“XOXO Salon & Benefit Show” – Spray Booth Gallery

I got the chance to put a piece in the first benefit show for Spray Booth Gallery. Loads of artists are also participating in this wonderful event. Here’s the list:

 

 

I’m all for supporting art and I sincerely hope this space raises enough money to continue on. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend the opening reception, but I’m determined to go to the second. I really can’t wait.

Opening Reception: Friday February 3rd, 6:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Second Reception: Friday March 2nd, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Exhibitions End: March 17th

Normal Hours:  Tuesday– Friday 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. & Saturday 11:00 – 3:00 p.m.

My piece, “presenting : gimp,” came back to me yesterday evening! It was on display for months, maybe a year, in the 2010 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Exhibition in New York, NY. I’m so happy for its return.

FOKL Opening Weekend

I had the honor of getting my work displayed in the first art show at FOKL last night. The atmosphere of the event was very relaxed and friendly, making it easier for me to be sociable with others (eventually). As the night went on, I got the opportunity to talk with other artists about genealogy, resources for better art supplies and education. I can’t wait to come back!

Here are a few photos from the opening (taken by Allie Mason):

 

“Are you excited for the future? I am.”

I found out a week ago that an online publication of art and poetry, Amethyst Arsenic, had accepted three of my photos for their winter issue! This is the first bit of success I’ve gotten since the art show and I’m excited to see what I can do with my work. Amethyst Arsenic is a newer magazine, seeing as there is only one issue fully published at the moment, and I wonder how it’ll grow in the coming months. Check out their site, in the link above, if you too have the desire of being recognized for creative expression. You won’t regret it.

To add to the excitement of becoming a published artist, I would like to announce that I’ve been investing into a slightly more expensive camera (not telling). What does that mean? It means I’ll be able to improve the clarity of my vlog, take better portraits of others and produce better artwork in general. October is going to be a very big month for me…can’t wait to tell you how everything goes!

Transitions – August 5th

Time for an update on my artistic status! My first art show went wonderfully. I sold a few pieces and got an opportunity to meet other artists. Explaining the meaning of each photo was one of my favorite parts, because it seemed to make the person asking the questions appreciate my work even more. I was very fortunate to have partnered with Brittany Stanton for the event…it was new for her, too!

Our show’s theme centered around transitions that occur in our youth. Brittany entered an assortment of vibrant paintings and customized wine bottles with intricate designs (what I entered is a given). I’m also glad that our styles of art were so different. I think that’s what made people stay longer. Here are a few shots I took right after we closed for opening night:

On one of the walls, I tacked a snippet from my artist statement, describing the importance of transitions and the impact I want my work to have on the viewer (I credit Ms. Beggs, high school art teacher, for helping me effectively express this):

“I have used my own life ordeals as a point of reference to express the nature of transitions. As our culture changes, so has our life’s experiences growing up. My pieces deal with many stages of those events and the overwhelming emotions that are felt at those times. These early transitions encompass dealing with feelings of loss, worthlessness, confusion, fear and exhaustion. People have similiar relations to these feelings, however with my camera, I glimpse into the ordinary life of youth, recounting the impact that one moment in time has on a person’s life. I want people to react by stepping into the moment they are viewing. I want them to tap into their repressed memories and feel uncomfortable.”

To see what Brittany had to offer, click here. It’s a short video of me panning our unique space. Before I forget, I would like to apologize for not posting in months. I plan on using my blog to inform you guys of future shows that I’ll be having in Kansas City or the surrounding area. Thanks Bill and Laura Krzyzanowski for lending us their time, energy and support. I will always remember that Krzyz Studio was were I had my first taste of post-high school success. Later.

In the past month, I’ve celebrated my nineteenth birthday, went to prom with friends, got a job as a courtesy clerk at Hy-Vee, sent a short story to The Sun magazine for publication, and applied at the College of Visual Arts in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Phew. I’ll be more than happy to tell you all how any of those things went and/or are.

Unfortunately, I didn’t receive a national award from Scholastic this year. Don’t worry, though! I’m already making a comeback. I won “2nd place in State” in the photography section of the PTA Reflections Program. More than 500,000 students participated through their local PTAs each year. This was my first, and last, time entering into the contest. I plan to enter many more photo contests in my hometown of Saint Joseph before I move…wherever. Expect updates on recently won awards, college admissions, published works, etc.

Later, everyone!

I have a chance!

Hey, everyone!

Scholastic finally sent back results and I have some exciting news! Before I get to it, though, I would like to say that I would’ve been thankful for whatever I got, because any amount of recognition is absolutely wonderful. Here’s what I got:

• Photography Portfolio – Gold key
• Photography – Gold Key
• Photography – Silver Key
• Photography – Silver Key
• Digital Art – Honorable Mention
• Mixed Media – Honorable Mention

I’m really, really grateful for having the opportunity to submit to this contest again and am hoping for the best. Last year, I only got a silver key and gold key, so I am already doing better. Wish my portfolio luck, as it is going to be judged rather hard for national consideration (only two photography portfolios will be chosen and a $10,000 scholarship, which I need, is given). I will probably be uploading a video to my youtube, giving a similar update of The Awards.I’m almost there.

Chbosky’s writing has inspired me to start a new project. I’ve already written a short piece, entitled “Almost,” which I may eventually send off to a literary magazine. I may also combine the piece with a storyline of a novella I am mapping out. I am definitely excited to see where it goes.

I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky, and loved it. I came across multiple parts that I found relatable and/or inspirational. Charlie, the main character, shows that he struggles with change and doesn’t always “participate” in his own life. He over-thinks everything, imagining what could happen or what he would like to do. We have very similar personalities and ways of thinking, minus the cigarettes and other experimental drugs. We are both emotional and always seeking purpose. Towards the very end, there are a few lines I particularly liked: “I think that if I ever have kids, and they are upset, I won’t tell them that people are starving in China or anything like that because it wouldn’t change the fact that they were upset. And even if somebody else has it much worse, that doesn’t really change the fact that you have what you have. Good and bad. [pg. 211]” This reassures me. It makes me feel better about my own troubles, which I am constantly comparing to others (mine never seem quite as important or critical). Thank you, Chbosky. You’re the best.