I haven’t been blogging as of late, but have been spending my time in a variety of relatively productive ways. I got out of town again this past sunday to visit savannah and scad yet again. me and crystal got the opportunity to visit two graduate classes down there on monday–art criticism and design methodologies. both were very interesting, and really reminded me that I won’t be at BJ anymore. I’m encouraged, but at the same time still very scared about the upcoming transition from lifelong faculty brat to independent graduate student, away from home for the first time in his life. Although I welcome change, and am reasonably independent by nature, so much of my life and memories are intertwined with bob jones, so it will be a difficult disconnect.

I got the wonderful opportunity to talk to some of my art professors about my hopeful graduate school plans, and unexpectedly, they’re almost as excited as I am about the move away from greenville–I think they want to start building up the reputation of the department by getting outside degrees. Regardless, providing everything application-wise goes as planned, I’ll be moving down late in the summer to who-knows-where, and getting a job that I don’t even know about yet. It’s comforting, yet scary at the same time to let someone else lead you to a new place with no human means or hopes of success. Fortunately, that’s what God offers to me daily–to let me rest in him, even though it often feels like jumping out of an airplane not knowing you have a parachute on. I’m trusting crystal will get into the art history program again, so I won’t be utterly alone, but after the large group of art friends I’ve had here, it will be quite the adjustment.

On the work front, things have been going less than well, unfortunately. Some major decisions will be made in the next couple days, so I trust things will work out in God’s time. Meanwhile, my blood pressure and stress levels are staying pretty high. On the flip side, I’ve gotten the chance to train a whole bunch of employees for the new store that will be opening later this month–it’s really been a joy to get to know some new people, and help them learn to love coffee as much as I do.

I’m starting french as of tomorrow morning, so I may be practicing some french grammar in this venue from time to time, so don’t feel too startled if you see some unfamiliar words and phrases, and if you happen to be a french speaker, feel free to correct my structure and/or word choice.

and no, I haven’t seen the classic christmas movie lately. classes are finally over for the semester…I don’t think I’ve ever been as glad to see this day come than this semester. Maybe it’s the ridiculous amount of work for 13 credits of classes, or maybe it’s that I’ve been sick and had a paper and a massive project and presentation. Regardless of the answer, it’s over. And even better, I can finally get some money back for the marketing book that’s been standing in as a paperweight all semester.

more on the up side, I have some really great classes next semester I’m really excited about. I’m taking Portfolio, Fiber Arts (Isgett), and Printmaking (Whittington) in the art world, and taking US History and auditing French on the academia side of the world. I’m also taking Hermeneutics, which should be a breeze after this semester in a “preacher boy” Pentateuch class, and I’ve heard it’s really practical as well. I also have my show coming up in March or April, so something else to look forward to–I can see the deadlines coming up already.

In other news, I’m trying to get my application materials together to complete my admission stuff for SCAD. I still have my portfolio, statement of purpose, and recommendations to get together, but I’m getting there. Hopefully I’ll know for sure about my enrollment by late january.

To celebrate the holidays in a bang-up way this year, I’m (tentatively) planning a trip up to PA right after finals, so hopefully that will inspire some rest, relaxation, and creativity that’s been sorely lacking this semester. you can look forward to seeing some portfolio junk and photos on the site soon as well. hope you guys are all having a holly-jolly christmas out there…

well, a little bit of nostalgia for ya… registered for the last time at bj for classes this morning. the feeling is still a bit surreal since I’ve lived my entire life with bob jones as a stabilizing influence. I’m looking forward to being elsewhere next year, but I still have to take a deep breath from time to time and realize who really is in control, because I know I’m not.

In other news, I’ve finished one of my main projects that’s been hanging over my head all semester. It was a historical analysis of Rubens’ religious painting in the seventeenth century, exploring his affiliations with the catholic church, and the effect of the italianate and romanist painting styles and the counter reformation on his paintings. that’s probably waaayy more information than you bargained for, but I’m glad to have it overwith. All I have left project-wise this semester is my massive marketing presentation on thursday. As usual, I’ve overcommitted myself in a group setting, responsible for editing the paper (read: rewrite), design tv, print, and radio ads, and coordinate the presentation. Fortunately, I don’t have to speak, so as of noon tomorrow, it will be out of my hands. That will be a wonderful day.

In the world of grades, my life is sort of unhappy right now. I have borderline grades in Pentateuch (89.5%–ouch), Marketing, Ad. Psychology, and 17th and 18th Century Europe. Oh well, I’ll just have to study a bit more for exams than usual.

Looking beyond all of that mundane school stuff, I’ll hopefully be leaving for N. PA next thursday (yes, with everyone else in the “mass exodus”) to visit one of my good friends up there. On the way, I’ll be dropping Crystal off at the Charlotte airport. Although that day is fast approaching, it still feels very far away. After classes finish up, I’ll feel a bit better about things overall though.

Probably enough rambling, especially this time of night. As the hours wear on, I tend to get more verbose, so you really know I’m tired. If you care about the aforementioned paper, I’ll throw it on the end of this post. Just press the cute little button coming up in just a few words. (more…)

this makes me happy beyond words. I want to get a plane ticket at flyi right now and spend a couple of days in the galleries, and then of course spend a couple more weeks filling in the pieces I missed on my last visit. when I visited NYC this summer, MOMA:QNS was on my list of places to visit, but it was too far away (in Queens, of all places) and there were just too many other things to see.

what I think I appreciate most in this new building is the commitment to architecture that doesn’t call attention to itself. if you’ve gone to a good gallery lately, the architecture doesn’t always attract attention to the painting you’re looking at. I love the wide expanse of hardwood and glass, and the interesting chronological pairings they made throughout the gallery, allowing you to view the progression in art over time, not merely grouping artists by schools and movements.

i’m sort of new to this whole blog thing, but since everyone else is doing it, I figured it’s about time I jump on the wagon [wouldn’t want to fall off]. i’ll attempt to fill these virtual pages with something worthwhile, but i can’t really promise that i’ll have something truly exciting or thought-provoking to say. anyway, here goes the plunge…