bias

Even though I'm an avid crafter and appreciate things that are hand-made, I've always hated scrap-booking. It's always struck me as cheesy and minimally creative, though I suppose following a knitting pattern made by somebody else isn't that much more innovative.

I've finally decided that what really turns me off on that particular craft is that the whole decorating process that goes on in scrapbooking distracts from the actual photos it is meant to enhance.

I recently went with my boyfriend to his friends' house, they are married and the husband just got back from Brazil. They also showed us some pictures from his trip to Russia a few years ago that she had put into a scrapbook as a gift for him. I think we talked more about her decorating style than the actual photos. I wonder how much it was actually a gift for him or a gift for herself.

distinction

There seems to be a fine line between valuing well designed, hand-made, or artistic items, and being materialistic.

positive reinforcement

This is one token cut out of a multi-token logo (inspired by Paula Scher's work for the New York Public Theatre) that I developed for WFHB, the local community radio. The radio broadcasts on four different frequencies in four different locations. I saw this today when taking my bike out of the bike rack. The bike rider cut out the token that represents their area. I love it.

scope

I've recently been renting season DVDs of the PBS show art:21, which has never been carried in my area, but I like it a lot. Not least because I'm familiar with a lot of the artists they profile and so can feel good about my level of knowledge. (Alternatively, if I pick up a copy of Art in America or ArtForum, I invariably feel worse about my level of knowledge).

I make a conscious effort while watching these programs (usually while I'm using my exercise bike downstairs) to stay as open-minded as possible, and listen to the artists speak about their work and their concepts without judging. During my coursework as an undergraduate painting and art history major, I became quick to dismiss certain types of art. It was a survival technique developed by someone entirely overwhelmed by the range and scope of what was out there. I had to narrow the field, so that I could begin to comprehend it.

But the field became too narrow, and for the past few years I've been relatively uninspired by contemporary art, save for a few favorite artists. Now it is time to broaden the field by becoming more open-minded. That is something I have to work on.

Mommy I want to Illustrate.

When I first moved to Columbus, I spent a lot of time trying to network with area design companies. During my efforts, I met an energetic and helpful new friend Jeremy, who works at a neat-o design company here in C-Bus by the name of Element. He introduced me to a figure drawing class that he was a part of and I have started going.

I haven't drawn this much for some time and it is making realize two things:

1.) To really improve your drawing skills, you have to do it more than once a week for three hours. Probably a lot more.

2.) It would be really cool to be one of those rad illustrators that makes the funky band posters and probably gets to go to all these cool concerts for free and be like a fucking rock star and be totally popular!!! Man wouldn't that be cool?!

So, I am deciding this blog posting will be a pact with myself to draw more. Ah-to longer face the frustration that comes with your pencil not drawing what your brain wants.

Below are some drawings from the class, as well as a drawing someone did of me.






by Jim

It is good to be humbled sometimes.