When it rains in pours

I got out of class at 8:30 last nite, tired, hungry and irritable. Bill and I went to CiCi's to get pizza. We ordered and I scanned my credit card.

"I'm sorry ma'am, we only take debit cards and checks." The sign clearly shows visa cards, I hate this.

So Bill and I leave and go to Whataburger. We order, "Ma'am, this Visa is expired."

On our way home, I realize I do have my discover card. So we go to Taco Bell, but we don't see discover on the list of cards they take.

We give up and go to Chili's (bad restaurant in Nacogdoches). After 5 minutes of no service in a restaurant with no customers and lots of waiters, we leave and go pick up stuff at Wal-mart. So primitive to have to cook a meal myself. Walmart took my credit card, gave me good service and food.

Digital Spin

I just won first place in the SAA Art show and $100 for this Illustrator image called "Digital Spin". Bill was so excited. He knew I was going to win. I wasn't as confident. There were about 75 entries in 5 categories. People's choice went to a red and black woodcut of Clint Eastwood.  

The Blood Center called today. They need blood. I told them I was sorry but I couldn't give because of the bruises from last time. My arm started hurting just thinking about it. The caller said, "That usually doesn't happen." It seems to happen with me. Saying no to them was like saying no to the police and handicap charities, it makes me feel about 2 inches tall

I enterend the SAA Art show today. I have entered four shows so far this Spring. I am definately in two shows and waiting to hear about the other two. There are more shows coming up this Spring so I had better get busy making art.

No Strings Attached

The show was great. Thirty-five rings were suspended by black strings from the ceiling of the gallery. Viewers walked from ring to ring touching them and trying them on. It was so much fun. I had two rings in the show titled "Sadist" and "Masochist" involving thorns cast in silver. Almost every guy tried them on and poked the thorns to see if they were sharp. People even asked what I was charging for the rings (They aren't going to be for sale until the end of the semester.) The other two rings in the show got good comments as well. I will post pics as soon as I have some.

Art is hard

Well, I broke two of my prong rings tonight trying to get them ready for the show. Jewelry is so frustrating. I have an idea and a sketch. I get it approved, start working on it, and then the teacher comes along and starts asking questions like, "How are you going to attach that to the metal?" my response, "I'll glue it" WRONG! I can rivet it or sew it or make this really complicated time consuming rim and glue it. Needless to say, my stubborn streak shows and that ring isn't finished. The next ring I was going to rivet together, WRONG! "Use prongs, that way it will be elegant and raised up instead of just a box sitting on a ring." I actually like that idea, its just that there is one week left until my rings are due, and sometimes you make sacrifices to meet deadlines.

My cast rings came in the mail today. They are pretty neat. Thank goodness all I had to do was cut of the sprue, file, sand, brush, and heat and pickle ten times. It went fast and was done.

I guess I am going back to the studio tomorrow to sew the ring together. Aaugh. I am glad that the teacher is tough. It makes me work and learn, I just have this awful headache.

Strength in Numbers

I now think that every paper in the world should publish the Danish cartoons to show solidarity and support of free speech. There is strength in numbers. Terrorists can't attack every newspaper in the world.

On a personal note, I have finally soldered 5 prong baskets for the ring assignment in jewelry. Hooray! I think I will have 8 rings on Monday instead of the required five. I am such a super achiever. I will post pics after critique and will welcome your comments.

Controversy

I have been following the controversy over the Danish press dipicting images of Muhammed. It is fascinating. Cartoons are satire and can offend anyone and everyone. Even the muslim press has used cartoons as a tool to insult an opponent or promote a view.

All of a sudden free speech does not include saying things that offend other people or hurt their feelings. Imagine that being enforced in the modern art community.

Freedom of speech in America is understood to mean speech without fear. I am afraid to speak or create art about this controversy because I might be killed by an extremist. My freedom of speech is being limited by intimidation and fear. Our modern nations should take a stand against this inappropriate violence and support the rights of individuals to say and think as they wish.