New growth...

The last of the etchings for a while...

Craving minestrone soup now!

This is the 'soft-ground abstract thing' I mentioned a few posts ago. I was cutting up and adding cabbage to some minestrone soup and rather liked the look of the cross-section. I knew I wanted to have one more etching for my portfolio, so decided to crank out one cabbage-inspired piece. Packed up the cabbage slice and sat it next to me at school while I drew into the soft-ground. Etched it that day and printed it at the next class.

The result is this funky-looking thing. The color was the Prof's idea. Three ink wipe. It's nothing spectacular, but for being a last-minute experiment with my fingers screaming at me to stop drawing... not terrible. Fully committed to the effect of soft-ground. The ballpoint pen drawing that went in to the making of this looks almost exactly like the print--only black.
I liked the black prints actually.  So, while I only had time to get about five of these triple-color ones, I pulled an extra black and this blue fellow. Leaning towards liking it better than the above version. Dunno.

Anyway! I named it 'Take Root'... and there ya have it.

Still struggling with the domain madness. Meh.
Got a finished copy of a CD I did the cover art for and it looks AWESOME!!! HUZZAH!
That's exciting.
Also exciting is what I'll be doing over winter break... transferring everything on my computer to my brand-spankin'-new computer. Sticking with a PC. Windows 7. Rather intimidated about the transfer process, since I'm so deeply embedded in this computer, which I've been using for like 10 years. It's a mess. XD

I'll be posting some old stuff over the break to keep things moving.

Last run...

I thought nine prints was a lot for one open lab... today I got twelve!!!

Used the technique I mastered last semester for the final printing days. Inked two plates, signed up for the press (there's always a line), then inked another plate while I waited. Printed the first two, new paper in the water bath (we can't put more than two in at a time), signed up to print, inked a plate while waiting, printed... rinse... repeat. I should've taken a picture of my inking station because it was the most epic inking station EVER!

IIRC, the twelve prints include:

• 2 'Rare Solace' in purples
• 2 'Swelling Disruptions' in orange-red
• 2 'For Science' in standard black
• 1 'For Science' in deep green
• 4 Cabbage in three color inks
• 1 Cabbage in blue

The Cabbage plate is the new soft-ground abstract drawing I did. 'Abstract' is relative. We had minestrone soup the night before and when I cut the tough stalk out of the cabbage I thought it looked cool. I wrapped it up and took it to class... drew and etched it that day. It's sort of intriguing. Actually, maybe I'll scan on of the proofs tonight. I took the Prof's advice on the inking colors and I don't know if I'm convinced it looks good. I liked it in black. And the blue looked nice today. *shrug* It's a minimal effort plate, so I'm not very attached.

That's it then! No more etching this year. Just signing prints and the portfolio review next Wednesday. Finishing up the HTML/CSS final stuff. My site is done, so only peer reviews and evaluations to do. I'm glad I stayed so on top of building that site all this time.

Winter break will be healing time for the fingers and some long awaited projects to complete! w00t!

We've lost an intellectual titan, provocative writer, and great voice of reason. I wish I could have met and thanked him.

Christopher Hitchens 1949-2011

Knowing that he was on his way out didn't soften the blow at all.

He will be dearly missed by this atheist.

Folding chairs are cool.

My fingers were cranky and then I went and drew a soft-ground abstract thing. My index finger is back to being a sausage and my middle finger is well on its way. I wanted to draw one more soft-ground plate, too, a hot air balloon similar to one I did for a recent commission. Since I can only balance tools/utensils between my thumb and palm... that probably won't happen. At this point, I'm looking at a future of web-design, because I can't keep killing my hand with drawing and painting.

So, while I wallow in finger-swelling misery for the last week of class, I'll post these. Did them during the painting class I took last year. We only had a model once I think. It's the only time I've ever painted the figure from life, which is kinda sad. Still pretty terrible at drawing/painting figures. Have never practiced enough. As far as my hand problem is concerned... I won't be getting more practice anytime soon.

Lots of red, since I tend to not use much red.

Something looser for fun.

 The striated blue background in the last one still annoys me... otherwise I kind of like that piece. I wish I could paint again. T___T

In regards to the previous post:
Went back and forth with a Blogger Help dude... eventually he suggested I contact Google Apps. Did that, but it's probably going to take forever to hear back. *sigh*

It would be so nice to have a functioning hand for the last printing lab on Friday.
Probably not going to happen.

Oh, and obviously the Republican candidates are a freakshow, but that 30 second ad by Rick Perry that's making the rounds... hoo boy!
Not sure if I've ever been so thoroughly repulsed by a person in such a short amount of time.

Saw a great response on Reddit. It deserves a re-post:

I'm not ashamed to say that I won't be voting for Rick Perry, but you don't have to tune in to CNN every evening to know that there's something wrong in this country when politicians can openly spew homophobic, unconstitutional rhetoric and still garner support. As citizens, let's end Perry's war on reason and tolerance, and fight against radical conservative attacks on our secular heritage. Separation of church and state made America strong, it can make her strong again.

 Word.