semester of invisibility

Temple trip 2 weeks ago.

So This semester is interesting. A few people saw me at the last institute activity on friday and excitedly asked if i was here visiting, and told me they were so glad to see me! After telling them I was still a student they looked at me apologetically and surprised. They explained they never see me, and I just said "its true, I am invisible." So the real reason is that I have all art classes, all of which are off campus, one scene painting class, in a out of the way basement workshop, and a current events class, an evening class so  nobody's around. In contrast to last year where i seemed to be everywhere at once on this small campus, now im still everywhere, just out of sight. Its kind of a relief, but i do feel out of the loop on campus life, like im the typical senior "keep- to- herself- locked- up- in- a- studio" art student. But I have been having a great time. My various Responsibilities are still there but i feel as though i have just a lil bit of extra time to myself to have fun and to also get out of the house, something that never happened last year.
A couple weekends ago was homecoming weekend, and all the legends from my freshman team came back and surprised me. I had a blast with them, reminiscing and talking like old times. I am officially the last person around that any of them played with still at SVU, if they come back in future years they wont know anyone. I guess thats part of why they all chose this year to come back, and Im so glad they did. Among that group are some of the best examples ive ever had, not just as legends on the court but as people with priorities and high standards. They always seemed so graceful and set in what they believed. Now I feel like I'm too old for this place, like I belong more with those older alums than with the current students, who all seem so young to me. I guess i can officially say i have senioritis!!!!
Anyways, thats enough of my self pondering. I have art to show you!
First off, scene painting has turned out to be one of my favorite classes. Its a whole new way of painting. The goal is to get the point across realistically from the back of an auditorium, say 100 ft away. You have to take into consideration where your light source is and plant shadows within your paint. The colors have to be extra intense to show at a distance, and detail is not as crucial. The trick though, is to not make it look sloppy and cartoonish to the people in the front row. Its a lot of fun to play with texture. So far we have done stone, brick, texture studies, and now we are working on marble. So when you (mom and dad) build your dream home, I know all the fun wallpaper techniques :)

Printmaking is a challenge, and a lot more particular than I feel comfortable with. However, it fun because its a mix of painting, drawing, wood carving and engraving, and you get to work with antique presses and tools. Its an art form that is getting lost in today's contemporary art world. The oldest books used printmaking to illustrate text, and old newspapers used it for political cartoons and news. its been around for at least 1000 years. Its a big process but very rewarding because your can make as many originals as long as your woodblock holds out.

Aside from art classes, its totally fall here, and the colors are beautiful! Tonight I hosted a team party at my house and we carved pumpkins, one of which we ding dong ditched to coach's house :) Oh, and for the first time in my life I had a very successful thrift store shopping trip, and picked up what I think is my new favorite skirt, and several business attire items for work. I think I'm like Dad, I really like dressing up. Its feels good to look professional. :) Haha