A Little Project, custom bookmarks and great news!

Introduction week proved too much for me and I had to call in sick halfway through the week. While I was at home I felt like crocheting. I don't really like the cold, but at least it's an excuse to get the yarn out again. And after a whole summer without hooks or needles I was dying to pick it up again.

So I made this little creature, I'm not sure he truly is an owl, but I think he's a cute little guy.

I'm thinking of crocheting again for Etsy and I will also relist all the hats and fingerless gloves for this winter.

Speaking of Etsy as of today I have a bunch of cat, dog and even wolf silhouette bookmarks in the color of your choice. The listing shows 20 colors you can pick from.

Before now I only had two cats and had picked the colors myself, but I figured it'd be cool to get your favorite pet in your favorite color.

Other news? I now have a Mac Book for art school. Even though it was required for classes, this is also good news for my blogging! I can't wait to try it:) Pictures soon...

Marvelous Music

Even though I often play Beth Orton's music while I paint I have to admit that I'm not always in the mood for it, however it's starting to grow on me more and more. And when I just put on one of her CDs I noticed how awesome her lyrics really are.

This falls into that category of music that you have to hear a lot to truly be able to appreciate it. And I think I just reached that stage today. I'm sure I will listen to it a lot more from now on.

Just a Little Update

Today was the first day of art school and I am exhausted.

It turned out I somehow wasn't in their admissions system, but I do still get to go there of course, since I was officially admitted.

The weather was awful and the original plans of a city tour were cancelled, but we still had to be outside a lot and got really wet and cold in the process.

Despite these issues it still was a great day. And I hope I will have my energy back in time for tomorrow's full program.

It's a lot of fun, but I'm secretly looking forward to the weekend already too...

End of an era, start of a new one...

After being at home for such a long time, I am dying to start art school. And it's only one more day away. All my stuff is packed so I'm ready to leave for introductions tomorrow.

My original plan was to get one of those custom diaries done, full of my favorite paintings and of course a Mark Ryden on the cover. However I wasn't sure if a school diary still sufficed so I decided to buy a really cheap one and customize it myself. The store had a few of my favorite colors, so I went there with my postcard collection and tried what would look best. Today I stuck it on the diary in a protective cellophane and viola, all done!

Next up is the bag I'll be using. However I might change to a big backpack later on if it turns out I need to carry a lot of stuff around. The cool thing is you can actually take out the robots and put any image you like in it.

Nerves are starting to kick in a little and I find myself pondering over what to wear on my first day and silly things like that. I'll let you know how my first day went.

Etsy Update

I've been working on a few items that can be used as either bookmarks for larger or hardcover books or worn as headbands. Here's one that I'll be listing as soon as I can:

Lovely Movies

Even though I have a Paul Auster book waiting to be read, I have not yet read anything he wrote. However I have seen the movie of his book Smoke and it immediately made it to my list of favorites.

I had recorded it on video, then our video player broke and I couldn't find the dvd anywhere, because it wasn't released in my country. However I found one a few weeks ago, an import version, but a dvd nonetheless. All that's left is trying to see if my dvd player can read this version, but I have good hope for it.

Let's just hope the movie is as great as I remember it to be...

Just a Little Update

Today I spent eating ice cream, very good ice cream I might add. I had won all the ice cream I, and up to 5 friends, could eat in half an hour. We ended up getting little portions of each and every flavor they had.

Tomorrow I'll be going into town again, this time for bubble tea and photoshoots. A girl I met on the last photography course, her Canon, my Nikon and me will be walking the streets of Amsterdam on possibly the last day of the Dutch summer. I'll be showing you some pictures, I'm sure.

This is my last weekend of freedom, although I have never been so excited to start school. I know this will be a lot of fun and I will learn a lot about a lot of things over the next four years.

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Marvelous Music

A little while ago I came across an amazing artist and I've been listening to Washington every day now.

Apart from the fact that her music is amazing, this video would be fun to watch even if you somehow didn't like the song:

I mean wallpaper, art and animals, what could be better than that?

Just a Little Update

Even though I still have to take that test this week, it's not something I have to study for so I'm free to do whatever I like as long as I get a good night's sleep. Which means I've been working on some new designs. I don't want to spoil the surprise yet, but it will be cute and they will be available in many colors and listed soon, promise.

Other good news. There will be a heat wave by the end of the week. I know that doesn't sound that great, but as far as Dutch weather goes, this is basically the best we can hope for. It won't be that hot I think, but I might already be complaining later this week. Oh well, at least it's an excuse for ice cream and wearing dresses.

Just a Little Update

The art school admissions were pretty intense, but they paid off. Today I got the phone call and learned I am in fact admitted! Ok, there's still a test I have to take, but they liked what I made and that's what matters most.

This painting by Erica Yamashiro pretty much sums up how I feel, tired yet very very happy!

The news resulted into a fun-packed day including the most delicious ice cream I've found in the city so far, a lovely stroll alongside the canals and a lovely handmade notebook my mom bought me because of the good news.

As promised there will be a giveaway, hopefully tomorrow. I am very excited and like the prizes I put together. Hope you will too!

Lovely Movies

If you haven't seen Prince of Persia yet, go do it. I did a little while back, didn't expect much to be honest, I wasn't even planning on going to see it, but my dad was pretty excited so we went. It was amazing! One of the best I've seen in a while actually.

I really like how the stunts look like stunts in a computer game, but not too far-fetched. And I love that it wasn't too predictable.

Of course none of the actors look Persian, and sound even less like it, but they were all great. And I hear most of them did a lot of their own stunts too. Not surprising if you see Jake Gyllenhaal in this part, he has really spend a lot of time at the gym by the looks of it.

Just a Little Update

After going through art school admissions yesterday, I am exhausted. As I expected, I'm not exactly sure what they thought, but I do think the assigments went quite well. So I did my part and all that's left now is wait for the letter to arrive.

Apart from that I made yet another treasury, this time all about cupcakes!

Portfolio

This has been one busy week. Admissions are tomorrow and even though I knew I had enough, I still did a few quick drawings today, because I hear that's what they like to see best.

The student that browsed through my portfolio told me it'd be good if I had some more "kick-ass" drawings to balance out the cuter stuff. I think these next two drawings would fit into that category.

I have to admit I am feeling a little nervous. Not really stressed out but more impatient I guess. Hopefully I can go to bed a little early and get a good night's sleep so I'll be able to get up at 6:30 in the morning.

I'm guessing I won't have a clue how it went, apart from maybe the two assignments I have to do on the spot. The interview will be very brief and I'll probably be more focused on showing them everything than trying to figure out whether or not they like it.

But when that letter arrives, I'll be sure to let you know and of course show you what I planned for the giveaway.

Just a Little Update + Announcement

Today was a great day. After working on an order and cleaning the living room, I went to the city center. My mom had this plan to buy a cell phone and I ended up getting one too. It's not as pretty as my current one, but it has a mp3 player, camera and a few other options. And it may or may not have had to do with the fact that it only cost us a little over 2 euros(yes, really 2 euros) since it was a prepaid pack with lots of included prepaid cards. You basically spend the rest of the money on cards you'd be buying anyway. Good deal, right?

Other than that I just made another Treasury, you can view the real deal here.

Now onto the announcement. I will be doing a celebratory giveaway after I've been admitted into art school. Think positive:)

Admissions being next week I think the giveaway will be somewhere within one or two weeks after that. So far it consist of two very cute items, one handmade by yours truly, the other one store bought. I might add a little something later on though.

Owl Things Considered

This is one of the first owls I drew. And cut. And glued, I guess. It's a little something I made for a dear friend of mine. She has received it, so I'm free to show you now.

I thought of it right after I made this bunch. Since I love owls and love drawing I figured I just had to draw a few. Finally I did and it is now my favorite drawing in the whole portfolio. As soon as I've had the admissions I will try to hang it in my room.

Onto some other artsy news. My dad bought me a box of secondhand art supplies. Apart from tubes and tubes full of paint, which I hope still work. There was also ink, a palet and lots of paint brushes.

Today I rinsed of all the tubes and I'm hoping to finish cleaning and organizing tomorrow.

Maybe I can even try a few items out before admissions next week. I can't believe it's getting so close. I am very excited, there's only one thing I'm dreading really: it starts at 8:15! And only ends at 15:30. So it's a very busy day. A few people from the course will be there too, but I'm afraid there won't be much time for catching up. But hey, that's why they invented lunch breaks, right?

Portfolio

It might not be my 150th post anymore, but what I'm about to show you is kind of special, or at least exciting for me.

Taking pictures of my paintings was way harder than I expected, the colors can look completely different as well as the structures. But I gave it my best shot.

First off is a sneak peek of a self portrait I'm working on.

It's hard to paint yourself, because you look different than you think you do and it's hard to be objective, but it's going quite well so far. There are still some weird things going on though, for instance half of my hair is missing, which looks really creepy, so just a little peek today.

Below is a portrait I'm still working on. This was the hardest one to photograph and it still doesn't look like it does in the flesh. The background is way more teal in real life. Oh well, just to give you an idea:

Here's a little close up.

Next up is a still life. One day I surprised my mom with something nice from the bakery, we also had a banana and this is what we were left with in the end:

Lastly a quick portrait I drew of a friend. The rest were all oil paintings so I thought I'd throw a good old simple pencil drawing in the mix.

I've been working on my self portrait these past few days, I hope I can finish it soon, because I need to make way more. I've been doing mostly portraits, but I think I need some abstract work as well as still lifes and lots and lots of model drawings. Plus I want to try some other techniques. And even though I love oil paint I need to use acrylic more often, because it's so much quicker.

Six weeks left and the clock is ticking. I have to try to keep myself focused. I love to draw and paint, but when I know I should be working on it, I start to dread it even though I know I love doing it. Once I'm busy there's no problem, but getting started...

Oh well, it's getting better and I've been painting more and more.

Marvelous Music

Because the weather's getting better I am feeling all summery. The trees in front of my home have gone from bare to full and green in two days, I drank my first iced tea of the year and I wore sunglasses on multiple occasions.

This summer feeling also affects my taste in music. So I've picked up my Donavon Frankenreiter CDs.

He is friends with Jack Johnson (and G. Love) and they often jam (and surf) together. Donavon also has that uplifting sound, but apart from sweet guitar songs, also knows how to make things funky.

Just a Little Update

It's been a busy weekend. My birthday and of course the last art school class. We had a little exhibition, then had a celebratory drink and later on even pizza with a bunch of people. It was such great fun and I'm so glad that I'm going to a museum with some of my classmates this weekend already.

However it was a very long day and I am still exhausted. Hopefully I'll feel more active and awake tomorrow, so I can paint and catch up on my blog reading and commenting. And I'd love to post on a daily basis again too.

See you soon!

Birthday through My Nikon

Today was my birthday and I thought I'd share some pictures with you. It was a great day, better than I expected.

First off is the cake of course, one of the most important ingredients to a birthday party. Instead of baking one I decided to buy it after all. I might bake something when I invite some friends over though.

Don't you think the cake is adorable? It tasted as good as it looks and even though it's small, there are still a few pieces left for tomorrow.

When I bought the cake yesterday, I noticed H&M had a sale. Now I never really used to get a new birthday outfit from my mom, but I did this year. The cardigan is new as well as the (rockstar like, studded) jeans. (Jewelry is from Chouettes btw.)

Now onto the presents. This bird is magnetic and can be used to keep paperclips together, it also sings and looks adorable.

Here is the expected nailpolish as well as a notebook and two tiny tins of fun goodies.

I also got Bollywood stationary and curry flavored mints.

This last picture shows the gifts from my dear friend Lily that arrived by post today, perfect timing, isn't it? My first Mark Ryden book! (and postcards too.) Along with some gorgeous Japanese items, owl giftbag, owl post-its and retro candy.

As you can see it went great in the gift department, but it was just a fun day all round. My dad also gave me some nice gifts, including a book from Keri Smith as well as a copy of "Into the Wild" that I've been wanting to read ever since I saw the movie.

Tomorrow is a bittersweet day since it's the last day of art school. We'll have a little exhibition and will probably grab a bite or drink afterwards. As much as I'm looking forward to it, I'm also a bit nervous and sad. This is really it.

I'm happy to have made it to every single class and to have met some amazing people whom I'll hopefully stay in touch with. It was a great couple of months in which I've learned so much and laughed even more. I never thought it would be, but I guess it's true what they say, this really is the best time of my life.

I hope you are having a blast too.

Nikon Time

Remember when I wrote I had a 45 minute studio workshop in art school. I now have permission to post my pictures, well half at least, but the other one probably won't mind me showing you either. So here we go.

We started by taking pictures of a woman in our class, I actually prefer the later pictures myself, but I'll show you the earlier ones first.

It was so much fun shooting in a studio and I was happy when I found out students can use it whenever they want, unless someone else needs it of course. I'm you can find me there a lot when I'm finally studying there full-time.

Somewhere halfway a lamp died and it got a bit darker, I loved it, I thought the pictures were better after that. It has a much nicer atmosphere, more intimate.

Most people liked the props, but making out with a pheasant wasn't really what I had in mind. So for the most part I tried to get it out of my vision, and took portraits that were more close-up.

The last picture is my favorite, I believe he was still holding the pheasant, but I wouldn't have guessed it had I not known, would you?

Much Love Project

Anna from Much Love has started another project for heart pictures, this time they all have to be red. And we also have to write about something we love again. Here's my entry:

So, as you might guess from the picture I do love buttons, but what I love even more is art school. I still can't believe how much fun it is.

A few lessons ago I suddenly didn't feel that way anymore and found myself not looking forward to the next class. I was afraid the whole plan I had for my future was falling apart. That Wednesday I also didn't feel too good, but I still went. And I loved it! I'm so glad I did go, because I am at least as enthousiastic as I was before.

During yesterday's class I finished another video, or a video painting as they call it. I will try to put it online soon. (Above is a little preview.)

It was also the first time I ever used an SLR camera. We took pictures in a studio, with lights and a white screen and everything. I was hooked instantly, now I really want an SLR. I'm pleased with my pictures and I'd love to put them up here, but I want to ask permission from the people on it first. If they are ok with it, you will see some of them within ten to fourteen days. We have a break of a week now and I'm not that excited about it. In high school a break or holiday was the best thing that could happen, but this class is just more fun than my own free time.

I've also signed up for Swap-Bot and am now participating in two owl swaps, I made something for one swap today and it turned out so great I want to make it for my Etsy too. And myself. Even though I can't keep one of every item I make.

That's pretty much all. I hope you are having fun too.