The Charm School Dropout

so long

2011-04-22T12:15:00.000-07:00

So this will seem strange, but I'm shutting this blog down and moving to here. When you go there you will notice it looks exactly the same, except for the URL is the one I wanted years ago. Since I have been a very lazy blogger, and have gone to the tumblr style of blogging, I don't feel too bad. Hopefully I will pick up the pace. So come over to my new URL, or to my Pinterest boards.

2011-03-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

emily hope

2011-03-16T16:15:00.000-07:00

2011-03-06T08:44:00.000-08:00

2011-03-05T18:28:00.000-08:00

2011-03-02T19:38:00.000-08:00

Neko

2011-02-26T20:00:00.000-08:00

Good Bookcases

2011-02-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

treehouse/studio

2011-02-16T18:06:00.000-08:00

apartment therapy

2011-02-15T20:04:00.000-08:00

2011-02-12T07:10:00.001-08:00

2011-02-11T14:47:00.001-08:00

Bardot

2011-02-07T17:52:00.000-08:00

2011-02-06T06:56:00.000-08:00

2011-02-04T20:12:00.001-08:00

2011-02-04T06:49:00.000-08:00

http://www.terezavlckova.com/

2011-02-01T21:11:00.000-08:00

2011-01-27T20:09:00.000-08:00

Put a Bird On It

2011-01-26T19:53:00.000-08:00

From Portlandia (you tube video)

My Obsession With Man Clothes and Being a Pirate

2011-01-25T17:54:00.001-08:00

jane

2011-01-25T16:40:00.001-08:00

No Really,

2011-01-24T07:37:00.000-08:00

Pyramid of Greatness

2011-01-23T08:05:00.000-08:00

Ron Swanson, my hero

Hmmmm

2011-01-22T08:11:00.000-08:00

Why is it when you quit smoking (20 days!), cigarettes show up everywhere in the hands of beautiful people? (original post )

kitchen

2011-01-20T05:08:00.001-08:00

love these cabinets, don't know if I could live with them

Should I Be So Lucky

2011-01-19T16:57:00.000-08:00

to look this great (and cool!) in ten years...

true

2011-01-18T16:23:00.000-08:00

via pinterest

2011-01-17T08:39:00.000-08:00

2011-01-16T07:54:00.000-08:00

one more...

2011-01-16T07:43:00.000-08:00

Yes, It looks different

2011-01-15T16:35:00.000-08:00

Conversation IV, digital collage, 2011

Conversation III, digital collage, 2011

So I'm going to change the direction of this blog. I'm going to continue to post(and hopefully with more frequency) my art work, but also, do a daily thing that I love. Not for you really, but to help me catalog things.

Shut, digital collage, 2011

As you can see there is a new banner and background. We'll see. Honestly the amount of media I consume is staggering. Sometimes I feel like I stare in this light box 24/7. However there are lots of things a brewing on the horizon. I'll keep you updated.

Conversation II, digital collage, 2011

Dear Blog...

2010-10-04T16:58:00.001-07:00

I'm sorry I neglect you. Life is too busy.

Two Faced

2010-09-08T14:22:00.001-07:00

Two Faced, digital print on canvas, 2010

Illustration Friday - Atmosphere

2010-08-22T09:30:00.001-07:00

Illustration Friday - Caged

2010-08-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

or un-caged...

In Love

2010-08-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

As you all may know, I had to put my beloved 15 year old yellow lab down earlier this summer. It ranked up there in harder things I've had to do in this lifetime (although this year has been chock full of contenders).

Sweet Weezie, she was the apple of my eye, and the best friend any gal could ask for. We have one other dog - Becks, a chocolate lab, who is also getting a bit long in the tooth - but still full of crazy dogness.

Anyways, long story short, I found this sweet baby while looking through the local adopt a dog magazine (never a good idea) and could not resist.

He is 2 1/2 years old. He may be the world's tiniest beagle weighing in at 17lbs. I LOVE HIM! He is a total nut, loves to race around, and bounce, and bray (but only when he first sees me in the morning). It is so much fun. I wish I could have 100 acres of land and adopt 20 dogs to run around (and some horses too).

They are just the best companions in the world. I have always had a thing for beagles, ever since the Snoopy days as a kid. So everyone welcome Captain "Banjo" Furguson (Banjo to his close friends).

And I'm off...

2010-07-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

Heading out to Tennessee. It will be a combination visit my mom and participate in my friend's wedding - plus I *hope* there will be some inner-tube river floatin'. I leave you with this summer-y, travel-y collage.

Gripe-y Blog Post

2010-07-21T17:57:00.000-07:00

So, every now and then I allow myself a gripe-y post. Usually, I limit it to just a few per year.

This has been a pretty crumby week. It started last Thursday with what turned out to be strep throat. Everything is a bit harder to do when you are sick.

As many of you may know Aaron is in the process of looking for a new job. We have been hit a bit hard with the recession. At the beginning of June we were both unemployed.

Thankfully, we had already saved up the money for our trip and had a few dollars set aside for just such a predicament. Anyways, I found a new gig not too long ago, which I am most excited about.

Aaron has been looking hard. He has had three great interviews at places he would like to work. But, it is looking like those are not going to manifest themselves in job offers. Sadly, we had both gotten our hopes up.

What's crazy is it's not like Aaron is in real estate or boat sales. He is a math teacher.

We have both combed through the resume, rechecked the references, read through the online teacher service, but something is not working.

That may be the most frustrating part, the "What am I doing WRONG?"

Thankfully, he is also a gifted carpenter and can fill up his time with odd jobs and remodel work. I too am thankful that I am going to be working here shortly(having been on unpaid family leave since December).

It's going to be ok, everything will work out the way it is supposed to, insert your own cliche here, but for some reason it caught up with me this week.

We are so lucky in so many ways, but sometimes it feels good to gripe. Thanks for listening.

PS: The artwork is from the Charm School archives (a part of the Earth Day series circa 2008) I've been slack on the artmaking since May, but don't get me started:)

Blog Headers

2010-07-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

So a blogosphere acquaintance, A Perfect Gray asked if I would take a gander at her blog and come up with a few headers.

This developed after lending one of my images to blogger Il Tuo Tesoro .

She mentioned the color gray, old chairs, chandeliers, the popular look of decay, etc.

I read through her beautiful blog, and then combed through my own font catalog and the "imagery machine" that I keep hidden in the basement, and this is what rattled out...

The last one kinda cracks me up - but you really don't know what people are going to respond to. It's funny when you are designing for others, because you don't ever really know what they want. Take a look at her blog and tell me which one you fancy?

Amazing

2010-07-10T09:47:00.000-07:00

Well needless to say our European adventure was the best. As I come off of some mid grade jet lag, I realize just how lucky I am. This has definitely been the most "trying" 10 months of my life, but it has also had some of the most beautiful moments as well. I think that crossing into middle age gives one the ability to see the bigger picture - at least that is what I've gathered thus far. Life is truly a roller coaster.

More important things

2010-06-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

Oh blog, so hard to keep up with you...

Beige

2010-06-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

Fig. 51. Digital Collage, 2010

The Sip, Digital Collage, 2010

Rhubarb, Looking Back, Digital Collage, 2010

Beige, tan, off white, khaki, not a big fan of this particular color pallate, especially in art. However as I look back on these three new collage - that is what I see. I've been thinking a lot lately about childhood and being a child - someone's child. Because that is a role we keep forever. As with all things, childhood has a set of expectations, even though we may not be tuned into them at the time.

Aaron and I will be heading to Prague in a few weeks. It is a trip I haven't spent a lot of time thinking about, but I am starting to get really excited. We are so lucky to be able to do this - especially in light of what has gone on this year. I plan on taking some good photos. I also hope to have some more collages before too long.

Nashville Part II

2010-05-31T15:50:00.000-07:00

Well it only took a few more days than planned to get this out, but hey? So the last day I was in Nashville, I went out to Cheekwood (the Nashville botanical center) to see the Chihuly exhibit.

He has put together some really amazing outdoor installations, along with some beautiful indoor chandeliers (please see above). The long and the short is, I am still thinking about his work a week later, and enjoying the pictures.

The drive back was completely bearable (thanks to a great podbook - who knew?).

We have been busy. My friend's band played, another came in town for the weekend, we had a cookout and went to the beach. It was like I had a Memorial Day weekend checklist that I went down.

Also, our Eastern European invasion is looming. As of right now I'm on the hunt for a good used backpack. Aaron and I have thrown our resumes out into the abyss. There are several things that we both would be interested in, so hoping for the best.

Nashville Part I

2010-05-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

C.M. Laster's Art Car

Aaron manning the booth

My friends Mary and Walker (Mary and I went to school together k-12)

Street shot of the booth. I feel like we almost have it the way we want it (taller tent would be nice)

So here is smattering of photos from ENAF. It was a great show, lots of sales, met some good people - all in all a great show.

My only complaints would be the heat (91degrees - yesterday???) and that I was let down by an artist that I had admired for a long time (now I know) who turned out to be a real DB and his artwork was pretty disappointing (looks like it was made in a factory). I'm not going to call out his name but many of you might know because I rave about him and I sent several customers his way.

Other than that it was a good time. Thanks so much to everyone for their support, purchases, and good comments. There were buyers from all over (shipping a piece to CA), young and old, and generally in good spirits. It brought up the age old question of "can I do this for a living?" - but that remains unanswered. The rest of my time in Nashville is dedicated to my mom. We went to the Dale Chihuly exhibit today - amazing. I have some photos I'll put up when I get back home. Looking forward to the 11 hour drive tomorrow!

Again??

2010-05-12T16:14:00.001-07:00

Work in progress, about 1/3 finished.

Work in progress, about 1/3 finished.

Work in progress, about 2/3 finished.

Lots of new limited edition box prints.

Studio shot.

OOAK box collages.

Part of a new series based on "safety" No Day at the Beach, 2010

Part of a new series based on "safety" The Right Sign, 2010

Part of a new series based on "safety" Loose Ends, 2010

I know I have bombarded the few people that follow this blog. But once again, I'll be in Nashville 5/22 and 5/23 for the East Nashville Arts Fest. What you see above is a smattering of what will be available.

Happy Tuesday

2010-05-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

Working, working, working...I'm like a little art factory. I'll have some good photos for you soon (hopefully).

Nashville Flood 2010

2010-05-04T16:48:00.000-07:00

Many of you may not know - for some reason it hasn't really been on the news that I have seen - but Nashville just suffered a terrible flood. Thankfully, my mom was not affected. However some of my friends lost everything they own. The whole flash-flooding is difficult for me to wrap my head around but looks crazy-scary. The first video I saw was not but a few miles from my mom's house, and just happened to take out my favorite thrift store in Nashville.

Getting Ready

2010-04-30T07:29:00.000-07:00

I am on a mad collage bender, getting ready for EANF. I really do better when I have "a goal." I also made a flyer for the event (see above).

On a random note, since I am not currently employed (Family Leave until August), I am filling my days with a variety of activities. Some of these things are purposeful (repainting the front porch and door), some are simply for pleasure. That being said, I was perusing the movies thinking I would go catch a daytime flick or two - definitely one of my favorite activities. Anyway, there are a lot of terrible movies out right now. Furry Vengeance, Kenney Chesney in 3D, The Backup Plan, Nightmare on Elm Street(remake???), ugh, I could go on. I'm sure there are some good movies out there, but they aren't being shown in Wilmington. I'm open for suggestions.

Welcome back to me

2010-04-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

to North Carolina that is...Happy Friday. Should be a weekend of art making. SHOULD be, we'll see come Monday.

Quick Post

2010-04-18T14:18:00.000-07:00

Hello from Nashville. Not much art being made, but that is soon to change (I hope) when I head back to NC. I made this collage a few days ago - a different method than I have been. I think I like the old way better using the GIMP. I'll be back soon.

Let Craft Fair Season Begin!

2010-04-12T19:04:00.000-07:00

East Nashville Arts Fest

What I hope will be the first of many over the next few months. Mark it on your calendar.

Airport Post - First Time

2010-04-11T05:42:00.000-07:00

I'm in the Charlotte Douglas Airport right now on my way back to Nashville.

As most of you know, my mom had a stroke this past October and I have been doing double time back and forth between Tennessee and North Carolina.

All this while hoping to come to some realization of "what to do?" We have narrowed it down quite a bit, most importantly that Aaron and I will stay in NC. This is huge because over the past 12 or so days I have remembered just how much I love Wilmington.

Nashville is a great place as well - and I highly encourage everyone to visit. So one of the cross-roads where I sit is- what to do about my professional life? In a perfect world I would love to be a full time artist.

I am skeptical about working full time again in the school system because I want to be available to my mom, who is going to remain in Tennessee. Money, sense of self, responsibility to others, oh my...

No art today, but thought I'd fill you in on the "personal" stuff. The photo is from some camping we did during my time in NC, a "staycation" (shiver). This park is about ten minutes from the house and you can drive on the beach - pretty great really. Be well.

PS: Charlotte airport, you are swell, with your free, don't have to enter any code, or read a bunch of silliness internet. Kudos.

A few more...

2010-04-10T05:59:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post some more pieces before I head back to TN. It may be a bit before i have a chance to make/post more. So please enjoy and I'll see you soon.

Enemy Camp

2010-04-09T08:26:00.000-07:00

Hello. I'm still in NC. Have been getting the applications out for some craft events. I'll let you know what goes on with that. Hope you are well.

Birds of a Feather

2010-04-05T10:41:00.000-07:00

Why is it so hard to sit down and make a piece? I have more time to do it than ever before. Anyway here we go - not really where I want it to be, but when I kept on tweaking it just became aggravating. So, I remembered back to one of my former professors wisdom and just stopped.

See.

2010-03-28T18:35:00.000-07:00

Here's a new digital collage - heralding spring no less.

Back Soon

2010-03-28T06:42:00.000-07:00

I'm hoping to get back to here soon.

I am leaving Nashville and heading back to NC tomorrow. I can't wait to see all the things I have missed so much.

I am ready to be making art again.

I'm hoping for good things to come.

Your Help

2010-01-15T06:27:00.000-08:00

I feel pretty useless, but I can spare ten dollars.I will try to get some art made before too long. I am back in Tennessee to take care of my mother. Hopefully late night will provide me a chance to get back into it. Be well friends.

Illustration Friday - Confined

2010-01-10T10:43:00.000-08:00

Long time. No art work. I'd love to see that change, in a resolution-y way, but who knows.

Illustration Friday - Undone

2009-12-20T18:06:00.001-08:00

she's come undooooooooooooone, na na nada-na na, bop-bop, be-do bop.

Couldn't quit singing the Guess Who song when I saw the word for the week, thankfully, I like that song because it was stuck in my head all weekend.

Jump Rope

2009-12-13T08:32:00.001-08:00

Illustration Friday - Hatch

2009-12-11T19:12:00.000-08:00

When we are sure that we are on the right road there is no need to plan our journey too far ahead. No need to burden ourselves with doubts and fears as to the obstacles that may bar our progress. We cannot take more than one step at a time.
Orison Swett Marden

Clown

2009-12-09T17:51:00.000-08:00

It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music means nothig if the audience is nothing.

-Walter Lippman

Illustration Friday - Crunchy

2009-12-06T13:40:00.000-08:00

Crunchy, digital collage, 2009

Illustration Friday - Entangled

2009-11-28T11:21:00.000-08:00

Hey, long time no see. I'm back in NC. This is the first art I've made in six weeks, so I'm a bit rusty/disoriented. I thought what better than an IF to get back into things. Also, for those that are interested, the Charm School shop is reopened with a limited supply for Christmas.

Gone for a bit

2009-10-19T16:14:00.000-07:00

I will be off the blog for a while due to a serious illness in my family which requires my attention. Hopefully back before too long. Thanks, Sarah

Illustration Friday - Flying

2009-10-09T18:16:00.001-07:00

It's crazy but true, I finished an Illustration Friday piece on Friday. An early Halloween piece.

Illustration Friday - Germs

2009-10-04T09:56:00.000-07:00

Of all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. - James Madison

The Handmade Market

2009-09-28T17:28:00.000-07:00

Leah Giberson

Get Ready Set Go

Roll And Tumble Press

EIKCAM

Bespoke Uprising

By the way, this month I'm participating in the Poppytalk Handmade Market. It's an online market place with some fantastic art, jewelry, housewares, etc. I am not just telling about it because I am participating, but also there are some great things like what I have listed above. Be watching because I will run some special print sales though poppytalk. Thanks to Jan and Earl for creating several great design blogs and helping us artists out with promotion.

Illustration Friday - Pattern

2009-09-26T17:47:00.000-07:00

This one felt like a gimme. It also reminded me of all the vintage sewing patterns a friend of mine gave me and made me want to look back through them.

Illustration Friday - Infinite

2009-09-20T06:13:00.000-07:00

Silently one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven, blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Have a great week.

This post has no artistic value (or, It's football time in Tennessee)

2009-09-16T19:34:00.000-07:00

but not in North Carolina. Aaron and I took these lovely photos in our matching University of Tennessee camouflage hats. Too awful not to share...As you can see I hypnotized Aaron in his photo. Mine reminded me of the value of wearing makeup.

A weekend of art making...

2009-09-07T06:38:00.000-07:00

Block Prints - drying on the deck

More of the same - Becks snuck into this one, she is a lazy beast.

So I have been doing a lot of sanding. It's not my favorite but I have to in order to get ready for the Art Walk on Saturday. I think I'm going to have around fifty pieces which will include some large originals, small originals, and some collage blocks, as well as a few prints. That will give a wide variety and prices to choose from. This is a good art market because they close down front street for about five blocks, and there is plenty of space (that's right, I'm looking at you Matt Dols). Hopefully the weather will be top notch.

The photos above are some I took on Saturday - after sanding. I guess I probably have three times that much. I'd tote it all outside but it's raining and we're going to get some breakfast. then I'm going to come back and watch the dvr'd Mad Men.

Illustration Friday - STRONG

2009-09-05T20:14:00.000-07:00

"Strong" 2009, Digital Collage

Middle School

2009-09-03T18:27:00.000-07:00

I have a art fair coming up next weekend, so I've been working on collage blocks to sell there. Hopefully I'll get some photos taken this weekend.

School got off to a good start, I've got the 9th and 10th graders for the first time in 12 years. I may end up eating these words, but it's been a really nice switch. It makes me think about working in a middle school...but that would be crazy.

Falling Behind

2009-08-28T19:02:00.000-07:00

Magnify

Caution

I didn't keep up with Illustration Friday, so this week I have two. Last week's topic was caution and this week's is magnify. The first week of school went well. I am always surprised by how the day flies by - guess I got used to the slow living of the summer.

Back At It

2009-08-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

I go back to my chosen profession of education/educator tomorrow, and I would lie if I didn't say there is a bit of grim reluctance. I am trying an entirely new approach this year which is far too boring to go into detail here. We'll see. This is year number fifteen and I think it sits as a turning point for me and my career. They always say "Would you still do your job if you won the lottery?" My response is "It doesn't matter because the lottery is for suckers." However, if I were suddenly to become independently wealthy...

So to pep myself up, I made a why fall is a great thing(I realize it's not fall, but it proved to be a much longer list than why back to school is a great thing).

Fall's great because:

I can wear jeans and boots without feeling like a jerk

The tourists leave

Fishing is better (Aaron added that one)

New T.V. (Welcome back Mad Men)

Sometimes (later in fall) it cools off

I think the better movies come out

Craft Fair season

Apples

The beach is wonderful September, October, November

(the collage is an old IF piece, I was going to make something new but it semed to fit)

Illustration Friday - Wrapped

2009-08-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

She is so politically incorrect, all wrapped in fur and cigarettes.

Illustration Friday - Impatience

2009-08-11T14:36:00.000-07:00

ha, ha, ha, remember when I said I would post more...

Illustration Friday - Modify

2009-08-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

This past Friday's topic was modify. This is two days in a row...

Kate Endle

2009-08-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

Urgh. I am the laziest blogger and art maker for that matter. It's funny when I have the most amount of time to be doing such things is when I feel the least motivated to do so. I did finally have a sale (over a month!?!) on ETSY. I have really lagged behind in that area too - and anyone that knows ETSY knows the amount of work that it takes - it is not a sit and wait thing.

So, after I printed the print I decided to scroll through the artwork on ETSY and see what was up with folks. I cam across Kate Endle - out of Seattle, whose work I thought was really swell. It reminds me of Eric Carle's work. Good stuff. Here is her "official" website. Take a look around. Above, I posted several of her pieces that I particularly liked.

Maybe I'll have some Illustration Friday collage a bit later, maybe not...as much as I am wishing the summer would last forever, perhaps when I get back to work I'll buckle down on the artwork.

Illustration Friday - Idle

2009-07-26T12:33:00.001-07:00

For Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do. Isaac Watts

Two New IF Collages and Some Random Photos

2009-07-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

Hatch Show Print / Nashville

Gruhn Guitar / Nashville

Wall Art / Downtown Nashville

Illustration Friday 7/17/09 - Tango

Illustration Friday 7/10/09 - Hollow

So, long time no post. Went to Tennessee to a wedding and to see my family. Plus the laziness and hot weather have set in and the blog hasn't been at the top of the list. Here are a few catch up pics. Hope all of you are well.

Illustration Friday (7/3/09) Shaky

2009-07-05T08:32:00.001-07:00

On the surface I look fragile and insecure; you have to know me very well - Anne Parillaud

Mid Week Check In

2009-07-01T17:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a new collage. This week has been pretty great - so far. Went to see "Away We Go" on Monday -only person in theater. I recommend it. Went to see our A-league soccer team beat the Chicago Fire last night. Next week, heading to Tennessee with friends, ultimately for a wedding. I think we are going up to Holly Ridge to watch the fireworks, from the water, which will be great.

Illustration Friday - Worn

2009-06-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

Ok, so two posts in a day was a bit ambitious.

here is my IF for the week, topic:worn

ETSY collage artists

2009-06-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

I don't usually toot my own horn (maybe sometimes), but catwalk on ETSY put together a great treasury (that I just happen to be in) which has some of my most favorite collage artists. Also, I learned a more exact way to do screen shots using fireshot. I probably didn't do the most simple usage of the tool, but I'll practice on that later. The direct link to the treasury - where you can check out the other artists is here. I'll post my IF collage a bit later on today (two posts in one day - not possible).

Break Time

2009-06-25T17:14:00.000-07:00

Last day of work for me for the summer!!! I'm really excited (thus the series of exclamation points). This is a stay around town summer - which I always like. Outside of a wedding in Tennessee - we are pretty much sticking around. I do like this part of education.

However, I hate when people say "It must be soooooo nice to have the summers off." Because, really, teachers don't get paid in the summer - it's a two month lay off, or "furlow" as they are calling it these days.

But that matters not because I am quite thrifty. I will visit the beach that is five miles down the road, go see matinee movies, read, make art, knock around...yep, I ain't trying to brag but, here's to all of those things. Hopefully my posting will pick up too, time will tell.

Amazing photos collected by Mr. Waterslide
1. Rodeo Goers, 2. Bear Fight, 3. http://flickr.com/photos/82329524@N00/57435917/, 4. Harbor Scene /Cyanotype #1, 5. Fort Leonard Wood, 6. Whatever It Takes, 7. Gettin Frisky With the Painter, 8. La Mujer Bailando, 9. Left Out, 10. Two German Girls, a Rabbit and a Cat, 11. Two Laughing Girls #2 Broadstairs Beach, England, 12. Two Laughing Girls #1, 13. Americanas en la armada y son chinas putas, 14. Cold Feet, 15. Triangulation, 16. By the Side of the Road in the Ozarks, 17. Scary Monster Photographer, 18. Big Like Me, 19. Gang Signs: The Lesson, 20. Sherlock's Hypothesis: Honeymoon at Niagara Falls, 21. Low Country Sunday Services, 22. Wet Feet, 23. Edna at Adobe Ruins, Las Vegas, New Mexico, 24. The Happier Couple, 25. At the Catawba River

Illustration Friday - Drifting

2009-06-20T15:04:00.001-07:00

Here's to summer travel...

A kinder,gentler, post (with a bunny!)

2009-06-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

So I'm off my soap box. Blogger buddy Mick had some sage advice for changing things (see his comment on the previous post) as did spindlemaker. I hope that the artwork will flow from me over the next few months. I purchased a new CPU a few weeks ago and am still finding myself re-learning things. I cannot believe that Vista can be so radically different. I don't remember that when it went from 98(?) to XP but jimmney - that's how my mother must feel all the time. I can't even figure out how to print two different 5 x 7's on one sheet...it used to be so easy. So here's to mass amounts of digital made goodness!

Illustration Friday - Unfold

2009-06-14T11:53:00.000-07:00

I have been decidedly absent from the old blog. Nothing creative, or thoughtful, or even nice has flowed from my brain over the past two weeks. However, I then spied the topic for Illustration Friday for this week and thought it would be a perfect segue into my rant.

As I have mentioned before the state of education - at least in our state, is in complete disarray. This week our county laid off thirty three people in what is cleverly concealed as a "reduction in force" but it is a legitimate way for the county to get rid of the people they (and I mean the powers that be) do not want or are paying to much. It is also a tactic to address behaviors that might be bothersome - yet never worth talking about until now.

The problem with everything (at least in my world) is that no one is monitoring the people in charge. They are making decisions about things based on here say and speculation without doing an investigation into the true nature of the problem. That's ok for now. I have watched previous county administrations do the same...and they are no longer employed. It's a funny thing like that.

So right now, I perfect my letter to the president of the board of education (for that is who monitors the people in charge), and I wait for yet another upset in the balance of power. You can clean it out, put some new clothes on it, pretend like it's "for the kids,' but it is really for your own agenda. I know this will be a cryptic post for many - but others will truly understand. We'll see how it unfolds.

(digital collage - see DSM IV for meaning of 301.7, vintage ephemera, digital manipulation)

Illustration Friday - Adapt

2009-05-31T17:04:00.000-07:00

Learned behavior, the ability to adapt, humans have the ability to use instinct and intelligence to increase their longevity. In today's world, animal or human, it's adjust or you don't make it. -Stephen Havera

Illustration Friday - Cracked

2009-05-24T07:59:00.000-07:00

What do you want do be? Cracking the glass ceiling.

My Plea

2009-05-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

As the three of you that read this blog on a continuous basis know - I rarely use it as a soapbox. However there are some truly upsetting things going on in the world of education - at least here in N.C.

I am not being self righteous(or am I?) but eduction is truly the foundation on which we build our society - not the car companies or the banks. It is within our system of education that we teach people how to be good citizens, good workers, and to value what an education can bring you. I would never be where I am today (nor would most people) without the care and love of a teacher they had along the way (in combination with other important people). We as a society entrust educators to watch "the world's" children for between eight to fourteen hours a day. Which brings me to the following proposed bill here in North Carolina. Please take a look at what your state is doing, I'm sure it is somewhat similar and if you feel so motivated send an email to your local state senator/congressman.

Proposed House Bill's State of North Carolina:

Cut 6,005 Classroom Teachers

Cut 4,663 Teacher Assistants

354 Instructional Support (counselors, media, social workers)

187 Assistant Principals (increase allotment to 1:890 rather than 1:799)

5% reduction to Non-instructional Support (clerical and custodians)

10% reduction to At-Risk Student Services/Alternative Schools

A proposal to reduce the school year for students and a reduction in teacher pay (all 10 month employees) by 5 days in FY2009-10 and 5 more days (total of 10) in FY 2010-11. This would reduce instructional days to 175 in FY 2009-10 and 170 in FY 2010-11 (rather than 180).

Other Low Wealth Supplemental Funding (Fund counties @ 90% and below. This adjustment would eliminate funding 13 LEAs (Craven,Cumberland, Davie, Gaston, Lincoln, Madison, Mitchell, Onslow, Pender,Perquimans, Union, Warren, Yancey)

Elimination of Literacy Coaches

Textbooks (a non-recurring reduction of $38 million)

Please remember that the above proposed reductions do not include the additional non-recurring reductions that will impact Education Budgets related to federal stabilization dollars.

This is from an email I received yesterday. If you read this full post - thank you. I love what I do.

She Went To See Manhattan, And Then To Visit Boston

2009-05-19T17:45:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to make it a thing, but I did do these other two and liked them as a set.

She Lived in San Francisco, She Lived in Philadelphia

2009-05-18T17:42:00.000-07:00

Two images I worked on today. I think they are funny weird.

Illustration Friday

2009-05-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

The topic this week is contagious. I noticed a lot of swine flu references when I went through the other pieces at the IF site.

Illustration Friday - Parade

2009-05-10T06:39:00.000-07:00

IF this week is parade.

The art market was good - the inexpensive things sold well...you know, "the economy." One of my art market friends had someone approach her booth and say "I don't have any money, I'm JUST LOOKING." So, yeah.

The set up was great though -rarely do I say " I have too much space." It took place in an old furniture store, and it was air conditioned.

This Saturday

2009-05-07T17:07:00.001-07:00

So these are some of the pieces that I will be taking to the art fair on Saturday. I've enjoyed making them but I'm also glad to be finished.

super amazing SALE!

2009-05-05T17:36:00.000-07:00

Rarely do I post about ETSY anymore, even though it still proves to be a good experience and I have bought some fantastic art and made some friends along the way. My long time friend Dane Carder (actually, about the closest thing I had to siblings are he, his two brothers and his sister) has started an ETSY shop called threesquared as well as a blog. Anyways, this got me thinking about ETSY, my shop, and how it might be time to move some things out to make room for the new. So, I'm having a $10 print sale. That's right - $10. Above are just a few of the offerings.

In other news I will be participating in the first art/craft/handmade show of the season. It's called the NEW DEAL fashion show and handmade market. I have a ton of new stuff which I will try to post before I go on Saturday. Below is the flyer - the shop has done a lot of advertising so I'm hoping it will be a good turnout.