Christmas 2011

This holiday flew by so quickly that I'm still trying to figure out if it actually happened. I managed to get the house decorated and just in time for my moms arrival. I didn't do much really, just put up the mini tree, tinseled the mantle, and strung some lights in the window. I guess I did better than I thought.

little tree and silver and sassy. And.. yes it does light up.

little mantle and adorned with holiday goodies. And.. yes it does light up.

Christmas just seemed to come and go so fast but I did manage to capture some family shots. 

Penelope in her new ear muffs. I bet you can't guess what her favorite color is. 

me and the sisters

mom!

My sisters family

Rachel and Theo

And that's about it. It was a lovely modest holiday really. I am a bit sad that I didn't get into the spirit more or had more time to enjoy it. I'm looking forward to the New Year so much it's silly.

I'm behind

I'm behind in everything.. or so it seems. I'm behind in making books, getting Zza's window display done, anything Christmas related, and... I think this list could go on and on. gah!

I've been trying to come up a new style of binding for the vinyl books and came up with a coptic stitch binding method that I think will really work out well. See the first attempt below - lot's of work still needs to be done on this but I think it will work out.

So.. I've just got to get though today's 2 papers and school will be done! Then books, then Zza's, then Christmas. And then.. and then.. 

a new find:

Niccolo Paganini 

(I'm wondering where I have been? His violin features are out of this world)

p.s. last night I had a dream that I found an old violin and was playing it. The violin was very unique and I was quite good actually. I think I've been listening to too much classical lately (is that possible?).

city trip to de Young

Last week I went to the city again for the free day at the de Young museum. They are having a special exhibit "Masters of Venice" which I was particularly interested in.. that however was not free. Luckily for us that show was discounted for the day, I really need to get my student ID so I get discounts ALL the time.

Before we roamed around we had a nice lunch at the cafe which serves all organic and yummy food. This is where the adventure began.

 yum! yum! I had a lovely sammy with wine, I was loving how they wrapped up the sandwich - it reminded me of how I often wrap things up.

 I wasn't allowed to take pictures of the Masters of Venice but I did capture a couple others ones.

Below is my bud Kelly - she was not amused that I made her imitate the subject in the painting behind her but I got a good laugh out of it.

 See.. it's pretty funny.

I always have a good time at the de Young and will be back soon. It's great to go with a friend who can enjoy it with you and at times laugh with you.

on the ipod:

another show down

Oakland Under $100 was a lot of fun and a great turn out. The picture is at the beginning of the night.

This is the 5th event I've done and I still get nervous and filled with anxiety.

autumn shots

on campus

on thanksgiving

on the turntable:

Temescal Winter Art Hop 2011

Oakland Under $100 is once again apart of the Temescal Winter Art Hop!! Join us for the fun the next Friday December 2nd from 6pm-9pm

http://www.temescalfirstfriday.com

check it out!!

city trip

adventures in the city!

I'm a bit late in posting these but I have recently had many adventures in S.F. Here are the pictures to prove it!

My bud Kelly and I went to the SFMOMA to see what's up. I was particularly interested in an exhibit by Francesca Woodman.

Started the adventure off with a glass of wine and a croissant the size of my head. nom nom!

 This piece was super interesting and contained so many layers and strings - this was part of a special exhibit on same sex marriage.

 I was super intrigued by the room containing Paul Klee and Andrew Shoultz work side by side comparing their style years apart.

You can't have a modern art museum without a long theater.

 Below are just a few of Francesca Woodman's photos. She was brilliant and way ahead of her time.

You can fine more work by her here or read about her short life here.

Here I am with a lovely sculpture by Louise Bourgeois. I wrote a paper about her last semester and love her work. I got to see two pieces of hers in the MOMA.

Kelly and I roamed about the city all day and night. This is Union Square from the Starlight Lounge. After this we walked to North Beach and had an amazing hearty Italian meal.

Wish I could do this every week.

super impressed

by Bicycle Coffee Co.

While at the Grand Lake Farmer's market I picked up my first pound of Bicycle Coffee Co. and got a free delish cup of joe. OMG!! this coffee is awesome! They are a small family run business that hand delivers their products by bicycle only. 

I'm enjoying my coffee right now.. it's jolting me awake to create!

serenading me as I clickity clack on the 'puter:

Oakland Under $100 12/2/2011 6pm-10pm - Temescal Art Center

Featured Artists:

Alice Worland

Jennifer Fuller

Shannon Walsh

Joe Rut

Caroline Hambright

Ruby Dudley

Mark Petersen

Rachel Coker

Emily Coker

Casey Fey

James Caruso

can I tell you something?

I haven't been at all motivated to write lately in this blog. I'm not sure if school has sucked all the creative energy right out of me or not. I haven't been motivated to do to much these days... which has led me to think of earlier days when all I had was time to be overcome with passion and motivation. I'm not talking about a couple years ago, I'm talking about long ago days when I plopped my buns down at the Coffee Garden in SLC and wrote feverishly in my journal about everything in the world. I was young and was filled and intoxicated with creative powers - I saw every aspect to what made the world tick artistically and I wanted to be apart of it... and then again it reminds me that I was young and naive.

I guess this is my shitty attempt to tell you I've been bad at writing in my blog - and honestly, I just didn't want to. I didn't feel like I had much to say. I know that's hard to believe but it is what it is.

In other news.. I've been working to get things together with Oakland Under $100 which is seriously creeping up on me in a big way. Also working on more books for The Rare Bird and I have another shop interested in my vinyl books. I need to focus and plug out a bunch and have a stock pile. Another thing that recently happened was that I was recorded for a short segment called "Wait A Minute" by Jaded Pallet Productions. It's people in the food service industry telling the ironic stories, good or bad. I'll post it when it comes up The whole experience was a lot of fun.

Well - I guess I should get my buns in gear and find that passion and motivation I've been looking for. Get to work

In my head these days:

Testing, testing...

I'm checking out the new Blogger app for the iPhone. I've been waiting for this app to come out for a long ass time. I can blog from any place at any time!! That's rad!

Its so rad it's almost better than this pumpkin. Speaking of.. Pumpkins.. I need to get into the spirit people. This is my most favorite time of year and I'm like a freakin' stick in the mud this year. Gah... I'm usually a freak around this time of year-pumpkin bread, pumpkin beer, pumpkin anything. What is wrong with me?

Autumn window display at Zza's

It was time to switch up the old window display at Zza's and that's just what I did. I think about things for a while before I actually execute them, a true fact about me.

nothing says Autumn quite like leaves.. right? So I transformed my little window display into a fall madness of leafs, twigs, and pumpkins. You have to be mindful not to get too cheesy when creating seasonal window displays.

I felt that I was able to pull it off. I love the picture of it at night all lit up.

I also fixed up the other side as well.  I kept the other side a bit more simple since more families eats on that side of the place.

same awesomeness and I feel does the trick. Not sure if I like the red background, but it works for now.

This picture makes me want to rush out and buy new pants. I don't know if I've lost a ton of weight or they are just so old they are stretched to all hell. Keep your opinions to yourself about my "professor coat" - I like brown corduroy, and no there aren't leather patches on the elbows. I blame my mom and Stevie Nicks.

music lately:

Anna Calvi

Neko Case (yum!)

scenes from the opening.

It was a fun and great turn out. Thank you to all that came and also big thanks to the people that purchased prints etc.

 goof!

Thanks again!!

Now I can sleep for a month.