Itching

I finally got some of the link kinks worked out on this blog. I keep debating whether I should just move my entire online existence over to a blog, but I’m not ready for the learning curve…moving all my photos, deciding what to keep and discard from the old site. The pack rat in me prevents progress.

I went to the Belleville Flea Market with Ron, Tracy, and Lindsey over the weekend. Found two great aprons and a super give-away for the Mad Art Trivia night coming up August 26th. Actually, I’ve got a quite a collection of goodies to give away—all top secret though.

Since I canceled the potato show, I’ve been itching to challenge myself on the creative front. I’m eager to be a contributor to the pop culture blog Thomas is starting. And I’ve really wanted to start some new artwork. I have about half a dozen ideas, but many of them involve elaborate installations not conducive to the Mad Art private event schedule. Cleaning my studio would be a good place to start, I suppose. With a four day weekend on the horizon, there should be no excuses. I have a new set of gouaches to experiment with. Ever since seeing some gouache on paper paintings from Lauren McIntosh, I’ve wanted to try them. I think they will be better suited for smaller works, but I’m very interested in trying to do some huge landscape inspired constructions. Stay tuned.

New things I love:

• Netflix (So many documentaries, so little time.)
• Saying the word “wiki” (Which I have ample opportunity to do at my new job.)

Things I’ve always hated, but have been newly reintroduced into my life:

• Loud phones. I can’t figure out how to turn the ringer down on the phone at my new job. I’m too embarrassed to ask. It scares the crap out of me every time it rings. And if that weren’t bad enough, before 8:30am and after 5pm, the “night ringer” is activated, which means the main phone line rings at decibel levels high enough so that anyone in the 14 story building could hear (and theoretically answer). Loud noises are definitely on my all time hate list.

ISO The Perfect Journal
I’ve been looking for years. As it stands, I carry a book bag with an unmanageable assortment of journals, tablets, planners, etc. (No, I’m not going to consider a PDA.)
Requirements:

• 8-1/2 x 11 format
• Spiral bound or a binder so that it opens flat.
• No zippers but some sort of cool tab closure.
• Halfway decent exterior. Not leather, maybe canvas covered.
• Quality acid free paper pad, without lines, for drawing. The paper should be perforated so drawings can be pulled cleanly.
• Ruled paper, for note taking and journal keeping.
• Weekly calendar pages (full week on 2 page spread).
• Address section.
• Folders on both inside cover/back for miscellaneous items.

That is enough chit chat for the night.