What A Delight To Be Back!

Bang Bang, My Baby Shot Me Down

It's been forever and a day since my last post! My schedule has been crazy busy, but in my spare time I've rekindled my passion for art. Awhile back I began working on an art journal, which is mainly composed of pencil drawings, but also includes some mixed media collages and such. I also love photography, and was given the opportunity to photograph a favorite blogger of mine, Lauren Faber! Here's a few things I've been working on, hope you enjoy!

What I do in math class

Butters, from South Park :)

Eiffel Tower: Quelle Idee Lumineuse!

Fun collage

Free As A Bird

Lauren Faber, Bang! By Lo

Check out this amazing blog by Lauren Faber
at http://bangbylo.tumblr.com/

Is The 21st Century America The New 19th Century England?

Just read this introduction to get your brains warmed up and Victorianized:

Cave-North, T. “Woman’s Place and Power.” British Periodicals 170.3 (Sep 1908): 264-67

In this article, Cave-North condescendingly addresses the problems of gender inequality during the Victorian era, and furthermore suggests solutions that are less than desirable, for women that is. Interestingly, he first begins by reminding women that they have specific duties ‘in the social organism,’ which are attached to power (although ‘humble and circumscribed’). He goes on to suggest that women have neglected and forgotten these powers, resulting from ‘faulty craftsmanship’ and overexcitement about legislative influence. He proposes that women should approach the problem differently; instead of fighting for the right to vote, women should focus on making better men. As a result, men would have better conduct, be more noble, and maintain purer and higher ideas; this betterment would enable men to go into parliament and carry out the newly bestowed ideals.

The emphasis upon motherhood and the influence which comes with it, falsely implicates that the woman has actual power. Needless to say, this is a common example of bestowing ‘pretend power’ to women; it is not the same power exercised by men, it is the burden of responsibility. For example, Cave-North’s statement that, “It is the women of the world who make the men of the world, and if they are badly made, it is the women who are in  the main to blame,” (265) acknowledges the necessity of women for species survival (ironically the epitome of power). But this so-called “power” does not enable women to vote, nor work in respectable jobs, nor do anything besides being a wife and mother. Instead, they have the power to be proud of a well-raised child, and don’t forget—the power to be…blamed?

Okay- So this is NOT obviosuly the case anymore, to this extent anyway. But, it fits well with what REALLY IS a current issue.  I am referring to "The Two Nations" by Benjamin Disraeli, who suggested that England was a divided nation---he states:"Two nations; between whom there is no intercourse and no sympathy; who are as ignorant of each other's habits, thoughts, and feelings, as if they were dwellers in different zones, or inhabitants of different planets; who are formed by a different breeding, are fed by a different food, are ordered by different manners, and are not governed by the same laws---The Rich And The Poor"

So what do we make of this?

made by me

Eye spy with my little eye...a book?

Well, well, well-it's no ordinary book, it's a treasure chest!

Art Schmart For The Heart

Second Journal Entry

Life is ultimately one big blur. There are too few hours in the day, many of which are spent doing the things you HAVE to get done, rather than the things you LIKE to do. Beginning online summer courses and a new job this month has been bittersweet. For all of the obvious reasons I feel unnecessary to repeat. Despite this, I am doing my best to stay on top of the things I really enjoy---maybe just in a slightly different way. Writing is one of my favorite things to do (well, reading too)...but since I haven't had much time to get online to the blog each time, I've picked up my good old loyal moleskine journal. Sometimes I can't imagine life without technology, I am sure very few of us really could. But in reality, I sure have missed writing the old school way---with some paper and a pencil. Sure, I did miss hitting DELETE on my keyboard since I make A LOT of mistakes and revisions. This led me to realize I should be proud of those eraser marks and smears and scratch outs---creativity is MESSY and imperfect oftentimes. With this said, last week I decided to make a mixed media collage journal--what a mouthful, to me its just my big black book. And despite being an OCD perfectionist, I've really enjoyed it. Honestly, it's been rather liberating to cut little scraps of paper and hear that delightful crunch after deciding it was 'no good' and crumpling it up. Slowly but surely piles of paper start growing into snow covered mountains and I realize how wastefully inspiring it was. My favorite part was water color painting--as a kid I would empty and refill my cup of water every color change...it was exhausting. But now I was no longer required to have arts and crafts in my daily activities, and I could pick and choose what I liked. Turns out I DO like water color, and cutting paper, and drawing, and writing--and I LOVE it the messy way. In fact, when putting it all together, I find it super amusing and efficient to use good old bottled Elmer's Glue (glue sticks are for pansies, no offense). Because when it comes down to it, admiring my 'unique art' (I really couldn't color within the lines even if I wanted to) just wouldn't be the same if I didn't have dried icky sticky ooey gooey glue to wash from my hands. And while I dust off all the eraser droppings and add the finishing touches, I am already thinking of what the next page will contain. And then I remember I have to study, so I close the book, put away my water colors and stickers and scissors, and oh dear even the spray paint...but I leave the glitter out on my desk---it's pretty, shiny, and oh so hopeful.

happy father's day

Some Perspective