Thesis Studio: Detour in CO

The spring break hike

I whined about

participating in

prior to departing.

(I was deep into my thesis paper and thought I'd lose my mojo)

It wasn't all that bad.

Snow-blindness isn't permanent.

Never mind the landslide down the way.

Now that the CO floods of 2013 are over

everything is A-OK.

Spring break art

with my most favorite collaborator.

We made large-scale paintings.

Many large-scale paintings.

In three-days.

Acrylics & H2o

inspired by Cy Twombly.

(a painting collage we did on my last visit)

My collaborator was born with this

crazy ability to illustrate...

exactly what she wants.

We hyperventilated

blowing water & paint around

with a drinking straw.

She's into this tree-thing...

that's AMAZING.

And then there's this guy.

He steals my heart every-time.

And her...

The new one.

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We listened to this guy...

(who happens to be visiting Mississippi Studios April 15th) 

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Thesis Studio: Spring Break...it's all about me

a compilation

of self portraits...

passport attempts

studio tangents

misc. snaps

PDX to DEN

CIAO!

Thesis Studio: F-ing Fire...potentially

Intention (grand-master plan)...

put these lovelies...

here...

in the top of the structure...

the BEESWAX section.

They are mesmerizing

and hypnotic

aesthetically pleasing

and fit perfectly within

the context of my work.

Of course they do...

Apparently...

they will ignite my installation in flames

(a crash course in the chemistry of beeswax confirmed this, ugh)

taking with it all student's work within my studio,

possibly even the highly toxic and flammable print shop

in the adjacent building

on the corner of NW Johnson & 14th

(aka "Portland's oldest print shop")

and maybe even the REI mega-store across the street

(that would piss a lot of people off as if the rest wouldn't).

They will look great 

strung between the trees

in my yard...at home.

Meanwhile...

pondering

reconfiguring

and trying to figure out

what this all means

(not that I want to, it's an academic process).

This stinkiness yet stunning is happening today across from my studio

(at the REI previously mentioned)...

Needing fresh air and a brisk walk

I found two delicious very large beverages

to aid in my attempt to remain calm

during my lighting 

contemplation

dilemma

conundrum

opportunity

pain-in-the-ass

...

I'll be here a while.

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OK...tacky perhaps but I like the song, it's packed with youthful somewhat dangerous memories, the kind you don't tell your kids because they'll make enough of their own stupid mistakes.

Thesis Studio: materials & science

encaustic

gaze

separate

peer

angle

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my work is influenced by how

 psychology & neurophysiology

collaborate to form the foundation

for how we think and behave

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Thesis Studio: So Why is This Important?

It's important

to establish

a voice

to let out

what gets locked in...

It's important

not to 

maintain

a complacent

lens

for which to view

your existence...

...to wiggle your

way in-between

the sharp spots

that get in the way...

...to allow those

thoughts and moments

of strangeness

to be free...

...to look past

what's in front of you...

(that's where the good stuff is)

...to switch it up,

make it go against the societal norm,

(that's where the magic happens...watch...)

and when THAT becomes the new norm...

let it all out all over again.

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playing in my head...

Thesis Studio: A Lot Like My Wire

Contort

Flex

Malleable (of the adaptable sort)

Stretch

Lean

Brace

Arch

Bridge

Stable

Connect

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My new music crush love...

pierces

directly

to

my

core

creating a much needed escape

within myself

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11:27am, Monday, March 10, 2014...

Midterm review complete.

Thesis Studio: Rust & Wax Obsession (I have this)

I get sidetracked by taking photos of the

damn

rusted

wire.

It's become a problem habit.

Even the dust it leaves behind I find mesmerizing.

My view on the way in to the studio.

Spying on my lovely studio-mate Alex.

(who's sister went to the same high school as me...

in a different state...W H A A A A T?!?!?!)

Coils. I'll have to write about this in my thesis paper.

(currently I have "three" thesis papers in one, I must

streamline it, organize it & be brilliant in the process...hmmmm)

Encaustic wax, tissue paper & netting rubbed with ink.

The texture... good.

The translucency... good.

I DO like the beeswax scent.

It's in its tweaking process.

I lay on the floor a lot looking at it, pointing with my toes.

Sometimes I mumble.

It will be a magnificent installation.

One I will discuss with intellect and confidence.

This is what I keep telling myself.

It works.

So far.

(studio yoga has been replaced with sessions

at the gym that leave me wilted from things like...

slamming a medicine ball into the ground,

squat jumping,

planks (f-ing planks), 

rowing,

curling,

lunging,

balancing pushups,

kettle ball things,

more squatting,

and so on and so on)

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Me.

Sitting at home

Messing with "photo booth"

When I should be working on my thesis

Another problem distraction

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this guy...

(a whole lotta sexy of an already extremely sexy song...

who knew this was possible?)

(he's phenomenal in Dallas Buyers Club BTW)

Thesis Studio: Beautiful Mess

Studio yoga kick off.

Perfectly rusted bailing wire.

Things to get me through the day.

Hoisting rope threaded through ceiling beam eye hooks.

Looking 20+ ft. up

Initial stretch of the axon terminal (more on that later)

(hoisting to the ceiling next week...fingers crossed)

Research & Kombucha break.

Assessment & ab workout.

Done for the day...

...w/my beautiful mess.

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messin' around with

paper paste, acrylic & ink on watercolor paper

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My 19 year old self, 1986.

Tumor removal successful...to this very day.

One of my thesis paper discussions.

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This...fills my ears with joy...

(pssst...I want her hat....and her sweater)...

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