Pilchuck Madness #8

Last night was the Student Auction and Party. I had made some monoprints (see above) based on the chipmunk I did for the t-shirt contest, and together they sold for about $100. They managed to raise about $8,000 last night. Half goes toward scholarships and the other half toward supplies for the campus.

I did end up buying a couple things, one was a print in the silent auction for $10 and then I managed to snag a glass sculpture for $40 during the live auction too. Which was fortunate, because there were lots of good things, but most of them were $100 or more. There were definitely some steals though... If I come back, I'm going to have to make sure I have some cash available. As much as I hate to think of art as an investment most of the time, it would be a great place to start or add to a collection.

I've been having a TON of fun in the print shop. I was in there most of the day today working on some pieces inspired by basketry designs from my tribe. Good times!

Pilchuck Madness #5

Every session here at Pilchuck they have a t-shirt contest. Inspired by the chipmunks that frequent the campus, I decided that I was going to draw a chipmunk for my entry. My desk is near Jane's and she suggested I add an eye patch (a la Dale Chihuly, founding artist) and then Gyun came by and said she thought he should be blowing glass. After a small pile of tracing paper, some scanning, and digital coloring, I was left with my lovely t-shirt design.

Tonight, anyone who wanted to enter posted their submission on the fireplace at the lodge before dinner. Voting was open while we ate, and the winner was announced before the regular evening slideshow. I got first place! This means that they will be printing them out and selling them in the school store. And I think I get a free shirt for winning.

Our instructor, Cork Marcheschi, told us he is "teaching [us] how to win" open calls for public art. I figure this is a good sign? I have to start somewhere!

Birthday Bonanza

Oddly enough, everything conspired today to see to it that I got early bday gifts from four directions all on the same day. Two in person, one by proxy, and one through the mail. Above are the two shirts that Bryn got me from http://shirt.woot.com/ that are super hilarious and cool. There is Steamboat Wootie and Fat Unicorn. One is for ironic artistic expression, the other for emotional overeating. I can get behind both of those activities. Fully.

One thing I really like about these shirts are the fun descriptions about them on the site. As it says for the second shirt under the "This Shirt Tells The World" category: "mmumph mmupmh mormph mmupmh." There's (lots) more if you want to investigate personally.