Happy Commencement 2012....

 

Seeing my Alumna Mater post pictures of graduation today, I look back to my own and see how crazy it is to think it was 2 years ago! Two years doesn't seem like a like, but it is when you thought it was just yesterday you walked down those stairs of Blaney Hall one last time, not knowing what was ahead of you.

 

I would have never had thought in a million years I would be where I am today, a librarian and artist!

It's nostalgic, Cedar Crest, a home away from home. A place where I learned what a woman was and how not to be afraid to embrace the world and myself. To know, I can make a difference and that I was strong enough to handle anything. That's the thing about Cedar Crest, you come in as a girl of innocence and out a woman made of steal! I thank you Cedar Crest. I wouldn't be the woman I am today and make it through the struggles I have without your backbone. Sometimes I feel as if  I had lost my way and don't know what I'm missing and it's you, my alumna mater.

 

"She stood every test and I pledge her my best"  

 

~

 

 

Last Graduation

Cristina came up this week to hang out and attend graduation with me! 

Main Street Cafe has french fry pizza! 

We then took a trip to the FireFly Bookstore in Kutztown, PA to look around at their used books! 

We had a seat once again at graduation, but this time as Alumna's! Afterwards we tried to get pictures with everyone possible before the rain came! 

Congrats ladies!

IndieMade

This weekend I met up with two of my best friends from childhood at the IndieMade Craft Market. We made some crafts and bought some awesome winter hats! *featured below 

Liz and Myko being, well, themselves. 

I also made this neat bag with stencils and ink. 

It was really nice being back in Allentown and at the Indie Market. It brought back so many memories of college and how much I miss being a part of it. I miss being able to make art and run off to the studio for hours. I miss the connections I had and the people I met. One day, I hope to back to that place of bliss and happiness. And the have art in my life again. 

I stand on the edge and struggle to see the spirit in me

This past weekend my brother and I went to check out the Allentown Art Museum for his art appreciation class. I was all for it. It makes me infinitely happy that my brother is an art major just like I and that he's studying artists, musicians, architects, etc... He also had to go to a symphony to see a orchestra play and he totally loved it; dressing up, watching them play and taking notes. Sigh. It's just makes me happy. 

Getting back to the museum, he had to check out a main exhibition for his paper. And let me tell you, I was excited because Franz Kline's Coal and Steel exhibition was on display along with a Walker Evans photography exhibit. Both were well done, unfortunately we weren't able to take pictures in those areas.

In case you're not sure who Walker Evans is, here are two famous photographs that I'm sure you'll recognize. 

 

Both images are from google images

The Walker Evans exhibit was set up with other inspiring artists similar to the works of Evans. It has led me to find a wonderful photographer that has captured my interest. The name is Danny Lyon. He is an american self-taught photographer who's focus was on the 1960's and 1970's; a time of history I wish I grew up in. 

google images: Danny Lyons

This image specifically I stood at for at least a good 20 minutes before I moved and still returned to 3 times after. I don't know what it is. Is it the black and white, the era, the feeling of freedom? It's perfect in every way. I was also inspired by a few other artists in the exhibit as well.

google images: Gary Winogrand

http://www.magnumphotos.com: Bruce Davidson

google images: Robert Frank 

One last thing I noticed in the exhibit, was a quote on the wall about Evans: 

"I'm glad that Evans promenaded his eyes around America rather than France....We go about blind and deaf...The artist must save us. He is the only one who can." -William Carlos Williams 

And indeed the artists see what others cannot. 

The other artist I mentioned was Franz Kline, the original reason I was excited to go to the museum. He is one of those artists that I connect with. I can see his struggle in his work through abstract expressionism. He is also uses the kinds of materials that I am, too, attracted to use as my own medium of expression. 

 

google images

Finally, but not least, images from the downstairs permanent collections that we were allowed to take pictures of. 

 

And that is the end of the pictures. Finally, but not least. I am seriously considering interning here.