MFA Exhibition: Resurrected

It has been a long and hard journey pursuing an MFA degree. After three and a half years at Texas A&M Commerce, I was able to see the fruition of my body of work in the University Gallery for the MFA show. The opening was Tuesday April 27 at 5:00pm. One of the sculpture installations set up was a piece that I made the first semester in Commerce in 2007 titled Shipwreck Domino's. During the opening, everyone watched and listened intently as the slices of domino's from ship hull forms fell over. A total of 15 pieces were included in the show titled Resurrected. It was a wonderful experience to see the work together and enjoy visiting with those who attended. I took my 3D Design class later for them to see it in person. It feels tremendous to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am very happy with the work and how I have matured and grown in the past few years. It is been an experience I will never forget. I am applying for two opportunities for the future: a teaching position at TJC and a residency at VCU. Less than two weeks to graduation! Meanwhile, I am finishing up with the 3D Design class on their last project and finalizing the thesis paper.

Forsyth Center Galleries in Bryan, TX

Last December I entered into the 2nd Annual Regional Juried Art Exhibition at the Forsyth Center Galleries in Bryan, TX. Two of my pieces were selected: Margin Lines and Toothbrush Bristles. Yesterday (March 31) I traveled down to Bryan to install these two pieces. The drive down was very scenic and beautiful-fields of yellow flowers, ponds, lakes, green pastures, and seeing the trees begin to bloom into color. When I arrived in Bryan around 4pm, I found the gallery, which is located on N. Main St. The show had not yet been hung. I finished installing the two pedestal pieces and took some pics of the gallery and looked at some of the work from other artists. Bryan is a bustling town and a very nice place and location to visit and live.
Because the drive was long- 230 miles one way, I could not spend a whole lot of time looking around. I plan to spend more time when I go back to pick up the pieces in June. I had to make my way back to Commerce and left around 6:30pm. I arrived in Commerce after 11pm-over eight hours of total driving and over 460 miles driving.

"Transforming the Ordinary" at Tyler Junior College

During Spring Break (March 15-19) Patty and I drove to and installed at Tyler Junior College for my first solo show called: Transforming the Ordinary. We installed for two days on Monday and Tuesday. The gallery space is small, but very nice. While installing, students who passed by were very interested to learn what the material was and the form they were going to take shape in. Particularly the first piece I set up was the Staple Stalactite, which awed students who saw it. This is a suspended piece from the ceiling held together by over a million clicked out staples that naturally interlocked together. There is a total of four sculpture pieces in the show. The show began March 18 and runs until April 23. On Thursday March 18 I gave an artist talk to the students about my work in a PowerPoint Presentation. I showed them images of other works I have made while in graduate school and some artists who have influenced my work. It was a good turnout of students- probably around 30-40. Also three students in my 3D Design class came for bonus points! The opening went well although I ended up putting the toothbrush bristle piece on the mirror in place of the ballpoints because the tetrahedron fell apart. Overall, it was a wonderful experience setting up, speaking to students/teachers, and documenting the gallery space. (Patty is my expert photographer who took the pics along with the image of the show card). It was a fantastic experience I will cherish, and I hope it will have a lasting impression on the students and anybody who has the chance to see it.

Here is an image of the Snowman, not the best craftsmanship. Tomorrow I may round it out more and put a nose on!

Today it has snowed all day long! I was surprised to wake up and see outside the accumulation on the ground, cars, and trees. School was not canceled until 3:00pm this afternoon, which was late to be calling school off. The 3D Design class carried on today at 11:00am. and more than half the students came- 8 out of 13. We looked at more images (Tara Donovan) and they continued working on their modules project. People built snowman's on campus, and it was really exciting to see everything covered in white. This afternoon and evening I needed to slow down and take a break because of all that's been going on. I took the opportunity to build a snowman in my front yard, which stands a little under 5 ft. tall. What a memorable day in Texas in the month of February to see all this snow. Instead of a white Christmas, it may be a white Valentine's. I will never forget it!!!

This is a good opportunity to start getting back into posting on the blog. Since my semester away experience last summer, I have not posted anything so I'm going to make it a habit to at least jot down a few lines at least once a week. This is my last spring semester as a graduate student. I am hoping to finish strong, and do my very best in all that I put my hands and mind to. This semester is different where I am teaching a 3D Design class. We had our first critique this week on plaster linear forms. I really enjoy teaching and seeing their ideas being worked out. I am also auditing a seminar and video class while making work for my thesis exhibition later in the semester.

I have some really exciting news! I found out this week that I will be having a show at Tyler Junior College where I will set up some sculpture pieces. It's going to work out where I will have the spring break to install. I have entered into two other juried shows so hopefully those will work out as well.

Tomorrow is the Super Bowl! I can't wait to relax for the evening and see the game and the commercials. I love seeing the Super Bowl commercials!

Cadillac Ranch

On the way back from New Mexico, our family wanted to stop by and see the cars located out in a field right before Amarillo (Cadillac Ranch). We had seen them out there before, but had never actually stopped to see them up close. (This is a very popular site for passersby traveling down the road). There are a total of ten cars embedded halfway into the ground with the tails of the cars tilted at a diagonal angle. There are a lot of spray paint cans that people can use to write and color on the cars. Even though spray paint is a very thin layer, the buildup of paint on the cars was thick from all the coats. It was definitely worth going out to see the cars. It is totally unexpected coming across the cars while traveling hundreds of miles down the road because they are not advertised by billboard signs. If you ever go out that way past Amarillo, be on the lookout on the left side of the road!!