EAT ME! The Politics of Food

Yes, this is a crappy shot, but I designed these damn posters and the press release so I'm posting it up.

Alex discussing his piece.

My drawings

Classmates and VisitorsRachels triptych.

The problem with organizing student shows...

Right so... EAT ME! is this weekend. This is the thing I'm curating by the by.

Student generated blah blah blah.

I'm screwed.

Originally there were more than 10 student artists who had signed up and confirmed that they would be in the exhibit. Yes, the gallery is small, which is why is why there was a limit to the number of pieces a person could submit, but it's not so small that I can get away with 6 pieces.

That's right... SIX. That is currently the number of confirmed students in the show.

Or... wait... it COULD be five. Who the hell knows at this point.

Thank the ever-loving fuck that some people did diptychs and triptychs.

That is the problem with students. Especially non-professional students (which is a good majority)- they don't care enough.

Free exhibiting opportunity? Who gives a damn- there's homework to be done. I completely understand priorities, but let's face it, most people would rather party than really engage themselves.

Fine. I'm all for a good party, but damn it then don't say you'll do something then back out at the last minute. It's inconsiderate. It's also what differentiates the people who make it from the people who fade away, either for a while until they focus or forever because they never do.

Yes, this is a rant, but look at it my way: I can't push, yet I'm responsible for everything (my NAME is on everything) and people have been either hedging me or just not-replying --after their initial confirmations-- for the past 2 months. Now I have to clean up the mess, and it's not as though I don't have homework too. I don't even want to think about all the work I'm behind on. Most of it, and I haven't even checked what is due in English class.

So what now? Well, I'm hoping my quick painting skills can save my ass. Initially I didn't plan on submitting anything into the exhibit, but now I think I'll have to pull a couple of all-nighters and do a very large scale piece. I'll start doing sketches on the bus tomorrow morning. I have to go in to set up the gallery anyway, so I'll just drop by Home Hardware or Deserres and pick up either sheet glass or a very very large piece of mylar. We'll see. I've worked on mylar so that would be much easier.

I don't mind it too much to be honest. I'm worried but I figure success in Art often hinges on discipline and hard work as much as skill and vision.

I'll be updating with my paintings ASAP since I finally got batteries for my camera. haha.

Right Where it Belongs

Yet again, it's been a while.
Clearly, the fashion thing didn't stick. haha. ok it sort of did, but I chose to carefully disentangle and disengage myself from that world and plunge back into Fine Arts.
Yes, I have changed my mind YET AGAIN.
I did some thinking in the middle of the summer, and applied last minute to Centennial College for the Fine Arts Studio program.
This was after rejecting OCAD.
oh. I laugh at myself. Right now, in fact, I am laughing at myself. Not with myself. At.

I figured (and still do) that 2 years is a good length of time. If I change my mind... well... it's not the end of the world and I won't be wasting ALL my savings.

So far, it's good. It has been a seamless transition back into painting and drawing and whatnot. Feels like all the good parts of Claude and none of the crap of actual High School. The only downside is the commute, but I'll deal.

I'm currently curating a student show that is scheduled for early November. I have to finish writing the press release, design the PR materials and hunt down everyone who will be in the show just for last minute confirmations. Not to mention I'll somehow need to get them to pitch in $10-15 bucks for the posters and cards etc.
Oh dear.
What did I get myself into?
Along with being an FAS rep and writing for the FASSIE (Fine Arts Studio sure is excellent) artist newsletter... I'm in just a tad over my head. I'm not even thinking about the crap I have to actually do called homework. yup. Good stuff.
But overall, I'm enjoying myself.
After last year, it's good to be busy and not have to worry about the mundane everyday things like paying bills, washing the dishes, vacuuming and grocery shopping.
My money and time goes towards Caffeine, books, writing and creating in general.
Who am I to complain?
Eventually I'll update with information about the exhibit.

Au Revoir
Signed: Still waiting for my illusive MacBook

Work Envy

Due to what I believe was a very very stupid mistake... I have no job. And seeing as how I'm so PICKY about it... I don't think I will have a job all summer.
And this is ok.
Or well... it should be.
What's actually happening is that I am hardcore envying all my friends with jobs.
I'm determined not to be obsessed with money, having money and working to fill up my time.
The world has so much to offer, why should I spend my summer cooped up in the house or spending 35 hours a week doing something I hate.
I managed to spend over 6 months with no job, no friends, and a minimum amount of comprehension to get by in French, I think I can manage a couple more months. Especially since there are no bills to pay.
I'm already taking two classes and plan to volunteer at the AGO later on in the season.
I think instead of fretting, I'll buy a metropass and spend my summer hanging around the city, sketching, exploring and hanging out with people I haven't seen for a while.
I'm determined to get through my stack of books, get school funding, volunteer, learn to sew (maybe create a couple of pieces) and make the BEST PORTFOLIO EVER! (actually best portfolio I ever had)

I am in fact quite excited for all this. This is turning out to be an exercise in lifestyle management. Making due with the bare minimum and enjoying it.
And hey--If it just so happens that I can pick up a little extra money here and there, why not?

Illustration and Frustration

This past Sunday (19th) I attended my first Fashion Illustration and design class at George Brown. It was SO much fun.
This was mainly an introductory class so we just copied pictures out of magazines and then altered them to get fashion proportions down and practice hand-eye coordination.
After, we drew our own swimsuit designs on the model (meaning we had to draw what their shape looks like without clothes, without seeing it. I didn't realize what a great exercise this is. It gives you some focus and a starting place, but tests your anatomical knowledge and technical skills. Plus, redrawing different designs (your own or copied) is a great way to develop creativity and learn to draw movement of fabrics/clothes.
I had to go out and blow more of the money I don't have on paper. A larger pad of tracing paper than what I already owned, and the same for a watercolour pad. Thankfully I own all the other supplies I need.
I'm enjoying this SO much, I'm think instead of spending my meager savings on clothes, I'll take a sewing class. Both courses are actually a part of the Fashion Fundamentals Certificate. Who knows, by the time I graduate in 2011, I might have 2 degrees (cert.+dipl.).
Teach a man to fish... you know.

Plus, I recently found the [sole] textbook I will need for school for 20 bucks. It looks brand new but there's barely noticeable damage on the inner back cover. MSRP: $85+tax.
SCORE

Stayed Downtown at my friend's place and applied for more jobs this morning. Tomorrow... horror of all horrors: I'm getting my wisdom teeth surgically removed. They haven't come out yet. Oh... my... I don't even know WHAT to expect.
Wish me luck.

-Achromatic

WOO HOO!

The Outnet is now up!
Who's excited?!
ME!
Except I still can't afford anything and can't find a job.... and my laptop is completely water damaged and costs $500 to fix or $100 to pick up.
DAMN TOSHIBA!
Damn them all to unfashionable recesses of hell.

*sigh* no pretty dresses for me.

pictures courtesy of The Outnet

Mixed update

I feel like such a lazy, lazy person.
It's horrendous.
I've been back in Toronto for 13 days now and, granted I have managed to completely repaint, refurnish and reorganize my room, see several friends, go to my beloved IKEA... I feel I haven't done anything with myself.The easter weekend is NOT helping.

I had an interview at Club Monaco. I would love a job there, more-so than at any other retail store (except maybe the Bay or Holts... though not in sales). I wore my Joe Fresh (a shoot off of Club Monaco- HA) cropped beige slim slacks, a black tank top with a sheer black button down, my Kenneth Cole oxfords and pearls. Yes pearls. They were a "YAY! You're not a complete failure--thank god you're going to college!" gift from my mother.
The interview went well. It was me and a french guy in a closet with 2 employees (who were very nice) and I tended to dominate since his english was a bit lacking. Points. I felt a bit idiotic as I couldn't stop smiling. Excitement... yes I know... it's RETAIL and RETAIL is shit when it comes to employee treatment, but I actually like the clothes and culture and the store. Plus I want to try for the Visual aspect more so than sales.
I love that their employees are trained to be CM stylists.
Anyway, cross my fingers, I hope to be called in for a second inteview. Not sure what I would wear, but I don't want to get ahead of myself just yet.

Now that I'm officially a visual merchandising student (at least once I pay my deposit), I'm giving myself a bit of leeway to buy art supplies and a few books. As though I don't have enough.
Whilst cleaning out my room (before painting it) I found my Polaroid camera-- which means I must buy film as well. So if anyone comes across cheap Polaroid film for a 636, do tell.

Currently coveting:


Swatch Watch

Dr. Martens

I should eBay. Too bad my NEW Toshiba laptop is dead. really... I'm a sad bunny when it comes to laptops. I think I should be more careful, not that I did anything this time (it didn't fall or anything). Calling Toshiba Canada first thing tomorrow.