Whatever a Sun will Always Sing is You.

This is my all time favorite poem.

It’s called “I Carry Your Heart” by E.E Cummings

One can never go looking for inspiration, it shows itself in unassuming places. For me, I gathered this piece of thought in a second hand book store, on a date with myself. One of my favorite things to do is grab a cup of coffee and get lost in some creative writing, these words for me stem into every realm of creativity.

How hopelessly artistic and forever alone do I sound right now?

But really though, this poem got me through my sophomore year of college.

It brought me to this painting.

This is actually a small fraction of this 6 foot painting. It’s a portrait of my Grandma (I call her Gma, or Fay-zie, or girlfriend… she’s my best friend) But in a later stage of this painting I added in a quote from this poem.

2 years later I came across this poem again. Just when I needed it, as inspiration always does.

Now, the question is, what to do with it?

Jen

Let’s Go See Some Art Shall We?

Moving to Philadelphia was a strategic decision for me 3 years ago. I come from rural Pennsylvania where their idea of art is barn decoration. So, in an attempt to become more cultured, I moved to mega- city full of museums, galleries, artists, and opportunities. To be honest, I had NO idea what I was getting myself into. And sometimes, I still feel like I know nothing about my city. The art scene is an ever- evolving enigma to me. Once you grasp one thing there is something new to see.

So last week James and I took a trip to see an opening at a Gallery run by our professor, Tiger Strikes Asteroid, in center city Philly. Like most awesome places in Philly, it is particularly unassuming from the outside, just an old warehouse. But open the door and you’re entering the artistic “speak- easy” of Philly; the most cutting edge sculpture, video work, printmaking, photos, and paintings.

I feel so “Sex and the City” at things like this.

I enjoy a good night out, seeing lots of art with a good friend. But While scanning the rooms of highly politically charged and abstract work, I feel pretty lost. As an artist myself, it is particularly frustrating to feel as if the concept of a work is totally lost on me. I wander the galleries and formally analyze work, but 95% of the time, I have no idea what it means.

James always seems to understand everything… or so he says.

I’m beginning to question if I even want to be part of the “fine art conversation” to begin with. I feel as though my brain is more wired towards an educational standpoint, and the goal of my work is to always remain accessible and approachable to anyone. I never want my work to appear pretentious or exclusive to any audience.

Which is why I am so excited to be shifting gears from painting (which I will always continue to do) to a larger focus on functional pottery. My biggest complement is someone choosing to incorporate my art into their daily life; hanging my painting in their kitchen, using my mug for their morning coffee, anything. I have no desire to gain artistic recognition for this work, I just wish to quietly add beauty to the ordinary.

I’m working on researching different clay bodies, functional forms, and glaze techniques. And I’m hoping to get myself into the studio next week. Wish me luck!

Jen

3 Finals and a New Job

Hello All!

Happy Monday! Things are wrapping up on my Junior year of college and it could not have come soon enough. I have 3 pieces of exciting news that I have been meaning to share:

1. I am 99% finished my Junior year at Temple U

2. I switched my major from painting to ceramics last week, and I am still graduating on time!

3. I got a new job working for the Spirit of Philadelphia cruise ship!

So my summer is shaping up to be pretty interesting. It is so funny to see how much can change in just one year.

This is the heap I left my painting finals in last night at 4 AM after a 6 hour shift on the boat and another 5 hours of schoolwork. Critique is today!

On my second day of training with the Spirit we did a lovely afternoon of wine and specialty drink tasting on the bow of the boat… life is good.

This boat is NOT the spirit of Philadelphia, it is the Moshulu which neighbors us in the Penn’s Landing harbor. What a lovely view!

I am so excited about this new job, I will be working lots of big events like weddings, charity benefits, and children’s educational cruises. I’ve only been there for 3 days and I’ve already watched/ helped with 2 proposals! It’s insane!

I’m a little worried that working here is going to make me hate proposals, and weddings, and the cha cha slide… let’s hope not!

Wish me luck on my final critique of Junior year today! Hopefully everyone has a creative monday!

Things Are Taking Shape

Hello All!

We are nearing the end of finals here at Temple U. So my final painting project is starting to take shape. Originally I had planned on leaving it in a rectangular format but my professor gave me the idea to take it apart and put it back together in a new, inventive way… I think it’s working out!

This weekend I am planning on going back into it and adding some heavy acrylic accents to add varying levels of opacity. We’ll see where it goes!

-Jen

The Makings of a Final

Hello All!

It’s finally the last week of school and everything is surprisingly coming together. Even with my busy weekends of dancing I’ve somehow managed to keep myself on track for a finals week with no all- nighters.

As you can probably tell, My weekend was a little crazy.

But I did manage to accomplish a few art- related things! For my final color theory project I wanted to mount my paintings on dark stained wood. So Tori and I made a morning out of it!

It was so beautiful and sunny!

The whole process only took a little over an hour but it made a world of difference! Also, Tori is so tan, she is almost the same color as our dark walnut stain!

Back to the finals grind!

-Jen

I Think I’m On to Something.

Happy Wednesday!

I apologize for my brief hiatus, it’s finals season here at Temple U. So there has been very little sleeping, eating, or blogging for this girl. But I found some spare time today because I wanted to share the progress I’m making on my Color Theory final! I’m actually surprisingly excited about it. Our assignment was very vague, create 2 paintings; one using a harmonious color scheme, the other being dissonant. Dissonant does not mean bad or ugly, just higher contrast or visual variance. These pieces are painted with this new product I just discovered which I am now OBSESSED with:

They’re Windsor Newton Drawing inks! The pack of 6 was very reasonably priced and totally worth every penny. I chose these because I wanted the fluidity and opacity of water color, but sometimes water color be a little too transparent and washed out. Also, my small palette of water colors would not satisfy my two foot painting. These are perfect because they are concentrated and highly pigmented for bold colors!

Here’s my recent work:

I’m sorry for the poor quality iphone pictures, I’ll take some nicer ones!

This is the dissonant color scheme.

 

And this guy is harmonious!

These fellas are far from finished but I think my all- nighter last night really paid off! Thankfully, tonight I have a relaxing night of home- cooking and hot – tubbing with my room mates!

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful spring day!

 

Jen

“Getting it Together”

Happy Friday!

So, as many of you have heard already, I’m a Painting major at the Tyler School of Art (Temple University). And I’m coming up fast on the beginning of my senior year (WHAT?)… So that can only mean one thing here at Tyler… SENIOR STUDIO JURYING.

What this means is that all of the painting majors who choose to apply for their own studio space (most of us) have to hang up 4 pieces along with a brief statement… and then set the wolves on them. A panel of professors and professional artists will critique the work and select the 15 who will be admitted to the class. For obvious reason I’m pretty terrified about all this. How could I make it this far in one of the best art schools in the country and NOT get in to the senior cap stone!?!? I mean, it really isn’t the end of the world if I don’t get in. I can always try again in the spring, and it’s not required to graduate. Plus there are a million other electives I really wanted to take before I graduate (illustration, web design, etc.) So I’ll be alright if I get a studio or not.

…BUT THAT’S NOT THE POINT. At this point it’s a matter of validation. So I’m going to kick some serious ass and do everything I can to get excepted. Which is why I decided to make a big new painting… today… 5 days before jurying.

totally do-able.

So! My new work is going to be a self portrait. My recent thoughts have revolved pretty exclusively around the idea of “getting it together”. And how no one ever really does. We’re always striving to be on top of everything but there’s always something else. So I decided to play on my morning routine of getting myself presentable for the real world. And how to make myself pretty, it really isn’t very pretty.

Clearly, I’m pretty dramatic about getting ready in the morning.

These are just photos I took myself and then photoshop- collaged to make a tentative composition. I’m interested to figure out how I’m going to translate this into paint!

I’ll post updates of my progress! Wish me luck! 

Jen

Detox Day 1… And I’ve Already Cheated!?

Hello All!

After day 1 of this Dr. Oz detox, I’m beginning to seriously re- evaluate my relationship with my blender. After blending up what seemed like gallons of kale, avocado, and flax seed I’m beginning to hate it. What happened to the days when you only made me margaritas and milkshakes, blender?

I’m going to stick it out though! Unfortunately, I cheated with a few bites of Guinness stew today from our lovely friend a few doors down. Why are free mashed potatoes thrown in my face on the first day of my cleanse!?My justification was that mashed potatoes are good for your soul.

Also, I skipped the “snack” smoothie of the day because I was just so full! Just the “lunch” drink filled me up for hours. It’s all healthy things, I just can’t believe how much!

Starting my morning with some green tea and the local news forced me to actually sit down and collect myself before starting my day. And it didn’t make me feel all jittery the way coffee does. I might need to add this in to my normal routine!

I’m going to try and extend this cleanse through Thursday, wish me luck! Hopefully there will be no more cheating 😛

On another note, there is a lot going on at art school this week!

This is clearly a work in progress, but it feels good to be making my own work! It’s the world’s best therapy… well this and dancing.

But more on that later!

Jen