I have a cold; I make a jewelry line

this is my favorite! YEllow! This one reminds me of a fancy Mrs. Potato Head with a hat on. These white buttons earrings are for Katti I am finally getting over this cold, I know this because I just made a batch of chocolate chip cookies and am starting to dance with some good music on. A reflection of what I did for 5 days while locked up in my castle: I had a large bag of assorted buttons from my mom and my jewelry tools, so i did what any other Ashby would do, I made A Jewelry Line! so yep, thats all I have to say. I havent had a cold in several winters, so I wasnt used to being semi- miserable and semi-functional at the same time while being highly contagious.

blooming paper whites

I was a bit overwhelmed with all the contemporary exhibition expereinces so when I should have posted here about it as a major success of my graduate school career, I had no desire to. So onto my next exciting life experience: Paper Whites! this is my favorite scent, flower, and tradition. The looming danger which was giving me some anxiety about this special part of my year to year life was a series of dead plants. Every plant I have provided a warm and lovely home to while I have been in Baltimore has died. Rosemary, Basil, and Sunflowers. Now to the next plant on my list; paper whites only bloom around christmas time, another reason why they are so special. I recieved 4 bulbs for a present from my mother when I was home, managed to get them through airport security and finally to my kitchene. I planted them in two tupperware containers, the only thing i had lying around, and my roommate, from the Philippines, thought I was trying to grow onions. a funny moment when I showed her they were budding, she was very surprised. For a week and a half I painstaking watered and checked on these onion bulbs. there was no progress, and i was losing hope. I am happy to say this morning when I awoke, the smell I cherish was filling my room, the second budding stem bloomed in the wide, sun filled bay windows of my corner room. I think they like the light, it come in perfectly between the row-houses on my street. The amber and cotton candy glow of sunset is the best kind of food to them I would imagine. Today I have started to come down with a cold. My antidote to more fatigue and subdued ashby-ness has been ginger and lemon tea with lots of honey, and an exciting trip to the grocery store to get ample fresh fruits and vegetables. mmmm the smell of those flowers helps too, however I would like to know what sunset tastes like. I talked to my baby brother just now for the first time in a long time, even though I saw him during the holidays, the conversations were few and far between. I think that helped soothe my achingly low immune system. I am preparing for an arts festival this weekend, and I hope to be fully recovered from cold-like symptoms. It is all uphill from here!

prep for exhibition

After two weeks in Mississippi, I am back to a full day of preparation for a Museum exhibition that will be installed in less than a week. The opening is less than two weeks away.I met with my graphic designer this morning at my favorite coffee shop and confirmed the design for the poster that will go out to the printers tomorrow. I weened off coffee during the holiday break, but I am back to the grind. I started a Flickr account: Fundred in Baltimore! with all the images from the presentations I have documented during the fall semester. When I get a confirmations from the communications chair at MICA, I will share the link to the press release for the show on the MICA website. I am also looking for volunteers for the set up and take down of the East Baltimore Festival that will be in 3 weeks. If I spend all my time preparing for these two events they will be a total hit, and consequently I will not pass my classes. For my classes I have: 5 books to read, write 500 word essays for each, edit and finish a 9 week social justice curriculum, AND MAKE NEW ART by the 17th of January. This isn't just any art, but new art evolving from the critique I had on my thesis presentation from 3 weeks ago. I cant even remember 3 weeks ago. Sometimes I like it when there is an overload and all I can do is the next thing on my list.

over-achieving

I have a tendency to bite off more than I can chew. I started this web site about 2 years ago to show my art in a public venue. I since then have never touched it. I am trying to survive, ahem, a one year graduate program. Facebook does not suffice for my reflections of the trails and tribulations that this MACA program is doing to my life. It is the winter break, so I have time to watch movies and get inspired to go beyond my ordinary ventures. I want to: 1. document my progress, work, and growth 2. share it with others and get their feedback. I made over 250 pieces of art between September 1 and December 15, with poor poor documentation, and alas that will change for the spring semester. So now, no really good art has been made in over 2 weeks. its killing me. When I do get back in the swing of the grad-school-tornado-lifestyle, I plan to update the art that I make, and the ridiculous adventures that go along with it. (like catching my hair on fire)