This month, I am going to be featured in ThisGeneration.net's art-related October issue! One of my art pieces is on the front/home page! I wrote a short essay for them on being a 'working' artist and going back to graduate school. Another good friend of mine, Gavin Conner, and his music will be featured on Oct.4 on the site.
What is this website?? In their words:
"The Generationalists review the times through a lens of the bigger questions and implications we see. We share stories on what matters to our daily lives, including our comedy routines and observations from classrooms, boardrooms, supermarkets, day cares, the World Wide Web, traffic, farms, road trips, unemployment lines, and our developing or questioning of motives and thoughts. This space is best defined as an online journal and community for our times and our lens - proof that we can keep ourselves Tweet and Facebook free and still form full sentences and paragraphs. Maybe share a nugget or two of useful truth we find in this world."
Please go check out the article and website!
http://thisgeneration.net/5/post/2010/10/take-5-visual-artist-rachel-edwards.html
Monday, October 4, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Pretty final version...
Here is the nearly-done version of my earlier posted worm's-eye-view Pictorial Space drawing...(if you click on it, it enlarge and you can see it better!)...it needs some final darkening in places and it's a little too uniform over the entire surface, but I'm pretty happy with it. [Ugh..I hate looking at things after you 'finish' them...her head looks WAY big now.]
New drawing starting on Thurs...bird's-eye-view!!!
"40 new emails???? Oh wait...they're all from me..."
It's only been one month in grad school, things haven't even started getting busy yet, and I'm struggling to keep myself organized. I got to see my girlfriends this weekend and my friend Julie Rais laughed out loud when I told her how I was keeping myself 'organized'...I just keep emailing myself from my phone so that whenever I think of ANYthing, I know that I will see it again as a reminder in my inbox! Crazy, I know. I have a planner, but rarely look at it. I just saw Julie's own blog post (click here to read) about 'finding balance' - something we all strive to do - and totally identified, although she looks like she is keeping track of things much better than I am!
Stay tuned....I will be posting the pretty-much-finished-version of the interior space project tonite/tomorrow! xoxo
Stay tuned....I will be posting the pretty-much-finished-version of the interior space project tonite/tomorrow! xoxo
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Art Listings/Events!
Openings
Sat., Sept. 25 (TONITE) 7 - 9:30pm - "Mind, Body, Soul & Amorous Synergy: New Works by E. Manansala and Velvet De Oro - Thumbprint Gallery
Friday, Oct.1 - Khalid Alkaaby - Iraqi Impressionist showing at Alexander Salazar Fine Art, downtown http://www.alkaabyart.com/
Sat., Oct. 9 - Niji Yakuza + Aboretum at Project X: Art, Solana Beach
Sat., Oct. 9 - "Magnetism - The Power of Attraction" The Art of Mr. Maxx Moses/Pose 2 and Isaias Crow/Crol at Thumbprint Gallery
Sat., Oct. 9 - "Under the Influence": The Art of Scott Rohlfs at Distinction Gallery, Escondido - art, live music, and Stone beer
Already opened BUT go see: Sept 10 - Oct 10: "Damages" by N.C. Winters - Subtext Gallery
Fri., Oct. 29 - Dia De Tues Muertos Group Show: at Subtext Gallery
Events
The Uptown Social Club: Sundays at A/C Lounge, 8 pm - 12:30 -"Creative Exploration through Live Painting and Dee-Jaying"
Basic Tuesdays: at Basic Urban Kitchen and Bar, Oct. 12/26 7 pm - 12 - "art & Music"
On-going Shows
MCASD - July 18 - Jan 2: Graffiti/Street artists; work also on display throughout SD's streets - 3rd Thursdays are free from 5-7 pm
Monday, September 20, 2010
My "Aha!" moment...
All you ex-students of mine are going to love this...
This is what my teacher said to me after she looked at my way-detailed drawing that I had already spent 12 hours on and only had about 1/8 of it done, and it's due Thursday (as in 2 days!)...
"Rachel, make sure you adjust your technique and process to the specific assignment AND to how much time you are given to get it done in...don't do crazy detail if you don't have time to get it done!"
I looked at her, literally smacked my forehead, and recounted the gazillion times I have said those EXACT words to my AP art kiddos.....it's funny how something I KNOW and is ingrained in me, I didn't do!!!! I laughed.....had to.
This is what my teacher said to me after she looked at my way-detailed drawing that I had already spent 12 hours on and only had about 1/8 of it done, and it's due Thursday (as in 2 days!)...
"Rachel, make sure you adjust your technique and process to the specific assignment AND to how much time you are given to get it done in...don't do crazy detail if you don't have time to get it done!"
I looked at her, literally smacked my forehead, and recounted the gazillion times I have said those EXACT words to my AP art kiddos.....it's funny how something I KNOW and is ingrained in me, I didn't do!!!! I laughed.....had to.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Class Update
Figuration, Representation, and Modernism :
This class is um...confusing me. I just read an entire article on 'the body' (which makes sense give the title of the class) but it was about disease in the 18th and 19th century, and how doctor's never looked at symptoms as ways to tell what is wrong with a living person...they just dissected once someone died to figure out what was wrong with them. And HOW does this apply to art/art theory/art history - especially the idea of 'the body'????????????????????????? You see my dilemma...and I have to give a presentation on it on Thursday!
Studio - Pictorial Space:
Week 2 working on a worm's eye view of a girl standing on stairs. We did a neat process for composing which included using plexiglass to literally trace the composed view (requires a very stable arm to hold the plexi in the air) and then transferring this traced view from plexi onto tracing paper....
Pictures are above:
The view
My three planning sketches
Chosen composition
Beginning (VERY beginning stages) drawing
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Full steam ahead
School has started rolling - full on into readings for art history (Figuration in Modern Art), preparing to start writing my thesis, and composing Pictorial Space (yes, this is fancy art talk for perspective - I am now on the receiving end of my own medicine for doling out these assignments).
It was an eventful week....a few things going on here. First, art history. I don't have a very extensive background here. I know enough to talk to kids about the past and help them use it to influence what they do now, and I research what is going on now in order to pass it on. But now, in this class taught by a guy (who looks the same age as me) with 2 Masters and a PhD, I am really struggling with the readings...he is giving us excerpts of articles by art theorists and philosophers that have jargon and lingo to the point that I'm looking up every 10th word. My peers and I have been wondering, who the heck is the audience for these articles? Not sure it's us.....but then again, I do like the challenge. I hope, in a semester's time, to be getting more into these articles, to appreciate what they have to say, and to take it in stride and use it to truly look more and understand the art (and the world) around me...and maybe even use it to help me figure out my own theory. But for now, it's HARD!
Then, on Thursday, I met for the 1st time with my new mentor, who is going to help me get on the road to starting my thesis body of work. I posted some of her things a few posts back - she is an amazing artist, draughtsman, and also, might I add, a spirited Spaniard who is honest with her words. I appreciate that. I spent an hour and a half showing her my work (most of which is OLD) and talking about contempoaray artists that I like. The first thing she asked me was, why aren't you showing me other artists who DRAW? Good question. Why, in all my research, have I never looked at other drawers? I guess I just look at what I like, and the majority of art out there is painted....so I have a new assignment to not do any more art before I really look at what's out there that is being DRAWN. I also need to do some searching for personality in my art...not just what constitutes a 'body of work', but what am I trying to SAY, why am I making art....lots of questions to answer. She basically told me to stop thinking so hard about it, take some time to just have fun with art, experiment, let things happen, and see where it leads me.
Other than that, I have my perspective class Thurs up in LA too - it's a 6 hour class, so all of you kiddos who groaned through 3 hours of Conservatory...haha! I'm doing a worm's eye view of a model standing on a stair case (kudos to her for STANDING there on the stairs for 6 hours!!)....and environment is definitely not my forte. But I think that it's going to help add some dimension to my repertoire!! I finally got to see the other people in the program with me draw - it was nice. And intimidating...there are some super strong artists in the group - with strong viewpoints and skills. Which makes it even more intimidating. We did learn a super cool technique for enlarging a small planning sketch - I'll have to post some 'how-to pics' on here soon.
All in all, I guess this is what I expected from the beginning of the program. I AM here to reconsider my art, to truly delve into it and figure out where I am with it - I guess it makes sense to start from the beginning. If I was already creating a strong body of work, why would the MFA program be enticing to me...I wouldn't really need it, so it makes sense to get this type of feedback right now as much as it's hard to hear.
What a ride it's going to be..............
It was an eventful week....a few things going on here. First, art history. I don't have a very extensive background here. I know enough to talk to kids about the past and help them use it to influence what they do now, and I research what is going on now in order to pass it on. But now, in this class taught by a guy (who looks the same age as me) with 2 Masters and a PhD, I am really struggling with the readings...he is giving us excerpts of articles by art theorists and philosophers that have jargon and lingo to the point that I'm looking up every 10th word. My peers and I have been wondering, who the heck is the audience for these articles? Not sure it's us.....but then again, I do like the challenge. I hope, in a semester's time, to be getting more into these articles, to appreciate what they have to say, and to take it in stride and use it to truly look more and understand the art (and the world) around me...and maybe even use it to help me figure out my own theory. But for now, it's HARD!
Then, on Thursday, I met for the 1st time with my new mentor, who is going to help me get on the road to starting my thesis body of work. I posted some of her things a few posts back - she is an amazing artist, draughtsman, and also, might I add, a spirited Spaniard who is honest with her words. I appreciate that. I spent an hour and a half showing her my work (most of which is OLD) and talking about contempoaray artists that I like. The first thing she asked me was, why aren't you showing me other artists who DRAW? Good question. Why, in all my research, have I never looked at other drawers? I guess I just look at what I like, and the majority of art out there is painted....so I have a new assignment to not do any more art before I really look at what's out there that is being DRAWN. I also need to do some searching for personality in my art...not just what constitutes a 'body of work', but what am I trying to SAY, why am I making art....lots of questions to answer. She basically told me to stop thinking so hard about it, take some time to just have fun with art, experiment, let things happen, and see where it leads me.
Other than that, I have my perspective class Thurs up in LA too - it's a 6 hour class, so all of you kiddos who groaned through 3 hours of Conservatory...haha! I'm doing a worm's eye view of a model standing on a stair case (kudos to her for STANDING there on the stairs for 6 hours!!)....and environment is definitely not my forte. But I think that it's going to help add some dimension to my repertoire!! I finally got to see the other people in the program with me draw - it was nice. And intimidating...there are some super strong artists in the group - with strong viewpoints and skills. Which makes it even more intimidating. We did learn a super cool technique for enlarging a small planning sketch - I'll have to post some 'how-to pics' on here soon.
All in all, I guess this is what I expected from the beginning of the program. I AM here to reconsider my art, to truly delve into it and figure out where I am with it - I guess it makes sense to start from the beginning. If I was already creating a strong body of work, why would the MFA program be enticing to me...I wouldn't really need it, so it makes sense to get this type of feedback right now as much as it's hard to hear.
What a ride it's going to be..............
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Art Listings
I have decided that I am going to post local art openings, events and such on here: I need to (and want to) start going to these to get myself more ingratiated into the art world, and I figure there may be others out there, like my dear CCA art teachers (shout out!) who may want to go too.....
If you find others, PLEASE email me, let me know, and I'll add them in!
OPENINGS
Fri Sept 3 from 6-10 - Plastic Fantastic: group show of photography from plastic cameras at Subtext Gallery
Fri Sept 10 from 6-10 - Damages by N.C. Winters at Subtext Gallery (Sept 10 - Oct 10)
Sat Sept 11 from 6-10 - Edward Manansala + Velvet de Oro at Thumbprint Gallery (Sept 11 - Oct 3)
EVENTS
Sunday, Aug 29 - ArtWalk Leucadia 10 - 6
Sept 2 - 5: San Diego Art Fair http://www.artsandiego-fair.com/
Thurs Sept 2: Laguna Art Walk/Gallery Tour - 6-9 pm
Fri Sept 10: Kettner Nights
ONGOING SHOWS
Wonderbread Factory - July 15 - Sept 5: Survey Select Group Show; open Tues - Sun 11-6
http://murphydesign1.blogspot.com/2010/02/survey-select-exhibition-introduction.html
MCASD - July 18- Jan 2: Graffiti/Street artists - 3rd Thurs free from 5-7 pm
If you find others, PLEASE email me, let me know, and I'll add them in!
OPENINGS
Fri Sept 3 from 6-10 - Plastic Fantastic: group show of photography from plastic cameras at Subtext Gallery
Fri Sept 10 from 6-10 - Damages by N.C. Winters at Subtext Gallery (Sept 10 - Oct 10)
Sat Sept 11 from 6-10 - Edward Manansala + Velvet de Oro at Thumbprint Gallery (Sept 11 - Oct 3)
EVENTS
Sunday, Aug 29 - ArtWalk Leucadia 10 - 6
Sept 2 - 5: San Diego Art Fair http://www.artsandiego-fair.com/
Thurs Sept 2: Laguna Art Walk/Gallery Tour - 6-9 pm
Fri Sept 10: Kettner Nights
ONGOING SHOWS
Wonderbread Factory - July 15 - Sept 5: Survey Select Group Show; open Tues - Sun 11-6
http://murphydesign1.blogspot.com/2010/02/survey-select-exhibition-introduction.html
MCASD - July 18- Jan 2: Graffiti/Street artists - 3rd Thurs free from 5-7 pm
Day 2 Orientation
Whew, what a day! We all met up and went to LA to see Lola del Fresno's show at Launch LA (http://launchla.org/), which is right across the street from LACMA. Lola's show was great!!! So much texture and experimentation with materials, plus, she has a really unique way of mounting paper onto canvas.....I think I am going to learn a lot from her!
After that, we all met up in the LA classroom space to meet all of the faculty and other mentors. They set up a little reception for us, so we all got to mingle and talk. It was nice...it was really cool getting to meet the 'older' grad students..the ones who have already been in the program for a year or so. They gave us hints about classes, instructors, how to keep your sanity, etc :) I also got to briefly reconnect with Elizabeth Washburn (www.ewashburn.com), who I have worked with in conjunction at CCA and who will be a grad student at LCAD too!!! Very good to see her...and there are lots of other cool people in the program. Three other teachers (!) and some very creative, inspiring artists.
It was great day....I am SO looking forward to getting started. I moved some stuff into my studio up there already...now, to get to some drawing!
Here are my classes:
Monday nite - Thesis writing class
Tuesday nite - Figuration in Modernism (art history class)
Wednesday nite - group critique
Thurs nite - Pictorial Space studio class (in LA)
all days - work in studio
After that, we all met up in the LA classroom space to meet all of the faculty and other mentors. They set up a little reception for us, so we all got to mingle and talk. It was nice...it was really cool getting to meet the 'older' grad students..the ones who have already been in the program for a year or so. They gave us hints about classes, instructors, how to keep your sanity, etc :) I also got to briefly reconnect with Elizabeth Washburn (www.ewashburn.com), who I have worked with in conjunction at CCA and who will be a grad student at LCAD too!!! Very good to see her...and there are lots of other cool people in the program. Three other teachers (!) and some very creative, inspiring artists.
It was great day....I am SO looking forward to getting started. I moved some stuff into my studio up there already...now, to get to some drawing!
Here are my classes:
Monday nite - Thesis writing class
Tuesday nite - Figuration in Modernism (art history class)
Wednesday nite - group critique
Thurs nite - Pictorial Space studio class (in LA)
all days - work in studio
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