Saturday, April 12, 2014

Thesis Studio: Back @ It


Four weeks w/o studio work
is way to long.

Damn you thesis paper.
(I am contemplating having a ceremonial fire dance...
to burn my paper after graduation.)
(adult beverages are likely to be involved)


Today I rejoined my lonely installation
for six hours of creative bliss.

(and hoisted it
from it's temporary studio wall support
so I can continue to build it
from the top down)


It bit back. I think it was mad
I was gone for so long.


Friday @ the end of the afternoon.


Detail.


Laying on the floor looking up.
(an important passageway to view)

The installation
is half way
to its ceiling destination.

o
o
O
o
O
o


o
O
o
o
o

passing the time with this...

o
o

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Thesis Writing: Random Things...plus a good stretch


reflective stretch
(acrylic & metallic leaf painting in the background, 2013)


(across from Powell's)
(typically viewed with an improvisational Elvis impersonator dancer–in drag)
(apparently not today)


detail shot, encaustic wax, 2D design project, 2011
(hangs on the wall next to my thesis writing head)


my McMenamins view
while writing
for 12 hours
@ home


today's stress food


window sill things
(something to stare at when thesis writing-zombified)


simple design project for work

o
o
O
o

this song...always on my playlist...
(the video is a student (unknown to me) project
- one long continuous shot
- created walking backwards)

o
o

Friday, April 4, 2014

Thesis Writing: Cancer Interruption

CANCER DETECTION TEST REQUIRED
THESIS WRITING POSTPONED
(heavy sigh & a few pffts)

When you have had cancer in the past
and find something suspicious in the present
you are rushed immediately
through the process
of medical exploration
to ensure your survival on this planet


Left turn road to the hospital.
(I was originally planning
a much needed oil change before
hitting the gym & library)

My view of the Freemont Bridge
at the red light of
NW Northrup & 9th?


Change two.
(I have taken many of these throughout the years)

I changed my clothes
six times by noon.


A quick ultrasound
then off  to the surgeon (the best one).


Change four.

(not thinking about thesis writing at all)
(haven't slept for two nights)
(delirium has set in)


All is clear.
I'll be back in three months.

I am released to research & write.

I need SBUX.
(and a solid night of deep, my body doesn't flip flop sleep)
(maybe tonight's the night)

o
o
O
o

plugged in my ears
(@ the gym - sweatin' stress)

o
o

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Thesis Writing: Takes a While


Tangible thesis writing research.


Could spend all my time on her...

Contingent

(her story makes me extremely sad, her art makes me smile eternally)


Stress fuel.
(it could be worse)


Neurophysiology collaborates with psychology.
(that's my point)


My break room where I sit and...


...stare at this.

o
o
O
o

I miss my studio time when writing takes over.

o
o
o
O
o
o

Thesis writing music...
(that makes me sway)

Monday, March 31, 2014

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.

o
o
O
o

We listened to this guy...
(who happens to be visiting Mississippi Studios April 15th) 

o
o
O
o

Sunday, March 23, 2014

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


a compilation
of self portraits...

passport attempts
studio tangents
misc. snaps

PDX to DEN
CIAO!

Friday, March 21, 2014

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.
o
o
O
o
o
o
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.




Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Thesis Studio: materials & science


encaustic


gaze


separate


peer


angle

o
o
my work is influenced by how
 psychology & neurophysiology
collaborate to form the foundation
for how we think and behave
o
o
O
o
o
o


Friday, March 14, 2014

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.
o
o
O
o
o
o
playing in my head...