Senior Exhibition Update

Today is the day!

Today is the opening for my senior exhibition. It feels very weird because I remember attending last years exhibition and thinking to myself 'In one year, this will be me' and today it has arrived. So much has happened in the last year. I'm so happy with where I am in my life and in my art. I can see the change in my art since just last year and especially since freshman year. It's amazing how much all of us in the show have evolved and changed since five years ago.

Coloring is Complicated

A quick Wikipedia search of Crayola Crayon colors will tell you that there are 133 "standard" colors. 1990 brought 24 new silvery colors appropriately named the "Silver Swirls". In 1994, the Magic scents were released and in that collection was many different scents: Strawberry, Pine, Cherry, Blueberry. You know, the normal scents. There was also a dirt scented crayon and a smoke scented crayon, which I do not understand.

 Anyways, after smelling fruits as you colored became a thing of the past, Crayola released the Gem Tones, Changeables (because magic is amazing!), Color Mix-Up, Pearl Brite, Glitter, Metallic, Silly scents (which included scents like, Gas, Feet, and Socks) and many more varieties.

I am not sure if I was a deprived child or if I just was not that into coloring, but I don't remember any of these. I think I would remember coloring with a crayon that smells like gasoline. I remember getting the big box of crayons with the sharpener built in. That was the best Christmas present, because no child likes coloring with dull crayons.

Today, I found a chart of all the crayon colors since 1903. There's a lot of them. Many more than I ever thought. But who would really know the difference between Laser Lemon and Unmellow Yellow? I think this crayon business has got a little out of hand. You can check out all the colors here.

145 Days: BFA Senior Exhibition

As some of you may know, I'm graduating in exactly 20 days. I'm not sure the whole idea of being done with school has hit me yet. It will probably take until fall 2013 for me to realize that I'm not going back, but right now projects and papers are my main focus.

Every graduating art student at Stritch has a senior exhibition. The opening for my graduating class's exhibit is quickly approaching. Because of all the time I've spent working on my piece, I feel as if my project has become my new best friend (we have our moments but overall we are friends). All joking aside, I love my concept.

Little Notes

I am notorious for writing reminders on my hands. It's usually something like 'remember money', 'frosting cups (if I'm at work)' or 'sociology paper'. I know I'm not alone in this bad habit, but since mine tend to be pesky reminders to myself to get more work done, it's encouraging and inspirational to see other people right more positive reminders on their hands.

Shared Worlds is doing a project called 'Hand in Hand'. It's photos of artists, writers, and editors with advice on their hands. Evidence that we all need a little nudge or inspiration some days.

Goodbye Caffeine Friend!

Anybody who spends a day with me will soon realize that I LOVE coffee. It's scary how much I love it. I try not to spend all my money on the amazing drinks at the local coffee shops. This is extremely difficult when I live a few blocks from a Starbucks, a Caribou, a Stone Creek, and an Alterra.

I was greatly saddened when I went to Caribou Coffee Monday morning and learned that they would be closing their stores in the area on April 14th. Aside from having amazing coffee, they have uniquely designed cups, bags, napkins, etc. (I may have blogged about this before, but I love their design so much that it deserves another shout out)

Ana Oliveira: Time and Aging

Finding old photos of relatives and seeing how much they have (or have not) changed, is one of the most fascinating experiences. We all have those photos of our grandparents that look exactly like another family member, but sometimes we forget how much they still look like their younger self. In this series, artist, Ana Oliveira looks at how much people look like their younger selves when they are posed and dressed similarly. 

McDonald's New Packaging Design

McDonald's new packaging design is meant to give costumers more information about the food they are eating. The new design has QR codes on the bags and cups, which supplies nutritional information. This is a lot more effective than handing out a piece of paper or brochure, which always seems to end up in the garbage or the back of your car.