student's thaumotrope

(no) Vacancy in my mind

Hey all, it's great to see some work and hear a few words from everyone! Here are a couple pictures of what I've been working on recently: 

As part of a series of videos that I'm working on with Dan (Reidy), I was remaking a scene from the Seventh Seal, featuring myself as both characters (the Knight and Death). I started trying to learn how to use Adobe After Effects to achieve this effect. 

I've also been using a dremel to carve a wood chess set. I have all of the pieces roughly done, but have lots of details and finishing work to do still. 

teaching assistant positions

So as you've all read in the oh so polite email from Dean Christopher Sharrock, there is no longer a teaching assistant program for us.

I'm trying to get letters from those interested in keeping it going. Letters to Sharrock pertaining to the importance of having such a program, what it does for us, the teachers involved, and even the undergraduate students.

I know some of you, in particular stories I have heard from painting students, have not had such a great time. I'm sorry to hear that as mine is going pretty well. If you guys are willing to write a letter in favor of the teaching assistant positions I urge you to the need for more structure as well as the importance of such positions.

The more letters we have the less the Dean can ignore us. I've even asked my teachers to write a letter.

I hope it can continue. I've found that I am learning a lot about my own practice as an artist through watching and advising students. I hope we can all have that.

If you guys want to send it to me and I will hand them all in together or you can email the dean at csharrock@uarts.edu.

If you are willing, can you please ask your teacher you are working with also. I'm hoping about 10 or so letters will get to him.

Not a sound you expect to hear

I went to a glassblowers' show yesterday, and saw one piece that reminded me of Joe Bliss's lottery cards.  I had a chance to talk to the artist, though, and his mind games were significantly less philosophical.  Joe wins!

Very very very very...

VERY early stages of this painting.
I recently start collaging..I'm pretty obsessed with it. It's a lot different from what I've been doing, but I think I'm on to something new..
I haven't decided if I should paint that woman or honestly just glue the photo on there. any feedback is appreciated!

Hope everyone's doing well :D

Roll-call submission

Brewer, Robin...Present!

CRAZY busy!  Having some meaningful crits with my mentor Jim Johnson from Moore College of Art.  In a couple of shows, one in LA and once coming up in Philly on November 3.  If you are around Philly on November 3, stop by this event:
http://lukasweidner.blogspot.com/2012/10/art-without-ego-visual-art-festival.html

and here's the LA show, my photo is at the bottom of the list when you click view exhibit:
http://www.1650gallery.com/signs2012_show.php

and here's my personal blog:
rbrewerphoto.wordpress.com

Looking forward to seeing you all in December!

hi guys!

Hope everyone is doing well. I have yet to figure out how to "post" so this is me testing it out... hopefully ill upload a piece by the weekend :]

Joe bliss has already witnessed!

ROLL CALL

All we talked about having a "roll call" a few times during the semester.  Let's try one.
There's only one rule - post anything (picture / text / whatever).
Last one in is a dirty egg...

Representation

Hi folks, i know we're all busy and all is not doom and gloom, but collectively i think we can help retain what's best about our program and also effect some positive changes.  Here is where we're at and i hope to meet with Erin at the end of the month - - so please read through and offer some comments or criticisms.

Can it be made clear what we can expect next summer, what will definitely stay the same, what is likely to change, and what power do we have as a group to effect changes within the program? What can we do to help the program, ourselves, and Erin?  Our success as students, artists, and professionals is in everyone’s best interest.

Must Haves to be successful in this program:

• ·      24 Access to all facilities (including weekends)
• ·      Plenty of artist lectures (but not mandatory, or at least not mandatory outside of our primary discipline)
• ·      Teacher Assistantships – Everyone should have the opportunity to be a TA if they are considering teaching after graduation.
• ·      Writing lab provided during the summer where we can sign up for individual help with our papers. 
• ·      Photography students need to have the same access to color copiers and the labs as students do during the regular year.
• ·      Grading – If there is any possibility of getting less than an A in a course, we should be notified early and told exactly what that teacher needs to see from us, so that we don’t get less than A.

Support for out of towners:

• ·      Dates for crits and shows provided early and not changed.
• ·      Try to plan these events when flights are traditionally cheaper to Philadelphia (not during holidays, army/navy game, etc…)
• ·      Can the university provide housing during winter and spring crits?
• ·      How much do mentors get paid?  And could the out of Towner’s mentors possibly be given more so they have more incentive?

I’d like to see:

Continued relationship with the West Collection

Reading List:

The program should provide a recommended reading list.  What are they reading at Yale, Columbia, Tyler, etc…? What should we have read at this level to intelligently converse with our peers around the country?  Include blogs and periodicals.

1^st year reading list -

2^nd year reading list -

3^rd/post thesis  reading list –

Mentor List

Provide a binder that lists possible mentors and an example of their work.  Having a good mentor is crucial for success in the low-res program and this should be stressed at the very beginning that this is something we should be thinking about from the start.

Anyone have any suggestions for more constructive group crits?

Public Speaking

Can we have the woman from last year back and maybe for more than just at the beginning.

Mr. Miyagi all over the place

My mentor challenged me to use my non-dominant hand more...so I've a brush loaded with dark paint in my right hand and the light-loaded brush in my left.  (It made sense to put my preferred paint in my dumber hand.) 

It's kicking me around and yelling "RIIIIIIGHT!  LEEEEEEEFT!  UUUUP! DOOOOWN!"

Please...don't tell me I'm the only weirdo who quotes "Karate Kid" as she paints.

What's on the easel