I'm Back!!!

Yayy!!!!!!!!

                               I back to work for the long studio hours, just so I can finish these last few months of freshmen year. Although I do wish that I had more time to do some stuff than finishing two oil painting in the basement, gluing and painting a wood sculpt and editing two essays. But, some how, I was able to squeeze so much in one week: I got to attend two performances that my sister were involved with, my brother and I got to see the lego movie together, went out to celebrate my Aunt's birthday, was invited to see two artist's working studios, was then invited by a friend out for breakfast and got to see all my lovable friends and their performances. For one week, I really got a lot done. Jeez, I wonder what summer going to be like?
                 Speaking of which, I just turned in my job application to the COMO, where I was a camp counselor last year. It was interesting experience when being in charge of intelligent kids but I still feel the strongest in the art area. That is probably what people remember me by the most, especially the number of the drawn animal characters, lego men and buttons I created for them. So it would be nice to return to that job but I am looking out of any professional or volunteer work in the art department.

             For once I wish to see in on a Sunday but I happens to be the morning that I depart on. So through the morning of 7 or 8 am, my lovable mother and I went on packing and gathering the last of the food. And I mean all of it, because I don't want to go shopping until the middle of April so I have plenty of food to devour. So I want to thank her for helping be get all my clothing, food and art supply sorted out when packed up and unloaded into my house. I say that panini sandwich and a walk to the Hardie building was lovely to enjoy in Beverly, especially when it is finally SPRING!!! Everyone, cross your fingers about not having another snow day!!
               

           What else, well the one thing that I have been doing a lot when settling in Beverly is studying. It took one whole day to create all these 156 flash cards to study and now I have been looking through them through my break and now. This is the one reason that I was looking forwards to was the midterm exam for art history, which would be right after vacation.
            But would you know, when I found the handout of the exam, there was a date about when the exam would be: March 26th. . .    0_0    . . . . . I not taking any chances whether that is true or not so I'm going to keep doing what I do. I'll let you know on Friday if I took the test or not.
          Also, this is what I also do to study, which somehow help to memorize.

               Lastly, let talk about one of my vacation days that I probably won't have gotten to see. Apparently, my grandma made friends with a few extraordinary artist in her hometown and got to invite me to their studio space. I really haven't seen many studios, except for my Aunt and art tutor, but this was a great opportunity to see what they have created, what they are working on, the tools they use and the medium they express in. Because a studio is like a second home, it a sanctuary that you can always retreat to and will one benefit your needs. It may be clean, mess, covered or layer with artwork but it is a place that is meant for the artist to be inspire from. When see these two spaces, it really made me pumped on gaining a studio for myself, wonder when that will be?

              I first met Josie Dellenbaugh, who is a clay and stone sculptor. Since I was currently taking a three dimensional class, it would be a good idea to show a real sculpture studio space. I was really impressed with her work, especially when she knew the proportion of the human body, using different mark-making to create unique textures and craved out the clay model into a bronze statue. 

               In the picture below, she goes to special facility that covers her statue with a mold and bakes bronze replicates. Most of her statues have a biblical theme to them, from the Madonna and Child to the old testament, which seems very different but it makes sense to the public. All these statues can attract the viewers, being recognizable icons to link to but having beautiful craftsmanship. 

             However I was really impressed by her stone craving work. Feeling the smooth surfaces of the stone materials, the beautiful movements through the form and natural patterns emerged into the rock. It actually really inspired to try craving forms out of rocks, which I wish they could teach in my class this semester. If you wish to see more of her artwork, check out her link here:  

http://beechgate.com/

                 Then I went to Christopher Gurshin's studio, who is a painter and wood sculptor. When first stepping into his studio, it looked like little two story house and a general store market. There were a number of paintings, boxes, wooden houses and sign panels for stores that covered the entire studio space. All of his artwork started off when he finally graduated high school. However, Gurshin wasn't accepted into his enlisted art school so he was then inspired him to start a business of his own and produce a variety of art work.
                He has created almost everything you can think of: winter wonderland, halloween nights, summer valleys, spring scenes, harbors, houses, boats, pigs, door panels, ice cream, muffins and chimneys. But mostly, he enjoys capturing his homes of Glastonbury and the towns of Massachusetts. All these pieces can really show his passion to his home, which people can relate to and look back to the past life.
               Then the painting style that he used in his painting is very contemporary, which he had to teach himself when art schools were expressing the impressions or modern art. Being contemporary can really emphasize the past artwork and can be altered in its own way. By the way, his painting are very, very details. The tinniest pieces of light, shadow and details in the his paintings, whether to make the right snow color or the paint the number of windows of the houses. If you want to see more of his work, check out his link here:  

 http://www.christophergurshin.com/ 

 Overall, I wish to thank them for showing me their beautiful artwork and unique studios that they live in. I hope to keep in touch with them and visit them again, whether it a gallery show or off for coffee. My blog will run as usual on Friday and Sunday, with new art pieces and updates about art school. Enjoy your St. Patrick Day!!

X-MEN Watercolors & Gouache sketches

                      After spraying another coat on the sculpture, I wanted to do more watercolor sketches. For this, these sketches are based on the subject matter for a contest from the comic book club. The requirement is to design an original or real actually character from any comic company and post it on the page. I not sure if these will be the finals to submit but I do want to use one of these characters. I was a fan of the X-Men comics but never saw the animated television show that was very popular in the 90s. Enjoy :) 

Rogue, watercolor & gouache

Lorna, watercolor & gouache

Cinderella the Musical review

Cinderella 2014, Sally Motycka

            It was finally the day, the moment where my high school was performing their interpretation of Cinderella. Apparently, it's title Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella musical, since it is based on the fairy tale and features more enjoyable musical numbers. You could say that they can really set the atmosphere of the world that the characters exist in. Especially with a fairy tale, it is the emotions that are being emphasized for the audience to response to.

              So, for the first time seeing this, it was pretty awesome. Especially for a large cast and crew of 94 students. The class I was in was pretty large so it is interesting to actually see a large cast perform on the auditorium stage. And when you are limited to the space on the stage is interesting how they compromise when designing the dance routines. Which, by the way, we mostly put together by my younger sister, Jess, so big applause to her for doing that. Even her dancer friends help her out as well since they all associate with a private dance company.
              Then, the sets themselves came out really well for benefiting each scene. Even with the number of snow days that delayed their rehearsals and the difficulties recitals to get through. However, personally, that the lifestyle of the drama club. There will also be stress, difficult people to work with and even memories that you keep ramping to yourself, the overall a performance. Like when you smile at your favorite scene, or laughing at the door you created and watching it fall off its hinges, or become teary to a character death. Then when it comes to the ending, it can really bring some excitement and passion into the play. That pretty much the drama life I got out of it.

            Okay I got to say this, it probably sounds stupid but I got to say this. The scene after the actress of Cinderella runs off at the ball, the actor of the Prince comes across the glass slipper then walks down stage, and emoting utter shock and sadness. Just by that act, I started to cry and I don't know why. I know that story so many versions, from the ballet performance, the disney movie, live action movie or the "Into the Woods" version and I never cried at those scenes. I was happy that they were experiencing love and knew that they would end up together. So why would I be touched by this scene?
           Well, one theory is the actor himself. I knew him when I was in the drama production and knew what a great guy he is. But I could really see him playing this prince character, speaking the dialogue from the script in his own voice and express visible emotions to the audience. Or perhaps I become attached to this characters since I got to get a better understanding of the Prince with his royal surroundings. Or maybe I'm weird but I got to say that I am impressed. From a guy speaking in the introductions in the light booth to an ensemble performer to a main character is a great moment to see in him, even when it is his last show in his high school.
              Speaking of, a lot of cast members that have moved up into some larger characters, like the actress of Cinderella. I last seen her as the elders or ensemble actors so seeing play a main role is really exciting to see. Congrats to her on getting that Cinderella, excellent performances. Then the whole stepsisters and stepmother were awesome as always. I really loved how they interacted with each other and their musical numbers. And of course the Fairy Godmother. The Actress really expressed a creativity and moody side of the fairy godmother that I never seen before so A+ on making that awesome. Lionel was amazing as always when exclaiming a joke, and of his girlfriend too! I hope get a scene where they act together so day :) The King and Queen were an lovable couple. The young child actors were amazing and cute when doing their scenes! Everyone is always awesome, and I very, very know very that the back stage crew done an awesome job operating the show because they are the true makers to the entire show. I do hope that this year has been much better to them than some of the problem I had.
               In conclusion, I really enjoyed their productions of Cinderella and was happy to see everyone!! So thank you again to the parents, friends and everyone there
for one wonderful afternoon :)

Artwork of Spring Break/ Lego movie review

     Hello, to myself and my followers.

                 Sorry for not having a Friday post :/ that happened to be the day that my life drawing class was operating longer and  the day that I was driven back home for Spring Break. So,  to make that day up, it will be very likely that I will be posting many more post of artwork and anything interesting to mention during the break. Mostly. its going to be homework because that what I had to bring back with me in order to finish up.
                 I had a particular goal to get all my homework done ahead of time but the bizarre time management and the medium I was working with delayed that goal. So, I have two oil painting to finish, an abstract wood sculpt, two english papers to peer through, and an art history midterm to study for. Not the best time, I believe to think about, but I guess it gives me more time to work when I got nothing else planned.


                Now then, Friday, when my life drawing class was functioning as good as usual. The number of searches of the human figure can really benefit laying out your drawings. However, we got to use a new medium, which was basically painting with ink. Well, it is actually black woodblock ink (used for wooden block prints) on poster board paper. The process was to paint the entire sheet with a thick coat then pull out its lightest parts of the image with a paper towel. This is my attempt to drawing the figure with woodblock paint.

                 For the first time ever, I think that this is a good attempt to painting the figure (even thus the legs do look dinosaur like). Which is why, during the break, I am going to practice painting with this medium to have a better feeling and understanding with the mark-making and value planes on the figure. So, that will be the upcoming art pieces on the blog.

                Next, besides of waking up at seven in the morning and complaining about the aching legs from the two hour car ride, I decided to get at least one of my projects done. That would be my wood sculpting project, that is design as an abstract but displaying some kind of tension with the different scales of wood blocks. 

                

                           Every time I look upon this piece, I must of a pleasing but at the same time hatred piece because of the time consuming amounts of time I have to send on it. I should I have done something simple but honestly, I didn't know how to express these requirements.                
                           But at the same time, I wouldn't have had the long amounts of time using the wood shop equipment's to slice, drill or sand. But also my Dad, who help me put the last pieces onto the sculpt.
                          Now, I have to finish painting it since I did a spray coat of camo green and been thinking of putting a contrast color on the covered part. I say that this is one art piece almost complete from what it was, which was a plastic grocery bag of small wooden parts.  

               
                 So, while waiting for the spray paint to dry, I finally go to see the animated stop motion/ CGI LEGO Movie with my lovable brother, Connor :)
                 Honestly, my nostalgia senses sparked off when I saw their first trailer and I knew that he would look it.
                When we were children, when our house was just a giant world that we covered with play mobiles, barbies, marker doodles, alphabetic foam mats and McDonald collectable, everyone knew that Connor was the Lego expert. He could turn a pile of lego bricks into a spaceship, building, landscapes and creativity worlds to glaze at. I never ever knew whether he was following the instructions or not but he came up with beautiful and unique designs than ever. I keep thing that all his construction and art work came from the hand tools from Legos.
                  This was probably the one day that Connor and I got to do something together. Because of college, it makes it difficult to keep in touch or hang out without reality shoving jobs and homework into our faces. Sitting in front of the television playing Mario cart was probably the most time we hung out. I would say that we would hang out at our granite kitchen counter but that the family bonding spot pretty much. So it was really exciting and relieving for the both of us to be together, outside the house.

               

               Okay, what I can say that the movie was phenomenal and bought a lot of surprises to me. Right now, I am giving a large applause to Chris McKay and the entire crew to the production because it came out fabulous!! For all those two to three year, they put out tons of passion and effort into making your toy figures move. Especially the movement that they replicate the stop motion and then add the tiny touches of CGI. I have never been a fan of the CGI ninja, superhero or random lego theme movies so it actually nice to see them have the motion very related to an actual lego figure. Again, another applause to the animator crew.
                   The overall story starts off like a unlikely hero being misinterpreted as the special one to save the lego world. However, as the story unravel itself, a large twist happens in the end which I can't spoil to you. But the humor is awesome, very unique and great pacing to follow. Not to mention, seeing all the different themed lego characters interact with each other is awesome!
               From what I researched, it turned out that it was shown the same time as The Passion of Christ so it didn't have the total full house that it should have had because this should have been look on like Frozen. This is great family movie with comedy, action, thriller and even tear dropping moments through the movie. There is even a heart full morals that are being said in the end that people can relate to. For instance, the saying that ideas are powerful but need teamwork in order to keep it stable and strong to go forth.
               I give this movie a giant thumbs up, saying that this movie is up with Frozen (even though I haven't seen the movie) and should be seen by all because it really is a masterpiece. The layout and design of it just can inspire to do animation, whether in 3-D objects or flat paper forms.

The Whole Weekend

This is what my either weekend was, just so I wouldn't have to bring it back home

Dancer #6, Color copy

Dancer #6, Black, White & Orange (and some blue)

Working in the Woodshop

                        Our next 3-D Design project is a move up into some seriously heavy duty machinery. We then start working with the medium of actual wood than hot glue tree branches. What this project is, is to create an abstractive form that shows tension and structure form.

          This is the model that I am trying to recreate

Then, this is the plank that we are using to put together the model. Our first few weeks, was the orientation of functioning in the workshop, testing the equipments then being assigned a piece of wood. All the pieces will be assembled together once they get sawed out and fit together perfectly.

 My Best Friend Plank :)

The Nights of Beverly

        I am seriously, wanting spring right now but it never comes. Or when it does, like yesterday, it will have a vibrant sun and snow shower share the sky. Then in the nights, it is like walking through sheets of transparent ice as the wind whips in to your face. However, it is probably one of the most peaceful times to enjoy the town. 

         During the day, it has become a day of backing to your destination and back. The streets are roomed by swarms of fast steel boxes. They function on their own rules, roaring at each other and dashing to the next available spot. When it is the twilights of Beverly, you get to wander the streets quietly under the street lights and star dust. Not to mention the awesome jazz music that comes out of local pubs and restaurants. Hearing that saxophone tune makes me do our jazz hands down to our house.  

Here is what I drew in Life Drawing Today :)

         So, last night was another college activity of "Whose Line is it Anyways". For those who aren't aware of this television, which I would be surprised of, consist of comedy and improv performances. The contestants improv different situation, through questions, props, hats, sound effects, guessing games and interaction with the audience. It is a great time to get entertainment and fast pick up lines from your classmates. Best time ever for the Winter semester!! Make me not want to come back home.

One week left to Spring Vacation   

Cinderella and the Carriage, 6.25" x 4", Watercolor and Gouache

Cabot Street Pop-Up Gallery

          This week my house RA decided to bring our house together for a pop up gallery show. What it was is a simple art gallery, with no theme, no rules, just a place to show off what you have. Something to that you experimented or made for your class, you can display to your house. There was also free food and beverages, which is great for the winter time. Can't aways find the time to go purchase food or have money on stand by. 

Sunday Oil Paint homework

             Today, wake up, have a cinnamon raisin toasted bagel with creamy cream cheese and do oil painting for five hours. This my before and After progress I did today.

             I would say that it does look a lot better than last time. Maybe ramping about somethings bring more clarity into your work. I am much happier with the background because it isn't as shining bright orange and expresses more abstraction. Replicating a pastel medium is not the easiest, especially when you don't know how to use the paints very well. 

Time Management is Weird this Semester

           Everything was balanced last semester. Everything was available to get to and finish. There wasn't a time gap that blocked the time span to get homework done. I could get immediately into it then come back to it when it needed to be edited. There wasn't a irritating scratch behind my neck, making my hair swivel up. No cold goosebumps crawling along my shoulder and arm, whispering to me that I had to get stuff done. Those icy words peeling against me spine to get my stuff together.
          I would say that I have my schedule layout is a relatable as a working ant; I use the time I had sparely to get stuff done so the night would be used as my relaxation. My spare time is for sketch in watercolor and gouache, talking with friends, type my stories and watching my favorite BBC American shows. But I couldn't. I couldn't get one thing done, MY BLOODY OIL PAINTS!

           How would you feel like if you were waiting for seven to fourteen days, or a long period of time for one layer of medium to dry up just so you could apply another layer. Like another color for instance. It was simple at first, when working with black, white, orange and blue because it didn't matter how mushy it becomes it is very easy to control the values and working with one shade of color. With multiply colors, they cannot be solid shades of color, they easily blend together in a moldy brown or swampy green mess on a masterpiece. When working with color, you have to think of the contrast colors and what colors have to be layered on top. If you put light colors on top of darker colors, it makes thing muddy while it became a dark spot on top of a bright gob.
              Anyways, this homework is to recreate to masterpiece of an artist. The artist I chose was Edgar Degas, favorite pastel artist of the ballerina dancers, bathing girls and landscapes. I liked his mark making and over layering colors to create textures. However, its very difficult to layer the lighter, brighter colors when contrasting with he dark colors. Then you cannot replicate the original colors of a pastel medium out from a oil paint.

Edgar Degas, Dancer 6, Pastel

                  So now that I am ramping about how awful it is working with oil paints, how I hate watching for paint to dry, why I had the pigments mushing up into clay, smells like burnt soil, have to keep wearing my ripped paint uniform and have now idea about using the oil paint liquids correctly. All that I hope that this statement changes, that I will not always loath this medium. That I hope to painting still lives or portraits will be benefaction. I hope that I get better with this medium and not look upon as the "why did all these famous artist be chose to work in the is medium".

                 What I desire from this blog to look back on what I said. Whether I will riot again about oil paints or perhaps how I start loving it like my watercolor and gouache set.

                  I really hope I do perspective changes, that I see something more but right now this is what I see this semester. I'll post pictures of my procedure of my painting and let me see how I use color paint.
    

Snow Days & 2 week Book Review

      I am up to here to the number of snow days we have been getting in the East coast. From the number of classes that will have to be made up in May to the hours being stuck in your house. Whenever you go outside, you're either putting your foot into a puddle or a melt gobble of sun. Especially when you were carried a heavy backpack or portfolio would sent you sinking down into the snow, making it much hard to travel to class.

      Also, I had more time to do some personal art pieces when I don't have any homework. This was inspired about missing my adorable dog Kona, bringing back her puppy years back home.

Kona's Puppy Years, 6"x17", Paper, watercolor&gouache, color pencil

    But anyways, while that was happening, I got more time to finish reading these two books. So, here is my reaction and review on Neil Gaiman's novels. I won't release as many spoilers but hope that it inspires you to read them as well.



        The Sandman vol 1: Prelude & Nocturne is a graphic novel, illustrated by Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg, and Malcom Jones the third. The plot takes place around the character named Dream, the Lord the Dream, who accidentally gets captured by a cult. Dream is then mistaken as the Death and has his valuables discarded from him. So throughout the book is Dream reclaiming her possessions from humans to monsters from hell.
However, we see the perspective of an anti-hero. Someone who goes after the cult for revenge by waiting for them to grow old or die out while others get punished by his powers of dreaming, like creating an eternally of waking from a nightmare.
         This book's imagery well crafted to capture the dark and graphic storyline in Sandman but have the ability to lure the readers in. All these illustrators did a very excellent job of setting the atmosphere, capturing the shadowing the character's faces and the color pallet that pop out against the thick lines. They can even emphasized the facial expressions instead of limiting them. Also the character designs captures the character traits throughout all these illustrator.



         Then, lastly, I wish to discuss the novel American Gods. This was the longest one I have read, especially with the deadline of two weeks, but I enjoyed it all the way. The story here is about an adult named Shadow, who just leaved that his wife died in a car accident just as he is released from prison. Out on his own, with no family or friends, he runs into a mysterious business man, named Mr.Wednesday, who offers him a job as a body guard. He would be in charged of driving him around, do some jobs and errands, and don't ask questions. Shadow then takes the job and the story takes both him and Mr.Wednesday into a battle between the old gods and brand new gods of American. Neil Gaiman has an amazing idea to combine the greek mythology references, Christianity, Indian cultures and fantasy elements when bring in the being of Gods into the story. Then there are new gods, like the god of the internet, god of money, and god of frame, which were created in America. Probably the best parts in American Gods is the interaction between Shadow and Mr. Wednesday, when they act as working partners or guy friends. Much like a road trip but combining action and fictional appeal interaction with Shadow. Plus the climax is excellent once everything falls to place between these characters.
         One element that I enjoyed was the character Shadow. He isn't an up beat character but he really is above an average person. He can easily adjust to the strange environment but still act human against upper lords. But we also see him go through some changes in himself, questioning what it is to be alive, and seeing him uncovers the truth behind the past. Also, there is an interesting element that Gaiman put into Shadow was his interest in coin tricks. In the beginning, we learn that Shadow pick up some coin tricks when he was in prison and he brings that through the entire story. Gaiman even ties the coin into the subplots and the main idea of the two sided coin playing a role. Maybe it's because I never seen any author putting a coin trick into literature but it is done very well in an unlikely mythological story.
        Lastly, I got to say that I do enjoy the love interest of Shadow. His wife was like any normal wife, that was loving, humorous and charming to be around. However, when your lover gets stuck in prison, she gets attractive to the best friend. However, when she learn that Shadow is free she breaks off the affair so she can be fully devoted. So this will be a spoiler, but his wife comes back to life. Having this chance give her to ability to love and protect him for the remaining of her life. This character is just lovely to hang around in this unusually world and wish that she was real, especially when she wanted her wedding aisle music to be the Scooby-Doo theme song.

Overall, these two books were great to read and excited to read more. I'm not sure what will be coming up but possibly another Neil Gaiman story. If you have any suggestions, let me know what, or leave comments about what you thought of these stories.              

More Cinderella thumbnails

Here are the Mary Blair's images of Cinderella making it to the ball. Which reminds me, I hope the production is coming together after those snow days.

Cinderella and Prince Charming, 2"x 4", Watercolor & gouache 

The White Carriage, 2"x4", Watercolor & gouache

3-D Wood project

            This long weekend, I focused on my 3-D project. The requirements to this art piece was to have relief, abstraction, chaos but structure elements, transformed wood, be assembled with wire or hot glue, the maximums size of 24" and have a 6" gap from the wall it is attached to.
           Here are my before and after pictures of what this 3-D wood form looks like, feel free to what you think :)

February 14 (Part 2)

 I would like to talk a moment of silent to honor a dear friend from my home town.Owen will always be remembered for his kindness in his heart and the change that he could create. All his small notions and gentle touches impacted everyone; establishing a brand new family and friends to emerge around him. 
Let us always remember Owen. . . 

February 14th (Part 1)

 Happy Valentine Day!! 

 

The time where we exchange our deepest passions to the ones we love. Whoever they may be, let us hope that this isn't the only day that we need to express our adoring compassion. It should be shown through every second of your life.
For that, I will to say thank to my parents, my siblings, my relatives, my dearest friends, and the people who look look up my blog. Without them, I do not think that I would be here following my love for art. The reason that I started this blog was not only to see my progress of my art developing but as an journal for my future self to look back upon. I do wish that I started recording my life far back but this time is define the career path I go forwards in and my life overall :) Thank agains everyone xoxo 

Inspired Pajama Sam and Florette love scene, 7"x11", watercolor & gouache

Cinderella Watercolor

To celebrate the upcoming musical, Cinderella, being presented by my old High School so I'm making some watercolor gouache thumbnails images by Mary Blair. More will be come up soon.

Cinderella with forest animals, watercolor & gouache, 2" x 2"

The Stepmother and Stepsister at the Ball, watercolor & gouache, 2"x 2"