i am never up this early
but today i am
only because i pulled a semi-all-nighter
and slept in the atrium last night
worst sleep ever
okay not really, but pretty damn close
all for the sake of school
i need to finish a five hundred word paper
currently at three hundred and sixty-seven words
sounds like an easy enough task
not so easy when you absolutely loathe what you have to write about
also need to get a head-start on painting
those bad boys need to be complete by tonight
and artist statement has yet to be typed
crit starts tomorrow
and i have a take-home final due thursday
sufficient to say i am freaking out
ciao for now as i get back to that devil of a paper
wish me luck
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
rainy sunday
i wish it would stop raining
it makes me want to stay in my pajamas all day
and laze around the house
but not today
today i need to paint like a mad woman
it makes me want to stay in my pajamas all day
and laze around the house
but not today
today i need to paint like a mad woman
Thursday, November 24, 2011
go
walks always seem to help in this department. i see myself going for a few walks in the near future
on being creative
i posted this on my facebook page yesterday & i found that a lot of people related to it.
the video is ira glass speaking about creativity. i believe it's directed towards writers but can easily be applied to us artists. when you're feeling like you're in a rut, like all the art you're making is crap and you just want to give up... don't - watch this video. hell, watch it even if you don't feel down. it's a great reminder.
the video is ira glass speaking about creativity. i believe it's directed towards writers but can easily be applied to us artists. when you're feeling like you're in a rut, like all the art you're making is crap and you just want to give up... don't - watch this video. hell, watch it even if you don't feel down. it's a great reminder.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
lyrical walk
walk with me now
put on your shoes
let me guide you through
if you ain't been there you will probably see something new
walk with me - adam tensta
now walk it out
now walk it out
now walk it out
walk it out - DJ Unk
you're waiting by the phone
yeah just hang up and promise you
you'll never be walking alone
walking alone - dirty south & those usual suspects
all he ever does is walk alone
man he can only walk so far before
all he ever does is look inside
he don't need nowhere to hide
walk alone - jack johnson
walking on a dream
how can i explain
talking to myself
will i see again
talking to myself
will i see again
walking on a dream - empire of the sun
i don't know why she's with me
i only brought her trouble since the day she met me
if i was her, by now i would have left me
i would have walked away
walk away - the script
don't walk away eileen
i've been living for you since the age of seventeen
don't walk away eileen
you've been telling lies and now it's time to come clean
don't walk away eileen - sam roberts
cause i'll pull down a cloud for you
i'll circle the stars and bring you one back
i'll walk through the sun for you
cause there's something you do
that got me walking on the moon
walking on the moon - the dream
the end or the beginning
i realize i had a very slow start with this blog
this was a very rough semester for me
obviously as i sit here nursing myself back to health
it's unfortunate really
the past few weeks i've found myself yearning to write on this blog
so i've decided to continue with it
we shall see how long it lasts
i had another blog for two years and i always found myself struggling to keep up with it
it felt more like a chore than anything and it just wasn't me
i've since deleted it, wanting to start fresh
and this blog feels different
it feels better than the first
as this class comes to an end it is also the beginning of something new
you're invited to stick around if you wish
i'll continue posting snippets from my life
and art projects
it will likely become a space for working out ideas
posting pieces for inspiration and creativity
and perhaps there will even be posts about future walks
only time will tell
this was a very rough semester for me
obviously as i sit here nursing myself back to health
it's unfortunate really
the past few weeks i've found myself yearning to write on this blog
so i've decided to continue with it
we shall see how long it lasts
i had another blog for two years and i always found myself struggling to keep up with it
it felt more like a chore than anything and it just wasn't me
i've since deleted it, wanting to start fresh
and this blog feels different
it feels better than the first
as this class comes to an end it is also the beginning of something new
you're invited to stick around if you wish
i'll continue posting snippets from my life
and art projects
it will likely become a space for working out ideas
posting pieces for inspiration and creativity
and perhaps there will even be posts about future walks
only time will tell
synchronized
it wasn't intentional
how we began walking
multiple times a week
and that it just so happened to fit in perfectly
with my class on walking
guess it was meant to be
in hindsight
i should have documented our walks somehow
then maybe they would've been worthwhile
but in all honesty
they were worth it
they always were
and you know what
between this class, walking with you
and walking a lot during the summer
i've come to better appreciate walking
i've always been a fan of walking
but now i'm even more of a fan
so thanks for that
just so you know though
i want to walk with you again
my legs need to be stretched out
my feet want to fall into perfect rhythm beside yours
we both know that we walked so well together
it's quite astonishing really
never before had i experienced that feeling
that feeling of falling into sync so comfortably with someone
with your arms around my shoulders
mine around your waist
we walked in perfect coordination
let's do that again
real soon
how we began walking
multiple times a week
and that it just so happened to fit in perfectly
with my class on walking
guess it was meant to be
in hindsight
i should have documented our walks somehow
then maybe they would've been worthwhile
but in all honesty
they were worth it
they always were
and you know what
between this class, walking with you
and walking a lot during the summer
i've come to better appreciate walking
i've always been a fan of walking
but now i'm even more of a fan
so thanks for that
just so you know though
i want to walk with you again
my legs need to be stretched out
my feet want to fall into perfect rhythm beside yours
we both know that we walked so well together
it's quite astonishing really
never before had i experienced that feeling
that feeling of falling into sync so comfortably with someone
with your arms around my shoulders
mine around your waist
we walked in perfect coordination
let's do that again
real soon
Monday, November 21, 2011
stairs
i have always had a thing for staircases, especially those that are particularly interesting.
walking up or down stairs is such a normal act that most of us do on a daily basis yet probably don't think about all that much. how often do you notice the stairs that you are walking on? how often do you take notice of the design of the steps that you are walking on?
{apparently i didn't record the sources of these images either...i really need to get on that}
walking up or down stairs is such a normal act that most of us do on a daily basis yet probably don't think about all that much. how often do you notice the stairs that you are walking on? how often do you take notice of the design of the steps that you are walking on?
{apparently i didn't record the sources of these images either...i really need to get on that}
i would love to walk up and down any of those staircases
they're all so beautiful in their own ways
two videos
here are two thought-provoking videos found on SlutWalk Toront's YouTube channel:
(for some reason I can't find this video in the YouTube search to insert the actual video into my post...please just click on the link!)
reading response - women & walking
Walking After Midnight: Women, Sex, and Public Space is the fourteenth chapter from the book Wanderlust: A History of Walking by Rebecca Solnit. This reading corresponds to the topic I chose for my presentation - women & walking.
In this chapter Solint discusses what women experience and how they are viewed when they are walking at night. She stresses on the fact that women are limited to everything surrounding walking - where, when, how, why and who women walk with are all under scrutiny.
I found this reading to be quite eye-opening. I didn't realize that in Britain during the 1800's a woman could be arrested for walking at night because it was assumed that she was a prostitute. This was a way to restrict and control women's sexuality. The inequality that women experienced was profound - men were not treated in the same way at all.
Solint also talks about how the way women walk is eroticized and how it is often believed that women have sexual motives when they walk. Women do not have the same freedom as men when they walk.
Women are harassed, threatened, questioned and looked at when they walk. Women are frequently scared, worried and careful when they walk - especially at night.
This reading seemed to be written from a largely feminist perspective and rightly so. This is a female issue and Solint writes about it very well. She touches upon all aspects of women and walking and how women are disadvantaged when it comes to walking, among other things.
This reading relates very well to the SlutWalk phenomenon that originated in Toronto and has spread to cities all across the world.
On January 24, 2011 Toronto Police Constable Michael Sanguinetti is quoted saying, "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized." This statement was met with great controversy and uproar. It sparked the very first SlutWalk that took place in Toronto on April 3, 2011. This protest march gathered over 3000 people and was a way for women to reclaim the term "slut" - the idea is that women should be free to wear whatever they wish and walk wherever they choose without feeling threatened. Dressing in a "slutty" way is not consent for sexual conversation or contact of any kind.
Here are some images of SlutWalks in different cities:
In this chapter Solint discusses what women experience and how they are viewed when they are walking at night. She stresses on the fact that women are limited to everything surrounding walking - where, when, how, why and who women walk with are all under scrutiny.
I found this reading to be quite eye-opening. I didn't realize that in Britain during the 1800's a woman could be arrested for walking at night because it was assumed that she was a prostitute. This was a way to restrict and control women's sexuality. The inequality that women experienced was profound - men were not treated in the same way at all.
Solint also talks about how the way women walk is eroticized and how it is often believed that women have sexual motives when they walk. Women do not have the same freedom as men when they walk.
Women are harassed, threatened, questioned and looked at when they walk. Women are frequently scared, worried and careful when they walk - especially at night.
This reading seemed to be written from a largely feminist perspective and rightly so. This is a female issue and Solint writes about it very well. She touches upon all aspects of women and walking and how women are disadvantaged when it comes to walking, among other things.
This reading relates very well to the SlutWalk phenomenon that originated in Toronto and has spread to cities all across the world.
On January 24, 2011 Toronto Police Constable Michael Sanguinetti is quoted saying, "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized." This statement was met with great controversy and uproar. It sparked the very first SlutWalk that took place in Toronto on April 3, 2011. This protest march gathered over 3000 people and was a way for women to reclaim the term "slut" - the idea is that women should be free to wear whatever they wish and walk wherever they choose without feeling threatened. Dressing in a "slutty" way is not consent for sexual conversation or contact of any kind.
Here are some images of SlutWalks in different cities:
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
a walk of ten tasks.
my final project consisted of a video entitled 'a walk of ten tasks' that depicted a walk i took one november afternoon.
during this walk i set out to accomplish ten tasks in a set order. it took me two hours to achieve what i had set out to do.
over these two hours i became remarkably more aware of my surroundings and began to notice things that i would have otherwise passed by without a second glance. in having to complete the ten tasks i was constantly searching for ordinary every-day things that i normally wouldn't seek out. in doing this it feels like i elevated common things such as a bench or the number twenty-eight to another level - they became desired objects i was in search of. simple little treasures so to speak.
i chose to represent my walk in this way because it reflects the simplicity of the ten tasks. it is uncomplicated, clean and straight-forward - just like my walk and the idea behind this project.
during my critique there was concern with the video being confusing when the still images are shown and i am giving instructions for the next task. to be clear, the images appear after the line drawing illustrating the path i took to reach the image. the audio voice-over that you hear while looking at the image is to display that the image is the starting point of the walk for the task being explained. does that make sense? basically you hear what the task is, you see a line drawing of the route taken, then you see an image of the task being completed while hearing the next task. if i were to make this video again i would consider changing the order in which the audio, still images and video appeared because it seems to be too confusing for the viewer. i would also consider making a larger drawing at the end showing all of the routes connected together to give a big picture of my entire walk. it would also be nice to include something to give a temporal aspect to the piece. in the video there is no sense of how long the walk is and that would be something i would likely include if i remade this video.
you can go
this isn't my work
i found it a while ago & didn't save the source
oopsie
but i like that it relates to walking
because to some extent
you can walk in whatever way you please
i also just really like maps
nov.12 - forest walk
my grandpa passed away a week ago today.
on saturday, after his funeral, my family and relatives went to my grandpa's house to go for a walk in the twelve acre forest on his property. this was a walk in honour of my grandpa. it was a way to remember him and celebrate his life.
it was a well-known fact in my family that if my grandpa wasn't in the house or in his workshop he was in the woods. my grandpa loved walking in his forest. he called it his sanctuary. he lived for the outdoors and was outside every chance that he got. one of the last times i was able to speak with him, my grandpa told me that he was very upset that he was stuck inside the house and couldn't go out to the woods. he had endured the brutally hot summer with the hope that in the fall he could enjoy time outside in the cooler weather.
below i've shared a few images from my walk in the forest on saturday.
this walk was a wonderful experience. it was filled with memories, laughter and love.
on saturday, after his funeral, my family and relatives went to my grandpa's house to go for a walk in the twelve acre forest on his property. this was a walk in honour of my grandpa. it was a way to remember him and celebrate his life.
it was a well-known fact in my family that if my grandpa wasn't in the house or in his workshop he was in the woods. my grandpa loved walking in his forest. he called it his sanctuary. he lived for the outdoors and was outside every chance that he got. one of the last times i was able to speak with him, my grandpa told me that he was very upset that he was stuck inside the house and couldn't go out to the woods. he had endured the brutally hot summer with the hope that in the fall he could enjoy time outside in the cooler weather.
below i've shared a few images from my walk in the forest on saturday.
{not everyone was prepared to walk in the mucky forest!}
this walk was a wonderful experience. it was filled with memories, laughter and love.
Monday, November 14, 2011
sept.22 - mushroom foray
again, another post that should have been posted way back when...
our class went on a mushroom foray in the arboretum nature reserve at the university.
i had never been on a mushroom foray before so this was interesting. it really made me focus on watching where i was walking and observing everything in nature from the forest floor to high up in the trees - fungi live everywhere!
our class went on a mushroom foray in the arboretum nature reserve at the university.
i had never been on a mushroom foray before so this was interesting. it really made me focus on watching where i was walking and observing everything in nature from the forest floor to high up in the trees - fungi live everywhere!
why marcher?
marcher (pronounced mar-shay) means "to walk" in french. you probably learned this verb in grade four french class.
i find this word interesting because not only does it mean "to walk" but in english a "marcher" is someone who walks.
i find this word interesting because not only does it mean "to walk" but in english a "marcher" is someone who walks.
walks at night
i used to walk with you in the evening
when the sky turned dark and the street lights turned on
we would walk around guelph
aimlessly it seemed
walk and talk
for hours on end
i wouldn't get home til two in the morning some nights
for a month we did this
discovered new streets, new neighbourhoods
discovered new things about each other
we would walk in the cold
but i would always feel warm
once we got caught in the rain
i was soaked
my pants, my boots, my sweater
and your hair was dripping wet
the sky had a full moon one night
we walked down to a new subdivision
we walked so far that we reached a road neither of us knew
i wonder how far we walked
always at night
when the sky turned dark and the street lights turned on
we would walk around guelph
aimlessly it seemed
walk and talk
for hours on end
i wouldn't get home til two in the morning some nights
for a month we did this
discovered new streets, new neighbourhoods
discovered new things about each other
we would walk in the cold
but i would always feel warm
once we got caught in the rain
i was soaked
my pants, my boots, my sweater
and your hair was dripping wet
the sky had a full moon one night
we walked down to a new subdivision
we walked so far that we reached a road neither of us knew
i wonder how far we walked
always at night
sept.30 - pacific mall walk
i'm a bad blogger and this post is horrendously late.
our extended practices class went on a trip to the pacific mall in markham, ontario. this was quite the experience. it was one of the few times in my life where i've felt like the minority. pacific mall is an asian mall and the largest in canada if i am correct.
as soon as we walked in the door everyone was staring at us. i mean absolutely everyone. the security guards, shop owners, people shopping, employees at the restaurants, that grouchy woman who yelled at us for putting garbage into the wrong bin in the food court - everyone.
one of my projects for this trip was to leave post-it notes with feel-good sayings (the complete opposite of how i felt on that trip) around the mall. when i went into stores i felt like i was stealing something even though all i wanted to do was leave something behind. taking pictures in stores - even with your blackberry - is not an easy task.
here are a few of the images i collected through out the day. i installed them (along with many others) in a grid formation for the critique.
another project is one michelle c. and i worked on together. we asked shop owners to take our photograph. here is what we ended up with.
i think i'd call that a success. they were all so cooperative and kind. i finally started to feel welcome...
but that ended when a security guard escorted our class off the property. just another day in the life of an art student.
our extended practices class went on a trip to the pacific mall in markham, ontario. this was quite the experience. it was one of the few times in my life where i've felt like the minority. pacific mall is an asian mall and the largest in canada if i am correct.
as soon as we walked in the door everyone was staring at us. i mean absolutely everyone. the security guards, shop owners, people shopping, employees at the restaurants, that grouchy woman who yelled at us for putting garbage into the wrong bin in the food court - everyone.
one of my projects for this trip was to leave post-it notes with feel-good sayings (the complete opposite of how i felt on that trip) around the mall. when i went into stores i felt like i was stealing something even though all i wanted to do was leave something behind. taking pictures in stores - even with your blackberry - is not an easy task.
here are a few of the images i collected through out the day. i installed them (along with many others) in a grid formation for the critique.
another project is one michelle c. and i worked on together. we asked shop owners to take our photograph. here is what we ended up with.
i think i'd call that a success. they were all so cooperative and kind. i finally started to feel welcome...
but that ended when a security guard escorted our class off the property. just another day in the life of an art student.
nov.14 - rain
i was at the bank this afternoon
of course just when i left the building my bus went by
this left me with two options
one: wait in the rain for twenty minutes for the next bus to come
two: walk home in the rain which would take twenty minutes
i walked home in the fucking rain
of course just when i left the building my bus went by
this left me with two options
one: wait in the rain for twenty minutes for the next bus to come
two: walk home in the rain which would take twenty minutes
i walked home in the fucking rain
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