One of the many benefits of being a student in VCU's School of the Arts is the incredible exposure we get to other artists. We have visiting artists on a frequent basis (if not a weekly basis), giving us the opportunity to see what other people are doing in the art world and have conversations with them about our artwork, how they got where they are, any advice they have, etc. The art world is an interesting, exciting, competitive, and scary world. As students, we're all trying to find our niche and figure out how to "make it". No one really wants to be a starving artist- now I'm not saying that we all want to be famous or millionaires, but its nice to have the comfort of food and shelter. As for me, I want to find some way to incorporate my art, design, and the opportunity to be creative into a career. Who doesn't want to look forward to going to work everyday to do something they love?
So now that I've rambled on I'm going to talk about Nancy Blum, an artist who has worked extensively with VCU Crafts graduate students. She has won numerous prestigious awards, has taught all over the U.S., and is well published. Her intricate work is truly beautiful, her attention to detail is truly breathtaking and you can't help but get lost in the beautiful patterns and very clean lines within her work. Check out her website, and I truly hope you enjoy her work as much as I do!
Hanging Butterflies (please appreceiate the incredible shadows)
Hanging Butterflies, detail
Butterflies
Butterflies, detail (and isn't this detail incredible?)
After several months of anticipating a summer in Paris, I'm bummed to learn that it's not going to work out. I spoke to the mother of the family who is moving to Paris last night and it turns out that receiving work visas, getting school, and a house lined up, and all of the other things that go into such a big move, are taking much longer than planned- so, by the time they get there, classes will have started for me. BUT- we are already planning a trip to France over my Christmas break in December! While I am bummed out because I feel as though I have wasted my summer away, I am ecstatic to experience Paris around Christmastime. It should be beautiful!
Within the VCU Crafts department, woodworking is the primary skill used in furniture design. While we are encouraged to design furniture that would call for other materials, our professor (being a woodworker) pushes us to use wood in unexpected ways. Wood is an incredible material with many great properties and has the ability to be both delicate and bulky. While I acknowledge that many different ways that would can be used, it is not the ideal material for all furniture. Obviously. Especially in the case of these beautifully delicate outdoor chairs from Anthropologie. I have admired these chairs numerous times in the store and the last catalog captures their elegance perfectly as they are displayed on water- they truly look like floating flowers. If only I had a cute garden or patio. *le sigh* If you do, they're on sale and you should absolutely check them out!
I love to cook, but really love to bake. There's nothing like a delicious homemade chocolate chip cookie and I have yet to find a recipe better than the Toll House recipe. With a little tweaking of the recipe I have come up with some pure heaven. I know I sound a little cocky but- I am confident in my cookies. Today, a rainy afternoon in Richmond, was the perfect afternoon for baking. Yum!
I have been longing for a pair of Frye Harness Boots for years- freshman year of college, I ordered a pair, admired them, wore them around my room then returned them because of my intense sense of sticker shock. I think this fall will be the season to make the purchase- if I have wanted them for this long I am confident that I will get great use out of them!
I love love love blue grass and folk music, and I love The Fox Hunt even more. I was introduced to them about a year and a half ago and can't get enough. I saw and met them at The Camel in Richmond, last October (a few days before my birthday- so perfect). They are really great and incredibly talented guys and pretty cute too- especially Matt Kline, he's got that 1950's adorable Jake Gyllenhaal look from October Sky. They have a great website with a nice bio:
Serving up dirt-laden tales of substance abuse, lonely highways, infidelity, damnation, and redemption, Martinsburg, WV’s the Fox Hunt play a brand of music anyone can identify with. Their strong writing and instrumentation is rounded out by a raucous live performance, making them as comfortable in a rowdy punk rock bar as they would be on your back porch.
Singer/songwriter John R. Miller portrays an image of triumph over adversity. His writing plays on the failures and anxieties that exist in the hearts of human beings. Themes of defeat, loss, and missed opportunity abound in the apathetic wonderland his songs create, but by championing the underdog and reminding us that we are all human, his songs allow us to go on feeling more self-worth, unified in our shortcomings. Miller's characteristic doom-and-gloom writing style is countered by the band's creative contra positive, Matt Kline. While often times bleak, Kline's characters are optimistic and hopeful, and while he deals with such universally hard-hitting topics as alcoholism and abandonment, he often does so with forgiveness and an insightful tinge of humor. This emotional roller-coaster is bridled by the driving musicianship of Matthew Metz and Ben Townsend, whose musical influences range from string band music of the early 20th century to indie, and from D.I.Y. punk to arena rock. Utilizing the mandolin, banjo, and fiddle, the two emphasize both traditional and contemporary concepts to bring the songs to life.
Equipped with an interesting and eclectic sound, the Fox Hunt meld the bright harmonies and acoustic instruments characteristic of early country/folk with rough, smoky, rock and roll lyrics and arrangements. Their debut full length, Nowhere Bound, is now available at shows and through www.thefoxhunt.net, CD Baby, and iTunes!
Please, please, please take a look at their website and myspace, I would HATE for you to miss out on them!
There's nothing like the summer. No homework or class commitments- I can leave my work at work. I have quickly realized how much I will miss the freedom I have each weekend. I have had many wonderful weekend trips this summer. This past weekend I headed home and spent some great quality time with my Mom, just relaxing and doing crafts. I started reupholstering a child's chair for a lady I work for. Whew. I have never upholstered before- talk about some serious work! And, it doesn't help that I am completely anal and the slightest mistake bothers me. (this may not be a bad thing- I'm just driving myself crazy). But- I'm half way there! Here's a "before picture", I'll post an "after picture" when I finish!
Evan and our Australian friend, Rowan have been on a North Eastern U.S. road trip for the past week. They've been to many places, clocking over 30 hours of driving in a week! Their plans fell through for their stay in NYC, so after an impromptu trip to Philadelphia, they headed down to Lexington on Saturday for some relaxation in western Virginia. What a wonderful surprise! The Rockbridge Regional Fair was going on and Rowan must experience an American fair, so we spent some time wandering the premises checking out all the is America. As always, it was great and Rowan captured many great photos. Today we spent the day at Goshen (always beautiful) and grabbed some Sweet Things Ice Cream before we hit the road. Yum!
Austin is way up on that tree branch, can you see him?
The dudes.
Silly Forrest.
Such a great weekend with special people! I am now counting down the days until next weekend's Christening of "Sea Cure" the White's new boat!
Oh p.s. I've been wanting a fedora but have yet to take the plunge, and I'm not sure I have the guts to wear it. I took the plunge this weekend but will i wear it out? We shall see... thoughts? (i know, i know- my brother is pretty cute too)
Hello All! I'm home in Lexington and its beautiful! I'm reupholstering a child's chair- my, my, my how involved it is. My hands are covered in blisters and gashes. Can't wait for the finished product! I'll post pictures! Happy weekend to you all! xoxx
Modish is officially the best blog for highlighting artists and their work. I check it daily and am usually impressed by what I see. My newest obsession is Tracy Melton (I discovered her on Modish several days ago).
"Melton takes dead red and white Elm trees, cuts them into slices, and adds his own brightly-colored tree rings to them with acrylic paint. Each piece is sanded and clear coated 3 times to accentuate the wood, then painted and clear coated again. They are hollowed out from behind for mounting. Each piece is a unique combination of the characteristics of the branch and the palette of the rings"
They are sold in sets of three on Melton's Etsy shop. I think I will definitely be adding these to my art collection!
No, this person didn't get me tattooed on his side, and no, its not my boyfriend. Over a year ago, my friend Mike got this side piece as his first tattoo (pretty epic for a first) and we quickly realized how much I look like her. Maybe he should name her after me!
I'm always reaching for a solid cotton tee to pair with summer bottoms. I'm not a big graphic or pattern tee kind of girl.J.Crewhas redefined cotton tees and tanks- their attention to detail adds just enough flare to a basic shirt. Its always fun to spice things up a bit and these adorable shirts come in a variety of colors- check them out!
Whew! A break was much needed! After a weekend full of exhausting and boring things such as 8 hour driving school (I will NEVER speed again), I headed to Hampton to check out the White's new boat. INCREDIBLE!! A day on the boat at the marina was just what the doctor ordered. The boat is beautiful and Carol has already done a great job of adding her touches to the cabin and making the boat their own. The Christening will be in two weeks when Evan and Rowan return from their Northeastern US road trip. I am so looking forward to many days spent on the boat and the first sleepover!
Taking a break from life, including blogging was wonderful but now I feel like I have a horrible case of blogger's block. I'll find something interesting to post about. Until then- take care!
I am Senior at Virginia Commonwealth University majoring in Crafts + Material Studies focusing on furniture and textile design. I absolutely love where I am and what I'm doing. I have many great friends and couldn't be happier in Richmond.
Hanging Butterflies (please appreceiate the incredible shadows)
Hanging Butterflies, detail
Butterflies
Butterflies, detail (and isn't this detail incredible?)
Tip
Tip, detail (is this not incredible?!)
Moss, detail (beautiful colors!)
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