A Meaningful Dream

This photo perfectly describes my life right now. It's everywhere and chaotic. Trying to balance important relationships, going to school full time, having two jobs, while leaving enough time for homework, playtime with our kitten Annabelle and a wee bit of "relaxation time" is not easy. I mean, who said life is easy anyway? I know that it'll all pay off and future Liz will say "I'm glad I did that". If anything, it's making me manage my time more efficiently, which is great. It's also allowing me to grow as a person. When this is all said and done, I'll come out with more knowledge and strength than I did when I first began this "chaos". 

This past Thursday we had our first project critique. As mentioned in previous post our group decided to build what is called the Bender. We chose this particular object because of the various shapes it held. Such as: squares, circles, rectangles, ovals and other odd shapes. Our group collaborated and planned well and divided the work into three parts. Yet, we didn't realize that choosing the Bender would be such a challenge. Megan worked on the pull and the shapes combined with it, Kayla worked on the circular shapes on top of the bender, while I worked on the stand. 

We used all sorts of methods such as rolling, cutting, folding, taping and stacking. For my part of the project, I mainly folded, taped and stacked. I spent a very long time trying to perfect the stand. In the beginning I was concerned with the tape and how it was placed, trying to use as little as possible. I didn't realize how time consuming building a large portion of the bender would take. I spent an extra five hours out of class to work on the stand and putting the combined work together. I was able to make the base stand freely, but once the top and bottom parts of the bender were taped together my stand would not hold it. At this point, running out of time I used a lot more tape and it no longer looked "neat" like it had before. I also added a brace underneath the stand to give the upper part of the stand a stronger base to hold the circles and pull. Time went by and eventually I was able to get the entire bender to stand independently. 

The following day, I walked into class and saw Megan with a distraught look and I thought "Uh-oh". I walked over to the Bender that we had all put so much time and effort into, to see that it had collapsed on the floor. At that point I was speechless and very upset. We both just stared at it for awhile. All that time and effort for this...ugh. Megan and I tried adding more tape, yet it didn't work. We really hope that it just sagged naturally and someone didn't go into the classroom and knock it over... 

We carried what we thought our "pitiful project" downstairs to met up with Kayla the remainder of the class. Again, we were so upset you could see it on our faces. I felt even more upset because I thought that it was my fault that our project wasn't successful. I saw my professor and shouted "It was standing at one point and I have photos to prove it!". He replied "It's okay, I believe you...I think it looks better this way anyway, it's much more interesting". I didn't get it at first. I thought the whole point of the project was to build a replica with rosin paper and masking tape. He briefly explained to us that it's much more aesthetically pleasing to the eye...but being so caught up in the thought that "It failed", it didn't quite click until the class critiqued our project. 

Eventually, it was our group's turn to be critiqued the class stood in silence. Many were pondering about what to say about our "project". You could tell that not everyone was very fond of it. Although the critique started off a bit bumpy it ended up being a very good critique. Classmates mentioned how they liked the contrast between the neat and lightly taped top and the messy heavily taped bottom part of the bender. We also discussed how and why the bender is much more interesting on the floor rather than standing in a linear form. It leads the eye from the end of the bender all the way to the end of the pull. It was unlike any of the other projects, not just because it fell over, but because it seems as if there was more to look at, more to think about. The class agreed that even though it had fallen, it was still successful for the fact that it still has it's original form...which turns out was the whole point of the project. We also agreed that getting the bender to stand freely would be impossible with the given materials, no matter what we did. It was because of the large amount of negative space in the stand. Since there is so much, there is no way that we could get the stand to support the upper part of the bender without compromising the original form. 

Overall, I felt much better after the critique and understood what my professor was trying to tell us before we started. I learned a few techniques from the other groups that I could use in the future, which I most likely will. If I could go back and do things differently I wouldn't. If anything I would have a different mind set than I did while working on the project. That way, I wouldn't look at the final product as a failure, but rather, a success. 

I created this photo using photoshop using the layering, brush, saturation and black and white tools. The goal was to create an image representing social change.

As you all know I'm very passionate about Detroit. Often we hear negative things about Detroit, whether it be from the media, friends, family or any residents that live outside Detroit. Whenever I hear anyone put Detroit down, my blood boils. I despise it even more when it comes from those who have never been to Detroit. Not all of Detroit is great, I know that. Every city has darkness, no matter what they have. But that doesn't mean that Detroit still isn't beautiful, that doesn't mean that Detroit doesn't have any light and it doesn't mean that Detroit doesn't grow. There are many great people who call Detroit home. It's a city filled with many cultures. Which is why I chose a background with a variety of flowers and vibrant colors, representing the people, new and old business', culture, history, architecture, art and spirit of Detroit. 

The title of the piece is still being determined. Originally I was going to call it "Perception" but I no longer like the name. It'll come to me sooner or later. 

Tomorrow our group will begin to build the Bender! Here are sketches that visually show our plans to successfully accomplish this project. 

Megan's sketch. 

Kayla's sketch. 

My sketch. 

Wish us luck!

One of the cool things about Space Studio is the fact that we're required to have a blog. Therefore we can document projects plans, progress, the finished product and critique's virtually. I enjoy the idea because it forces me to keep up with my blog throughout the year. It will help me better my work since I will be showing it to a larger audience instead of a class full of 20 students. 

For our first project we had to go into the wood shop with our assigned group, find a piece of equipment that was interesting to us, photograph the item, measure and collaborate the best possible way to recreate the basic structure (if time allows all the little details as well) using only rosin paper and masking tape. Our group didn't take long to find something that spoke to us. We ended up choosing what is called the "Bender". What it does, is curve metals into circular shapes. 

The reason our group decided to go with the bender was because it looked different from all the other machines in the room. It just stuck out to us and once we found it, we couldn't leave it. 

We loved the shape and the form. Especially the very top. The circular structure and the pattern of the spiral holes in the middle was what drew us in the most. 

Instead of looking at the structure as a whole we'll be looking at it as numerous small shapes that create one structure. We plan on breaking down each part of the equipment, piece by piece. Our group divided sections of the bender to work on, to quicken the process of re-creating it. Leaving enough room (hopefully) for any mistakes and extra touches. We're really aiming to have time to make the spiral and the bolts. 

To be successful with project bender, we'll be using a few techniques: cutting, taping, stacking, folding "L's", rolling, cutting slits, and making tabs. 

We also love the fact that the bender consists of more than one main shape. Many of equipment in the wood shop had only one or two forms. Mostly squares. Don't be a square...(tehe)

My assigned part of the project is making the stand from the very bottom to where the shapes change from being linear and flat to circular and curved. Kayla is assigned to make the circles on the top while Megan is assigned to create the pull without it weighing down the entire structure. 

As a group, we all agree that the hardest part about this project will be the pull. Everything on the structure is centered except for the pull. We believe that it'll be difficult to sustain the pull correctly without it causing to bring down the entire piece. Another difficulty we may cross is assuring that the  circles aren't "top heavy" compared to the stand.  Together we came up with solutions and gave them a try. After performing the test run and talking through our approach with the project, we're confident that our bender is going to look awesome. Even if it's only made out of rosin paper and masking tape. 

Yes, it's that time of year again. Back to school. Classes began last week. It was basically a typical first day of returning to college: picking out the perfect outfit, finding classes, going through the syllabus, introducing yourself, finding the best seat in the house, complaining about how much money needs to be spent on supplies, hearing about all the wonderful things that'll be taught in the course while dreading the amount of work involved in it, and getting to met new people. My day would have been perfect if I hadn't been 10 minutes late to my first class...oops. 

So far things have been swell! I'm not overwhelmed by the work load (at least for now) and I enjoy all of my courses. EVERY SINGLE ONE. It's the first semester that I want to attend every class. Crazy right? It's also the first semester where all my professors are Male. Normally there is an even balance between Male and Female professors. Not that it really matters though. It was just a thought that crossed my mind. This semester I'm taking Digital Imaging, Philosophy of Art, Contemporary Art and Space Studio (3D Design). The cool thing about being an Art major is that a good chunk of my classes are in Old Main, aka Hogwarts (pictured above). 

Over the summer I changed my major...again. This time it's final. At least I really hope so...I'm 99.9% sure I won't change my mind. I chose Art History for a couple reasons. First, because I'm not limited to one specific media, I'm able to learn about art of all types. With that, my major allows me to actually take other art courses. Such as drawing! One of my favorite drawings is featured above. Again, going with the whole "not being limited thing" I take Art History courses AND art courses that I've always wanted to take! I plan on going as far as earning a P.H.D. in Art History! 

Although I'm no longer an RA or living on campus, I'm still stoked about this semester (if you couldn't already tell). Commuting isn't as horrible as I thought it would be and I'm glad I was able to get my "On campus experience" when I did. It just means better things are to come, am I right or am I right? Tehe. I'm making a virtual toast to this school year. May it be another unforgettable, educational experience with many more to come *clink*

 My full name is Elizabeth Rosa Reyes-Nightingale

I was born on October 15 in Fayetteville, North Carolina

 I'm a Libra

I study Art History at Wayne State University

David and I have been happily dating for almost 2 years (October 24)

I spent the majority of my life in Taylor, MI

I love thrifting

I work at WSU and Lush

Coffee is a must everyday 

I like to dress up for no reason

My favorite holidays are between Halloween and Christmas

Dark chocolate raisnets are my favorite candy

Occasionally I'll wear make-up... I don't want to become dependent on it

I don't drink pop

I like to find meaning in everything 

I'm a clover queen

I'm mainly Mexican, German and Irish. 

I'd rather make a gift then buy one

The smallest things matter to me

I enjoy music of all kinds 

I feel like I have more traditional values than "modern"

I love my fruit and veggies

My downfall are french fries

I consider myself having an eclectic fashion-style

I love DIYs

My Dad introduced me into Photography and have loved it since

 Fall is my favorite season (so excited for apple cider & donuts!)

I don't like to read books before the movies because I know it would ruin the movie for myself

I'm one of the most hopeful people you'll ever meet

Detroit holds a lot of important memories for me, hence why I love it so much.

I want to travel to (in no order): Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Mexico, England, Japan, & China

I hate math with a passion

German shepherds are my favorite dogs. I want a boy.

I've been through more than you'll ever know about

My room is never clean 

I plan on opening my own Etsy shop in the near future

I've never been out of the country (besides Canada when I was a baby, but that doesn't count)

I love to ride my bike

I'm more of an extrovert than an introvert. But it depends on my mood. 

I'm random, quirky and weird.  

Cheesy jokes are funnier to me than most people

I don't like to give up or quit. 

My favorite restaurant is Mongolian BBQ  

I don't like to dry my hair with a hair dryer, unless it's cool air

My favorite color is red

I drive a stick shift

I'll pick flats over heels, no matter what

I strongly believe in second chances

I'm fearless

I'm passionate about Detroit and Art.