Things are Looking Grateful Dead

Finally I have finished this design! Weeks ago, we were assigned two pieces on silk for a Batik project. Of course, making this hard on myself, I chose to do a skeleton theme. The assignment was to have one be a scene, and the second be a closeup of that scene (the best way I can describe this). I always tell myself I'm going to keep it simple, but I never learn, because that never happens.

So I chose to do a skeleton, and then a spine - using cool and warm colors on each. I wanted the effect to be a bit more like watercolors, but since this was my first time doing Batik, that didn't really happen. However, with some silk resist, wax, and a little bit of patience, I was able to pump them out.




The Skeleton is shown all dry and hanging up on the clothes line finished! The spine here is an older shot, still wet and unwashed, with the wax still on - but you get the general idea.

In the end, I decided it looked rather Grateful Dead. However, this is only one more reason to like it. :]

I Hate the "Busy" Excuse.

But it is so true. Literally counting the days until school is over, I've had so much work. Barely had a weekend this weekend, but stories on that later. For now, I need to compose myself. And work. Some more.

In other news, I'm back into Ebay. Uh oh.

Not by Any Standards is this Well Made

But I still like it.



For one of our final projects in textiles, we were to make a wearable garment. Months ago, we dyed and printed on four yards of fabric, trying to keep in mind it'd eventually become some article of clothing. Though I went out to purchase a pattern for it, little did I know I wouldn't have enough time to use it, and it was more complicated than I thought once I actually read the directions. Returning the pattern, I set out to make a dress all on my own. It's a bit hazardous at the seems, but besides a slightly crooked zipper and a few misaligned seems, it's pretty wearable.

I started off with a straight cut top I made two thick straps for, seeing it as a halter dress. Once that was finished, I made a skirt designed to be poofy and wrinkly, which I will wear a tulle slip under to make it more fifties style. Once I scrunched the fabric enough, I sewed over the folds and came out with something that looked quite like this:



When I was finished, one of the last steps was to attach them. Taking a strip of fabric and sewing it to the shirt, I then sewed the skirt to that strip that way all of the wrinkles would show in this little cute border. The zipper was the hardest, and not centered I realize now (aka too late), but it wasn't that difficult to sew on, just had to be careful as always. The end product, with my belt, looks like this:

Stylized the Steampunk Way

This week though we had three assignments, my focus dwindled to one, yet another stylized edgy topic - steampunk. My model choices were another thing beginning to narrow, but thankfully as soon as Emma uttered the words "stylized portrait assignment," I had an idea. Jordan, and goggles.

I focused on grungy placement, steampunky clothes, goggles, many wrist watches, and canisters. Dressing up Jordan, I dragged him around to several places which included Emma's favorite alley, as well as an old abandoned house in Franklin Square. The black and whites I ended up choosing were fantastic.





Of course, I still miss color. After printing for Emma, I proceeded to edit a few of my own which I found enjoyable.

A Week of Success

This week for my internship, several assignments were due. I couldn't even begin to think of what to do for half of them, however with the nice weather all this week I was presented with several opportunities. This past weekend in summer weather that reached mid-eighties, I was able to dress up a few people and make them sit for me. Since breaking rules is my new thing, I shot three lovely models in front of the infamous grafitti'd water tower.



This group assignment finally passed me, and I was glad Emma was in love with it. In that same weekend, I set out to a very specific place to capture the assignment "the space between buildings". The place I had in mind ended up being just perfect. Instead of your typical urban space, it was two lovely old rotting houses next to each other. What could I like more?



Inspirationless with a seeming art block that developed over the days following the weekend, I set out with the other intern on a gorgeous Wednesday afternoon off work. Needing to do three assignments before the light was through, we spent hours on the road and nearing the boarder to Vermont before I had shot all my successes. The most obvious assignment was landscape - something I am comfortable with, and very familiar with. I shoot them naturally, so obviously, my eye nailed this as a piece of cake. Three out of my five prints made it through, not including any from spring vacation, but all from some lovely farmland.





Walking on thin ice, I decided to use myself for both the decisive moment assignment, and the 'bravery' assignment. Changing clothes, putting on wigs, and playing around with settings seemed to pass me. I was a bit surprised, but also relieved. Never again will I have to do these assignments over. Now that we've dipped into the world of stylized, I am happy to say things are going much better.




Overall, this week was much more successful than any week yet. My bravery with the radio has been dubbed print of the day; Emma could barely look at it. With good words, I forge into another stressful week I hope will turn out fun in the end.

A "Tree Portrait"

I have been meaning to put up this short but interesting tidbit for weeks now, but I finally remembered to show all of you something amusing:

Taking the "tree portrait" to the next level.

The other intern and I had to do this assignments a quite a few times. Upon discussing it with my photography teacher one random day, he decided to gather some photos to show the class the next day, like a small little tip off to me during the class. I smiled as I looked at several photos of differing trees like these:



If I had the time, money and resources, I wish I had been as epic and thoughtful to complete something so.... funny and perfect.



If you're interested in more photos that could slap anyones tree portrait in the face, check out Myoung Ho Lee.