tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86159498512646880332024-02-08T10:42:20.137-06:00TararchyNews and info, tips and tricks, art and feng shui. Coming to you from Chicago.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-44131148299302676122018-04-28T11:01:00.000-05:002018-05-23T20:19:51.481-05:00Evening of Enterprise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GnwDT_HGW9w/WuSWvVrghNI/AAAAAAAAGOY/tpxVPOYq9WQuLWVjXGtS2qz7_4bR1zUxgCLcBGAs/s1600/Evening%2Bof%2BEnterprise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GnwDT_HGW9w/WuSWvVrghNI/AAAAAAAAGOY/tpxVPOYq9WQuLWVjXGtS2qz7_4bR1zUxgCLcBGAs/s320/Evening%2Bof%2BEnterprise.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Amid International Workers Day and the anniversary of Chicago's Haymarket Riots, it is with complete delight and utter irreverence that we bring to you an evening of enterprise.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Treat your hardworking self and revel in anti-establishment bliss with a brewski and piece of work from some of Chicago's most prolific and under represented artists, makers, and producers. You deserve it.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Entelekee</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Giraffe Kat</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Michelle Richardella</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Siobhan Kealy</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Tararchy</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Temporary Services</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">True Partners In Craft</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Vice Versa Press</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Bring a t-shirt along and get it printed in Chicago pride for a small donation, 100% of which will go to </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BatteredWomensJusticeProject/" style="background-color: white; color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;">Battered Women's Justice Project</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">BWJP promotes systemic change within the civil and criminal justice systems to ensure an effective and just response to victims & perpetrators of intimate partner violence and the children exposed to this violence.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The lineage of hardship triggered by the incarceration of domestic violence victims acting in self defense is as appalling as the beating/rape itself. This organization provides support and education in dealing with legal, emotional, and interpersonal ramifications of the violence.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-35507233137573811752016-01-08T14:50:00.000-06:002016-01-08T17:41:41.386-06:00So what's with all the Kim Gordon?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UX8AVF2BmAw/Vo_cjSAwhKI/AAAAAAAAD8o/lsThjJ75vQE/s1600/Btmp-Gordon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UX8AVF2BmAw/Vo_cjSAwhKI/AAAAAAAAD8o/lsThjJ75vQE/s1600/Btmp-Gordon.jpg" /></a></div>
<h4>
Reality Check</h4>
If I told you how long I've spent writing this blog, you might be surprised. I haven't been punching a clock, but it's definitely been more than three, 4-6 hour blocks. Trouble is, as I write about this stuff, I keep slipping into art speak. Making connections as if I had executed a well thought out plan, which it is not. Using big words. Stroking my brilliant ego. SAIC style. Then, as I look back on hours of writing and rewriting I think to myself, "This has morphed into something that isn't true. It sounds good and make sense, but it's not how it all went down." This very tendency to change, accentuate, and glorify what is speaks directly to the subject at hand.<br />
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Getting On With It Already</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5dRN1rQGZY/Vo7lZ2jJduI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/uqujz-XwwNk/s1600/Final-Kim-Gordon-Screen-Pri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5dRN1rQGZY/Vo7lZ2jJduI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/uqujz-XwwNk/s320/Final-Kim-Gordon-Screen-Pri.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 color screenprinted poster of Kim Gordon</td></tr>
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Maybe you've seen this image or another iteration around Chicago over the past several months. The woman from the original image is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Gordon" target="_blank">Kim Gordon</a>, bassist for the band <a href="http://sonicyouth.com/" target="_blank">Sonic Youth</a>. My use of this image began with an invite to come up with a portrait of an iconic female in music to benefit <a href="http://girlsrockchicago.org/" target="_blank">Girls Rock! Chicago</a>.<br />
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Quick Story</h4>
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I met Tracy Lemieux in the basement of the Kinko's on Lasalle by the board of trade. I was 2nd shift production and she took over on third shift. She was in a band (Silverado) with her best friend Angenette on drums, and some dude they found in the Reader on bass. </div>
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I loved their music and went to all their shows. The dude wasn't about the band like they were. I used to like to jump on stage with them and when they complained about homeboy I was like, "well, get a friend to play bass then." Before too long, they handed me a blue pawn shop Ibanez bass and invited me to play with them. Oh shit. I'd never touched a guitar before in my life.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PaOc_q8A_TY/Voq4nwvSSLI/AAAAAAAAD4o/RbihmOmvdUA/s1600/2000Silverado%2B1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PaOc_q8A_TY/Voq4nwvSSLI/AAAAAAAAD4o/RbihmOmvdUA/s320/2000Silverado%2B1.jpeg" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back cover, Silverado 7"</td></tr>
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Teaching myself to play and learning the songs, I had yet to play out when Silverado was asked to open for a sold out Local H show at the Metro. This speaks to how good these ladies were and what kind of work they'd already put in. The Metro ended up being the 3rd live show I ever played. </div>
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We played around Chicago a bunch and even toured the midwest. As much as I loved music and Silverado, I was terrified and self conscious each and every time I got on stage. Really bad. But I did it each and every show. I did it and lived. I did it and messed up on stage and still lived. I did it and kicked ass and lived all the same.</div>
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<h4>
The Takeaway</h4>
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One may think it brave or confident to embark on such an adventure. Truth is, the confidence Tracy and Angenette had in me carried me as I slowly developed my own. Now that I'm in a better position, I can support kids with opportunity and confidence. Organizations like GR!C can funnel this intention with that of others to reach a heck of a lot more kids. Not all will get out of music what I did, but at the very least some will. Some may go on to change music as brilliantly as Sonic Youth.</div>
<h4>
That Look</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8h5XJY9ZNYY/VomxzCgt5II/AAAAAAAAD1w/vll0Iu3Z7Uc/s1600/Kim-1986-by_pat_blashil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8h5XJY9ZNYY/VomxzCgt5II/AAAAAAAAD1w/vll0Iu3Z7Uc/s320/Kim-1986-by_pat_blashil.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Pat Blashill, 1986</td></tr>
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Let's look at the original photograph. What most attracted me to this image in particular is Kim's expression. Focused, intent, seemingly detached from the world but connected to the music. I see this look often in artists doing their thing. You know the word presence? That's what I think is happening here. It happens most identifiably when someone is doing what they love, something that uses their mind, body, and spirit. No past or future. No mind chatter. I don't mean to make it sound like some enlightened meditative state, if I am. It simply is.</div>
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I think Tracy was probably the first artist I ever knew in real life. She got this look when she played and I'd never seen it so close up. Ultimately, I realized that I was not feeling what she was feeling. There was innate and critical difference between she and I when it came to music. Music was breathing for her.</div>
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A Closer Look</h4>
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I'm intrigued by presence. I want it. Oops. I didn't just say that. It can happen when I'm printing, but it happens more when I'm painting. It's easy to go on autopilot once I'm set up to print. The repetitive process opens my mind for chit chat. Creating a painted original requires focus that leads to presence. I felt it important to put a lot of time, effort, and yep, presence into creating this original.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GNkNbvPOxtU/VogTU_Vp95I/AAAAAAAAD0c/0q5sbmaDwQY/s1600/OriginalPainting-Sweet-Desi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GNkNbvPOxtU/VogTU_Vp95I/AAAAAAAAD0c/0q5sbmaDwQY/s320/OriginalPainting-Sweet-Desi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7' painting = lots of present moments</td></tr>
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<h4>
A Different Look</h4>
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Context changes meaning. Thusly, repetition can deepen contextual circumstance. I'm interested in what happens to meaning when the location changes. Size. Stylistic approach. When I talk about meaning, I'm not necessarily speaking to big heady ideas and philosophies, either.</div>
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Meaning can reference the purpose of a piece in the company of others.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-soEXpGggU-Y/VpALflmgoyI/AAAAAAAAD9E/mCFnDwgCRqU/s1600/Table%2Bat%2BRenegade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-soEXpGggU-Y/VpALflmgoyI/AAAAAAAAD9E/mCFnDwgCRqU/s320/Table%2Bat%2BRenegade.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Renegade Craft Fair</td></tr>
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Meaning can be derived in the personalization of hanging a piece in your home.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VHdCU1nzIA/VogU1RZDvoI/AAAAAAAAD0o/gbpPXsSYJ6Q/s1600/GRC-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1VHdCU1nzIA/VogU1RZDvoI/AAAAAAAAD0o/gbpPXsSYJ6Q/s320/GRC-poster.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the home of a GR!C supporter.</td></tr>
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Meaning can be an observation or fleeting thought as you walk by.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w57hqo5rlsU/VpAKj47Q0sI/AAAAAAAAD9A/IxqZW_oJyBA/s1600/paste%2Bup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w57hqo5rlsU/VpAKj47Q0sI/AAAAAAAAD9A/IxqZW_oJyBA/s320/paste%2Bup.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago's West Loop</td></tr>
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Small or big, color or black and white, night or day can all affect a viewer's perception of an image.</div>
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That which surrounds and image can influence meaning.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAme3tOYRw4/VpARpI8g2WI/AAAAAAAAD9g/0ksc_aJ-r5Y/s1600/zoomed-paster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAme3tOYRw4/VpARpI8g2WI/AAAAAAAAD9g/0ksc_aJ-r5Y/s320/zoomed-paster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And how might meaning change when a viewer actually knows the conceptual background of a piece?</div>
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After finally getting this written honestly, I have a lot of questions about what exactly I'm trying to achieve. Why am I doing this? I believe the image and it's creation has strong roots, but use of the image seems to dissipate arbitrarily. It seems to lose any clarity of meaning. Instead of observing and speculating on how meaning can change, a more purposeful strategy will likely result in more definitive conclusions. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-73582005241902521842015-06-30T19:47:00.000-05:002015-08-25T15:53:37.652-05:00Derangement, Inside Us All<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QSz6J4Ls0xA/VZMoaPTaguI/AAAAAAAAC6s/K0KKSWpaPL0/s1600/skull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QSz6J4Ls0xA/VZMoaPTaguI/AAAAAAAAC6s/K0KKSWpaPL0/s320/skull.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Us All</td></tr>
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<b>THE SKULL</b><br />
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The skull is a powerful icon. While generically associated with the likes of motorcycle gangs and heavy metal, the skull also represents a common denominator in humanity. Underneath the skin and external attributes that differentiate us, structurally we are much the same. While we can acknowledge the skull as a symbol of unity in this way, the skull undisputedly represents something dark in our collective unconscious. Isolation. Death.<br />
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Much of what we are exposed to on a regular basis dwells on the differences that separate us. Media and marketing thrive on competition, inequality, and dissatisfaction. What distinguishes voluntary, circumstantial, and isolation by force? Can we effectively regulate the intake of the messages we receive?<br />
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Examining the roots of my own isolation, I uncover insecurity, anxiety and a wealth of other self destructive characteristics. As I name and expose these qualities, I realize I'm not actually separate, different, or alone. Struggle is not unique, but inside us all. Like our skin, the outward manifestation of intrinsic characteristics serves to differentiate and isolate us.<br />
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<b>DERANGEMENT</b><br />
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The installation, <i>Derangement, Inside Us All</i>, was created for <a href="http://www.rockfordartmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Rockford Art Museum</a>'s Printmaker's Ball Exhibition (June 12-Sept 27, 2015). The installation consists of 4 printed arrangements. Each arrangement screen printed with the most recent skull illustration I refer to as "Inside Us All" in fluorescent yellow, hot pink, and black skull. Inside Us All was divided into 100 panels, each panel measuring 10"x10". Inside Us All was printed in each color using a different configuration for each arrangement, hence becoming a derangement. Random portions of the image are recognizable, however not easily and no two derangements are the same.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XruVmrJe-5k/VZMnydgEOBI/AAAAAAAAC6k/YX-fMQu3BLM/s1600/Yellow%252BPink%252BBlack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="71" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XruVmrJe-5k/VZMnydgEOBI/AAAAAAAAC6k/YX-fMQu3BLM/s320/Yellow%252BPink%252BBlack.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yellow + pink + black = 1 arrangement</td></tr>
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Universal laws of balance suggest that in the presence of isolation, there is equal presence of connection. In reflecting upon <i>Derangement, Inside Us All</i>, themes emerge to support the existence of this balance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KQRBeNMb-TY/VZMjdaE6axI/AAAAAAAAC6U/N96cQ1ujjK0/s1600/DERANGEMENT-PANORAMA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KQRBeNMb-TY/VZMjdaE6axI/AAAAAAAAC6U/N96cQ1ujjK0/s320/DERANGEMENT-PANORAMA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derangements 1 - 3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1AWfEh4JV6w/VZMsFe5wOVI/AAAAAAAAC7I/ej1IiJs3ggs/s1600/4th-Derangement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1AWfEh4JV6w/VZMsFe5wOVI/AAAAAAAAC7I/ej1IiJs3ggs/s320/4th-Derangement.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derangement 4</td></tr>
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<b>THEMES</b><br />
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Communication. Zeroes and ones. Morse code. Digital language.<br />
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Community. Infinity. Individual parts that make a larger whole. Printmakers. Ball.<br />
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Recognition. Appreciation. The impact of scale and beauty in nuance.<br />
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Trinity. Singularity. Spiritual scientific overlap.<br />
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Sustainability. Evolution. Stated best by Albert Einstein -- Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be changed from one form to another.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f3L3P0hZI9g/VZMqy9cNRkI/AAAAAAAAC7E/C33l2JZTHXo/s1600/Nuance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f3L3P0hZI9g/VZMqy9cNRkI/AAAAAAAAC7E/C33l2JZTHXo/s320/Nuance.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All wood used was found or re-purposed. Panel detail.</td></tr>
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<b>CONCLUSION</b><br />
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Unexpectedly, this installation marks the end of the body of work I've created over almost 2 years.<br />
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At this moment, I'm inspired by carefree spontaneity. Yang emerges.<br />
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Rather than a stopping or starting point, I am at an oasis.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-34629326726140683202015-05-14T20:01:00.003-05:002015-05-14T20:02:53.505-05:00Learning To Ride The Wave<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-1863f92e-5507-d2f1-df0d-80f2173ef354" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Original <a href="http://verve.marwen.org/learning-to-ride-the-wave/" target="_blank">article</a> written for <a href="http://verve.marwen.org/" target="_blank">Verve</a> - A collective resource committed to teaching artistry at <a href="https://marwen.org/" target="_blank">Marwen</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I was feeling first-day-of-school jittery. It had been about a month since my last workshop with </span><a href="http://www.embarcchicago.org/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Embarc</span></a><span id="goog_1314201371"></span><span id="goog_1314201372"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In fact, it had been a whole month since I’d led any workshop. I arrived at </span><a href="http://www.spudnikpress.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Spudnik Press</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> plenty early to set up. Way earlier than my recent schedule called for. I was there and prepared. I felt tired and out of practice. The 13 students swept me over like a wave as they found seats at the big work table. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We went around the room to get each person’s name and share his or her favorite pastime. Thirteen new names isn’t really a huge deal, but here’s some perspective: My trouble with student names when I was in high school was trying to differentiate Jennifers. My trouble with Embarc student names is that most of them are completely new words to me. Ordinarily, I take to a name challenge like Kelly Slater to a tidal wave, but this morning I thought, “let’s get on with printing.” The students probably don’t expect me to know all their names anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The workshop went well. The kids got to screen print and everybody had fun. We went around and named our favorite thing about printing. The students and teachers left to enjoy an exciting lunch at 90 Miles To Cuba.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I felt meh.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">but..but...–everything went according to plan– </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">By coincidence, I attended a workshop of my own at Spudnik that evening. It was a syllabus writing workshop led by Kate Adams and Cynthia Weiss of Marwen. In true Kate and Cynthia fashion, my introverted self was tortured and uncomfortable the entire workshop with games and working with partners. I tell you what, though–those ladies really know how to inspire and motivate. I had another workshop with Embarc the following morning and I was jazzed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh dear. Morning came </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">reeeally</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> early again. I was at Spudnik prepared–again. I felt tired and intimated by the amount of energy that would be exhausted over 3 hours with young people. The wave of students swept over me again. I was soaking wet and dis-shelved as they settled into their seats.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I said, “good morning everybody.” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“hrrm” “mrnng” “gmorng” other grumbles.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Just as I was about to drop in, I wanted to bail and paddle in.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I know, however, that all I have to do is shift my weight to ride the wave. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">said</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> GOOD. MORNIIIIING!!!!!!”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">GOOD MORNIIIIIING!!!!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The reverberated energy lifted me up like a tall gentle ocean swell. You’d better believe I got every single name </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">and</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> favorite pastime down. And oh! You should have seen Jeremiah beam when I told him he could sing while cleaning the mylar. KIds kept asking how old they had to be to work at Spudnik and if they could do summer internships. One student pulled me aside to ask some very specific questions about a different print process based on her experience that day with screenprint. The teachers walked the skeptical students out to lunch as they lament, “can’t we just stay here if we want?”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Now </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">there’s</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> that teacher’s high. A thought that keeps coming to my mind lately is that I don’t want to ask anything of my students that I wouldn’t ask of myself. I want an exciting, engaging, enriching experience for them. How can I expect them to have that kind of experience if I don’t create that kind of experience for myself? This is how growth happens. For them and for me. And I can’t think of a time it doesn’t involve moving beyond what is comfortable. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-83472544118592900402014-05-27T12:37:00.000-05:002014-05-28T10:54:47.995-05:00Passions Exemplified at 18th Street Brewery<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Creating a collection to show at <a href="http://www.18thstreetbrewery.com/">18th Street Brewery</a> gave me the opportunity to investigate the concepts I explore through my work from a different perspective. Consequently, the work has taken a significant step developmentally and provided unique insight.<br /><br />My work is consistently centered on themes regarding the mind-body-spirit connection of human existence and the universe. I learn from what I make, so my understanding and direction is always gaining nuance and clarity. Most recently, I consider this mind-body-spirit connection exemplified in the activities we are passionate about.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n66cx4XKTOY/U4X7jD7wi4I/AAAAAAAABhc/OE-P8pS4MN8/s1600/Iyengar-Yogi-Simhasana.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n66cx4XKTOY/U4X7jD7wi4I/AAAAAAAABhc/OE-P8pS4MN8/s1600/Iyengar-Yogi-Simhasana.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br /><b><i>FOUNDATION</i></b><br /><br />I began a serious study of yoga with a <a href="http://tararchy.blogspot.com/2014/01/2014-yoga-art-intensive.html">focus on my personal practice</a> in January. <a href="http://www.tararchy.com/IYENGAR-TADASANA.html">My first works this year</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a> appropriate respected yogi and teacher <a href="http://www.bksiyengar.com/">BKS Iyengar</a> in the asana Tadasana. Asana is the technical word for a yoga pose. Each asana (pose) has a name, such as Tadasana. Tadasana is the first asana demonstrated in the quintessential yoga reference, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Light-Yoga-B-K-Iyengar/dp/0805210318">Light on Yoga</a>, and represents a fresh start—for a yogi coming to the mat and for me to my work. Subsequently, I have symbolically used Iyengar demonstrating other asanas.<br /><br />As a beer lover, in love with a brewer, I spend a good amount of time immersed in Chicago craft beer. I met Drew Fox, founder/owner/head brewer of 18th Street Brewery, well before the brewery's official opening. I respect the talent, determination, and dedication that a brewer's passion demands and that which is evident in Drew and the entire 18th Street crew. This kind of zeal can be channelled productively by a strong mind-body-spirit connection.<br /><br />As an art lover and artist, I also spend a good amount of time immersed in Chicago's art and have been a fan of <a href="http://joeypotts.com/">Joey Potts art</a> for close to a decade. Joey is the primary artist and creative director for 18th Street Brewery. His label art sets a tone for the beer tasting experience and can be taken in again and again just like the beer itself. Eighteenth Street's label art would be a huge inspiration in the work I made for the show. <br /><br /><b><i>INSPIRATION</i></b><br /><br />I began by taking a look at the feng shui bagua in relation to 18th Street's floor plan. The bagua is a tool used in feng shui to help analyze the energy of a space in relation to the purpose of the space and the people who experience it. The understanding I gain influenced decisions such as placement, color, and content.<br /><br />And in taking a more pointed look at 18th Street Brewery beers, I honed in on <a href="http://joeypotts.com/#/18th-street-brewerys-hunter-double-ipa/">Hunter</a>. It's a double milk stout, high gravity and robust. Strong and solid. An exemplary beer for 18th Street Brewery. The beer Hunter was named after Drew's son and Joey's original illustration was developed with him in mind. This reinforced the direction as the art would be on view in an area of the brewery positively influenced by themes of family and community.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When first asked about my interest in putting up work at 18th Street Brewery, an image of Iyengar in a particular asana came to mind. Unlike what most people associate with yoga, this asana looks bold and fierce. This asana is called Simhasana. Simha means lion and this asana is dedicated to Narasimha, the man-lion incarnation of Vishnu. Yogis are often referred to as seekers [of meaning, bliss, enlightenment...]. Lions are hunters. This half man (half seeker) half lion (half hunter) incarnation would be the symbolic foundation on which to create the work.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9Gh-GD283Y/U3Z8jS8srrI/AAAAAAAABOg/dkrkC8PN3JQ/s1600/Iyengar-simhasana.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9Gh-GD283Y/U3Z8jS8srrI/AAAAAAAABOg/dkrkC8PN3JQ/s1600/Iyengar-simhasana.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iynengar Demonstrating Simhasana</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b><i>CULMINATION</i></b><br /><br />In addition to hanging art for the show, Joey and I discussed the idea of a mural for the largest wall in the event room. We talked about using a mural approach to embellish the wall, featuring the pieces on display. I've always been driven to work on a large scale, and under the influence of Chicago's graffiti and street artists, am interested in adapting screen print for mural making. As my first attempt, the strategy was to keep things simple. I used only two screens of large halftone gradients, exemplary of screen printing.<br /><br />The majority of the wall embellishment was screened in a bright blue flowing pattern representative of wind and water to balance the fire, wood, and earth present in the featured pieces. In addition, feng shui is translated literally as wind water. Fluorescent green and yellow are incorporated for further balance in terms of color and represent the sun and earth.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JxeSSdIziug/U4X99xYzlqI/AAAAAAAABhk/nQ5o06ptkBc/s1600/wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JxeSSdIziug/U4X99xYzlqI/AAAAAAAABhk/nQ5o06ptkBc/s1600/wall.jpg" height="272" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Although I use screen printing non-traditionally, I leverage the medium's innate ability to produce multiples. Deeper symbolism can manifest from an image applied in a variety of ways. For the show at 18th Street Brewery, I envisioned 2 simple Simhasana/Hunter inspired pieces on either side of a more elaborate central piece. The event room walls are lined with small two-seater tables and I would create a small piece for each table.<br /><br /><br />The two Simhasana/Hunter pieces (titled Yin Hunter Shi and Yang Hunter Shi) act as imperial guardian lions, also known in feng shui as fu dogs. Fu dogs are symbols of protection and are usually displayed as a couple. Yin Hunter Shi represents the feminine in hot pink and metallic silver, while Yang Hunter Shi represents the masculine in fluorescent red and metallic gold.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-erkaDyqUtcM/U4TFPOQl3UI/AAAAAAAABgg/owfQthsjPw4/s1600/Yang-Hunter-Shi.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-erkaDyqUtcM/U4TFPOQl3UI/AAAAAAAABgg/owfQthsjPw4/s1600/Yang-Hunter-Shi.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yang Hunter Shi</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The central piece (titled Fierce Seeker) began in response to the snakes on the Hunter Coffee label. Although my motivation was in homage, snake imagery is rich in spiritual and archetypal symbolism. Like yogis, hunters are seekers [of nourishment, territory, game...] of a more aggressive nature. Fierce Seeker represents the yin (passive) and yang (active) energies in life symbolically expressed through passion. The background print on this piece is inspired by Chloe label art and organically balance the sharpness of Yin & Yang Hunter Shi.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zkr_jS6RCww/U4TB6XiOUnI/AAAAAAAABgU/K73B9nyqHWc/s1600/Fierce-Seeker.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zkr_jS6RCww/U4TB6XiOUnI/AAAAAAAABgU/K73B9nyqHWc/s1600/Fierce-Seeker.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fierce Seeker</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The small table pieces reference both new imagery specific to the 18th Street show and imagery re-occurring in my work. The combination of imagery provides a new context in which to consider the concepts I explore through the work.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EtES03v1ueM/U4TIh1sP89I/AAAAAAAABgs/229FB_QhJp8/s1600/Table-Pieces.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EtES03v1ueM/U4TIh1sP89I/AAAAAAAABgs/229FB_QhJp8/s1600/Table-Pieces.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yang Hunter</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The collection created to show at 18th Street Brewery marks a significant step in my work. In the context of beer and 18th Street Brewery, Iyengar is an icon of an ideal state. The history and meaning behind Simhasana supports the link between 18th Street Brewery and Iyengar. These associations reveal a universal nature to the mind-body-spirit connection, not one limited to the practice of yoga.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.18thstreetbrewery.com/18thhome/2014/3/11/grand-opening-celebration" target="_blank"><img alt="Screen printing sticker giveaway at 18th Street Brewery's grand opening party." border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQVQFqoRckk/U0L3Tdd4Y4I/AAAAAAAAA7U/0TZwIui8kpM/s1600/18TH-ST-GRAND-OPENING-LIVE-SCREEN-PRINT.png" height="320" title="Live Screen Printing" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.18thstreetbrewery.com/18thhome/2014/3/11/grand-opening-celebration" target="_blank">Live screen printing at 18th Street Brewery's Grand Opening.</a></td></tr>
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March was a really fun month in which I had the opportunity to screen print in real time at three different events. Screen printing in real time— or live—is a different experience and process than working in the studio. Live screen printing requires a different approach with a lot of pre-planning that is specific to the event venue.<br />
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<a href="http://www.spudnikpress.org/2014/02/good-vibrations/" target="_blank"><img alt="Art show in a print shop makes live printing a no brainer." border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YnhYxfKv4pU/U0L8vr-FLNI/AAAAAAAAA7k/5eetwbBKuME/s1600/1280px-Postcard-Image.jpg" height="266" title="Live Screen Printing at Good Vibrations Art Show." width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.spudnikpress.org/2014/02/good-vibrations/" target="_blank">Good Vibrations</a> was an art show I curated as part of <a href="http://www.spudnikpress.org/" target="_blank">Spudnik Press</a>'s Fellowship Program. The show was held in the print shop area, so I jumped at the opportunity to incorporate live printing with the opening. I asked each of the artists in the show to come up with a 1 color design to be printed. I made screens for each design prior to the opening. As guests began to arrive, my friend Ness warmed up the screens and we encouraged everyone—experienced or not—to take a turn pulling a few prints. There's something really special about pulling a fresh print and seeing it come off the screen. You could tell those printing were delighted and everyone walked away from the show with awesome art.</div>
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What I liked most about this situation is how fun and easy it was to expose people to screen printing. I was hooked immediately after pulling my first print and I look for opportunities to share what I love about screen printing.<br />
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<a href="http://www.18thstreetbrewery.com/18thhome/2014/3/11/grand-opening-celebration" target="_blank"><img alt="Screen printing of 18th Street Sticker Design" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uW8LzVS-WC0/U0MCL3zlWAI/AAAAAAAAA74/RiJCY0HYm-M/s1600/Live-Printing-18th-Street.png" height="238" title="Live Screenprinting at 18th Street's Grand Opening" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.18thstreetbrewery.com/" target="_blank">18th Street Brewery</a> celebrated their grand opening on March 15th and invited me to come out and do some live printing. 18th Street's creative director, <a href="http://joeypotts.com/" target="_blank">Joey Potts</a> (also featured in the Good Vibrations show), pretty much gave me free reign with what and how I wanted to print. I thought it would be cool to spin off the stickers I'd been making in my own work, so I designed one specifically for 18th Street Brewery. The sticker design was three colors and patrons curiously checked back as I layered the colors to see what the heck I was doing. The sticker features the face of Drew Fox, owner and head brewer himself. Of course, the many supporters went nuts over the finished stickers.<br />
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I really enjoyed printing in this casual, celebratory environment. Every one was in good spirits and stopping by to chat. I met a lot of really neat folks. The vibe was right on, doing what I love to do, with delicious 18th Street brews on hand. Doesn't get any better than this.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gOgj2OYJt4s/U0MHY1fPPhI/AAAAAAAAA8E/Ao6pHL1j3KE/s1600/ART-GIVES-ME-HOPE-LIVE-SCREENPRINT.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Live screen printing at charity benefit." border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gOgj2OYJt4s/U0MHY1fPPhI/AAAAAAAAA8E/Ao6pHL1j3KE/s1600/ART-GIVES-ME-HOPE-LIVE-SCREENPRINT.png" height="223" title="Live screen printing at Art Gives Me Hope, a benefit for Hope for the Day." width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.hftd.org/events/art-gives-me-hope" target="_blank">Art Gives Me Hope</a> was a benefit for <a href="http://www.hftd.org/" target="_blank">Hope For The Day</a> held at Salvage One on March 26th. Over 40 amazing artists donated original works to be raffled. The event also featured printing by Culture Studios and 4 artists creating in real time. Another great party with a lot of positive energy in the room. At this event, I created a finished one-of-a-kind art piece. In the studio, I do a lot of non-traditional and over-sized screen printing incorporating various paint media (acrylic, latex, aerosol). I'd been looking for an opportunity to recreate this process live with the eventual goal of incorporating screen print into mural making. This time the surface provided was un-stretched canvas. I started getting some paint down and then moved into full body, large printing.</div>
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This event was quite different than the other two in that I was creating something relatively unplanned. My goal was to share the process of how I make my <a href="http://www.tararchy.com/Tadasana.html" target="_blank">larger signature pieces</a>. I definitely fed off of the energy of the crowd and people stopping by to watch, but I felt a detachment in this situation unlike the other events. I found that I remained distant and not fully engaged in the event to focus on the work at hand. This wasn't just printing, this event featured the whole creative process. Working under time constraints that I don't usually have in a new environment got the adrenaline going and there was quite a feeling of relief when the piece was done. I'm interested in more experiences like this with the hopes of being able to cultivate the unique energy of a specific time and place.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eu-yZn9LZ0g/U0MLw5_Nn7I/AAAAAAAAA8Q/61zPIiRzWGM/s1600/WIP.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eu-yZn9LZ0g/U0MLw5_Nn7I/AAAAAAAAA8Q/61zPIiRzWGM/s1600/WIP.png" height="128" width="400" /></a></div>
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The biggest revelation from each of these experiences is that I love live printing in all regards. Can't wait to do more. I anticipate live printing leading to video and more documentation style projects. Stay tuned :)</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-88027323644601858892014-02-05T08:28:00.001-06:002014-02-05T09:33:29.769-06:00Incorporating Intuitive Flow Yoga<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gq4j0vXmwIw/UvJJwpKDSKI/AAAAAAAAAyE/cD6eUJDwyDI/s1600/sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gq4j0vXmwIw/UvJJwpKDSKI/AAAAAAAAAyE/cD6eUJDwyDI/s1600/sunrise.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BZ Daily Sunrise</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In western civilization, the word commonly used to describe the practice of poses or postures in terms of flexibility, balance and strength is yoga. The practice of poses (asanas) is actually just one aspect of a much broader entity that is yoga practice. There is much theory regarding the specifics of a full yoga practice. In brief, it encompasses spiritual, energetic, and service aspects as well. My interest began with asanas and is expanding outward from there. Start where you are. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>PERSONAL PRACTICE</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When starting a yogic asana practice it's best to work with an experienced instructor. Having to stop and look at pictures or follow written instructions isn't conducive to flow. Video and online classes are now available, but it's important to note that what <i>feels</i> like proper <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/Correct-Alignment-Yoga-Poses-9795994" target="_blank">alignment</a> may or may not be. An instructor can see if the alignment is correct and can help make adjustments if it isn't. The best instructors can tell when you are able to move deeper into an asana and guide you into it. All of this is key to avoiding injury and allowing your body to evolve through the practice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A thorough, <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/819" target="_blank">well-rounded sequence</a> is usually in order for regular asana practice to address the full body through a combination of standing and seated postures that involve flexibility, balance, strength, etc. When establishing a personal practice, sequencing can be quite challenging. How do you know what to do and in what order? </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">By taking a variety of instructors and classes, you will no doubt find one that resonates with you. In class, note the asanas and order you are practicing in class and mimic them at home. Hone in on the basics and then refine to include variations. This can take some time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My first classes were in <a href="http://yoga.about.com/od/ashtangayoga/a/ashtangs.htm" target="_blank">Ashtanga</a>, which is a fixed set of asanas in a fixed chronological series. Since this type of practice does not incorporate variety, it was relatively easy to get the sequence down for my home practice—with the help of <a href="http://www.textbooks.com/BooksDescription.php?BKN=764424&SBC=HNQ&kpid=9781891252082U&network=GoogleShopping&tracking_id=9781891252082U&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=9781891252082U&utm_source=googleshopping&kenshu=4b0449bc-45ee-d5c8-e28b-00006901d1be&kenshu=4b0449bc-45ee-d5c8-e28b-00006901d1be&mcid=XKS-7558-4-537-GoogleShopping-PRIDREPLACE-291&gclid=CJSB5_Czs7wCFc5DMgodoBYAtQ" target="_blank">Ashtanga Yoga by David Swenson</a>. After experiencing some <a href="http://life.gaiam.com/article/beginners-guide-8-major-styles-yoga" target="_blank">Hatha and Vinyasa</a> classes I realized that there are a number of yoga styles, most of which use the same core asanas—Warrior 1 (Virabhadrasana I), for example. I </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">developed a personal practice to include the core asanas, my favorite asanas, and the asanas I thought looked fun, but wasn't able to do just yet. I used variation to combat a stale practice and boredom, making sure to get up, get down and move all around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>INTUITIVE FLOW YOGA</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I recently read about Intuitive Flow Yoga in <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=cP0Ph1Gwd3YC&source=productsearch&utm_source=HA_Desktop_US&utm_medium=SEM&utm_campaign=PLA&pcampaignid=MKTAD0930BO1" target="_blank">Yoga Beyond Belief</a> by Ganga White. He described the practice as being guided from within by becoming deeply in tune with the messages we receive from the body. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"For example, when you yawn and stretch, usually your movements are directed by inner feelings and impulses. Try it right now: Simply create a yawn and stretch with your arms and let the inner sensations guide how you tense, move, and stretch. It is not hard to let inner bodily feeling create and guide your movements."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Intuitive Flow Yoga means no sequencing. Intuitive Flow is letting your body truly dictate the movement. Tune in to the body. Tune out the mind. This can result in a very uneven practice. Movements on the left may not be replicated on the right. The entire practice might be seated. Perhaps, the entire practice is upside down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This type of practice was interesting to me, but I doubted that I could quiet my mind enough to do it right. I doubted that I'd know what to do if I didn't <i>think</i> of what to do. I doubted that I'd try it because I didn't think I was capable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A week later, I woke up with sore back muscles. Very sore. My entire back. I'd been back bending like crazy the previous morning, and followed it up with 10 hours of screen printing. Much to my dismay, I thought I should take a few days off of my regular practice because I didn't want to stress those muscles without letting them heal. I decided to give Intuitive Flow Yoga a try.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prior to the back soreness, I'd worked up a fairly rigorous personal practice. I'd fallen into an all-or-nothing mentality and wasn't recognizing value in any physical practice unless it was aggressively forward moving. While this type of mentality is rarely beneficial, it took all of the pressure off my Intuitive Flow Yoga. <i>I wasn't expecting anything.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Naturally, this particular practice revolved around back stretching and twisting. Not a single vinyasa. Not a single handstand. I simply held each asana until I received some kind of motivation <i>from the body. </i>When my mind wandered, I just brought it back to my breath and body to await instruction. The instruction came as knowing what to do next— not a thought about how to move. For such an un-balanced, uneven practice my body reached a place of feeling complete. Usually, soreness like I'd experienced in my back would take days to fade. Later that very same afternoon, I noticed no discomfort or soreness in my back whatsoever. Amazing practice, right?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>EFFECTS OF INTUITIVE FLOW</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While amazed at the effects of Intuitive Flow Yoga on my sore back, I hadn't realized how aggressive—and not just in yoga—I'd become until I started examining the situation to write this article. Screen printing for 10 hours straight? The tendency here is to push, pressure, and over-extend to the point of significant physical or emotional response. This is not a new experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The new experience is Intuitive Flow Yoga. Something definitely clicked with that first practice, I've noticed a heightened sense of physical awareness during asana practice. Instead of practicing just core and favorites, I'm able to hear what my body is asking for and I incorporate those asanas.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can feel the myself deepening in the practice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm even recognizing emotion as a feeling in my body before my mind elevates it to critical fruition— a tightness in chest as frustration or uneasiness in my stomach as nervousness. Intuitive Flow Yoga is a very welcome addition to my personal practice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thanks to my brother Blake for his daily sunrise photos. Every day is beautiful.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-59758344830865177692014-01-27T21:34:00.001-06:002014-01-27T21:51:33.112-06:00About Tadasana, Art & Yoga 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLp6gG17iNo/UuMDX9t-PnI/AAAAAAAAAxI/kwrmQzsDkyo/s1600/Tadasana-Print-300.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLp6gG17iNo/UuMDX9t-PnI/AAAAAAAAAxI/kwrmQzsDkyo/s1600/Tadasana-Print-300.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tadasana is the first asana in BKS Iyengar's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Light-Yoga-B-K-Iyengar/dp/0805210318" target="_blank">Light On Yoga</a> and is naturally fitting as the first image used in my <a href="http://tararchy.blogspot.com/2014/01/2014-yoga-art-intensive.html" target="_blank">2014 art & yoga intensive</a>. Tadasana is the basic standing pose and a</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">lthough it looks simple, there is complex network of systems at work here—skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, nervous, pranic energy, and mental/emotional. Only a small portion of this network is controlled by the frontal lobe, our conscious mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For me, Tadasana represents a positive start each day. In Tadasana, I assess where I am by taking an inventory of feeling, both physical and mental. I set some intentions and note areas that need attention, both physical and mental. As I move out of Tadasana into other asanas and deeper into the practice, I let go of the desire to actualize these intentions and practice simple awareness with detachment. Awareness with detachment is an acknowledgement of being—what is—without judgement or agenda. Like physical posture itself, there is a complex network of systems at work here—not all of which I fully realize at this time—and it seems a small portion of this network is controlled by our conscious mind as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For many of us, the self critical voice speaks loudest. Simply put, this voice keeps us in check, and holds us accountable, but it can also beat us down and drown out the supportive, self affirming voice that motivates us and makes us feel worthwhile. Both voices are valuable, but balance is key. All people experience these voices in different levels of balance. My self critical voice is so domineering that I have to make a concerted effort to quiet it down. I have to specifically listen for that supportive voice or I won't hear it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whether it's an obnoxiously loud critical voice or a penchant for cookies, as imperfect beings the tendency for imbalance is in our nature. The practice of yoga creates a time and place to level out. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">By exercising awareness with detachment, the loud quiets and the soft becomes more audible. Yoga is a practice and with anything we might practice, proficiency increases with frequency and intensity</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. Maintained awareness can arguably be more valuable off the mat than on. With this in mind, be wary of yoga goals or practicing for a specific outcome. Go to the mat. Practice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For each image I work with this year, I'm producing a screen printed edition of 20. When it came to the printing of Tadasana I was posed with an interesting dilemma. The transparency level of the black ink I mixed was more than I typically work with creating a noticeable ink rink (called a screen kiss) on the print. The amount of extender making the black ink more transparent also made it more viscous leading to some slight bleeding where the black prints over the gold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I reviewed the first couple of prints, I liked seeing more of the fluorescent red under the black and the screen kiss suggested a wave of energy radiating to Iyengar in his Tadasana. Happy accident. There is plenty of intentional noise in the print design itself, so a little bleed in the area over the gold could go unnoticed. That didn't bother me either. The print, however, does not adhere to traditional screen printing standards for a print edition. Do I re-mix the ink so I can pull some perfect prints?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the risk of losing acceptance by screen print enthusiasts, I opted against established standards for what came naturally. In doing so, I applied the yogic practice of awareness with detachment to my art making. The print isn't perfect by edition standards, but that doesn't mean it isn't perfect exactly as it is. Imperfection is the essence of the print.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-56620071707572800232014-01-13T11:39:00.004-06:002014-01-13T11:40:24.482-06:00Quantifying Yoga Practice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8OreZ0BThI/UtQjX0N7JJI/AAAAAAAAAvo/AL0iRW7kxMY/s1600/Yoga-Ohm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8OreZ0BThI/UtQjX0N7JJI/AAAAAAAAAvo/AL0iRW7kxMY/s1600/Yoga-Ohm.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Yoga doesn't really seem like something that should be recorded and measured. There are no goals in being present. That being said, there is usually something a yogi is working toward that brings them to the mat. This motivator might be a specific asana, an overall physical improvement like increased flexibility, or a life improvement like better stress management. Changes resulting from a yoga practice can be subtle and best realized over a period of time. Keeping a practice log or journal can really help bring awareness of and celebrate the progress practice brings.<br />
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I'm most interested in a better understanding of my human connection with nature. What are seasonal affects on my practice? I want to discover how different types of yoga (ashtanga, intuitive, restorative, etc) specifically affect my moods. I also want to recognize what is happening physically. To accomplish this, I created a simple spreadsheet to record the following:<br />
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<li>date</li>
<li>day</li>
<li>practice type</li>
<li>pre-practice mood </li>
<li>post practice mood </li>
<li>flexibility</li>
<li>balance</li>
<li>strength</li>
<li>creativity</li>
<li>flow</li>
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Entries rated using a scale of 1-5:</div>
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5 - unusually on, practice milestone</div>
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4 - improved, better that usual</div>
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3 - normal, usual (my own baseline, not based on age, gender, etc statistics)</div>
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2 - less than normal, a little down</div>
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1 - extremely low, unusually off</div>
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I have designated notes fields to be more specific about my mood, physicality and other things I am noticing. Flexibility, balance, strength, creativity, and flow are both physical and spiritual aspects of humanity so it will definitely be interesting to notice the connections and changes over time. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-35097757004825576662014-01-07T21:47:00.000-06:002014-01-07T23:46:42.542-06:002014 Yoga & Art Intensive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cYwMAzdjt-Y/UszInX42pXI/AAAAAAAAAu8/4QqjoHHT_LE/s1600/tadasana.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cYwMAzdjt-Y/UszInX42pXI/AAAAAAAAAu8/4QqjoHHT_LE/s1600/tadasana.png" height="320" width="157" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna explains to Arjuna the meaning of Yoga:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“When the restlessness of the mind, intellect and self is stilled through the practice of Yoga, the yogi by the grace of the Spirit within himself finds fulfillment...There is nothing higher than this...This is the real meaning of Yoga."<br /><br />My work in 2014 will manifest from an intensive exploration and personal practice of yoga to define and experience the effects and benefits thereof. I believe incorporating a focussed yoga practice with my art practice will result in a clearer direction and more significant purpose. We can break the project into 3 components: (1) yoga study and practice (2) documentation and processing (3) visual art and communication.<br /><br />The yoga study and practice includes an extensive reading list of classic texts as well as contemporary theory and philosophy. The asana practice (engaging the physical postures), meditation and prãnãyãma (breathing exercises) will consist of classes and personal practice as well as supplemental workshops and seminars. Video/photographic documentation will supplement blog writing as a means to process and share progress and insights.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will hone in on one base image each month as appropriately informed by the yoga practice. Each base image will undergo a series of exploration featuring screen print as the primary media. Supporting media may include a variety of paint techniques: spray paint, airbrush, and acrylic, as well as sculptural elements including fabric, wood, and metal. Work will be created on a battery of substrates including paper, canvas and wood, in scale ranging from small (4”-6”) to large (108”-240”).<br /><br />The work will be exhibited in a pointed seasonal context with a cumulative exhibition in 2015.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-51631547040643177422014-01-06T23:10:00.000-06:002014-01-07T16:12:23.719-06:00How to be okay when you don't get your way.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gPtXUi--11o/UsuDNlHf7_I/AAAAAAAAAuY/QqRSKoBBLaw/s1600/Shoulder-Stand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gPtXUi--11o/UsuDNlHf7_I/AAAAAAAAAuY/QqRSKoBBLaw/s1600/Shoulder-Stand.jpg" height="320" width="169" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1">A saying my feng shui teacher likes to use is—”all in perfect timing.” She got the saying from her teacher. It’s an easy one, right? Sometimes our timing is not the same as that of the universe. When I want a certain thing—a certain relationship, a certain opportunity, those boots, whatever—if the time isn’t right for me, then it’s not going to happen. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">As simple as the sentiment seems, I didn’t fully understand it until recently. </span>Accepting that I didn't get what I wanted is only the surface of the concept. The depth of it involves being okay with it and better still, stoked about it. Here’s what I mean:</div>
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<span class="s1">I found out about an artists residency program right at the time I was considering leaving steady employment to focus on art full time. I thought finding out about this program was a sign that the time was right to quit and go do what I really wanted to be doing. I thought, “I’ll time my notice and end my employment just before the residency starts. This way I’ll have a working direction all lined up and make tons of appropriate contacts right out of the gate. The timing is perfect!”</span></div>
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<span class="s1">I gave my notice and worked my ass off on the residency application, but didn’t end up getting it. I didn’t feel upset or disappointed, though. I actually got a little excited. The time was right for a change, but starting up a residency program wasn't the right change. So what <i>is </i>next? This remains to be seen, but opportunity is always around the corner.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Increased confidence is a benefit of practicing Sãlamba Sarvãngãsana (shoulder stand) and I’ve been practicing it a lot over the past 6 months. It takes confidence to be secure in a decision even if the outcome isn't what you expected or wanted. The key is feeling good about the direction you are headed and not which gas stations you stop at along the way. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-1878886490023794922013-11-05T14:32:00.000-06:002013-11-05T22:29:48.853-06:00Exquisite Form, Revolutionary Function: You Are Beautiful at Galerie F<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://you-are-beautiful.com/about" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="You Are Beautiful Sticker" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nM4fSeKrhbM/Unkwgii718I/AAAAAAAAAnk/aPJTMAf3kxc/s1600/You-Are-Beautiful.png" title="This You Are Beautiful sticker that started the hugely positive phenomenon." /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sticker that started it all.</td></tr>
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The incredibly positive and powerful <a href="http://you-are-beautiful.com/about" target="_blank">You Are Beautiful</a> phenomenon started with just 100 stickers. Many of those were likely put up by artist Matthew Hoffman, himself. Now, ten years since, over half a million stickers cover the globe and You Are Beautiful has evolved to include public murals, installations, and exhibitions including thousands of artists.<br />
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<a href="http://www.galerief.com/" target="_blank">Galerie F</a> is currently host to one such exhibition and I highly recommend stopping in. The exhibition ends November 17, so hurry. </div>
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Hoffman's work is displayed in chapters. Each chapter features a lesson of sorts—for example, "Chapter Five: Create an impact. Do a lot with a little." Each chapter title is then elaborated on briefly—"Do something for a stranger unexpectedly, unapologetically say it's okay to be human. Be audacious and a little dangerous. Give gifts and have fun." Each chapter's lesson is translated into both a wood cut design and screen print edition. In itself, the work's aesthetic is clean and very well designed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.galerief.com/portfolio/start-anywhere/" target="_blank"><img alt="You Are Beautiful Chapter 1: Start anywhere as long as it's now." border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzA135gW-EE/Unk22aBMc5I/AAAAAAAAAn0/-aCTepzYpE0/s320/Chapter-One-YAB.jpg" title="Example of chapter display featured in the You Are Beautiful show at Galerie F." width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.galerief.com/portfolio/start-anywhere/" target="_blank">Chapter 1: Start anywhere as long as it's now.</a></td></tr>
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The exhibition also features a wall of single pieces by about 30 of Chicago's favorites such as Nice One, Shawnimals, and Don't Fret. The diversity in interpretation presented in uniform size and shape makes for an incredibly engaging display. It's easy to spend a lot of time with each and every piece.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_daR0UuGgw/Unk66_aoDtI/AAAAAAAAAoA/HQWssit0Dn4/s1600/Guest-Artists-Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="You Are Beautiful, guest artist wall display." border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5_daR0UuGgw/Unk66_aoDtI/AAAAAAAAAoA/HQWssit0Dn4/s320/Guest-Artists-Wall.jpg" title="You Are Beautiful at Galerie F features over 30 of Chicago's favorite artists." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Featured guest artists.</td></tr>
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Prior to attending the opening, I'd seen the stickers around and thought it was a really cool idea. I'm all for injecting positive messages into the media-heavy, lack-inducing landscape that dominates much of Chicago. I reference Chicago specifically because this is my realm of experience. Considering the reach this campaign has achieved, I'm sure Chicago is not unique in it's benefit from this type of positive messaging. I digress.<br />
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The stickers work through repetition on a subliminal level. Before you know it, you don't even see them any more but you unconsciously recognize the message "you are beautiful." The impact the stickers have is gradual and like any mantra or affirmation—the more you see it, hear it, say it, think it, the more quickly it is realized. </div>
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The exhibition compared to the sticker campaign works on a more cognitive, immediate level. Hoffman breaks down what could be called a formula for success into easy, very doable steps. "Chapter One: Start anywhere as long as it's now." This can mean so many different things to so many different people, yet it means something very specific to every individual that takes it in. Don't worry if the chapter title is a little ambiguous, Hoffman gives you a few sentences to keep you going in the right direction. Each chapter progressively fleshes out definitive action to take for whatever it is you are starting now. It seems Hoffman is cheering you on as you make your way from chapter to chapter. You'll leave excited, motivated, and knowing that you cannot be stopped.</div>
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All the good vibes that went into the making of this work are projected right onto the viewer. This exhibition brings new consideration to the concept of functional art. Not utilitarian, but very purposeful, extremely effective and supremely valuable.</div>
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Get some You Are Beautiful Stickers <a href="http://store.you-are-beautiful.com/collections/frontpage/products/you-are-beautiful-stickers" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Check out more work from the show <a href="http://www.galerief.com/?s=%22you+are+beautiful%22" target="_blank">here</a>. Couple of my favorites below...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.galerief.com/portfolio/you-are-beautiful-6/" target="_blank"><img alt="Do Your Best and Don't Worry by Sean Starr" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ekWa3J26oVA/UnkvZCx4W-I/AAAAAAAAAnc/PMCE99UqLzA/s320/DoYourBestAndDontWorry-SeanStarr.jpg" title="Do Your Best and Don't Worry for You Are Beautiful Show at Galerie F" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.galerief.com/portfolio/you-are-beautiful-6/" target="_blank">Do Your Best and Don't Worry - Sean Starr</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.galerief.com/portfolio/juanita-schaefer/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-keKB1zIF7HA/UnlRvejQ2sI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/iAi69ZngZf0/s320/Nice-One-Juanita-Schaefer.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline-block; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.galerief.com/portfolio/juanita-schaefer/" target="_blank">Juanita Schaefer - Nice One</a></span></h5>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-19278484245179219252013-09-19T11:23:00.001-05:002013-09-19T11:23:49.135-05:00Get It Clear In Your Mind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ch5XfaQBALI/UjovnVt7J_I/AAAAAAAAAlE/zV5BOXky0g0/s1600/Concept-Art-Image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ch5XfaQBALI/UjovnVt7J_I/AAAAAAAAAlE/zV5BOXky0g0/s320/Concept-Art-Image.png" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'm attracted to this image because it depicts the human face and skull simultaneously. The face represents human identity and symbolizes all that comes with consciousness including ego, inner dialogue, cognitive thought, and more. The skull represents that which is inside us all: molecules and magnetism, potential and energy. Depending on where you put your focus, one becomes more apparent than the other.</div>
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<b>BACKGROUND</b></div>
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In life I seek meaning, peace, and symbiosis with the world around me—oneness, if you will—as do so many others. A wide range of religious and philosophical theory agree that the conscious mind separates us from these. As examples, we can reference a variety of literature from the Bible's story of Adam and Eve to more recent writings by Eckhart Tolle. The quest for oneness can be thought of as over-riding our egoic mind, drowning it out, or controlling it to align ourselves with the flow of nature.</div>
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All things in the universe have a function and purpose that ultimately benefits the whole. Parasites, for example, we may think of as negative but contribute in a unique way. For this reason, I'm not convinced the ego is all bad. The question isn't whether or not the ego is good. The question is what are the positive aspects of identity, individuality and other conscious creations? Or how does consciousness align us with the natural flow?</div>
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<b>APPLICATION</b></div>
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I love making art. I enjoy the process in that lose-track-of-time kinda way. A second aspect of art making that draws me in is the ability to communicate and learn through what I'm making. There isn't anything fundamentally wrong with beauty for beauty's sake, however, I feel there is intrinsic value in art that is purposeful as well as visually stimulating.</div>
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I've found my work to be most successful when I create unconsciously—by selecting surfaces, images, colors, lines, shapes, placements, etc instinctively. When I approach art making with a plan, goal, or preconceived idea about what I'm creating, the result is banal. The unconsciously generated work resonates more with viewers. Upon reflection of the work, I am able to make realizations and connections that I wouldn't have through conscious thought.</div>
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Surprisingly, letting go of pre-conceived art making can be challenging. It parallels the quest for oneness in that it requires a quieting of the mind.</div>
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<b>GET IT CLEAR IN YOUR MIND</b></div>
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I started working with this image right around the time I quit smoking. Without going into too much detail, I'd tried to quit for about 8 years and was finally able after reading Allen Carr's Easy Way To Stop Smoking. The difference between this book and the other multitude of quit smoking aids is that the book helped me change the way I <i>thought</i> about cigarettes. Instead of thinking I was missing out on smoking, I mentally got myself excited to be a non-smoker.</div>
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What's interesting here is that we have the ability to consciously change a thought pattern that had become unconscious. Carr stated numerous times that it is necessary to "get it clear in your mind" that you are a happy non-smoker before smoking that last cigarette. Envision it, feel it, <i>know</i> it. Essentially, this is visualization. Visualization can be a productive use of the conscious mind and it can be a positive one. </div>
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<b>BEYOND</b></div>
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Carr's book used a lot of repetition. Repetition can be a strong tool in learning. I'm inclined to incorporate this image in my work indefinitely. A clearer distinction needs to be made in my understanding of consciousness, ego, unconscious, energy, their functions and their relationships with each other. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-40325582877851710732013-08-22T16:25:00.000-05:002013-08-22T16:26:13.752-05:00Avert The Conduit Of Evil For Easy Inspiration<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSaEdyPS1V0/UhQOgmIeZOI/AAAAAAAAAf4/pfZtWK6T-2o/s1600/95-year-yogi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Master Tao Porchon-Lynch" border="0" height="314" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSaEdyPS1V0/UhQOgmIeZOI/AAAAAAAAAf4/pfZtWK6T-2o/s320/95-year-yogi.jpg" title="World's Oldest Yoga Instructor" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World's Oldest Yoga Teacher, <a href="http://www.taoporchon-lynch.com/" target="_blank">Master Tao Porchon-Lynch</a></td></tr>
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I discovered <a href="http://www.taoporchon-lynch.com/" target="_blank">Tao Porchon-Lynch</a> through a <a href="http://www.rebellesociety.com/2013/08/13/the-worlds-oldest-yoga-teacher-turns-95-today/" target="_blank">blog article</a> written by Robert Sturman. He'd photographed her over the previous couple of years and wanted to "show her off"on her 95th birthday. And show her off, he did.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqPpQAEhaw8/UhaBKtvT3YI/AAAAAAAAAhM/zV89FMfZPBA/s1600/yogi-inspriation-pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Master Tao Porchon-Lynch" border="0" height="220" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqPpQAEhaw8/UhaBKtvT3YI/AAAAAAAAAhM/zV89FMfZPBA/s320/yogi-inspriation-pink.jpg" title="The Red Shoot" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jwy-Ijb4NzU/UhaBN8wH1eI/AAAAAAAAAhU/rQPwqi8Wj7c/s1600/yogi-inspiration-green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Master Tao Porchon-Lynch" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jwy-Ijb4NzU/UhaBN8wH1eI/AAAAAAAAAhU/rQPwqi8Wj7c/s320/yogi-inspiration-green.jpg" title="The Green Shoot" width="213" /></a></div>
Tao radiates a contagious energy and love of life—even through a photograph—that inspires people to get where she is. If you aren't inspired, there are at least 275 comments to back me up. So why don't we see more people or imagery that inspire us in everyday life? Why aren’t our days filled with little land mines that keep exploding us forward?<br />
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My gut reaction is to blame media—television, movies, magazines, advertising—as the conduit of evil imagery keeping us muddled in discontent. I might hold fast to this stance if there weren’t so many ways to filter what we intake. We can watch the show or not. We can go into the movie theater or not. The magazine does not jump into our hands or fall open under our noses. TIVO, SPAM filters, unsubscribe, adjust your settings.<br />
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So, wait...what just happened here?<br />
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Inspiration is not something I feel automatically all day, every day. I want to. Since there is a desire for inspiration, there must be a lack of inspiration. My ego does not take responsibility for any type of lack. There is always some thing or some one else to blame. To deflect responsibility, I took the focus off of myself and hid in an "us vs them" scenario—people seeking inspiration vs media.<br />
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Turning the focus outside of the self is a common response the ego uses to safely assume a victim’s role. Safety in numbers and ambiguity of authority. “We” are mistreated, but there is no approachable source, therefore rendering "us" helpless victims. <br />
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Let’s look at what happens when I keep my stream of consciousness in the first person. <br />
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Eh-hem...So why don’t I see more people or imagery that inspire me in everyday life?<br />
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The answer becomes obvious and simple. Because I don't look for it.<br />
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If pictures of awesome yogis inspire me, all I need to do is Google “awesome yogis.” I can read books that inspire me. Paying attention to nature inspires me. If I don’t have a computer, book or nature handy, I can just think about Tao Porchon-Lynch and be inspired.<br />
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It really is just that easy. <br />
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Now...some awesome yogis, inverted!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Janet Stone" border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_eLw5wf4F_A/UhZnzdDUjUI/AAAAAAAAAgc/36GXHLoQKG4/s320/janet-stone-headstand-streets-350.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Headstand Variation" width="210" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mindbodygreen.com/1-8055-9/27-mind-blowing-inversions-from-rockstar-yogis.html" target="_blank">Headstand variation.</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YhO_AhtM5vE/UhZnzQr3HOI/AAAAAAAAAgs/zEMgyiXYQ40/s1600/mike-taylor-upside-down-rocks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Michael Taylor" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YhO_AhtM5vE/UhZnzQr3HOI/AAAAAAAAAgs/zEMgyiXYQ40/s320/mike-taylor-upside-down-rocks.JPG" title="Untitle Pose" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mindbodygreen.com/1-8055-13/27-mind-blowing-inversions-from-rockstar-yogis.html" target="_blank">Untitled</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JISc-tXkO8/UhZnzJo5plI/AAAAAAAAAgY/QqTblwgBFVY/s1600/noelle-b-yoga-slides350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Noelle Beaugureau" border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JISc-tXkO8/UhZnzJo5plI/AAAAAAAAAgY/QqTblwgBFVY/s320/noelle-b-yoga-slides350.jpg" title="Handstand With Splits Variation" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mindbodygreen.com/1-8055-3/27-mind-blowing-inversions-from-rockstar-yogis.html" target="_blank">Noelle Beaugureau</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NmZMsFQMaZE/UhZnzhDM2PI/AAAAAAAAAgg/4VLbV6uI-AU/s1600/sirsasanaB-amy-jirsa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Amy Jirsa" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NmZMsFQMaZE/UhZnzhDM2PI/AAAAAAAAAgg/4VLbV6uI-AU/s320/sirsasanaB-amy-jirsa.JPG" title="Tripod Headstand Variation" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mindbodygreen.com/1-8055-20/27-mind-blowing-inversions-from-rockstar-yogis.html" target="_blank">Tripod Headstand Variation</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yDfuVzlXvig/UhZrGSQ-wXI/AAAAAAAAAg8/GDQ-6ga4N4c/s1600/ViparitaDandasana-Briohny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Briohny Smyth" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yDfuVzlXvig/UhZrGSQ-wXI/AAAAAAAAAg8/GDQ-6ga4N4c/s320/ViparitaDandasana-Briohny.jpg" title="One Legged Inverted Staff Pose" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mindbodygreen.com/1-8055-17/27-mind-blowing-inversions-from-rockstar-yogis.html" target="_blank">One Legged Inverted Staff Pose</a></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-35486673892782442192013-08-13T20:54:00.000-05:002013-08-14T13:04:34.629-05:00First World Problems<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The image I used on the left side of this piece is my Facebook profile picture. As of this article's publishing date, anyway.</div>
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In a recent conversation, the phrase "performance of self" was applied to social networks and media. Thanks Taylor, I couldn't have said it better myself. </div>
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This piece pays a lot of attention to identity.</div>
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<i>"As well it should!" cries the ego. </i></div>
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What is the function of identity? Better yet, what are the redeeming attributes of identity? On the surface, identity's sole function is to serve the ego. And bring you down, sister.</div>
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<i>"As well it should!" cries the ego. </i></div>
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The skull image on the right side works as a symbol for what is inside us all. It represents our being without flesh, personality, individuality. It represents our essence.</div>
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In my mind, this piece is an observation, reflection, and exercise in maintaining perspective. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ue68CbaDfI/UgrhnbRml8I/AAAAAAAAAfg/IUtSB-IFR-Y/s1600/FWP-FromLeft-450.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ue68CbaDfI/UgrhnbRml8I/AAAAAAAAAfg/IUtSB-IFR-Y/s320/FWP-FromLeft-450.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-70910619626084757492013-08-06T18:39:00.001-05:002013-08-12T15:28:36.987-05:00You Are Here: The Making of an ARTCRANK Print<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFVIvU9B16o/UgGG6IelsHI/AAAAAAAAAck/QR-K-03vIfo/s1600/YAH-500-closer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="screen printed design for ARTCRANK by Tara Zanzig" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFVIvU9B16o/UgGG6IelsHI/AAAAAAAAAck/QR-K-03vIfo/s320/YAH-500-closer.jpg" title="Your Are Here" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1">March 11th of this year, I received notice that I was selected to design a print for <a href="http://artcrank.com/chicago" target="_blank">ARTCRANK</a>, Chicago. ARTCRANK is a really fun show, and it was even more exciting that I was to be among some of our screen printing best. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Background</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">At the time, I was settling into a groove with a new body of work. Printing a lot of onesies and twosies on canvas or vinyl. Large scale. Only super bright colors or black and white. I had only 2 edition style print runs to speak of from the previous six months. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjMkQoeoSqk/UgGI1JJf6bI/AAAAAAAAAd4/l3LlizrTWrc/s1600/Few.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="color sampling print, subject FEW Distillery" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjMkQoeoSqk/UgGI1JJf6bI/AAAAAAAAAd4/l3LlizrTWrc/s320/Few.jpg" title="FEW Distillery" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FEW</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Both of these editions were printed using index color separations with up to 8 screens each. Although I’m immersed in screen printing all day, every day at Sharprint, I’d only recently gotten back behind the squeegee, so these prints were labor intensive with a lot of room for error. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Print Approach & Technique</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I approached the print for ARTCRANK differently than my most recent editions while remaining true to the current body of work. I wanted to design at the high end of my technical knowledge base while accommodating the lower end of my printing skill set.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">If there’s one thing I won’t compromise, it’s tight registration. As much as a hairline of space between colors absolutely ruins it for me. Since I’d not been able to get the perfection I wanted with registration, I decided to design something that didn’t rely on tight registration.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">While I made some things easier, I also set up a challenge for myself. I decided to use 55 line halftone dots instead of the tiny diamond shaped specks that form the bitmap composition evident in index separations. A challenge, indeed. I pulled back on my separation file 3 times before I was able to get prints that didn’t gain and fill in areas darker than 50%. Once I was able to maintain good detail in the dark areas, I was struggling to keep the detail in the lights from drying out. Long story short, I printed a lot of these to get an edition of 30.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Design Concept</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Once I’d realized some guidelines for what I wanted to print, the design came together really easily. I love it when this happens.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bvnZ8ectJq8/UgGMnTcU83I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/WzBpbO6kGFI/s1600/StudioPics.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="screen print order 1 of 5" border="0" height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bvnZ8ectJq8/UgGMnTcU83I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/WzBpbO6kGFI/s400/StudioPics.png" title="You Are Here - Studio Layer" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-me9OI6npicU/UgGMvoUAeoI/AAAAAAAAAeY/TS5l9v_yLD4/s1600/BikePics.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="screen print order 2 of 5" border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-me9OI6npicU/UgGMvoUAeoI/AAAAAAAAAeY/TS5l9v_yLD4/s400/BikePics.png" title="You Are Here - Bicycle Layer" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wOareHyHEA0/UgGMycRiC6I/AAAAAAAAAeg/osNGFJjRm10/s1600/BottlePics.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="screen print order 3 of 5" border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wOareHyHEA0/UgGMycRiC6I/AAAAAAAAAeg/osNGFJjRm10/s400/BottlePics.png" title="You Are Here - Beer Layer" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1">When I look at the finished print, it brings back how I felt while making it. I remember expecting an early spring, but it was still really wintery and cold outside. I felt the confinement I do at the end of each winter. This came out in the small, square print with dark edges that keep the viewer inside. However, I can see the promise of spring too. There’s bright splashes of color breaking out of the grey. The cruiser bike is out. And BBQ beers. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7kxQYED4is/UgGNX0hEryI/AAAAAAAAAeo/EQlTl8EeJOs/s1600/YAH-print-only-500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="final print | screen print edition of 30" border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7kxQYED4is/UgGNX0hEryI/AAAAAAAAAeo/EQlTl8EeJOs/s400/YAH-print-only-500.jpg" title="You Are Here" width="392" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-54215254505940753542013-06-03T22:00:00.000-05:002013-06-03T22:00:38.985-05:00Identity: Foundation Defined<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HdlpdjmS7E/UalX7ywAzAI/AAAAAAAAAaA/8Aj3uHTSjYw/s1600/Identity-500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HdlpdjmS7E/UalX7ywAzAI/AAAAAAAAAaA/8Aj3uHTSjYw/s320/Identity-500.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I moved into my little studio amongst the presses of <a href="http://www.spudnikpress.org/" target="_blank">Spudnik Press</a> about a year ago—summer 2012. Got my printing chops back on and did some serious reflecting on what I had been making when I was working from home. Given the new environment and new capabilities, I had no desire to continue working with the same aesthetic and I didn't feel a natural progression of direction.<br />
<br />
Around the beginning of 2013, I stopped putzing around the studio and jumped in. I stopped being afraid to emulate artists and techniques I admire and adore and just started working. I like the stuff that's coming out. I can feel progression now too. The working is beginning to develop.<br />
<br />
Recently, I took a moment to look at these new pieces in relation to each other and noticed the reoccurring theme of identity. Both <a href="http://www.tararchy.com/-happybirthday--droooone.html" target="_blank">#happybirthday @droooone</a> and <a href="http://www.tararchy.com/Mamas-Don-t-Let-Your-Babies-Grow-Up-To-Be-Cowgirls.html" target="_blank">Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowgirls</a> incorporate actual portraits. <a href="http://www.tararchy.com/Skull.html" target="_blank">Inside Us All</a> shows identity stripped away. The Sisters is a three piece work-in-progress that personifies each of the <a href="http://www.gooseisland.com/" target="_blank">Goose Island</a>'s sister beers—Madame Rose, Lolita, & Juliet. Since making this observation, I've noticed the existence, use, manipulation, application, etc of—what I understand to be—"identity" all around me. Even in my own thoughts.<br />
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Just what <i>is</i> identity?<br />
<br />
According to <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identity" target="_blank">Merium Webster</a>:<br />
1: Sameness of essential or generic character in different instances. Sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality of a thing—ONENESS<br />
2: The distinguishing character or personality of an individual—INDIVIDUAL or the relation established by psychological identification.<br />
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<span style="line-height: 20px;">The first definition refers to generic character and sameness in a literal sense. The second definition refers to what makes something different and unique as understood by the mind. The meaning of the word seems to contradict itself and I'm reconsidering what exactly I understand identity to be...</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-9964738976431479422013-05-02T20:08:00.000-05:002013-05-02T20:08:32.017-05:00May 4 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzEj9AiqAQLq_985u1D3T9jJB-8eJ1xeWU6qi6V90xnXw7U9QfPoNW-0lK1PcD1XKOW9Z5G9CdNkJG_iIauVw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-31718284554885885302013-04-17T19:40:00.000-05:002013-08-16T17:28:43.474-05:00The Sisters Portraits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKlpFdJ_WJg/UW8-v4156VI/AAAAAAAAAZU/WV5YOyog9CU/s1600/Sisters-400.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKlpFdJ_WJg/UW8-v4156VI/AAAAAAAAAZU/WV5YOyog9CU/s320/Sisters-400.png" width="320"></a></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I first heard of Juliet, Madame Rose, and Lolita referred to as The Goose Island Sisters a couple of years ago. Since then, I've known that I wanted to do their portraits. It's very cool for beers to have sisters. Especially when the girls are solid.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This 3 panel piece will personify each of The Sisters. I've begun the panel backgrounds and have digitally mocked up the transfer images I intend to apply. The backgrounds will develop a bit more and I'll also incorporate airbrush. </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-83289930973629771482013-04-16T22:38:00.000-05:002013-04-16T22:38:08.349-05:00Spring Cleaning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEINrTHDRKM/UW4WzhcBhmI/AAAAAAAAAY0/DxE5xpl1yRk/s1600/Skull-300.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEINrTHDRKM/UW4WzhcBhmI/AAAAAAAAAY0/DxE5xpl1yRk/s1600/Skull-300.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A major overhaul of the <a href="http://www.tararchy.com/index.html" target="_blank">website</a>, leads me back to this blog—which I haven't touched in just about a year exactly. Did you happen to read the 2011 recap? Nice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Started this blog in 2010 and I'll keep checking in. Sporadically, I promise myself like it's December 31, that I'm going to be consistent with this thing. Not sure how well I'll stick to it this time—like sand through the hourglass—it's December 31 again.</span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-56711208473846279012012-04-11T19:49:00.002-05:002012-04-15T13:27:58.399-05:00Screen Print Show and Beer Tasting Benefit for MS Society<br />
<div class="entryContent" style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
What's better than screen printed posters and beer?</div>
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Screen printed posters and beer for a damn good reason.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QsZ6T1zh84E/T4sTF6BIUlI/AAAAAAAAAU8/M7oFet_pL7I/s1600/SNS_Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="78" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QsZ6T1zh84E/T4sTF6BIUlI/AAAAAAAAAU8/M7oFet_pL7I/s320/SNS_Chicago.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.screensnsuds.com/" style="color: #9e0704;" target="_blank" title="Screens'N'Suds">Screens 'N' Suds</a> began in 2009 as a collaboration between Brian Gearing, Sam Verrill and Ric Hersh. The yearly beer and screen print poster event started out in Richmond, Va and is making it's debut in Chicago with the help of Andrew Lautner and Matt Herakovich. All proceeds from Screens 'N' Suds table along with door donations go to <a href="http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx" style="color: #9e0704;" target="_blank" title="The National MS Society">The National MS Society</a>. </div>
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The timing couldn't be more perfect. Chicago's beer inspired art show and tasting will be on the eve of the infamous <a href="http://www.3floyds.com/dark-lord-day/" style="color: #9e0704;" target="_blank" title="Dark Lord Day at 3Floyds">Dark Lord Day</a>. Expect to see prints from the likes of <a href="http://www.pollockprints.com/" style="color: #9e0704;" target="_blank" title="Pollock Prints">Pollock Prints</a>, <a href="http://www.screwballpress.com/" style="color: #9e0704;" target="_blank" title="Screwball Press">Screwball Press</a>, and more of your favorite Chi-town poster artists. <a href="http://www.sharprint.com/" style="color: #9e0704;" target="_blank" title="Sharprint">Sharprint</a> will be printing up some t-shirts designed by <a href="http://www.screwballpress.com/about/" style="color: #9e0704;" target="_blank" title="Steve Walters">Steve Walters</a>. Breweries representing will be <a href="http://www.gooseisland.com/" style="color: #9e0704;" target="_blank" title="Goose Island">Goose Island</a>, <a href="http://www.lowdive.com/" style="color: #9e0704;" target="_blank" title="Low Dive Brewing">Low Dive Brewing</a>, <a href="http://www.metrobrewing.com/" style="color: #9e0704;" target="_blank" title="Metropolitan Brewing">Metropolitan</a>, and <a href="http://www.breckbrew.com/" style="color: #9e0704;" target="_blank" title="Breckenridge Brewing">Breckenridge</a> for starters. </div>
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There's more folks...check <i>this </i>out: </div>
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For the week leading up to the event, stop in <a href="http://www.nightwoodrestaurant.com/" style="color: #9e0704;" target="_blank" title="Nightwood Restaurant">Nightwood Restaurant</a> for special plates that will also benefit MS Society. If you haven't been there - now is the perfect opportunity. Soooo delicious.</div>
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Here's the skinny on the art show & tasting:</div>
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Friday, April 27 from 6-11</div>
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@ Pilsen Social Club</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
1804 South Halsted - 4th Floor</div>
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$5 suggested donation</div>
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Come on out. Drink some beer. Get some art.</div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-4852004848819703412012-04-09T08:26:00.003-05:002012-04-09T08:27:24.219-05:005 Feng Shui Tips For Hanging Art<div class="entryContent">
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.</div>
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This
applies to Feng Shui right along with everything else. Feng Shui should
be used as a guide, not a set of strict regulations. This blog post
will cover some basic concepts you may want to consider regarding the
paintings, photos, and other artwork in your home. Do keep in mind that
if there is nothing you want to change, then there is no change to be
made. You feel me?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2x_bc_8T6ms/T4LjHQhWw1I/AAAAAAAAASY/8PQ8Juxm0fs/s1600/rat-pack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2x_bc_8T6ms/T4LjHQhWw1I/AAAAAAAAASY/8PQ8Juxm0fs/s1600/rat-pack.jpg" /></a><b>1. Hang people you like in the bedroom.</b>
Paintings and pictures in your bedroom and relationship area should
reflect the kind of relationships you want. For example, if you are a
single guy that would love a special lady in your life, do not have
posters of the Rat Pack in your bedroom. If you are a single lady who
would like her pick of a handful of artistic dudes, maybe you want a
picture of the Rat Pack in your bedroom. Also, be aware of the body
language in the pictures you hang. If you would like to draw these
people into your life, they should be open, inviting and happy to see
you - not looking past you or down on you.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KxeMOM9eIPo/T4LjHGaaHDI/AAAAAAAAASQ/AM82yHFHNvw/s1600/precious-moments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KxeMOM9eIPo/T4LjHGaaHDI/AAAAAAAAASQ/AM82yHFHNvw/s1600/precious-moments.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>2. No preciousness in the bathroom, k?</b>
There's a whole heckuva lot of flushing that goes on in the bathroom.
Lots of chi going down the drain in there. Images of people or things
you care about tend to connect with the energy of those very people or
things. Having such images in the bathroom may be disposing of some
valuable energy. If that picture of the Precious Moments kids makes you
smile fondly because it reminds you of your kids, you might want to keep
it out of the bathroom. If you just think it's cute, cool.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W02cbU0zR2k/T4LjGTBj6EI/AAAAAAAAAR4/JD8rFgWd3XM/s1600/Ivan-Albright-Flesh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W02cbU0zR2k/T4LjGTBj6EI/AAAAAAAAAR4/JD8rFgWd3XM/s1600/Ivan-Albright-Flesh.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>3. Be wary of dark imagery.</b></div>
<div>
Now,
I love skulls and darkness as much as the next girl. Just pay attention
to where and how much of this imagery you hang, because, guess what?
This kind of imagery tends to invite darkness. This one took me a minute
to come to terms with. I am a fan of skull art for sure and there's
some pretty killer (no pun intended :) pieces out there. Just pay close
attention to how it makes you feel. Does it make you happy because it's
so awesome? Do you connect with it because it strokes your more brooding
side? Then decide if that's how you want to feel.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sdxMGn4dbb8/T4LjG5P3C4I/AAAAAAAAASI/DbYSQvB5yZ4/s1600/jackson-pollock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sdxMGn4dbb8/T4LjG5P3C4I/AAAAAAAAASI/DbYSQvB5yZ4/s1600/jackson-pollock.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>4. Colors can act as elements.</b></div>
<div>
In
general, each room should have a balance of each natural element
represented. However, it may not be practical to have fire in every room
literally, unless you like a lot of candles. In such a case, you can
hang artwork that represents the element in question. <br />
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Here's a basic run down of the elements and colors that represent them:</div>
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water: black, blue, turquoise</div>
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fire: red, orange, yellow, purple, fuschia</div>
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earth: yellow, orange, rose, brown, earth red, beige</div>
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wood: greens, browns</div>
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metal: white, silver, gold, copper, grey</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MjSfmP0uC18/T4LjGk8plNI/AAAAAAAAASA/H0E7w2deSqs/s1600/damien-hirst-banksy-painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MjSfmP0uC18/T4LjGk8plNI/AAAAAAAAASA/H0E7w2deSqs/s1600/damien-hirst-banksy-painting.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>5. You gotta love it.</b> </div>
<div>
Bottom
line. For some folks this goes without saying. For the others out
there, here it is: don't feel compelled to hang something that was given
to you or made by some one you know if you don't absolutely adore it.
Being indifferent may be one thing, but definitely don't display art
that you don't even like.</div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-19993280993176479622012-02-05T17:50:00.000-06:002012-02-05T17:50:22.298-06:005 Questions with Nate Otto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3y0fm_GvpMA/Ty8SvhLE5HI/AAAAAAAAARo/9idaAuIxUlQ/s1600/NateOtto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3y0fm_GvpMA/Ty8SvhLE5HI/AAAAAAAAARo/9idaAuIxUlQ/s320/NateOtto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://3minutemovieschicago.tumblr.com/">3MM</a> is a collective of film makers here in Chicago that I'm proud to be a part of. I had the opportunity to interview one of the contributing artists for the 3MM website. Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Not that we’re biased, but 3MM is a huge fan of the work of <a href="http://nongallery.com/">Nate Otto</a>, so we were super stoked to have him submit a video for our first Chicago themed showing. His animated approach to the theme was completely original, true to his unique style and made us all smile. Nate creates in damn near every medium including drawing, painting, video, and music and was awesome enough to talk about how and why he does what he does. To get a feel for what Nate does, check out his </span><a href="http://nongallery.com/" target="_blank">website</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> or one of his </span><a href="http://carpetfarm.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogs</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. What’s you’re favorite color?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Green. I like all shades of green. I like putting different greens next to each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. You create work in drawing, painting, music, and movies…what’s the motivation to create? Why do you do it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I really can’t help it. I’m not sure if I’m good, or that it matters, but I’m compelled to create stuff. I wrote a novel when I was in high school. I’ve always recorded music. Visual art is the one I’m best at. I can barely write a complete sentence now, and I’m very limited as a musician, but when it comes to the visual stuff I feel like I’m getting stronger every day. I’m not sure what it will lead to, but when I’m really making stuff, that’s when I feel good about life and about myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3. How does your approach differ for the different mediums?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s pretty much the same thing. It’s just a question of what tool I’m best at using and in which realm I have the most developed taste. I don’t like getting bogged down in the details and the editing, and that’s why I can’t write anymore. I would make a lot of animations if someone else did all the technical shit for me. I can do that stuff but I’d rather be doodling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4. What was your inspiration for the movie you made for the “Chicago” showing? How did you make it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That animation style has been percolating in my head for a while. I did some stuff that was a precursor to it. I figured that I could make the drawings that would work for what I was imagining. The animations of Don Hertsfeldt were a big influence on the look. I was exploring the choppy frame thing. I made it three seconds at a time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5. If you could have dinner with any famous person living or dead, who would it be and why?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">JD Salinger, because I’m curious and I think we would get along.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-4073534310197066622012-01-29T13:02:00.000-06:002012-01-29T13:02:20.796-06:00Cheers!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2oH4J8ippD8/TyWWfqmGGeI/AAAAAAAAARE/pJbgfW7KaOo/s1600/NewYear.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2oH4J8ippD8/TyWWfqmGGeI/AAAAAAAAARE/pJbgfW7KaOo/s320/NewYear.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the start of a new year. It's like hitting the reset button. There's not a more perfect time for starting fresh, assessing the accomplishments of last year and setting goals for the coming year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's have a look at 2011:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had the great fortune to work with <a href="http://blackcloudgallery.net/">Black Cloud Gallery</a> in numerous shows through 2011 and look forward working with them again in 2012. They're a super group of people and have really given me a great start at making my artistic ventures a steady stream of income. I'll have a couple of new pieces in the February Art Bazaar to start.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3minutemovieschicago.tumblr.com/">3 Minute Movies</a> is a movie making collective that grew from a video challenge between <a href="http://www.chrisbatte.com/">Chris Batte</a> and myself. Our first showing was only in December and the 2nd is coming up on Feb 6. It's a fun excuse to make some movies, meet new artists and collaborate creatively. Really looking forward to how this develops and spending a lot more time making movies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was an unexpected pleasure to lead a couple of screen printing workshops at <a href="http://rumblearts.com/">Rumble Arts Center</a> in 2011. I appreciate the opportunity to volunteer and share something I love. I plan on helping them set up a more function print facility this year and leading a more comprehensive workshops for kids and teens. Encouraging and promoting creativity in young people has really taken importance in my list of things to do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For 2012, I'll be increasing focus and time investment on those ventures, and there are a few other areas I'd like to pay more attention to:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drawing and coloring. Along with major projects and pieces, I want to be sure to make time each week for drawing and coloring. Doodling and creating unconsciously.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yoga and meditation. Always a part of my regular routine, I want to improve and deepen my practice. More celebration of life and fortune.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loved ones. I spend so much time and energy accomplishing things, I tend to be either super busy or exhausted. This year I want to be more balanced and in touch with friends and family that I love on an intimate level. Fewer texts, more personal conversation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So happy new year to you all! I'd love to hear your thoughts and aspirations as well, so please feel free to share!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8615949851264688033.post-62018960176273887302011-10-02T13:20:00.002-05:002011-10-02T13:20:43.910-05:00<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2195464.What_I_Talk_About_When_I_Talk_About_Running" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1205696926m/2195464.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2195464.What_I_Talk_About_When_I_Talk_About_Running">What I Talk About When I Talk About Running</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3354.Haruki_Murakami">Haruki Murakami</a><br />
My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/216954469">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I have about 30 pages left and I probably won't finish it. I am going to read some of his fiction next, though. The book was very well written, for sure. Insightful and inspirational, at times. It just so happens that what he talks about when talking about running isn't what I want to read about when I read about running.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/6496484-tara">View all my reviews</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08109302450280779904noreply@blogger.com0