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You gotta keep ’em separated

or not so much… My printmaking class started this week so I’ve been thinking about what images I want to create. Since I am in the “advance” class – 40B, I can pretty much do what I want. And you must have picked up by now that that kind of artistic freedom can be kinda paralyzing for me.  Last semester we learned the following printmaking techniques: drypoint, collagraph, woodcut, and monotypes. And with each new assignment/technique, we were given a theme as a starting off point for our image. I played nicely within the given parameters and was pushed, learned a lot, and made some cool prints. This time around? I need to write a brief proposal of what I plan to do this semester. What do I plan to do… what do I want to do? I know I want to make more monotypes. That’s kinda a no brainer. I definitely want to do another woodcut! Collagraphs were fun to create, but unless I have a flash of inspiration, I’m not that concerned with making another one. And drypoint… meh. Unless I come up with a really cool drawing, I could skip that too. Inking those plates is hard…

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Tonight is my Artist Reception!!

Oh. Em. Gee. ::kermit arms:: ::thud:: and all that “I should be freaking out” jazz! Except I’m not really freaking out. Right now… The Artist Reception for my very first solo show is tonight. This one: So I’m heading out to get a pedicure and my hair done. A very nice way to spend the afternoon. My artist statement (you may have heard me mention that. ha!) is done. I just need to remember to bring it with me tonight. I have a new outfit thanks to the help of the amazing Evil Jill Matsuhiro! So what would have been my biggest stress of the day can now be saved up for tomorrow night! ha! All the work of the past year and a half is done. wow.  That’s kind of crazy isn’t it? A year and a half of blood, sweat, and tears went into 19 photographs on a gallery wall. Hours of being bent over the glass table shooting small things. Days upon days spent in the darkroom. Endless sleepless nights with my brain buzzing over an idea, the motivation, the words to describe the madness! And Chris still loves me! So, I guess I’m good. See ya…

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Moving on to the next great freak out

So… art. shows. “coming in hot!” as a young Kyle screamed from the back seat one day many years ago. And for the record, that semi wasn’t barreling down on us that fast. But yes, I am again freaking out a bit stressed. I had to email my exhibit coordinator (oh my god!) at Viewpoint  with the titles and prices for the show. Prices people! Poor Evil Jill and Chris. They took the brunt of the crazy Dawn on that issue. And the dust from that drama trauma had barely settled when I discovered this under upcoming shows on the Viewpoint website! https://www.viewpointgallery.org/exhibit/price-enlightenment-photographs-dawn-blanchfield And then I passed out, hit my head, woke up thinking I was the Queen of Spain. Or something like that. I’m really not sure the lead up to this show isn’t going to finally land me in the padded cell of my dreams. In the meantime, I printed a new photograph for the Viewpoint Member Show in July. And the State Fair is next month too. That should distract me right? Oh! If you weren’t playing along on Facebook, Kyle’s team won their bracket!! And placing higher in the final standing than those snooty 15-1’s. #29…

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School daze

so… yeah… been busy. And not busy sitting on my butt watching George Clooney movies – not that there’s anything wrong with that! School busy. Turns out a Russian history class is rather time-consuming. I don’t mind all the reading because I like the subject, but those essays! ohmygod the pain. I don’t even want to talk about it. And apparently there is gonna be more writing in my future. Like the speech class isn’t terrible enough, I’m looking at having to take another English Comp class! WTH? I’m too old for this shit. I met with a counselor this week to go over my transcripts and what I need for not only my AA, but to transfer to university. ugh. Now, I don’t mind having to take another History class, or even the Science/lab – but another writing class?! Short stories, poetry? Kill me now. Oh, and I need to take a sculpture class for the AA in Art! blah. But since I’m slow-boating this degree business, looks like I’ll get to stay at Sierra another year or two. If I only take 1 “unpleasant” class a semester, and I have like 5 more… well that’s cool, the commute…

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Winter break

What do ya mean where the hell have I been? We were on a break! And now we’re back. The spring semester started today. In addition to taking another photography class and lab, I’m taking  a “real” class: Russian History! Okay, all my previous classes where “real” too. What I mean is that I’m trying to take the last 3 classes I need to get my AA. Chris seems to think that while he is getting his Masters degree, I should go ahead and finish up my Associates. Jeez, when ya put it that way… So, what’s left? After fulfilling my Multicultural Studies requirement this semester, I’ll need a Health/Physical Education class (I’m thinking Yoga!) and Speech. flippin’ speech class. I have been avoiding that class for over … well… a lot of years. damn. Let’s not think about that. Russian History!! 9:30 am tomorrow! wOOt!

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I can’t take the pressure!!

Well, that blood pressure medicine I was taking finally kicked in on Tuesday and it was not good. My blood pressure was low. Way low. Passing out now low. So a quick call to the doctor’s office and that experiment is done. No more Norvasc for me. Two days later I’m starting to feel normal again. Well, normal for me. shut up. Turns out I’m going to need my energy, I’ve got a lot of work to get done this weekend. Vox has found a new home and I’m happy to say that I’m going to be exhibiting  in the October show! And we hang that show on Monday!! Looks like I’m gonna be framing some photographs and transfers over the next couple days. Also on my to-do list – self portraits for my photography class. gah. Luckily the critique has been pushed back a week so I have a bit more time to get the roll shot, developed, and an enlargement made. But I can’t continue slackin’ on this for long, because in 2 weeks Chris and I are going to Boston for a long weekend! So to recap: This weekend: shoot some photos and frame some other photos.…

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