Inside the Junk Drawer

Just another Blogs.cas.suffolk.edu weblog

May
6

By

Finals and the End of Term

Category: Uncategorized Tags: , , , , 2 Comments

Drawing Structure and Expression II:

 

Monday morning we had our final crit. I was the first to present. Unfortunately, I was wigging out about both that and the English Final I hadn’t studied for much over the weekend so I was really wound up. Also, because of the boil order I couldn’t make or get any Coffee from Davio’s downstairs, so I was dragging. Luckily, our presentations are fairly relaxed. Gabe pointed out that I didn’t map out figures with structural lines as much as I did at the beginning of the year. This is because I’ve become more relaxed and confident about my drawing ability. Also, I have a better understanding of color: during our final project Gabe did not suggest any color to use. I have to figure out a way to get myself to keep drawing over the summer as not to lose the skill set I’ve achieved. I’m thinking about concentrating on architecture.

 

Advanced Painting:

Our crit is tomorrow. We need five finished paintings for it. I grabbed Katia yesterday and had her critique my work. I thought all of my pieces might need a lot of work, but was happy when she pointed out that two only needed minor corrections. I really don’t have a lot of time to correct them, so this was good news. The one I’m struggling the most is the first piece I tried automatism on. I played with that for a few hours, got to a point where actually I felt satisfied, and put it away. The plan for tonight is to go to the store for pie supplies (there’s a party going on for the Library, so I’m baking). I’m also going to buy some bagels to bring so the six of us can have breakfast while the crit is going on. Julie mentioned bringing food, so I thought I’d bring something in too as not to be a total leech.

 

Western Art II:

            We had our final yesterday morning. As usual, it included three parts, with six or ten minutes per slide, all open response. I’ve had Afshan for practically a year now: this is how she always conducts tests. It’s really not that bad, the writer’s hand cramp that forms is the worst of it. I managed to study my flash cards this time, but still couldn’t remember all of the artist’s names. I did remember all the work names though, so hopefully that will be sufficient.

            And no, I did not manage to finish my research paper for that morning. It’s due on Monday at 9am. I’m on draft three or four. I plan to put it in her mailbox with all my notes and such by tomorrow morning, so I’m in good shape.

 

English Literature II:

 

            I had my final on Monday. Again, I hadn’t studied much over the weekend. I was writing three papers and didn’t have time to review everything. However, the stuff I did manage to read and skim was the material on the test, so I lucked out a bit. However, I didn’t research everything in depth, so I’m not entirely confident about my answers. I’ll be checking blackboard for grades, but honestly there’s nothing I can really do if I did badly (at least that I’m aware of).

 

Social Ethics:

 

            I had the final paper and journals completed for the final that took place on Tuesday. I managed to read over my notes twice before hand. Also, by completing the final paper, I didn’t have to do parts 2 or 3 on the final. This was good, but part one was a bit hard to wrestle with and I ended up scribbling all over it. I’m serious; my handwriting is so big I was writing stuff in the margins. We had two questions we could mark for extra credit, but I was hazy on three. Also, my final paper was a general back and forth argument on legalizing active Euthanasia. He gave this option, but I don’t think he wanted it to be eight pages long or to ping-pong back and forth as much as I did. However, after going through five drafts, I was determined to pass the thing in. Period.

 

Chemistry 101: Again, there still aren’t any textbooks listed on the Suffolk Bookstore, so I decided to be bold and email the professor. I haven’t gotten word back yet. I’m really hoping the class is taking place.

 

Last Entry (?): Other than that, Friday is pretty much the end of Spring Term. I’m not sure if Molly will want to me continue this over the summer. I might continue posting about the Chemistry class, but make no promises. If I don’t make another post, I’d like to thank anyone that took the time to read this and hope the information it provided was useful to you.

            Have a great summer.

 

 

Apr
22

By

Crunch Time

Category: Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , 4 Comments

Drawing Structure and Expression II:

Due to the holiday we only had one class this week. We started our self portraits. I’ve deiced to do three smaller drawings instead of one huge one. I’m working on left over gray paper from freshman year and my pastels. Gabe said we could use photographs, but only if it was for a pose you couldn’t hold such as smiling. You don’t want to smile for nine hours. Trust me.

Anyway, I decided to take advantage of her offer and took three photographs with ridiculous facial expressions. I’ve done a number of self portraits and I was tired of the formality it entailed, so I decided it would be better to shoot for humor. It’s also introducing some new elements. For example, one of the photos has my mouth wide open, so I got to draw teeth. None of the models smile, so drawing teeth is pretty new and interesting.

Read More

Apr
15

By

White Rabbit Syndrome

Category: Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , 6 Comments

Drawing Structure and Expression II:

We started and finished a two session drawing. Gabe allowed us to stray from pastels because the composition was so complex. Instead of drawing one model, we had two. I chose charcoal, which I hadn’t used since freshman year. It was a bit difficult to get started because we didn’t do any gesture drawing, and being a bit rusty with the charcoal didn’t help matters. I couldn’t be as methodical as usual and ended up just reacting more with the medium. While I have not yet been able to photograph my earlier drawings, I did take two shots to show process and will upload them as  soon as I can.

Note: my photography skills are pretty bad, but well, here they are…


Advanced Painting:

Last week, I complained that I wasted six hours of my life. As per usual, my peers and professor disagreed. This time, I concur. A week provided some emotional distance. When I put it up, I found out my composition wasn’t as stiff as all my other paintings. I think they were stiff because I was planning them all out and being too methodical about it. With that one, it was completely improv and I had to work with whatever accident I created. Linda liked it. She said the piece was much fresher, though she said I should hold off forcing representations.

So, for last week, I used the acrylic to do an under painting. As I mentioned before, the Water Mixables I had weren’t doing what I wanted them to. I wanted to be able to drip and splatter my paint. The Acrylics mixed with mate medium, retarder, and the occasional use of water did. I sort of imitated Pollock a bit, just playing with the paint. I used a lot of red and water at first, picked up the entire board, and let the excess drip off the board. I let myself play with the paint and made an absolute mess. Starting thinking about fire and added a lot of yellow and orange. Then I strayed from fire and ended up imitating the pattern on one of the fluorescent lights above my head. Eventually, it turned into yet another cave interior. This one is much more dynamic than the last, though, and progress is progress, even if I’m not allowed to really have any control of it. As per usual, the right side of my brain just won’t conform to the desires of the left.

Ideas of Western Art II:

We had a museum trip this week. I was late (I hate being late) and missed the Rococo part of the lecture because I didn’t leave my English class early enough. I ended up choosing Courbet’s “The Quarry” and pumped the rough draft out the same day I took notes (this is unusual for me). However, I have seven papers total hanging over my head (the museum paper for this week, the museum paper for next week, rewriting the research paper statement, the research paper itself, my English essay, and my social ethics paper) before the end of the semester. So it’s pretty much Alice in Wonderland White Rabbit Syndrome.

English Literature II:

My English Professor was irritated I had to miss his class. I can’t blame him: I wanted to be there for the analysis of The Prophet’s Hair (it was really really cool; read like Arabian Nights and the ending is fantastic)-and now I’m stuck with second hand notes. Worse, with my luck, it will be on the final. Anyway, I fortunately have the luxury of going on the next museum trip on either Tuesday or Thursday of next week. Tuesday in English we’re going over outlines, and both of us agreed that would be the best day, attendance wise, so I (hopefully) won’t miss anything else important.

Social Ethics:

We discussed Capital Punishment a bit more and finished Nicomachean Ethics. I still have to use the text in my Aristotle Lab, but now I’m free to write about anything that strikes me instead of answering certain questions. As for the Presentation, I just barely managed to squeak mine into the 27th. If I hadn’t, I would have been presenting this coming Tuesday, and that would have meant trying to write three papers during the same weekend as my brother’s birthday (which is impossible, I never get work done when I go home to my family). I’m going to focus on Euthanasia as a topic. After discussing Capital Punishment, discussing mercy killings shouldn’t be too difficult and everyone will be in the right mind set for it. Plus, I’m honestly curious. Also, Professor Fried told us to treat the presentation like a work shop because the class will be discussing it and the paper should come after. Anyway, I’ve printed out about eight or nine articles to read over in preparation. I should have plenty of time if I’m careful.

Apartment Hunting:

After looking at one expensive apartment on Boylston, I finally had enough. I picked up the phone and finally called a realtor. I told him what I was looking for and asked to see everything they had to offer that fit that description. On Monday we spent most of the day on Beacon Hill. My roommate liked this; she’s not a Nesad student and would prefer to stay close to campus. I found it a complete waste of time. It was the same exact street I lived on during freshman year and I had no desire to go back to it. I left because the commute was too long and towards the end I had to start dealing with mice. Clearly, the mice were still an issue because I found a loaded mouse trap in one of the apartments we were looking at. Considering my roommates severe allergies, I doubt she’d want to live there either. Also, we only looked at one apartment in Back Bay; that one seemed nice but I wasn’t sold. The Saturday after next we’re going to head up to North end. Before that, I should call and ask if they had anything else in Back Bay. Things aren’t looking good from a time stand point. My roommate has to fly back to New York, so she needs to find something by the beginning of May before the term ends. So far, I haven’t seen anything I want and I don’t want to be pressured to settle.

Summer Classes:

I tried to order books for both my Chemistry class and the Art on the Silk Road (?). I found neither in the Suffolk Book store. This was extremely unusual. Luckily, I happen to have Afsan for the latter class. According to her, the books aren’t up because not enough people are enrolled in the class, meaning that it might get canceled. Which is bad. Very bad. I want to get these classes done with. I have to in order to obtain my creative writing minor. And I still have not set up an appointment to discuss it with an English advisor. Crap. I guess I should go talk to Audrey, see if she can do anything…

Dec
4

By

Oncoming Exams: Two Week Maddness (Not to mention Christmas on top of that)

Category: Uncategorized Tags: , , , 1 Comment

Drawing: We had another two session drawing. I’m still struggling pretty hard. I’m debating whether or not to do another self portrait in an attempt to boost my grade, but I have no idea if I’ll have the time. The modeling session being held on tomorrow is pretty much a no go because I have to finish constructing my Processfolio for Matt’s class. Plus, it’s going to snow tomorrow and I’d rather not be out in that. Later in the week will probably be better. The final crit is on Monday morning on the 14th, so I’ve got a little time.

Printmaking: I have six of my twenty-five prints done. I also haven’t constructed the box yet either. Our final crit is also on Monday 14th (I think). He said something about switching to Wednesday. I really hope we do that because I have an exam on the hill happening about an hour after Printmaking starts. It shouldn’t take too long; we exchanging prints.

Western Art 1: We’re studying Islamic art. I have to get the reading and questions done by this coming Tuesday morning. We’ve got a museum trip planned for Thursday and then the Exam the Tuesday after that. The paper for the museum will probably be due the same day as the exam. There’s always this mad rush right after Thanksgiving…

Intro to Sociology: We finished going over our six cases. This should give us plenty of time to review for the exam on Monday. Yeah, Monday. I have class on Tuesday at 11ish and they schedule the test for Monday 3pm I swear just to confuse us. I’m slacking off something fierce on my case paper. It’s just making me really nervous. I’m afraid I’m going to write it wrong or something. Maybe I should look up sociology papers…

 Imaging: We passed in our Homage. I fixed Ueda’s and Kandinsky’s at the last minute. I hate my Klimt rendition. The Processfolio is due this Tuesday, so I’m scrambling to get that assembled. Mine is a box with different compartments inside. At first, I was wrapping the inner boxes with drawings I did by hand. Then, about two days ago, I figured out that I could make the equivalent of wrapping paper with all the scanned work I did this year from all my classes.

  

Tuesday is the last day we’re meeting, so I’m toying with the idea of making a cake for us to eat Monday night. The Thursday after that, we’re to pass in photographs of it to Matt’s mail box with a written evaluation of the course. Due to the fact that our projects are only worth 10% and we acted as guinea pigs, the final evaluations the administration has the students fill out for their classes can’t really apply to us, hence why Matt’s having us write our own.

Work: Molly took pictures of student work today, so I helped out a little bit. I’ve also got my hours picked out for spring term. I’m working at the Library on Wednesday and the Front Desk on Thursday. I may also be working a couple of days during Winter vacation in January, so that’s really awesome too. I want to spend some time at home, but not to go stir-crazy like I did this summer.

Gallery: Yeah, I bet you just did a double take. We have a new gallery exhibit up with Resa Blatman’s work up which is pretty much indescribable. She uses a lot of intense color and liner patterns with extremely realistic animals and insects. I walked up the stairs while Jeff, our curator, was still putting up the work and it was like Christmas morning. It is so gorgeous.  She’s coming to give a talk on Tuesday which I’m looking forward to.

Christmas: I have some Christmas shopping to do. I made some presents already and have to wrap them up.  I’m also trying to figure out if I want to decorate my apartment with something. Small tree or a wreath…I’m not sure yet.

 

Skip to toolbar