There are a few new developments for me to brag about (in no particular order):
- I redesigned Sketchism. It was a long time coming, really. I’ve cleaned up the sidebar and even added a second one right next to the original. Also, the photo up top is new but consistent with my last one. I hope you like it.
- I got an iPhone (1.0). Originally, a family member bought it refurbished in an attempt to resell on eBay, but said family member waited too long to sell it. By the time it went up, Steve Jobs had just announced the new iPhone G3, which would be much cheaper than what we were trying to sell it for. So I kept it and have loved every second of it.
- I will be doing an exchange program sometime in July or August… to Oklahoma. From what I understand, the objective is to undergo a bit of culture shock and document it by way of a brand new sketchbook and, once the project is complete, creating a poster about the experience. It’s my dream to see the world, so this is giving me another opportunity to continue on that quest.
- I’m getting fit. For the past month and a half I’ve been consistently working out and watching my diet. I’ve gained a few pounds in muscle and lost a few pounds of fat. It’s been a tough few weeks, but now that I’m in the habit of doing it daily it’s been getting easier.
So this is looking to be another one of those life-changing summers for me. I’m learning a lot, enjoying the company of friends and family, getting healthier, traveling, and enjoying a new gadget in the process.
How’s your summer been so far?
It’s been really quiet here on Sketchism lately. But that’s only because I’ve been swamped with graduation stuff. And since we’re talking about graduation stuff…
I want to invite all of you to the my Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) show tonight. There will be plenty of goodies at the show. I hope to see you devout readers and friends there.
When:
Tonight, Opening Reception: 6PM – 9PM
Where:
Freedom Tower
600 N. Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33132
Admission:
Free
Being a Fine Arts major has its perks. We’ve officially hit the middle of the semester and there are no essays to write or special quizzes to take. Essentially all we’ve got working for us (or against us) is our attendance, class participation, and our completed projects. A few other relieving bits of news:
- I know what I will be presenting for my Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) show coming up in April . I’m excited and anxious to do it.
- I leave to New York next week with my graduating class. The beauty of the trip is that it will be completely free. Two prominent art collectors donated $10,000 apiece to make this trip possible. What a blessing!
- I aced my History of Graphic design quiz this week. That’s three in a row. I feel pretty darn good about myself. Especially after trying to remember all those European designer names. Rodchenko, Marinetti, Apollinaire, Mallevich, and on and on.
- My graphic design class will focus the rest of the semester on preparing for our BFA show.
This last point is a huge relief. We designers need all the time we can get for this show. You see, Graphic Design is the step child of the fine arts community in our school. The nature of our profession is that we use our creativity and skills to communicate for a client. In a sense, we’re interpreters for some one else’s message. Well our BFA show requires us to make our own message and put it on a wall. Many of us have been in a panic for the past months trying to find our own message. Now that we can focus our class time on this, we’ll be able to flesh out the ideas and pieces better.
I still have quite a load to carry before the semester is over. It’s time to get back to it. I’ll post the BFA show details soon.
I’ve noticed a strange trend in the music I’m listening to lately. Most of the musicians and albums getting the most replays on my iPod fall under the category of Adult Contemporary. I’m drawn to acoustic guitars and songs about disenfranchisement or lost love or spiritual journeys. I’ve been paying more attention to politics. I find myself being more comfortable with long sleeve button-up shirts, pants, and nice shoes without laces.
My Netflix queue is suspiciously filled with documentaries, classics, and art house films. My mornings start off with hot mugs of coffee. I vote. I organize my workspace and my room. I’m reading books about Capitalism and Foreign Policy. I’m listening to lectures about Greco-Roman Moralists and talking about men like Lucian, Epictetus, and Philo. I look forward to signing contracts, setting meetings, and updating my calendar.
This is the grown-up world I find myself in. And yet I still feel like a kid.
That’s a good thing, right?
I’ll be presenting this large scale illustration to my class today for a critique, among other political pieces. I wanted you all to get a glimpse of it first.
Everyone who personally knows me or who has visited this website for the past few months knows that I will vote for Dr. Ron Paul tomorrow in the Florida primary. It’s hard to miss the giant graphic on the right side of my page or the bumper sticker on my car or the signs that I post on my windshield when I park. A few of my friends have teased me, other’s have politely nodded, and other have even honestly engaged with me in the discussion about Dr. Paul’s message of personal liberty, sound money, and a humble foreign policy. All of these discussions have brought a great joy to me because what matters is that these topics are addressed.
For the past 2 weeks I’ve been canvassing my neighborhood, talking to my neighbors about the primary and who they would vote for. You know what the most surprising thing is? More than ninety percent (90%) of the people I asked had no idea who they were voting for. Mind you, these were registered Republicans! In a way, I can understand the confusion among them when the only info presented to them by the media is a mishmash of approval ratings, spin rooms, attack ads, and rhetoric about “front runners” without ever really addressing the issues.
And so I present the video above to the YouTube generation. I think it beautifully paints a picture of who Dr. Paul is and the message he’s sharing to those of us who are disenfranchised by both the politicians in Washington and the politicians in the Media. I have been so encouraged by this message that I have started considering a possible career in politics so I can help bring a positive change to our country, as many other young inspired Americans are doing right now.
And so I urge you to think about and research who you will be voting for tomorrow. By this time next year we will have a new president. It’s up to us voters to wisely think about the kind of person we want to entrust our country to. I will be proudly voting for the Champion of the Constitution.
Today marks the beginning of the end for my undergraduate school career. Come December, I will have finished all my classes and received a bachelor’s degree in fine art – graphic design. In the meantime I am taking the following classes this semester:
- History of Graphic Design – an in-depth examination of graphic design’s origins, evolution, and impact over time. I’m extremely excited about this class.
- Senior Project – this is where I will finalize my portfolio and prepare for my BFA show at the end of the semester.
- Technology & Process – it’s a fancy name for a packaging class. I’ll be developing brands and packaging for a number of products and fictional companies. I’ve had a similar class in the past. Time-consuming but fun.
- Ideas & Styles – graphic design projects in the realm of print. In the past we have designed swatch books, posters, album covers and so on. I wonder what’s in store for us this time around.
So far I’ve only attended the History of Graphic Design class and it was excellent. There are a total of 4 students in the class, including myself, which makes it more like a graduate seminar. Professor Georgette Ballance, formerly of the prestigious Cornell University, is a sweetheart and very knowledgeable. And it doesn’t hurt the she edited a book on the subject. All in all I think this is going to be a great semester. I have to make sure I schedule myself well as I work on my projects. It would be nice to work on projects without the element of procrastination. As self-motivated as I am, it’s time I recruited an external control to hold me accountable on these projects.
On a similar note, I’ve already started thinking about graduate school. It’s a bittersweet subject for me, because I hate the idea of having more homework in the future, but I’ve fallen in love with a particular school. I somehow stumbled upon a video of St. John’s College and was mesmerized about 20 seconds into it. Imagine a school with no textbooks. Instead, the curriculum surrounds around the Great Books of the Western World. I’m going to look further into the school and make a decision about when I will visit.
