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.