hi

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Saturday, August 9, 2008

Interrogation (work in progress)



Watercolor. 10"x14". Work in progress.

This is more of a two panel sequential narrative(see: comic) than two portraits.

a night spent in mocking

Started in on a new painting. I was going to do it in full color but as I started painting, it became analogous due to poor reference photos. It is now cross complimentary... or something. I'm just trying to broaden my portfolio.

I got up to exercise with Karen but was a little late and missed her. We met up and did get our work out on a little bit at 12:30. I'm a little out of shape compared to how good I was doing, but I think I will get it back.

In the evening Karen and I hung out again with the intention of collage making and painting. Instead I read aloud from the Cosmos that were left behind in the recycling bin. That magazine is HILARIOUS! Their surveys are poor, their advice is flimsy, their hot and sexy stories and ridiculous... oh blimey. We are so going to draw up some parodies of these crappy magazines.

Holly Update:



She was really bad today! Clawed the couch, bit my feet when I was sleeping, pouncing on Ibanez repeatedly when he clearly didn't want the attention. She was wild and naughty. We didn't know what was up with her. Hopefully she will settle down a bit tomorrow, but who knows.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

children these days

Karen and Adam wanted a stall for First Thursday but Karen couldn't find her PNCA ID in time so that she could grab one. I offered my ID and off we went to grab a table. When we were leaving, Karen started to drive away but Adam was still getting in the car and she almost ran him over. Whoops.

Around Everett, the place where the bike lane is ALWAYS used as a turn lane, she slowed to let us hop out. A car came up in the bike lane and we had to close the door to let him past. Instead of going past, the jerk in his big SUV stopped and shouted at us about whatever we were doing. All three of us, in sync, did a motion and he shut up and drove on in the bike lane. The next block, Karen let us out.

We couldn't locate the person right away who appeared to be the manager of the tables. We asked the nice guy at the PNCA desk but he had no clue. A few questions later and we figured it out. All the spots were full up. But Jack let them double up on his ceramics table. Adam was selling earrings and a few buddies of his sold their glassware.

The Pre-College program had their big show, the one I was a part of a few summers back. There was some real talent in that group of youngins. Michael and a ladyfriend of his were there, we said hellos. Andy and I exchanged hi's and he inquired where I got my cupcake from(from the box of cupcakes at the front door, duh). Chatted a little with Matt and Daniel Duford. Yeah.

I now owe Karen $10. We did a loop of all the stalls. It is more of a walking market than a buying one. Saw some great print makers there. I didn't feel like going to any real galleries so I took the streetcar home. Still, saw a lot of people and familiar faces (Jack cut all the dyed bits out of his hair).

Pretty much finished the drawing part on a new painting. Very simple but it has a lot of light play in it. I need some references before I can begin.

On the way back from First Thursday, I replenished my sunflower seed supply at Plaid Pantry. I am so addicted to those things.

Holly Update:



The kitties rubbed their faces together. They eat each other's food (well Ibanez eats her food). They poop in each others litter boxes. They have totally bonded. Soon I will give her over to Karen's care.

Holly has really taken to Lindsay. She sits next to her when she is seated, but never next to me when I am rested. Maybe she hates me because I fed her medicine.

The kitten is doing wonderfully. Getting bigger all the time.

pink and gray

Made myself some scrumptious scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. I really need to learn to make bacon, I've been missing it.

My new pants arrived in the mail. The pair I used a cool discount from Karen for. They fit amazing. They are a lovely gray color. I am so set on jeans now. I don't need another pair for like...well years maybe. Booyah.

I went to Ole Ole to meet Lindsay for lunch. I just had a quesedilla. She scarfed a taco salad. We chatted about how screwed up Oregon is. She wants a valid ID. She has her birth certificate, her old ID, social security number, and proof of address. They won't give her a new ID unless she can prove how her last names changed (from marriage). But to get the proof of marriage she might need a valid ID. Which she can't get without proof of marriage. What the hell? That's crap.

Karen and I are getting back on work out track. I did two ten minute runs. The machine I normally go on is sort of wonky. Diana joined us for a little bit. She looks great. As tall as ever.

Starting another painting. Just have it loosely sketched out right now. Just need to keep working on my art work. That is what I am here in Portland for. Art. A job, yeah that would be great but the education is pointless unless I apply it.

And I am getting into the third and final season of Deadwood. Did you know it is based in fact? Amazing!

Another cool thing is that Jim has a proof of his comic! It is fit to be printed and sold now.

Holly Update:



Lindsay left for a bit and Ibanez started crying. Holly ran out of my room to see him and he stopped. They are so totally buddies now. Their bad habits are rubbing off on each other. She meows like he does when I pick her up. She harasses Lindsay when she is doing her hair. He is playing with toys he never paid a mind to until she did.

Holly's frolicking is amazing. She has a great recovery for when she falls. It is like it never happened.

Eventually I will trade her off to Karen, but right now she seems content.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

poop cone begone

Well, I definitely regained the sleep that I lost. Slept in till almost one. There was a knocking at my door that was Mike. He asked if I was being forced to make my apartment ready for four people, and I said no. Some of the apartments at the Goose are being made to accommodate four people, but mine is on the smaller side so I get my room and my roommate gets a room. So while it was crowded for one year, I'll have plenty of space in comparison for the next. Also it is confirmed that Cecine is my new roommate.

I wasted the day. I had headaches and felt woozy. I took a nap. Jim came over and hung out. The kitty didn't take much notice of him.

I still feel like crap though. Uhhg.

Holly Update:



The cone is pretty much off now. She is all healed. Hurrah! And is very feisty and in good spirits. She and Ibanez pretend they aren't friends, but I can tell they are. No word on when I am giving her over to Karen.

Monday, August 4, 2008

kittyville

Could not sleep. Not one wink. I gave up around seven and finished up Deadwood and started in on Dogville. Just felt chilled and horrible. Kept myself fed.

I did get a slight rest at noon when Ibanez joined me for a two hour nap. Argh.

Traded out the DVDs at school. Matt was there and revealed himself to be the person who requested the Deadwood DVDs in the first place. Well now he can watch them. I was a little delirious. I grabbed the third season and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Returned some books and renewed the others.

When I was leaving the Goose, an old couple said, "You know how hot it is?" to me. I didn't really, as I was wearing pants. I think it was 80's but ehh. I didn't get too sweaty. I was just in a haze going and coming.

Dogville is an interesting movie in its concept. It is done with a minimal set. It seems to be little stage sets put into a large stage. All the houses are drawn in like architecture plans, the street names are written on the ground and things like plants are written in as well. It is part landscape and building planning, mixed with real things like desks and beds. It was really interesting to watch. It is also three hours long, so it is going to take me some time. I wonder how many other movies are done like this?

Holly Update:



So one of the kitties staples had sort of popped out. It didn't look bad, I just wanted to get it checked out to see if maybe she only needed one. Turns out she didn't need either! The lovely nurse pulled the first one out with ease but the second took a lot of restraining and holding Holly like a baby, but it did come out. The staples were crusty with scab residue but the scar looks wonderful. Just another day with the cone! Hurrah!

She is very feisty tonight. She is bounding every which way and playing with all of Ibanez's toys. We caught her using Ibanez's litter box.

all in bed now

I slept way too much in. I keep staying up later and later...eventually I will really force myself out of bed to try and reset my clock. I need to get working out again. Karen went on a camping trip and with the kitten disrupting my pattern, it is hard to will myself to wake at certain hours.

Jen was throwing a Naked Party, that is a party where girls get together with the clothes they no longer wear, toss them in a pile, and pick out new clothes that they like. I must say that I scored, and people did take my clothes which was a good feeling. Karen drove us to the shindig and as we were leaving there was an amazing assortment of boots in the free zone. All size 8, but maybe there would be someone with that big of feet at the party. Jen's apartment looks great, she really pulled it together. It is perfect for having people over and working on things. The open space is orchestrated nicely in that it doesn't look like there is unused area.

The night started with two games of Apples to Apples. It was Jen, Karen, Jen's friend Titta, and myself. Titta said that the green cards you get often describe yourself and the first card I got was grungy. What? I'm not...

Grease played in the background as we rummaged. I walked away with TWO pairs of jeans, a sexy skirt, a wonderful hounds tooth coat, pumps, boots I plan to put stuffing in so my feet don't slide forward, some shorts and a pile of tees both simple and patterned. It was great. Not everything I offered was claimed so I have more if another party arises.

Jen set up a video on her laptop and we recorded a game of us playing Apples to Apples. She also recorded my impersonation of Casey Oney dragging himself through paint. We ate guacamole chips and potato wedges and had a good time.

After, Karen and I went to Adam's studio to pick him up. He makes things out of glass for a living(sculpture as well as recreational devices, if you get what I mean) and I got to see where he did it. Lots of fragile looking things laying about. He said he could teach us how to make a marble and he gave me a scrap of glass as a souvenir. He is one hoopy frood/awesome dude. And he and Karen are impossibly cute together (he joined her in camping). I will make sure to take him up on his glass lesson offer.

Holly Update:

So Ibanez climbed into bed with me this morning. Lindsay was gone so he needed some cuddling. Holly joined me as well and for five minutes we all lay together peacefully. Then Holly tried to get closer and disturbed him. It was a nice moment.

I forgot to close him in his room when I left for the party but it all seemed fine when I came back.

Her meds have ran out so I don't have to give them to her anymore. I called the clinic and scheduled a new time to take her staples out. She should be free on the 8th. Hopefully.

Slowly she and Ibanez seem to be becoming more buddy buddy.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

suddenly I am doing something

Finished my painting! First painting I have finished in...months? Dearie me, I hope it really isn't months but that sounds true. I'm very pleased with it. I accomplished what I set out to accomplish with that piece. Sure it is simple but it wasn't intended to be some grand masterpiece, just a little character and light study. Go me!

So yeah, spent the day painting mostly. Watched more Deadwood. Two episodes left. The fourth disc had a scuff on it so I had to scrounge around the Internet looking for those three episodes. Took some looking but I found them. The first few episodes took forever to get through but now I blink and I have watched four. I took a break to laugh and watched some IT Crowd (another series I breeze through).

Robin wanted an egg for some pancakes and I didn't have any so I took that as incentive to get out of the house and get some shopping done. I just needed eggs, udon noodles, milk, mayo, and cat litter. The lady who rang me up was really nice but she couldn't bag groceries at all. Had to totally readjust them to fit into my side baskets.

Diana and Robin have moved into 316, Sean's old room. I wasn't invited over (it is apparently a mess but because it is Diana and Robin that probably means it is still cleaner than my place). In exchange for the egg I got a pancake and Robin helped me with the kitten's medicine. The pancake was made with a batter I have not seen before, it was delicious though. Num num num.

Holly Update:



Did not sleep well. Kitten could not lay still anywhere and was bounding about.

Refreshed her litter. She got poo on her cone TWICE today.

I have caught Ibanez eating her food on several occasions but he doesn't do it for long because she normally comes up and scares him off. She has taken to perching on her cat carrier and staring him, much in a mimic to his tabletop position. It is cute how their relationship has grown. I rather wish that by the end, they cuddle together.

Holly's wound seems to be closing up. Nothing has leaked out of it in days and it isn't red or infected looking. I am almost out of the antibiotics, I should call and ask if I need a refill of them.

untitled character portraits


Watercolor. 10"x14". Sketched and painted over a three day period. Poorly photographed.

It is new for me to combine the two styles I work in when it comes to painting. On one hand there is the smooth, unlined style that comes from painting real things and people, and on the other is the very lined comic style I work with when I am doing things from my imagination. This is right between the two. I used a reference for the style of the clothes and the lighting but the faces are from my imagination. I'm pleased with it, even though it is really simple (also, his nose is supposed to look crooked).