Fall 2010 pt. 2 - First Place!

I like all this snowy weather. It could be a hindrance if driving far places was a desire, or sunbathing on the roof even.  This morning was not very sunny, but the stillness outside was pretty, and inclines me to wake up even earlier tomorrow because early morning is always the most peaceful.  Yesterday morning the sun was still low in the sky and made these sparkling icicles from my roof:

This is part two of my parts.  That is such an odd little word. Part.

In November, the Gateway Arts Center in Mount Sterling (KY) had a juried exhibit for Morehead students.  There was tons of good art submitted.. picking "the best" or "the most interesting" or whatever they judge by, would've been a challenge.  Once selected to be in the gallery, they pick winners (and 2nd place.. maybe 3rd? maybe not) for 5 categories - digital, drawing/printmaking, painting, sculpture, and photography.

I submitted two oil paintings that I had done for class, of which one got in, and it got first!  Pretty awesome! Yet unexpected at the same time, as they didn't even choose the painting that I thought they would.

I titled it "Half-Conscious".  (18x24")  I wanted it to represent a feeling I had of knowing I should be conscious, but not wanting to be conscious.  To be conscious, in my definition, is to be aware of yourself and your surroundings, and accept whatever is going on at a given time and deal with it however is necessary.  I could tell that that is not what I was doing in many areas, and life began to get more overwhelming, resulting in a stressful semester.  I associate birds with freedom - you could see this as a bird trying to save herself and her freedom by trying to stay conscious.

(click picture to enlarge)

Thanks for reading!! =D

-Tasha

Fall 2010 pt. 1 - Mural in Morehead

This previous semester certainly had its highlights.  

Prior to the Fall classes starting, I was amped to have the opportunity to line up a mural project with my first mural client!  After completion of the beach mural that I did in my parents' house, I was feeling all mural-driven and wanted to paint walls, indoors or out!

This new mural posed many new obstacles - creating an original design (the main guideline being "patriotic"), transferring and scaling the design to fit the (approx. 60 ft wide, asymmetrical) wall, learning about exterior paint (and to be sure to specify exterior when purchasing, because they won't always ask!) and other things.

Awesome things that happened were that dozens of people walking or driving by gave the nicest compliments as they passed.  People took pictures.  I got to see what it was like to stand and climb on two-story-high scaffolding even though the getting down part took some fear-facing strategies.  The guy I was working for was very easy to work with.  And I got to be outdoors a lot on some of the prettiest days of the year.. fall is a pretty time.

Not so awesome things that happened includes spilling a nearly-full gallon of gray paint in my car trunk during the first week, and accidentally starting off the mural with interior paint (that's what happens when you think walmart employees will read your mind). 

The painting began in early October and was completed right before the end of November.

 (pictures of just-beginning-to-be-primed wall)

(me at work, naturally)

And here's what one might see if they were to drive by it (in the late afternoon with the windows across the street causing sun-reflections on it...)
All done!