Cagey (or, when i went batshit crazy for two straight weeks)

Even though i like to work with digital media in my spare time, i do not consider myself to be a real digital artist. And i am definateley NOT a motion artist. So it was a challenge to create a video for my digital concepts class. But i pulled it off.

This video narration was written by me in a time when i was having a mental breakdown. It was my first year in a "real" college, and i was not keeping up. Combined with other factors, it triggered a period of intense anxiety and depression. So, I got a different dose of medicine, and you got this movie. It's not the greatest video ever made, but it gets the point across. I think.

The Book of Darkness (felt book)

Book of Darkness
(wool felt sheets, needlefelted wool roving, glass marbles)
Made in Art Books class.

spread 1: Loneliness

Spread 2: Rage and Agression

Spread 3: Sorrow



Spread 4: Disgust


Back Cover

Strongarm: Artist Statement

Cast silicon bronze, Cubic Zicronias.

"I lost you
Like I lost my arm
but in my loss
I've found a home
I reclaim these things
that caused me harm
on this plastic arm
I call my own."

In the face of loss and suffering, there are some that, instead of breaking down and giving in to violence, instead pick up the pieces and keep on walking. I have tried to capture their strength in this modern talisman of the Strongarm. It depicts an artificial arm, refrencing the horrific injuries of those who suffered for conflict diamonds, bearing a "diamond" bracelet. It bears a verse, stating the spirit of acceptance and strength.

Strongarm Project: Maquettes

overview of the final drawing, plasticine and wax maquettes.

plasticine maquette. i love plasticine- except for the smell, and that nasty feeling it leaves on your hands.wax maquette. i still need to get a hold of some CZs that don't shatter when i make it with metal. i am still worried about the text showing up in the final model, or looking weird. guess i can't know until I try!

Blood Diamonds: The Strongarm Progect final Sketches

the final plans for my Blood Diamonds response, now named "Strongarm". Originally conceived as a piece about the reconciliation of the folk of west Africa and the diamonds they mined, it evolved for me into a piece about strength and moving on. As an amulet, it invokes the spiritual strength of those who were hurt and who carry on, rebuilding their lives with only one arm.

Creative Caffine: Kitty Rings

Assignment: Emulate Droog (boy am i sick of hearing about them!) by making jewelry or products out of things that are plentiful in your environment.

Response: Rings felted out of kitty fur =^_^=
i simply brushed my cats and felted the undercoat fur that came out. It's very easy to felt, you just roll it in your hands to make a little rope, then roll together the two ends.

Suicune Ring

Suicune (diamond clarity ring)
silver- peirced, soldered antiqued w/ liver of sulpher)

often i have come to the theme of "Suicune", the spirit of the north wind. Based on a Pokemon that is the "embodiment of pure springs" who moves with the purifying north wind, this spirit cuts through illusion and removes disease and corruption. (think a laxative, only cold.)
I envisioned this ring as a protective amulet that protects its wearer from various...entities. When it came out all beat up (they told me not to use pliers. why didn't i listen? I had to find out for myself...) I wasn't upset- it looks like an ancient magic ring that has been through a lot.

Morrigan's Tooth

"Morrigan's Tooth"
laser cut plastic, copper, silver chain.

this is not the best picture of this object. Morrigan's tooth was the product of rage, frustration, and the nightmares i command. As an artist, i command many dreams, some of them not so pretty. But enough silliness.
Morrigan was (is?) the Celtic goddess of madness and war. She was the Queen of Nightmares, and ruled with fear. Morrigan would appear as a raven and feast on the dead of war. As Neil Gaiman says in his masterpiece "The Kindly Ones", "There will always be sacrifices to The Morrigan."
However, if you coould face your fears, you earned the respect of the Raven Queen. I imagined this as a badge of honour, given for facing your worst nightmares.

Womb of the World

Womb of the World
(carved basswood, watercolor, acrylics)
made in carving class, fall 2008