"Street Anatomy"

I found this really cool website just the other day. It has tons of art related to anatomy and uses it in many different ways. These photos are just a few examples of way artists use the human figure. I also love to use the human body when creating art because it can say so much.

What is True Love Waits?

I've been wearing that silver ring around my finger since high school. It still means the same to me today as it did then. I never took the True Love Waits classes but the concept has been important to me since day one. I was never really ostracized for my choices until now, which I find ironic. For guys, it's a constant thing. Is it really possible not to have sex until marriage? Most either don't believe it or think the idea is quite ridiculous.

Just yesterday I was being questioned about my ring. Is it a wedding band, engagement ring, or what? When I describe to them what it means I am given stares, as if they are thinking "are you nuts?", "is that for real?" Then immediately people start making fun of the fact that my boyfriend has to "go somewhere else to get what he wants." I guess the idea of a man actually being abstinent is so trivial. Another person commented that it looks like a wedding ring, and why would you want people to think that? I replied and said I don't care what people think, it's not for anyone else but me.

Do I condemn those that don't choose to stay abstinent? No, so why must they condemn me for my own personal choices? It doesn't directly affect any of them.  After thinking about this for some time I thought, maybe it's because they aren't comfortable with their own choices. If you are so comfortable with how you live your life, why do you need to criticize others'? Or maybe it's just because it's a different idea and people don't know how to accept that. Well, whatever it is, I will continue to live life how I see fit. I couldn't care less what others think.

Oh life.

Life ceases to amaze me, whether good or bad. I am only 23 and I feel like I've experienced so much but have so much more.  Life is short but life is long at the same time. Things really changed after I graduated college and once in my life I didn't know what the next step was, where I should go.  I am still looking and searching and pondering.  What is it exactly that is coming next?

We as humans always want to know the future, to know exactly where we're going, what we're doing, how everything is going to pan out.  Unfortunately, this can't happen.  But is it unfortunate? I am one of those people that always wants to have a plan and really know what to expect.  That's why sometimes I get so frustrated at life, because I don't know.

Part of me tells me I need to constantly be looking for what's to come and prepare myself for it.  The other part of me tells me that God has it all under control and I should not worry.  But here's the thing, I think both are true and that God does want me to prepare myself but also not to worry.  It's hard finding a place in between. I know my ultimate goals in life, I just don't know how I will get there. But, that's ok for now.

I'm trying to focus on just getting to the next step in life right now. Enjoy what life is in the here-and-now but also look to the future. Right now I am trying to start the job search.  I need something that is related to my field so I can continue to grow and move on.  I'm looking in the northern Kentucky area, so if you hear of something, please let me know! I love art, museums, and Spanish.  Can I combine them to create the perfect career, please? For now, I will keep my eyes open and I know God will show me exactly what it is when He wants me to know.

Green Thumb?

I recently bought a couple small pots of plants in the dollar section of Target. Each pot comes with a soil pellet and seeds. I bought tomatoes, strawberries, and basil. I opened them up and read the directions, first to pour a certain amount of water on the soil pellets...and I watched this happen:

This was so cool! Maybe I'm just a nerd. Well, anywho...I guess we'll see if I can actually make these little things grow.

Waste Land

Waste Land is a life changing documentary and a must-see.  Vik Muniz is a Brazilian-born artist who creates art with materials such as chocolate syrup, peanut butter, and recycled materials.  In this documentary he travels to Rio to Jardim Gramacho, the biggest land fill in Rio.  They say about 70% of the city's garbage travels there.  The people in the documentary are called "pickers."  They spend all day sorting through the garbaged to find recyclables to then sell to buyers.  This is their livelihood. "Catadores" are looked down upon by all of society for what they do, but many of them take pride in their jobs.

Muniz spends time with the people of Jardim Gramacho and learns more about their lives.  Through this he creates portraits of the pickers using the materials.  Vik and the pickers work together to create these portraits which are then auctioned off at Phillips de Pury & Company.  The portraits drew big dollars and the money then went to the Association of Recycling Pickers of Jardim Gramacho.

I was highly impressed with Muniz's work on this project.  Not only were lives of the pickers changed, but also everyone that learned about it in Brazil and elsewhere.  I respect these people to do something so disgusting to earn a living, when really they could be doing other things that are more socially acceptable like drugs and/or prostitution.  Is that less disgusting?  I also respect the associations efforts to improve recycling in Brazil. Take a look at the website for the movie here

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Inside the sketchbook

These are just a few sketches in my sketch book. I've been doing some drawing lessons with a student working on fashion design. It has really encouraged me to work on the figure myself. I have an idea for a new project dealing with the figure combined with abstract painting. I'd like to explore the idea of sleep as a solace from chaos in life. The abstract forms being what is life and the human figure portraying sleep and how it can be a comfort.

New Read

My friend Cari introduced me to this book recently and I just started it. So far it's pretty interesting but I haven't fully put the pieces together. I hear it's a good read though so I'm excited to finish it. After I do I would like to read "Heaven is Real." The boy it's about visited the church I went to, unfortunately last week though. This child claims he visited Jesus while he was unconscious in the hospital. It was obviously very life-changing for the family and I would love to hear the whole story. I'll post again when I get done with both books. Any other suggestions?

Places I've been recently

Food:

I love trying new places to eat. I just hate sticking to the same places when there is so much to try. A few weeks ago I went to a place called Oasis Mediterranean and it was great. It's here in Lexington in the Chevy Chase area. They have a lunch buffet but we chose to order from the menu. I got a chicken "pitawich" that had grilled chicken, tomato, and a garlic sauce. It came with rice and a drink, I had the mint tea. It was around $7 and I even had some to take home.

I also love cafés. Some call me a "coffee snob" because I can't drink Folgers. After working at a few cafés I just can't settle for bad coffee. So anyway, I heard about a place called Coffee Times Coffee House off Nicholasville Rd. I went and was very impressed. The coffee house is quite large with one side dedicated to coffee and tea-related gifts as well as tubs and tubs of different coffee beans for purchase. The other side has coffee, tea, pastries, and sandwiches. After seeing all the coffee beans, I was overwhelmed. I wanted to buy some, but what? I got an iced coffee and an employee helped pick out some coffee. He was very helpful and knowledgeable about the different beans. I bought a quarter pound of "Acajou,"which was a dark roast blend of two beans. It was delicious! Now I can't bring myself to buy regular coffee when I can buy local and have so much to choose from. Check out their website.

Parks:

Since the weather has been so nice lately, it's been time to break out the bike. I love riding to Shillito Park and Kirklevington Park. I also can't wait to go on a hike in Raven Run Sanctuary this year.

Church:

I've been wanting to try different churches and really find one that fits me. I looked online at a few that are close-by and chose to go to The Bridge Community Church today. It was a great experience. The people were very friendly and made me feel comfortable. I sat with a few girls my age. The worship music was contemporary, what I like. The message focused on Jesus and who He said He was. Are there many different ways to God, through other religions? Read John 14:5-6 to find out. I look forward to going back soon.

I'm also excited to go to The Connections Church. This is something my dad has been passionate about for a while now. He's been wanting to plant a church for a long time and it's finally happening with the help of dedicated people. The kickoff is Easter Sunday and I can't wait to see what God has in store.

That's about it for now, more places to go, more people to see!

On the up and up

I heard a song the other day on my Matisyahu pandora station called "Things are lookin' up." However, I couldn't find the video on youtube. It was quite appropriate for life right now. The weather is getting warmer and my bike has set its two wheels on the pavement as of Sunday. I looove riding my bike. I took a small ride down to the park and back. It is such a freeing feeling to be on the road, in the nice weather, pondering on life. I ran track for eight years of my life, and I would love to keep running. Since my feet will no longer allow me, I've enjoyed bike riding in past years. My friend and I are planning to do the Legacy Trail in the spring and I can't wait!

I recently finished my paintings for the church and it is such a relief! There is actually room in my apartment now...for new art of my own that is. I'll be glad to see them all hanging up in the church. I'll post images as soon as I can.

I'm looking forward to working on my own art now. This project has helped me "get in the groove" of things again.

Another thing looking up-- hopefully Claudio will be returning in the fall to NKU to finish school. God is so good! This means I'm job searching in the northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area for the fall. If anyone knows of anything, please let me know. I would love to be involved in the arts in some way as well as use Spanish. We'll see what I can find.

I still plan to go to Chile this summer for a month. I'm so excited to see the country again as well as meet Claudio's family and friends. If anyone is looking for a place to stay this summer, please let me know...I need someone to fill my spot in the apartment.

Despite all the ups and downs of the everyday... things are lookin' up. :)

Saving Darwin

I started reading this book, well, quite a few months ago. I found it at Garden Ridge of all places. I haven't fully committed to reading it, that's why it's taking so long. So far it's pretty tedious. The first couple chapters are focusing on the historical side of Darwin himself along with all the legal trials going on during that time. I kind of skipped over some of the details about the different cases, against teaching evolution in the schools. I'm now moving on to different theories.

This book caught my attention, because for pretty much my whole life I was never taught to reject science. I was also raised a Christian. However, most churches I've attended reject the idea of evolution, almost deeming it as the anti-Christ himself. I however, disagree completely. Why can't evolution and Christianity go hand-in-hand? Why can't God be the creator of evolution?

To say evolution is simply the human race evolving from apes, is a little absurd. I also think it's absurd to look at physical evidence of humans as well as animals changing with time. So, in my opinion, why can't we look at what's here on earth and learn from it? To see the world and all its complexities only fortifies my faith even more.

Some interesting art

RGB- Le metamorfosi

I found this installation very intriguing. See the link here. The text states:

In each image three layers live together, three worlds that could belong to a specific natural kingdom or to an anatomical part, but at the same time connect to a different psychological or emotional status that passes from the clear to the hidden, from the light to the darkness, from the awakeness to the dream in something that could be a sort of exploration of the surface’s deepness.

I like how it says the layers "live" together. For me this is very relevant. As people we have many layers; the external, internal, and something such as the dream. All of these layers affect everything in one's life. Something to ponder on...

Working on something new

Yesterday I was working on my paintings for the church and I need a little break. I decided to do a figure study in oil. I've missed oil painting, there's just something about the smoothness of it compared to acrylic. I did this study of myself:

I'm not quite done with it but I'd like to continue doing some more studies. This pose is a combination of things. It might seem like someone laying in the sun relaxing but for me it's a little different. I always sleep with my hand on my stomach, I think it's a comfort thing. When I was little my mom always rubbed my stomach when I was sick. Sometimes I wake up and have my arms over my head too. During this time in my life when things are hard, I see body language as a subconscious way of dealing with different things. There's a few more things about it but I'll let you have your thoughts.