10.5.25

Studio Vibes

Watching: Still Grey’s Anatomy (the ethics of this hospital are non-existent, but I can’t stop watching); House (ハウス) (the movie, not the show)

Reading: Rebecca by Daphne de Maurier

Listening: Animal Crossing Lo-Fi

I love the fact that I’m posting every two weeks, because that means the Agile methodology has bled into my creative practice. At work, we work in two-week sprints for projects, with a sprint planning at the beginning (or end of the sprint). Maybe I should start doing sprint planning and end-of-sprint critiques. 

If you haven’t been keeping up with the news and everything that’s been happening *gestures around,* first of all, how? Second of all, it’s a lot to process. While I can’t control the world, I can actively take healthy breaks from consuming everything. I’ve noticed how much better I feel when I focus on my hobbies rather than doomscrolling, which are revolutionary things I tell you. Even something as simple as doing origami or writing in my journal is so helpful. It’s also been nice to create something from nothing, which feels like it’s becoming a lost art. It feels like we want instant gratification, so to put work into something, even if it means erasing and starting over, feels hard. But damn, it feels so much more satisfying.

In Progress

These two weeks were all about color studies. The layouts I’m actually pleased with, but I’m struggling with the color schemes. I want the color schemes to be saccharine, over-saturated, and unnatural. I was initially pushing a complementary color scheme, but I don’t think that’s connecting as much as I want it to. I think instead of complimentary, there should be some realism to the colors, but then dial them up by like 200.

I used a magenta watercolor pencil to sketch out the layout and really loved how it peaked through.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that I’ve been hesitating on pushing the collage and layers. I don’t know if these works are going to function as well if I’m not pushing on the collage. It allows for playfulness – I think there needs to be a push and pull of unfinished layers with developed collage pieces at the very top.

I enjoy the layout, but the colors aren’t quite there. I also want to push more collage.

A sketch where I plan on utilizing collage heavily.

Also, I was hyper-focused on my sewing, but when I sewed, I was thinking about my paintings. Also, I’ve been scrolling Pinterest to help find inspiration and techniques. Some artists who have been inspiring me are:

  • Amy Beager (I love how they approach the figures and brushstrokes)

  • Cyrah Dardas (Utilizes painted collage)

  • Marie B. Gauthiez (Another artist where I love their application of collage)

  • Harumi Abe (The push and pull between foreground and background; also the moments of distorting the environment)

Creative Endeavors

My blouse is officially done, and I am absolutely in love with it! As I was working on the mockup, I ordered the fabric, which is a dusty pink Egyptian cotton fabric with a beautiful drape. I also got a 12-pack of vintage pearl shank buttons (½”) from Etsy. The blouse is a mini-Frankenstein from two different patterns. I attempted to make the flare from other patterns, but they were not working. Instead, I had to bite the bullet and do geometry, which, unfortunately, was the answer. Math has always been my weakest skill (I got a 19 on my ACT math section [the science section saved me]). In the end, I ended up grabbing another pattern with a peplum and stealing it.

My version (which I love way more)

My cousin’s machine also lacks a buttonhole foot, so I had to learn how to make buttonholes without one. It’s not a complicated process, but man, it’s tougher than it looks. The pearl buttons look fantastic with the top, but the shank buttons themselves feel flimsier compared to flat buttons. However, they match the aesthetic, so they will stay!

The buttonhole with the button was my best attempt for my first round of practice

Although it deviated from my original plan, I much prefer this version. I cannot wait to wear and style it (and yes, it is coming with me to Ireland).

The inspiration (Anthropologie please don’t sue).

A mini-photoshoot with the top with my very dramatic pothos.

For my Renaissance dress, I bought navy blue crepe-back satin for the dress exterior, a deep navy blue broadcloth for the skirt lining, and an ice blue cotton twill for the bodice lining. We’re not going to talk about how much I’ve been spending on notions for this dress. Since the dress is a deep navy blue, I’m going full force with a Circle of Stars-inspired outfit (D&D). I was thinking of stamping the skirt lining with celestial iconography, but I haven’t found anything I like. Which means, I may end up making stamps, but the Maryland Renaissance Festival is only a few weeks away, and I’m feeling the festival crunch. However, since I did a mock-up for the bodice, and the rest of the dress seems fairly easy, I think I should be okay (famous last words).

Other Shenanigans

On October 3rd, I saw Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons. This was my second time seeing this concert. The first time I saw the concert was last year in Philadelphia. I took a little solo trip to the city and found some amazing spots, including several cafes. The concert was amazing, but I was disappointed by the visuals; it was basically just abstract imagery relevant to the season. This time, however, was perfect - no notes. Instead of the abstract imagery, they had gameplay footage. It was also a more fun and engaging concert, with the conductor encouraging the audience to be excited when they heard their favorite song or saw their favorite character. Plus, the Anthem is one of the most gorgeous concert venues I’ve been to (not including theaters). It was such an amazing way to bring up everyone’s spirits with everything happening in DC, plus Stardew Valley is probably my favorite video game of all time (or at the very least, top 3). I’m forever grateful that I got the game as a birthday gift a few years ago.

Krobus won the favorite character poll

The Anthem is one of my favorite venues in DC

It’s also been a season for cooking. My gaming group has a food channel, and we do picnics quarterly. This past picnic, I made an apple spice cake with spiced cream cheese frosting. Despite how many spices I added to it, the flavor felt flat once I baked it. I want to try again and really bump up the spice amount (more than I already did). However, my kale apple salad needs no notes. Time to descend into fall cooking! 

That’s it for this sprint, I’ll be back with updates (actual painting progress) in two weeks!