march-may

At long last, a belated update from the American Northeast’s #1 hater– I left!

I had originally planned to stay up there for two years but when I had a chance to end my lease ten months in, I took it and RAN. I wish I had come back home with a larger body of work, new/improved technique, and some drive to keep it up, but it’s really hard to focus on anything when you work in the pits of hell selling luxury dog food.

And to be fair, I did accomplish all of those things, just didn't quite exceed the insane expectations I had set for myself ;) All that to say, I am back in NC watching my depressive episode evaporate ✩

Spent the last stretch in PA being a tourist, trying to make up for lost time taking photos. Beyond stoked to not have to commute nearly an hour each way to develop film anymore. I hit Biggs with my last Philadelphia roll (hehe) as soon as I got back in town. Really loving the Minolta-- thx again, Rueben!

Rainy day at the Phila Zoo

American Treasure Tour Museum (highlight of my life)

paper clay study

I also made an effort to start a bunch of projects with no intention of finishing any time soon or at all tbh. I played around and tested some paper-clay recipes on this teeny tiny diorama. Continued getting acquainted with my sewing machine and pattern-making. Did some more reading and research on quilting & soft sculpture ((shoutout to Sara Jean Ruiz's sculpture and this particular quilt project I've been poring over !)) and of course, kept up with my little junk journal.

crisp, clean, sexy, rudimentary, diy bookbinding

In other news, after years of suggesting it, my partner and I finally collaborated on a piece and planted the seeds to another. (am now patiently waiting for my honorary MFA) I got to teach them a few simple book binding techniques I knew and then helped them carry out that assembly for a final project. I've said it before and I'll say it again; I <3 rudimentary book binding !!!! ((Remember when I spent months launching a semi-annual poetry zine, put out the first issue, and never touched that again? Me too. Anyone want to revive that with me? or even just talk indefinitely about reviving it?)) (((and while I'm making demands; does a user-friendly printer exist yet??)))

I foolishly never had a chance to hit the art museum in Philly but visited the Bechtler yesterday and need to make plans to visit both Mints-- I've somehow never been to Randolph.

Niki deSaint Phalle had a few pieces at the Bechtler and Virginia Jaramillo had the top floor, already have 174 tabs open on her/papermaking/soak stain. I think Jaramillo's exibhit was enough to shake me out of my working-small-rut, I just want to work on something enormous. Totally lose myself in something. Drooling just thinking about it. Does anyone even listen to these playlists?

That's all I really have to report. thanks for looking (at the desktop version i hope) xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Hoagie vs the Clark Park farmers market