Inside my studio

As you may or may not know, I've been writing in diaries and journals since I was eight years old.  It is something I've always loved doing and I've always been passionate about writing.  It's very personal to me; So, I wanted to bring this into my artwork.  I'm making several bodies of work all around the same theme: my diaries.

I've written in my diaries about many different people - some who have impacted my life in a tremendous way.  These people have shaped me into the person I am today; I wouldn't be who I am without the memories I've made with these people and the influence that they've had on me.  

So, I'm doing big watercolour portraits of these people and the title of the work will be a date of a diary entry in which I wrote about them, as well as a line from the specific diary.  The title will become just as significant and meaningful as the artwork itself.  My initial idea was to have my numerous diaries and journals displayed to invite people to flip to the date that's the title of a portrait and read the full entry.  I'm still playing around with ideas and what exactly I want to do.  I've been making color photocopies of my diary entries... I figured I could do something with them.  Perhaps I can make a sculptural book out of them.

Also, I have a bunch of 1ft x 1ft canvases; So, I've been scanning and printing out diary entries onto iron-on transfer paper and ironing them onto material.  I plan on stitching them to the canvases and painting/collage-ing  around them.  That's basically my idea for my fourth year project for this semester.  It's very personal but, to me, that's what artwork is about.

Below are pictures I took of my studio!  Sneak a peek at what I've been working on and where I work at.

Put down the cookie

Ok, so it's Sunday night and you're thinking to yourself, "I'm starting tomorrow!"

I've been there before, too.  Many many times.  The thought sets in, more than likely, after you've stuffed your face with countless calories and sat on your ass all day.  So, you want to start eating healthy and exercising.  It lasts maybe a day or two, and then it rains.  You're sitting at the table peering out the window and say to yourself, "Well, I can't go for a walk or run today... so I'll just take a day off."  Then you think, "Well, if I'm taking a day off I may as well eat that cookie that's sitting on the counter calling my name."

And this is when you usually crash into a downward spiral .  You eat like crap and laze around all week.  Then Sunday night comes and you're thinking to yourself, "I'm starting tomorrow!" 

STOP!  PUT DOWN THE COOKIE!

I'm here to tell you to stop procrastinating and start now!  I'm going to introduce you to my friend, Leslie Sansone.  Her in-home walk program is the best program I've ever been introduced to.  It's motivating and, well, let's face it... some of us aren't physically or mentally equipped to handle the pressures of going to the gym and having to work out in the presence of unbelievably fit people.  It actually nauseates me and makes me less motivated.  So... with Leslie's program you can walk miles upon miles - rain or shine - in the very comfort and privacy of your own home.

You can purchase her DVD's mostly anywhere.  I downloaded a few of her DVD's through torrents online.  I recommend the 4 Mile Super Challenge.

In the summer during camp, my friend Donna and I would pop in the DVD and workout after the kids went to sleep.  The guy counselors would point fingers and laugh at us.  We told them not to laugh until they tried it.  So, they did... and they agreed that it was a super challenge and legit workout.  The workout DVD became something we all did every night as a team.  It felt great to be able to push ourselves to the fourth mile.  It's so rewarding and you feel so great.

Every mile is 15 minutes, so you can decide to quit whenever you want.  I usually try to push myself to go all the way.  The workout is great if you just want to keep healthy or if you're trying to reach a weight loss goal.  The benefits are: a stronger heart and lungs, conditioned muscles which give you a faster metabolism, flexibility and strength! It's so easy and easy enough for absolutely everyone to do it.  

Go to her website http://www.walkathome.com to watch some introduction videos, browse around the website, and read some success stories!  

So... put down the cookie, pop in the DVD and go walk a mile or two.  You'll feel great!

Tears For Fears

I was in swimming lessons from ages five to seventeen.  Every Saturday.  When I entered the level where diving was introduced as a new requirement, panic swarmed inside my stomach.  I watched as the instructor showed us how to kneel onto the edge of the pool deck and dive into the water.  My hands clenched by my side and my stomach flopped.  I snuck into the bathroom and waited until I thought my turn to dive had passed.  I did this every and any time we had to do dives.  I managed to avoid conquering my fear for years... until it became time to be a lifeguard.  

I secretly confessed to my Nationals instructor my secret fear of diving.  There was a segment in the course where everyone lined up on the edge of the pool deck.  I watched each and every one of them dive into the water.  They motivated me and encouraged me to do it.  Friends would stand beside me, helping to position my body the correct way for entry.  Their confidence and support helped me overcome the dread associated with diving that day.  I was filled with delight when I finally vanquished what I used to think was out of reach. 

Reliving that day and realizing that it's better to not to repress what intimidates me, still doesn't relieve the pain associated with thinking about what tyrannizes me.  

When I was in Jr. High, I remember stressing to no-end about getting tests back.  My heart would pound in my chest as the teacher would call out names one by one to go up to the desk and pick up your test.  I hated this.  Sometimes I'd tell my teachers I'd rather not know.  Don't get me wrong, I never ever did poorly on a test.  I was a 90's student but it still didn't change the fact that the possibility of doing bad made my stomach ache.  My teachers would laugh, shake their heads, and shove my test in my face.  That same sense of relief I felt when I conquered diving always consumed me when I became conscious of the fact that I did good on a test.

I know it's irrational to run from your fears.  It's irrational to pretend to be happy wallowing in oblivion because we can't repress the unknown forever.  And, when asked "would you rather be hurt by the truth or be happy believing a lie" I always respond "truth" because I'd rather be faced with reality than pretending to be impervious.  

It's hard to face your fears.  But once you do, you can shove them in your past and wave goodbye.  Saying goodbye isn't pretty but it's uglier living a lie.

My Studio Space

My studio is my second home.  I'm fairly certain I spend more time there than in my apartment.  I think being in a creative environment will keep the creative juices flowin' all the time.  I'm in the process of making it a little bit more cozy.  There was an old sofa chair left, abandoned, in the corner of my space; So, I bought a green blanket to drape over it.  I'm thinking about bringing my fold up foam bed/chair, so I can just crash for the night if I absolutely have to.

Our professors discourage us from sleeping in the studio, but sometimes if I'm working late nights I'd rather just crash for a few hours and walk home when it's light outside.  I wake up usually around 10am, shower, and get to the studio before noon.  I'll set up and start working, go to class or guard at the pool and then make my way back to the studio for a few more hours.  Because I don't walk the distance home on whatever short breaks I may have, I usually just go to the cafe and buy a sandwich.  The problem with that is... the bucks add up.  I was on the phone with my mother who agreed with me that a mini refrigerator would be ideal.  I can buy one at Walmart for under $100, set it up in my studio and store some food there to get me through the long days and nights.

I'm not sure I've ever been so motivated as I am this year.  The one thing that keeps me motivated is keeping active and busy.  If I break for too long I know that I'll want to keep breaking... which will inevitably lead to slacking.  I need to keep focused!    

I met with Erik, one of my fourth year advisors, yesterday and talked about my ideas for my projects this year.  He gave me a lot of great feedback which pushed my mind to bubble out even more possible ideas.  This is why it's always important to participate in critiques when you can... whether it be class critiques, talking to your professors, inviting people (even Visiting Artists) to your workspace to see what you're working on.  Hearing criticism and hearing what other creative minds have to say will motivate you to go even further with your artwork.  

I'm pretty excited about my ideas for this year and I'll let you in on them as soon as I further develop them.  I'll also take some pictures of my studio space and of what I'm working on so you can have a little peek.  I'll try to have that posted for my next blog.

Remember:  Don't hesitate to drop me a line if you want a tour of the fourth year studios!

Take care, folks.

Homecoming Weekend

My friend, Emily, and I.

It was quite the eventful weekend, with Homecoming and all.  I think it was my first time taking part in all the weekend's festivities since first year.  I'm definitely glad I did since it's my last year.  I purchased a Game Day shirt from the bookstore, as well as pom poms and a MTA water bottle.  My VISA took a hit but I rationalized it with the fact that it was my last year and I certainly had to represent.  So, I slapped on some face paint and away I went.

I've never seen Sackville pumpin' with so many peeps before.  There were people of all ages scattered everywhere and the traffic was nuts.  Because it was the Fall Fair in Sackville, there were many activities and fun times to be had all weekend, including farmer's markets, bands and music to be listened to, circus rides, various suppers to attend, movie showings, games and lots more fun with even prizes to be won!  It was great to see so many smiling faces.  Sackville certainly is rich with culture and there's such a great feeling when you see so many people taking part in community activities.

You may or may not know that we lost the football game against X.  But it certainly was fun to watch; You inevitably get caught up in the adrenaline rush!  The boys played great and there were so many people there, painted from head to toe, cheering on the Mounties.  It was amazing to see so much support from the community people and students.

***

I've decided I'm going to take part in Aerobics classes as well as Dance Society classes.  I'm going to have a pretty busy semester indeed.  I think it's easier for me to keep going when I have so much to do though.  My friend, Emily, and I decided it might be both hilarious and fun if we signed up for the Beginner Hip Hop class.  It'll be a fun way to keep fit!  I also decided I'm going to go swim laps at the pool whenever I can.  I used to swim every Saturday for fourteen years.  I miss it - that's for sure.  I never even knew the pool was open for use until the second year.  You can check out the schedule on the Mount A website when it's open for member swims and drop in's.  Just take your MTA student ID with you, and you'll get in for a swim!

***

Alright folks, it's time for me to get organized for the day!

Take care,

Beth

Stumblin'

Well, I've thought long and hard, coming up with three vital tips that will guide you through your years at Mount Allison.  A lot of people say you have to learn from your mistakes, but I say you should learn from others' and save yourself the trouble.  So here it goes:

Don't carry your VISA - I cannot stress this one enough.  Use your credit cards for emergency use only.  This doesn't mean taking out a twenty when you're at the Pub to buy extra drinks and ensuring you have enough for a slice of pizza on your way home. I promise you this will happen if you carry your credit card in your pocket (especially when you're at the Pub and you're not in the right state of mind)

Keep your laptop at home - Avoid the temptation of taking your laptop to classes.  This is a common mistake a lot of students make and it inevitably takes a toll on your grades.  Take a notepad and pen instead of typing your notes up on your laptop.  This way, you're forced to pay attention during lectures instead of updating your Facebook status, chatting on MSN and refreshing your Hotmail inbox every ten minutes.  I cannot even count how many times I've witnessed people paying more attention to their computer screens than the professor.  It not only distracts you, but it distracts students around you who actually want to pay attention.  It's extremely hard to concentrate on what my professor is talking about when the person in front of me is chatting about the weekend's events on MSN or playing online games.

Make lists - Lists are extremely helpful and will keep you on the right track.  Put up a whiteboard in your room and write up a list of things you have to do.  You'll feel accomplished and focused every time you scratch something off.  Lists definitely keep me motivated, especially when there's so much I have to do.  It's good to prioritize and not to let everything go until the last minute.  Set goals and makesure nothing stands in your way of achieving them.

***

On a lighter note, I'm going to introduce you to a pretty amazing website.  It's called, "Stumbleupon".  For those of you who know what this website is, I'm sure you agree with me on its level of awesomeness.  For Stumbleupon newbs, follow along.

Go on over to www.stumbleupon.com - it takes about 20 seconds to sign up.  With registering, you check off some of your interests.  Now, with the click of the "stumble" button at the top of the screen, it will begin to journey you through websites on the internet that (based on what you checked off) will appeal to you.  It's a pretty great website for when you're bored.  I've discovered some amazing, hilarious, entertaining, inspiring and interesting websites.  You can give websites a thumbs up or thumbs down.  It will remember the ones that you've given the thumbs up to.  You should definitely check it out.  I find it more addicting than Facebook... and it's an addiction you don't have to feel bad about it because you're discovering things more interesting than what Jane Doe's status updates.

To 1st, 2nd, 3rd Year BFA Students:

So, after the first full week, a little bit of stress and excitement are lingering in my stomach.  

So, I'll walk you through the steps of what the first week will be like in your fourth year in Fine Arts.  If you're like me, you're not going to have a clue until you actually show up.  I had a basic  understanding of how things were going to work but I wasn't completely educated on the process until this week.

• Fourth Year Meeting - We had a fourth year meeting for the Bachelor of Fine Arts students in the Fine Arts building.  We were all given "Fourth Year Handbooks".
  
• The Head Advisor - a fine arts faculty member, told us how things were going to work this year.  We were informed that he'd be meeting with us a few times throughout the year as a group.
  
• Advisors - We have to pick two advisors from the F.A faculty.  These advisors are people who will be advising, assisting and evaluating us in the development of our independent work.  We will meet with these professors regularly throughout the semester.  We can have different advisors each semester.
• Studio Space - We got assigned our individual studio spaces that will become our home for the next eight months.  Some people have to share due to a lacking number of spaces.

Course Requirements/Expectations:

• produce a body of work plus studies/explorations relating to this body of work
• participation/presentation in weekly or bi-weekly group/individual conferences with your advisors
• produce a formal text addressing creative activity
• participation in joint advisor Studio Meeting
  
• participation/presentation in two formal critiques
  
• complete a presentation dossier with labeled documentation of artwork, artist statement, curriculum vitae or resume each semester
• attendance at all Visiting Artists lectures in the Visiting Artist Program
• attendance in fourth year workshops:  Artists in a Professional Context
• participation in New Year Open House studios
  
• participation in the BFA graduating show
  

Overwhelmed?  Well, I certainly am.  It's going to be a tough semester;  There's no one there to hold my hand anymore and I'm working primarily on my own.  I'm the one who creates my own "syllabus", assignments and deadlines.  This year is really going to test my independence, responsibility and ability to prioritize.  On top of the stress of meeting the BFA requirements and working in my studio, I'm lifeguarding when I can at the campus pool, blogging as much as I can, taking two seminar courses, my elective and a correspondence course.

OH MY OH MY OH MY!

I'm looking forward to it though.  Feel free to drop me a line if you would like to stop by and see my studio space sometime!

Peace, love, art.