More More Good News

I head back from the McColl Center for Visual Art in Charlotte, NC yesterday,  and it looks like I will be one of their artists-in-residence next fall!  I can't tell you how excited I am for that opportunity, I'm actually a little bummed that I have to wait a whole year for it. Basically, my responsibilities will include: being in my studio for 4 hours a daynand devising an art-themed community outreach program of my choosing.  For that, I receive an art studio and efficiency apartment for three months, as well as a nice little stipend.
SCORE!
Just a few, short weeks ago, I sat here at my table feeling pretty useless.  I was on unemployment, didn't have any job prospects and had even filled out a food stamp application. I was pretty much sure that I'd only be able to find some menial, part-time job, that the adjunct positions would be a long time coming and it would take years to be accepted to a residency. Now, I have all three taken care of. When it rains it pours!

More Good News

I GOT THE JOB!
As of Aug. 24, 2010, I will be a college instructor again!

Possible Good News

I know it's been a while since I blogged, but the summer had been largely uneventful in terms of artistic production.  I had been unemployed for two months, but that was remedied this past Friday when I accepted a position as a school portrait photographer!  It's not exactly what I had envisioned doing post-grad school, but it is a fun job nonetheless.  A more exciting job opportunity may be headed my way as an adjunct photo teacher at a community college, so keep you fingers crossed for me.
So, as I've been pathetically broke of late, there has been no art to speak of, however,  I was notified of my finalist standings for a certain paid artist residency. If I make it, it'll be art, art, art for three months on the East coast! God knows I need that time to improve.  This workaday lifestyle is for the birds!

Carrie

The New Neighborhood

So as of yet, I'm not making any art, but I do have a few ideas kicking around the 'ol noggin, so I should be back to creating any day now.
I really just want to talk about my new neighborhood and how awesome it is.  Chris and I are living in the Shaw neighborhood section of St. Louis and it's quite interesting. We have a nice, big 2 bedroom walk-up and since last Monday, I've kept a running tab of all the different types of peoples that I've witnessed out and about. Here's a partial list:
 1.  Harmonica Baby.  This was a toddler in a stroller playing a harmonica.
2.A middle-aged cyclist, tricked out in all the latest gear, standing on the corner and smoking while trying to garner donations for cancer research.
3. The Medicine Ballers.  This was a couple in matching green outfits that were standing akimbo in an alley and hefting weights over their heads. Hup hup!
4. A white dude, clad only in his boxer-briefs, standing in the middle of his front lawn and eating a plastic plate of spaghetti.
5. Afro-Puff girl with her two matching puffy Bichons.

Also, across the street from our building, there is a rose bush growing out of the gutter.  It's just hanging out there, right above a window.
Lastly, the other day I found a small, tan box in front of our outside door.  I thought that Chris had forgotten it when we were moving in, but when I opened it all I found was a piece of blueberry pie.
Chris believes that it was left as payment for our abandoned computer desk, which was left streetside for the taking, 


*******************
Other than that, the only real excitement I had this week was doing wardrobe styling for an Anheuser-Busch internet commercial.  The premise is called "Band of Buds" and we were shooting 2 groups of four people each.  The first group was called "The Douchebags" and the second group was "The Stuck-Up Bitches".  Involved in the making were:
3 Popped-collar Polo shirts on one person
Consuming Muscle Milk in powder form
Pam Cooking Spray used as body oil
Tootsie rolls used as engorged nipples

LiFe is Back To Being Good

Yay.   The apartment is huge and awesome.   My roommate cracks me up.  We live next to a huge community garden and dog park. A friend threw some on-figure styling work to me and I am working again.  Will provide the details soon.

CB

Moving and the Future

Wah.  I'm moving out of Kansas in three days and the bizarre thing is that I DONT WANT TO GO.
I like my life here- I feel like I know who I am.  I make art.  I teach.  The facts are simple, but straightforward. I'm going back to my hometown, which I have mixed feelings about. I am loving the fact that I get to be around all my friends and family again for the first time in 12 years, but beyond that, the enthusiasm gets cut short. I have no idea what this next year will be like and if it's anything like graduating with a BFA nine months after 9/11, then I am unduly frightened.  My honest opinion is "I'm getting too old for this shit." How many times have I started over? I do realize that I'm the only architect for this meandering lifestyle.  I'm the one who wanted the lofty-but-not-practical art degrees! I could've been a nurse.   I have to stress that I am in no way unhappy, I feel great about myself, I'm just terrified of the potential length of time it's going to take to find a job- not even a great, career-type job- just one that hires me!

I know this is petty, but I do have to say that I am weary of the smiley-types who placate me with "But you're so talented!  You'll be fine!"  Talent has nothing to do with it. My fears are justified in that I've been in this situation before and it was a LONG time before some things were fine.  I just wonder how long the process will drag on this time...

But hey- happyhappy joyjoy! I f*ing love life and everyone in it!  AND I get to go back to figure skating again next week now that my grad school exile is over!  Yay!

Need a gift for any occasion?

Hot about some hot pink paperweights!  They are tré awesome!

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C'mon!  Go get you some!