ART+POLITICS+Life

NEW ADDRESS MOVING ON

2013-12-18T07:49:00.000-06:00

It's official. I'm moving my blog to www.artpoliticslife.com !

I'm excited. Creatively I knew it was time for a change. Sorry it took so long. There was a definite learning curve since I switched to Wordpress. I guess I never fully appreciated blogger! Working through a completely new layout was a challenge. Then I got really busy with stressful not very exciting life stuff. Regardless, I feel really good about the direction the blog is going in. I'm trying to focus in on the visual and breakout of the standard blog post. I'm still trying to work around some issues mostly with load time and pluggins, but I feel like its ready to share. If you follow me on bloglovin' you should be transferred soon. Everything here will remain as an archive. Please stop by at www.artpoliticslife.com !

THE INSTAGRAM PROMISE

2013-11-15T11:05:00.001-06:00

It's official I'm on Instagram (check it out here). I finally caved. I was holding out, because I knew something so visual would be all too addicting. Unfortunately, I was right.

There are a few things I absolutely hate about Instagram. So here I promise to never ever do them.

1. Coffee pictures (especially name misspellings from Starbucks)

2. Shoe pictures

3. Mirror Selfies

4. Pictures of children (asking for trouble here or any where else on the internet)

5. Pictures from giveaways (I love giveaways, but on instagram? Obnoxious)

I'm curious what are your instagram don'ts? I'm also looking for cool accounts to follow. Have any recommendations?

FRESH FIVE

2013-11-05T04:37:00.000-06:00

Peach Sundress, Resiling, Channel, Loki Cola, Jellyka Saint-Andrew's Queen

BYE BYE BANKSY + FREE PRINTABLE

2013-10-31T18:48:00.002-05:00

It shouldn't come as news that ~~Bansky~~ Banksy has just finished a month long show in New York. I thought the entire thing was genius. Then again I'm drawn to the street art movement in general these days. Making a passable fake Banksy is definitely on my bucket list. I remember first learning about Banksy before he was so mainstream in a highschool art class. What I love most about him is his capability to capture the emotions of even people who have absolutely no interest in art. Case in point his work "the silence of the lambs":

Banksy even likes freebies. Here is the printable/t-shirt you have to make yourself.

Notable: a show from the leader of street art himself, Banksy it's been fun, see more and listen to the commentary here

GOOD TO NOTE

2013-10-25T00:43:00.001-05:00

How to Reflect

2013-10-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

Notable: take time to self reflect, take time to remember

I've been drawn to the concept of self reflection lately. These are my favorite I ideas to add a little self reflection to an everyday schedule.

1. One Line a Day Journal. This is an easier way to keep track of thoughts. I like that it's not much of a commitment. I tend to be fickle about long term projects. Only having one line forces a choice of the most important thought or idea. Simplifying down thoughts and ideas is a great benefit of self reflection.

2. A Self Portrait a Day. I love this idea.
Jeff Harris took on the project and got incredible results:

If you need motivation stay with the project Flickr has a daily portrait group and Bonnie from A Compass Rose has a weekly self portrait linkup.

3.Thought and Sketch Diary. It's basically just keeping a journal but the guide has great ideas. I've actually been able to start this and keep it going. I also like to include little sketches and patterns in mine.

Check out How to Make Your Life Seem Longer by Aaron Lewis on Snapguide.

Faile

2013-10-19T20:26:00.000-05:00

I went to see Faile at an after hours exhibit some time ago. I think the work is fantastic. I've been so drawn to street art lately.

Notable: street art, layering, cultural blends

For Background:

This one was my favorite.

These prayer wheels were pretty cool too.

KEEP CALM

2013-10-16T13:00:00.001-05:00

My life has gotten a little crazy in the past couple of weeks. These are my go to songs when I need to calm down.

Notable: halftone, songs to calm down

BRB

2013-10-11T11:49:00.001-05:00

ON 100

2013-10-06T11:03:00.001-05:00

Gosh I'm not what sure to say here. This is the 100th post. I'm surprised I've been able to keep up with this long.

This blog is definitely still not perfect. Looking back through the archive can be cringe worthy. I know I still have many ways to learn, improve, and grow. But writing, producing, and sharing content here has become significant to me. Vladimir Nabokov writes at the beginning of an Invitation to a beheading, this book is merely a violin in the void, a way for him to process the world. Maybe not everything I do is successful or meaningful to an audience. But it provides a place to reflect, grow and discover...What I write and share helps fills my own void.

If you have been around for awhile, I want to say thank you for continuing to read. If you are reading this blog for the first time, I want to say thank you for reading and welcome to the craziness.

Notable: Someone's getting older

DIY TAKE BETTER PRODUCT PICTURES

2013-10-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

Notable: stunning product photography on a shoestring budget, great for product photography

I usually don't take product pictures, but I had to try this technique. It's incredibly easy see below for directions.

Use a shinny black folder as a base. Use an image on a tilted laptop screen as a background. Use a folder as a diffuser. Use a Lamp as a light source.

FREE WALLPAPER

2013-10-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Midterms are almost here. It is crunch time. I'm using this background as a reminder to take a break from thinking and dream.

Notable: freebie (who doesn't love a freebie?), for the day dreamers, dream more worry less

Right click on the image and open in a new tab or window.Save image to your computer or drag it to your desktop or specific folder. On macs: Right click the file and click "Set Desktop Picture."

Open this page on your phone or email yourself the image.Open the image and save it to your phone.Go to the photos folder and set as wallpaper.

Right click on the image and open in a new tab or window. Save image to your computer or drag it to your desktop or specific folder. Go to Facebook and click to change your cover photo.

Open this page on your iPad or email yourself the image.Open the image and save it to your iPad. Go to the photos folder and set as wallpaper.

TREE HOUSE

2013-09-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

Notable: a place to spend the weekend away from it all, detailed touches, homemade, lavender, the view

Watch out: bugs everywhere (it's worse than camping)

Where I spent the weekend. Sometimes Texas can be interesting. Read more here.

PAINTING REALISTICALLY

2013-09-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

I had something else scheduled for today. Yet, when I found this I had to share. She seems like a truly incredible person. Her story resonates with me on multiple levels. (I mean I have both art and politics in my blogs title.) Found via Dirty Footprints.

Artist: Alexa Meade

Notable: passion, innovative art, shadow/light study, painting life

A BEAUTIFUL MESS

2013-09-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

I took this picture today with a completely different result in mind. I'm kind of glad it didn't work the way I planed.

Notable: foliophoto link-up

YOU ARE INVITED TO CONTRIBUTE ON PINTEREST

2013-09-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

I have know doubt that if you are reading this you love art and are on pinterest. So, come join my "every day art" board! It's a mixture of interesting art styles really. When I find something I really like but don't know where to pin it I put it there. Only requirement for content is that is has to be some type of art form and visually interesting. To be invited comment on this image on this image on pinterest [link for the board: http://www.pinterest.com/artpoliticslife/everyday-art/ , link for the image: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/435371488948334296/] or click the pin it button and pin it to your pinterest account [I'll find it I have my ways].

Notable: working on accomplishing these goals, can't wait to see what is pinned

VIRTUAL WONDER

2013-09-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Textbook, a tumblr blog

Notable: fashion with an artistic flair

40 days of dating, friends try dating and record their progress online Notable: it's like a romantic comedy brought to life

Handmade Globes, bringing back a lost art of globe making Notable: emphasis on the creation process

FOLLOW THROUGH

2013-09-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a cold dark uncompromising world. Sure it may seem that there are advertisements of happiness, of belonging. Humans are suppose to care. The people that are close should stay close forever. There is follow through. Interactions have meaning.

But, if you are an idealist like me, you should be alerted you're up for disappointment. People will fail (you). The world won't change (like you thought it would at your voice). Like I said before: here (right here) is a cold dark uncompromising world.

Then, in the midst of everything, the most unexpected of people will act in the most unexpected of ways (like in the ways the advertisements noted). Here is still a cold dark uncompromising world. But, it is to contrast the people that follow through- the humans with whom interactions have meaning.

PLANS

2013-09-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

My days have been so busy. Planning has saved my life. I still have big plans yet!
Camera: Sony Nex
Action: VSCO Look-alike
Notable: extras from a fun project, foliophoto link-up (a really great discovery, trust me I'm picky about these)

RESETTLEMENT IN NEWFOUNDLAND

2013-09-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

I visited Newfoundland recently and was fascinated by all the remains of resettled towns. Black and white photography seems to capture them the best.

Artist: Scott Walden

Notable: the exploration of the abandoned, black and white photography

PERSPECTIVE

2013-09-13T10:28:00.001-05:00

Theme of my life lately: perspective. I don't know why but it seems like whenever I gain something I immediately begin to undervalue it. Instead, I focus on the one job rejection, bad grade, or lost friend. How is happiness ever possible with that kind of thinking? Why is it so easy to let failure be the headlines in life?

I think it stems from self value. When I evaluate my life I can just as easily find instances where I have rejected or undervalued good friends, internships, boys, and school work.

It's so much easier to strive for things that might not be the best fit for me. For instance, I recently had two internship interviews. One was for a smaller, less prestigious, but more innovative position. The coordinator literally found me through my universities career center and emailed me this position for which the coordinator thought I was a good candidate. I was offered the job pretty much on the spot in the interview. The other was a position I found, and trust me I wanted it. It was for a very corporate well connected company in which I would be at the very bottom. It was impressive going downtown and up nearly to the top of a skyscraper for the interview. But the person that interviewed me was incredibly unprofessional. It was pretty obvious by the end of the interview I wasn't a priority nor would I get the position. I pretty much went straight to my car to cry.

I pulled myself down about the second interview, even though someone had went out of their way to give me a different opportunity. In this economy someone randomly finding my resume and going out of their way to find a place for me is pretty much a miracle. So I am trying to appreciate those rare (but awesome) people who truly value me and the credentials that they help me attain.

Notable: linking up (late whoops) with the happiness project ( a really cool linkup, trust me I'm picky about these)

A Day in the Life

2013-09-10T07:43:00.000-05:00

Today I have a guest post at my mind's lens.

Notable: a peak into my life

BUDGET FRIENDLY TOOLS FOR GETTING GREAT PHOTOS

2013-09-07T20:54:00.000-05:00

It has been fun to learn more about photography. There are so many resources out there. Here are my favorites.
VSCO look alike action by Hannah Beasley (free), Rainbow imaging lens and converter ($26), Camera Strap by couch ($35), HDR by forfie (free), CS2 photoshop (free)

SAILING AWAY WITH SUMMER

2013-09-03T21:11:00.000-05:00

Notable: night sailing is awesome, low light photography is hard, summer is over

I TURNED 20

2013-09-01T23:26:00.000-05:00