Life

A college graduate...
..Unbelieveable.

Whats even better is that in the time it has taken me to graduate, I have also found something new and exciting.

It's been there for a long time, only now am I able to embrace it, to invite it to stay.

Sometimes you just have to say what you need to say.

I love you.

The Last TU Painting

School is nearly over.

Finals begin late next week and graduation is two weeks away.

May is finally here and I am so excited for a new month!

Those who know me continually ask if I'll miss college.

I'll miss the process that college was...introducing me to the next thing, and supporting me as I achieved the honors that I did.

I'll miss some of the professors and some of the friends that I've made, but...its time for the next thing.

College is over...and life is beginning.

I'll definately miss my painting class...I've seen an incredible improvement in the few months of insturuction.

This is the last painting:

....It's been fun.

Home Stretch

My final project for painting was a self portrait.

Though I don't know that I completely achieved the part where it's supposed to look like you, I definitely nailed the shadowing. Baby steps.

 In other news, this is my last real week of classes...and then all of my energy gets to be with final exams. 

I need a job. 

Winding Down

So this is the last in-class painting that will be done in Intro to Painting. 

I'm a little sad that there isn't more time for this class, i really enjoyed it.

This one is still a work in progress, we have another week in class to work on it.

Next up...self portrait. But i don't want to post that one until it is complete. 

An incredible suprise!

Today was one of those days that make you want to stay wrapped up in your warm blankets.
In fact, it took everything I had to crawl out and go to class today.
But then when I got home I had an amazing surprise waiting for me.
A dozen beautiful long stemmed roses....You are truly incredible.
I only wish that the box held a certain Californian instead of the roses that he sent.
I just couldn't stop smiling.Thank you for being you, and for making my day worth getting up for.

"And in this crazy life,

and through these crazy times
it's you, it's you
You make me sing
You're every line
You're Every word
You're everything"

~Michael Buble

41st Student Art Exhibition: Tyler School of Art

So my work was featured in an art show here at Temple University for the spring semester. 

I'm thrilled because I never thought anything that I produced by doing this hobby was worth being featured anywhere but the confines of my bedroom or apartment walls. 

In the following pictures you'll see the gallery space as well as the two paintings that were selected to be a part of the show!

This is the wall that the two are featured on, if you can see them, they are centered!

These are the selected paintings. Both were color studies that were inspired by a typical bouquet of flowers. 

This one just makes it feel very official.

Just some more of the gallery space. Some of the student work was incredible. 

And this is the final version of the painting that I was working on last week of the African American model. Unfortunately my camera doesn't fully capture the colors and the shadows created, but it turned out very well. 

 I'm so grateful that I had such a positive experience with the art school at Temple. I'm just sad that I didn't explore it sooner. 

It's the Littlest things

The littelest things can make you smile in the morning.

Sometimes it's a message left from someone you really care about...

Other times it's just having the knowledge that they care.

I'm passionate about a lot of things, but i forgot about Sinatra, Art, music and travel.

These things were lost for a while...but recently, I've found reason to let them come out again.

My paintings reveal that I've been inspired. Below is a painting I'm still working on, a portrait of our African American model. I just love the warmer colors that come with creating a convincing dark skin tone.

As graduation approaches I am confident and optimistic about the future. Even though I am aware of how hard the world can be, I'm very ready to embrace the changes and all of the wonderful things that may be waiting once school is over.

"I've got you under my skin.

I've got you deep in the heart of me.

So deep in my heart that you're really a part of me.

I've got you under my skin.

I tried so not to give in.

I said to myself: "This affair never will go so well."

But why should I try to resist when, baby, I know so well,

I've got you under my skin."

~Frank Sinatra

*Edit: I just found out that some of my artwork will be featured in Temple Univerity's art show on April 15-April 18 in Tyler School of Art!