standstill.

I have quickly realized that summer is in fact coming to a close for me and I feel a rush to finish all these projects I have started up this summer. The problem is at the same time I have hit a sort of artistic rut and I feel like a need a change of scenery or ideas or something. I have been producing a lot of work and sketches but I feel like I am ready to be challenged and pushed, and for that fact I am glad that school is right around the corner. I am a little nervous because my class load and being an RA for freshmen is gonna be way intense but I am excited to learn and create new things so bring it on!

Well I am trying to hold it together to whip up this show for Starbucks. It goes up August 3rd! I am just trying to enjoy life and embrace the last wonderful moments of summer.

in the gray.

I discovered the place in between waking and dreaming last night. There are so many things to see there and so much to discover. I tried to grasp everything I could but it was all too much. Needless to say today was full of inspiration for me and although I spent most of the hours of the day drawing and painting I still feel like there is this infinite amount to discover, record, and create. Well tomorrow Cathy and I will be traveling up to Philly to visit STUDIOetc.  Jessica Crane, the design director there is going to show us around and give us a feel for what they do up there. I am getting together work to bring up because she wanted to see something. Haven't quite decided what to bring yet.

the garage: my summer studio

Andrew Bird and I had a late night in the garage working on my paintings for Starbucks and starting to paint on the shells and rocks I found at the beach on Wednesday. I realize that it's okay to be a collecting kind of person as long as you actually make things out of the objects that you gather. It's quite a nice feeling to paint on found objects from nature. I feel like I'm collaborating with God or something. haha

production action yeah.

I recently realized that since my last three weeks of summer are dedicated to working at camp and RA training, my summer is already wrapping up and I need to reach my production goals. I also wished this upon a wish fuzz at the Ridley Park train station so I knew it was time to get to work. I am making iPod cases, sunglasses cases, and such from illustrated fabrics, felt, and ribbon. Paint wise, I've been making a few gifts for friends to get into the mode. On Monday I finally climbed through the hole in my garage leading to my attic and there I found some great old wood scraps that will be suitable canvases. I am trying to compile some pieces to bring to my visit at STUDIOetc next Tuesday along with the Marsh Road Starbucks, where I will have work up in August. busy busy busy. I am actually neglecting these projects by posting right now so I'm off!

some days are meant to be spent as a cupcake.

what to wear today: an oversized oxford from the depths of dad's closet. mom's way too comfortable sandals. sister's divine pretzel belt. my own skirt, tank, and vintage clip ons.

hair half in a loose bun, then all pulled into a ponytail.

ahhh the trick of simplicity that appears to be complex. that's what happens with a metallic attitude.

little thank you's and thoughts.

making little notes for friends has kept me drawing, writing, and thinking this summer. I am also suddenly obsessed with alpacas so below is my first attempt at one! Also below is a 3D thank you note for a special dinner date. it is a sushi roll made of ribbon, yarn, tulle, and felt. it unbuttons and unrolls to read "thanks" It was exciting to make!

yikes! I have been so busy these past few weeks / too lazy to upload recent pictures since my hard drive was to its capacity with pictures already, so I have neglecting updating here. Well I am going to attempt to catch you up on what has been going on. First, this is very outdated but I wanted to report on the Hybrid Book Conference that I went to with Ashley and Tricia the first weekend in June. It took place at UArts in Philly. Ashley and I drove up in the morning and discussed art, inspiration, humility, what got us into VC, typography, and he also discovered some words I hate so I imagine they will be coming back into play in the fall. He was on one of the morning panels entitled "The Future of Letterpress" unfortunately it was full so I was stuck volunteering at the check in desk without much to do. I talked a bit with the grad students at UArts and they were all very nice and seemed to be working on some interesting stuff. During the afternoon was the book fair. Different artists and students had work to show and sell. It was fun to see working Tricia's table with her. We had a delightful time giggling about our neighbor vendor. I was very excited because I had been summoned to sew a light line design onto the table cloth and create little cards for pricing of her postcards and one for her guestbook. It was really cool because I felt like I contributed or was a part of it all. Owen came up a little later so we ran around and checked out all of the two floors filled with stuff. I was captivated by this hilarious little book called "Boys Club" and had to buy it because it seemed to perfectly capture the ways of many of my dear brothers. haha. It just so happened to be first friday up in Philly so Owen and I checked out some galleries after the fair. House Industries had an opening which we were especially there to see as they will be teaching us Typography III in the fall! The stuff looked great and I am so excited to learn from them. After checking out tons of art and consuming delicious brownies Owen and I drove home and jammed to Sufjan Stevens and Radiohead. good day. 

I was enjoy the element distressed walls of the city. Nature is always creating new collages.