1. Give some basic information about your major and when you will be graduating.
I am majoring in Marketing and Studio Arts with an emphasis in Printmaking. Ideally, I would like to graduate in May and take summer courses to finish my degree. Because my Studio Arts degree was started when I was a Sophomore, I am playing catch-up to graduate in a reasonable amount of time. However, the soul-sucking that occurs in the Business School has prevented me from focusing my attention on my true passion: art.
2. Why are you interested in the topic of the class?
To be honest, I am not terribly interested in the study of classical art. I believe that a great deal can be learned by studying antiquity but I have a hard time relating to the art of the Renaissance. Perhaps it is the abundance of religious themes or the expressionless faces of the subjects but it all seems to be lacking character, humor or personality. This class may change my perceptions of Renaissance art because it approaches the themes and thought behind the work rather than the work itself.
3. Did you take a 4000 level class before? Which ones?
Before this one? I reasoned with my Art Advisor and she agreed to let me take only Upper Division Studio credits in place of the Lower Division Studio credits because I want to focus on Printmaking (and I frankly do not like to be in classes where the assignments do not challenge me mentally). I believe that all of the printmaking classes are 4000 level courses and I have taken Monotype (twice), Lithography I, Independent Study in Lithography. Additionally, all of my Business courses (ESBM 4570, MKTG 4750, MKTG 4250, MKTG 4550) are 4000 level classes.
4. Which was your favorite of any of the classes you took so far? And why? This is meant to be an inspiration to others.
Management 3030 was an enjoyable class because it was an examination of our own self-awareness and communication skills. This class was particularly memorable because during a class presentation designed to expose a defining life moment, I bared my inner-most conflicts (while crying, of course) to a group of people who listened patiently. For someone who has written business students off as being consistently unpleasant, it was refreshing to interact with friendly, understanding individuals. Another one of my favorite classes was Monotype Printing with Melanie Yazzie. This was one of my first classes where I was really able to excel. The student and instructor support encouraged me to re-examine my personal goals and put myself on a career path more focused on art and design.
"Resurrection of Nuts"
5. Have you written a research paper before? How long? Did it include endnotes and bibliography? Have you ever used Norlin library for your research?
Hopefully, this is a yes for everyone! The longest research paper I have written was 20 pages but the most recent research paper was 15 pages. Granted, the longer research papers are business-related so there are several pages of graphs and data analysis. I am not familiar with using endnotes but bibliographies are commonly used in my papers. I was taught using MLA format so adjusting to another format will be a challenge, but certainly not a hindrance when compiling my research. I do not like Norlin. For research, I use the internet (scholarly sources, of course) because it is familiar, fast and reliable.
6. What was your favorite paper? Please tell us about the topic in a couple of sentences.
Note: I choked on my coffee when I read this question.
Until I graduate, I have little to no time for pleasure reading. In terms of articles I have read for classes, I have enjoyed reading about the psychological effects of authority in such cases as the Stanford Prison Experiment.
7. Which books did you read of late (art, fiction, non-fiction)?
Currently, I am inching my way through “Loving Frank”, a historical fiction about Mamah Borthwick, the mistress of Frank Lloyd Wright. It is a powerfully romantic and incredibly interesting retelling of their relationship based on newspaper articles and journal entries. I highly recommend it. Also, I been biding my time with “The Art of Happiness” because it provides me with courage and insight on days when I find myself feeling powerless. This book is an on-going interview with the Dalai Lama and highlights his philosophies on human interaction and personal well-being. Again, highly recommended.
8. Which artist (past or present) really impresses you? And why?
Shepard Fairey. He started his career by illegally pasting his iconic “OBEY” poster throughout the city of Boston. This blatant illegal activity gave rise to a new artistic movement, now called “Street Art”. As he gained more notoriety for his work, Fairey began expanding his business into clothing and accessories that maintained a unique, street art influence. His entrepreneurial spirit has landed him commissions for the likes of Lance Armstrong and the most recent Tour de France. Fairey is particularly impressive to me because he has used his talents to transform his art into functional pieces that serve a greater purpose that just being static.
Obey Elephant Print
9. What are your main interests besides art?
It is difficult to separate my love of art from the rest of my life. In all of my activities, their is inevitably some aspect of art or design that manages to wiggle in.
Tosh
I enjoy riding my bicycle and my cat, Tosh. I really dislike cats but in an effort to rescue a dog, I found Tosh. Similarly to what people say about their children, I hate cats but love my own. Last semester, I was a metalsmith apprentice at Angie Star Jewelry and now my jewelry collection is living in BMoCA. I am looking to open an online gallery for artists called DasHaus in the Spring which will cater to emerging artists looking for a way to distribute their work and develop a portfolio.
10. Which blogs do you check regularly?
My cousin is currently living in Bolivia and my brother in Sweden. I am regularly checking their updates because it is difficult to keep track of the time difference to speak “face-to-face” on Skype. Also, because I am an editorial intern for elephantjournal.com, I am constantly checking eco-fashion, design, and jewelry sites for inspiration and new article content.
11. Which cultural event has really impressed you lately? This can be a museum, a concert, or anything like that, but also a sports game (if you consider this as a cultural event). Or anything I am not even thinking of … Again, tell us why.
An event of cultural significance…The Boulder Farmer’s Market. Unfortunately, the Boulder Bubble does not allow for a array of cultural diversity but the Farmer’s Market is still an event full of personal and lifestyle differences. The typical Farmer’s Market frequenters range from upper class, organic food aficionados to homeless individuals looking to trade hand-made goods for a hot meal. The obvious distinction between the various socioeconomic standings provides an eclectic bunch of people eager for percussion-laden music and Saturday afternoon in the sun.
12. Please describe briefly an article in a newspaper or a magazine that got you thinking lately. Reading online is fine, and what you introduce here does not have to be about art. If the respective article is available online, please link to it!
“Should We Forgive Micheal Vick” via elephantjournal.com was particularly potent because it discusses the countless ways Americans disregard the unethical treatment of animals to focus on millionaire scapegoats when they are caught promoting animal violence. Recently, I got in a disagreement over the re-hiring of Micheal Vick by the NFL so this article was eerily relevant and a must read for animal activists (or the quiet vegetarian).
13. Please share with us a thought or an idea that really widened your intellectual horizon. This must not be limited to the visual arts. If possible, give a source for this idea so that others know where to go to if they are interested.
In a discussion of the nature love, the Dalai Lama explained that it is a widespread human characteristic to love and to feel loved. In his argument, he sited Plato’s Symposium in describing the evolution of human emotion and attraction: “The psychological forces driving us to seek the feeling of being in love are as compelling as the biological forces…Socrates tells a story of the myth of Aristophanes, concerning the origin of sexual love. According to the myth, the original inhabitants of Earth were round creatures with four hands and four feet and with their back and sides forming a circle. These self-sufficient sexless beings were very arrogant and repeatedly attacked the gods. To punish them, Zeus hurled thunderbolts at them and split them apart. Each creature was now two, each half longing to merge with its other half”- via The Art of Happiness
ARTH 4749 