't sleep. And I'm stressed. And exhausted. I just want to sleep.

Also, no one STILL reads this. And that's stupid.

So...

Nobody reads this. Lame.

Love Me Dead

I realize that I am young and have plenty of time to have fun and such... but it would be so much better if I was actually having fun. I am getting to the point where I am bitter and cynical and doubt everything I see or hear or feel. I hate getting on the train or walking through the museum where I have to work and seeing people fawning all over each other and immediately cringing. I don't want to cringe. I want to be happy for people and enjoy springtime and all that love is in the air crap. I don't enjoy it though. I hate it. Every second of it. And that's not fun. That's a buzz kill.

Prime Numbers

I am 23 today. It's a prime number. I haven't decided if that's a positive or negative thing.

Friend of Mine

So this girl I work with is in a band, and they are amazing. You should probably go to their website and have a listen.

www.wearetheloneliestmonk.com

Inspiration

The only reason I miss being in school is because I had to put all of my time into art projects rather than working a full time job so I can pay rent. Hopefully this next job goes better. At least I'll get to be AROUND art. Maybe that will inspire me a bit.

Fear and Loathing

I really really really hate being single. 

Big Giant Update

Well, now that it's been almost a MONTH since I've updated... good grief... here are some tasty tidbits. 

1. I went to see Wicked before it closed here in Chicago. It was, naturally, fantastic and the girl playing Elphaba was absolutely perfect. The story was pretty great too. Makes me want to read the books.

2. I got a new job! Temporary but still fantastic since I'll be working at the Art Institute of Chicago as a visitor services assistant. I will be turning in my two weeks notice at Macy's shortly. Which reminds me...

3. Holidays in retail are 100% pure hell. As much as I adore the people I work with, I hate my job. It doesn't help that AFTER the holidays I got cut down to between 6 and 16 hours a week. I also got a chance to work inventory, which I appreciate for the experience, but when you're scheduled 5:30 pm to 12:30 am and and you don't end up leaving until 3 AM! because you spent 6 hours trying to get through the socks and tights... ugh, it gets to be just plain painful. 

4. Alton Brown is most attractive in his burger episode when he is explaining cuts of beef at the supermarket. Random but oh so true.

5. I will be seeing Craig Ferguson live on March 6th at a casino. Be jealous.

6. Our adorable and teeny tiny kittens are not so tiny anymore. They're getting up to about 5 pounds. And they sleep with us now.

7. In case you haven't been paying attention, I have a website. ecobbphotography.com. Go look at it. 

8. I really want a record player.

9. My awesome new job gets me into all the museums in Chicago for free. Sweet. Oh and I start Feb. 3rd. 

10. I dunno what to write for 10, but I felt the need to have 10. I know! If you read this, you should come visit me in Chicago. Seriously. It's awesome. I can get you into the museums with me....