Job/ Art

The end of the school year is coming quickly, i think we are down to 9 days left. As the end approaches i am more and more enthralled with possibilities for the summer. Now that i know I GOT THE JOB (yay!) i have been scheeming about my room transformation for next year. Things i can do to make it actually be mine. It is my summer to plan for next year, what will i do to decorate, how will the class outlook be, what do i want to keep the same. These ideas along with many others are becoming lists. But, I'm ok with lists. Lists are do-able.

Second part of blog title: ART

I've just realized that the last time i did real art, for myself, about what i wanted to, has been about a year ago. A year ago i had just graduated from college and the last thing i wanted to do was another art project or have another critique. I was actually worried because i thought maybe i was getting burnt out on art...assignment after assignment, project after project..and i wasnt really enjoing it. I remember thinking i cant wait until i can just do art that i want to, when i want to.

After a year, I'm happy to announce, im not burnt out anymore. I cant wait to do some of my own stuff this summer, and actually have enough free time to enjoy doing it. I have canvases that need to be painted, i have books that need to be binded. I am raring to go. I think ill take an art class or two aswell, encaustic again i think and perhaps a "Zine" class the WCA is offering.

I think every summer has endless possibilities and i can start those in 9 days. Wish me luck.
Happy Summering! (:

a Pressing matter

We're going into business.

It will be a letterpress business.

With Mikes Graphic Design eye and my marvelous other "skills" we will create pressed invitations, cards, posters, and other desirable objects. First, we need to get one of these {see photo of really big and scary press}, where you may be asking yourself? Well, thats a good question, they have presses for sale online but they are pretty expensive, we are hoping to look around locally for a company that might have one hidden deep within their basements, just needing a little tlc and a good home. So let the research begin!

On a more serious note, letterpress seems to be perfect for me, heres a list of why:

1. I've always been interested in antiques, the first press was invented in 1440, and al of the presses to buy are antique workable gems. To be part of preserving and actually using such a historical landmark would be great. Letterpress has come back into popularity over the past 5 years, and hopefully it will continue to be sought after.

2. I could make cards everyday for the rest of my life. One of my favorite things to do is make cards, i dont think i have given a boughten card to anyone in the past 4 or 5 years. I will save the art of card making for another post, but it's more meaningful and sooooo easy!

3. It's something Mike and I can do together. Although we are are both art people, we have different preferences as far as how we decide to express ourselves. Mike has amazing computer skill, and is good for every last detail. I like getting my hands messy by "making stuff".

4. Finally, it's not about the money. This isn't a "get rich quick" thing, we have both decided its just something we would enjoy doing. We might make a little money someday, but if not, thats ok too.


Now that ive justified myself, I'd like to ask you if you have any ideas or input for our new idea?

Good Things: Martha's Red Sauce

I made this marinara sauce the other night, hoping that it would be a little better than those you can buy in a jar. Thank you Martha, it was really yummy. Heres the recipe:

Ingredients
Makes 2 cups
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 can (28 ounces) peeled plum tomatoes with juice, pureed
**I used a can of tomato sauce instead.
12 basil leaves, torn
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of crushed red-pepper flakes (optional)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper


Heat oil in a medium skillet, cook onion and garlic until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomoato paste. Add purred tomatoes, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Reduce heat and gently simmer, stirring occasionally until sauce has thickened. About 25- 30 min.

Martha also says you can freeze this for up to 1 month.

Yarn: Not just for grandma's knitting anymore.

So i usually have a hatred for yarn, it reminds me of itchy blankets and craft projects caked with glue that have gone horribly wrong. Today i was actually inspired by yarn, and it lead to a few more ideas. It's inexpensive and comes in every color you can think of. Today i made some wall art by covering a few canvases with wrapped yarn...heres what i did.

*I used an old canvas wrapped in muslin for one, and 2 old picture frames, again wrapped in muslin for the others. No canvas? you could also use:
-thin pieces of scrap wood
-cardboard
-foam board
-thin boxes, or lids to boxes

no muslin? Try...
-canvas
-colored craft paper
-wrapping paper
-large paper sack made into a sheet
- any fabric
-newspaper

*wrap the yarn as much or as little as you want, and instant wall art, for display purposes it would be nice to display these in a group on a wall, or in a row. Not only is it a fun conversation piece but it adds a different texture to walls other than the regular picture frame and occasional painting.

How about some more yarn ideas?

-Try this same technique for gift wrapping to add more character to the usual package
-wrap yarn over the edges of a plain picture frame to add more of a border, this is also a great way to bring in a "changeable" (see below) colored piece to match any room and compliment your existing color scheme.
-cover tin cans with paper, then wrap yarn (use as pencil holders, candle holders, remote control holder etc.)
-Wall display-choose a small wall and secure tacks at each end, wrap yarn across wall to form a matrix of "lines", then hang small clothes pins and note card size images for a fun focal wall. (note card size images: recipes, black and white photos, paint swatches, notes, scientific drawings, etc.)




"changeable"-although everyone knows painting a wall or two is the easiest way to add color to a room, a more timeless option is to bring in color with accessories, window coverings, slip covers, pillows, etc. These items can be changed out for each season, and are easily repurposed. When you get tired of your current room furnishings, these items are easy to go with the change.

Art Show

My students are having their own art show at the UNI bookstore next week. We will be having an opening reception Monday night for students, parents and teachers. Pop, cookies, art, and good times are to be had (:

This is something very positive i gained from my student teaching experience. To have art shows. It gives the kids something to strive for, look forward to and just feel good about. Seeing their artwork in the community makes them feel important, and the community seeing student work makes them see what kids are doing in school.

Since the show is at the bookstore i think there will be an interesting array of people who will view the show. Most UNI students havent been around young people for a long time especially being surrounded by 18-24 year olds at all times. I am excited for the show, and i hope i will continue to do art shows for students. Its just fun.

Happy May Day!

This very productive Saturday started off as any other..but before i knew it my roomies and I were inspired from a pile of junk and a cement slab behind our garage. This cement slab sits in a very secluded area right behind the garage, and thats really all it was until today. This is still a work in progress, i would like to paint a few things and perhaps a few more flowers will be added.

First addition: cinder block and metal coffee table.

Second addition: actually a trip to Menards to buy 1 lawn chairs, a cost of 30$, by the way, this was the only thing we bought.

Third: 2 retro white chairs, found in a pile of debris in the corner of your yard. just needed a scrub down, and hopefully soon a coat of paint.

Fourth: side table, made from a plastic table and an old cutting board. (both found in our garage)

Add some flowers and taddaaa...out door room. It's that easy! This space will be great for get together and to enjoy the summer months to come.

**It's a rewarding feeling to have created something from nothing. That pile of junk in your garage or basement might prove more useful than you thought. Since this is still a work in progress, there will be more pictures to come, i apologize in advance about the pictures...this is my first attempt at uploading. Wish me luck!