Getting that Itch

I’m getting that itch again.

That itch to make.

It feels good.

It’s been along time since I have had the want to make.

What do I want to make?

Defying Gravity in Iowa

A couple weekends ago my dad, his girlfriend Darla, her daughter Maryl and I took a trip to Des Monies to see the Broadway tour of Wicked. For those who don’t, Wicked is a musical about the lives of the witches of Oz before Dorthy dropped in. I can say without a doubt I had the best seat of my theatre going life (so far I’m only 23) at that production: 3 rows back from the stage dead center. I almost cried out of pure joy in the fact I could see the detailing on the costumes and sets.  If you haven’t seen this musical go see it because you will be blown away by it.

While in Des Monies we watched Abigail Breslin film scenes for her next film Janie Jones and we went to the Botanical Garden. I loved the botanical garden, why can’t Kansas City have one? Or if it does where is it? Favorite plants at the garden: the screw pine-hands down the coolest plant I have ever seen, the Vanilla Orchid-I didn’t know vanilla was an orchid, and the Banana Tree.

Craft In America

On October 7 at 8/7c PBS will show two episodes of Craft In America. Please watch this! My former Porfesser Cary Esser is featured as well as my Alma Mater: the Kansas City Art Institute.

The director of the segment is interviewing Victor Babu

This was taken on one of the two days the Craft in America crew was filming, one of the producers owns a gallery in California? she was speaking to us about gallery representation. Notice how we all look so nice and clean? On both filming days the entire studio was dressed to the 9' it seemed which is funny for a bunch of dirty ceramics kids.

I should really be better at this

I’m sorry faithful readers, if there are any, that I have been so bad about updating this regularly.

I have been looking for a job, and had no, zip, zilch, nada bites yet. Not even and interview. WTF? JC Penny’s didn’t even want me, again I ask WTF?! seriously? I have a college degree. I can fluff and fold with the best of them. I shop at your store. What’s wrong with me? And another thing and this is to ALL employers out there what’s up with this putting up a “WE’RE HIRING INQUIRE WITHIN” sign and then telling the perspective applicant to go home and apply online. WTF?!!!! Do you know what apply online means to those of us desperate for work it means 20 minutes-hour of time we could be doing other things like looking for other jobs filling out your online app and stupid personality test! It means a guaranteed we will not call you, a because of the volume of applicants we can not tell you why you were not chosen and a don’t call us.

Another thing what’s with this “accepting applications” stuff. Do you know what that means?  It means I just spent 30 minutes filling out your application for a NON-EXISTANT position, and that you may or may not call me if something becomes available, And just incase something does open up you’ll keep my application on file along with 4 billion other ones. Maybe my name will come up one day……..when I’m 50.

I’m sorry dear readers I had to get that out because looking for a job has been the most demoralizing, self esteem killing experience I have ever had. I know a lot of people out there are looking for work. People like me who are college educated, skilled employees who don’t want to throw in the towel and work at Wal-Mart and who shouldn’t have to say do you want fries with that? just to make some money. I realize I am young and new to the work force, but competing against people my parent’s age for the same job is not fair to me or them.

I’m going to climb down from my soap box now………..

Tara Donovan

I recently took a trip to the Des Monies Art Center to see the Tara Donovan exhibit. I cannot begin to tell you how her work has affected me as an artist nor how seeing this exhibition has helped me understand my work and place it into context.

My favorite piece was entitled Haze, and completely made of drinking straws.  The beauty of this piece is indescribable, The words that come mind are etherial, heavenly and mystical.  Like something you might see when entering the twilight zone(no not the stupid vampire movie, okay maybe the Bermuda triangle is a better smilie).

Haze by Tara Donovan 2003

Other pieces I really liked at the Art Center where: Francis Bacon’s Study After Velasquez’s Portrait of Pope Innocent X, Jeff Koons Vacuum’s, and one of the actual subway drawings from Keith Haring.