Back to the Bay

Last Wednesday marked the year anniversary of my mother's passing. This weekend my dad, brother and I were able to go down to the Chesapeake Bay to spread some of her ashes. It's one of the places she truely loved visiting and now she's been reunited with the sand and water. While we were down we stopped to see my mom's aunt and uncle and their family that was visiting. It was nice to see them again and get to spend time catching up. It's also been awhile since I've been to their place so they took us on a tour of the changes they made and my great uncle was very proud to show of his art collection. He also showed us what he's been working on in his work shop which made it clear that we were related. He loves to collect old wood, particularly old furniture and fix them up. He was really excited about a table that was all in pieces. He said "If it's in good shape, I'm not interested." The house itself is a work of art, designed and built mostly by him and the family out of rehabbed wood from barns and ships. It turned out to be a really nice day.

Ireland Packing List

I figured I'd share, maybe we can all compare lists and help each other think of things we might be forgetting. The numbers are estimations and subject to personal preference. And I'm not sure about art supplies, what all I can bring on the plane and what I have to send over or just buy there.

Clothes & accessories
-(hiking) boots
-old but comfy sneakers
-rain jacket
-flip-flops/slippers
-hat(s)
-(3) pairs pants/jeans-(1) nice, (2) paint-worthy
-(1) pair shorts
-(3) sweatshirts/fleeces
-underwear (at least a weeks worth) & a couple bras
-socks (about a weeks worth, couple long pairs)
-a few mix-matchable T-shirts
-a couple long sleeve shirts
-pjs
-belt


Toiletries
-Towel
-Asthma meds
-ibuprofen
-tampons
-band-aides
-deodorant
-toothbrush
-travel size toothpaste
-soap
-travel size shampoo & conditioner
-hair brush

Electronic equipment
-camera
-Computer, charger and UK adapter
-phone
-a couple blank cds/dvds

Art supplies
-assortment of pencils, pens, markers
-Sketch book
-journal
-paint brushes
-watercolor or acrylic paint*
-tape
-storage tube


Other stuff
-emergency contact info
-medical forms
-IDs
-ID photocopies
-Flight info
-reusable water bottle
-umbrella
-backpack/day bag

Buy there items
(I was thinking I'd try to stop at a store in Dublin for all those none airplane friendly items and things just easier to buy over there. Not sure what our options are in town plus selection and prices might be better in the city so if anyone wants me to pick up items for them let me know)
-hair dryer
-more shampoo & conditioner
-razor


hmm...that's all I can think of for the moment. I'll update as I think of other things.

Post crit

As much stress and anxiety there was leading up to it, my crit seemed to go pretty good. I think the main point I got out of it was that I need to not be afraid to be myself and embrace my sense of humor. I need to create art for me, not school. And that will make it fun again. I'm not an artist because I want fame or recognition in the art world. I'm not in it for money. I'm an artist because I have a primal need to create. Because I have a bubbling desire to express myself. And because like my dear Robert Rauschenberg, "I still believe that art can change the world."
So I think what I need to do from this point forward is to consider the things that I am passionate about and cultivate that passion into ideas I can express through art. I'm hoping to take full advantage of the break to really let lose and flush out some ideas without having to worry about school assignments. It's the first time since college that I have a "summer break." Even though i'm still working at the bike store, it's a pretty low stress job and only a few hours here and there so it doesn't really feel like work. There's a sense of freedom. And knowing that the next step is going to Irleand makes me even more happy. May will be a month of mischief. :]