Confessions of a budding artist

                In life, there are those that are born with natural artistic abilities, and there are those that can only draw stick people. But that’s OK! We all excel in different talents. I would like to think that I can draw or design some things with some artistic value. I decided to take an artistic route with my free time, since I am extremely mediocre in sports.

 I did not know how much I love to design and draw until I got into some of my mass communication classes. In the mass communications program here at The University of Texas at Tyler, I was required to take a Media Design and Production class last fall where I would use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create some design work.

Check Out Art in the Park- Downtown Tyler

Here at UT Tyler, we seriously support stuff that goes on around town. I always look forward to warmer months, because we have many art shows that come around. 

This Saturday, from 10am until 4pm, Art in the Park will be happening! 

• This is the fourth annual Art in the Park at the Goodman LeGrand Museum! I've been to this event the last two years, and it seems to be growing.  Tons of local artists from the East Texas area will be there. There will also be live music from DJ Knight and Maegen Brooks. You can even tour the historic home.  I recommend checking out local art shows like this! I'll snap some pictures when I go. :)

UT Tyler Meadows Gallery

     The back side of our UT Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center houses our very own art gallery!-The University of Texas at Tyler Meadows Gallery! Every few weeks, they feature a new art exhibition, and it has become something I really enjoy attending.

Tuesday, October the 15th is “East Meets West”! This exhibition showcases the works of artists Suguru Hiraide and Joe Barrington, and will continue to run through Friday, Nov. 9!

    A reception with gallery talks will be 6 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 at the gallery. I recommend that people interested in the art attend at this time, because the art always proves more meaningful with a proper background! The  normal Gallery hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but if you can't make it then, they even set up special appointments. :) Sounds like a good date idea to me.

Do you guys notice that as the weather cools down, people start pairing up? :p

Take Advantage!

Whenever I get the chance, I am going to be buying some new music, the soundtrack to this legit musical called 1789:  Les Amants de la Bastille [The Lovers of Bastille], a French production based on the events of Bastille Day, the French independence day.  Were it not for French courses that I took a few years ago, I would not be able to appreciate and understand the music.  (Now I just have to get over to France so that I can actually see the musical. :D)

Every year, there are an increasing number of ways to experience different cultures, both in class and outside of class at UT Tyler.  Here are just a few of these opportunities:

• Language courses:  By learning a new language, you learn about another culture.  On top of that, you get something awesome to put on your resume; as companies continue to expand around the globe, they want bilingual employees.  Here at UT Tyler, you can study Chinese, French, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish, just to name a few.
• Culture classes:  There are several courses with a multicultural focus, including courses in art, English, history, political science, and sociology. Of course, the best way to learn about other cultures is to experience the culture at it's heart, which is possible through UT Tyler's travel-study courses.
• Multicultural Events: The Cowan Center offers numerous events that students may attend for free.  The GATE program schedules a variety of programs with a global focus throughout the year;  the Jazz Band and the Choir offer periodic performances as well.   Many of our own students get to have their artwork displayed at the Meadows Gallery, which is open to students free of charge.  If those do not pique your interest, then there are also lots of student organizations to participate in to broaden your horizons.

As you can see, there are lots of opportunities to explore the world around you right on your own university; try to take advantage of these opportunities if you can! :)

Beginning of the End or End of the Beginning?

Tomorrow will be the last “first day of the semester” I have as an undergrad. In December I plan on walking down the aisle to accept my diploma and quickly jump back into the world of academia with graduate school. I’ll most likely stay here in Tyler where I am comfortable and already acclimated with the History Department and its faculty. I’ll write my thesis, get my masters, and then I’ll be on my merry way to continue my education by receiving a PhD……. Mmmmmmmmmm, It tastes so scholarly.

Art Walk

On the 14th of June a few of us from the office visited the Downtown Tyler Art Walk. The Art Walk is a local artist exhibition which spans throughout several businesses in Downtown Tyler. Check out the video to see what it's all about. Also if you would like more information or how to submit your artwork or become a performer just click this link and you'll be on your way. the next Art Walks are scheduled for September 13 and December 13.

Life Cheat #49038: If you want the real story go and ask the milkman.

St.Patrick's Day Plans

               For my St.Patrick's Day evening out, I opted for a little black dress and heels over the traditional green garb. Nobody pinched me, instead I attended an event called Matisse March Madness. It is an annual show with art donations from local artists. Put together by Tyler AIDS services, the money goes directly towards prescription drugs for a disease that can cost as much as $3,000 a month.

              Tyler AIDS Services stance on HIV/AIDS:

While there still may be a stigma associated with the disease, those who are affected say all that matters is what happens after they contract it.
Tyler AIDS Services is committed to working with and assisting persons affected by or living with HIV/AIDS and their families by creating opportunities to improve and enhance their quality of life.


   
 
      The event was held at the Mercedes-Benz of Tyler, which proved a swanky venue for an art show. Though the setting was classy and the cupcakes were delicious, you could not miss the message. We have people in our community with HIV/AIDS that need our support, and I live in a community willing to support in any way. Even art is a vehicle for social change.
        Next year, you can be involved too. By donating a piece of art work to this event you would receive two free tickets (which is how I got in! it's not what you know, it is who you know, people). You could also buy a ticket for $25 dollars in advance, or $30 at the door. When you attend, you could purchase a painting, with starting bids as low as $25.
        I snagged these two photographs from their event page, because by the time I got there, it was full of people appreciating the drawings, collages, ceramics, prints, mixed media-- I didn't want to ruin the experience. I had a wonderful St.Patrick's Day.

May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you, live. –Irish saying

DIY Free Spring Break

Instead of going to Padre or skiing, I'm staying on campus this Spring Break.
Coined "staycation" by some person with too lax an understanding of words, I plan on having fun near home for cheap. I'm making a trip to home to Oklahoma for a music festival at the ending of April, and hopefully a trip to France this summer.
I'm thinking a free Spring Break.

Free Things I Plan on Doing:

• walking around the woods on campus
• making collages out of old magazines
• silly workout, best if done with a friend (pop in an old workout tape and laugh while you gesticulate. Bianca says Jane Fonda)
• listen to CDs all the way through
• sew up all my clothes differently to make them cool B)
• swim!
• color my hair with Kool Aid (purple?)
• rub my head and pat my belly
• beautify my resume with watercolors
• use old paint to refinish ugly furniture, pictureframes, corkboards, etc
• find a free art show

Okay, maybe you want to play basketball instead. Whatever. The point is, I'm going to have fun, and it won't cost much~

Class Review

     I've attended all my classes and have gotten a feel of how my final semester should go with each of my classes based on the syllabus lecture. I think it is going to be a pretty alright semester. :] I think it will definitely be a semester to remember.

      My Drawing II class over at the junior college will kick off my week. When I attended yesterday's (Wednesday) syllabus day, my teacher came into the room & I immediately liked her. She has a gray pixie cut, but appears far from seasoned because her manner, voice, & expressions are quite youthful. And one of the first things she said to my small class of 7 students was that we would have models come into our class-nude models-& we would be drawing them. o.O Wow. We would create our own portfolio, & draw on expensive paper. We are going to draw our hands & feet & by the semester's end, we should be able to draw our self portraits.