9.21.25

This officially marks the beginning of my art blog. It feels that there are expectations on what an art practice should look like, but I find those don’t work for me. I have a full-time 9-to-5, which I enjoy (and provides health insurance), but that means a limited amount of time to work throughout the week. I have various hobbies, so how do I balance them all? My apartment is also my studio, so while I can leave things out, I also live here and enjoy some semblance of order. What’s the solution? Apparently, a blog.

Why a blog? I’m a person who thrives on deadlines – it was one of my favorite things about school. By having a consistent deadline to adhere to, I know I’ll actively work on my practice instead of doomscrolling. I’m making my practice work for me rather than me working for my practice. This is less about getting likes and follows. Instead, I’m documenting my creative practice in all forms. If an exhibition or opportunity pops up, I’ll write about it, but I’ll also write about spending my Sunday afternoon sketching at a cafe or wandering around SAAM.

Each post will be divided into three categories:

• In Progress (art practice)

• Creative Endeavors (other creative hobbies that can inform my work)

• Other Shenanigans (a highlight)

If anything inspires you from these posts, please reach out. Otherwise, this is my personal creative journal.

In Progress

These artworks have been in my mind for about three or four years, which feels like a long time. However, we’re making progress! It’s been interesting seeing the development of these ideas. The same idea can have two or three variations in the sketches, and then the artworks differ from the sketches. I like seeing how when I’m working on the actual piece, I see what works and what doesn’t work. Also, when I’m working on the actual piece, I think of new ways to approach a detail.

It’s also been a nice exploration into collage. I touched on moments of collage in both undergrad and grad school, but this is an in-depth dive into it. The collage pieces are a combination of found materials and created materials. I’m still working with transparencies and layering – it's become an integral part of my artistic style. What I’ve been doing is layering transparencies on top of painted collage pieces. I’m also exploring Yupo (again) to see how that can create blurred effects and how they can layer on top of each other.

A current work in progress. I overlaid transparencies of my portrait over the rose petals.

For studies, I’ve been working with watercolors and brush pens. The brush pens remind me of being a kid again, coloring until my heart’s content. It’s also a good way for me to block out color and high-level details. The watercolors allow for more detail (as much as you can for a study) and are closer to the actual piece.

The last thing about these works is how much I’m utilizing the figure and the venture into self-portraiture. My work in undergrad had no figures, and my grad school work has figures, but they’re hidden. These works showcase figures at the forefront, with a big focus on myself. Since I rarely do self-portraits (only for sketching practice), this feels especially vulnerable. Yet, this vulnerability feels appropriate considering my thought process with this series: the changing of who I was and who I am now (or as I like to describe it, me murdering my alien dopplegänger).

Going headfirst into working with self-portraits and figures.

Creative Endeavors

After learning how to sew last year, I’ve caught a sewing bug this year. It started with my Blerdcon cosplays, then learning how to work with stretch fabric, and now I’m working on a blouse and my Renaissance festival outfit.

The blouse is taking inspiration from an Anthropologie blouse I saw, but personally, my version will be much cuter. It’s going to be romantic, vintage-inspired, and the pieces will actually align.

The inspiration (Anthropologie please don’t sue).

For my Renaissance festival outfit, I’m working on a dress (and underdress). As with any hobby, the longer I work and practice new techniques, the more confident I become (a reminder I should tell myself more often).

Both projects have a lot of moving parts (tiny details, tailoring to fit, etc.), so I bought muslin to:

1. Make sure both bodices fit correctly and make any necessary adjustments (there are a few)

2. Test out new techniques without destroying my nice fabric (i.e., buttonholes)

3. Blouse: extending the length to add a flare, which involves math (my least favorite thing)

4. Practicing sewing

I’m excited for how these will turn out.

Other Shenanigans

My brother and I are planning a trip to Ireland in October. A lot of my headspace has been focusing on preparing for that trip, including what I need to bring, what I want to do, and what books from Libby to download. Neither of us has been to Ireland, so we’re both excited for it. We also travel well together, so conflict doesn't worry me. Unless Brian is hangry, then there will definitely be fights. I’m excited to soak in the culture and environments of my namesake.

That’s it for this post. I’ll be here again in two weeks with painting updates.