Margins.

Art Therapy.

2008-09-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

Last night I made art. Not to sell, but for the sake of my sanity. It had been a while since I've done such a thing. But man. Talk about good for the heart, soul, and mind.

Tangletown.

This wall piece involves tangled thread and highlighted phrases from a Japanese-English dictionary page that I randomly tore out. One phrase reads: "Won't you give me something to drink? Anything will do." Ha! Tell me about it...

A Tasty Farewell.

2008-09-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

Allison leaves for Paris on Tuesday for the quarter :[

So what do we do? We have desert in the morning! Also known as breakfast. The Portidge Bay Cafe offers delicious plates of such. Observe:

My plate: Paw Paw French Toast. Yum.

Allison's plate: Chai Oatmeal. Poor Allison wanted 3 Bears Porridge but they went out of business. No one gave them a chance.

Yay! Full and happy. But sad (in the inside) because Allison leaves.

Actually. All of my friends left/are leaving the country for the coming months. I must have scared them all away. Okay. Only 3 of them. But my other pals are going out of town for school, leaving me by my lonesome.

What is a girl to do? Eat more french toast...probably.

Knock. Knock.

2008-09-11T14:53:00.000-07:00

After some time pondering the meaning of life...

Okay. Not really. I have just been out and about. Took a short break from being artsy. It's been pretty nice simply working and wandering the streets. However. I must admit. I've missed the art world. In the coming months, I plan on creating bigger (and better!) pieces of wall art.

Here is a custom piece I was able to create this summer for a buddy:

And here's me (I believe I promised a picture long ago):

I got myself a nose ring this summer and after convincing Mother Romano that no, I am not a druggy, she accepted it. She has an interesting/the wrong idea of people with piercings.

I am actually a much happier person than shown above. However. I often feel VERY awkward taking pictures of myself. But for you. Anything.

Punk Rock Flea Market.

2008-07-15T21:19:00.001-07:00

Hello there! Punk Rock Flea Market is around yet again, this July 26th and I will be a part of it all. If only you all were in the Seattle area. If you happen to find yourself in Seattle town for some wonderful reason, you should come and visit me!!

Post Script: I really need to find my camera charger in order to take photographs of (1) the condo that I currently live in with my best bud and (2) me and my haircut. Oh geez. I am very much behind in this blog business and I deeply hope that you bare with me here.

A Good Thing.

2008-07-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I received an email from Janice. She is a fellow volunteer that I met while volunteering in Tanzania, AFRICA for 3 weeks back in Aug. to Sept. of '07. It was extremely nice to hear from her. Apparently, Janice and some other volunteers that were on the same trip are in the works of establishing a volunteer organization of their own in the town of Moshi. So awesome! I was very much grateful for their efforts on trying to improve the lives of the Tanzanians because they are the nicest of people. I can attest to that one.

Moshi, Tanzania.

One of the many children I played with in the neighborhood.

Here is their work-in-progress website that I thought I'd share: www.hearttoafrica.weebly.com

I would love to partake next summer for a few months. I will be especially ready for such an adventure since I will be undertaking Swahili this coming academic year. Talk about a fantastic reason for saving up the dollar bills.

Janice and me in the Amsterdam airport awaiting our final flight home (Sept. 2007).

MUTO.

2008-07-03T21:44:00.000-07:00

I think this is awesome. And not just because I love spray paint.

Okay.

Maybe a little.

Thank you Cheryl. For exposing me to such wonders.

Yoga-ness.

2008-07-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

This fellow makes even the pretty simple poses look way more intense than they really are, I feel.

I participated in yoga for the very first time this morning.

There are 3 things that I am bad at (okay, there are way more but I'm not going to get into that right now for the sake of protecting my self-esteem): (1) stretching, (2) balancing, and (3) deep breathing. And what do you know, yoga constitutes all 3.

My pal Sydney convinced me to go. She took one yoga class and was convinced that it was the greatest thing ever. But see, here's how Sydney and I differ. Sydney absolutely loves to stretch. She will devote the time and energy after a workout for some stretches, like what normal people should do. I, on the the other hand, being the rebel that I am, skip the stretches which lead to the risk of injuries and such disasters. It doesn't help that I am a klutz.

Side Note: "Klutz" is defined as a clumsy, awkward, or foolish person. Wow. I didn't think one word could capture me so perfectly.

Though putting such issues aside, I am also one to really want to be crazy about yoga. I feel like yoga people are so cool, walking around with their yoga mat slung on their shoulder and I want to be just like them. See my train of thought here?

The one hour session was interesting. It was quite difficult for me to be "in tune with my body" even though the instructor kept telling us to. Additionally, my body doesn't quite know what stretching feels like. It's been a long, long time since my muscles got to feel such a thing. Poor things. They were probably in a state of shock.

Figure 43 Muscles: side view

At times when my eyes were closed and I was turned away from everyone else, I would think: "I wonder what everyone else is doing." I'm sure that I failed to look in sync with my classmates.

While walking back to our place, I was complaining to Sydney about how those stretches/poses and deep breathing and stuff was so hard for me. She just looked at me and said: "That class will be good for you." Ha. She's right.

I still exist. Yes I do.

2008-06-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

Such a long time it has been, yes? I have to say, I missed the blog world a whole lot.

This summer is the first summer in which I have no obligations toward school. My college life of classes has been on play since September of '05. My brain is currently in a state of shock due to the absence of such summer classes this time around. Quite nice, I'd have to say. I am sure you can imagine.

I have actually been reading quite a bit lately. For fun, I might add. Something I have not done for years. Seriously. Years. Any suggestions on some good reads? I'd love to hear them. I am currently reading Stiff and the author carries such voice in this novel. I'm loving it thus far.

I will fill you in as to what mischievous (not really) happenings I have been up to lately. For now, I will say this. I got a haircut. I know. That's not terribly exciting. Maybe an exclamation mark will help. I got a haircut!

In any case, the young man whose handiwork is now atop my head was quite nice and I thoroughly enjoy nice people. It's always pretty uncomfortable getting your hair sheared while your mind races as it tries to find the next topic to discuss so no awkward silence falls between the two of you. This was not the case for me however.

I'll be back with more, more, more. Will you stay tuned? I sure hope so.

Factoids About Evalynn/Margins:

2008-05-21T23:15:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Art Kitten! The rules:

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Let's begin.

1. I really want a black belt. But first, I need to sign up for karate lessons. That’s what I hear anyway.

2. My good friend Cheryl holds a future escape plan for myself and our 2 other pals. It mainly involves the 4 of us living in an abandoned warehouse in Portland where we do artsy stuff all day, such as screen print. A foolproof plan.

3. A lot of my exercise originates in my dusty, junk-filled basement on an unstable, second-hand treadmill. It will topple one day, I just know it.

4. I wanted to be a doctor from Kindergarten to approximately 5.5 months ago, but I did not enjoy the sciences even though I really tried to. Now I want to go into Public Health, with a focus on the global aspect of health.

5. I often joke about getting a tattoo of a beard. It would start on my pointer finger and thumb, and continue down my left forearm. This is because when I conversate and turn into thinking mode, I tend to stroke a long imaginary beard. A beard tattoo would be very much convenient.

Now when I place my left hand on my chin and stroke down my forearm, my friends know that I am stroking the imaginary beard tattoo I wish I had.

6. I have a Filipino accent and speak grammatically incorrect when I make conversation with my mother. It just comes so naturally. However, this causes me to question my grammar and vocabulary when speaking to friends.

7. Guys I like to term “Biker Boys” get me weak in the knees. They’re the ones who ride their road bikes around town with skinny jeans and such somewhat fitting apparel. Musicians go under this category as well.

That’s me. Hm…I’m tagging 7 (my lucky number, by the way):

Banana Head Pancake.
Folio Hello.
Painted Fish Studio.
The Charm School Dropout.
Waterrose.
Hoi Polloi.
Octavine Illustration.

[PostScript]: I'm sorry that this turned out to be such a novel. I just got much too into it.

Bob Dylan. Mr. Tambourine Man.

2008-05-19T23:42:00.000-07:00

Makes me happy. I can't believe I missed these times. 22.5 years much too late. October, 1964.

MOOP.

2008-05-19T19:58:00.000-07:00

So...I sort of spent $101.01 for a Moop Market Bag in Provencial Blue with the adjustable strap. I had been desiring a Moop bag pretty much ever since I discovered Moop on Etsy.

On an average day, this bag would be way out of my budget. I believe I caved in though partly because I was quite stressed out today. I tend to make crazy purchases in this state of mind. Bad, I know.

I can't wait to receive this piece of shoulder-wear in the mail. I have been daydreaming of me and the Moop bag strolling around Ballard on the nice summer non-school days that are bound to arrive. Yay!

Is that you Mr. Sun? I didn't recognize you.

2008-05-16T14:37:00.000-07:00

Need I say more? :) (Try to focus on the first 3 days.)

Seattlites are pretty much going to be found passed out along the sidewalks. We're not used to this sort of thing. Yes...we're wimps, I know.

Off I go! Weee...

On My Mind: Lykke and India.

2008-05-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

In approximately 3.5 hours, I will be listening to Lykke's tunes at the Triple Door. Lykke Li (pronounced 'lick-a lee') is an indie singer songwriter from Sweden and the beats to her music is just so pleasant. I'm going with a couple of pals and I am quite excited about it. I actually haven't listened to her whole CD, so I am just looking forward to sitting there and absorbing.

On a totally different note, I really want to go to India this summer. I mean...I really really REALLY want to go. I found this program in which I would travel to India and remain for five weeks. The first week would consist of sightseeing and Hindi classes and such. The rest of the time would be spent volunteering at an orphange. I have been getting the itch to travel lately because I often reminisce about my time spent volunteering in Tanzania. I reminisce about those times a lot.

However, convincing Mother Romano is such an obstacle. I don't give up so easily though. She knows what's coming. After all, I did convince her to allow me to go to Africa. Ha.

I must go now and write up a paper that is due tomorrow. A paper that was assigned to me 2 weeks ago! Why must I consistently do this to myself?

The New Mexico.

2008-05-12T20:13:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was spent in New Mexico due to my cousin's wedding. Yay New Mexico. I had never been before. It was pretty great but sadly much too short as I was there from Friday night to Sunday morning. Short, right? I had way too much fun spending some quality time with the cousins. As always. I was expecting sizzling 80 degree weather, but the cold winds disguised the sun's heat. As a result, I was quite surprised to find myself a little burned. So sad.

A few pictures:

Jewelry vendors in Santa Fe. My will power was truly tested. Truly.

I was so drawn to these friendly wooden sculptures. I am not sure what it is, but I really loved them.

A vase that I adored. Painted with a brush of horse hair.

The beautiful Newly Weds! My cousin is on the right and his facial expression pretty much sums up his crazy personality.

Their first dance. One of the best weddings that I have ever been to.

I have more pictures to share. Maybe I will organize them on a photo site and share them at a later date. I shall let you know.

Hope your weekend was just as marvelous.

The "Islandy" Feel.

2008-05-08T17:58:00.000-07:00

I frantically created a custom piece last night.

It was for my best pal's roomie who had a 2 year anniversary coming up on Monday (!). She wanted an art piece done of her and her main squeeze. I was much obliged to be a part of it all. We had been playing email tag for the last week and I finally got all the information I needed last night.

You should have seen me in the late hours of the night. I am still fighting a cold, so I was not in the best of conditions. Hunched over and trying to get my X-Acto knife to cooperate as I was creating the stencil. I was most nervous about the background. She wanted an "islandy feel" so I thought ocean and sunset possibly? The whole time I found myself repeatedly saying: "Oh God. I hope she likes it."

With lots of headaches and the disregard of the statistics assignment and backaches and fumage intake (don't worry, this was to the minimum), I made this:

Of course it is an abstract ocean and sunset, but I still hope I got the message across to some degree. There's only so much you can do with spray paint and I didn't want any distractions in the way of the happy twosome's image. It was tons of fun playing with all the sunset/ocean colors of spray paint I had. Which, apparently, is quite a few.

I sent it off today, so the piece should be in her hands by this Saturday or Monday at the very latest. Phew.

[EDIT]: She received it today, 5/12th, and LOVED it! Yay. Mission accomplished.

Deal...or No Deal.

2008-05-06T16:33:00.000-07:00

People are so wonderful. Seriously. In the past few days I have been mentioned in two blogs: Painted Fish Studio and The Charm School Dropout. The best part is, I definitely admire both artists. I am an avid reader of their blogs as well. So much talent. I don't even think I have done anything noteworthy lately, but I am very much appreciative for having been noticed. It's nice to have people on your side. Great talented people, especially. The best kind, in my opinion.

One more thing before I leave.

Last night's episode of the game show Deal or No Deal (And no, this is not a guilty pleasure of mine. Ha.) was shot in the Philippines. I am not sure if this was mentioned before, but I have traveled over to the Philippines six times. Mostly because it is the place in which my mother's side of the family resides. I absolutely love it there. It always pains me to leave. I am usually the one hysterically sobbing on the plane. My poor mother.

So you can imagine my excitement when I saw Deal or No Deal's host, Howie Mandel, surrounded by a Filipino audience. Lots of dancing was involved because Filipinos just love to celebrate any small accomplishment, like getting that much closer to the million dollars. How did this Filipino dance gene manage to skip me? Dancing is definitely not one of my talents. Oh no. I can't even think about it, it's much too shameful.

Anyway, I felt some Filipino pride last night as I hopped between the channels of Deal or No Deal and...Dancing with the Stars. *cough*

Glint of Optimism.

2008-05-05T16:09:00.000-07:00

Ah. I am feeling quite ill at the moment, which is really too bad. It started Friday night with a sore throat. I knew it was trouble the moment I felt that sore throat coming along.

I don't know how I did it, but I somehow managed to create a piece of wall art yesterday. Glint of Optimism is its name.

Sometimes I feel like my heart is making the art without my knowing. In any case, it made me feel much better.

I think that it would be best for me to go now before I pass out. Ha.

Guilty Pleasures.

2008-04-29T21:30:00.000-07:00

I am so ashamed of this but I don't even care. Here are a few things I enjoy, but kinda wish I didn't:

1. American Idol.
2. Dancing with the Stars.
3. Karaoke songs.

Yes, I download karaoke songs and sway to the old school beats (as I am doing right now). So classic. How can people not enjoy them? This, I do not know. I am probably shaming my cool music savvy friends. Sorry.

Transferring Neglect (from School to Art).

2008-04-29T19:59:00.000-07:00

So...I had disappeared from the blogosphere for a while. This was a result of a much needed introduction that went something like this:

Evalynn, school. School, Evalynn.
Me: Nice to meet you.

Yes, I had to focus on school for a while. I had been somewhat putting it aside for my art, which I admit, I should never have done. Art is just so addicting though. I realized I had a problem and am now taking the steps to solve it. Pat on the back for me.

Now I am patching up the neglected blog with a post. Hooray.

Since I have been studying and such (studying techniques are all coming back to me now, ha), I have been unable to stencil/spray paint it up. A shame, really. BUT I did try my hand at ACEOs (Art Cards Editions & Originals or Artist Trading Card, respectively) 2 nights ago since it is much less time consuming than my usual art pieces.

I had never attempted such a thing before. I actually had never heard of an ACEO until about 2 months ago on Etsy. Just thought I'd get that out of the way to excuse myself for the ACEOs to follow. Yeah...found out it isn't really my thing. I felt kind of awkward making them, to be honest. But that's okay. At least now I know.

Perception.

Story Time.

I think I am going to stick with spray paint and stencils. Yup. Also, I got my statistics quiz back today and received a 29.5 out of 30 (a BIG change from the quizzes of the past 3 weeks). Apparently I am doing something right.

Productivity? What's that?

2008-04-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

Im Just Weird, note cards set. TheTimeIsNow.

I could not have said it better myself.

I have been feeling a little blah lately. I have armfuls of work to do, but have yet to do anything about it. Yup. Just one of those days. Except for me it's been, oh, a couple of weeks.

On the upside, I made 2 sales today. Yay.

I love Mother Romano.

2008-04-21T17:17:00.000-07:00

My mother never ceases to surprise me.

Last night, my mother and I watched some television. Okay, it was a Hallmark movie. She loves those. It was pretty much quality mother and daughter time.

Being the awkward kid that I am, I grabbed for the nearest pen and started drawing a small face on my pointer finger. I write on my hands a lot. It is a bad habit. I showed my mother and expected the look that I always get from others when I do things like this. It is usually a: "You are one strange kid" disapproving look. You get used to it.

My mother did not give me this look. Instead, she found it pretty humorous. She took the pen from me and doodled a little face on her own pointer finger. Wow. I was pretty shocked. My mom's not one to draw on her hand. She's not the type of person to do such a thing.

I ran to my camera. No time for stealthiness. I apologize for the horrible quality pictures, but excitement tends to create an unsteady hand for me.

In the beginning. Look at the concentration involved.

Aw. Look at how proud she looks. I never got this look growing up. Ha.

The final product. She wrapped it in a small piece of paper towel to make it baby-looking. Oh mother Romano.

I couldn't help but chuckle as I was preparing this post for all to see. I hadn't actually really seen the final product until now. I was too much in the moment to truly notice its facial features.

This made my day.

Freshy's: Homemade Brigade.

2008-04-19T18:31:00.000-07:00

The Homemade Brigade is a craft/art sale that occurs once a month at a local coffee shop called Freshy's. I participated in the very first one that happened in February. The rare glowing sun was out mingling with the happy Seattlites. This equaled a packed coffee shop of potential customers. However, I was in a corner where it took leaps and motivation to reach me. No sales resulted for Margins. I suppose no one was particularly motivated that day.

Today, was the Homemade Brigade of April. I snagged a quality spot this time around.

The weather was not so much quality though. It snowed off and on, rained off and on, and the sun would make quick appearances every now and then. A little bit of everything. Barely any potential customers were around in the 4 hour period of the brigade. Boredom resulted in Big Brother:

My doodle started out as merely bullseyes but then I saw a loving relationship between the two formed creatures. I pondered: mother and child maybe? Then the bullseyes started to resemble human eyes and I immediately thought: Big brother! Yes...it was that kind of day.

The shop owner is super nice and offered to showcase my work on her wall at no charge. She shows off artwork from a few different artists instead of just one around her shop, which I think is quite refreshing. My first coffee shop wall (my apologies for the lack of photography skills):

I sold one art piece today - Biggest Fan.

I am quite thankful.

Kinko's. Kinko's. Kinko's.

2008-04-17T22:02:00.000-07:00

I have had pretty bad experiences at Kinko's. (Pardon. FedEx Kinko's.)

Many of my most classic procrastination moments have taken place at a Kinko's. These situations bring me to the doorstep of the nearest Kinko's with my Mac in hand and anxiety within.

Anxiety not only due to the possibility of a late paper, but also due to figuring out how to print the thing out. Technology dislikes me. We don't click, which is sad because I thought that I was supposed to be among the generation of technology savvy individuals. Apparently, I did not make the cut.

I went to Kinko's today. I actually shuddered when I decided that I had to go. I wanted to create (greeting) cards of my art work because I heard it was a good thing. So I did and...I don't know. They are alright I suppose (I just say that to protect my self-esteem). I actually don't like them much. Maybe the paper just didn't do it for me. I get really picky about paper issues.

I was handed the sad looking greeting cards and walked over to the paper cutter, as they needed some trimming. Oh, the paper cutter. We haven't gotten along until my late high school years and even now our relationship's a little shaky. I can't seem to use it correctly, so the cards are awkwardly different sizes.

Luckily, there was a pleasant looking old woman at the next table keeping me and my loud, squeaky paper cutter company. I cringed with every swift of the cutter.

I was welcomed with Seattle's droplet showers as I walked out of the Kinko's. My squeaky windshield wipers did not help the situation.

The Dalai Lama.

2008-04-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

"True compassion is not just an emotional response but a firm commitment founded on reason."

- His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Yesterday, I received the rare opportunity to witness the Dalai Lama speak at the University of Washington, the school of which I attend. It was nothing short of amazing. As I expected, his words were very much inspirational. He spoke of the importance of inner peace that, once is achieved, would be able to spread outward. The significance of compassion is the main message that he tries to communicate.

He is actually a very funny man. At one point, he pointed to a balding young man in the crowd and mentioned that they had the same hair. He would let out kind-hearted laughs at such comments. His smiles and laughs are quite contagious.

At the end, we all attempted to swarm out of the arena in one large crowd. However, we were halted by the security men. As we stood there, waiting patiently to get on with our daily lives, Cheryl remarks: "If we didn't just listen to a talk on peace and compassion..." Ha. She's right. There probably would be pushing and shoving involved in a different situation.

The message was nice and peaceful, despite the mass of protesters chanting outside the arena with signs in hand. It was a joy and truly refreshing to hear the Dalai Lama's words echo in the same vicinity that I was seated in.

Off to find my inner peace.

Featured Artist #1: La Maga.

2008-04-10T10:41:00.000-07:00

I discovered the Etsy shop LaMaga by Favorites hopping and it immediately brightened my day. I have made two purchases on Etsy, Red Horses and Boneshaker. Both are original ink drawings by Raquel. I am drawn to her illustrations. I can't help it. They just make me extremely happy. She is an incredibly talented artist from Spain and has agreed to comply with my requests for answering a couple of questions.

What do I do best? Fall and spill liquids on myself and others.

What does Raquel do best? Art.

+What got you started in the whole art scene?

Well, I've been drawing since I could remember, but I started in a more serious way on 2005-2006, when my boyfriend gave me new watercolors, inks and a lot of art supplies as a birthday gift. I begin to draw several hours every day since then, and eventually I got better and I began to feel better drawing too.

+What inspires you to create such pieces of art?

Mostly, other people's work. I search a lot on the Internet and I watch a lot of art, design and photography books to inspire myself. I love to read too: Chejov, Gorey, Carroll, Cortazar, etc. I found great ideas on the books. Also, nature is a great source of inspiration for me: the forests, trees, animals...

+How did you think up your shop name?

La Maga is my favourite book character ever. She appears on "Rayuela", a book by Cortazar which everybody should read at least once in life (seriously, no exceptions ;))

+What bands do you rather enjoy?

I listen mostly to oldies from the 20's, 30's, 40's... Billie Holiday is my favourite singer ever, I just love her! :) I also love Bessie Smith, Bix beiderbecke, Sonny Boy Williamson II, etc. And about actual music I like Regina Spektor, Beirut, Iron&Wine, Sigur Ros, Explosions in the sky, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Clem Snide and a lot more!

+If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?

I think I would like to fly. Is the eternal dream of the human being. I dreamt so much of flying when I was a little girl! I would fly over the cities and the houses I know, and I even could carry people who like to try my super power. hehe Of course I would wear a beautiful cape and a beautiful super woman costume! :)

Thanks Raquel! You are wonderfully great. Take a look-see at her cute little shop: LaMaga filled with her amazing work.