Louise Bourgeois

Nathan Sawaya: The Art of the Brick exhibit in PC, Utah

I MUST go see the current main exhibit at the Kimball Art Center in Park City. It is mind-blowing nostalgia in art. Here is a sneak peak of sorts with a link to their website:


"The Art Of The Brick
Nathan Sawaya

Nathan Sawaya is a New York-based artist who creates awe-inspiring works out of some of the most unlikely things. His art focuses on large-scale sculptures using only toy building blocks: LEGO bricks to be exact. Sawaya's ability to transform LEGO bricks into something new, his devotion to scale and color perfection, the way he conceptualizes the action of the subject matter, enables him to elevate an ordinary toy to the status of fine art.

For years, Sawaya's touring exhibition The Art of the Brick has entertained and inspired art lovers and enthusiasts. Now, with four exhibitions touring North America, Asia and Australia, Sawaya is inspiring millions around the globe. Each exhibition focuses on LEGO as an art medium. The creations, constructed from nearly one million pieces, were built from standard bricks beginning as early as 2000. In 2011 CNN named The Art of the Brick one of the top 12 must see exhibitions in the world."










I took that clip about The Art of the Brick from the Kimball Art Center's website:

http://www.kimballartcenter.org/main-gallery/

Inspired!

Yesterday I went and watched T.Jay do gymnastics with a "college-age club" in Logan. For those who do not know, T.Jay is 29, he hasn't done much in ways of gymnastics in the last hmmm, ten or eleven years, and according to him, he is "too fat and old for this sport". This guy BLEW MY MIND. He goes out and busts out amazing back hand springs, and all sorts of flips and aerials and things I have NEVER been able to do. It truly inspired to me get back into fitness. I have been a bit blue over the last week or so because it's been so cold, there hasn't been much, if any, sun. I miss hiking, I miss working out, I miss those positive endorphins. Winter is rough! T.Jay inspired me to make no excuses and find time to do what I love to live a healthier life, because if not now, when? (Of course, he doesn't live the healthiest life, but he told me I make him want to be better, to live better! That made me very happy to hear. His mom and family told me they have noticed many, many positive changes in him as well! One day at a time.) My schedule is busy, super busy, but I am going to push myself to find time to work out! I don't want the winter to end and find myself frustrated with what I let happen to my body and the hard work it has taken to get to where I am happy with it. We recently went to Lava Hot Springs, and I haven't quite lost my shape, but I better work hard to be my best. It is important to love who I am and push myself to what I know I am capable of. It's too easy to just "half-ass" my way through life.

Valentine's Day.

 I made sure I started my day off early. I went and left a gift on T.Jay's bed knowing we were both going to be very busy all day, and I wanted him to be able to get his gift before ten o'clock at night. On my way home from dropping off the gift, which was a lovely Calvin Klein fragrance set and gourmet chocolates, I hit something on the interstate. It was very loud, and my car seemed to make a weird noise after that. I had to stop to pick up some cream cheese for frosting, and decided I should check my undercarriage as well. I stopped at the Fresh Market on Washington, which is close to the country club and a few minutes away from my place. My tire was completely flat. Ohhhh heavens, I needed to rush home to get ready and go to school. I called that wonderful T.Jay of mine, he said he would hustle over from the club and see what he could do to help. He showed up and had a mini air compressor, we were able to get enough air in the tire that would get me to a tire shop. I hustled to Discount Tire, the man was kind and helped me get a new tire without spending too much, but he also informed me that there was a nail in another one of my tires. I did not budget for this at all. Luckily, I only had to replace the one tire, in which I am very grateful for. I am also grateful that T.Jay was so willing to come rescue me in such a moment. This experience put me at least two hours behind schedule, I missed most of 3D, but I rushed in to make sure to give my hand-made Valentine to the girl whose name I drew out. I made her a mini red velvet cake, she was excited. I am glad I got there! I then went to work where it was EXTREMELY busy, talk about insanity! I loved it! After work, I went to T.Jay's, we left and went to a cemetery in Kaysville where his dad and grandpa are buried. His grandpa passed away on Valentine's Day several years ago, so T.Jay likes to go make sure to visit their graves. He is very sweet and caring, I adore the guy. We got back to his place and we exchanged gifts, he scores again for being thoughtful with some pajama pants and a gift card to Hobby Lobby. This guy is extremely supportive of me and my crazy art projects and creations. He is always willing to help, and find me materials and provide tools and work space- he is the best. I am pretty excited to be able to purchase more art supplies and materials.
It was a great Valentine's Day that made me realize that I am very blessed to have T.Jay in my life, he is sweet and willing to serve me and his family unselfishly. To go to the cemetery and shovel a walk way so his grandma could visit her husband's grave, to think of what I would want, need, and love for a gift, to always be there to help his widowed mother, to help me constantly whether it's with my art, the fact my washer broke, or to fix my car and change my oil and rescue me when bad luck strikes- he is a genuine sweetheart.

Five Items

Here we drew a mini-still life of five items we brought to school. Gosh, I'm loving charcoal! And school! Yay for art classes!

Clichè Collages

A fun project we critiqued today were collages of cliche paintings. Here is mine, and some other classmate's I enjoyed.

Box Test

In my drawing class, we had a test. Not the kind that would usually give me extreme anxiety, but a "box text" to test our understanding of perspective, shading, and value. What a fun test! I was pleased with my box and the grade I received. One of my corners didn't line up quite right, but overall I did well. Upon starting this class, we were utilizing charcoal frequently which I grumbled a bit about. My experiences with charcoal were extremely limited, therefore I didn't feel strong in the medium. I am happy to report I now love charcoal and am recognizing my growth with it as well.