This is my first stop motion…ever! So far things are going well Feedback appreciated.

It’s 3 am. I’m wide awake in my studio, finally slowing down a bit. I started a new project.

I am building a forest.

A continuation of my Illustration work (I think.)

Remember this?

Take papercut ink drawings. Insert found objects, old book pages, yellowed paper.

Make it 3d. Put it on a stage. Make it move. Animate the inanimate.

I am building a forest.

PS <3.

Please check out my new blog,  [starpower]*‘s progress! It’s coming along, and I’d like to hear what you think, or maybe even see some familiar names in the subscriber’s list

And I am glad that is all over, I’ll say. There are so many projects I want to pursue, so many that are already in the works, so many ideas that could be further developed… but- I’m stuck on one, and I have a good feeling.

This blog went from a nameless blog (remember The Blog?) to a documentation of all of the things I love to do- appreciate art and music, immerse myself in new situations, discover, share, and possibly help others come across something that they might not have one known existed. Maybe you didn’t know about the new gallery that opened downtown. Or about art events happening almost every day of the week. Or maybe you saw a performance that turned you on to a new favorite musician. Maybe you were looking for something to do this weekend. I’ve really been wanting to take this idea farther…and after a little pondering, and A LOT of planning, I think I have something.

Introducing the launch of my new pet project!

 [starpower]* : A lifestyle centered around art, culture, and music in the QCA and greater Midwest.

Immediate plans include: Coverage and promotion of musical, artist-oriented, or otherwise culturally awesome events going on locally.

Features and interviews with local artists in the area: Their working methods, current projects, studio sneak peaks, the general dish.

Apparel. Being on a limited budget means starting small, but I am STOKED for buttons, t-shirts, reusable canvas bags, stickers, and other [starpower]* swag.

Local artist t shirt design contests: submit a design: let me produce a series of t-shirts. You get $$$, and a line on your resume.

There are so many other projects that I have floating in my head. But this is where it begins!

I couldn’t encourage you enough to check out the site. Give me some feedback! See what’s happening in the Quad Cities this weekend (there’s QUITE a lot to do). Leave a comment, a thumbs up, or some minor harassment. (Comments ARE moderated).

]]> http://asrai7.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/from-a-blog-to-a-brand-starpower-debuts/feed/ 3 asrai7 final banner http://asrai7.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/photo-shoot-with-little-sister-round-2/ http://asrai7.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/photo-shoot-with-little-sister-round-2/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:16:15 +0000 asrai7 http://asrai7.wordpress.com/?p=1788 Continue reading →]]> I had an *unexpected* day off from the Day Job today, and just finished editing my little sister’s senior photos.

Wait…my little sister is a SENIOR now?! Damn, I’m starting to feel old(er).

We went to one of my favorite hidden spots in the Middle Of Nowhere, Iowa: Eden valley Refuge. On the way to Maquoketa, IA this refuge is absolutely beautiful. Towering cliff faces, an expansive swinging rope bridge on the hiking trail, and wait! Get this: A moon tower! Yes, a tower to view the moon, and whatever else happens to be floating out there in space. There’s nothing like a clear sky in the middle of nowhere…

The swinging bridge was actually broken and caution-taped off…it was hanging by a single wire, dangling over the creek. Bummer.  Should we still do it? Of course!! I gave the bridge a few test jumps, and once I felt like we (sort of) wouldn’t die, I sent Emma out in her heels for a photo.

There are lots of great little alcoves and grottos like this at Eden Valley.

One of my favorites.

I was SO pleased with the result of this shot! Although it took probably about 30 leaf-throwing attempts before we could get a photo that would work. We had to get it.

Remember my first photo shoot with Emma?

Things have been quite wonderful lately. Work is keeping me busy, and I have a couple studio projects in the works and brewing. Just got back from Chicago seeing some of my favorite hip-hop with a handsome new friend.

I’m also getting ready to launch a new blog/brand/side project, and that’s what I’m super excited for. I’m doing almost what I already do here…event promotions, new discoveries, etc…but I’m making it a little less about me,and more about the Quad-Cities and greater Midwest. And also integrating my own products (for sale!) And possibly other pieces from other artists. There’s so much more and I’m so excited, but that will have to wait for another blog.

I need to remember how to screen print. Stat.

More later. <3

There is a lot to catch up on. Shit.

I returned from Washington and got a place with a friend, and have been enjoying it to the fullest extent. I managed to obtain the Big Kid Day Job as a product photographer. I waitress at a pub close to my house, and facilitate the Figure Drawing Classes at the Figge. (Which, on a *side tangent*, you should sign up for. $25 for 3 classes, every Tuesday)

Projects I’m excited about: Shooting portraits with my sister. New illustrations in the works. Possible…stop motion animation video?  Either way, I’m excited to be back in the studio mindset.

A few of my recent illustrations have been selected for the Figge’s Annual College Invitational Show. Surprise! Details as they come

Enough chat, let’s get this going, shall we? Here are a few snapshots from one my last stops before coming home, and a couple drawings that came after.

Shipwreck on the Oregon Coast

Hiking...

Canon Beach- Oregon

Birds At Canon Beach- Media: Pen/Ink

Untitled, as usual Media: Micron/Sakura Brush Pens

Some inspiring images to add to your color pallet memory bank, daydreams, or just to get the wheels turning.

Why can't I own a van like this?! *covets*

Get Your Own What?!

Best Crab Rangoons...EVER. My cousins didn't appreciate the concept of seafood and cream cheese deliciousness. *shrugs* More for me.

Fresh Scallops and Veggie Stir fry...nom!

he infmaous fishermen at Pike's Place. They weren't throwing fish this time, but it didn't stop me from craving more yummy seafood...

Honey, honey. <3 Flavored honey sticks

Gasworks Park

When the tide goes out, especially in the rocky northwest, there are these little oceanic gems left behind for a short time: tidepools! Tidepools allow you to see ocean life in it’s natural habitat that you wouldn’t normally get to see on an average day at the beach. This translates to me, jacked up on coffee, new camera in hand, flipping over rocks and shrieking with excitement like a small child (as well as looking for any excuse to say “Holy Barnicles batman!! and point and said ocean thing). It was the best.

Just in time for low tide...

A small tidepool on a perfect day.

Glimpses of ocean life...

This must be noted. This thing below, is a muscle. Ugly little sucker, isn't it?

THIS is what happens when you touch a muscle. The little bugger closes his mouth and squirts you. This caused us to start poking muscles for some synchronized, angry-muscle-induced guysers

A lovely orange starfish

I was really digging all of the neutral, muted colors with spashes of green and warm tones.

Holy barnicles batman!! O.o

A beached jellyfish. Poor guy.

nom!

Found a sand dollar

Sand dollars buried, and still very alive O.o

But…if there is one thing that is in my top ten list of Awesome Good Times, it is going to a baseball game. I absolutely love it. 1: I know this game inside and out. 2: Because of the latter, I can explain this game to my fellow girl friends who don’t seem to understand it, and that makes me feel oddly warm and fuzzy. 3: Everyone is there to have a good time. Your fellow fans are your comrades! You always meet new and interesting people. More on that later. 4: I somehow manage to do all of this while drinking more than my weight in beer (<–another essential to baseball). It helps your team win.

The first thing we did was get some world-famous garlic fries. And were they tasty! Check out the mountain of garlic hidden amongst these beautiful wedges of potato deliciousness.

We had some really great seats to the game as well- right down the third base line, not too far from the field. It was called the King’s Corner- some kind of promotion for their “new hot” pitcher, Felix Hernandez. Either way, they gave us some bitchin’ yellow t-shirts and a big ‘K’ sign…which I then proceeded to try to line up with other fellow ‘K’s to make “KKK’s”…but my cousin’s didn’t think that was as funny as I did. Whoopsie!

I was hoping to catch a ball for sure…

But I didn’t. So instead I posed as if I did, and felt significantly better.

We also got photographed with a moose, which was a necessity.

I then began to add to my entertainment, the photographing of interesting people I ran into throughout the night. Every one of these characters was having just as much fun as I was shooting, waving my K-sign, hooting and hollering, and drinking my weight in beer with them.

Like this guy, who was carrying around a giant cutout face of…himself?

Or the couple with the best identical sideburns I’d ever seen:

There was the fist-bumping two-year old:

But my favorite interesting character of the night was by far the Green Man. I spotted him at first from my seat, all covertly. He was not wearing pants.

After many (MANY) beverages, I thought he was my best friend.

I even defended him as they were trying to remove him from the game (or at least put on some pants).

But in the end, we were kindred spirits. Passionate about the game. Screaming like lunatics. Smelling of kosher beef hotdogs and world-famous garlic fries.  And also extremely inebriated.

Post-game in one paragraph: Lose wallet. Find wallet. Discover missing cash. Commence shots. Discover Dueling Piano Bar. Discovery of a cowbell within dueling piano bar. Play cowbell Will Farrel-style (minus the hairy beer-gut) until the closing of Dueling Piano Bar. Make best friends with person wearing a sock-monkey hat. Attempt to steal cowbell. Fail. Wind up with cowbell drumstick in purse. Sleep.

]]> http://asrai7.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/take-me-out-to-the-baaaaaalllllgaaaaame/feed/ 4 asrai7 safeco garlicfries fieldlook megcatch moose cutoutface kings fistbump greenman2 greenman greenmankickout greenmanhug http://asrai7.wordpress.com/2011/06/21/the-u-district-seattle-inspiring-images/ http://asrai7.wordpress.com/2011/06/21/the-u-district-seattle-inspiring-images/#comments Tue, 21 Jun 2011 19:52:53 +0000 asrai7 http://asrai7.wordpress.com/?p=1670 Continue reading →]]> I spent a good portion of last weekend wandering the University District in Seattle. I’d like to post a million images if I could, but alas attention deficient internet-reader, I do not want to bore you! Here are a few images that got my wheels turning:

Alrighty then, here we go. I applied for a job teaching English in South Korea on a whim, shortly after I broke it off with Not-So-Awesome Boyfriend. I’ve been a Teaching Assistant throughout my time in college, and my job as a Program Leader at the Boys and Girls Club was also teaching-mentoring-children based, so the experience was there. As a driven young woman that’s recieved very little help or encouragement from my family in doing…pretty much anything I pursue (save for my wonderful mom and siblings), I have proven time and time again, that I can learn anything quickly, and I always handle what is thrown at me. Usually whilst working 4 jobs and maintaining kick-ass grades. I can do it. So why the hell not see where this takes me?

I was applying for jobs everywhere, with only a few looking remotley interesting (and still in the Quad-Cities, ick), and thought this would be a wonderful opportunity. More than decent salary for an entry-level job. Apartment and plane tickets taken care of. Opportunity for travel, inspiration, and freetime to work on my freelance endevors wihtout the bother of working second and third jobs.  Training provided, guarenteed advancement and future employment possibility, and most of all, some solid experience in a career field. My chosen career field? I’m not really sure…because all of my chosen career are based in freelance, design, or teaching- or some weird combination of all three. I have maintained a balance of all three of these fields throughout the entirety of my college career, and now it’s time to try out shifting the balance. I did not go to college with a specific career in mind, but more like six different careers *laughs*. I love learning, simply said.

That is the wonderful thing about a degree in the liberal arts: It’s creative. It’s open-ended. You learn not only information in your chosen major, but you’re educated about the world around you: English, philosophy, science, all started to “fit together” as one cohesive body of information for me. It teaches you to think *surprise* outside of the box!

So, I interviewed with my recruting agency, and a few weeks later interviewed with a school to match. I arranged to speak with all  of the American foreign teachers, and drilled them about their experiences, talked to the head of the school, and afterwards, felt very confident that I wouldn’t be turned into dog meat.

South Korea is a very safe place to travel. Crime rates are highest outside of American Army base camps. Imagine that. Educators and the learning practice are highly respected, more so than here in the states… :/ Most people speak slight English already, and there are actually free translation services from any pay phone. Travel within the countries, and to other countries is a breeze: trains, faster trains, and busses take care of almost anything, and are very inexpensive.

Needless to say…my first day is September 1st. I couldn’t be more excited. There are so many things I need to get, and do before I go! In closing, I’ll leave you with my latest YouTube discovery: Eat Your Kimchi!, a Canadian couple that has been teaching English in Korea for about 4 years. They are hilarious and droky. Just my style. Eat Your Kimchi! And Enjoy

 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXi6gHI9_sM]