Screw you ladder... Hello lift

So these last and next few days will be dedicated to installing my IP project in Slusser Gallery. Because of my giant wall space, I was using a ladder to get up high and hang up pieces and draw on the wall. The tallest pieces were so terrifying to hang and I actually started hyperventilating. Who knew I was scared of heights? (well at least heights on a tiny space to stand on...like a ladder) Thank god for Mark Neilson and his trusty lift!!! Alas, one needs some sort of a license to drive it, but when its parked I am able to take over and work!!!

Installation has begun!

Photo Credit: Ellen Cole Rosengard

Today I walked into my IP class only to find everyone giddy with excitement about the spots we had be given in the galleries. Obviously I freaked out and ran to Slusser Gallery and began hanging things up on the walls! Within 2.5 hours I was able to hang up my framed pieces and tomorrow I plan to hang up my paper sculptures. I am sooooooo excited and cannot handle myself!

Festifools and Lungevity

Festifools came and went. The weather was ridiculous! Sunday morning it was freezing! I helped out with my roommate, Nicole's Lungevity event where I did the face painting along side my other roommate Lauren. Then the Lungevity 5k walk happened and my feet froze! Thank god my house was on the route, so I ran and changed into warm boots. It hailed and there was freezing rain. Once the walk was over, I had to go down to Main St. and dance/marched in Festifools. It was fun but we got hailed in the face and I may have gotten pneumonia. In any case, it was fun and this was my costume!

In other news, I submitted my pieces for IP and will begin installing on Friday! I am so excited to have 4 days to sleep and have a social life, but also for installing my art show!!!!

Festifools Costume

Photo Credit: Ellen Cole Rosengard

This Sunday is Festifools, a wonderful, fun, grand and amazing parade that springs up right around April Fools day. My paper engineering class is walking in the parade and we are required to make our own costumes using tyvek. The goal: to walk in stark white costumes wearing all black underneath. Of course, I am using my patterns and decided to make myself a skirt sash combo. What do you think?

Patterns come alive!!!

So these last few weeks have been crazy. I have been experimenting a lot with my patterns and finally figured out how I am going to use them in my senior show! First, I have drawn 6 patterns on 19 x 26 inch paper and framed them. I plan on hanging them in the space provided for me in Slusser Gallery in the art school on North Campus, and then I will place 3D paper sculptures onto the wall and have the patterns invade them. This will hopefully give a new dynamic to the space as well as the patterns themselves....THEY WILL COME ALIVE AND CRAWL EVERYWHERE! Here are a few images soyou can visualize what I am trying to do :)

TOY

I just returned from spring break in sunny Florida to the frozen tundra of Michigan. While the week was WONDERFUL and included chicken petting, jetskiing, opposite of skinny dipping, bacon eating and loads of laughing, it was time to return to my IP project. I returned to my studio to find a video of how to make this amazing paper toy/kinetic sculpture. I am hooked! I made 3 for my friends, because I love making people happy, and who doesn't love receiving a paper toy gift!

Cedric Tai

I met with the coolest artist today. His name is Cedric Tai and his is a native of Detroit. His art is super cool and ranges from paintings, geometric sculptures, prints, wood...everything! Here are a few examples of his work.

We talked for over an hour and gave me such great feedback on my project, patterns, and even gave me ideas for what to do to continue my work after IP is over. I am so excited and have so many new ideas. Check him out, he is amazing!