What I did with my summer vacation

Things I didn't do: Get hired, move out, get a rabbit, have my life go according to plan.

Things I DID do: Get turned down for a job and offer to volunteer for them instead and find out that it was totally worth it.

The photo up top are the nine apprentices I helped teach at ArtWorks this summer. ArtWorks is a summer program, but it's not a camp. The closest comparison I can make is that it's a paid internship, because all the apprentices are sorted into different co-ops (vocal, architecture, ceramics, dance, painting, etc) and their main objective is to learn an art skill, but they're also paid and taught about professionalism and good behavior on the job. There were also occasional guest speakers.

I applied to be an "on-site coordinator" for ArtWorks, a full time paid position, but it didn't work out due to lack of experience, as well as what the organizers perceived was a need for me to teach. So instead, I took on a part-time unpaid assistant teaching position for the painting co-op and it was seriously one of the best six weeks of my life. There is something really cool about telling an apprentice how amazing he's doing and watching his eyes light up. Or bringing in artbooks and watching one girl start writing the names of artists and movies all over her hands.

Apparently this went a really long way for a lot of them too.

So maybe I'm a little broke right now, but it was a great experience and I'm really happy I decided to take it on.

Fencepiration at Heights Arts

What was supposed to be a massive construction project just ended up being a big hole in the ground so artists Carol Hummel and Debbie Apple Presser began a public art project, using recycled materials to decorate the fence with a montage of the seasons.

Last week, ArtWorks, the group I'm assistant teaching painting for, sent some of the apprentices to help them with the project.

Steampunk Commissions

Two commissions I did for my friend, writer Ruth Hartle, of her characters Gale, Finn, Ella, and Wednesday

Returning from the Dead

"It is a matter of physics, a scientific fact that the human body reacts in very similar ways when anticipating food and sex. Capillaries swell, lips and membranes become engorged, saliva thickens and the pulse rises. It's no accident that the two pleasures have become... confused."
— Anthony Bourdain

For my senior project, I chose to examine the idea of "food porn," how we watch Food Network or look at food magazines and the food is just as primped and shined as any pinup. And, as Mr. Bourdain points out, our reactions to food and sex can be similar. So I'm juxtaposing luscious food with equally luscious girls.

Shop is live!

GREAT NEWS EVERYONE! THE BITTY BITER SHOP IS UP!

(Photos courtesy of Roxas Angell)

Falling off the face of the earth so far that I fall back...

Hey everyone. So. I am exceedingly good at disappearing for long periods of time, but I promise new art is coming. To everyone who saw me at Anime Boston last weekend, HELLO! Welcome! Thank you for taking my card.

And now I indulge in some shameless self-promotion. Come to the Yes. Oui. Si. gallery to see our new senior show this Saturday night!

March 22, 2011: World Water Day

Hello my dear followers:

Tomorrow, March 22, 2011 is World Water Day. It might seem a little odd until you remember that clean, safe water is still difficult to attain in many parts of the world. So, with that in mind, I'm leaving a link here for Water.org, a charity that works with communities to build wells and sustainable water sources within communities, and I'm offering sketches and doodles to anyone who donates over the next 24 hours and has proof (the site offers digital receipts). If that sounds up your alley and you'd like some art for your donation, message me on DeviantArt (also go there for samples of my art) or via my blog here with your proof.

This offer begins 12:00 AM Eastern Time on March 22, 2011 and ends 12:00 AM Eastern Time on March 23, 2011.