Spring Semester 2011

I’m two weeks into the new semester and am already feeling the pressure of juggling assignments and commissions! It’s good news though, I have plenty of work to do and it is all art related!

For sculpture studio I am attempting to make glass paper airplanes, which entails first making them out of clay, and then forming a mold, and melting the glass into the mold. The reason I chose paper airplanes as a subject are multiple, but mainly because I wanted to challenge myself, and also because paper airplanes are very nostalgic. I am finding that smoothing out clay to make it look flat like paper is indeed a challenge. I have a feeling I will be in the studio for many hours the day before these clay parts are to be finished.  For a 2D artist like me 3D symmetry is a challenge.

I am loving my exhibition class, where I get to work at the Covington Center and the rest of the art spaces across campus and downtown Radford. I am currently doing research for the VMFA art show which is on display in the Covington Center museum. I am learning quite a bit about artists I never knew of before and that is always a good thing. Sally Mann has particularly piqued my interest. She is a Virginia photographer from Lexington, who uses a nineteenth century technique to produce interesting atmospheric antique looking modern photos. That was a mouthful.

I’m also brushing up on my drawing skills, so I may post some of those when I have assignments completed. I haven’t taken a drawing class since I was seventeen so I could definitely use the practice. My art history class is also very interesting. I never tire of learning about what happened in art that brought us to where we are today. This class focuses on Eastern art pre-1800s.

As for my paintings, I am finishing up a sold piece now, and about to start a new landscape commission based on the Golden Gate Bridge. I recently wrapped up two commissions also, so I am definitely staying busy in that respect. Aside from those, I will be working on multiple projects for contest submissions, and also for personal enjoyment.

Thanks for reading!

Jessey