Matthew and I had a wonderful weekend. drove to Niagara Falls – the American side isn’t as cool as the Canadian side, but it was still breathtaking, and amazing. We also went to a way museum that was near the falls. For some reason they kept comparing the beauty of the falls to the ‘beauty’ of random famous people. Julia Roberts, Princess Diana… and Mother Teresa. Above her the plague said, “Mother Teresa is revered because of her inner beauty, and like the falls of Niagara proves: God’s beauty and grace command the world.” What? After, we drove to Buffalo, to see Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House complex. It was pretty beautiful. We wanted to go in, but the tours had already finished. The tour that was the least expensive, only allows visitors on the first floor. For some reason the tour that is slightly more expensive allows you to see the second floor. The most expensive tour($40), lasts for five hours. It would be amazing to be on that tour, but what could you possibly do for five hours? I would go if the provided a free meal…
Seeing these things this weekend made me realize how I have been lacking in my creative work. I used to write, everyday. Simply journaling… writing poems. I used to draw all the time using several different mediums, and paint, and photograph well. Now I feel like I only take pictures that document my events – not even remotely interesting things. I have been so overwhelmed with ‘logical’ things. Data Analysis… I would rather be expanding my mind with creative processes and not thinking about numbers and equations. I wish I liked those types of things. I really want to make it a point to bring everything I used to do, back to the foreground of my life.
Here are some documents, not expressions from this weekend.
It is finally summer. Well, kind of. I am in Rochester and taking a couple of courses over the summer. Right now I am in a Data Analysis class, and of course, the day after my 21st birthday I am starting an American history course. Still, my brain is not going to be thinking about as much art, or anything remotely fun, as I would like to. When school ended, I went home for a few days, and to Florida for a little bit. I saw cousins who I haven’t seen in years, and my two best friends. Ever. We had sleepovers like little girls, went to ‘Spot 4’ (a cliff that we would hang out at night when we were in high school), and the New York State museum. Matt and I drove back Thursday of last week, and are now living downtown – with some fine ass people. I’m putting up some cell phone pictures because my point and shoot was dead, and my D200. Of course I didn’t have either chargers with me. I tried to get most of the red tint out, and make the images actually viewable, but I did it on my laptop – so they will probably still look like poo. The first is from a feast in Florida, Spot 4, the creepy wax ‘train conductor’ from an old subway train, woolly mammoths that remind me of every trip to the museum during my childhood, a skeleton of a woolly mammoth and Jenn, and Matt exploring a wigwam with three different levels of beds.
I finished my take home final for Print Production Workflow at 8:30 and now I am officially done. It feels really good. I have a couple of weeks before I have to start back up for summer quarter. I’m really excited to create and to grow this summer. I’m really excited about the people I’m living with, and for a change of pace. I have been reading recently. It is something that I haven’t done in a really long time. I’m about to pack some of my belongings and read.
I’m going to try and take a picture of my sculpture and get it up here. Along with a lot of scanned things.
This is going to be the first time I am saying this in a public forum…
I was born with a mild case of Ectodermal Dysplasias, a rare disease that even the most highly educated doctors have never heard about. The National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias has recently paired up with Vaseline, for a case study of the disease, along with Eczema and other skin disorders. This is the FIRST TIME EVER that this disease is getting some recognition, and being talked about by people, other than those effected directly. It is more exciting than you can imagine. A few months ago I was interviewed by Vaseline, to talk about how the disease has affected my life, specifically my skin. They are coming out with a line of skin products, specifically for people who have chronic skin issues and such.
PLEASE, PLEASE – go to this website http://www.prescribethenation.com/ and click on send an e-card. The directions are very simple. For every card that is sent out, Vaseline is going to donate $5 to the Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias. This is coming at a great time, because they have recently been losing funding. Even if you only send one, it will definitely impact someone’s life in a great way. If you love me, send one to everyone you know. If you hate me, send one to everyone you know. I am lucky to be effected as mildly as I am, and being involved with the foundation is one of the greatest things I have ever been involved with.
It’s been about two weeks since I have posted. I’ve been really sick, and really uninspired. I have bruises from getting my blood drawn, and scratches from my ‘sculpture,’ if you could call it that. So, unfortunately right now, I look like a self-mutilating, drug addict (as you can tell).
This Saturday is Imagine RIT – it is basically the university showing off to the public, showing everyone how ingenious students at RIT are, and how lame their lives are for not going here. Last year’s festival was the first time that I had ever been really excited and proud about our university.
My Imaging Workflow class is having an exhibit – large vinyl pieces hanging from the ‘balcony’ in the lobby of 7B. That is if everything can be printed out in time… worst case scenarios have been occurring all quarter with this project. On Thursday we left class with positive attitudes and all the files sent to be printed.
If you are currently hating on the innovation festival – you are an idiot. Get over yourself. Those of us that attend RIT are extremely fortunate people and we are all going to be filthy rich right? (I’m not going to spend my ‘fortune,’ just bathe in it.) We are considered experts in our fields, most of us practically guaranteed a position once we graduate, which gives me a little bit of hope in a pathetic, failing economy.
Anyway, go on Saturday – if nothing else, you will get a bunch of free things. Like pens made out of recycle tires.
My sculpture is supposed to be put out on some lawn during the festival, I believe near the glassblowing hut. That is if I ever finish it. I haven’t been so excited about anything I have ever made in a few years, mostly because it is over 7 feet tall. Sometimes print is too mathematical and technical – less of the creative side. And it feels really refreshing to work with my hands and give my eyes a little less strain – even if people think I am cutting myself.
Listen, I know it isn’t Sunday… or Wednesday – but I have been a slacker about posting. Sorry.
This quarter I am taking a garden sculpture class. My friend Amy wanted me to take it with her. For some reason, I thought we were going to be making sculptures out of bushes. I don’t know why – RIT probably wouldn’t allow a class of 10 people to be carrying around chainsaws. Anyway, we are attempting to create sculptures out of grapevine and saplings. It is really exhausting, and my hands are constantly bleeding. The most amazing thing happened last week. I’ve only had two classes to work on it – the first day I had it standing up by a wire string hanging from the ceiling. Last week the most exciting thing happened, my 6ft+ sculpture can now support itself.
It was the most accomplished that I have felt in months. I think Amy was the only person who understood. She saw me sweating like a pig covered in dirt. That isn’t something people should see. It’s ugly right now, hopefully it will get better this week.
Today is my cousin Matt’s 22nd birthday. He recently became a father. I haven’t seen him in over two years – maybe even longer. Life was much better back in the day of osh-kosh bigosh overalls, and Frank Sinatra duets.
