30 Before 30: Make a Video and Post it to YouTube

So, this seems like a silly little thing, but it was something I kind of wanted to do. At first, I thought that I would make some big video and learn editing or whatever, but this is what happened instead!

You can find the video here.

30 Before 30: Create a "Work of Art" by Throwing Balloons Full of Paint at a Canvas

Today Sis, Bro-in-lay, Kid K, and Baby B came over to have some fun! However, this fun didn't exactly work the way I thought it would.

First, filling up the balloons with paint was an adventure which ended with us having to get three bottles of Smart Water to make it easier. And even then Sis and I both ended up with paint all over us.

I had put thumbtacks in the canvas to help break the balloons; however, I may have needed more because the balloons did not break easily. Poor Kid K couldn't throw them hard enough to break. I think she still had fun though--even if her hands did get dirty.

So it was fun and I have something cool now, but if I were going to do it again, I'd do things a little differently.

30 before 30: See a Ballet

Last night I went to Capitol Theatre to see "Beauty and the Beast," performed by Ballet West.

It wasn't quite what I was expecting, since it seemed to be geared toward kids/families. There was narration and dialogue, and it was only about 1.5 hours (including the intermission). So maybe it doesn't really count, but I'm going to count it--though I may try to go to another ballet later.

I love going to shows and performances. The moment I walked into the theater, I was filled with happiness. The murmur of the audience, the red curtains, gold leaf, and chandeliers, everything adds to the experience. It made me glad to see so many little girls there--some with their dads, some with their moms, some with both parents--wearing sparkly or poofy dresses.

The costumes were beautiful--especially the good fairy's, which looked like rose petals. The dancing was beautiful.

The Beast was so dramatic, reminding me of Prince Edward from Enchanted. However it was, I liked having a night out, seeing an interpretation of one of my favorite fairy tales.

The stage, from my seat. 

The main chandelier.

30 before 30: Learn to Oil Paint

Now, I can't say that this is finished, since I feel that learning an art skill is a life long endeavor--something I've learned from my 24 years of playing the piano. But I have learned a lot since I started in January and I want to mark something off my list. :)

For most of my life, I thought that art was not for me. I thought it took a talent that I wasn't born with and so, as much as I love art, I never tried to really learn. About 8 years ago when I was on my study abroad, I took a drawing class, because I needed at least 2 classes and that one seemed better than the other. That class was the first time that I realized that I could draw something somewhat well. There were a lot of things I didn't understand and no matter how many times it was explained to me and how I tried, apparently it was never right (looked right to me though!). When it came to "figure drawing" and we were sent out to the museum to pick a statue to draw, I drew something I could be proud of.

I wasn't the only one who chose that statue (to be fair, it was probably the easiest statue to draw, so it's not surprising), and I think it's interesting that each person drew the statue differently. We unconsciously inserted our own perceptions of beauty and women (the statue is of Eve), and I think art, in a way, shows how each individual views the world, even if we are all drawing/painting/whatever the same thing.

That was a long winded introduction into my painting. I have seen myself improve these past couple of months. The way I look at the world is different; I find myself looking at colors, shadows, shapes, etc. I bought a sketchbook. After viewing a lot of different tutorials online, I have become encouraged by how positive and helpful these people are--people who believe that anyone can do art. They explain sketching things out in a way that I can follow--even simple human figures. They are teaching me different ways of interpreting the literal world into something that resembles it, but doesn't at the same time. Something that tells a story.

I know that I'm never going to be a great artist. I'm not going to be paid thousands of dollars for a painting. But I've found something that calms me, that gives me joy in creation. Creating something that I can look at, that I can give to someone else to show my love for them, that's pretty amazing.

One thing I would like to learn is how not to get messy. I watch these artists on YouTube and they may get a little paint on their hands. For me, it's like paint is just drawn to my hands the moment I open my pallet. And then I get paint all up my arm. It's a good thing I have an outfit specifically for painting, but those are also covered in paint. (There is something about the fact that you can tell that I'm right handed by where most of the paint is on my clothes. Like, if I were arrested of murder or something and the person was killed by someone left handed, these clothes would prove me innocent)

Here are some samples of my paintings:

The first painting I ever did. Still makes me laugh.
 I was trying to follow a Bob Ross video.

My second painting. It was slightly better. 

After this point, I got some advice on better paints, which made a big difference.

This is the first painting I was truly proud of.

Another attempt at mountains. Look how much better they are!

My latest (finished) painting. "Second Star to the Right"
In my sketch book I have a lot of plans for paintings
based on my favorite movies and books. 

Playing Around in InDesign

Last night I decided I wanted to play around in InDesign a little bit and create a quote block that I could print out on nice paper and frame. You've probably seen those quote blocks that have each line a different size and they are justified to make a perfect square. 

So I got into InDesign and I started playing around with fonts, font size, kearning, etc. But I couldn't figure out how to make it look right. Well, this meant bringing out the big guns (ie, Daddy) to teach me how to do it. 

I had the right idea, but he taught me a few more things I needed to use to make this:

This is an 8 1/2" by 8 1/2" (or 51 picas by 51 picas). The quote font is aquaduct, and the signature is from a free Jane Austen font I found on the internet. I found the silhouette by typing in "Jane Austen silhouette" on google images and downloading the highest quality one.

First, make sure you have a hard return at the end of every line. I decided what words I wanted to really stand out (gentleman, lady, pleasure, stupid) and made sure they were on their own lines. I also but two spaces between each word on a line. Then for each line, you play with the font size until every just fits on the line without a word, or part of a word, being forced off. Next, you use the horizontal scale. This will stretch out your words a bit. I really can't think of any rhyme or reason to this, I just did it until it looked right (a professional typographer might have a problem with me saying that. :) ). Then it's time for the vertical scale. This will stretch your words upward. After you do that with every line, play with the leading--this is very necessary. Before I fixed the leading the lines were very far apart.

This creates such a fun little quote block, and once you know how to do it, it really doesn't take a lot of time! I'm even thinking of making this for wedding gifts, etc. You just get some scrapbook paper, print this out on one sheet, glue that on another sheet, and frame it!

Pictures

My roommate this summer wants to be a photographer, so I graciously volunteered my services as a model . . .

hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Sigh

Sorry, just had to let that out. I am so not a model. But she asked and I wanted to support her so I said yes. Some of the pictures ended up okay. Here are a few of my favorites.

A mural on Center Street Provo.
I love train tracks!

I am holding a Vodka bottle that we found on the side of the road.

Rhetorical Analysis: The Old Guitar

The painting I’ve chosen to analyze is Pablo Picasso’s “The Old Guitar.”

This painting is of an old man holding a guitar. The overall feel of this painting is one of dejection. Picasso uses different shades of blue which is usually associated with sadness. The old man has his head bent in sorrow. He holds the guitar like it’s the only thing left to hold on to, but that it could slip away any minute. He is obviously proficient at playing. Maybe he was a master at one point. His mouth is open, as if he’s singing. It looks dark where he is, like night.

Looking at this painting makes the looker almost feel the dejection. It’s almost as if the man is singing a lament, and you can hear his song, but you can’t at the same time. It’s a song that has never been written and never will be; it’s that powerful. It is the real master piece. Even though the painting portrays mostly dejection and sorrow, you can tell that the man hasn’t given up yet. His face is clear, though sad, and once this night is over he will stand up straight and go on with his guitar. The sorrow he has right now will only be seen in his eyes. The looker is going to feel this sorrow and maybe just by seeing this picture they will have learned a little more about the world, and they will carry it with them also.