tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104129482024-03-12T20:09:27.831-05:00A Good Person Trying to Get AlongErin K. Nolan
Artist | Designer
PEJ Nolan Studios
Psalm 34:14 "Avoid evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it."
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.comBlogger320125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-14211582323910270712018-04-17T16:27:00.003-05:002018-05-15T22:13:54.283-05:00Working in the Studio<h3>
No one is an island</h3>
Here is a shout out to my husband. He doesn't see me very often during a regular work week. I go to my day job as an art director, come home, and eat dinner. From there it can go one of two ways: I go down to the studio working until late at night, then end up going to bed after he is already asleep OR I'm so exhausted from work, then I just go to bed and hope for a better day in the morrow.<br>
<br>
Without him, the every day tasks of life would overtake me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-11058794220450138612018-04-04T17:19:00.003-05:002018-04-04T17:19:29.017-05:00<h2 style="text-align: left;">
I Have Two Lives</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIO_ql3qUBR-_ApPyxGeGNeDBFcNO_EvdCm9GOUKX6FNmURpQHbYi1E09xCppflaSw_gYgPKYHjnyQFkgMHC5qnjkEC2pWb7WxQti8DQQ311YaqDRiHs8igh-3LQ7mqTWMxWR/s1600/_DSC_0144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIO_ql3qUBR-_ApPyxGeGNeDBFcNO_EvdCm9GOUKX6FNmURpQHbYi1E09xCppflaSw_gYgPKYHjnyQFkgMHC5qnjkEC2pWb7WxQti8DQQ311YaqDRiHs8igh-3LQ7mqTWMxWR/s400/_DSC_0144.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doe running in a field in Bailey's Harbor on the corner of County E and Red Cherry Roads.<br />It had stopped to stare at me in my car, then ran toward the buck in the trees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />From each life I am running. One I am running <i>to</i> while the other I am running <i>from</i>. It seems as if both feet can't be solidly touching the ground at the same time. That voice I had in my head is returning, "You don't have much time. Do now if you want to do it at all." No more waiting.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-36728117937597421032018-03-20T12:51:00.004-05:002018-03-20T12:55:42.562-05:00<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Balancing Act at Toft's Point (con't)</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucX6bEET8Jnt0eLuyVWUJzbLhpQxeE1XR825Tf2a5jARplsrRyLKknc2Yf6hnbpwZ3UI0j5jSYbD8OiDBScD5Lzeu5IPPkhoZmqi2Bfx5OD-Vse3qHH0svxMQUdnISeuw_K1I/s1600/_DSC_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucX6bEET8Jnt0eLuyVWUJzbLhpQxeE1XR825Tf2a5jARplsrRyLKknc2Yf6hnbpwZ3UI0j5jSYbD8OiDBScD5Lzeu5IPPkhoZmqi2Bfx5OD-Vse3qHH0svxMQUdnISeuw_K1I/s400/_DSC_0095.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icicles form from the spray and waves in Moonlight Bay at Toft's point.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Having finally made my way past the cabins and stone kiln, I came to the icicle-lined rocky shore of Moonlight Bay in Lake Michigan. It was too chilly to sit on the rocks or lay down, so I stood despite my legs being a little tired from the long walk. The exertion was welcome. It allowed me to get rid of stresses that I had been holding in without even realizing. Do you know how it feels to not be aware of a long-held tension until that tightness has been released? I relaxed into my environment.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbZk1te6HL45o9zqoUJ1r6o48BeVGwHKr5sSuDZmWk5GGbW8olAtgFrf_BIlpFppno30D8viuNAZPbqqE-1ApX5SmEIuCiXxM2gM7yiAoYQsGqLY5EyymTJH_DkwWDmARA3gv/s1600/_DSC_0081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbZk1te6HL45o9zqoUJ1r6o48BeVGwHKr5sSuDZmWk5GGbW8olAtgFrf_BIlpFppno30D8viuNAZPbqqE-1ApX5SmEIuCiXxM2gM7yiAoYQsGqLY5EyymTJH_DkwWDmARA3gv/s400/_DSC_0081.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shards of ice made rhythmic, high pitched sounds as the struck one another.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The sun was low in the sky, creating long shadows and its warmth was dimming. I closed my eyes and tried to soak in my surroundings. There was the high-pitched tinkle of ice shards floating in the water as they were rhythmically struck together by action from the waves. They sounded like a glass mobile in the wind. A sandhill crane croaked as it flew past. Its voice becoming muted as the cedars swallowed its echo until it was a faint whisper in the distance. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y75Yj0WZMRTogFN_nvCS2uNhJ8PCsJEtFQwJ5s5ovh8rT0YTXS_fHMT2YiS0h3LnmkrKzmByAHNj1GF1jr3vFLLKm87Bq1jLnXCcI54JINod75zvN_uderk3mGcOypWiywX9/s1600/_DSC_0092+-+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y75Yj0WZMRTogFN_nvCS2uNhJ8PCsJEtFQwJ5s5ovh8rT0YTXS_fHMT2YiS0h3LnmkrKzmByAHNj1GF1jr3vFLLKm87Bq1jLnXCcI54JINod75zvN_uderk3mGcOypWiywX9/s400/_DSC_0092+-+A.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Bald Eagle flew to and from a tree branch as it fished.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When I opened my eyes the cold breeze blew past my glasses making my eyes water. Despite this, I saw movement in the skies to the right. A bald eagle was flying to and from a tree off the point. It would circle the tree, land, and fly once again. I imagined there was a nest at the top of the tree, but I couldn't spot it within the dense forest. I breathed in the cold, clean air and waited until the experience was complete. There was no rush. It was just me and nature. Balanced.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now for the long walk back. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0Moonlight Bay, Baileys Harbor, WI, USA45.086569399999988 -87.08233419999999145.064146399999984 -87.12267469999999 45.108992399999991 -87.041993699999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-1278415245799033962018-03-19T17:40:00.003-05:002018-03-19T17:45:45.568-05:00<h2>
March Solitude Hike </h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTKrPn9ImUUgAVyubxc6bxc71X4aDTTnT-G4tOGRqr_dLXWpfb_qbw2yir3kzSTYbEJL45jQpR93ACfH_PbOEvNxmziOHao38hdZZz6SqtI0O7aMvy65LlpvZod9qKuqOfKpX/s1600/_DSC_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTKrPn9ImUUgAVyubxc6bxc71X4aDTTnT-G4tOGRqr_dLXWpfb_qbw2yir3kzSTYbEJL45jQpR93ACfH_PbOEvNxmziOHao38hdZZz6SqtI0O7aMvy65LlpvZod9qKuqOfKpX/s640/_DSC_0088.jpg" title="Icicles form on the sandstone at Toft's Point in Bailey's Harbor, Door County, Wisconsin, USA." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icicles formed from the waters of Lake Michigan appear on the sandstone <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">at Toft's Point in Bailey's Harbor, Door County, Wisconsin, USA.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
St. Patrick's Day weekend, I drove up to Egg Harbor in Door County Wisconsin to drop off woodblock prints. The art pieces were coordinating, but not matching, mounted on wood board, and gilded in copper and/or painted with ivory chalk paint. The pieces were based off of my first visit to Rock Island, that is a story for another time. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After my visit at the gallery, I was lucky enough to be able to stay with my mother for a couple days at her home on Kangaroo Lake. She moved in last June. It is the home her parents had built for their retirement. Several owners later, it came up for sale and, at 70 years of age, she purchased it and moved up north. It has been an adventure for her and a blessing for her family.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The ice had started to melt in the lake. The "big pond"—Lake Michigan—churned with panes of ice, chilled the clear waters, and created small ice shoves on the Green Bay side. Snow still blanketed the roadside and huge hills of snow sat at the end of each driveway. Despite this, the weather was warm for that time of year! The mid-to upper 40's!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Much of the time was spent driving around the peninsula taking in as many new sights as possible; however, Saturday evening I stole away a few hours for myself to walk Toft's Point near the Ridges Sanctuary in Bailey's Harbor. No one else was there.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was good for my soul. The only sounds were of wind rushing gently through the cedars and the muffled crunch of the snow below my feet. Here and there I would hear a sandhill crane in the distance. I <i>really</i> needed this time of solitude: I could feel my bones relax. My mind could rest. It has been a long, <i>long</i> time since I last felt that way. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That is when magic happens... more soon.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0Door County, WI, USA44.8341302 -87.37704880000001144.116292699999995 -88.6679423 45.5519677 -86.086155300000016tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-72391733654022981782015-08-06T20:59:00.003-05:002015-08-06T21:06:21.605-05:00"Eagle Tower Remembered"<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
My latest intaglio print created using the dry etch technique is entitled
"Eagle Tower Remembered" is hot off the press (literally).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylj3NiKvUhX5iSnZtdrsrR_LFuXtqKjPNYlA5cUAZbX-dhLVnYHOz2F3EWdgqhHHv37rZjayrnnlmcdddQKb_Z-jpyP7iO2q1ALzBCbU6HvDMGQ2S0ST2P2FQfcLGLQJ-UUdN/s1600/Eagle+Tower+Remembered+06AUG2015+-+72+dpi+w+border.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylj3NiKvUhX5iSnZtdrsrR_LFuXtqKjPNYlA5cUAZbX-dhLVnYHOz2F3EWdgqhHHv37rZjayrnnlmcdddQKb_Z-jpyP7iO2q1ALzBCbU6HvDMGQ2S0ST2P2FQfcLGLQJ-UUdN/s400/Eagle+Tower+Remembered+06AUG2015+-+72+dpi+w+border.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Eagle Tower Remembered" An intaglio using the dry etch technique by Erin K. Nolan</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is just
in time for <a href="http://www.plumbottompottery.com/" target="_blank">Plum Bottom Potter</a>y's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/451750428339236/" target="_blank">"Process: A 2D Exploration</a>" on Sunday,
Aug. 16th from 3–7 p.m. for their annual showcase of new work from artists working in two dimensions. I'll be at the gallery demonstrating
the art of woodblock printmaking! Come on over and say, "hi!" <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/417/20169153370_c72ca8777b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/417/20169153370_c72ca8777b_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Eagle Tower Remembered" inked and ready for the first run through through the press!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Eagle Tower is a 75-foot wooden lookout that soars 250-feet straight up over the waters of Green Bay. It offered spectacular views of the small islands surrounding Peninsula Park near Fish Creek, Door County, WI, USA. Originally the tower was built by hand in 1914 for just <span class="body">$1,061.92</span>. It was rebuilt in 1932 and has been one of the many attractions to thousands Door County visitors over generations.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3107/2606324040_b937ca0b21_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3107/2606324040_b937ca0b21_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of Eagle Tower over Green Bay. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In April, 2015 the 83-year-old tower was closed by the Department of Natural Resources citing structural deficiencies. I remember climbing to the top and feeling the tower sway in the breeze as my grandparents cheered me on from below! Safety was not a huge concern way back in the day and the building does not match current safety regulations. It also does not have any accessibility for those who are disabled. There is a possibility that it could be rebuilt some time in the future, but it will never be the same dangerous, dizzying thrill climb that it once was. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3072/2605491355_c73cc99fdf_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3072/2605491355_c73cc99fdf_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eagle Tower's shadow over the paths of Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek, WI.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, in memory of the tower as it is. Now. In 2015, I've created this image for me to remember:<br />
<ul>
<li>each time I tripped on one of the stairs (imaging I would fall through and tumble down the bluff to my demise)</li>
<li>watched a eagle soar silently past.</li>
<li>viewed a blazing sunset dip behind the bay </li>
<li>heard my grandparent's cheers as I bravely climbed the tower by myself for the first time</li>
<li>felt my legs shaking as I reached the top </li>
<li>looked up to see the top of the tower and lost my balance because it was so high</li>
<li>wondered as a child if I spit from the top would it make it to the ground ( I never did)</li>
<li>dreamed of squirting my water bottle at unsuspecting people below (I never did)</li>
<li>saw schools of fish swimming and darting like shadows in the water</li>
<li>and felt my stomach turn into butterflied as I bravely peeked over the edge and conquered my fear of heights</li>
</ul>
Hopefully you had some of the same memories. If you were never so lucky to climb the tower, Here is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzAJUdNuYyI" target="_blank">a video from the Door County Navigator</a>. (Notice the "guard" rails! No safety what-so-ever! And that's how we liked it!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CzAJUdNuYyI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CzAJUdNuYyI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
View more of Erin's artwork at <a href="http://www.erinknolan.com/">www.erinknolan.com</a>!</div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
</div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">HUGE shout out to Jon Jarosh, the Director of Communications and PR at the <a href="http://www.doorcounty.com/" target="_blank">Door County Visitor Bureau</a> in Sturgeon Bay for giving permission to use his aerial photo as a reference for "Eagle Tower Remembered." Jon—I'm so glad I didn't use my first idea and buy a drone Thanks so much for the advice and the reference material!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com04999 Plum Bottom Road, Egg Harbor, WI 54209, USA44.985535 -87.302000444.940615 -87.3826814 45.030454999999996 -87.2213194tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-67271927468248704342015-06-27T14:33:00.000-05:002015-06-27T14:33:25.212-05:00Computer Down<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/459/18867321608_cb84494cf4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/459/18867321608_cb84494cf4_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June, 2015 Storm over DeKalb County, IL at Afton Prairie Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I came in to work today, a Saturday, to finish the park district's youth summer sports photos. This involves hundreds of photos. I've been here, on a beautiful sunny day, a direct weather opposite of the photo above, for a total of six and one-half hours and have not entered a single team due due to multiple catastrophes. At this point I trying to just make it through the day as all those bazillion photos are filterd through image processing.<br />
<br />
I'm disappointed in having to waste a brilliant day perfect for hiking or kayaking due to problems at work. I'm frustrated that it means more work—on top of work—that needs to be accomplished by Monday. Now, I'll be working Sunday as well which means I'll be working 12 days straight without a break, which ultimately means I can't complete my projected artwork in time for the Summer Gala at Plum Bottom.<br />
<br />
After I finished school and got my degree. I saw myself having more time at home to devote to my artwork. I naively thought I would work, leave at 5 go home, and so artwork. But, the day-job ramped up to include more and more (and more) hours, volunteer and community-related responsibilities were taken on. Home life suffers. Artwork suffers. Relaxation and de-stressing suffers. Health suffers. It sucks. It just sucks. No other way to put it. <br />
<br />
So, what am I going to do about it?<br />
<br />
<b>Be grateful.</b> These are good problems to have: I have a day job doing something creative. I have a home. My husband and I are happy. I'm satisfied with the quality of the art I do achomplish, if not the quantity.<br />
<br />
<b>Reprioritize.</b> If a stranger looked at my life - my actions-what would they say is the most important thing to me? I think they would say work because that is where I spend so much time, but my heart wants God, family & friends, artwork & work in that order.<br />
<br />
<b>Simplify. </b>I need to find a way to become more disciplined and intentional with my time. Too much time is wasted on things that, if I <i>could </i>be more disciplined, would be rejected in favor of doing something more productive. The question is how can I achieve this?<br />
<br />
My elementary school teachers as well as my mom would say that I was too day dreamy. I think today they would call it Attention Deficit Disorder. Well, whatever it would be called, I still am. I'm easily distracted, my mind races ahead. Outlining everything that needs to be done is so overwhelming that the most difficult part to getting it done it simply starting.<br />
<br />
<b>Everything has a season</b>. There were times when I didn't work as much, those times will be there again, someday. I, maybe more than most, know how quickly a person's lot in life can change. Work hard, while the work is here. As my father-in-law would say, "It's the best time of your life if you only knew it."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-13243533709447426602015-02-19T14:45:00.002-06:002015-02-20T07:38:49.573-06:00An Anxious ContentmentI've been at a loss this past year. I feel like I am drifting, not quite living life to the fullest. A good way to describe it is content, yet anxious.<br>
<br>
It seems I've always had something to rally for. I'd tell myself, "I will get that degree" or "I will do everything in my power to <insert a="" cause="" here="">." I know I've mentioned before about having that small and quietly determined voice saying, "Do it now! There is not much time." Sometimes these goals were positive things brought about by negative situations. Sometimes they were long-term while other times they were immediate. But always, there was something major that needed doing right now.</insert><br>
<br>
I spoke about this with a friend. She mentioned a book entitled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Rhythm-Life-Passion-Purpose/dp/0743265254" target="_blank">"The Rhythm of Life: Living Everyday with Passion and Purpose"</a> by Matthew Kelly. She explained that for one to feel fulfilled in life, one must use their talents, have their physical and emotional needs met, and fulfill their inner drive. When these three come together, a purpose and goal, or reason for living is discovered.<br>
<br>
The theory makes sense.<br>
<br>
I've known from an early age that my talent is in art. I have other talents – not as finely honed – such as listening, spiritual awareness, curiosity, a passion for fairness and justice, an interest in biology and science, etc.<br>
<br>
My needs are the same as those put forth by <a href="http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/conation/maslow.html" target="_blank">Maslow</a>: physiological needs, safety, belongingness & love, esteem, a need to know and understand, aesthetic needs, self-actualization, and transcendence.<br>
<br>
Maslow Heirarchy of Needs is divided in two areas: deficiency needs and growth needs. Deficiency needs one level needs to be met prior to the next being achieved. For example physiological needs need to be met before one can feel safe, a secure and safe environment is required to feel and give love, etc. After the basic deficiency needs are achieved, one can begin to grow spiritually. <br>
<br>
Basic needs were a struggle throughout my life, as it is for all of us. We get stuck. I was glued to simple emotional safety for far too long. I think it stunted me in many ways. I couldn't go on to the next step of the pyramid. When I did, I would get figuratively kicked back down and have to start over, but every time that happened it took longer to climb up to the next level. <br>
<br>
In my life right now, everything is quiet. My home is peaceful. I live in a safe
neighborhood. I have food when I am hungry. There is money in the bank. I
have a good, long-term job doing something I enjoy and am good at.
Along with those things comes security. Security is basically all I've ever
wanted.<br>
<br>
The thing is, there is more than just having basic needs met. At 47 (and a half, lol) I've just now had these basic requirements met. So I am comfortable. Yet, I am so used to being anxious and worried that even in the midst of this contentment I am hungering for there to be more to life – and this is where the lost and drifting part comes in. <br>
<br>
Right now, it is a desire, or inner drive, that is missing. I don't know what I want. I've achieved these goals that once seemed so lofty, albeit, simplistic. I don't have those primal rallying points to go after through anger or anxiety or need. So.....<br>
<br>
What is my purpose? Why am I here? Is this all there is to life?<br>
<br>
The answer has to be no. I'm looking to my faith to answer those questions. Answers to those questions haven't yet coalesced into a feeling I can articulate, so I drift onward.<br>
<br>
The bible says, "<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:black;}
</style>
<![endif]--><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its
taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything
except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of
the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp
and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the
house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may
see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:13–16</span>
</blockquote>
Does this mean that I am to take this contentment and show others who are struggling that there is a way out of the current life they lead? That there is hope for a different life? How can I do this using my talents? Do I just offer them up to God and see what direction he sends me? Or, do I need a more specific purpose?<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.mindfulnessbell.org/wp/2013/08/dharma-talk-cultivating-our-deepest-desire/" target="_blank">Tich Nhat Hahn</a>, a Buddist monk living in France, spoke about cultivating our deepest desire. He says that we all have something we wish to aspire to and isn't until we realize what will fulfill that life desire that we become enlightened.<br>
<br>
When enlightenment occurs, it is like the fulfillment a happily pregnant woman feels. She doesn't have to constantly remind herself that she is pregnant. Every moment whether awake or sleeping is filled with the knowledge that she is carrying a child. <br>
<br>
So it is with our purpose. It is like a seed, once it begins to grow, it is as if it has always been there. You can't remember a time when it wasn't there. It has ALWAYS been with us. It is only that the knowledge was in the depths of our unconscious. We have a purpose whether we are aware of it or not.<br>
<br>
One way, he goes on, that we do not yet know our purpose is because everything is a struggle. It takes effort, we lack concentration during our everyday tasks. We lack focus and attention. Like the pregnant mother analogy, once we have our purpose within us, we will do everything to nurture that life. It becomes effortless because we are being mindful about something other than ourselves.<br>
<br>
With all these thoughts, I go to pray, and listen, and search, and drift. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-7837774077092576572015-01-06T10:24:00.000-06:002015-01-06T10:24:09.072-06:00The Year of the Green Wood Goat (or Sheep)<a href="http://www.barenforum.org/" target="_blank">The Baren Forum</a>, a collective of relief printmakers working in woodblock, is having their annual Chinese New Year exchange. I've participated in an exchange before with my <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pejnolan/5370201161/in/set-72157604044052932" target="_blank">ginger root</a> print and am excited to see everyone's version!<br />
<br />
Exchanges are so cool because you get to examine someone else's work close up without the security guard coming and standing behind you like in a gallery or museum. <smile> You can analyze every mark—the ink, the pressure, the technique, and especially the papers. Oh the papers! I love being able to touch all the different handmade washi and Western papers. </smile><br />
<br />
I've been making a few sketches over the past week and just didn't love any of them until last night. The idea of having this year riding on last year's back and the upcoming year just out of reach. Yes, that was the one. From the response I've been getting on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pejnolan" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, others agree. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_eZJoKKYI4ciI0fRRZN6a6N5RY9a_s__9_zfjp5S4kFs3F6R-lT9jNgvXaqyjFp6DjDdAZnmgkd3wInCvfINqaHx1al-xdWgxUIFjyTrL7QUW1oBaI5VhBfTaSUvbbl8DGv2/s1600/Chinese+new+year+reference+working+8x10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_eZJoKKYI4ciI0fRRZN6a6N5RY9a_s__9_zfjp5S4kFs3F6R-lT9jNgvXaqyjFp6DjDdAZnmgkd3wInCvfINqaHx1al-xdWgxUIFjyTrL7QUW1oBaI5VhBfTaSUvbbl8DGv2/s1600/Chinese+new+year+reference+working+8x10.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketch for the upcoming Chinese New Year-2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I can't wait to get home and start transferring the design to tengucho paper. Tengucho is a thin paper made of delicate Kozo (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_mulberry" target="_blank">Mulberry</a>) fibers and looks like tissue paper. It isn't a weak paper though. It is very strong for its 2 gram weight. Once the image is transferred, the tengucho is glued to the block with nori (rice paste) and left to dry. I'll update my progress on the blog so you can see the entire process.<br />
<br />
I love falling in love with a drawing. It is all I want to do. It is all I can think about until the final prints are packaged. Then, because I'm fickle, I'll fall in love with another drawing. <br />
<br />
This edition will be available at my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PejnolanStudios" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> once completed. I make small editions, so be there or be square. lol. <br />
<br />
Also, the <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/erinknolan?utm_medium=wdgt" target="_blank">GoFundMe</a> campaign, has been going well! So far $157 of the goal has been raised towards the purchase of a Conrad E-15 Printing press. This press will expand my abilities and increase my potential. See <a href="http://www.pejnolan.blogspot.com/2014/12/go-fund-me.html" target="_blank">my previous blog</a>, or go directly to the source at Go Fund Me to find out more! (Thanks!)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-4685505561799343232014-12-27T10:02:00.000-06:002014-12-27T10:02:05.177-06:00Go Fund Me<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gofundme.com/erinknolan?utm_medium=wdgt" style="border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title="Visit this page now."><img src="https://funds.gofundme.com/css/3.0_donate/brown/widget.png" style="border: none;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donate $100 or more and receive an exclusive editioned print!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've got the "Dry Etch Blues" and the only cure is a Conrad E-15 printing press!!<br />
<br />
After attending Northern Illinois University and taking an Intaglio class, I haven't stopped thinking about this etching technique. I'll never give up my woodblock prints; however, the level of detail that can be achieved with copper and a printing press intrigues me so much that I just can't get it out of my mind. Living in the rural Midwestern United States, there are not a lot of presses available within driving distance.<br />
<br />
So, with a GoFundMe (crowd sourcing) the hope is that by obtaining a Conrad E-15, my artwork will go to the next level.<br />
<br />
Please consider donating. A gift of just $5 will purchase two yards of tarlatan wiping fabric.<br />
A gift of $20 will purchase a container of ink.<br />
<br />
With a generous gift of $100 or more, I'll send you an exclusive editioned print off the new machine. It is like pre-ording an original print — at a greatly reduced price! You can see my latest work at www.erinknolan.com,<br />
<br />
Thank you for your consideration — take the next step and read more about the project here: www.gofundme.com/erinknolan and bless you!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3NxTTNIae8oL2mwEYuzRwK6Wj11I5EifWuT1ehMKJM9DkbO1zmvJG7nxj5j3S0DiwfOLHZtZrvk2Bh15pfHdK32gtCY5m1RQxnUe7iWKh4AwBFVGyWnehjVaM-vwVEh8RhuL/s1600/_BC+framed+Blue+Heron+at+Sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3NxTTNIae8oL2mwEYuzRwK6Wj11I5EifWuT1ehMKJM9DkbO1zmvJG7nxj5j3S0DiwfOLHZtZrvk2Bh15pfHdK32gtCY5m1RQxnUe7iWKh4AwBFVGyWnehjVaM-vwVEh8RhuL/s1600/_BC+framed+Blue+Heron+at+Sunrise.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the print that started it all!<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-4590905072466469582014-06-27T12:01:00.002-05:002014-06-27T12:01:44.521-05:00Recent work and works in progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5040/14375397356_d262874c38_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5040/14375397356_d262874c38_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="editable meta-field photo-desc ">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Title: "My Traveling Companion at the Ridges"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Artist: Erin K. Nolan</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Edition: 24</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="editable meta-field photo-desc "><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="editable meta-field photo-desc " id="yui_3_16_0_rc_1_1_1403886178205_1623">Media: Relief print: woodblock, moku hanga</span></span></span></span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Year: April, 2014</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Print dimensions: 10" x 8"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paper dimensions: 14" x 12"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ink: Akua Kolor</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Washi: Kozoshi</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">© 2014 Erin K. Nolan d/b/a Pejnolan Studios</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
little guy was at The Ridges Sanctuary in Bailey's Harbor, Door County
Wisconsin. I was hiking the paths and suddenly came across this
beautiful red squirrel. We both stopped what we were doing when we
spotted one another. We considered each other, then slowly started going
back to our activities—I started walking once again while he nibbled on
a nut. Then he followed me along the fence line like a dog follows its
master. Then he angrily chattered at me, trying to tell me something
which I could not understand, and ran back into the deep boreal forest
of the sanctuary. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3923/14486497003_5098f9a3ec_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3923/14486497003_5098f9a3ec_b.jpg" width="323" /></a></div>
<span class="editable meta-field photo-desc "><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<input class="meta-field edit-meta-field false-textarea false-edit-photo-title" data-rapid_p="57" type="text" wrap="on" />
<span class="editable meta-field photo-desc " id="yui_3_16_0_rc_1_1_1403886178205_1623">
Title: "Cana Island in Winter"<br />
Artist: Erin K. Nolan<br />
Edition: 24 <br />
Media: Relief print: woodblock, moku hanga<br />
print dimensions: 8x10<br />
paper dimensions: 11x13<br />
washi: kozoshi<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_rc_1_1_1403886178205_1621">
Ink: Akua Kolor</div>
Year: 2014</span></span></span><span class="editable meta-field photo-desc "><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">© 2014 Erin K. Nolan d/b/a Pejnolan Studios</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2932/14276753518_45faf1b5e5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2932/14276753518_45faf1b5e5_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Proposed title: Indigo Bunting on Cana Island. It will be a multi-block print using tints and tones of phthalo blue, black, and phthalo green. Right now I'm doing color experiments and hope to have the finished prints done by July.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3888/14486886266_279613b26f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3888/14486886266_279613b26f_o.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally, I've started to rework the koi fish that I had begun during illustration classes at NIU. The original was dimensional, so the texture from the previous painting is being used in the current one. I can't wait to see where this goes!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm considering taking the orange koi's tail and extending it to the bottom, under the white koi. The white line work that is there now would be the tail fin. I know that isn't the proper way to work, I ought to make sketches, then revise the sketches, then transfer the finished drawing, then start painting; but I want my paintings to be more unpremeditated. Woodblock prints take the technical, disciplined, and methodical route. My paintings fill the spontaneous, flowing, more intuitive needs that I have when creating artwork. It is a nice division.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-82253326956621690712014-06-16T18:02:00.000-05:002014-06-16T18:02:06.236-05:00Why spend time in nature?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pejnolan/14432150932" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Afton Prairie Park June 16, 2014 by pejnolan, on Flickr"><img alt="Afton Prairie Park June 16, 2014" height="267" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3859/14432150932_11965b4628_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening Afton Prarie Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Nature is something within which we flourish, <br />
so having it be more a part of our lives is critical, <br />
especially when we live and work in built environments." </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~ Richard Ryan, Professor of Psychology, University of Rochester.<br />
June, 2010 issue of the <i>Journal of Environmental Psychology</i></span></blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pejnolan/14410368586" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Afton Prairie Park June 16, 2014 by pejnolan, on Flickr"><img alt="Afton Prairie Park June 16, 2014" height="267" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3888/14410368586_2b4dddf892_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” </span></div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">~ John Burroughs (1837-1921),</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">renowned naturalist and essayist </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pejnolan/14433464545" title="Afton Prairie Park June 16, 2014 by pejnolan, on Flickr"><img alt="Afton Prairie Park June 16, 2014" height="400" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2937/14433464545_db12384385_c.jpg" width="267" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Being in nature bestows a sense of connectedness, meaning, and purpose. There is a sense of the chaotic order in the way nature works; the plants and animals are interconnected in a series of complex relationships. Everything coexists in nature without the necessity of outside intervention. It is a system that has existed successfully since the beginning of time, which provides a sense of structure, coherence, and reliability for those wise enough to use nature as a model for life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Why Nature Is Therapeutic" CRC Health</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pejnolan/14410355396" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Afton Prairie Park June 16, 2014 by pejnolan, on Flickr"><img alt="Afton Prairie Park June 16, 2014" height="400" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/14410355396_699f395bc4_c.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. <br />Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. <br />The winds will blow their own freshness into you… <br />while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”</span></span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">John Muir (1838-1914),</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Preservationist and Sierra Club founder</span></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-257808126961027542014-06-06T15:00:00.000-05:002014-06-27T12:02:24.130-05:00Five Lies AnsweredI just read <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140604120739-2562773-five-lies-that-are-ruining-your-career-and-your-life" target="_blank">this </a>very heartening article entitled, "Five Lies That Could Be Ruining Your Career (And Your Life)" from Duct Tape Marketing. It resonated intimately with me. I encourage you to read it through and seriously consider the questions it poses, not with simple "sound bite" answers. Take just one of the questions and ruminate about it an entire day, or week, or year.<br />
<br />
Without spoiling the article, here are the five lies we tell ourselves and my rather incomplete, bloggish responses:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<ol>
<li><b>I haven’t found my passion / I don’t have a passion.</b></li>
<ol>
<li>Lie! My passion is art! Creating! Creation! Mindfulness!</li>
</ol>
<li><b>I can’t afford to leave the job I don’t like.</b></li>
<ol>
<li> Well, I have to say I've had this feeling many times. In my 20s-30s I was crying almost everyday before going to work. It was ruining my well-being and grating away at my self-worth. I went because I needed to support my family and get bills paid. Being stuck in a job sucks. How many of us are walking zombies numbed by the everyday-ness of life? Years sail past like highway hypnosis. Next thing you know, you've wasted years and are filled with regret… Stop the insanity! Wake up! Start living the life you want!</li>
</ol>
<li><b>It’s too late to change direction now.</b></li>
<ol>
<li>False! Even though I know the direction I want to go, over time that changes, expands, grows and deepens. The "unattainable" goals I made for myself in 2006 were achieved and each year following my goals have broadened. Every new goal is a stepping stone for the next. We never know what is ahead of us! It is a true adventure in the making!</li>
</ol>
<li><b>Pursuing my own happiness is selfish. I have a family to think about.</b></li>
<ol>
<li>Hyperbole! Pursuing one's own happiness <i>is </i>selfish if that is the sole means and ends. If We are happy and our cup is full, we are better equipped to give—and give generously— to others. </li>
</ol>
<li><b>I hate my job now, but I will be happy as soon as I [get the promotion/finish the project/collect my bonus/get my degree].</b></li>
<ol>
<li> Fiction! Dude, we are talking about a person who loves their job, went back to college at 45! The proverbial "grass is always greener" mentality takes hold only when a person is too busy or too overwhelmed to appreciate and be thankful for every blessing they have been given. </li>
</ol>
</ol>
Change your story: Instead of "I'll be happy when....", replace with "I <i>am </i>happy <i>now</i>." Do it! Do it anyway!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-32434852165663190612014-06-05T09:23:00.000-05:002014-06-08T08:24:03.359-05:00GALLERY OPENING: PEACES Art Gallery & Adornments<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/10420274_657569917670307_7962958810104764743_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/10420274_657569917670307_7962958810104764743_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PEACES Art Studio & Adornments prepares for its opening!<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[photo via PEACES Facebook]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've been blessed to know Cheryl Voss for many years. We met while both supporting <a href="http://www.conservemc.org/">The Land Conservancy of McHenry County</a> (TLC). Now she is starting her own nature-inspired brick & mortar store, PEACES Art<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Studio & Adornments,</span> in The Ice House Mall in Barrington, IL. The soft opening is this Friday, June 7th, starting at 6:30 p.m..<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The studio is an ever-changing and evolving gallery of local artists of various </span></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">media, representing the celebration of life and wild nature. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t1.0-9/1920534_605813699512596_1930182265_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t1.0-9/1920534_605813699512596_1930182265_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sample of the work by Cheryl in her studio<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/464066790405348/?source=1">[photo via PEACES Facebook Events]</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Cheryl welcomes featured artist and friend, Yvonne Beckway, whose art shows a strong love of and connection to the land. In additiona, there will be work by </span><a aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_11" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1469883234" href="https://www.facebook.com/marymariutto" id="js_12" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; text-decoration: none;">Mary O'Rourke Mariutto</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">,</span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100006557676288" href="https://www.facebook.com/ruth.waligora" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; text-decoration: none;">Ruth Flett</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">, </span><a aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_17" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1008937180" href="https://www.facebook.com/tamara.mcmillan1" id="js_18" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; text-decoration: none;">Tamara McMillan</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">, </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100002491220846" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002491220846" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; text-decoration: none;">Mary Miller</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">, jewelry artists </span><a aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_13" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100000715759214" href="https://www.facebook.com/leanne.emery.14" id="js_14" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; text-decoration: none;">Leanne Emery</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">, </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1590648768" href="https://www.facebook.com/lynda.wallis.9" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; text-decoration: none;">Lynda Wallis</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">, </span><a aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_15" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1573361586" href="https://www.facebook.com/nancy.s.neuman" id="js_16" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; text-decoration: none;">Nancy Schmitt-Neuman</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">, </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1608128564" href="https://www.facebook.com/will.slagel" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; text-decoration: none;">Will Slagel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"> and more coming in all week (that's means </span><a href="http://www.erinknolan.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">me!</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: inherit; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/1907321_10152838371499256_7193928205143811862_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/1907321_10152838371499256_7193928205143811862_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yvonne Beckway is the premiere featured artist at PEACES in Barrington, IL<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/464066790405348/?source=1">[photo via PEACES Facebook Events]</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Cheryl was an organizer and administrator for TLC and I was an artist in that organization's fundraiser, <a href="http://www.conservemc.org/ways-to-help/special-events-fundraisers/art-of-the-land-art-show-benefit.html"><i>Art of the Land</i></a>. It is a spectacular event over a two-day period beginning with <i>Voice of the Land</i>. Poets, music and video fill the <a href="http://www.starlinefactory.com/">Starline</a>, a historic factory re-purposed as an elegant space in Harvard, Illinois, with the stories of nature and the people who appreciate it.<br />
<br />
The following evening is Art of the Land. Once again the space is transformed. This time into a gallery filled with local nature-themed artists.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The following evening is Art of the Land. Once again the space is transformed. This time into a gallery filled with local nature-themed artists.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now that she has her own gallery and studio space, nothing is gonna stop her! Congratulations, Cheryl, best of luck, and thanks for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of your new adventure! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0Barrington, IL, USA42.1539141 -88.13618880000001442.106824100000004 -88.216869800000012 42.2010041 -88.055507800000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-10705482878449843682014-05-26T22:42:00.002-05:002014-05-26T22:52:32.928-05:00The cup is filling upThe past several months have been a whirlwind and are starting to slow to a naturally-paced rhythm which is allowing time to fill my cup.<br />
<br />
Art, for me, is that cup visually spilling over and me wanting to share the solace my soul feels when walking through a forest or noticing wildlife–even if it is only just in my own back yard. When my soul is not able to rest and breathe, I find that it grows tight and small. I feel in my chest a gripping sensation as though something is trying to hold on for dear life. It is fight or flight. Only when I expand my world does that feeling go away. The expansion occurs when I feel awe and wonder.<br />
<br />
For example the surprise of finding my first morel hiding under a huge May Apple leaf! Elinor and I were looking for quite some time. She actually found some cut stems that someone else had already taken. We walked farther down the path and came across another patch of May Apples up a bit farther on the side of a hill. There is was! I swear it was glowing in the sunshine with beams of radiance exuding from within! Then the angels started singing... lol.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaZuOpTj_Cfh79nJ_SVtk0H2LR6N0mKPputBMsCH8wnkECHdLEEaieBbNUZRz2y7YV2FOgMPgTG5b5sVy0oNFfutXv1H1o9PAau6T_cfLLYC3hA4-pN9YCr95fmRJ-FYcskU9/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaZuOpTj_Cfh79nJ_SVtk0H2LR6N0mKPputBMsCH8wnkECHdLEEaieBbNUZRz2y7YV2FOgMPgTG5b5sVy0oNFfutXv1H1o9PAau6T_cfLLYC3hA4-pN9YCr95fmRJ-FYcskU9/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first wild morel sighting... without assistance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We cut it off above ground level so that the mycelium will continue to grow and give us mushroomy deliciousness for another year. In total we found seven morels, although Elinor was much better at finding them than I was! We took them over to my mother's house for positive identification and then prepared Morel and Spring Vegetable Risotto with roasted chicken. As we shopped and prepared the risotto, mom prepared the table with Muscato, candles and an elegant piano solo. It was such a nice way to spend a morning and afternoon. Good food, good company, and good memories made.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pD7GAt99W8Dgidte4SB1VOhDH6mBeFNmB1zUqPaXiU70Ah30gyIxYCgWFzaLMMNtMhtWlV8-S9NQ5p8t1sSMXfibwmL76r5e4i6F1xifsY-tSu65RjjkzIBraPwCNaeXyBcB/s1600/DSC_0024+5x7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pD7GAt99W8Dgidte4SB1VOhDH6mBeFNmB1zUqPaXiU70Ah30gyIxYCgWFzaLMMNtMhtWlV8-S9NQ5p8t1sSMXfibwmL76r5e4i6F1xifsY-tSu65RjjkzIBraPwCNaeXyBcB/s1600/DSC_0024+5x7.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer joyfully playing with one another.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another weekend, Paul and I went out to Afton Prairie Park to see what we could see. There was nothing we saw that was out of the ordinary, Canadian geese, deer, flowers; but it sure made us want to go camping again. Paul planned an open area with a tent, hammock, horseshoe pit. It is nice to imagine, but I like creating these places as well as imagine. Vacation can't come soon enough.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLPUTbaGwfT7rAG0xAKhwilu8KXpWx_9A7nB8joNNCyh9kZCNSm3rTp8Bb1rRDgddZgTRExeiVlUt_BcvWe8z6Vb-J5Xc-ZMJ_hrajBud6WMwyBtCcBmGjIjyL9IyksuZtN3o/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLPUTbaGwfT7rAG0xAKhwilu8KXpWx_9A7nB8joNNCyh9kZCNSm3rTp8Bb1rRDgddZgTRExeiVlUt_BcvWe8z6Vb-J5Xc-ZMJ_hrajBud6WMwyBtCcBmGjIjyL9IyksuZtN3o/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to see fish or frogs at Afton Prairie Park. Gracie was not interested.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even in my own back yard my heart is lightened. This week two baby bunnies came out of their burrow for the first time and were playing in the grass. I sat at my kitchen table and laughed out loud as I watched these two cuties box one another, roll around and nibble the grass.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AFNzPOmEvjx1mnt62ZaxYslrKIyLXPIF2K4Sl-owtx9K01l1lj1hFARlqGhlRqDAwr1Frgg45RDksp1CV-XWpNP9fUJoFebahURtXftIOGEfA9fPPkLHBVkPbqfm1wqzwghn/s1600/DSC_0043+5x7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AFNzPOmEvjx1mnt62ZaxYslrKIyLXPIF2K4Sl-owtx9K01l1lj1hFARlqGhlRqDAwr1Frgg45RDksp1CV-XWpNP9fUJoFebahURtXftIOGEfA9fPPkLHBVkPbqfm1wqzwghn/s1600/DSC_0043+5x7.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby bunnies exploring in the grass for the first time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Paul and I visited <a href="http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/R1/mttindex.htm">Matthiesen State Park</a> for the first time for his 55th birthday. Neither one of us had ever been in a canyon before. The wooden handrails were polished smooth with years of people gripping them for balance. As we walked farther down the steep stairs to the bottom of the canyon at Lake Falls, the air cooled. The sound of wind and chirping birds was replaced by a quiet stillness which was dampened by humidity. Then, a bit further down, the roar of the falls - not too loud - just splashing and cascading down the sandstone canyon walls.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcP_VJu4stmooDM_pJHa_ovvboAR-xooVfvW8wvwTDAdT1py1W_Jp6RZDiavWeScFZaJ2YdqC5vRfDXH29sxnGVtN0hbZznywdpwcNhnJigV8Pe2Ki60g1SrkTqScwRxa7otG7/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcP_VJu4stmooDM_pJHa_ovvboAR-xooVfvW8wvwTDAdT1py1W_Jp6RZDiavWeScFZaJ2YdqC5vRfDXH29sxnGVtN0hbZznywdpwcNhnJigV8Pe2Ki60g1SrkTqScwRxa7otG7/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Lake falls at Mattheisen State Park in Utica, IL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In places the canyon walls were lined with liverwort, mosses and ferns. On a ledge, a toad with golden eyes watched us carefully from his stage. Golden flakes adorned the walls and floors of the canyon like glitter.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdEnRWZkpTW5acdwOyUf5gr4oCqhEk9I_9ZwSNxCUxEOQagSj4BfIm9I4zTnPKJkXOal9s9r39E56RvWY2kYARLUxBxWv_MNEjRiGt8zYwLsqJqH9I5sBaQqDEdl5HCXxoi3Y/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdEnRWZkpTW5acdwOyUf5gr4oCqhEk9I_9ZwSNxCUxEOQagSj4BfIm9I4zTnPKJkXOal9s9r39E56RvWY2kYARLUxBxWv_MNEjRiGt8zYwLsqJqH9I5sBaQqDEdl5HCXxoi3Y/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Fools Gold (?) in the sediment at the bottom of the falls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7jx8bvk8Jg4XsGosKkIkVaCSJzxq60hEn40Xi7hZCd4RCoF1G1VkKJHyHaSu-dILL4EmucEcBUa9Z72B_RV5Rg1jWqsst7QP_gPeRzoUA9kU_dIFUsVmRjtvNQbCCvT5sSrl/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7jx8bvk8Jg4XsGosKkIkVaCSJzxq60hEn40Xi7hZCd4RCoF1G1VkKJHyHaSu-dILL4EmucEcBUa9Z72B_RV5Rg1jWqsst7QP_gPeRzoUA9kU_dIFUsVmRjtvNQbCCvT5sSrl/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiked the canyons of Mattheisen State Park in Utica, IL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Paul and I considered the beauty, trying to soak it all in. When we stood still, cliff swallows flew past expertly dodging the two newcomers to their relm. There was evidence of people carved into the sides of the soft sandstone canyon walls, but it was all too easy to imagine that we were travelers who had gone back in time hundreds of years.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbItkZwkYDpw4dTkYz4qy4JhnVZSMgd5v8EWaSgEDu9YuysQdYW0yvKY44VRih-oMvOJSeqmer3qiAGYVmC6WXeuuK6e5lJmV8cozt7dtL_nlNDTcrx0dmHjo-GMcYWHPB8rd/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbItkZwkYDpw4dTkYz4qy4JhnVZSMgd5v8EWaSgEDu9YuysQdYW0yvKY44VRih-oMvOJSeqmer3qiAGYVmC6WXeuuK6e5lJmV8cozt7dtL_nlNDTcrx0dmHjo-GMcYWHPB8rd/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul sees Lake Falls for the first time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We had started at Matthiessen Lake. Then we walked down to see the bottom of Lake Falls. We spotted a deep impression called the Giant's Bathtub, rounded out to Cedar Point, and continued to Cascade Falls. We ended up hiking a full circle back to the lake where we saw a beautiful and large great blue heron landed on some dead logs and begin to hunt. I was surprised and happy to see how clear the lake was. Fish were abundant. I could see them from the top of the bridge!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1F5lmnaYa41BNQuPVeQEY4cN2eCbNua765xc90j1N4GJVl12sVnxmTEpYYNfXi5Er4lBwY4R7Z3JPW6U1M3R0j18rEgOapFMqHsFNS1GFacKZ7erndiHpcKrHsxvJkzcN_nS/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1F5lmnaYa41BNQuPVeQEY4cN2eCbNua765xc90j1N4GJVl12sVnxmTEpYYNfXi5Er4lBwY4R7Z3JPW6U1M3R0j18rEgOapFMqHsFNS1GFacKZ7erndiHpcKrHsxvJkzcN_nS/s1600/DSC_0070.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bridge over the canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We spied minnows in the canyon streams, several inchworms, that golden-eyed toad, turkey vultures, cliff swallows, wood peckers, Jack-in-the-pulpits, several types of ferns, May Apples, and <u>lots </u>of poison ivy.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62DvRU7VLgHpB01fzCU0WmT3N161jHfkIIVdrcQoi2F8VNCD505eX4gK7kKyYZwq_YpY_Zyu4FcfgNJQ0-DAx5ymXO2dWTp0ddn_Cs2BJgnxqHnhAXLdCK0SfS4xtcjlsTKAp/s1600/DSC_0072+7x5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62DvRU7VLgHpB01fzCU0WmT3N161jHfkIIVdrcQoi2F8VNCD505eX4gK7kKyYZwq_YpY_Zyu4FcfgNJQ0-DAx5ymXO2dWTp0ddn_Cs2BJgnxqHnhAXLdCK0SfS4xtcjlsTKAp/s1600/DSC_0072+7x5.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An inch worm takes the bridge over the canyons. Smart worm!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next weekend, hopefully, another adventure and another chance to fill that cup through enjoying the world God has richly blessed us with.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0Matthiessen State Park, Route 178, North Utica, IL 61373, USA41.2949032 -89.02492989999996141.2471762 -89.105610899999959 41.3426302 -88.944248899999963tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-54343234560203636342014-03-21T11:47:00.000-05:002014-03-21T11:47:37.171-05:00Mike's Harder Design Contest<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mx_-HM4NL973B-FUQ5RP4f15l5d8JwPkt1QnOML9mIk1vyfxLoYeVFjBz4oyEs6-lY0KwQoF5q9vPCLgsoPdhl66ZWP9cpCrT5anJULzgf4JxBLhcBE3jvoZPNXjsVvQHgja/s1600/pV2+JUSU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mx_-HM4NL973B-FUQ5RP4f15l5d8JwPkt1QnOML9mIk1vyfxLoYeVFjBz4oyEs6-lY0KwQoF5q9vPCLgsoPdhl66ZWP9cpCrT5anJULzgf4JxBLhcBE3jvoZPNXjsVvQHgja/s1600/pV2+JUSU.jpg" height="400" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"ZA JUSU" by Erin K. Nolan<br />Please vote for me here: http://zooppa.com/en-us/ads/craft-the-next-can/prints</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3LuO-8uvRe9-l5LCxpHyioj4MgIAq-dEzxP-Tm1VFTvzpx3iSsf6dNvaoVr_YsS4eDbJcIMilK6JxPOj37zoZb1SascFVdtCJLMahy2SJ45rxJ0Eljzq07gPqj7T5X1MGvA1/s1600/pV2+Ringo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3LuO-8uvRe9-l5LCxpHyioj4MgIAq-dEzxP-Tm1VFTvzpx3iSsf6dNvaoVr_YsS4eDbJcIMilK6JxPOj37zoZb1SascFVdtCJLMahy2SJ45rxJ0Eljzq07gPqj7T5X1MGvA1/s1600/pV2+Ringo.jpg" height="400" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"MAIKU'S RINGO" by Erin K. Nolan<br />Please vote for me here: http://zooppa.com/en-us/ads/craft-the-next-can/prints</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The designs haven't officially been approved yet, so no voting right quite yet, but when voting DOES start <a href="http://zooppa.com/en-us/ads/craft-the-next-can/prints">go here</a>. Find me and VOTE EARLY & VOTE OFTEN!"<br />
<br />
The first one, is entitled "The Juice" in Japanese. It shows a demon tree whose sap is made of firewater. The branches are red to show the spicy cinnamon heat. The leaf and apple symbols are made seasonal with autumn hues and the background texture is the same color as dark apple cider. I thought it might hit, with the Japanese-style design, with the target audience though a tattoo style.<br />
<br />
The second can is just the top of the same tree , but it is entitled "Mike's Apple."<br />
<br />
Wish me luck! (I think I'll try to do another one in my dot-pattern style over the weekend!)<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-81212721464185702722014-03-06T22:52:00.001-06:002014-03-06T22:52:39.038-06:00"All's Quiet on the Western Front," Well, Maybe Not<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Was December just two months ago? Seriously?! It feels like another lifetime that I went to school.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/11997321656_876a5aa818_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/11997321656_876a5aa818_h.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Illinois University Graduating Class of December, 2013<br />I'm the one that turned around just as the photo was taken.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Graduation was awesome. I went back to school to get that single sheet of paper, but it ended too soon. I don't think I'll miss living on Mountain Dew and just three hours sleep a night. I will definitely miss the creative atmosphere, the supportive and kind students and staff, and just the ability to create my own pieces every. single. day. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/11997295406_16ccb904f8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/11997295406_16ccb904f8_b.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, with my BFA in Illustration!<br />3.45 GPA overall | 4.0 GPA since I went back!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div>
I've been productive in those two months, just not on the art side of life. My son and I moved out of the apartment and lived at the Motel 6 for a month → it sounds bad, but was a blessing because at the end of the month I moved into MY NEW HOME! I can't even begin to express how amazing it feels to clean my own floor, cook on my own stove, and paint walls in a COLOR other than white! The finished basement will be my very own studio!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos2.zillow.com/p_d/IS-ss62q4r34ajh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://photos2.zillow.com/p_d/IS-ss62q4r34ajh.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Nolan's"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The most blessed thing of all is that everyone in my family has done some hard work. Each of us has looked deeply into our strengths and weaknesses, our successes and failures. The black hole that we entered two years ago has brought us to a new and better place. We have learned and are moving forward <i>together</i>. People have shown us who they are, their true nature has been revealed → some for better and for worse and those lessons will not be lost. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are moving in slowly after we each caught the cold going around town. While I haven't been doing outside work as much or as often, I have been doing some pretty cool things with my co-workers. We got together and decided to try to recreate the movie poster for Star Trek: Into Darkness. That way we could work on our lighting, typography, and special effects skills. Here is the progression: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1/14508_758993244112082_597147763_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1/14508_758993244112082_597147763_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ACTUAL POSTER</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1794707_10152195831595973_889910532_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1794707_10152195831595973_889910532_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ORIGINAL PHOTOS ON GREEN SCREEN / TYPOGRAPHY RECREATED</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/1796455_10152224877220973_1254413026_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/1796455_10152224877220973_1254413026_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FINAL: AFTER SPECIAL EFFECTS ARE ADDED</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
How cool is that? I know! Awesome, right?!?! I was also able to help out the <a href="http://www.fsadekalbcounty.org/">Family Service Agency</a>, by working with them to get an updated website.<a href="http://www.ocimageworks.com/blog?single?93?non-profit-website-design%3A-before-%26amp%3B-after"> I wrote about this project</a> on OC Imageworks' company blog. </div>
<div>
Personally I was really pleased with the r<span style="font-family: inherit;">esults. FSA currently serves as the um FSA currently serves as the umbrella for a variety of essential community programs: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Children’s Advocacy Center, Center for Counseling, and Senior Services. They serve as a “hub” of services, organizing the efforts of many local agencies to provide the best care possible to every generation found within my community. I love that I was able to assist such a worthy cause. Here is the before and after website screenshots:</span></div>
<div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ocimageworks.com/image/030614_FSA_Website_before_after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ocimageworks.com/image/030614_FSA_Website_before_after.jpg" height="167" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family Service Agency Website: Left = Before | Right = After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I worked on a marketing campaign for Chad Luberger at <a href="http://www.plumbottompottery.com/">Plum Bottom Pottery</a>. He was interested in ramping up his brand identity with a new version of his logo as well as a new color palette. Chad creates both sculptural and pragmatic porcelain and invites artists of other mediums to show in his gallery space. One of those artists is Amanda DeWitt and her Silversmithing. Her jewelry is shown in the ad I created below, but you can read a bit more about her and view her work <a href="http://www.ppulse.com/Articles-Art-Scene-c-2013-07-10-109327.114136-Amanda-Dewitt-Joins-Plum-Bottom-Pottery.html">here</a>. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/11396936804_765f0269f7_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/11396936804_765f0269f7_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ad for Plum Bottom Pottery & Gallery in Egg Harbor, Door County, WI</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Whew! I guess I there was a lot more going on than I thought! I didn't even write about everything. I'm humbled and praise God for his abundant and generous blessings.<br /><div>
<br /><div>
<div>
<div>
<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-61372954753511611922014-01-09T23:15:00.005-06:002014-01-09T23:22:09.218-06:00Value creativity: become a hacker<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5i1gKD1kndaWtJewK-SBq5yWaeE9yiOHPdHxKh7ZXOVwzQtWbqZTZXFoRICzuTCMKxu3KLFX-O5KV02Bo4a2TN_rV4QKAjCPOeFWhIawN_9d4W6BQswZt_5R6n979ggEJnLa/s1600/Logan+LaPlante.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5i1gKD1kndaWtJewK-SBq5yWaeE9yiOHPdHxKh7ZXOVwzQtWbqZTZXFoRICzuTCMKxu3KLFX-O5KV02Bo4a2TN_rV4QKAjCPOeFWhIawN_9d4W6BQswZt_5R6n979ggEJnLa/s1600/Logan+LaPlante.jpg" height="327" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Logan LaPlante, 13-year old sage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
I just viewed a TED talk video entitled "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=h11u3vtcpaY">Hackschooling Makes Me Happy</a>." Go ahead, watch it. It's only 11 minutes long and worth every minute.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Basically it is a 13-year old boy (Logan Laplante) who learns how to answer the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up." His answer? He wants to be happy.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now, ask him what he wants to DO and that is a different story. He has adopted the mindset that he is a hacker, not in the traditional sense, but in a way which equates hackers to innovators. This term is familiar to him and he can take ownership of this word on his own level as a teenager.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Logan takes the position that hackers take advantage of perceived weaknesses in the system; they find shortcuts and create better, faster, and more efficient methods. This way of thinking requires creativity.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Creativity is not taught in schools today. It is not valued in the same way as literacy or mathematical ability, and yet it ought to be. Sir Ken Robinson stated this is his famous 2009 TED talk, "<a href="http://download.ted.com/talks/SirKenRobinson_2006.mp4?apikey=TEDDOWNLOAD">How Schools Killl Creativity</a>." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The latter is an elder speaking of how the perception of creativity within the American educational system ought to change, the former is a child who is the product of this new mode of thinking. Logan was removed from the public schools and home schooled after the age of 9. Now this value of creativity just needs to be assimilated in the public school system.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm not saying that all public schools have poor systems. I do believe however that standardization developed an idea that all children are the same. Every person is a unique individual, different and diverse. No person is the same because our experiences, backgrounds, and abilities are not standardized. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Creativity is only wearing our diversity and non-conformity on our proverbial sleeve. Not that other areas of learning are less important, it is just that everything should be taught as a holistic system. Each area will benefit from knowledge of the other. Science can be taught in art. Art can be taught in reading.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Curiosity is the instigator of creativity.It is the thirst for knowledge in all its forms. Compliance and standardization create automatons ripe for thoughtless industrialized work. No one stands out, no new thoughts are valued, just mindless production at an even, steady rate. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Imagining alternatives, conceptualizing possibilities, visualizing a better way: that is creativity. How can this not be richly valued? This is one of the sparks that makes us human.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are all creative. For some, it is dormant because it has not been given the right conditions in which to grow and develop. We are not expected to be creative. Ideas that "only <i>certain </i>people are creative" or "you're born with it" are assumptions based on ignorance. Creativity can be developed and taught just the same as spelling or other traditionally academic skills. The lack of expectation has hampered our society.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Recognize and verbalize when you see creativity in others. We can all challenge one another grow as creatives. Here is an exercise you can try right now: <a href="http://weavesilk.com/">http://weavesilk.com/</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
God gave each of us strengths and weaknesses. My talent is visual problem-solving, aka an artist. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<strong style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-Timothy-4-14/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="1 Timothy 4:14">1 Timothy 4:14</a></strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> - "Neglect not the gift that is in thee..."</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-42275106214270339882013-12-16T00:02:00.001-06:002013-12-16T00:02:02.956-06:00Graduation Day! BFA<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/11380090496_58ed3151af_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/11380090496_58ed3151af_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Illinois University School of Art</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At 46 years old, I ended my last day as an undergraduate in December, 2013. I lingered in the room until one by one all my classmates walked through the doorway to start a new adventure. I didn't want to leave. I stayed there trying to capture the memory of the room, the feeling, the scents and sounds.<br />
<br />
I had left university back in 1987-88 school year. Money was in short supply and although I was in my senior year and loved school, I just couldn't make it happen. I always wanted to go back, but never <i>seriously </i>thought that would happen. Life flowed away from that dream and time was spent on other priorities. That is until I started living on my own two years ago.<br />
<br />
I needed to prove to myself that I could do it. I needed it to prove to myself that I was worthwhile and able and that my artwork was up to snuff.<br />
<br />
It took only 3 semesters to complete my Bachelor of Fine Art (B.F.A) in 2-D Design, Illustration track. During that year and a half, there were many situations which tried to pull me away from the goal of graduation, yet I kept as strong as I could and am proud of the artwork which was accomplished during my time at NIU. I received straight A's to boot!<br />
<br />
During that same time, I continued my freelance business, worked (as close to) full-time at my position as a Graphic Designer at OC Imageworks, and managing my home life. It was hectic and each area of responsibility suffered, each in turn. My son, family, co-workers, instructors, and clients were all very flexible and generous with understanding. There definitely times when I felt it was all too much, but I just kept on going.<br />
<br />
For my 20-something classmates, today – graduation day – is a new beginning. Their whole life will change overnight. For me, however, I'll start Monday morning at work as usual. Life as a student will seem only a reverie. Now my time at Northern Illinois University is over. Just like that a goal was achieved. I have a new goal.<br />
<br />
The only difference between today and yesterday is that I'll have that single sheet of paper which no once can take away. With it I have the knowledge, as well as an outward sign, that I can do anything I put my mind to. <br />
<br />
What is my new goal? I hope to continue my freelance business, to grow it and nurture it: to use the talents, experiences and life that God gave me. I want to
find his purpose for me and go after it with the same tenacity and gusto.<br />
<br />
Erin K. Nolan, B.F.A.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com1Northern Illinois University, 231 North Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb, Illinois 6011541.934299 -88.77371800000003141.9106755 -88.81405850000003 41.9579225 -88.733377500000032tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-47064930178269867972013-12-10T23:42:00.003-06:002013-12-16T00:03:17.661-06:00"Buck up, Bucky!"I am worn down and tired out by the everyday struggles. I imagine a person being pulled down by the weight of smokey wisps that stick like dew and then take hold layer after layer. It isn't a single thing, it is the many troubles all at once for a long, long stretch.<br />
<br />
Then I <i>stop </i>myself and try to be <i>mindful </i>of all the <i>good </i>things that happen. I try to practice thankfulness for everything I have been blessed with. There are so many amazing things happening in my life. I have to enjoy the happy moments as they appear.<br />
<ol>
<li>1. I have passed my classes and, as of this Sunday, will be a graduate of Northern Illinois University with my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. It is taken me a total of 28 years from start to finish. What going back to school has taught me is that I needed self-confidence. My instructors and my classmates have walked with me on this adventure– giving advice, offering suggestions, laughing with me, sharing with me their experiences and their life journey.<br /><br /> </li>
<li>Just this week my car's transmission went to pot. It happened right in front of a auto dealership with a repair shop. When I heard the bad news that the repair would cost more than the car was worth, I didn't know how I was going to get through this, but I didn't panic. Everything has a reason and a time and a place. Tonight I drove my "new to me" car off the lot. I hope I did the right thing by making this purchase! Kelly Blue Book tells me that it was. All I know is I have a way to work tomorrow and most likely the next many tomorrows. And for that, I give thanks.<br /></li>
<li> The snow was so beautiful yesterday and we are supposed to get 3-4 inches overnight. I love the way it lazily floats down from the sky to form diamonds in the moonlight. If only I could collect all the diamonds and keep them sparkling forever – without the bitter cold.<br /></li>
<li>At 46 I went to see a dermatologist and my skin is slowly getting clear. My new personal appearance certainly helps with my self-confidence.!<br /></li>
<li>There are two art shows this week. Both are for the NIU-BFA graduates. It is pretty cool to be able to show with these amazingly talented group. If you have a moment, peruse my classmates' and instructors' websites. If you like their work, let them know!</li>
</ol>
<ul style="margin-left: 80px;">
<li><a href="http://www.bsillustration.com/">Brittany Sherman</a> - </li>
<ul>
<li>Playful images based on current environmental issues </li>
</ul>
<li><a href="http://www.andrewjcarlson.com/">Andrew Carlson </a>- <span class="text_exposed_show"></span></li>
<ul>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Andrew </span>is a Midwestern artist working in digital and traditional media. Aveteran of the United States Marine Corp, his imagery reflects his experience. </li>
</ul>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://z1659262.wix.com/stephanietunnell">Stephanie Tunnell</a> - </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Stephanie's work is narrative with a distinctive mood-driven color palette.</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://dnkurnick.wix.com/superdnk">Dan Kurnick</a>- <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.behance.net%2FSuperdnk&h=SAQE_L9oV&enc=AZNs5r9W0te7e7KbQujMdzGQt3A7FYjlNA7l8m4XzRH-VekQfis05C7kiesWY_ETuvpM8jEZQ5dmWQGXwikO27JDgb-RuQ5lpcC_qCtTOIcK3A&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"></a></span></li>
<ul>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Intricate patterns and intense color define Dan's current work.</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://www.johncarterillustration.com/">John Carter</a> - </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show">Atmospheric Sy-fy landscapes and detailed character design are hallmarks of John's work. </span></li>
</ul>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://www.erinknolan.com/">Erin Nolan</a> - </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show">Conceptual and editorial artwork based on symbolic color, pattern, and texture. </span></li>
</ul>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://gawki.weebly.com/">Kim Kline</a> - </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show">Figurative character design with a whimsically dark nature. </span></li>
</ul>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://plus.google.com/105017780681913216410/photos">Autumn Tahara-eckl</a> - </span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://www.michellegoans.com/">Michelle Goans</a> - </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Michelle uses a glowing, surreal lighting and complementary color palette.</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<span class="text_exposed_show">My instructors:</span><br />
<ol><ul><ul>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://www.toddbuck.com/">Todd Buck </a></span>- Illustration (Medical & Scientific)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.martens-kiefer.com/martens.html">Kim Martens </a>- Illustration (Biovisualization Specialist)</li>
<li><a href="http://danieljasa.com/home.html">Daniel Jasa </a>- Printmaking</li>
<li><a href="http://www.f674.com/who-we-are.php">Kristen Callahan</a> - Animation (Senior Motion Graphics Developer)<b> </b></li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ol>
<h4>
<b>Good night, all, be blessed.</b></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3Kd-ZmsNi_hJt1v2In_IuywqVKKEkywJd2ysa7-lIE9jEZQhZwQByQx-NR86mgHoJDHyQuDuc6zvuyguEr2d0BBsjcao7ZGlbn35ArA0CGcED-h4uWVeGcgIPSwlkhxbTgd2/s1600/jeep+liberty+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-3554901891393467002013-12-09T15:18:00.000-06:002013-12-09T15:18:00.768-06:00The December 2013 NIU-BFA Show!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTF6MGgFCeP-t9dxxvnUcvQI2MR-VFw0JKPKrc66AQm_bXwbbeu2gzJyjQq_HgfXHB4M6wMGL6TP-nUqWSfczXfgCx9fRujAHC4csyxfGwXR473sieOChLMNEhKuflPLGSNxt/s1600/BFA+SHOW+FLIER+PRINT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTF6MGgFCeP-t9dxxvnUcvQI2MR-VFw0JKPKrc66AQm_bXwbbeu2gzJyjQq_HgfXHB4M6wMGL6TP-nUqWSfczXfgCx9fRujAHC4csyxfGwXR473sieOChLMNEhKuflPLGSNxt/s400/BFA+SHOW+FLIER+PRINT.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flier created by Erin K. Nolan (hey! that's me! lol)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Reception: Wednesday, December 11th, 6 – 9 pm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Beverages and food will be served.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Located at NIU's Gallery215 located at 215 N. Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you are in the DeKalb, Illinois area, stop by and say, "hey!" I'd love to see you!</span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-19385542783674979012013-12-03T09:00:00.000-06:002013-12-03T09:00:00.747-06:00Best of the Bunch<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/11071882444_209bd4e94e_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/11071882444_209bd4e94e_h.jpg" width="435" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Heron - Intaglio Print ©2013 Erin K. Nolan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Homework done. This is the best of the bunch of printmaking experiments. Graphic Chemical ink was used along with a stencil to keep the colors from mixing too much. I am very pleased with it and want to continue with this medium after graduation.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-30113810988846234032013-12-01T22:25:00.002-06:002013-12-01T22:27:41.953-06:00Intaglio Printmaing Outside the NIU Studio=FAILWith only one week left of school before finals, I finished up some printmaking homework using a baby press that my brother, Al Stark, and I purchased together earlier this year. The Northern Illinois University print shop was closed for the Thanksgiving holiday break. This was the first time I had the chance to use the baby pressand I was excited to get started. Ta-da! Here is is:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5521/11164541355_01c5ccac85_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5521/11164541355_01c5ccac85_o.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My co-op baby press!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Using this baby press has taught me several things. First, intaglio printing is properly fun only when using a fully-equipped print shop with a full size press and a myriad of inks and modifiers.<br />
<br />
Second, water-based inks suck and oil based inks are far more easily cleaned when using toxic and/or noxious chemicals.<br />
<br />
Lastly, that I am going to have a fully operational print shop straight away because I love the colors, the level of detail that can be achieved, and the sheer glowing beauty of intaglio or dry etch. If anyone has a press they want to get rid of just email me!! I live in Illinois, so the closer the better!<br />
<br />
Now, don't get me wrong. I am a woodblock print artist and enjoy that medium immensely. I love the way the wood feels under the blade. I love how a drawing is transformed by the wood, how the ink soaks into the wood, the natural and organic nature of the woodblock; BUT intaglio does offer so much detail in such a small space. I imagine making a series of postage stamp size pieces just for fun.<br />
<br />
Although, my baby press experiments are not stellar by any stretch of the imagination, I know that I just need to get used to new equipment and I'll find my way. I just didn't have time to really explore today. Here are the failed experiments and my findings.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/11164544935_175c3a5a71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/11164544935_175c3a5a71.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.akuainks.com/" target="_blank">Akua</a> water-based relief ink with tack thickener - Experiment fail. The first experiment involved using some inks I already owned: Akua brand. They were intended for relief printing, but my inexperience led me to think that if I could just thicken the ink enough it would allow ink to get into the valleys of an etched block. Quick answer? No way, no how. No matter how thick I could make the Akua color with the tack thickener, the ink remained on the surface of the plate. I'm not sure if you can tell from this phone photo, but the lines of the etch are actually white.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2880/11164589164_bbef5d630a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2880/11164589164_bbef5d630a.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water-based <b><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,verdana;"><a href="https://www.graphicchemical.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=154&cat=Charbonnel">Charbonnel</a> </span></b>ink
in Sepia - Experiment fail. The Charbonnel ink came in a tube and was much thicker than the previously used Akua inks - which are liquid. It was not as full-bodied as the Graphic Chemical intaglio ink though. I liked the effect of this relief ink on an etched copper plate, but did not like the unevenness of the print.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3685/11164543855_81e707139a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3685/11164543855_81e707139a.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,verdana;"><a href="https://www.graphicchemical.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=152&cat=Graphic">Graphic</a> </span></b>Chemical oil-based intaglio ink - Fail. Ok. I finally used an ink intended for intaglio printmaking. I thought there was no way for this one to fail. I carded on the ink and used the tarlatan confident that THIS print would turn out. Unfortunately for me I do not have enough experience on my equipment to set the pressure correctly. Three strikes and I was out for the day. <span id="goog_1745378521"></span><span id="goog_1745378522"></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3812/11164575786_71720d8038_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3812/11164575786_71720d8038_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just to prove that a nice quality print is possible with the baby press, here is my brother's dry-point print. I like how it looks like a graphite drawing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-29131953806981687502013-11-22T12:29:00.002-06:002013-11-22T12:38:13.966-06:00The Altered Consciousness of Zen Blue Brain<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIsbmqsgwq5C6mbcmJwgfQmIB3RGiuKMpJZzH17t9mZKiyWAMdqZC3kGvk7Z7f39_liwxKB7tXcaBskC1eGgsQuHuxWVtnInJytXFuuZr7I4qlSScU5Q4MvVjg_yWb2IbOu58/s1600/What+happened+to+the+honey+bees+lo+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIsbmqsgwq5C6mbcmJwgfQmIB3RGiuKMpJZzH17t9mZKiyWAMdqZC3kGvk7Z7f39_liwxKB7tXcaBskC1eGgsQuHuxWVtnInJytXFuuZr7I4qlSScU5Q4MvVjg_yWb2IbOu58/s400/What+happened+to+the+honey+bees+lo+res.jpg" width="327" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">©2013 Erin K. Nolan "What Happened to the Honey Bees?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are times when I become engrossed in a creative task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time seems to pass more quickly; my attention
to the project at hand is all-encompassing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am not aware of human needs such as food, drink, or sleep. The next
thing I know hours have come and gone. It is almost like a productive trance. I
call this state my creative hum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other creatives
that I’ve spoken with have this same sensation. Thanks to science, we now have
a name for it: the Blue Zen Brain.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
While reading <a href="http://www.annholm.net/2011/11/the-blue-zen-brain-infjintj/">an article</a>
by Ann Holm I recognized a description of my creative hum. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is called a synchronous brain state–where
all regions of the brain are working together in harmony and at maximum
amplitude. The mind is both focused and relaxed and is shown as blue on an EEG.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This state is often achieved when a person is engaged in an
area of expertise; however, it is also reached when grappling with an
unfamiliar problem or envisioning the future. The entire brain is activated in
order to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">realize</i> an answer. This
answer is many times a fully-actualized, complex solution; yet how the person
arrived at this solution is difficult to discern or verbalize.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, why would one want to achieve this state? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through personal experience, I find that I am
more creative, have enhanced problem-solving abilities, am productive, focused,
happy, and can work on a single project for longer periods of time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/a/left-brain-right-brain.htm">Left-brain,
right-brain theory</a> agrees. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that we are “living in the future,” there are devices such
as <a href="http://www.neurosky.com/People/WhatWeDo.aspx">NeuroSky</a> which
teach a Blue Zen Brain state through biofeedback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The device, which is worn like a set of
headphones, monitors when a mind is simultaneously alert and calm–just the
right state of mind to learn mathematics or a new language. There are brain
wave sensor products for gaming, academic, business and medical applications as
well. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my life, working on my artwork activates this altered
state of consciousness, but others find that repetitive tasks, music, or simply
daydreaming takes them there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What activities do you participate in which activate your Blue
Zen Brain? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me know!</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-79635858962548155632013-06-16T20:48:00.001-05:002013-06-16T20:57:56.003-05:00"My Little Hummingbird"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8666537151_54a7782a52_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8666537151_54a7782a52_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33365644@N00/8666536661" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"My Little Hummingbird" created <b class="highlight">in</b> the name of Avielle Richman, </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by Erin K. Nolan, 2013
<br />
<br />
<span class="to_tweet">From the
Heart of Rockford –Art for Healing strives to bring together the vibrant
talent and the spirit of generosity that springs from our community to
make a positive impact <b class="highlight">in</b> the wake of the events that cut short the lives of 26 innocent students and their teachers this past December at <b class="highlight">Sandy</b> <b class="highlight">Hook</b> <b class="highlight">Elementary</b> <b class="highlight">School</b> <b class="highlight">in</b> <b class="highlight">Newtown</b>, CT. The purpose of the event is not only to raise money but more importantly, to donate to the <b class="highlight">Newtown</b> <b class="highlight">School</b>
District the very thing that is at the heart of our own community—our
art. Our intention is to donate 26 pieces of our finest Rockford area
art to the community of <b class="highlight">Newtown</b>.</span><br />
<span class="to_tweet">
</span>
<span class="to_tweet">
At the Art Show, featuring the work of 26 of the Rockford-area’s best
artists, attendees will be able to purchase the sponsorship of one or
more pieces of artwork, which will be donated to the community of <b class="highlight">Newtown</b>,
Ct. Each piece of artwork will be paired with a Rockford-area student
artist piece. The sponsor of each piece will be recognized as the donor
on a nameplate that will accompany the donated piece and they will be
able to take home the student artwork, which will not be donated to <b class="highlight">Newtown</b>.</span><br />
<span class="to_tweet">
</span>
<span class="to_tweet">
Piano music for the art show will be provided by Michael Campa, a student of the Music Academy <b class="highlight">in</b> Rockford, followed by a live choral performance by the Elysian Voices.</span><br />
<span class="to_tweet">
</span>
<span class="to_tweet">
40% of the proceeds generated from the sale of the art will be donated to benefit Healing <b class="highlight">Newtown</b>, an arm of the <b class="highlight">Newtown</b>
Cultural Arts Commission and a partner with the Cultural Alliance of
Western Connecticut, while 50% will be donated to Ceasefire Rockford.
The artists will be given 10% of the art sales proceeds. All profits
generated from door donations and a raffle during the event will be
split 50/50 between Healing <b class="highlight">Newtown</b> and Ceasefire.</span><br />
<span class="to_tweet">
</span>
<span class="to_tweet">
This event is partially funded by a grant from The Rockford Area Arts
Council, as well as by the generous contributions of: Rockford College,
The Law Office of Christine Garner, The Music Academy <b class="highlight">in</b> Rockford, Wallblank, Greg Lang Design, and Elysian Voices. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="to_tweet"><img height="275" id="yui_3_7_3_3_1371433250767_457" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8261789340_00fee7af1d_z.jpg" width="320" /> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="to_tweet"> Spot Illustration created traditionally in Acrylic by Erin K. Nolan, 2013</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8202531490_9244d9ea62_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8202531490_9244d9ea62_z.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="to_tweet">Editorial Illustration created digitally by Erin Nolan, 2013</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="to_tweet">It seems no one under 35 has ever heard the phrase "cut the apron strings."<br />None of my fellow classmates understood the image and were very confused by it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="to_tweet"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8176906004_e1017ee489_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8176906004_e1017ee489_c.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="to_tweet"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="to_tweet"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8119854852_0ecb64ab14_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8119854852_0ecb64ab14_c.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="to_tweet">"Caged Bird"—Traditional acrylic painting with gold leaf with digital edit by Erin K. Nolan, 2013.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="to_tweet"> </span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8177/8069873079_eac7791e9d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8177/8069873079_eac7791e9d_z.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Portrait of John Muir"—Digital painting by Erin K. Nolan, 2013 </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10412948.post-60154869430712173322013-01-18T08:45:00.001-06:002013-01-18T08:45:00.471-06:00438-Project 1: Anatomy (in progress, proof 1)<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pejnolan/8391386323/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8391386323_f5197f3e90.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pejnolan/8391386323/">438-Project 1: Anatomy (in progress, proof 1)</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pejnolan/">pejnolan</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> 438-B PROJECT 1: ANATOMY<br />(Anatomy of a human body) still a long way to go, but it is coming together nicely I think! I am so glad I photographed the crackle pattern I made last semester!! It is a good addition to my texture arsenal.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11740127214786281926noreply@blogger.com0