3 Works on Paper

I've been working at this specific size, a pice of drawing paper torn in half, four times (aprox. 5" x 7"). This small rectangle works well for my tiny drawing table in my room. That's all!

My Friends From the SF MUNI

(Click to enlarge and read!)

San Francisco Trend Report

Magazine Review: The Gentlewoman

Magazine: The Gentlewoman

Issue: # 1 Spring/Summer 2010
Purchased: Mall of America Barnes & Nobel, for around $11
thegentlewoman.com

Thoughts:
First of all, it was not easy to track down a copy of this magazine. I read about the magazine's announcement MONTHS ago, and was interested to see what the creators of Fantastic Man would do for a female audience. I hunted for it in NYC, but couldn't find it, I think because by that time it was 2 months old, so it wasn't on the front of newsstands. Also it wasn't available online anywhere. I was complaining to Jack that I couldn't find it, and he was like 'oh I saw like 10 copies of it at the downtown Barnes & Nobel." I happened to be at the Mall of America later and found a copy at their B & N.

Editor Penny Martin's opening letter slightly blew my mind. She acknowledges that it's fun to reflect on iconic women from the past, but that "a far more interesting question is undoubtedly: who are the women of the future?" This is so true. It's easier to romanticize role models from the past than to recognize the trail blazer's of today. Unlike most mainstream fashion/lifestyle magazines for women The Gentlewoman is light on the beauty, boyfriends and weight loss. As Martin says:

"I wanted to make sure that for every one part fashion and celebrity, there would be four parts other things, because this is an exercise in restoring the balance that I remember in publishing. Even in the 18th and 19th centuries, women were writing about travel and education and philosophy, and that's somehow disappeared. We have the opportunity to do these things, and yet if 50 years from now you were to look at the magazines we're consuming, you'd think we were just interested in handbags."

In Part 1 of The Gentlewoman there are numerous short interviews with women who have interesting jobs, from an illustrator to an ice cream maker. Instead of questioning the woman about their professions, they described how they deal with an aspect of modern life, from transportation to correspondence. The only downer was Daisy Lowe, a model who was asked about modern housekeeping and gave one word responses. Part 2 is the Features section; which includes a fashion editorial and more in depth interview's with the likes of fashion designer Phoebe Philo and artist Jenny Holzer. The issue is wrapped up in Part 3 with fashion photo essays, including a shoot of clothes without models.

I feel it goes with out saying that under the creative direction of Jop Van Bennekom the design is refreshingly subtle, especially in the context of women's interest magazines. Overall, a

stunning debut and I can't wait for issue 2!

My Month in MN

I've been in MN for the month of June, spending most of my time at my parent's house in Bloomington. My parent's moved while I was in college, so I've never actually lived in this house. However, my parents have had the same appliances and furniture forever, so it doesn't seem that foreign. I've been working on a lot of outdoor projects with my dad. When I was younger I hated having to drag the hose all over the yard to water the plants, and all my other chores. Now I enjoy the gardening and working outside, probably because my normal routine is pretty stagnant.

My parent's backyard.

The bat box, clearly labeled so other animals don't come knocking.

One of two gardens, with lots of lettuce and tomatoes.

Raspberry bushes!

And now a quick room tour of the 'guest room' in my parents basement, where my brother and I have both briefly stayed.

The previous resident covered the celling with glow in the dark stars, can you spot the big dipper?

Good intentions for a make-shift studio, not yet used.

My brother's decorating.

All my possessions, and some exercise equipment, stacked against one wall.

I recommend a visit to the Como Zoo and Conservatory, because admission is donation based and they now have a butterfly garden. The one rule: "Please do not touch the butterflies. Let the butterflies touch you."

A few things I've collected & made

As my time out east is coming to a close, I've sorted through the things I've collected and made while out here.

First, various documents from one of MASS MoCA's un-renovated buildings.

Printed matter from MASS MoCA, and other places in New England.
Printed matter from New York, including a Printed Matter bag, and post from friends.

My experiments with the vinyl plotter, resulting in sticker making.

And lastly, some collage/drawings with envelopes from the un-renovated building, flower catalogs, and fashion magazines. Also see my sketchbook for new images.

Photobooth Diary #4 & Room Tour

My fourth Photobooth Diary, starting around Christmas and ending today with me in MA.

Now, a brief tour of my petite room in MA. Above and below, walls decorated with some familiar and some new things.

Below, I set up a little studio area complete with yellow daffodils. Also below, some periodicals I recently acquired and am excited to read.

Above, an installation in a windowsill at MASS MoCA by artist Joan Steiner that I want to re-create in my home some day.