Second Semester

My second semester of school is in full swing and I presented my first major project for school on Thursday. When my prof explained our first assignment to us he started by saying "We're gonna start off pretty simple and just ease into it..the assignment is to do or make something impossible."

Ya, sounds reeeeally simple.

After brainstorming, and trying to figure out all the impossible things I could teach my cat to do, I decided to go with "Slam a Revolving Door". So on a freezing Saturday in Winnipeg's downtown my classmate, Kira Koop filmed me attempting the impossible.

I was really unsure if this was any good and was nervous to show people. After getting a lot of great feedback I'm starting to feel pretty proud of it.

Our next project for this class is what is really going to be impossible for me. If you know pretty much anything about me, you know that I hate winter with a passion. Specifically Winnipeg's winters. That said, our assignment is to create a work of art outdoors...out of snow...

I'm considering just sitting back and taking a fail on this one as I really can't decide what would be worse. Turning into a miserable icicle outside for several hours... oooor getting a zero on the project.

It's actually a tough call.

Project ReStyle

I'm ready to admit it, I have a little crush on Elsie Flannigan of A Beautiful Mess. This gorgeous woman is stupidly talented, and just all around super cool.

This year she's teamed up with Rachel Denbow to produce Project Restyle.

I don't have much to offer in the fashion department, so I decided to go the home decor route and created this pretty cool picture frame/alarm clock.

I found this hideous "Bratz" alarm clock at Value Village for $1. I simply took it apart, put a photo of Ken and I in, put it back together...and voila!

I'm super happy with it, and will definitely be making more in the future. Hopefully ones that function, as this one was broken when I bought it.

Here are some of my favourite Project Restyle's thus far:

Tattoo Inspiration Part 2

I just saw this and had to share!!

Hedi of "Trains and Sewing Machines" commented on my last post with a link to a woman by the name of Amanda Wachob and I was immediately entranced. This may very well be my next tattoo as I'm so in love.

Amanda Wachob is a tattoo artist in New York. She does an amazing job of combining fine art with tattoo. If you have any interest in tattoos and/or art, you're gonna love her website!

www.amandawachobtattoo.com

That said...I'm probably going to stare at this image for months until it makes it's way onto my body...

Tattoo Inspiration

I've got the tattoo itch right now. Not that painfully annoying itchy feeling a tattoo gets while it's healing, but the itch to get covered head to toe in as many tattoos as your wallet will allow.

Ever since I got my first tattoo 2 years ago I've been anxious for my next. I immediately started a folder of photos of tattoos I loved and little ideas. The only reason every single one isn't on my body at the moment is shear indecisiveness. I just simply cannot decide where to put them so that they'll all work together.

I'm hoping with the help of having them all laid out in a single post, and the fantastic feedback from my friendly followers I can finally settle on their locations.

This is my current tattoo. It's two years old now, but was only 2 days old in this photo. It's quite a bit darker now.

Now for the prospects! I've ordered them from "must have" to "still debating".

After folding 1000 paper cranes for our wedding in October I knew instantly what my next tattoo had to be. How cute is this?!

Placement ideas:

back of the neck

hip

wrist

under arm

I've always wanted a circle tattoo, and I've also always wanted a tattoo that looked like a brush stroke. When I started researching zen/enso circles I was totally in love!

Placement ideas:

back of the neck

centre of back

wrist

This has been a must do for me as long as I can remember. But before I can do it...I'll need to have some kids, and have them old enough that they can write their own name.

Placement ideas:

rib cage

I've recently fallen in love with birds and all that encompasses them. I'd looove a feather tattoo!

Placement ideas:

centre of back

behind the ear

thigh

hip

under arm

ribcage

I love love love these silhouettes! I remember having one done in day care when I was a wee one and would love to find it.

Ever since adopting my kitty I've thought about getting a tattoo of her, but I'm not big on portraits... I can only imagine how adorable this would be with her profile!

Placement ideas:

underarm

centre of back

As you may have concluded I'm a big fan of really simple small, black and white tattoos. These cameras are really cute, I especially like the clipart style ones.

Placement ideas:

back of neck

hip

I don't know why but dandelions always remind me of the prairies. Something to do with the organic quality, the way they blow around? I don't know, but whatever the reason, I like them!

Placement ideas:

hip

lower back

shoulder blade(around to the front)

I'd love a music related tattoo but I'm bored of music notes. I think the f holes are a super cute alternative.

Placement ideas:

back of neck

back

calves

These are just some of my favourite tattoos I've come across in my searches!

and finally a new favourite I came across when doing some research for a school project yesterday!

New Cards

Is it just me or is getting a package in the mail the absolute greatest feeling?

Even if I know it's coming, I can't help but me so excited to open it up. It's what I imagine most people like about Christmas.

Todays package - brand spanking new business cards

from VistaPrint.

This is my third time ordering from them, and I'm always so impressed with the "bang for my buck".

I can't decide whether or not to use these for my earring backs as well, or if I should go with something totally different. What do you think?

Best Wedding Photo of 2010 Contest

My wedding photographer, Melissa Johnstone decided to hold a "Best Wedding Photo of 2010" contest.

I was incredibly excited when Ken and I were nominated and became one of eleven other weddings in the contest.

Yesterday when the contest started our photo had the most votes, and I thought we had it in the bag. When I checked again yesterday evening I discovered that another photo that previously had no votes, suddenly had a ton!

So I started campaigning a little, and eventually it became a popularity contest. Which is super great for Melissa, as now she has a lot of new fans. Not so great when you've always failed at popularity contests.

The contest ends tomorrow morning and I hold no chance of pulling ahead at this point and feel kind of defeated. I realize that's totally childish of me, and wish I didn't feel that way.

So this is me, getting it off my chest, and moving on.

I had a beautiful wedding and loved every single second of it. Even if someone's photo is better than mine, I need to remember that and be thankful.

Weddings in Winnipeg part 1

I'm extremely happy to announce that our engagement photos are in this months issue of Weddings in Winnipeg.

I have a lot of copies, so if you want one, just let me know. I'd even be willing to autograph it if you wish.

Our wedding photos will also be in the magazine this spring and I'm beyond excited for it!

PostSecret

Upon going through the photos for my "year in review" post I came across this screen shot from November. I'm kicking myself for not posting it at the time, but I figured better late than never, right?

I've been a fan of Post Secret pretty much from the start. When I was a camp counsellor I even did a session where myself and all my campers paddled to an island, all went off on our own, wrote our secrets, and placed them in a large envelope that I then mailed to Frank.

None of my secrets were ever posted (to my knowledge) and it broke my heart every time.

Then this November I saw a secret I just had to respond to. I just about peed my pants when I saw it posted on the website.

It was only up for a week, like every secret is, but I was a big dork and took a screen shot of it so I could look at it even after it's gone.

Have you sent any secrets to Post Secret?

Drawing: Figure Study

Figure Study is pretty much what you think it is. It's the infamous class with the nude model.

I now looove drawing nudes. The curves, the light and shadow, it's all just perfect!

The majority of the work in this class are in class lessons so I'm basically going to show that work chronologically with a couple of explained assignments at the end.

Blind Contour

Blind Contour

Contour Drawing

Contour Drawing

Contour Drawing

Negative Space

Negative Space

Overlapping fast drawings

Overlapping fast drawings

Overlapping fast drawings

Overlapping fast drawings

Focused drawings

Focused drawings

Focused drawings

Chiaroscuro

Chiaroscuro

Chiaroscuro

And finally, the assignments...
Assignment:Create an anatomical study using a drawing medium(s) of your choice. You may choose to draw the entire figure or focus on a section. Situate your study within a context, environment, situation, or narrative. The minimum paper dimension is 18”x24”.
Assignment:Have two people model for you. In these observational drawings, make one a frontal portrait and the second a profile. Use a different medium(s) for each. The minimum paper dimension is 18”x24”.

(I did Ken on butcher paper because he was a butcher for quite some time - he often talks about it and grosses me right out)
Assignment: Have two people model for you. In these observational drawings, make one a frontal portrait and the second a profile. Use a different medium(s) for each. The minimum paper dimension is 18”x24”.
Assignment:Create a finished drawing that contextualizes one or more figures within a narrative structure. Questions to consider: What is the story? What formal and conceptual means will best express this? How will these decisions impact the audience’s interpretation?
Use a drawing medium of your choice. The minimum paper dimension is 18”x24”.
Assignment:Create a tonal drawing emphasizing light & dark, modulated light & modulated shadow, and reflected light, of a close-up section of the body. Your drawing should call attention to volume and contrast, and your composition must take up the entire frame. Use black or sanguine conte. The minimum paper dimension is 18”x24”.

And this is my favourite... <3

Assignment:Following our discussion on contemporary figurative art, appropriate the style of a contemporary figurative artist to create a self-portrait. Your drawing should reference both the artist’s formal and conceptual framework. This assignment is not intended as a study but as a finalized drawing, which means that the entire frame must be considered and addressed. You may use a medium of your choice and the minimum paper dimension is 18”x24”.

I chose Kara Walker and used this piece as my inspiration. Kara Walker does these pretty whimsical paintings that have really weird parts that it takes some time to notice.

The photo I used as a reference was one of our engagement photos shot by Melissa Johnstone. In the photo Ken has his arms crossed. When I drew it out it created this weird lump/boob thing that I felt fit with Kara Walker's weirdness...so I kept it!