I HAVE A STUDIO!!!!

I just wanted to give a virtual jump for joy that I agreed to rent my first professional studio last night!  I'm so excited.  I will move in on February 1, 2008.  It will be a 180 sq ft of working paradise!!!!

 

 

Just for the record

Hey all,

The latest spot I've landed is the Washington DC metro area. Its a place that I'm
gettting to know slowly. Its an interesting mixture of hip no money and old world crusty old money. I'm hoping to find a comfort somewhere in between.

I've chosen to stay here for a few years at least, give it a go, and try to find some success (terms and parameters as yet to be defined) then move home to deserts and mountains, rain or no, and wine country no less. I do miss seeing a distant horizon line. But there are lots of things to offer here as well.

So.. thats the status of things.

P.S. Hi Andrea!!!

Hello all,

Just an fyi that between my 4 jobs after graduation, the one most important an only non-paying being an artist somehow has taken a small backseat for the need of cash and housing. So in the meantime, I've procured two jobs (well one really, cause my old job was given back to me) and a pet nanny position. Its been interesting and I'm working about 60 or more hours a week between pets and being an office manager.

It all puts being an artist and being given the time this summer to create into perspective. It was an amazing gift. Because now I realize how little time there is with all of the other stuff crowding in for time. Granted my finances took a serious hit by doing so, but I had one last hurrah for my thesis work, which was much needed. I'm now starting to get back on my financial feet, slowly and surely. There is still a lot of worry on how I'm going to pay for everything, but I think there is relief in sight.

I'm excited to be moving into a new place this week which will eliminate the pet nanny position. I thought I used to like pets until I lived with at times 10 cats and 5 dogs and 2 intense pet owners. But holy crap!, and lots of it too. when you've already worked a 10 hour day (or more) the last thing you want to do is come home and deal with pet crap, literally. I didn't know that people could honestly converse about pet crap for over 20 minutes with complete seriousness. Really I didn't. At some point the lunacy should have crept in and added some levity. I've been requested by several people to writer about my pet nanny position, but I think there needs to be some time away from it to be able to really appreciate it.

So now I'll be down to 50 hours a week and trying to create in the other waking hours. Wish me luck!

As I'm doing preparation for my career search, I took a break to check out the horoscopes today...

Quickie:To get the help you need, find a few likeminded people who share your dreams.

Overview:You've reached the end (or maybe the climax) of this chapter of your life, and need to think about what lies ahead. Your ambition won't let you rest for very long, so get busy and see what happens!

Hmm. How is it that Yahoo horoscopes seems to speak the loudest lately and echo my own thoughts? I guess I'm now searching for likeminded people.

6 x 9 inch linoblock print

Untitled 5" x 7" etching/mixed media

Tension 4 x 6 lino block print

New Installation

This is from the new work here at Chautauqua.  One installation shot and two closeups. 

 

 

1600 miles and every NE state but Rhode Island.

Since leaving DC last week, I've put 1600 miles and counting on my car. I've been to every New England state but Rhode Island. I saw millions of trees, the Atlantic Ocean, tried my first real lobster, and met relatives I've only ever heard about.

life is funny sometimes and the messages are fairly clear....

so this was my horoscope today... I also just found out that my boss hired a permanent person rather than a summer intern.. I guess the stars are trying to tell me something.. I just wish they would explain a little better so I'm not so freaked by the unknown....

Quickie:
Today it will be very clear that permanence is a fallacy. Nothing lasts forever.

Overview:
The stars are definitely in your favor right now, so go for it. Prepare for your career status and the passion factor in your life to go through the roof. You can carry out any plans now, no matter how grandiose.

I'M DONE!!!!!!

Well,

 

Its been a helluva ride thus far.  Tonight is the big celebration of 2 years of hard work.  I'm planning on celebrating BIG!!!! 

 

The last several weeks have been crazy and at time I almost think someone should have commited me.  Unlike most of my counterparts who have been planning what they were going to display in our thesis show,  I changed my entire body of work and created everything a week before the show went up.  So for those that received my postcard...that painting isn't even in the Museum.  Everything is brand spanking new.  Its also been a parade of critics, curators, and gallerists, and collectors through our studios and the show, so cross your fingers for me!

 

I was awarded the Jo-Anne Crisp Ellert Award for Excellence along with my roomate from Rome, Becca.  I think we were both floored and flattered by the recognition.  As well as I received a Mellon Grant from the University for the preparation of my thesis show.  Plans after this include visiting family and friends for a few weeks then heading to upstate New York for the Summer for the Chautauqua School of Art residency program where I have been given a scholarship to attend.  I'm hoping to develop that shiny new body of work there.

 

So...the suitcases can't be burned yet.  I'm still gonna be a travelling fool, but at this point, I think I'm ready for the next adventure!  Hope this finds everyone happy, well, and enjoying life!

 

Jenny

 

P.S.  I"m attaching a quick photo of the new work.

--
I want to live my life not by the regret of "what if", but by its possibilities. -ME

What lies behind us and what lies before us are nothing compared to what lies within us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
 

Last inning stretch!!!!

Hey there!

So this adventure of graduate school is coming to a close in just a few short weeks.  Its hard to believe these two years have passed by so fast and what an adventure!!!!

 

I'm including some of the images that I have been working with.  I hope you enjoy.  As you can see the latest, the sculptural wall piece is a big leap.  Its a new and scary direction, but feel ultimately more comfortable, not to mention much more fun!   (The middle one "Disappearance of Constraint" has recently been chosen to appear on the cover of a book of poetry.  I'm currently working with the author and the publisher and will have more details later for all.)

 

My thesis show will be April 21 - May 27.  The opening is May 5.  I will also be in a group show in Alexandria, Virginia called Art-o-matic at the same time.  More details for that soon.

 

As far as plans after grad school? I have no clue really, its the first time in a long time I don't have a plan and in many respects, it feels good.  There are a lot of possibilities I'm currently exploring so we'll see where that leads. 

 

If you would like to receive a postcard for my thesis show please send me your updated addresses.

 

Hope this finds everyone well, healthy, and enjoying the spring weather! Let me know how you are doing.

 

Jenny's latest...

So,

I really haven't dropped off of the face of the earth.  I'm still in grad school in Washington DC.  I will graduate in May.  (It doesn't seem as if it has been two years).  My thesis exhibition will open the on April 18th and run through May 13th.  Right now I'm re-learning how to have fun with paint (who know it wasn't supposed to be completely serious???) through assistant teaching non-art majors. 

I was able to go home for the holidays and enjoyed seeing my family, new niece, and some friends.  For those that I didn't see, I'm so sorry.  It doesn't mean I still don't think of you often.  While home, I had knee surgery on my left knee with very hopeful results.  Right now I'm in the healing process and visiting the physical therapist often.  But progress is steady and I am getting around pretty well now.  Not to mention, it gave me some more "material" for my thesis.

I'm enjoying my job at the marketing firm and learning alot about small businesses.  We are doing alot of work for non-profits that are trying to help the world out.  It helps me feel balanced and that my world is not completely consumed by art.  At this point, I've been offered a job after graduation with the firm and am seriously considering it.  I'm a little tired of schlepping my suitcases around the world and it would be nice to stay in one place long enough to see if I like it or not.  I'll be researching all of my options in the next few months and trying to decide what life after grad school will be like for me.  I'll likely be going to the College Art Association conference in New York in February, where I hope a clearer picture of what is available for jobs arises.

Well, I suppose the painting I'm working on is dry enough, so I better get back to working.  I hope you are all doing well.  I would love to hear from you.

Jenny



--
I want to live my life not by the regret of "what if", but by its possibilities. -ME

What lies behind us and what lies before us are nothing compared to what lies within us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson