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| Friday, March 31, 2006 |
| On painting and inspiration |
I've got this inspiration for a piece I'd like to paint for the Easter art stuff on regeneration. I've never been one for realism in my painting which is why I'm struggling. My current working idea includes a somewhat realistic painting of a human heart at the center of it. Very nervous about that idea. Not really even sure what a human heart looks like.
I started doing some searches online for photos and it all looks so complex. Also, I'm searching out scriptures on regeneration and source of life. The text which is dominating the inspiration I've been given is "Behold, I make all things new" from Revelation (I think 21, but I'd have to look it up again). I'm in the process of looking for a groovy 70s flowerchild (think scooby doo) font for this project as well. Don't ask me how they go together, I'm really not sure yet. I just know some of the elements.
Also a bit scared at the idea of completing a piece before Easter. Perhaps I should just do it on a small canvas? Or should I attempt to conquer something of a large scale? And I mean very large scale as some of the current canvases are human sized. Ahhhh! Why oh why do I have to be inspired to create something during a time when I don't have days to work on it and in a medium I am unfamiliar?
I may just have to try last year's method: just start working and see what takes form from what you see in your head. The only thing with that is, last year's project was abstract in form. Prayers would be very welcome on this. I know some of you might think, it's just a painting, but it's a compelling thing for me to create it and it's not out of wanting to create something, it's a real actual inspiration. And anyone with access to great fonts for PC who can dig up a scooby doo/flower child font or 6 for me to work from, that would be helpful as well (11.5 hour days at work don't leave a lot of time for other things and days off are few and usually spent either relaxing or catching up).
Must sleep now. Another long day looms. |
posted by Jen @ 1:02 AM   |
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| Wednesday, March 29, 2006 |
| How to get "bike butt" (photos on the bottom) |
Today was a fine day to be outside. I didn't sleep in so much on my day off today. Having checked the forecast, I knew it would be a day to capitalize on. Waking at 10am, I found the sun already shining and the air balmy with a touch of wind. After a quick bite, I donned a couple layers, hat and mittens, and hauled my trusty 1964 AMF Hercules cruiser towards the street. Only one destination in mind, I thought I might just let the day take me where it would.
First stop, Walker sculpture garden and greenhouse. The ground yet soft with the melted snow, I kept mostly to the path in the garden. Around me trees had begun to bud and tiny shoots of green were coming up between last summers blades of grass. A bit windy, I took shelter in the greenhouse. I could sit in that greenhouse all day if I had nothing better to do and they would let me. On a day like today when all the kiddies are in school and the adults high above the city in their cubes, I sure could haved.
The air is thick with oxygen in there. Your first deep breath upon crossing the threshold is otherworldly. So rich is the air that often it condenses itself upon the foliage and ceiling lending to small drips and puddles. Inside the greenhouse, it is already late May. Some of the lillies have flowered, the amaryllis peeks out it's head, and the impatiens await early June with their delicate buds.
I hated to leave the warmth and the pure air behind (another day I may bring a book and find a corner to hole up in for the day), but the first real spring day was calling me outside. Next stop unknown. Thought I might just ride into downtown and see what I could see. Biking down Hennepin, I made use of the bike lane which I had not done before. Riding down the middle of the street where bikes are king with vehicles on all sides. So exhilerating. And the way it should be. Where are the dedicated bike lanes without parking or stopping or encroachment of turn lanes or hydrants or bus stops or any number of other things which impede cycling? Surely we have a long way to go in encouraging bicycling as a viable form of transportation.
Reaching Washington Ave. I realized it was only a hop, skip and a jump to the Stone Arch Bridge. That would be stop number two. Didn't stop long though as the wind was furious atop the bridge, tipping over my bicycle with it's gale force while I snapped a few photos. And on I went.
I remembered the other side of this bridge depositing me next to the U of M campus in my studies of ways to commute by bike to work. Following the map in my head, I made my way towards Dinkytown.
Next stop, the Dinkytown Erik's. Needed to borrow a wrench to fix the alignment of my handlebars which so inconveniently shifted as I stood to gain speed in an intersection. I remembered me that I had forgotten to check them after my light broke off the other day and sure enough, a small piece of the light bracket remained under the bolt and shifted under my weight. A short talk with the mechanic there about parts I may order for the rear hub of the Hercules (as it does not shift all of it's 3 gears) and a chat with Sharon my partner in crime from SBCU days, fixed my handlebar issue and was on my way again.
Destination unknown again. Headed back the way I came, hoping to decide on some lunch option before my stomach began to growl. Upon reaching Lowry Hill, headed the Hennepin route instead of directly home via Lyndale. Stopped at a tiny little antique shop which caught my eye, but much to my dismay it was all very high end stuff and well out of my budget. Recieved a complimentary honk from some guys in a white sports car as I ascended the hill standing on my pedals. And decided on a Chipotle burrito was in order to fill my incredible hunger and replace some of the calories I had burned off in my jaunt.
Debated going straight home and eating there, but decided against it. Next stop: the lakes. I forget how close I live and how quickly one can get there by bicycle. Had a makeshift picnic in front of the frozen lake with the sun beating down and feeling as comfortable as any spring day I have ever spent eating lunch at that pavillion. Unsure of the time, I thought it might be good to venture towards home and perhaps run up to the co-op for a few essentials.
Taking the Greenway home proved to be a mistake. The direction of the wind was just right to create a windtunnel in the opposite direction of my travels once I reached the part of the Greenway where it is dug into the ground. Good thing it was only a few blocks.
Nearing home and riding through the alleys, I wasn't sure I was ready to call it quits yet (though my legs were beginning to think otherwise). Steph was home early from work, indicated by her car behind the house. So I made her come out to bike with me (not like she needed arm twisting). It was a short jaunt just to get milk and yogurt and such things. Steph wanted to grill and got a steak.
If my legs could have gone any further we might have gone down to Savers, but after what was likely more than 20 miles (I'll see if I can't measure it out tomorrow and get a more accurate number) on a singlespeed steel bike, I was ready for a rest. I may hurt tomorrow, but it has all been worth it.
And now......the photos.
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| posted by Jen @ 11:54 PM |
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| Le tradicion alla the Easter Dress |
Each and every year of my life that I can remember, my very generous and practical grandma has sent my sister and I each a check to purchase an "Easter outfit". When I was a kid, this usually entailled some sort of short sleeve, ruffled number in a variety of pastel flower prints which was much too cold for the time of year in which Easter falls in Minnesota. And to top off my "outfit", some variety of fancy hat adorned with a ribbon matching my dress. Sometimes there was enough money to purchase new tights, sometimes we just got them anyways cause we'd ripped through all the old ones. Every now and then, we were also in the market for new white dress shoes, having outgrown the ones purchase some previous Easter and worn for several years.
A small envelope arrive this past week in the mail postmarked from said grandma. Inside, a card adorned with an Easter lily and a check for a larger sum than I remembered from years past (not exorbitant, but bigger). Having bought very few clothing items in the last year, I was pondering where I might find an Easter "outfit" which would fit my personal tastes (as they have changed much and I have rid myself of most of my dresses due to this). I was, however, in the market for a new dress or skirt.
So, first to Savers. Highly disappointing. I found one dress (a Gunney Sacks vintage piece from the 70s) but was saddened to find it much too small. Stop number 2: Unique Thrift. Now, this being one of the finer thrift opperations in the Cities I have only bought a few items of clothing there, for they lack a dressing room. Generally, I err on the side of things being a bit too large and make alterations from there. (My christmas dress came from there and was perfect for $5). Sadly, this trip yielded no options in the Easter outfit for me. While I was there, I did stumble into the baby girl section (as I often do with a little Amelie to render spoiled). As I looked at the cuteness, I found the absolutely most perfect Easter outfit for any 7month old beauty's first Easter, and a pair of shoes to match. I bought it.
 Stop number 3 was today on my day off. Ragstock. One of my favorite places to find vintage pieces as well as new stuff in styles I really like and usually at killer prices. Tried on a bunch of stuff without a whole lot of luck. But I did get one skirt, a different color palatte flowing patchwork skirt much like my current favorite skirt which I already have a tank and sweater to match, and probably even shoes. And a pair of mukluks. You see, it's cold in my house and the floors are wooden. I would turn up the heat, but every degree it goes up is dollars out of my pocket, lots of dollars. I have wanted mukluks for some time, even asked for them at Christmas time. And they were $8.99. My feet are now toasty warm. And had it been dry outside, I might have even worn them taking out the recycling ( I did wear them to get the mail, but that doesn't count cause I can still technically be standing inside when I do that). |
| posted by Jen @ 10:33 PM |
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| Thursday, March 23, 2006 |
| psuedo ode to spring |
 Just when I thought spring had gone back into hybernation, we get a day like in these photographs. Beautiful with the sun shining down and the window rolled down to smell the freshness in the air. I sat in my car and listened to some music while waiting for the rest of the staff at work a few days ago and just soaked in the springtime.  Those days were shortlived however. The last couple have been dreary and damp. Reminding me much more of October than March. The only giveaway that spring will come (other than the date on the calendar) is a distinct smell of thawing, of growing. That spring odor which you swear is dirt, then you swear it's the air, then you're not quite sure, but you know it's the sign of green things to come. Oh, it smelled like that today, richly. Seeping in under the crack in the door, blowing in through the vents in the car, taunting the flurries as they fell. If the sun had been out, it almost surely would have felt as it smelled.
 Spring cleaning is what I'm thinking, though I just moved in. Still haven't quite finished finding homes for everything and just functioning in my half put away world. Thinking of spring cleaning to get out some more of the junk and make homes for things I actually use.
I'm anxious for days to lengthen and warm so we can remove the plastic from the windows letting in the breeze. (The plastic is my friend for now as it keeps the temperature and the heating bill bearable). I'm already dreaming of cool summer evenings on the porch with the citronella candles burning and a cup of tea and some friends. Perhaps a fire in the fireplace as well.
I'm itching for the days of riding my bike all over the place without freezing digits and of holding a yard sale to rid ourselves of needless crap which is filling up precious basement storage. Oh spring, do not be long off and lead your cousin summer to my doorstep with haste. I am lonesome for you both. |
| posted by Jen @ 11:20 PM |
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