Springsation!

Spring is here, and I'm loving it. It's a beautiful sight to see the flowers blooming and birds hopping around.  Let's enjoy all that Spring has to offer: Beauty, growth, wonderful weather, and time for renewal.

Mission Almost Complete

I believe I am getting better.  Thank goodness.  Because of my increase in energy, I was able to work on some projects.  I have almost completed everything needed for my submission to an exhibition.  I am most proud of all that I completed my artist resume. Let's celebrate!

Feeling Blah

Right now I'm at home nursing a cold.  This cold has really taken a toll on me, and I'm struggling with being creative.  Especially, today when I'm off from work, I should be taking this free day to doodle and create.  Unfortunately, I am not energized.  Hopefully, my medicine will take effect and I'll have the strength to at least turn out one piece of colorful goodness. Pray for me.

The Dreaded Elements

Today, I intend to develop my artist resume. I am dreading this document. Though I knew this moment would come, I am still frightened. For a few months, I have been procrastinating on doing this resume. I know that in order to submit works to galleries and call for artists, I must have an artist resume and statement. Needless to say, I have neither.

In my dear green notebook, I have listed and brainstormed what items to display on these two things. However, I have displayed apprehension about actually typing such content. What am I afraid of? Well, I know what I'm afraid of. Get ready. I'm about to throw a mini pity party. Here it goes:

1. I've never exhibited in a gallery or venue.
2. No one has written about my artistic endeavors. I'm not in any publications. Well, unless you take the time when I was in fifth grade, and my picture and drawing were in the Washington Post. Oh, it was such a dear picture of a teacher and her students. "I love math!" is what captures me. Does that count?
3. Besides Intro to Visual Arts and one printmaking course, my art education is quite thin. I did take a scientific biological illustration course in high school. Maybe, I'll include that on the resume.
4. I'M SCARED!
5. I am unsure of how to organize my "credentials" so that I do not look like a baby fish out of water. I've read books and online articles about artists resumes, but still no example fits my situation.
6. Did I mention that I'm SCARED!?
7. Most of my artwork has been viewed in the online arena. Is this satifactory for curators and selection committees?

Okay! Enough of the pity party. Regardless of what I have and don't have, I need to get to work. I am an artist. And in order to fulfill my destiny, I have to have all my ducks in a row. This includes my resume and statement. Time to do the deed. Ciao!

Snail Mail Reigns Supreme

One of my dear friends lent me her copy of Good Mail Day by authors Jennie Hinchcliff and Carolee Gilligan Wheeler. This fantastic book is about the collaborative and interconnecting world of mail art. Mail art has been around for a very long time, but my first encounter with the dear art form was just a few years ago. Actually, my first encounter with the power of mail was when I read the first Post Secret book. I've read the others that followed as well. Even just a few months ago, I mailed an envelope to Mail Me Art. But back to the point of this post.

As I sit back and look through Good Mail Day, I realize that I do feel special when I get a card or letter in the mail. Sometimes I dread going to the mailbox for the surplus of coupons or circulars for restaurants and businesses, the constant reiteration of payment owed on student loans, and the PAST DUE notices from other creditors. A letter, greeting card, or postcard really lifts my spirits.

I say all this to tell you that I'm going to partake in the endeavors of the many mail artists of the world. Not only will I send correspondence to various mail artists, but I'll send snail mail to those loved ones I'd wish to reconnect with. Instead of sending a card for birthdays, Mother's Day, and Father's Day; I'll make my mailing efforts more frequent.

Blogging Day, Fractals, and No Books in Store

A few weeks ago, I created a schedule of activities so that I wouldn't get burnt out. However, I only seem to view the schedule once a week. I don't even have the thing posted in clear view. I must do better. Anyway, on the schedule, I dedicated Tuesdays and Thursdays as my blogging days.

Today is Thursday; therefore, I must blog. Not too sure of what to say at the moment. I don't want to force anything. {tapping fingers on the desk and pondering...}

{still thinking...}

Okay, I can tell you about my bookstore trips. I went to Borders and Barnes and Noble this week. Wow! I did my fave things of course--perused the art section. One thing I noticed is that the art sections do not have books about gemotrical and fractal art. Yes, these are mathematical concepts, but there are a good number of artists in this world that have found pleaseure in showcasing the beauty of patterns and fractals.

While in both stores, I did a search at the customer lookup station to find books on fractals and fractal art. Unfortunately, most of the search results were not available in stores. This sucks. I want to find books in stores that relate the artistic side of creating fractals. The one or two books I did find were in Mathematics/Science (not surprised). These books that were available discussed historical accounts of fractals, mainly the Mandelbrot set. Additionally, some content went in depth about the world of fractals in nature and math concepts.

If you don't know what fractals are, then let me break it down. In geometry, we as students are exposed to the basic shapes of circle, square, triangle, etc. In nature, however, there is more to design than these basic concepts. Take for instance, a fern leaf's design is quite simplistic at first sight. Hidden beyond the naked eye is a continuous pattern of shapes. These shapes are unique and consist of more than what we know in basic geometry terms. This continuous/iteration of pattern is called a fractal.

Currently, there are various computer programs available for students, scientists, mathematicians, artists, and other individuals to become exposed to fractals. Through various change in formulae, zooming, positioning, and other manipulations, a basic Mandelbrot fractal (one of the most popular forms) can be changed drastically.

I use fractals as my medium for most pieces. Each one is different and amazing. I just wish there was more exposure for the fractalist/fractal artist. It's a great thing what we can do. See below the before and after results of one my transformations.

Art for A Good Cause

My dear friend told me of a great opportunity for artists. In the Mar 04th issue of 99 Blocks was a call for artists. The Green Bean Coffeehouse, located in Greensboro, NC, is accepting donations from artists for their Silent Art Auction. Proceeds from the auction will go toward a Haiti Relief Fund. Deadline for dropping off work at the Green Bean is March 30th. The Green Bean is located at 341 S. Elm St. For more details, call Katie at 336-691-9990.

New Stuff

Today is a good day. I got new items on RedBubble and I visited some wonderful websites. The piece shown is Wings of Paradise. Items are available for purchase. While I was on RedBubble, I stumbeld across the art of artist and designer, Yvonne Less. Her work is so stunning and captivating. On her profile, I saw that she had a website (http://www.diversepixel.com/). You must see all these amazing creations.

Also, I'm so thankful for visiting Yvonne's site because I found out about another great opportunity for artists. I've been trying to figure out how to get my patterns onto fabric, and while I was on Diverse Pixel, I found my answer. There is a company called Spoonflower, located right here in NC, that allows designers to upload and print fabric. I am so ecstatic about this news. There are many designs I have so far, and I'd love to see them on fabric. Today has truly been fruitful in feeding my creative soul.