Such a total slacker

WOW, what a slacker I have been in regards to blogging, I guess that is what happens when you don't think much is going on then to top it off you get out of the habit. Than magically when things start happening you forget to update. Besides I don't think anyone really reads this anymore anyway. Well just to say I at least documented a few things here is a very basic update for the past few months:

NOV
After my trip to Pasadena it was Thanksgiving time, Yeah. I love having Turkey it is yummy. Spent with it with the family it was fun. Enjoyed teaching Typography at Provo College and working on a few other things as well. Need to figure out how to spend more time with the munchkins too.

DEC
This is where things took a new a different turn for me. The month started out like any other, school, teaching, church, etc., BUT I would meet someone special. While attending the ward Christmas party I met a guy who told me I was pretty. We would later meet up at another party, exchange numbers and there it is in a nutshell. That is how I met and began to date Scott. He called me up and asked me out for New Years Even and we had a blast, nice that I rang in 2010 with a great guy.

JAN
I ended my teaching at Provo College, The Art Institute hired me to teach one class a term and this has been a great addition to my schedule. Still working hard (kinda) on my masters, looking forward to graduating in July, Yippee! Also joining the world of job hunting, money is getting low and it would be a good idea I guess! But most of all still spending time and getting to know Scott better. Yep just a nit sappy, but hey give me a break one has to be at least once in their lives right? and it is my turn. Scott took me snowboarding on Martin Luther Day I have included the video below. I guess I did pretty good. The only downside was that I cracked a rib in the process. Sneezing hurts these days, but that is the price you pay to stay young right!

Pasadena - Monday/Tuesday

Monday, Nov 9 2009

Part of the reason I love the University of Hartford MFA program is the contact periods and the people we are able meet and interact with. Currently we are in Pasadena where we are meeting with professionals, educators, artists, etc. On Monday we had the pleasure of meeting with the following:

Greg Spalenka

• His mantra “Am I more than I am” I really liked what he had to say about having and creating a career on your own terms. Also that teaching art classes that as an artist help you get in touch with your personal core purpose.

Jon Han

• This guy was insanely good! Only two years out of Art Center and has worked for many main stream clients. Loved that he was so strong in his conceptual thinking, very refreshing and food for thought.

Gary Meyer

• I was excited to meet Gary, when I attend Syracuse I wrote a thesis on combat artist from the revolutionary war to the Vietnam war. In my research of the Air Force program I learned that Gary had been participant and produce many great works. He currently teaches at Art Center.

Afterwards we had a critique on our magazine cover and it was great.

Tuesday 10, 2009
What a day, I wish I had pictures to support what I saw, the mind is still trying to soak it all in. First we arrived at Disney, and were taken on a tour of the facilities, given the opportunity to see artwork that is kept in vaults that included originals from Snow White, did you know that originally one of the dwarfs was called "deafy" I am not kidding!! I guess they felt sneezy what the better name in the end. It was a great opportunity. Afterwards we ate lunch in the Disney commissary, not bad food options, very healthy, OK I did get the rice crispy treat too.

We then had about an hour and a half to wander around and see a few things, we drove around a bit and found the Brand Park, Took some great shots that may or may not need for the assignment. Need to figure out my "influence" for this trip.

Later that afternoon we headed to Dreamworks and were taken on a tour and it was very helpful in helping me understand more of how animation works. Overall great couple of days.

After School Activity

My sister had me pick up the girls from school this afternoon, we had a bit of fun on the computer after all the homework was done. Can you tell which is the real one??

Me and my twin


Thing 1 and her twin

Thing 2 and her twin

Oops someone lost her head.

Up to my eyeballs in work.

OK, I just sat and went over all the stuff I need to have done by Nov 5 2009. so the above image really does show how I feel. I know it will get done, and done well!

Am I being nostalgic, hmmm...

Not sure why, but tonight while teaching a design class Oingo Boingo was going through my head. Anyone who knows me knows that I love ALL things Danny Elfman.

Back in October of 1985, I with two friends (Marilee & Catie) attended an Oingo Boingo concert at the Coliseum on the Utah State Fair Grounds, I can honestly say it is and will always be in my top 5 concerts. Over the years as I have spoken with people and found that they too attended the concert have commented that it was one of their favorites as well. If you were there you totally understand.

Danny Elfman has gone on to compose music for movies and television, too many to go over at this time. So, enjoy the video of "Dead Mans Party" circa 1985.

Saul Bass

As many of you know I am currently attending the University of Hartford for an MFA in Illustration. We are assigned papers to write in addition to illustration. I recently wrote a paper on Saul Bass based on a trip to L.A. in 1988 and the experience I had meeting Saul Bass as well as a bit about his career.

I am working on attaching the PDF, check back soon first attempt didn't work! UGH!!

It seems I was just a few months short on a once in a life time experience

I am so past due on this blog entry, but it seems this last week the Sydney Australia area experienced a rare "Red Storm" A good friend of mine, Leanne Jurd, from the Sydney area sent me the below images taken by her sister of the storm. I do have to admit I would have loved to have personally witnessed this, the photos I could have taken, wow, what a thought huh! Oh, well Life is not about "what if's" its about what's real and I was able to experience this through the eyes of a good friend. I am glad she shared them with me.

When you look at the pictures it doesn't seem real, it looks like a red filter has been used, or some fun in PhotoShop, but they are real.

Oh man Oh man!

OK, this is by no means a negative blog entry about facebook, it a great social networking tool when used wisely, I repeat wisely! In the following quote from BJ Fogg he helps define why facebook can be a positive and popular social networking tool that crosses many generations, but I must remember— moderation in all things!

"It puts three things together at once. One, it motivates people. It’s motivating to see what your friends are doing. Two, it’s easy to use — you have the ability to use it. Three, it triggers behavior really well. It’s the combination of motivation, ability and triggers that makes it work. If it were missing any of those elements, it might not."

Tonight, in order to claim back a bit of my time, I let all my friends know, and hold me accountable, that I would not visit facebook for 72 hours (I can log in again on Sunday) and if people see me on there to call me out and tell me to get to work! Pretty pathetic is it not? Where did I go wrong? Could part of the blame be on the fact that I have been sick for a month (stomach flu, a horrible head cold that lasted two weeks, and a relapse of the cold this week), and following people on facebook became my window to the world? or is that just an excuse I am using to justify the fact that I check facebook an average of 30 times a day either on my computer or my iphone?

So it is time to put my shoulder to the wheel, redefine my priorities, and re-think how I will let facebook back into my little world. I will let you know how it goes.

Bernie Fuchs 1932-2009

I have always admired Bernie Fuchs and was surprised this evening when I learned he passed away today. Incredible artist, a true modern day master, words can not really express how he influenced me. What I loved most about his work was his ability to catch light, no matter the subject matter, be it a golf course, a portrait, or horses.

For more information on Bernie Fuchs follow this link to David Apatoff's blog, Illustration Art, also the enjoy the video below.

Hmmmm…Cotton Candy

OK, "the Boy" just seems to be a great pictorial topic, he has some incredible expressions like the one above. Friday evening I attended a school fair with my sister and her four kids and of course the kids had to have some cotton candy, can you tell he loved it? Then he had some nachos, cheese is clearly on the lip! Love the simple colors in this image.

This is a bit of a shout out to the brave little guy, after eating I was put in "charge" of the kids, they were having a fantastic time at the various booths, at one point it was his turn bouncy castle (is that what they call them?). I was standing there waiting for his turn to be done when all the sudden I heard a cry. It was a NOT good cry, my heart dropped, I pulled him out of the castle to find him with a bleeding nose. I then had to figure out how to carry the poor kids and push a stroller with other child, find first aid, and see if I can call out to the other two kids. The girls didn't hear me, but I figured I would be right back for them, cross finger they will be OK.

I then began a trek to find first aid, and my sister. I was also trying to pinch his nose to stop the bleeding, wasn't working to well he was swatting my hand away and getting quite mad. On my third try of pinching his nose I realized it felt funny, my heart dropped further, was it broken? I had no idea, and all I could think was am I hurting him more?

Made it in and found my sister, handed him off, went out to find the girls while a very nice and friendly lady helped watch the baby while I found the girls. They took the boy to the KidsCare and it was still undecided on the nose, is it broken or not. Still awaiting the answer.

Yeah it was a comedy of errors on my part.