It's the Circle of Life

I've become fond of crocheting circles lately. I'm not really sure why but I just can't seem to stop. When I've crocheted a big pile of circles it always reminds me of those bins of plastic multi-color diamonds they had at toy stores where you could fill a little baggy full of jewels and then take it to the register to pay for it. I loved it because you got to pick which diamonds you wanted; color, shape, etc. And I also loved it because you got to put your hand in a big treasure chest filled with jewels. Now, looking back on all this I realize just how germ filled that fake plastic chest filled with fake plastic colored diamonds was and it totally grosses me out.

Yarn stores feel like toy stores to me these days. I go in and see all the colors and textures and I become a kid again. A lot of times I'll just buy yarn because I think the colors are pretty, I'll have no idea what I want to make out of the yarn and I never buy the right amount for any specific project but I'll buy some pretty colors and then take them home and go from there. I think that is how the circle craze came to be. I kept buying these pretty colors and then I'd have no idea what I could make with the amount I'd bought so I'd just start making circles with the hopes that it would lead me somewhere.

My latest project is all turquoise circles. It makes me think about how I would only pick specific colors from that treasure chest at the toy store. I would always dig and search for the brightest pinks, the most radiant blues, and the boldest greens.

Hopefully this circle funk I am in will either pass or become the next fashion craze because honestly it's all I seem able to make these days.
-The Snail

If It's the Beaches...

I have big speakers. It's not a vanity thing or anything weird. It just so happened that when my stereo was set up I was gifted with some huge speakers with unbelievable sound quality. Seriously. They are amazing.


Sometimes, when I'm feeling low I sit directly between my speakers at the point of perfect acoustic balance, and listen to The Gleam, an EP by the Avett Brothers, with my eyes closed louder than my neighbors would appreciate. And then I pretend like it's being sung directly to me. It is a wonderful thing to do and I highly recommend it.


I've noticed that I go through different phases related to the music I listen to. At times of emotional instability, certain albums seem to carry me through, and often they are all I can listen to. Currently, that album is The Gleam but some others close to my heart are Pet Sounds, Bookends, Blue, and Let It Be. There are just certain songs, you know? They take you to a different place.


Anyway, the reason I'm writing this is because with all the working and schooling and student teaching, I haven't had much time lately for the art making. When I do have time, its usually an hour or two. Now, typically, it takes me about that long to get inspired and in the right mind set. So I've been thinking about how I work and music has a great deal to do with it. When I can connect a good piece of music to a drawing, or something that I'm working on, it becomes much easier to get into the right state of mind. Basically, what I'm saying is I'm trying to listen to more music and make more art but my lack of time management skill is working against me.


Listen to this song and try not to fall in love with the Avetts. (It's nearly impossible...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WotnK7pt7IM&feature=related
(Is there a way to actually post the video in here? If anyone knows, please let me in on the secret.)


And, here are somethings I'm working on finishing.







I'm doing some drawings of combined spaces based on mixing memories. These are still pretty unfinished.






This is my most recent one. The figures are still pretty rough.



















This is a needle felted ocotpus I'm working on. Soon he will have all eight legs. Also, check out my new flower shoes!



What are you listening to?



-Owl