I think I am burnt out

Got another page done and another inked. So that makes the total finished pages eight and the ninth is in progress. Should get it finished no problem tomorrow.

Amazing how a days work can be summed up in a couple sentences. Well, my day isn't finished yet.

Forgot to mention that yesterday I met Adam, Karen's new boy(of sorts). He is a glass blower, really nice, and really tall. I like him, they make a cute pair. We hung about, I gave them my rendition of the lightshow, chatted, and he made some origami and showed us some wicked glass blowers work.

Got a call that dad is going back to work in Norway. So if I am going to be travelling this summer, I will have to meet him in Amsterdam. Seems doable. I think. I hope. Have to do it. I must. Must travel. Need a vacation. Need somewhere that isn't Washington, Portland, or hopefully not even America. Blimey.

I discovered a new show today: Kingdom. It stars Stephen Fry as a lawyer in a Norfolk town. He solves nice little cases and is dealing with the disappearance/apparent suicide of his brother, his a little bit crazy sister, his youthful intern-of-sorts, and some of the interesting townsfolk. It is a nice little British drama with the usual doses of humor and stellar acting. Mom, I think you would like it. It is rather along the lines of Hettie Wainthropp Investigates. Watched a few episodes of that along with QI (I am now keeping a list of QI episodes I have seen so that I don't repeat them).

Now I have an essay to write for Art History. This is more last minute than I like to leave it but the inking took longer than I expected it to. Damn it all.

Speaking of moms, Happy Mothers Day! This is the least I could do(really, it is the least. I haven't done anything for anyone since I left Washington).

museum cattle

Slept in. Way way in. Woke up at 6:45ish, in tune with my body clock. Went back to sleep. Woke again at 10ish, went back to sleep. Rolled out of bed at about 12:15. Very nice. Much needed.

Showered and got some nibbles and went to the museum to pick a piece to write about. Hard choice between a Bronzino-esque piece and this work of Cleopatra but I went with Cleopatra and the Asp because there was more I could find to talk about it.

I walked through the Dancer exhibit again but it was really crowded. Packed full of people with little headsets listening to the numbered exhibits. Every number had about five people gathered around it, staring blankly at the piece. I really just wanted to look at the Lautrec lithos, to see the number of colors and how they were made and layered. Most of them looked like they were just four colors, just arranged and combined in wonderful wonderful ways. That man is a genius and a talented artist. Blows my mind. I would love to do more litho after this class. Such a challenge but so fun.

Went home. Sat my bum down. And drew. I only managed to get one full page done. The washes went a lot quicker, but the sketching was a real pain. I get a real uneven feeling from the character design. She isn't all that consistent. Well, I'll just keep working. Trial and error, trial and error.

Watched about four episodes of QI (I am making a list of episodes I have seen so I don't rerewatch the same ones). And a few Doctor Whos.

I'm not feeling too good. I keep eating, hoping to feel better. Some of what I eat are sweets and some are like soups and rice and tuna(thank you again Tuna Claus) but still I feel ill. Stress and exhaustion probably. I'm starting to get burned out.

unceunceunceunceunce

Face. Melted. Oohhh. Lindsay ran the light show tonight. We invited Jen, Robin, and Karen but only Robin could make it. But that was great because she could give the completely new to it reaction. The full thing is just. woah. Mind blowing. The colors with the fader switches is a nice touch. And after Lindsay did her set, she let me run lights! It was fun though really complex. And after I did it, Robin did it! So cool! We ate brownies and talked and lounged and melted away. Whooo. I really need to sleep now.

Class was short. We had a couple nice little presentations. I gave out rice crispies (Flemming really liked his first one and asked for seconds, I obliged). We sort of wrapped up From Hell and talked about how our comics are going.

I finished From Hell. Well, I haven't finished the end part about the Ripperologists but I am finished with the massive body of work. HOLY CRAP. The last few chapters were amazing but I don't know if the killer(har) first 8 were worth it.

Gave some crispies to Jake, Matt, and Tricia. They liked them. Cleaned like I always do. Picked up my paycheck. Deposited my paycheck. Walked with Lindsay to Fred Meyer. Ate A LOT of food. I had a huge appetite today. Ate rice and used these little seaweed wraps that Jen gave me. Nice little salty treats.

Drew six more panels today. This weekend is go time for comic making. Will go to the museum and write my paper, sure, but otherwise I am sleeping in, staying up late, and drawing drawing drawing inking inking inking erasing erasing erasing washing washing washing. And then scanning scanning scanning and printing printing printing.

crispy and treaty

Made two batches of rice crispy treats today. Maybe I should have saved the second batch. Uhh. I'll bring them to class tomorrow. Maybe. They go stale quick I think? Or not? Ehh, I dunno.

I don't even want to get into the Experiments in Drawing critique. It was way too early for shemales.

Harrell Fletcher came in and talked to the class about his work. He does a lot of work with getting other people's artwork out there over his own. A lot of collaboration stuff. He does Learning to Love You More with Miranda July. He brought in his kid to class and she was cute stuff. It was great.

I stopped by art media and got and had cut my backing board and spray. It took less than 10 minutes to spray and affix my pieces when I got home. They look really nice. I think I will do more of the spray+foam core presentation in the future. Simple, cheap, it doesn't transport well but it looks nice.

I went to Safeway and got rice crispy treat making supplies. I only had time to make and cut one batch. I tossed them out before my critique. Literally. I stood in front of the room and tossed them to whoever held their hand up. While my audience was eating, I put up my pieces. The Karen one is simply FANTASTIC. I am so pleased with myself. It and Robin are so colorful. I wish I had taken photo references of Llyw because his was worked on from memory and isn't as vivid as the other two. But go me! I grew so much in just three paintings.

Not many people went today so we got out a little early. Maddison did a painting of Inferno, James painted Castles, Daniel did a cool letter and a lady piece, Kenneth did an amazing and challenging pixelation self portrait, Mallory did portraits of peoples expressions, Robyn has fluffy stuffed animal portraits, and Lacey made a friggin' book with beautiful character illustrations. It was a nice critique. None of the over analytical crap I am sick of in Experiments in Drawing. Sometimes a puppy is despair, SOMETIMES A PUPPY IS A PUPPY. One week...one week.

Got home. Made some change. Did some laundry. I thought Keesee and Gavin were hanging out so I made some rice crispy treats but they left. Affixed a couple more paintings to the left over board. Made myself a double poached egg and cheese sandwich. I got my art history painting turned in with the very short artist's statement.

Tomorrow I will be going back to the grind of comic making. I had a nice break but now I have a week to do five pages, scan them, and make some print out of the comic (maybe, not really required).

ink under my nails, but not under my skin

On my feet all day. When I sat down to read I just went, "ahhhhh" and yoga helped unkink me further.

Printed my reworked plates. Did four (five if you count the test) of the Bigfoot one, four of the swampy lady one, and one test of the two people one. The bigfoot one looks great. The ghost image part left over from the first sugar lift turned out exactly how I wanted it to. Huzzah! The swamp lady got really abstract. It looks spooky but it doesn't have the face quality anymore. Weird. The two people one looks so screwed up. I don't have time to work on it more right now.

I also repressed my second litho color. I will be printing on Monday. Worked all through class. All 11-12:30 and 1:30 to 5 of it (and about fifteen minutes more).

Ate my Quizno's with Morgan during lunch. He was so jovial and talked about the manly methods of moustache growing (it includes smoking a cigar and standing with one leg on a chair and one elbow propped on your knee and the other on your hip). He will be in my figure drawing class next semester. Yay!

Read From Hell during my break. It does move a lot faster in the second half. Did "the crow" in yoga. So much balance stuff.

Lindsay has never seen The Triplets of Belleville! I think they have it in the Library's dvd collection. Can't believe she hasn't seen it. And she calls herself Toon! Bah!

Tomorrow is my painting critique. Have to finish the pieces up during my break. And make rice crispy treats for the class (because I am nice like that). Then all I have left are my Art History artists statement, my comic, printing, and a paper.

Seven class days left. This year sure went by quick.

I've got the sniffles

Another rather boring critique day in Experiments in Drawing. Modou is so determined to critique all that we do. I prefer the, "if you want credit and your piece critiqued, bring it to CLASS" line of thought. Not the, "we shall use up class time and look at everybodys work" reasoning. We spend the class critiquing a few new work (rave reviews on Karen's work) and half re-critiqued work that has been worked on since the class critique (the kitten and puppy thing has been played out now). We got out early so I thought I would go to Powell's and see if I spy and deals on paperbacks.

And I did! I got Ryu Murakami's Almost Transparent Blue. I now have all of his work in English, my numero uno favorite writer! They had a whole pile of the books and were all on cheap cheap sale. Sweet deal.

Worked on Karen's portrait a little. Ate some udon. Took it easy. Petted Ibanez.

Finished the portrait of her in class. Probably my quickest portrait to date. The red of the background is so vivid. Rather stunned at how much I grew between the three portraits. Now I just need to make them presentable.

I had a lot of ice cream today. Had a cone during my painting break. I hung out with Jen tonight (she has a nice room, lots of cool stuff) and we polished off 3/4 of my AmeriCone Dream pint. She gave me some Korean treats. Awesome person that Jen.

Tomorrow I will be printing. Don't know what kind of printing but I will be printing.

All that is left is printing and the comic (and the Art History paper). Week and a half left. Woah.

chocolate milk makes my day

Turns out the painting for Art History is due any time we want this week. Well, it is good that I have it done now. No worries while I work on the rest of it.

We had a test. I flubbed up the definition of odalisque, but I think my essay was in depth and I wrote enough about the pieces. I'm not too worried. I have no test anxiety in that class. She wants us to learn for us not learn for a test. One class remaining. We will look at our paintings and turn in a paper next class. And that is it for Art History.

Yoga was a lot of balance work. I'm not good at balance. Keep tipping all over the place.

It was a really beautiful and warm day today. Just had on a tee during my bike ride and all through class. Normally have a hoodie or a light jacket. Put all the windows open when I got home.

Took it easy.

Made a juice and ice cream run.

Today is Ibanez's birthday. He is four. Tomorrow is Jeanette's birthday. She is fabulous.

I watched David Lynch's Blue Velvet today. Kyle Maclachlan sure is a cutey but that movie made me really uncomfortable and weirded out. Really strange and horrible. Not made or performed badly, just the people and situations within it are quite...yeah.

Got about halfway done with my portrait of Karen. I don't know if I can get four done. I will have to finish that one tomorrow and start on a fourth but I don't get home till late on Wednesday. Hmmn. Oh well. I'll see how it goes.

Lindsay let me have some of her chocolate milk. She is wonderful like that.

I'm making a good working pace. I just need to make time for printing.

I've been reading Hugh Laurie's The Gunseller. I'm only about a chapter and a half in and I am loving it. They haven't changed the lingo in it to the American versions so that is great (IE: changing Philosopher's Stone to Sorcerer's Stone). Lovely little story. I'm keeping up with my New Year's resolution to read more.

a little something from Fry

Stephen Fry from a Bronzino

The assignment was to take what you have learned in Art History, find inspiration from a piece, and create a new work from it. Also a part of the newly acquired 511 Building had to be included.

I did a portrait of Stephen Fry inspired by Bronzino's Portrait of a Young Man.



Watercolor. 10"x14.

(I will eventually take good pictures of all my work).

where has all my ultramarine gone?

Mm yes, another missed post. It happens. I'll post some artwork to make up for it.

Yesterday:
I worked on my Art History painting a little in the morning. Got a few generic washes in on the suit and face and background. Fry looks a little like a corpse.

Jim came over around 3:20ish. We had a date(ish?) to see Iron Man. It almost was a double with Lindsay and Keesee but she opted out of it. We caught the 4:15 at the Metro. Wasn't as full as I was expecting. Got great seats. Iron Man was...well they showed some of the best parts in the trailers but it was great seeing them all big like on the screen. Robert Downey Jr. was spectacular, the effects were amazing, and the bit with Nick Fury after the credits was all WHOOO. It was in between good and great. It needs another movie (and it had a huge opening weekend gross so there should be more). It had a lot of trailers before the film. My sum up of them is as follows: Indiana Jones 4 looks actually really cool and seems to keep in spirit with the older ones, Dark Knight just gets better and better and now we see more of Harvey Dent, Incredible Hulk looks as cool as the first trailer, Love Guru...just looks horrible, what is Mike Meyers doing? and finally Don't Mess with Zohan looks just awful. Terrible. So a yay on the block busters, a nay on the comedies.

Afterwards we wandered about trying to figure out where to eat. We didn't get too far when Jim noticed he didn't have his cell so we went back to the theatre to check. It was under the seat. We went with Cha Cha Cha. Or...Ole Ole. Uhm. One of those. I had a quesedilla, he had one of those massive burritos and got about 3/4 of the way through. It was nice. It was fun. I probably won't get to hang out and go out for the next two weeks. I'll be doing the art stuff nonstop. Brilliant!

Today:
Got up. Walked about enjoying the sun. Then went inside and worked.

And worked.

And worked.

Paint paint paint. Watched the rest of Memento. Watched A Scanner Darkly. Watched some Doctor Who. And got my Stephen Fry painting DONE. Not sure if it looks much like him though. I'm not totally keen on it but it is what it is.

I talked to Ellie today. Long time to chatty. Talked with Briana as well. Double dose of old friends!

Karen returned my lightbox. She gave me tons of cookies in thanks for lending it too me.

Robin stopped over for some night time tea and cookies. We chatted. I showed her my small photo album. Chatted some more. We all need a little company, or else we will go crazy and talk to our cats and have conversations about how you(the cat) are TOTALLY spoiled and have WAY too many toys. Yeah.

Trillzino

Got up at a semi-reasonable hour and went to work. The studios were dark and mostly vacant. Had to locate my broom and dustpan. The smaller one is missing again. They were giving away free sandwiches at school so I got one for lunch and chatted with Jim and Robin a bit. Put in an order for more large bags. I got a cheer when I came around a corner with my arms filled with toilet paper to replenish the bathrooms (they were seriously depleted).

Mostly uneventful day of work. Sat and read. Only two more shifts I have to work and then I am done.

It took me a long time to get into working tonight. A long time. But I think I accomplished a lot today. I have my sketch of Karen done for my portrait. All it needs is paint. I think she might be a little low or centered in the composition, but it needs to be painting before I can tell. Hmm. Also got my Art History piece all sketched out. The assignment is to create a piece inspired by something were learned in class AND to incorporate a part of the new 511 building. So I was inspired by Bronzino's Portrait of a Young Man. It is a portrait of a man of books and intellectual society. And with further description it led me naturally into what I am going to do: a portrait of Stephen Fry based on the pose of Bronzino's work. I'm VERY happy with how the face is looking. The pose is a good copy, considering I had adapt it for Mr. Fry's figure. The book his hand is draped on I will try to make into one of his, and I changed one of the carved faces in the piece into Hugh Laurie's face. The background is the 511 building. It fits...decently enough. I can't wait to start painting it. Which will happen tomorrow as it is due way too soon, but I won't rush it. I have faith in my ability and speed(thanks to Annie).

Finished watching Requiem for a Dream. The ending is so horrible. So tragic.

Watched a bit more Black Books. That series is so amazing. So hilarious.

But I don't wanna

Today became sort of a rest day. Oh I worked, but not as hard as I have been working. Tomorrow I will be right back at it, starting work on one of my final portraits. Or my art history final. One of those.

Went to Mia's final thesis proposal. She made a book containing illustrations pertaining to the recovery and situation of youth being diagnosed with cancer. It was inspired by a friend of hers. Really beautiful work. I saw her outside the room and she said, "Oh good, you came," and when I went into her presentation room it was packed full! I tried my best to keep my lollipop opening quiet, but I still got a dirty look from Matt. No one else though.

After the lecture I went about printing. Which ended up being a total flop. Somewhere along the line I screwed my plate up and when it came to printing, it ended up being one big mess. I think it had to do with too little lithotene. I worked from 10 to 1:30, with a little break for food. I still did two prints, but they look like crap. I have about 8 of the first ones left so I can't really flub up the next time. Sucks! I don't like being set back like this. And that was a lot of time used up. BAAAH!!

I went to another thesis proposal. It was a series of illustrations about Detroit done by someone who has only spent three weeks there. Lindsay was going to make sure the person did it right. She says he did. Saw a lot of the comic people at the lecture. Daniel was there are both of them. He shaved down his beard into a HUGE moustache. It...is huge.

Walked home with Lindsay. I felt really tired so I took a nap while she went out to First Thursday. Ibanez napped with me. Ibanez, however, did not join me for dinner. Then I loaded up some youtube, popped in Requiem for a Dream, and set about finishing my sequential narrative piece for painting (not at all finals related, just a piece I haven't finished but it isn't due till the end so that is alright).

One thing I was watching was this show called Black Books. It has Dylan Moran as a book seller and general loaf with his accountant and friend from the shop next door. It is British and hilarious. I watched about five episodes tonight while painting. Great work that.

Got an email from mum suggesting I stay in the dorms another year.

mmm fish

Six pages done. I am now taking a little break from the comics and will be working on the finals that are due much sooner (like the portraits, art history final, and printing). Six means I am halfway. Halfway in three days. A lot of work gets done if you sit and work work work.

I met up with Pearl to talk about my schedule. Actually I signed up correctly. Took the right Art History class and as for Science F(r)iction, well I needed to take a liberal arts class as well so that doesn't count as an elective. I also asked about the internship my Sophomore year and she said that I need to talk to Andy about it. I'm responsible, I can do it. One of the reason's I am here, so I am totally going to do it. I'm way ahead anyway. So all I added to my schedule was: The Figure, taught by Morgan Walker. Tuesday is a really long day, but I get a three day weekend and Wednesday off so I think that works out just dandy. Another full semester. I am taking three 300 level classes (The Figure, Science F(r)iction, History of Design) and two 200 level (Illustration Studio I, Painting Techniques II). It will be difficult, but hey what can I say, I am awesome.

Returned some DVD's and swung by Trader Joe's to get the rest of my needed groceries (milk, eggs, bread, frozen breaded cod, lollipops). Then I settled in for another round of comics! Whee! Even though there were less backgrounds, the anatomy I had to draw was tricky. Hard to make up positions with no reference. Got it drawn and inked and started in the wash but I took a break for yoga.

I really got into the final corpse pose. I just oozed into my mat. So peaceful. It was a much needed rest during this nonstop week.

Finished up the page. Looks consistent to the rest of the comic. Awesome! Watched Kill Bill volume 1, Gone in Sixty Seconds, and Spaced. I'm running low on things to watch.

Had a delicious early dinner of salad and breaded cod. For coming out of the freezer, they are not half bad. Portland lacks good Fish & Chips. Really needing some Ivar's right now.

name pun #324

Going to call it an early (midnight) night tonight. Didn't get as much work done as I would have liked, but still I am keeping on with it all.

Went to Charley's thesis. He did a great job. I can't wait for the final product. When I came in he said "my audience just got a Trillian times better". Hee hee. He is doing an illustrated novella. Seeing more of his work blew me away. It is amazing! I can't see how he is so self-defacing all the time. Boo Charley, boo!

Returned some comics to the library and checked out a neat little pile of DVD's to watch while working.

Outside of a trip to get desperately needed groceries, I stayed in and worked on my comic. It keeps getting slower and slower. But I am working. Still working. There was a lot of weird shading to be done today. Took me a while. I also was watching movies I haven't seen as much and so couldn't as easily ignore.

Comic standing as of this moment: five complete pages. One page 5/8ths of the way pencilled. It is only Tuesday and I am at almost half way. Movie/tv watched: Art School Confidential (oh dear god, it is so very true). More QI. Spaced. Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Oh speaking of that, mom did you like Hedwig?

Tomorrow I meet with Pearl to discuss my upcoming classes. After that I work and if yoga isn't cancelled, I am going to do that in the evening. Have to make a second grocery run as well, for eggs, milk, bread, and juice. Nighty night all!

2am trill

You know, when I am just working all day on the same thing it doesn't make for that interesting of blogging.

Anywhoo, got up for Mikayla's thesis proposal. Really funky uneven sleep. Not so grand. Oh well. Her thesis went well. Really complex and heavy idea about art as social practice. I don't think I quite got it, but I trust that she knows what she is doing. The print lab is occupied during the time on Wednesday when I thought I would be using it. Dang. Yoga was cancelled so after talking to Tabby-Sue, Soh-kuhn, Leah, and Matt, I went home.

I read That Salty Air by Sievert. I got through it really quick. The art is lovely. Great water and character designs. The octopus truly did rock. So after that, I buckled down and sat my bum in front of the computer for another round of what I like to call: Trillian draws a comic that gets progressively weirder and harder to draw. If I do two a day, I will be done on Friday. I have other finals to consider so I am not quite assigning a "two-a-day" goal. One plus is more reasonable. Yesterday I got two one and one pencilled, today I have just two done. I had to include more objects and thus more variations of color. Really tricky. Thankfully comics are not intended to be read from a distance. Huzzah! The text is near illegible unfortunately. I need to work on that. I am not a text person. I wouldn't include it if I could think of a way not to. I am amazed at the variation that is coming up in the panels.

Today I watched: about four-six episodes of QI. Night Watch (Nochnoi Dozor). Shaun of the Dead. The Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2007.

Lindsay and I got pizza for dinner. Out fridge is looking really sparse these days. I really must go shopping.

pretty fan-damn-tastic

I've been sitting in almost the same spot since noon.

I have two pages of my comic done and a third mostly pencilled in.

Today I watched: Ghostbusters. Stardust. Three episodes on QI. The Christmas special that started series 2 of Doctor Who. Cowboy Bebop The Movie.

I didn't do much else besides eat and shower and shove Ibanez out of my lap.

I'm pleased with how the comic is shaping up. I have some great panels thus far. Go me! This next week is going to be filled with getting up, going to some presentations, coming home, and working for hours and hours. It isn't so bad, actually I am having a lot of fun. I am feeling challenged but not over worked. It isn't a strain, I just have to keep at it.

I need to get some more food. I'm down to carbohydrates again.

it was a sunny day and I was inside

Stumptown Comics Fest was fun. Not as fun as the last one but still pretty fantastic.

Panels:
Started off with Nicholas Gurewitch's one. Really good considering he winged most of it. And he had a robot. Always badass. Went to the Craig Thompson panel as well, despite the lack of me reading any of his work(no clue why I haven't, but now that I have some I can!).

Meeting Cool People:
Didn't interact with as many people as last one either. It was so crowded, it made it really hard to. Didn't really meet many awesome people. Just sort of remet a few old ones. Actually I was disappointed by a lot of the artwork, and that is what I come for mostly so bah. Disappointment! Did remeet Nicholas Gurewitch and the end of the day (when his line had almost vanished). He remembered me! How cool. I met Tim Sievert at the Top Shelf table. He was really sweet(and easy on the eyes) and when I flipped through the comics I was in awe of his octopuses (again with the Stumptown octopuses...)and his art in general. So his comic was the first that I bought of the day. He didn't know how to spell my name(I asked him, "what kind of a nerd are you?") so I wrote it in the book and he signed it. And DREW AN OCTOPUS! He rocks. And asked me to please enjoy it. Awww. I saw Kazimir Strzepek from a distance a couple times but I never approached him. He was just visiting and didn't have a table. The Robopocalypse people had a table. It was a pretty badass spread that they had.

Spending Money:
I am being a good American and am spending my refund. It is my money and I earned it! And this only comes around once a year. I'm very good. I didn't really buy anything from the people selling. Well not the lonesome sellers. The prices were suddenly more expensive than last one. I can't randomly buy a lot of $15 comics! Even if they look good, that is still a lot of money and if I buy a couple of those then my budget gets killed fast. I bought a story/illustration collection, the comic from Tim Sievert, 3 scuffed comics for $10 from Oni, a grab bag of cheap comics ($1), a half off anthology of autobiographies, and I went back to the Top Shelf table and said "I have this much money left, any sweet deals you can give me?" And the guy who wasn't Sievert said, "I can give you Blankets for that." And I said deal. Now I have Craig Thompson's 500+page tome in my collection and I got it for a fairly good deal.

Friends:
I rode the train with Michal and Blair. Interesting ride. I met Matt pretty much the instant I entered the building. Nicole was manning the PNCA table. Andy was there looking tall. Karen was looking fabulous. Jim was also there being tall. I ran into Danny and that really surprised me. As evidenced by my, "I thought you were a dork, I never knew you were a nerd!" comment. Philip was there with awesome hair. It is cool now that I am getting to know more of the community. But damn there were some nerdy people there. Karen, Jim and I went to Lloyd Center and got lunch. I set off the alarm at Macy's a couple times but no one came running. The books I had acquired were not desensitized.

The Afterparty:
Karen parted ways from Jim and I. After I spent all my money there was little point to me sticking around. Also it was ridiculously crowded so meeting people was mostly a bust. So I hopped on the Max and headed back to the Goose. And Jim tagged along. There were some crazy shouting people on the Max. And a guy named "Ace Venom" that used to work with Jim. He looked exactly like you would imagine a guy who changed his name to "Ace Venom" to look.

The rest of the day was spent hanging out with Jim, fighting off a killer headache, sorting my new finds into my shelves, eating spaghetti, coughing, and generally not doing a damn thing about my finals. Whatever. I need rest. I am going to be getting exactly that in a few. Tomorrow the game starts.

dressed like a villain

Feel much better, my cough is even starting to subside. That is good.

Even managed to get up early and get to school on time to print out the handouts for my presentation. I rock! I had extra time in fact so I called mom and we chatted.

My presentation, I think, went well. Stuttered a little bit but I always do. Had lots of material and knew what I was going over and showed a nice bit of Mirrormask. This was one of the few classes where we were there up until the last minute. Squeezed a lot out of it.

Left my keycard at home so I had to go get it. I am getting sick of my commute. I love biking and totally plan to continue to do it, I would just like a break. Or not have so many double bike trips.

Work went really quick. Had to locate my OTHER broom. I left out extra toilet paper because I'm sure there will be more people coming and going in the studios than normal over the weekend and coming week. Matt gave me a scare when I was changing the trash. I was in my head not paying attention and he went "boo" and I said a swear and he laughed. JERK FACE. Chatted with Andy who is doing these spectacular abstract paintings. Morgan is up to his normal Morganity. That dude is awesome.

Almost done with Rent Girl. Mostly reading it just because I heard so many females loathed it. It just seems like a sort-of cut and paste story. Nothing too original or ground breaking yet. Has its moments but meh.

Took yet another nap with Ibanez when I got home. I don't think I am low on iron, just low on sleep.

I didn't have much motivation to work in the evening. I am giving myself this time to recover from illness. And to ponder how to wear my trench to optimize awesome.

REFRIDGERON - DISASSEMBLE!

I met Nicholas Gurewitch, the creator of Perry Bible Fellowship. He was doing a signing at Floating World Comics so I stopped by. He signed my copy of The Trial of Colonel Sweeto and Other Stories. We chatted a little but I was really jittery and starstruck. Waaah! So exciting. He dug my name and my bike helmet and was eager to show me the hidden 42's in his work. Tee hee. When I asked about taking a photo with him, he asked if he could wear my helmet. Hee hee. I love his work so much. He was sweet, more soft spoken than I thought. I'll see him again at Stumptown. Maybe then I will have calmed down.

Critique went smoothly. As in it was a pretty recognized fact that my big blue mess wasn't all that successful. But I had my little drawings up as well so some nice dialogue was started. Sara called my work "Illustrator-y" and "conventional". As in, drawing figures in outlines and with washes is conventional. Seemed like she was suggesting I find a whole new way of drawing figures. Uhm okay? Modou said it was more classical than conventional, which I took as a compliment but it sort of wasn't? I guess maybe because I wasn't being Avant Garde or "new" with how I presented them? Eh I don't really care. My critiques have never really been in depth into the structure of them and Sara always mentions something about it being hard to critique my work because I am an Illustrator. I think she doesn't like Illustrators. Well, if she likes my work then I might actually be worried about it. She can be closed minded. That's okay. She can keep to her highly conceptual work that is just a big mess of cute and I'll keep to my comics.

Ibanez and I took a three hour nap when I got home.

Painting was a brief critique of our final pieces thus far. I don't think I will tweak the one of Llyw until I get everything done. If I try to make it as good as Robin's and then the next ones blow Robin's out of the water then I'll have to do more reworking. I'll just see where they are when I get the portraits done.

Didn't get much time to rest at home before going to Floating World Comics. Due to the amount of bike riding I have done today, my hair is so wind blown and cool looking. I finished my little report on Neil Gaiman for Comic Lit tomorrow. Now I am going to make myself some dinner, try and digest as much From Hell as possible, and then write about it. If it wasn't for the nap, I would be so dead right now.

Tomorrow I have my presentation and work. After work I might print, just to get it out of the way early. Saturday is Stumptown Comics Fest. Then it is Sunday and next week is Spring Focus Week. In two weeks time I have to: paint two portraits, draw up more comic pages then I would like to admit to, paint something for Art History, and finish up my printing. Focus week is the cram week. And by cram I mean hunched over drawing and painting and printing week.

the list shortens

I am covered with the blood of printmakers. Ink everywhere! But I am now half way done with the mostly final project in printmaking. Just have to run off some prints of my reworked plates and then that is it.

So yeah, long long day in printmaking. I got my aluminium. Photocopied both my images. Put the first image on. It went on without a hitch. I was very worried too. Seemed like it could have easily gone horribly wrong (it did for another person). But it didn't. Came back from lunch and etched it. Cut my paper. Rolled up the ink. Prepared everything. And I printed. From about 2:30 to 4:30. Which really isn't all that long but it is two solid hours where I couldn't stop because stopping would mean the plate might dry out. Can't have that. The red ink went onto the paper much nicer than the black. It was also my own mix of red and not straight from the can so that made it extra special. It was a rich and bright red. A lovely one. Vibrant. So I got all the prints done and they look great stand alone.

I now see the wonders that litho present to me. The variety of colors I could combine...the images I could apply to the metal... oh dear oh dear. I want to do more! I went from image on paper to 10 prints in five hours. And the second round to finish the print should go quicker. Damn I'm loving this. I must do more!

Comic club was cancelled due to no Karen so no paper for Jam. Also not that many people were in the commons, the posters went up late, there were no tables in the commons, and with no food it is hard to draw a crowd. But I had a good lunch anyway. I sat with Jim and Daniel and chatted comic stuff and ate my sandwich. Was a very good lunch.

After being hunched over printing for hours, it felt so great to recline in a chair. Unfortunately I had to read From Hell and that killed the fun of relaxing. I think I would enjoy it more if I had more time to spend with it. I find the history interesting but it is going on and on and makes for slow reading. Get on with the murdering already! Blah blah blah I'm tired of the character portrait of London.

Yoga was brilliant. It unkinked my back. Got me out of my slouch. I even got my heels down during Downwards Facing Dog. I don't know what I would do without yoga. Helps me unwind and keep me loose and upright. I think I would be a bundle of tense if I never took the chance.

A wee bit chilly and windy going home. Made myself a bit plate of frozen stir-fry (very bland but warm) and some hash browns. Conversed with Lindsay. Finished my big blue mess. It is still a big blue mess, just with a big blue lady over it all. Meh.

Portrait of Robin

Portrait of my friend Robin for my Painting Techniques for Illustrators Final.
Watercolor. 10"x14"

Lollipop (candyTrill)

Whoo I win twenty bucks! I'm not all that sore from yesterday. I woke up creaky and the first bike ride was hellish but I'm not so bad right now. Just tired. But it is 1am so that is understandable. But I don't have to roll out of bed till 10 so it's all good!

The first part of Experiments in Drawing critique. I brought my big blue mess of a drawing but we didn't critique it. Yeah I don't like it. I don't like having to redraw figure drawings. Plus I'm not trying ot say anything with it and Modou asks that of us. The drawing isn't me. It isn't how I do things. I'm not looking forward to having to defend it. But enough about me.

The critique went decent enough. Same old good analysis (though a little lack luster this time around). No one cried. Same old negative comments. Sort of the same "this would be really nice on a wall" suggestions which are USELESS. Ohh I'll draw on the wall, okay. I'll work on that at home and bring that in. Mmmhmm. I was starving during class (ran out of granola bars). Karen was nice enough to lend me some chips after I elbowed her in the face.

The first ride home is always the worst of the two. So sore and tired and still waking up.

There are ants that are crawling about one of the pieces in the student show. Part of the piece has sunny side up eggs on plates on the ground. Real eggs too, they have been there for about a week with no replacement. It is rather disgusting. And now there are ants. Bleh.

Rewatched Mirrormask to figure out what scene to show the class on Friday(for my presentation). Rob Brydon is in it! I knew he was in it but I never really knew how awesome he was. Now I am a QI educated gal and I can say he is quite cool. I liked it much more the second time around.

On the way home I swung by Trader Joe's to get some granola bars, juice, a multi-vitamin, and some lollipops. They have the best lollipops. So delicious.

Didn't do much during my break. Really needed the break. Need it. The little list of things to do looms over me. Actually right now I feel totally on top of things. It is all doable. A little while ago (about 10 hours?)I was worried. It seems like so much. But now my mind has wrapped around what I need to do and when. I'm good.

Finished the painting of Robin in class. I propped it up and stepped away and was blown away by it. Things just suddenly fell into place with the painting. I have improved so much, I almost can't believe it. Was I once wary of this class because I feared the medium? I can't remember. I have gone beyond the expectations I had of myself.

I passed by a syringe on the ground on my ride home. Not so fun. Also not fun was the heavy rain expelling itself from the underbelly of the clouds.

I did my laundry. It was much needed. Two loads. I almost never do two loads. But now I have clean towels and undies. It's a good thing.

I'm up so late because it took me so long to rethink of a lithograph idea and to draw it out. I didn't have the time to do what I wanted, but what I changed it to I am excited about. Just a face, but if the color lays how I want it to, it will be fierce. I like the art of the design just as is. Thankfully I will be working from photocopies and won't be destroying the original. Tomorrow is a work day. If I can manage to run off the first printing of the piece, well that will be rad. That is sort of what I am shooting for.

The rest of tomorrow will be spent reading From Hell, thinking about my Art History design, and working on my Experiments and Drawing piece. I don't think I'll get it to a point where I like it. Like I said, just sort of looks like a big blue mess.

the magic number

Wow. Twenty bucks says my next entry starts with "I'M SORE AND HURT ALL OVER."

The Art History test was delayed so that Libby could teach us more more more. We got up to Manet and that is about it. So much info that was so generally covered. I must have more! Thankfully I have to take two art history electives. Whoo!

Yoga was standard yoga. It cut a little into class time though. Oh well.

The time to register for next semester is upon me. So begins the "I signed up for this, then this, then I changed it to this after talking to Pearl" season. I could only figure out four classes to take. I really need to talk to Pearl. Three of them are pretty certain though. So what I am taking (which will most likely change) is:
Illustration Studio I: Word + Image (with Chad)
Painting Techniques for Illustrators II (with someone that isn't Annie)
History of Design (there's a Art History 1945-1970 option but this works better with my schedule)
Science F(r)iction (the most temporary class right now. Just something I signed up for as an elective. It is another lit class with Trevor).

So yeah, that will most assuredly change. I'd like to take five classes but I have no idea how to fill it up.

I helped Karen put up posters for comic club and went home. Lousy weather. I only had a short amount of time to relax and put another layer on my drawing before it was time to go.

Go to Melanie's 30th Birthday Sun Salutation Extravaganza!! Melanie is my Monday Yoga teacher. She was doing 108 Sun Salutations in honor of her big day and invited people to join her, so I did. Sun Salutations are a cycle of movements in sync to breathing. One rotation is: prayer, swam dive down, flat back, hop to plank, scoop down through chutarunga and go into cobra, back into downwards facing dog, hop your feet to your hands, flat back, sweep your arms up, and come back into prayer. And that is one. I did 27, then I drew for a bit (I asked if I could ahead of time, the results were actually nice for being really quick). I did about five more in the middle, and finished the whole 108 with another 10 or so. A grand total of about...

42 Sun Salutations. Ha!

It was intense and nice. I have never gone over the Burnside Bridge on my bike before. Going across was worse than coming back, but coming back I had that final stretch with the hill. Stopped by Ole Ole and got a mondo burrito which I scarfed about 3/4 of when I arrived home. I did another layer on my drawing. Not sure how I am going to take it to school tomorrow. Hmmnn. Now I am just relaxing. I know I'll be sore tomorrow but it was so worth it.

return to productivity

It was a productive day but I don't feel like it was.

I have all my pages thumbnailed. It is 11 pages which is a lot to do in a couple weeks, but a lot of them have rather simple panels. I also have the first page mostly drawn out. Once I figure out how I want Chiaki to look, then I can get started. Thumbnailing doesn't look like much but now that I have it, I can just get into the actual meat of the comic.

Added another layer to my Experiments in Drawing piece. It is coming together slowly. Looks better with one more layer and the entire piece filled in with some sort of line or value.

But ehh, only two things? The next two weeks will be a busy time spent playing catch-up. At least my health seems to have returned.

the beauty of paper

Hoo boy did I sleep in. It was nice. My voice is doing a lot better. Still strained but I can talk without it going out or having to change the tone.

Walked down to Art Media to get some paper and a new brush. On the way their I saw an amazing coat in Goodwill. I stopped in my tracks when I saw it. It was cheap and it fit when I put it on. So I got it. Damn you window display! I would have walked right past without you there. As I was ringing it up, the lady behind the counter noticed a shop lifter and had to go into pursuit.

So yeah, after that I went to Art Media. Got a lovely new round brush, a beautiful piece of Arches paper, and a block of 6x9 paper for my final comic.

The potential a blank piece of paper has is so amazing. Anything could come out of it.

So I did a few layers of wash on it. Still needs some work. Just going for abstract I guess. I'm having fun. Started thumb nailing my comic as well. It is going fairly well. Excited to start. I'm staring with Chiaki's introduction. If I get that done, I may do more, but that is my goal.

Not so bad, but not so great. Tomorrow will be work filled.

Ibanez got a new toy. Right now he is sprawled on my lap, except I have my knees tucked up so he is laying across my legs (which are at about a 60 degree angle) with his head on my knees. He is sort of sandwiched it. Very cute.

I read about two "edgy" artists today. One of them, Aliza Shvarts, is staging a hoax performance out of Yale. She says she has had several abortions for art and blah blah blah. But she doesn't have documentation and expects us to believe her. Pfft.

Another guy, Guillermo Vargas, took a stray dog out of the streets and tied it up in a gallery to starve to death. He said it would have died anyway and it represented how people just watch things like that happen every day and do nothing. That makes sense to me(the people standing by part, not the killing animals for art part). People don't stop and ask if a homeless man is alright, they just walk right by. And if the people were really outraged they would have shut down the show and tried to save the dog as it was happening. They just let it die and then later said how horrible it was. He is trying to do it again and now people are trying to stop it from happening all together. Really to make a point they should let him start it and then save the animal. Because then he would be proved wrong; people do care when such atrocities are going on in front of their eyes.

Just a cool video of a couple dancing

sandwich x3

Voice is still squeaking along. Getting worse and worse. Had a nice talking break during work and I didn't say much in class so it worked out.

From Hell was a meaty class. Sort of. It is a really hard comic to digest. Hard to break the skin, let alone devour it. Next class will have four presentations (including mine on Neil Gaiman) and a segment of a documentary. We got out early so I went to work early.

I FINALLY found the missing smaller broom. Some studio jerk had stashed it in their studio, but I saw it and retrieved it. Makes my job so much easier to have the proper broom. The studios were very vacant today. I was full enough so I just had some cookies for lunch. Sat in my supply closet and read Invisibles on my break. Such a good comic even though I can barely comprehend what is happening and all the little changes.

So I decided to just stay in the dorms for the summer. Much cheaper, you can pay in a lump sum, and then I can travel! I filled out the form and turned it in. Saw Jim and we chatted a bit. We parted ways and I saw Michael and I rode my bike along side him up to 19th and we parted ways there.

Made myself what will probably be my last cheesesteak for a while.

I went to movie night at the school (my first in a while). It was Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. I don't think I have ever seen the movie in full before. I wonder how that happened. It is awesome! I blame my parents. The film night had sandwiches instead of pizza. I had two.

This weekend I have a lot of work I need to get a jump on. Comic layouts, drawing for Modou's class, Litho drawings, art history planning, portrait painting. I can do it!

mute point

Yup. My voice is mostly gone now. I still forced myself to talk and utilize my new voice to creep people out.

Another day of figure drawing in Experiments in Drawing. I used ink washes again but this time I did the drawings on my left of strips of paper from printmaking. The layered drawings turned out really well. I have them pinned on my wall right now. I'm actually excited to start work on the large drawing. One of the many things I have to do this weekend.

After class I went to Trader Joe's and picked up a couple things. I deposited my refund check (whoo! money!) and swung by the Bel-Aire Apartments again. They are actually closer to nicer areas than I originally thought.

Another option has arisen in my quest of escape from the Goose: a summer lease. They have leases that last a couple months. Then I would be looking for a place in July instead. It gives me more time and when I find a place the lease would expire in time for me to (hopefully) study abroad in Belgium during the first part of my Junior year. It would be cheaper and it would enable me to travel with the parents during the summer. Hmmn.

Wasted my break being sick. Well I called home and talked with mum, that wasn't a waste.

Worked on the painting of Robin. We signed up for our final critiques and I took a spot on the first day. Better to get it over with early. Get it done right and not squeezed in at the end when everyone is burned out and/or gone. But it also means I need to finish Robin and do two more paintings in the next couple weeks. Yipes!

I rode past a guy in a reclining bike. I barely saw him. I'd be afraid of a Hummer running me over in one of those things.

Went home. Read From Hell. Ate food. Was sick.

illness shared by one

My voice is going out. I can't hit high notes without going silent and my regular voice is strained and creaky. I also have a dry cough to go with it. But I'm not tired or achy really, so that is good.

Printmaking was only somewhat productive. I am trying to flatten out my litho prints...it isn't working out that great. Etched and hardgrounded my bigfoot plate. Sprayed and etched and hardgrounded my duet plate. I think I did more but there was a lot of sitting around and looking at presentations. I stuck around for the full class though. That is always good.

Karen and I went to Urban Grind for lunch. I had a caramel steamer and a panini. Very filling and warm. Mmm.

Sort of sat in a daze for an hour and read a little of From Hell. Yoga was good but I couldn't relax enough at the end because of the pain in my chest (from my body wanting to cough).

I did the dishes and cleaned my room. I made a formal list of the order I have to work on my assignments. It isn't that long, but the projects are big.

my day as a model

Whoooeee I feel like crap. I have a tickle in my throat and a bad consistent cough. Almost got to the point of thinking about not going to class today. But I still went. I just felt horrid. Bad night's sleep.

Modou noticed that I looked like crap. I guess that was nice? He asked if I was well or sumfink. He was in a very good mood. We looked over our drawings briefly and talked about what our pieces are going to be. Then it was time to either work on our concepts or draw each other if we missed class. I volunteered to pose as I didn't have good paper to draw on. I whipped out my yoga skills in a series of about six five-minute poses. They were awesome ones as well. Lots of fun things. I liked the attention, I must admit. Lindsay and I posed together and then she did a couple more while I relaxed and drew her. Then it was time for break!

For the rest of class we has a special speaker come in, a one Samantha Wall. She showed us slides of her work and talked about it. One of her pieces is in the library and it is HUGE! The scale she works in just boggles my mind.

Rode home in a sickly delirium. Took a nice nap with Ibanez. Very nice. Had some pasta for lunch. Felt a little bit better but still generally bad. Bleh.

During class I started painting the portrait of Robin. I'm surprised at how seemingly easy it was to paint. I started with the photo references and then I came up with what I knew was there and it blended wonderfully. Her face needs some work but it is coming together nicely. Go me!

A much easier ride home the second time around. Sort of sat about in a daze and watched more Naked. Yeah I'm still not so keen on that movie. So many intolerable or pitiful characters.

Earlier, impressed by my skills, Karen asked me to pose for her later tonight and so I obliged. I just wore a tank and a pair of leggings. It wasn't that kind of modeling. Did some more poses, and some longer ones. Wore my heeled shoes and my yukata and had a good time. I used up a lot of my creative ones during class so I had to think some more. The results were wonderful, and they look like me! Go Karen!

Then we watched the light show.

can't stop, won't stop (when it comes to litho printing)

Oh wow. Really long day.

I left my slide printouts for Art History so I had to write them on the back of the next slide notes. Actually it might have been better as I had to pay attention more. As usual there were less people after lunch. They just go any don't come back. Really odd.

Yoga was jam packed with sun salutations. Melanie, the teacher, is turning 30 in a week and she plans to do like 108 in a row. I get sore after 8(and we did 15 today). Blimey! She is awesome. Yoga felt really good on my body. I was so creaky and sore and tired and it really needed the bending into shape that it did.

After class, at around 2:30, I went into the print lab and I didn't leave until about 7:45. And that was pretty much working straight. Worked on my plates. Etched my stone. Inked my stone. Did about eight prints. Didn't stop for non-printing break. I sort of staggered out of the lab, grabbed some munchies, and rode home at dusk. So much work just to be on top of things. At least I think I did it all right. My stone is even prepped so that if I want to do more prints I can.

I got home and pretty much made myself dinner and plopped down in front of the computer. I've been browsing the net and on occasion watching bits of Mike Leigh's movie Naked. I mostly checked it out from the library because it was mentioned on the back of Ryu Murakami's Piercing so I thought it might be up my alley in terms of theme. Ehh, it isn't. David Thewlis is amazing in it, but I don't know. It is a lot of him wandering around from place to place and generally being a theologizing jerk. Mmnn.

Can't wait to crawl into bed.

can't be cooped on a day like this

I've spent most of this weekend out and about. Or hanging out. Or being Yogafied. Been away from the Internet, but now I'm back! Whoo!

Yesterday:
I had a great and much needed sleep in. I rolled out of bed around noon and was greeted by an amazing day. I had committed myself to printing so I got all geared up and went to get my paper by Art Media. I only made it to the top of the hill before I had to remove my light sweater and continue on. It was really really hot. I was in a tank and short pants and I was still overheating a little.

I got my paper and went to school. The lab was closing at 5 due to a big gala at school. I knew I wouldn't be able to get my printing done so I just worked on my plates instead. Mel called me with an update on a video project I was helping her out with. So yeah, I only worked at school until 3:00 and then I was out of there! But I got a lot done. I sugarlifted and hardgrounded my big foot and I did a first etch on both of the other plates. They look a little funky so I have to see how they print.

The ride home was spectacular. My arms are so pasty.

I loafed around until it was time for my part in the video project. Mel, Jim and I went up to Karen's to use her nook for our scene. I only had one line (Jim is the star). We had about three or four takes and that was it. I hung around my place for a few and then Jim came over when he was done helping them with the project.

We sat about and talked about comics and the like. We went for a walk up to the park and the overlook bridge. Lots more comic nerd talk and school talk. I cooked up some dinner and afterwards we took part in the face-melting experience that is Lindsay's light show. Now that there is more on it and black light and a red colored light...oh wow. It boggled my mind and I got so caught up with it. Afterwards I had a good lay down.

Today:
Didn't sleep so well but I have tomorrow to sleep in. And it is needed. Probably going to retire early and just sit up in bed reading comics for an hour. From Hell is still slow going. It will always be slow going.

I walked around Portland with Karen and Robin today. Not as beautiful as Yesterday but still lovely. Karen was taking pictures for an assignment and I was just there to be out of the house and whatnot. We went to a bakery for lunch. My sandwich needed to be toasted but it was still good. Lots of roaming. I got some cheesecake brownie ice cream from Ben & Jerry's. We looked at Portlandia. Then we returned home.

I kicked up my feet for all of ten minutes before going down a floor to draw Robin (for my final). I am very pleased with how she turned out. We took a short break where I read more of Mark Millar's Kick Ass (ridiculous comic) and then we went to Yoga! We walked all the way to school, which isn't really that far but I had done a few miles worth of walking earlier so I was fairly tired. Tricia showed up almost late for Yoga and we had a quick little private lesson. A little shorter than usual but damn I am feeling it anyway.

We picked up a burrito from Cha Cha Cha to share and went back to Goose Hollow. The burrito was delicious and very filling. I am oh so stuffed and sore and tired. But I feel good. The time for finals is upon me and I am ready for it.

fresh princess of Bel Aire

Lindsay got into the juried show at PNCA. Go her, she totally rocks!

A wee early for a blog but hey, why not? I'm going out tonight so I might as well make it early rather than late.

Comic Lit ended with a brilliant debate about the inclusion of 9/11 to the Marvel/DC universes. It was the first real debate, everyone rather agreed up until then. Turned in my paper, drank tea, talked about Super Spy, listened to presentations, watched the rest of the documentary we started at the beginning of class, and debated. It was fun.

I left my key card at home so I had to do a quick circle back to get it. A brilliant day so the bike ride was very enjoyable. Work went fast and things got clean. Afterwards I went to check out my first apartment!

It ended up being two places actually. The first was at the Portland Tower. The actual studio wasn't open she showed me around a little so I could get the feel. Pros: nice 50's building that keeps up with renovations. Quiet seeming community. Just enough off Burnside but still really really close to everything. I have roof access apparently. Opening in time for me to move out. Cons: two burners, small fridge, and no oven. Only one studio opening on the second floor. A little pricey.

The second place was the Bel-Aire apartments. It is on Burnside. Little building and it got really quiet once I was inside (but I don't know how it will be at night). Self locking doors so really secure. Pros: full stove and larger fridge. A little closer by a block. Cheaper. More studios opening in May. Cons: Right on a main road. Mostly a view of a parking lot.

The lady I talked to was awesome and were open to showing me around. I like these places. Right now I am weighing pricey and small kitchen but slightly nicer area and building versus cheaper with full kitchen in a not so great place.

Went home, picked up Lindsay's black light, ate some pasta, read some of Alan Moore's From Hell (holy crap this is a dense comic), and looked through my closet and picked out my house warming party outfit!

Right now it seems to be: white chucks + blue knee high socks + black leggings + floral mini dress + orange Henley underneath + the cuteness that is Trillian. It might be a bit warm but it is fun and it will be colder by the time I go out. It has been insanely nice today, I hope it keeps through the weekend.

1:40am update:
Back from the party. It was fun and I knew a majority of the people that were there. I was the first and met Nicole's two roommates. Then came Natalie and Brian. Matt, Craig, Tricia, and Jason came in a group. Sean Carney and a friend were there. The guy who remembers my name but sadly I do not remember his name, he was there with his boyfriend. Andy was there. Michael (one of the MFA, not the Michael mentioned previously) was there for a bit with his kids. Another MFA whose name escaped me was there. BT and a girl who is in my comic class were there. Aidan delivered Pizzas and joined us later. There was about 3-6 people who I didn't know that breezed through during it all.

I mingled and chatted with most. Nerded it up. We watched the original Night of the Living Dead with Sean and Jason doing voice overs. I also watched Venture Brothers for the first time (hilarious). Nicole's place is great. They have the bottom half of a house. Huge kitchen, living room, work room, two bathrooms and three bedrooms. And they painted their own walls!

Yeah, I'm so cool.

don't forget to blog

Two hundred and fifty blog posts in this thing now. This one is going to be a shorty, probably.

Took me forever to go through Piercing and figure out what parts I want to do. I have it now. For sure. Yes.

Experiments in Drawing was super fun today. We had a model(Flora) and we were allowed to draw her with whatever medium and in whatever way we wanted. The goal is to do a large drawing made up of parts of our figure studies. The goal was to be experimental with how we portrayed her. I tried different line width, weight, and values. I worked mainly with blue ink washes (the last one was sharpie) and the quick lines really spoke to me. It was a great class period, I hope we do more of the same. I was doubly amazed at my skills today.

I went home and watch Artemisia. What an amazing woman, not that amazing of a movie. Sure it was powerful but I don't think it did justice to the detail of some of her work.

Also I emailed and called my way part way through the list of apartment buildings. Left my number on the machines at most of them. I have a viewing tomorrow, and a maybe that I need to figure out my move out date. I really want to stick to the West side. Craigslist is mostly East side places. It comes down to living with someone in a house across the river versus a studio on this side.

Painting was the first class period to work on our finals. I finished up the portrait of Llyw. It looks great. The invented color works nicely, he has a real mass in relation to the wall, there are dark darks and light lights. I am really pleased with this portrait. Only a couple more to go now!

Went home and chilled. Called a few more places. Ate some food. Stressed. Went through Piercing trying to figure out what to adapt. Called mom. Stressed some more after that. Wrote up my proposal for class. Tomorrow Nicole is having a house warming party. That'll be fun.

I drink [my] milkshake

Yoga was cancelled today! Nooo! I'm all tense and stiff, I need the bending! So instead of getting bent I made my comic run. Got the new issue of The Boys(awesome) and Doktor Sleepless(need to get caught up). Daniel and his beard were in the shop as well so we chatted about comics. He suggested some and said he would loan them to me so I didn't have to buy them. What a swell guy. One of the indie comics, The Clouds Above by Jordan Crane(actually it is a children's book), caught my eye when Daniel pointed it out. It has such beautiful artwork and color (Crane is a printmaker, or so they say) that I picked it up on the spot.

I didn't etch or print in Printmaking. I mostly viewed another long long demo and worked on correcting my plates. I added hard ground to one, aquatint and hard ground to another, and smoothed down the bigfoot one. Now it will have a shadow of the old image when I redo it. Actually I think the leave have potential to be quite cool and airy.

I gave a little speech on Gerald Scarfe. It wasn't the best. I should have practiced more. Passed around my tome of an art book.

Comic club was more pizza and more jamming. Not as awesome as the last jam but still quite fun. We finally got paper for our own utilization. Now we just need to compile the comics into a zine.

Hung around school looking at places and contacting a few people about them. I need to bike around North Portland a bit to see how far I can go and what is an actual reasonable distance. I have no sense of biking time and space when it comes to other areas. I should learn. If the weather is nice on Saturday I might go out.

I came home, did my laundry, got some groceries, made a milkshake, had dinner, read some comics, and generally relaxed. Miss my yoga. She offered a makeup on Sunday.

THE LIST

It is 10:20pm Tuesday night. I have three things left on my "oh my God I'm stressed out with all that I have to do" list. The first isn't due until Friday and that is a proposal. I just have to figure out what part of the book I am adapting. No biggie. The second is figuring out what to do for my Art History piece. I already have an idea, I just need to sketch it out and start on it. Also no biggie. The third is just a general, "I need to print" memo.

In short: I have passed by the major stressful assignments. I have the painting rewrite in. I have a good chunk done on my sequential piece. I wrote my paper on Gerald Scarfe and selected images from my artbook to show the class. I have my stone etched. I am ready to take on Finals Month.

So Experiments in Drawing was mostly discussion. Is just talking about a concept art in itself? How do you price work? And some other stuff. I contributed a little less to the conversation than normal. It was really hard to jump in as I kept having people talk over me. This was true for a couple people. Mmmm. I walked back home with Lindsay. It was raining slightly but that was okay.

I perused Craigslist for apartments and ate some lunch. I want to move out after this semester so now is the time to look. Hard to find a place when you are a student with no income (seeing as how I won't have my custodian job when this semester ends). I went in early to talk to the lady at housing. She gave me some lists of places to call and other print outs. It is a pretty long list, must be a few cheap places open.

After that I sort of threw together a better proposal. I'm still not solid on it but I think I can make it work with a more careful choice in my subject matter (who I paint and how I present them).

Painting was spent working on my mountain men piece. They are dancing around a fire at night and the drumming mountain men catches a wink from one of the dancing mountain ladies. Charlie digs it.

Returned and picked up some library things. I have some open time to relax now. Whoo! Need to take it, because it will be crunch time soon.

Final Project List/Things to Finish by Finals:
Art History: Renaissance to WWII: Piece influenced by Art History/Final Test/Final Paper on a piece in the Portland Art Museum
Experiments in Drawing: Presentation of a concept. No piece produced, just an idea and have that be art (yeah, I don't know either. Somewhere along the line the "drawing" part was forgotten from the title).
Painting Techniques for Illustrators: Sequential painting. Series of portraits that reflect a timeline of my life.
Printmaking: Intaglio & Lithograph: Finish first stone and six prints. Second stone, two color prints of currently unknown number. Rework old plates and produce some more prints.
Illuminating Manuscripts: Comics, Strips, and Graphic Novels: Read and respond to Alan Moore's From Hell. Produce my own comic (I am illustrating in comic form a scene from Ryu Murakami's Piercing).

That's it.

task master (I wish)

Whoo! I am back on task!

I have a good restart on my sequential painting. I just emailed Daniel about the comic jam and anthology. I did half of my experiments in drawing assignments (I didn't quite know what was assigned for the other half, I'm not too worried). I have some ideas about my rewrite, but that isn't on the deadline yet. Yup. Still frustrated but getting less so. Now that I have my list. Always have to have that list.

Art history actually filled a class with great theory and interesting concepts. Libby got into a great monologue about her quest for the sublime. We looked at The Death of Marat. So powerful. Amazing to think the portrait was based after post-mortem etchings David did. MMmn.

Yoga had a couple new faces. It was unusually stressful on my shoulders today. Normally I don't have as much pain there but today it was hard to stand. I'm also really tense. Yoga is much needed!

I met with Martin French, my developmental advising dude, after class today. I think he likes me. My opinions on Modou were not totally one sided. I know what I need to work on and asked mainly how to seek them instead of deny or wait for him to point it out. He said that I have the potential to be a really great painter. It was a nice little meeting. And because I met with him on Monday, the first day and when he was all open, I got a special prize! A micron pen! Whooo!!

After my meeting I did the photoshop assignment for Modou. Didn't take that long. It also doesn't look much like a pencil drawing. Ehh. Yeah. That class is that class. It is what it is.

The nice weather is all gone so now I'm not over burdened by my sweaters and coats. I love my new bike route. So much more scenic. Much better view.

Hung out with Karen, Robin, and Jen tonight. We watching The City of Lost Children in the background (I have forgotten so much of that movie). It weirded them out a little. Then again, it is a movie that if you look away for 10 minutes and look back you are normally faced with some weird happening on screen. What can I say, it's French. I sketched and started painting my sequential. The lighting looks a lot better. The more dramatic, the easier it is.

Now I sleep a little easier. A little less stressed.

frustrated I am

I don't like my painting. I'm going to just start over. It looks like crap. The color is washed out, or it is too thick and all wrong. I don't want to spend six hours trying to fix one piece when I have to do three. Wasted so much time on it. Thought it would be good. NUH UH.

Blegh.

Couldn't get a full night sleep. Ibanez kept bothering me. Lindsay is still gone.

I hate Sunday night. I am not ready for another week of school. I haven't even recuperated.

Transporter was a good action movie. Jason Statham invented whole new kinds of ass to kick. Read more Scott Pilgrim and got caught up with The Boys and finished American Virgin(what a horrible ending). That was fun.

Talked to mom about stuff.

I'm frustrated.

what a piece of work

I thought the first etch would take a long time to do. Turns out it only took me about 15 minutes. It is the other etch's that are much more time consuming. I over rubbed mine, or I did it too hard, and it became a little washed out. Actually, I thought some parts were too dark so I don't mind that that happened. I just wish I had more control and it was intentional that I did it that way. Oh well.

Got that done, I am way on top of things! Printmaking wise.

Since I got my paycheck I went to my local comic shop. I was only able to but Scott Pilgrim volume 4 and that was just because I had only my purse to fit it in. There was a new issue of The Boys out but I didn't want it to get wet (no larger bag to put it in). I am so going on Tuesday (or tomorrow...) to get it. Apparently Edgar Wright(Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead, Spaced) is in line to direct the Scott Pilgrim movie. The series isn't even done yet. He is a great director and I think he would fit nicely with the comic. The more I think about it, the more I realize just how great a comic it is. Go Bryan Lee O'Malley! You rock.

It was raining so I spent the rest of the day inside. Cleaned up. Snuggled with Ibanez. I took it easy because I didn't get a nice full sleep. Hopefully tonight I will. None of that waking up at 5am then 8:30, then 10:02 crap I've been having. OR FIRE ALARMS. Bah.

I picked up a package from Fedex for Karen. I've been her little helper on several occasions now.

Jim came over and hung out for a few hours. He uploaded his finished graphic novel onto my computer for my free reading enjoyment. It is around 150 pages I think, it was a big file. It has taken him five years to complete. Go Jim! But yeah, we hung about and looked at some stuff on youtube. I made us cheese steak sandwiches. He said they were quite tasty.

Nice to have some company. Lindsay has been out and about with her friends since Thursday afternoon (she has only been home once since then, and I didn't see her when she was).

My main Sunday goal is painting and emailing. Now that I have written it, I must follow through.

alarming

The fire alarm went off at 2:30am. I had to shove Ibanez in his carrying case and go outside in my jammies. I didn't get back into bed until about 3:00am. My alarm goes off at 6:30am. How I managed to get up, get to school, and stay awake through it all is beyond me.

Oh yeah. Green tea. Such a blessing. Just enough kick to keep me up but not addicted.

Well my first tea of the day was this Pomegranate White Tea. Tasty stuff. I love fruity teas. I barely nodded off once. The outside noise kept me alert as well. In between the people in between the walls sawing wood and the car alarm, it is really hard to find time for a few winks.

Matt Kindt's Super Spy is a pretty groovy graphic novel. I love the non-sequential narrative and how all the characters keep popping up in the background. I like stories that express the importance of all the otherwise anonymous individuals. It was put together really well. All the shorts fit together into a cohesive plot quite well. Not so fond of the artwork.

Work went quick. The MFA's did a heinous thing in one of the toilets that required some courage out of me to clean up. And here I praised how nice and good they were. Not any more! Jerks. The bathrooms all were pretty filthy so the intensive cleaning I do on them normally really showed this week. I drank another thing of tea for lunch, this was the green tea with raspberry. It was cold tea, and oh so tasty.

I finished Super Spy (we are talking about it over two parts of class) during my break and doodled a little on a scrap piece of paper.

We have to do a comic for our final in my class. I am going to graphic novelize a section from Ryu Murakami's Piercing. I like some of his other work more, that one is just more fresh in my memory and I have ideas for how to present it already. I don't have time to come up with my own story.

I picked up my paycheck after work. My largest one ever! Yay! But my largest paycheck from PNCA is still one-third the size of my paychecks from Olympic College. But money is money. Now I can go buy more Scott Pilgrim. And groceries.

I managed to stay awake for a few hours upon returning home but at around 6:30 I decided to nap. Ibanez stopped by a couple times to cuddle. I rolled out of bed to eat dinner and watch some TV on my computer. I'm going to return to bed in a few.

Tomorrow I shall etch my stone. That is my main goal.

Portrait of Llyw (work in progress)

10"x14"(total)
Watercolor on paper.
(this is a poorly photographed section of a larger work in progress)

no clue

In drawing class we had a lecture from Lennie about art schools from across the globe (mostly Europe). He talked about Slade and how massively prestigious it was and how he was part of the critique board there. I worked on a little drawing during the lecture. He didn't talk that much about the school in Belgium that I want to go to. We got out early.

I finished up the new comic club flier, photocopied it, and put it up around school. Walked and talked with Christopher while I was doing it. It is a pretty cool and catching flier. Very clear as to what it is (not like some others we have had).

Went home, worked on some pieces, read some of my textbook, ate some food, prepared some paper for class, and watched City of Lost Children. Well only part of it, I am going to watch it all the way through with Karen some time this weekend (probably). I am sure I did more during my break between classes but looking at my to-do list proves that thinking incorrect. I didn't do much. Damn.

Oh, I got my Easter care package from home. It had an adorable Peter Rabbit chocolate bunny which I chomped down. And so many fruit leathers and peanuts and sweets and pens and such cool cool stuff. Wheee.

Class was spent all in sketching mode. I'll paint it over the weekend and sketch the next part. Can't start the next part without finishing the first. Annie handed back all of our work. I only have a perfect score on one piece, and that one isn't that great. The ones I put serious effort into all came up short. Some I understand why, others it really pisses me off. I spent way more time on them than was probably necessary and still I don't get a good score. I understand her not wanting to be a "well you tried, here's an A" teacher but come on! Every piece, save for one, comes up short some how? It is a 13 piece stack and 12 of them... argh! That didn't make me happy. I also have to come up with a concept and a form of presentation for my final and I don't know how I am going to do that. No clue. None. I just wanted to get better at portraits. To be able to draw people how they look, to capture what makes them them and identifiable. I wanted to work on that but now I have to focus on how they work as a whole, how to tie them together, how to express something deeper. I don't think I have enough skill right now to do both. I know what I need to work on but I have to muddle that up with trying to overextend myself into forcing messages and themes. I don't want to do that but right now I'm loosing lots of points because I am not. Damnit all.

Walked around the stalls around school. First First Thursday in a while where they had them up. Nothing great beyond one nice artist lady from RISD who had some beautiful etchings.

I've started riding up Johnson and then going home along 19th. Its a bit of a climb at the start but after Burnside it is pretty much all coasting. The route is prettier as well. I got so sick of 13th.

Read more of my text. Ate some junkish food. Watched lego animations of Eddie Izzard routines. Stressed out. Really stressed out. I have to etch and write a report and paint and read and email some people. And I don't know how I am going to tie together my final in painting. Or what I am going to do in comic lit either. The school gives you breaks at the worst possible times. You get a good working momentum, then it all stops, then you have to do the pre-final push. And then then final push.

to the victors go the ice cream

Did some drawing tonight. Had to catch up on certain things I should have done a week or so ago. Not school related, other related. Can't mention it here though. I will later, just not now. I'M MYSTERIOUS!

I also had another cheese steak sandwich for dinner(or as someone called it, a Trilly Cheese Steak Sandwich. Har har.)

So I had printmaking today. I came in and only a handful of my classmates were there. I started in on the tusche for my stone. Rachel and Aaron were at my table in the back. Tusche was slower going than I thought. Took a lot of time to build up the layers.

Later on I noticed that only the people at my table were actually there, everyone else had left for whatever reason (Yoshi and the assistant, Maymie (?) were there). Rachel didn't return after lunch and Aaron left early. I was left all alone to tusche. Everyone else became a victim of the amazingly beautiful and sunny weather. They went to enjoy it while I sat and diligently did my work. But that actually worked out really well because Yoshi came back from lunch with mint chocolate chip Ben & Jerry's ice cream! He is so totally awesome. The three of us sat about and ate the pint and talked about assorted what-nots.

I fear my piece is a little dark. I can't go back or go over it. I'll look at it again tomorrow. I love the way the tusche dries. I hope the etching and printing process works out because I would love to return to this technique in the future.

So yeah, five hours of work and I'm still no where near the actually time consuming part.

I did get to enjoy a modicum of the sun. I sat by the Jamison Square Fountain and read my textbook and then I went inside and read more of my text and nibbled on sunflower seeds. Chatted with Robin and Michael for a bit and then it was time for yoga!

This time it wasn't as stressful. I even touched my palms to the floor! My back is getting so bendy and awesome. Mia and Heather joined us for class. It is getting nice and full while the Monday session is still fairly vacant. In general I'm feeling better and better about how in shape I am. As in, I am actually getting in shape. Whodathunkit: Trillian in shape. Never in a million years.

Made myself a sandwich. Did the immense pile of dishes. Then I drew! Tomorrow is a lecture and hopefully painting.

cheese, hair, and Colbert

Well today was a big nothing, class wise. But some cool things did happen!

About six people showed up for class. It was pretty much decided on general consensus that it would be a "do whatever you want" day. I decided on what image to photoshop. And then I showed Karen and Vanessa the David Lynch: Problem Solver videos on youtube. Then Karen, Lindsay and I walked home. Well I rode very slowly on my bike along side them.

I ate some oatmeal. Then some rice. Then some tea. Then some juice. I checked the mail like four times and it wasn't until Lindsay texted me a prank about my package being at school that the word finally came through that my order had come in! About a week ago, Threadless was having a super shirt sale. I am not very much into their stuff but I thought I would check it out and see if anything sparked my interest. Only one shirt did and it was so totally me. I ordered the (on sale)long sleeve right away and have been waiting for it to arrive. And it finally did! It fits wonderfully, it looks great, and I am so happy with it!

I was so happy to go to school and show it off to all my school chums. I left early to print out some references for painting class. I received a call informing me that Annie was sick and class was cancelled so I didn't have to come to school (too bad I was already there). I printed out my things, called up Karen, and we met out front of the school. She and Diana both agreed that my shirt was totally me. I love my yes-women.

I wanted to pick up a zine from Powell's about Steampunk (zines being independently published magazines about specific subjects, typically on cheap paper and on sale for cheap). I got the last copy and sat around waiting for Diana and Karen, who took the streetcar, to catch up with me. Turns out they were in Anthropologie.

Today was absolutely beautiful. Sunny and not too chilly. It was marvelous to walk around Portland today. We went to the Portland Art Museum gift shop and looked at art books. I was feeling peckish but when I suggested going to eat that was when it was realised that work had to be done and it was time to go home. Diana parted from us on 14th and I parted from Karen on the 3rd floor. I reaaaaallly wanted a cheese steak sandwich and I figured that I might as well learn to make them, seeing as how I love them and all that. So I pulled up a recipe and went to Safeway.

Meat and cheese costs more than it should. Damn you delicious tasty goodness!

The sandwich was amazingly easy to make. Actually, it scared me how simple and quick it was. And it barely used any ingredients. I have enough left to make two to three more. The meat and onions were cut a little thick but boy was it tasty! Mmm mmmMMMM!! The fancy mayonnaise from Whole Foods is scrumptious (it has omega stuff in it). It was tasty and filling and juicy and messy. Mmm. I am so proud at my skills. Go me!

Later on I went to hang out with Michael for a bit. Just about an hour and a half or so. Nice, clear night for biking to and from his place. We walked around the 23rd area and then returned to his place and ate some of Stephen Colbert's ice cream. Fun little evening.

lack of faith

I'm back in action! Back to school! Back to yoga! Back to the amazing frustration that is Experiments in Drawing!

Art history was fine. More gaudy baroque era. I lost all focus during the second part. My brain suddenly shut off and I couldn't wake up. It is interesting stuff, I just couldn't get why I had such trouble.

I was the only one in yoga today so it was like a free private lesson. Stretched all the bits. I managed to get my palms on the floor while bending over with straight legs! I'm getting so much better. Go me! I wonder if it was the yoga that wiped me out. Hmm.

Rode home along 19th. Such a pretty area. Then I got home, put on my pajama bottoms, and set my phasers to sloth.

I was interrupted by the fire alarm, which went off right as I got Ibanez downstairs.

I am hooked on Life on Mars now. Such a great drama! With half way awesome, half way cheesy performances that are so typical of the BBC. All my other shows are on a break till more episodes can be made (damn writer's strike!).

Still stuck on my sequential narrative idea. I'll get it together. I have a few hours tomorrow to work on it as well.

Experiment in Drawing is moving on to a new assignment...which seems to be along the lines of taking photos of your old assignment and redrawing it digitally. Modou isn't even here during this week to properly explain so we are going off of an instruction sheet. That class is all over the place. I have no clue what is going on. I have barely learned anything. It is a waste of time and money. I wanted to believe in Modou so badly but I just can't anymore. I have no faith that this class will amount to anything.

these pants are all I ever wanted

Me and my girls went over to the East Side today. And by my girls I mean Karen, Diana, and Robin.

Karen drove us(at this time it was only her, Diana and myself) over to the East Side and dropped off her car at Jiffy Lube. We meandered down east Broadway and popped into a bead store. Lots of pretty colors but I don't know what to do with them. Might learn some day because I had some ideas for jewelry based after what I saw. But I don't wear jewelry, at least nothing beyond the pieces that have meaning to me and I wear every day (the rings, watch and necklace). I could always make it for other people... But I am getting ahead of myself.

We met up with Robin outside Peet's Coffee and then we went with sushi for lunch. The place was decently priced and we finished all that we ordered. The sushi just wasn't anything spectacular. It was a little bland and the pot stickers paled in comparison to my own. Karen enjoyed the sauce. Diana laughed whole heartily. Robin ordered eel.

Afterwards we hit up the first Goodwill of the day. I was really surprised at how much the Portland Goodwill's charge. Easily two to three bucks more than Silverdale and Bremerton. Sure its just a couple of dollars but Goodwill isn't a place when you have to debate buying clothes. It is a cheap way to get funky pieces that you don't have to worry about wearing that much. There are some things I would have bought but I had to pass because $10 for a dress at Goodwill is outrageous! We had a lovely time trying on clothes and getting and giving opinions. Diana acquired a cabinet and a few tops and dresses. Karen bought some shoes and a few tops. I got high-heeled calve height boots that fit really well (and were half off), a pair of bright red imitation snake skin pants (also very cheap, hence why I bought what amounts to a pair of novelty pants), and some extremely comfy brown knee length shorts (I am wearing them right now, they are great).

We returned to pick up Karen's car and then we crossed the river to the second Goodwill. They had slightly better prices but even worse selection. Still I found a nice gray sweater with the zipper placed askew and Karen pointed out a fun patterned dress that fit perfectly in all the places (don't have to take it in anywhere, a rarity for a dress). Diana picked up some frames that she will convert into bulletin boards and Karen found some things that I didn't get a chance to see on her but I am sure they are fabulous. That dress is so cute, and it is fairly thick so I can start wearing it now (with a hoodie and leggings of course).

Robin didn't find anything but she was wearing a cute new top. She didn't have to find any new fabulous thing.

After the second Goodwill we dropped Diana off at her home. We also helped her haul up her findings of the day. We hugged goodbye and the Goose Hollow girls went home.

We sat and chatted about the Sunday comics with Karen for a while and then she kicked us out so she could go to work. I showed off my days work to Lindsay (whose light show piece is looking bloody brilliant now, I can feel my face melt just thinking about it). She got a good grin out of the red pants, which is exactly my intention behind them.

Put on my new sweater and short pants and went to Robin's and hung out for a little bit. I drew, we looked at Youtube, she applied acrylic medium, and we were generally awesome. She and Diana were getting together to watch Sense and Sensibility, and as that isn't really my thing I be adieu to her.

Ate some salad and pasta. Watched some Life on Mars.

School starts tomorrow.

crummy crum crums

Sort of a crummy day. Tossed my shoes. Sat about mourning the loss of them. Watched the last few episodes of Project Runway. Watched another episode of Life On Mars.

Finished reading Scott Pilgrim volume three. I must refrain from buying the fourth volume.

The day just sort of vanished. It went in a haze of upset stomach and sitting around.

Saw Karen briefly. Will probably hang with her and the gang tomorrow.

Doodled with my tablet. Thought about my upcoming projects. I did do that painting of Llyw, so it isn't like I haven't produced anything in my 10 days off.