foreshadowing of summer fun

My classes have ended for the semester; but I still have papers to grade and final exams to administer. I very much look forward to devoting more time to my creative endeavors SOON! I spent some time in my studio last night (and a little bit today) and have some sketches that I think will materialize into finished pieces. Here are a couple. Still need to do some finishing touches on the flower piece (definitely needs a "toned down" mat!) and some more work on the other (which I consider a very preliminary sketch). I will post more details soon (especially with regard to the furniture/B&W guy piece... I think that may become a series).

thought-provoking

I have alluded to this before in previous posts, but it's worth writing about again, methinks...
 I wasn't feeling particularly creative last night, but I was still drawn to my studio after a half day of school work and a full round of golf. I decided to listen to some music (Yes - "Close to the Edge" and Pat Metheny - "Speaking of Now"), enjoy a cold beverage, and look through some vintage magazines. The first one I looked through was "Modern Priscilla" from 1918.

As I paged through the magazine, I was quite taken by all of the references to the war effort. My mind wandered -- the images and the writing was very intellectually stimulating. It was clear that, unlike contemporary American society, at this point in history the war effort was something much more widespread nationally, in terms of participation. I mean, even in "Modern Priscilla"! 

I hate war and I dream of a country and a world that is more peaceful, creative and loving. I couldn't help wonder, however, how recent United States war efforts might be different if the entire country were involved at levels seen in 1918 -- that is, rather than only a small segment of the populace (generally more economically or socially challenged).

Again, this is one of the reasons collage is MY medium! The "prep" work may not be "creative", but is certainly mentally stimulating! When I peruse these vintage magazines, it puts me almost in a dream-like state of thought-provocation.

And here are some other images, including the beautiful back cover (I love the phrase about less acid)...

acknowledgment and inspiration

Okay... well, I was thinking about doing something creative tonight before I got the news. But the news that I got an award for this year's postcard show was the encouragement I needed to head downstairs into my workspace and at least clean-up a little bit and do some sketches. Here's what I was playing with this evening...

"Shot in the arm"

I've been very inactive and unproductive recently. That kinda sucks, of course. I've been concentrating my efforts on school work of various kinds. And that's okay; because I have accomplished a lot recently. But I am looking forward to creating art again soon. It takes time, of course (if you haven't seen John Cleese's video about creativity... it's a MUST. He does a great job of explaining why time is needed for creativity!). This semester has been crazy busy. I was going to skip this year's National Collage Society annual "postcard show" (open to all members). I was just up-to-my-neck busy. BUT, the National Collage Society exhibits are so important to me. SO I "forced" myself to go down and work on an idea that I had had for the postcard show. When I finally completed it, I was SOoo pleased with how it turned out. Lighting is everything folks! I posted it before; but I'm gonna post it again.

exhale

I FINALLY finished the 5-Year Program Review for the Department of Psychology at Utica College. It was an extensive project, but it is now complete. I was able to enjoy some time down in my creative arena. I didn't have a whole lot of time... but I enjoyed doing some cutting and some sketching. Here are some variations of a color scheme and substrate element combination that I am really enjoying...