Salt of the Earth

I had my painting critique yesterday. It went well. Everyone loved the big guitar project. My teacher said that I had surpassed everyone of her first year students- that she’s ever taught. That was a big ego stroke for me. She chose 10 paintings- our of about 80- to display in the library. 3 of them were mine. I let her take 2 of them- one belongs to Thomas and I want to hang in his room. The critique went amazingly well- and my teacher said some really amazing things. The best part was the look on everyones face when I brought in the guitar painting. I’ll upload them to my gallery soon.

Went to the kids field day today. It’s so much different than mine was many, many years ago. We were awarded ribbons- 1st, 2nd. 3rd. I got a ribbon in every event- so it was a HUGE deal to me. I think my fondest memory was my 4th grade year. I had a rival named Lori Fox- and we competed against each other in EVERY area of our lives. She had one of those mom’s that pushed her to beat me in everything. Sadly for her, I always got the better grade, the best role in the play, the boy… etc… I liked her and she liked me. But her mom was so competitive that it tainted our friendship. She and I were both very fast runners and field day was a HUGE event-one that we all looked forward to all year long. Our PE teacher would help prepare us but having us practice at the various ’stations’ months before the big event. 50 yard dash was my main event. I got first EVERY year and never really had any stiff competion, until Lori’s mom decided to hire a coach to help Lori ‘train’ for field day. The weeks leading up to it proved to be pretty intense- as we practiced Lori would win a race, then I would and it went on like that up until the day before the race. Being naturally competitive, i wanted to win. I wanted to beat my competition- but not so much because it was Lori- but for competitive sake. I remember asking my PE teacher everyday- “who do you think will win?” and everyday he’d tell me “we’ll just have to wait and see.” Finally the big day came, Lori was dressed in all yellow sporty clothes and i was in blue track shorts and a blue shirt.. There were 5 ‘heat’ races before the big one. It was Lori, a couple other girls and myself- lined up in 5 lanes. My heart was beating so fast and all i could focus on was the finish line that seemed many, many miles away. The PE teacher had a gun that he fired to signal the start of the race. (not bullets, of course). The PE teacher said the words I waited so long to hear “Runners take your marks. ( I put my right foot forward just like I saw them do on Chariots of Fire) , get set…….” (I remember bending over at this point and my heart was pounding so fast) …. “GO!” He fired the gun and i ran like I’ve never run before. I don’t really remember getting to the finish line but I remember everyone screaming my name and running up to me. When I came out of my ‘running’ trance I asked “Did I win??” …… oh yes, i had by a landslide. It wasn’t until the next couple events that I noticed Lori wasn’t participating. I believe I was taking someone to the nurses office when I saw her sitting in there crying- and her mother was somewhat consoling her. I didn’t really understand why (remember I was only 10 and I liked this girl) and her mom gave me some lame excuse about her not feeling well. It wasn’t until years later that I found out- I believe from Lori- that she was so upset from loosing that she just couldn’t participate anymore. I think of Lori from time to time. I hope she’s had a good life and that her mom let her just be a kid. Last year when I was in New Mexico the University was hosting a play and I saw a Lori Fox in the credits- as one of the lead roles. She was a 35 year old woman from Colorado-the description said. I didn’t see the play, but I hope it was her. She liked acting.

Any case, that’s my field day story.
T

today was my last printmaking and drawing class. I am a bit sad again today. I’ve really enjoyed this term. Miles and Anna and I had another great adventure today. I needed to get groceries and they came with me. It was funny- I invited Anna- not knowing Miles was on campus. And she said she’d go get our other partner in crime to see if he wanted to go. A few minutes later- they come walking through the door- portfolios in hand ready to go. It was a really funny thing to see. Hard to explain though. We were talking about studio names- and how we needed to think them up-. As we were walking out of the store we saw these plastic garden shoes called Crocs. We jokingly came up with Smocks and Crocks studio…. (Smocks for the ones we saw at our art store that one day). we all laughed but considered it.

Apparently, if you want to show your art it is more professional to say it comes from a studio. Such as: Woodblock Prints
by Tina Ring
Smocks and Crocs Studio

I’m not sure i want to ’show’ my art as of yet. The student show is one thing- but a gallery in downtown Portland- well, that’s another story my friend.

I’ve finished painting my last picture. Now I have to get it in the monster frame and attach the guitar to it. That is another task. I’m happy with it so far. It’s taken a lot of work but I’ve truly enjoyed it.

I need to finish another painting and a take home exam plus my little black book. Then I’m done. I work better on a deadline- so it’s not so bad.

I am however, very tired now.
off to bed
T

I cleaned out my cubbys and drawers in the studio at school today. I’m a little sad now. It was like cleaning out my locker when i was younger. I’d be excited for no school and a long summer vacation but sad because I wouldn’t see my friends and what not over the summer. I’m sad now because I won’t be in class anymore- and some of my little art friends are moving on to true art schools. The end is always sad for me.

My painting teacher paid me the biggest compliment today- she said, ” you have become an artist Tina. You see things through an artists eyes and you know how to work them out. Your process is amazing” I just really teared up when she said that. What an achievement- what an accomplishment for me.

My last project is coming a long well. I’ve got the first part done- i need to work on it a lot more this weekend. It will get done.

T

This is my last week of classes. I have a HUGE project due in my painting class. I’m excited. I’ve been waiting all term to do this. I spent the better part of yesterday afternoon at my neighbors devising a way to hold my painting and the objects on it. It’s due Monday so my life is going to be consumed with it until then. Oh yeah, and all the kids end of the year activities…… Orchestra concert tonight, Box Top pizza party for Graham’s class, retirement dinner for Thomas teacher, Field day…. etc…. it’s insane really.

I think if i wasn’t so into my last project that I’d be really sad that today was my last official painting class. We have a critique on Monday- and then that’s it. I’m trying to decide on song lyrics to put in my last painting- it’s part of the assignment.

This is one idea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers

All in all I’m
Loving every rise and fall
The sun will make and I will take
Breath to be sure of this
In the end
All will be forgiven when
Surrender rises high and i
Gave what I came to give
Say it now because you never know

or these two from Bob Marley

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our mind

OR

I say on e good thing about music
When it hits you feel no pain
So hit me with music
Hit me with music now….

no idea which if any…
T

We had Graham’s little friend party on Friday- at a pizza place with a play structure. It was fun. He had a wonderful time. Everyone but one child showed up which i didn’t expect. So needless to say it was actually pretty big. Saturday night we went downtown to Mick’s office to watch the Starlight Parade. As usual it was a lot of fun. Yesterday Thomas and I spent a good part of the day looking for clothes for his orchestra concert on Wednesday night- black pants, white shirt. I just can’t bring myself to buying him black polyester pants. I just can’t do it. I like cotton pants that are soft and cool. He has several khaki ones like that- but no black ones. We came across some prepackaged white shirts with clip on ties and Thomas said ” I am NOT wearing one of those”. I chuckled…. I don’t blame him for not wanting to wearing a pokey white shirt with a tie.

BIG UPDATE: just back from the mall and we FINALLY found clothing for Thomas. Surprisingly the pants at the Gap were cheaper than JC Pennies and MUCH nicer. So soft….

SO why is it that teenaged boys like to flirt with older women? A few months ago a sporty car full of 19-20 year olds pulled up next to the van and one of them said “hey sugar mama want a ride?” I looked over expecting to see them all laughing- and I got an eyebrow raise from passenger and a wink from the driver. I had the boys with me and they thought it was so funny and called me sugar mama all day long. Today, I got another wink from a cutie in the parking lot. I actually turned to see who he was winking at then he pointed at me and winked again. I just laughed and shook my head as I shuffled my two children into our mini-van. (yeah baby now that’s pretty sexy) Perhaps they just get a kick out of humoring old ladies!

My painting teacher totally inspired me today. She was looking through my artist book (black book with sketches, idea, pictures…etc…..) and she said that if people did what i did she wouldn’t assign anything else the entire term and that she loves my book. I was very happy. I love my little black book too.

off to get the boys ready for tomorrow.
T

There are very few things in life that give me the sensation of pulling a good print. Today i pulled several. Ahhhh it’s like a drug. My printmaking teacher showed me a new technique and I was unsure I’d be able to do it. I freakin nailed it! I love the technique too and the prints look amazing. I still feel ‘high’ from satisfaction.

Another pop quiz in life drawing. WTF????? I didn’t bring any drawing stuff today- because we were supposed to be printing all morning. So I show up- geared to print and BAM- she lays it on us that we are having another pop quiz. We were to do an atomical drawing of this plaster figure in our classroom. I’ve drawn that figure so many times- and hated it every single time. So I drew it. but I added a cobble stone walkway, a martini glass in the hand and a big ‘HAPPY HOUR” sign in the doorway. Yes very ridiculous, but so is a pop quiz. I honestly don’t care how she grades me on it either. So i guess that’s my way to say ‘fon gu’ to the pop quiz.

Some girl in my printmaking class spilled pachouli oil on the table and i accidentally put my hand in it. OMG that stuff smells so freakin bad and it will not come off. I washed my hand 3 times and even dipped it in the solvent we use to take oil based ink off of printing plates. I can still smell it. It smells like dirt. Hippie dirt

I think caffeine makes me cranky.
There for I am not going to drink Dr. Pepper anymore.
T

Yesterday my painting class went to the Portland Art Museum. I got to see a Dega and a Monet. Spectacular. It was very hard not to touch the paintings- and for the most part I restrained myself. Our tour guide was kind of an idiot. I think she’s geared more to tour little kids because her language was very young and her questions took me back to grade school. She didn’t have all her facts straight and was corrected several times by my fellow students- on things like dates and things she should know. But once the tour was over everyone scattered and began their own tours. I prefer that much more. Afterwards we went to the little Wednesday Farmers market- which is only a few blocks from Mick’s office. I called him and he met me and we had a tamale for lunch.

I’m trying to muster up the motivation to go to class today. Fortunately we will be in the printmaking studio printing from our life drawings. That surge of drama just zaps my energy and makes me want to hide under a blanket in my bed. I’m glad I’m not directly involved- that would be much worse. But I’m still being effected by my teacher lashing out and what not. UGH…

gotta run
T