Friday's Balloons

Okay, so not to be too over-dramatic but my heart just shattered into a million pieces when I saw these faux balloons by Clementine Henrion. At first glance they look like real helium balloons but they are actually sewn fabric with stuffing. Amazing! And all my favorite balloons, too. I first spotted this at Design for Mankind yesterday and have been lusting after them since. The price tag is a little out of my budget but that doesn't mean a girl can dream, right? Until then I'll have to just keep going to the party store weekly for fresh balloons. They are way better than flowers...

This weekend I plan on working on my house. I have plans to paint it and wallpaper it. Plus I have a few different art pieces in the works and would like to have them finished by Sunday. That's the goal at least.

Last night I taught my class and I have to say that I really have great students again this semester. We just had our first critique Tuesday night and they really blew me away with their work. I would love to get some on here to share so I'll talk to the students and see what they think. Right now we are doing drypoint which can be a bit challenging because it's such a new medium but they are coming along. Sometimes I really like this teaching thing...

Have a great weekend everyone!

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While I do my computering chores and blog reading I'm eating this for breakfast. I'm not really a great cook but luckily my boyfriend is. He made me a batch of homemade bread and today I'm finishing it off. I made a little dish of olive oil and I'm probably getting it all over my computer. It's so good! I also cheated and got a latte at Starbucks. I had a gift certificate but unfortunately their was only 10 cents on it so I paid for the whole thing. Shouldn't have gone for the Venti.

Last night was my first class. I was a little jittery and a little tongue-tied but I felt more at ease than I did on my first day last semester. Sometimes when I have to talk in front of people I just lose all my words. I hate it! My vocabulary gets dumbed down so much. I hate doing this but for my demo on Thursday I may write a speech and try to memorize it, at least so I can remember key words. I'll grow out of this, right?? I think I'm going to have a great class, though. It feels like there will be lots of energy so that's exciting!

Off to the studio...

Art Show!

My good friend Claudia recently asked me to be in an art show called The Hub-Bub Invitational. It's in Spartanburg, South Carolina at the Showroom and the reception is Wednesday night. If you're in the area please stop by. The info is here. Unfortunately I won't be able to go but I've been told it's a great show. The above piece, Hellcat, is one of the pieces I sent. Let me know if you are able to attend!

Today I start teaching. My class is tonight and I'm only a little bit nervous. The first day is usually pretty chill. Thursday is when we'll really get into things but I've done this all before so it shouldn't be too scary, right? I just hope my class is as awesome as it was last semester. I was so lucky. Cross your toes...

Don't forget to check out all the amazing shops at papernstitch. A new exhibition will be taking place soon.

Can I really Teach?

This has been quite a summer. I've had a ton of changes happening in my life. I had the best time ever at Frogmans. I enjoyed a vacation with my family. I discovered new things with my artwork. I also experienced personal sadness and pains and change. Now summer vacation as I know it is drawing to an end. This may be my last "carefree" summer vacation.

Summer is coming to a very surprising and nice ending, however. I can't wipe this silly grin off my face even while I anxiously get ready for the upcoming semester. Did you know I'll be teaching Intro to Printmaking? Am I really qualified for this? I think it is going to be fun and exciting and scary and weird and every other possible emotion at once. I think I might start a blog for my class so if you're interested in seeing what we're doing and learning more about printmaking I'll post a link here as soon as I get it up and running.

And right now, when I think of my future, I want to live in the Carolinas. I want to wear dresses and be warm and have a garden and swim in a lake and walk around barefoot.

Tomorrow that whole plan could change. Right now it feels pretty peaceful.

Good luck to all of you who are also ending your summer vacation and starting back to school. Don't forget your milk money.