The Bridge at Chappaquiddick, Jack Olsen
And Then I Cried: Stories of a Mortuary NCO, Justin Jordan
Art on the Block, Ann Fensterstock
The Murder of Marilyn Monroe: Case Closed, Jay Margolis & Richard Buskin
A Family Business: A Chilling Tale of Greed as One Family Commits Unspeakable Crimes against the Dead, Ken Englade
Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, Michael Gross
Curationism: How Curating Took Over the Art World and Everything Else, David Balzer
Dead Center, Shiya Ribowsky
The Monopolists, Mary Pilon
Silent Witnesses: The Often Gruesome but Always Fascinating History of Forensic Science, Nigel McCrery
Lives of the Artists: Portraits of Ten Artists Whose Work and Lifestyles Embody the Future of Contemporary Art, Calvin Tompkins
Sin, Shame & Secrets: A True Story of
the Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest, and the Cover-up in the
Catholic Church, David Yonke
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Essays by 40 Working Artist, edited by Sharon Louden
Gracefully Insane: The Rise and Fall of America's Premier Mental Hospital, Alex Beam
Look Who's Back, Timur Vermes
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs
Big Eyes: The Screenplay, Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski
Grace: Her Lives, Her Loves, Robert Lacey
Emergency 24/7: Nurses of the Emergency Room, Echo Heron
Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs, Sally Mann
The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital, Alexandra Robbins
Conspiracies and Secret Societies, Brad Steiger & Sherry Steiger
Lights & Sirens: The Education of a Paramedic, Kevin Grange
Undertakings of an Undertaker: True Stories of Being Laid to Rest, Stanley Swan
Unashamed, Jessie Minassian
Rediscover Catholicism, Matthew Kelly
The Unveiled Wife, Jennifer Smith & Juli Slattery
When Sorry Isn't Enough, Gary D. Chapman & Jennifer M. Thomas
Growing Up Amish: A Memoir, Ira Wagler
Quiet Strength, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Uncommon, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Longing for Paris, Sarah Mae
Brave Enough, Nicole Unice
Your Life Still Counts, Tracie Miles
Watchmen, Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
Fast Girl, Suzy Favor Hamilton
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Frank Miller, Klaus Janson & Lynn Varley
Currently Reading: Street God, Dimas Salaberrios
Photographer and runner: Interests: art, graffiti/street art, cemeteries and abandoned structures
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Other Desert Cities
I went to a local college, Siena Heights University, last Thursday to see Other Desert Cities.
From Siena's website the synopsis of Other Desert Cities is "Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas. Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family's history — a wound they don't want reopened. In effect, she draws a line in the sand and dares them all to cross it".
The play was held in Siena's Stubnitz Lab Theater. It is much smaller and more intimite then their Performing Arts Center. I arrived close to curtain time and sat in the front row to the left of the stage. It was neat to be very close to the actors and stage. Usually when I go to plays, I sit in the middle or back of the theater. Sitting right next to the stage gave me a different perspective of the play.
Other Deserts Cities is a play by Jon Robin Baitz. The play was a finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play at Siena Heights University was directed by Mark DiPietro.
From Siena's website the synopsis of Other Desert Cities is "Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas. Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family's history — a wound they don't want reopened. In effect, she draws a line in the sand and dares them all to cross it".
The play was held in Siena's Stubnitz Lab Theater. It is much smaller and more intimite then their Performing Arts Center. I arrived close to curtain time and sat in the front row to the left of the stage. It was neat to be very close to the actors and stage. Usually when I go to plays, I sit in the middle or back of the theater. Sitting right next to the stage gave me a different perspective of the play.
Other Deserts Cities is a play by Jon Robin Baitz. The play was a finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play at Siena Heights University was directed by Mark DiPietro.
Monday, September 28, 2015
WNBA Conference Finals - Game 2
Game 2 of the WNBA Eastern and Western Conference finals took place Sunday. The Indiana Fever hosted the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx traveled to Phoenix Mercury.
The Indiana Fever came back from being down 15 points to win Game 2 70-64 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Liberty. The Fever win forced a Game 3 which will take place Tuesday in New York at Madison Square Garden. Leading the way for the Fever was Tamika Catchings with 25 points and for the Liberty, Tina Charles also had 25 points.
Game 3 will be played Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
The Minnesota Lynx won Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals 72-71 to sweep the series with the Phoenix Mercury. Lynx player Maya Moore lead all scorers with 40 points. Moore was fouled with 1.5 seconds left in the game. Moore hit 1-of-2 free throws to clinch the win for the Lynx.
The Lynx will await the winner of Tuesday's Indiana Fever vs New York Liberty contest to find out who they will meet in the WNBA finals.
The Indiana Fever came back from being down 15 points to win Game 2 70-64 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Liberty. The Fever win forced a Game 3 which will take place Tuesday in New York at Madison Square Garden. Leading the way for the Fever was Tamika Catchings with 25 points and for the Liberty, Tina Charles also had 25 points.
Game 3 will be played Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
The Minnesota Lynx won Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals 72-71 to sweep the series with the Phoenix Mercury. Lynx player Maya Moore lead all scorers with 40 points. Moore was fouled with 1.5 seconds left in the game. Moore hit 1-of-2 free throws to clinch the win for the Lynx.
The Lynx will await the winner of Tuesday's Indiana Fever vs New York Liberty contest to find out who they will meet in the WNBA finals.
Labels:
Basketball,
Life,
Ramblings,
Sports,
Television,
Women's Basketball
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Eastern Conference Finals
New York Liberty defeated Washington Mystics Tuesday night 79-74 to advance to the WNBA Eastern Conference Finals. The Liberty will host Indiana Fever tonight in New York City at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN 2.
I'm a Liberty fan and would love to see Coach Bill Laimbeer take them to the WNBA finals. Laimbeer won three WNBA titles coaching the Detroit Shock in 2003, 2006 and 2008.
I'm a Liberty fan and would love to see Coach Bill Laimbeer take them to the WNBA finals. Laimbeer won three WNBA titles coaching the Detroit Shock in 2003, 2006 and 2008.
Labels:
Basketball,
Life,
Ramblings,
Sports,
TV,
Women's Basketball
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Oiselle meetup
I met up with a group of Oiselle Team Michigan members Sunday. We met for brunch at Sava's in Ann Arbor. A few of us already knew one another, so introductions were made. The conversation that dominated the brunch was running and when we were all going to meet up again. It sounds like a bunch of us are going to run some races together soon.
It was nice to meet a few of ladies from the team and we had a good time. Looking forward to the next meetup.
In the first photo, I have my hands on Andrea's shoulders for balance. I was standing on my toes to see over her head. I'm really not that tall. :)
Monday, September 21, 2015
Books read in 2015
The Bridge at Chappaquiddick, Jack Olsen And Then I Cried: Stories of a Mortuary NCO, Justin Jordan
Art on the Block, Ann Fensterstock
The Murder of Marilyn Monroe: Case Closed, Jay Margolis & Richard Buskin
A Family Business: A Chilling Tale of Greed as One Family Commits Unspeakable Crimes against the Dead, Ken Englade
Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, Michael Gross
Curationism: How Curating Took Over the Art World and Everything Else, David Balzer
Dead Center, Shiya Ribowsky
The Monopolists, Mary Pilon
Silent Witnesses: The Often Gruesome but Always Fascinating History of Forensic Science, Nigel McCrery
Lives of the Artists: Portraits of Ten Artists Whose Work and Lifestyles Embody the Future of Contemporary Art, Calvin Tompkins
Sin, Shame & Secrets: A True Story of the Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest, and the Cover-up in the Catholic Church, David Yonke
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Essays by 40 Working Artist, edited by Sharon Louden
Gracefully Insane: The Rise and Fall of America's Premier Mental Hospital, Alex Beam
Look Who's Back, Timur Vermes
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs
Big Eyes: The Screenplay, Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski
Grace: Her Lives, Her Loves, Robert Lacey
Emergency 24/7: Nurses of the Emergency Room, Echo Heron
Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs, Sally Mann
The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital, Alexandra Robbins
Conspiracies and Secret Societies, Brad Steiger & Sherry Steiger
Lights & Sirens: The Education of a Paramedic, Kevin Grange
Undertakings of an Undertaker: True Stories of Being Laid to Rest, Stanley Swan
Unashamed, Jessie Minassian
Rediscover Catholicism, Matthew Kelly
The Unveiled Wife, Jennifer Smith & Juli Slattery
When Sorry Isn't Enough, Gary D. Chapman & Jennifer M. Thomas
Growing Up Amish: A Memoir, Ira Wagler
Quiet Strength, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Uncommon, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Longing for Paris, Sarah Mae
Brave Enough, Nicole Unice
Your Life Still Counts, Tracie Miles Watchmen, Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
Fast Girl, Suzy Favor Hamilton
Currently Reading: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Frank Miller, Klaus Janson & Lynn Varley
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Books read in 2015
The Bridge at Chappaquiddick, Jack Olsen And Then I Cried: Stories of a Mortuary NCO, Justin Jordan
Art on the Block, Ann Fensterstock
The Murder of Marilyn Monroe: Case Closed, Jay Margolis & Richard Buskin
A Family Business: A Chilling Tale of Greed as One Family Commits Unspeakable Crimes against the Dead, Ken Englade
Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, Michael Gross
Curationism: How Curating Took Over the Art World and Everything Else, David Balzer
Dead Center, Shiya Ribowsky
The Monopolists, Mary Pilon
Silent Witnesses: The Often Gruesome but Always Fascinating History of Forensic Science, Nigel McCrery
Lives of the Artists: Portraits of Ten Artists Whose Work and Lifestyles Embody the Future of Contemporary Art, Calvin Tompkins
Sin, Shame & Secrets: A True Story of the Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest, and the Cover-up in the Catholic Church, David Yonke
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Essays by 40 Working Artist, edited by Sharon Louden
Gracefully Insane: The Rise and Fall of America's Premier Mental Hospital, Alex Beam
Look Who's Back, Timur Vermes
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs
Big Eyes: The Screenplay, Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski
Grace: Her Lives, Her Loves, Robert Lacey
Emergency 24/7: Nurses of the Emergency Room, Echo Heron
Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs, Sally Mann
The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital, Alexandra Robbins
Conspiracies and Secret Societies, Brad Steiger & Sherry Steiger
Lights & Sirens: The Education of a Paramedic, Kevin Grange
Undertakings of an Undertaker: True Stories of Being Laid to Rest, Stanley Swan
Unashamed, Jessie Minassian
Rediscover Catholicism, Matthew Kelly
The Unveiled Wife, Jennifer Smith & Juli Slattery
When Sorry Isn't Enough, Gary D. Chapman & Jennifer M. Thomas
Growing Up Amish: A Memoir, Ira Wagler
Quiet Strength, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Uncommon, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Longing for Paris, Sarah Mae
Brave Enough, Nicole Unice
Your Life Still Counts, Tracie Miles
Watchmen, Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
Currently Reading: Fast Girl, Suzy Favor Hamilton
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
Live Centred Half Marathon
I ran the LiveCentred Half Marathon Saturday. It was a cool and windy for the entire race. Just walking around before the race, my legs felt dead. I thought I cut back my running enough for the half, but I guess not. Besides running the half marathon Saturday morning, immediately after the half was my friend's memorial across town and following that my husband and I were celebrating our upcoming 14th wedding anniversary. So my head and heart weren't really into this race.
The race started and I was doing well. I ran the first mile in 8 minutes and was going at my pace. When we left the neighborhoods and got out into the country, we ran into a headwind for a couple of miles. The wind was really slowing me down as were all of the rolling hills of the country roads. I just kept my head down and kept running.
It seems like so many people passed me. When people passed me, they were rarely alone. It was always a group of people. I wanted to stay with all of the groups that passed me, but I couldn't. My legs couldn't go any faster. At the six mile mark, I was at about 56 or 57 minutes. Not bad. But on the back half of the course, I was dying. More and more people passed me and there was nothing I could do. I just kept telling myself, the faster I finish, the faster I can go to the memorial.
During the final mile, I was running uphill on a dirt road to turn left onto a paved one. While on the the small uphill, my legs said no more. I had to stop and walk up the hill. That was the first time in years I have walked during a half marathon. I couldn't believe it. As soon as I reached the top of the hill and stepped on the paved road, I started running again. I knew the walking slowed me down even more, but I didn't care. I just wanted to see that finish line. I continued running my slow pace and finally reached the finish line in 2:12:57. My worst half time of the year.
With this time, I know for the next half marathon to cut my miles even more leading up to the race. Maybe my legs won't be so dead before the start. Also I hope to have my head and heart in the race, but sometimes life happens. We can't always control everything in our lives. My time wasn't what I wanted, but I did finish the race and didn't get injured. So that is always a victory.
The race started and I was doing well. I ran the first mile in 8 minutes and was going at my pace. When we left the neighborhoods and got out into the country, we ran into a headwind for a couple of miles. The wind was really slowing me down as were all of the rolling hills of the country roads. I just kept my head down and kept running.
It seems like so many people passed me. When people passed me, they were rarely alone. It was always a group of people. I wanted to stay with all of the groups that passed me, but I couldn't. My legs couldn't go any faster. At the six mile mark, I was at about 56 or 57 minutes. Not bad. But on the back half of the course, I was dying. More and more people passed me and there was nothing I could do. I just kept telling myself, the faster I finish, the faster I can go to the memorial.
During the final mile, I was running uphill on a dirt road to turn left onto a paved one. While on the the small uphill, my legs said no more. I had to stop and walk up the hill. That was the first time in years I have walked during a half marathon. I couldn't believe it. As soon as I reached the top of the hill and stepped on the paved road, I started running again. I knew the walking slowed me down even more, but I didn't care. I just wanted to see that finish line. I continued running my slow pace and finally reached the finish line in 2:12:57. My worst half time of the year.
With this time, I know for the next half marathon to cut my miles even more leading up to the race. Maybe my legs won't be so dead before the start. Also I hope to have my head and heart in the race, but sometimes life happens. We can't always control everything in our lives. My time wasn't what I wanted, but I did finish the race and didn't get injured. So that is always a victory.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Books read in 2015
The Bridge at Chappaquiddick, Jack Olsen And Then I Cried: Stories of a Mortuary NCO, Justin Jordan
Art on the Block, Ann Fensterstock
The Murder of Marilyn Monroe: Case Closed, Jay Margolis & Richard Buskin
A Family Business: A Chilling Tale of Greed as One Family Commits Unspeakable Crimes against the Dead, Ken Englade
Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, Michael Gross
Curationism: How Curating Took Over the Art World and Everything Else, David Balzer
Dead Center, Shiya Ribowsky
The Monopolists, Mary Pilon
Silent Witnesses: The Often Gruesome but Always Fascinating History of Forensic Science, Nigel McCrery
Lives of the Artists: Portraits of Ten Artists Whose Work and Lifestyles Embody the Future of Contemporary Art, Calvin Tompkins
Sin, Shame & Secrets: A True Story of the Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest, and the Cover-up in the Catholic Church, David Yonke
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Essays by 40 Working Artist, edited by Sharon Louden
Gracefully Insane: The Rise and Fall of America's Premier Mental Hospital, Alex Beam
Look Who's Back, Timur Vermes
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs
Big Eyes: The Screenplay, Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski
Grace: Her Lives, Her Loves, Robert Lacey
Emergency 24/7: Nurses of the Emergency Room, Echo Heron
Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs, Sally Mann
The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital, Alexandra Robbins
Conspiracies and Secret Societies, Brad Steiger & Sherry Steiger
Lights & Sirens: The Education of a Paramedic, Kevin Grange
Undertakings of an Undertaker: True Stories of Being Laid to Rest, Stanley Swan
Unashamed, Jessie Minassian
Rediscover Catholicism, Matthew Kelly
The Unveiled Wife, Jennifer Smith & Juli Slattery
When Sorry Isn't Enough, Gary D. Chapman & Jennifer M. Thomas
Growing Up Amish: A Memoir, Ira Wagler
Quiet Strength, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Uncommon, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Longing for Paris, Sarah Mae
Brave Enough, Nicole Unice
Your Life Still Counts, Tracie Miles
Currently Reading: Watchmen, Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
Wednesday, September 09, 2015
Fulton County Fair
Cartoon- Third Place
Fantasy - Second Place
Colored drawing - Second Place
Acrylic - Third Place
Action
Portrait
Close up - Second Place
I entered three photographs, three drawings and one painting to the Fulton County Fair this year. I have been attending the Fulton County Fair since I was a kid. While walking through the Fine Arts building last year, I asked the superintendent if you had to be a Fulton County resident to enter items, she said no. So I decided to enter items this year. I like having my worked judged. I wish that instead of turning them in, we got a critique with the judges. I do like hearing how I can improve my photos or art.
Tuesday, September 08, 2015
EMU XC Celebration
Michigan's men's team runs again on September 11 at the Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational i State College, Pennsylvania and the women run again on September 19 at the Commodore Classic in Nashville, Tennessee.
A highlight of the day was when I tweeted that Erin Finn walked by me but I was too shy to say hello. Finn favored that tweet a short time later. When the women's teams were doing their final run outs prior to the race, Finn and I saw each other and waved. Technology is neat.
Labels:
Cross Country,
Life,
Michigan,
Running,
Ypsilanti
Monday, September 07, 2015
John
My friend John died Thursday. He was 59.
We were close friends for almost 16 years. We worked together frequently in the mornings at the office and at night at sporting events. John was a big fan of track and field and cross country. There were plenty of times we were on the phone talking to each other about track. Besides talking about sports, we talked about plenty of other things too. It wouldn't take long before both of us were laughing at something.
I haven't worked with John in almost two years, but we still kept in touch. Most recently with phone calls and having lunch together. He was someone who would always listen and offer advise. The last time I talked to him was about a week and half ago. We were talking about cross country, football and the track and field world championships. Our conversation ended with both of us saying, 'talk to you later'. I'm sad that I never got the chance to. I attended the EMU XC Celebration on Saturday in Ypsilanti, MI. During the meet, all I thought about was if he were still alive, I would be calling him later. I would have told him about the meet and people that I saw and talked to. The one person I wanted to tell about the meet, I couldn't. It is very difficult knowing that he is not just a phone call away anymore.
I will miss him a lot. I will miss our conversations about sports, life and nothing in particular. He was a great guy and no one will be able to replace him.
We were close friends for almost 16 years. We worked together frequently in the mornings at the office and at night at sporting events. John was a big fan of track and field and cross country. There were plenty of times we were on the phone talking to each other about track. Besides talking about sports, we talked about plenty of other things too. It wouldn't take long before both of us were laughing at something.
I haven't worked with John in almost two years, but we still kept in touch. Most recently with phone calls and having lunch together. He was someone who would always listen and offer advise. The last time I talked to him was about a week and half ago. We were talking about cross country, football and the track and field world championships. Our conversation ended with both of us saying, 'talk to you later'. I'm sad that I never got the chance to. I attended the EMU XC Celebration on Saturday in Ypsilanti, MI. During the meet, all I thought about was if he were still alive, I would be calling him later. I would have told him about the meet and people that I saw and talked to. The one person I wanted to tell about the meet, I couldn't. It is very difficult knowing that he is not just a phone call away anymore.
I will miss him a lot. I will miss our conversations about sports, life and nothing in particular. He was a great guy and no one will be able to replace him.
Wednesday, September 02, 2015
Batman sketches
Just a couple of quick Batman sketches I did over the weekend. I didn't spend too much time on them. Only about 10 minutes. Hoping to improve my drawing skills of Batman.
Tuesday, September 01, 2015
Books read in 2015
The Bridge at Chappaquiddick, Jack Olsen
And Then I Cried: Stories of a Mortuary NCO, Justin Jordan
Art on the Block, Ann Fensterstock
The Murder of Marilyn Monroe: Case Closed, Jay Margolis & Richard Buskin
A Family Business: A Chilling Tale of Greed as One Family Commits Unspeakable Crimes against the Dead, Ken Englade
Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, Michael Gross
Curationism: How Curating Took Over the Art World and Everything Else, David Balzer
Dead Center, Shiya Ribowsky
The Monopolists, Mary Pilon
Silent Witnesses: The Often Gruesome but Always Fascinating History of Forensic Science, Nigel McCrery
Lives of the Artists: Portraits of Ten Artists Whose Work and Lifestyles Embody the Future of Contemporary Art, Calvin Tompkins
Sin, Shame & Secrets: A True Story of the Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest, and the Cover-up in the Catholic Church, David Yonke
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Essays by 40 Working Artist, edited by Sharon Louden
Gracefully Insane: The Rise and Fall of America's Premier Mental Hospital, Alex Beam
Look Who's Back, Timur Vermes
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs
Big Eyes: The Screenplay, Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski
Grace: Her Lives, Her Loves, Robert Lacey
Emergency 24/7: Nurses of the Emergency Room, Echo Heron
Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs, Sally Mann
The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital, Alexandra Robbins
Conspiracies and Secret Societies, Brad Steiger & Sherry Steiger
Lights & Sirens: The Education of a Paramedic, Kevin Grange
Undertakings of an Undertaker: True Stories of Being Laid to Rest, Stanley Swan
Unashamed, Jessie Minassian
Rediscover Catholicism, Matthew Kelly
The Unveiled Wife, Jennifer Smith & Juli Slattery
When Sorry Isn't Enough, Gary D. Chapman & Jennifer M. Thomas
Growing Up Amish: A Memoir, Ira Wagler
Quiet Strength, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Uncommon, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Longing for Paris, Sarah Mae
Brave Enough, Nicole Unice
Currently Reading: Your Life Still Counts, Tracie Miles
And Then I Cried: Stories of a Mortuary NCO, Justin Jordan
Art on the Block, Ann Fensterstock
The Murder of Marilyn Monroe: Case Closed, Jay Margolis & Richard Buskin
A Family Business: A Chilling Tale of Greed as One Family Commits Unspeakable Crimes against the Dead, Ken Englade
Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, Michael Gross
Curationism: How Curating Took Over the Art World and Everything Else, David Balzer
Dead Center, Shiya Ribowsky
The Monopolists, Mary Pilon
Silent Witnesses: The Often Gruesome but Always Fascinating History of Forensic Science, Nigel McCrery
Lives of the Artists: Portraits of Ten Artists Whose Work and Lifestyles Embody the Future of Contemporary Art, Calvin Tompkins
Sin, Shame & Secrets: A True Story of the Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest, and the Cover-up in the Catholic Church, David Yonke
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Essays by 40 Working Artist, edited by Sharon Louden
Gracefully Insane: The Rise and Fall of America's Premier Mental Hospital, Alex Beam
Look Who's Back, Timur Vermes
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs
Big Eyes: The Screenplay, Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski
Grace: Her Lives, Her Loves, Robert Lacey
Emergency 24/7: Nurses of the Emergency Room, Echo Heron
Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs, Sally Mann
The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital, Alexandra Robbins
Conspiracies and Secret Societies, Brad Steiger & Sherry Steiger
Lights & Sirens: The Education of a Paramedic, Kevin Grange
Undertakings of an Undertaker: True Stories of Being Laid to Rest, Stanley Swan
Unashamed, Jessie Minassian
Rediscover Catholicism, Matthew Kelly
The Unveiled Wife, Jennifer Smith & Juli Slattery
When Sorry Isn't Enough, Gary D. Chapman & Jennifer M. Thomas
Growing Up Amish: A Memoir, Ira Wagler
Quiet Strength, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Uncommon, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Longing for Paris, Sarah Mae
Brave Enough, Nicole Unice
Currently Reading: Your Life Still Counts, Tracie Miles
Monday, August 31, 2015
Batman
I have been looking at Batman images recently on Pinterest. Growing up I loved watching Batman: The Animated Series. That cartoon was on the air from 1992-1995. I watched that show when I got home from school in junior high. I had to let it go when I had sports practice or games after school.I went to look at comics last Friday after an appointment. I wasn't looking for anything in particular. While looking at a room full of comics, I found some Batman ones. I bought a Batman and a Robocop comic. I bought them to mainly look at the drawings and to study them. I will end up reading them at one point. Later that day while at the grocery store, I saw a couple of Batman graphic novels. I decided to pass on them since I just bought the comics. On Saturday morning, I went back to the store and bought one of the graphic novels.
My drawings, sketches and paintings for a while will focus on Batman. I'm hoping that I don't get sick of him. I want to have a collection of items to choose from for next year's county fairs. Not everything I submit to the fairs will be of Batman, but I like him and so do a lot of other people. Anything that brings a smile to my face, I love to create as art.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Art classes
I received an email from the Ann Arbor Art Center last week about upcoming fall classes. I love learning and I am interested in taking classes. I am interested in a couple of classes.The first class I really want to take is Character Development with Jerzy Drozd. It is a class for developing your own characters to tell a story. The class with draw the characters on paper and then digitize them on illustration software, Manga Studio. I am really interested learning a new software program.
Digital Illustrated Storytelling is another class taught by Jerzy Drozd. This class uses Manga Studio again to illustrate characters. It feels like part two of the Character Development class.
Another class taught by Jerzy Drozd is Illustrated Storytelling. It helps artists create compelling visual stories. I think it would be fun since I love drawing cartoon animals and people.
The class I should really take is Basics of Acrylic Painting for Beginners. I really want to learn to paint by mixing colors and shades. My painting skills now are really basic, but what I'm painting, it works for me and I like my paintings.
I would love to take any of these classes like beginning watercolor, into to life drawing, figure study, manga studio , design your own heroes and villains, graphic novel academy (too bad these last three classes are only for teens).
I see myself taking many classes at A2Art Center in the near future.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Goth rabbit
Monday, August 24, 2015
Books read in 2015
The Bridge at Chappaquiddick, Jack Olsen And Then I Cried: Stories of a Mortuary NCO, Justin Jordan
Art on the Block, Ann Fensterstock
The Murder of Marilyn Monroe: Case Closed, Jay Margolis & Richard Buskin
A Family Business: A Chilling Tale of Greed as One Family Commits Unspeakable Crimes against the Dead, Ken Englade
Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women, Michael Gross
Curationism: How Curating Took Over the Art World and Everything Else, David Balzer
Dead Center, Shiya Ribowsky
The Monopolists, Mary Pilon
Silent Witnesses: The Often Gruesome but Always Fascinating History of Forensic Science, Nigel McCrery
Lives of the Artists: Portraits of Ten Artists Whose Work and Lifestyles Embody the Future of Contemporary Art, Calvin Tompkins
Sin, Shame & Secrets: A True Story of the Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest, and the Cover-up in the Catholic Church, David Yonke
Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Essays by 40 Working Artist, edited by Sharon Louden
Gracefully Insane: The Rise and Fall of America's Premier Mental Hospital, Alex Beam
Look Who's Back, Timur Vermes
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs
Big Eyes: The Screenplay, Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski
Grace: Her Lives, Her Loves, Robert Lacey
Emergency 24/7: Nurses of the Emergency Room, Echo Heron
Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs, Sally Mann
The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital, Alexandra Robbins
Conspiracies and Secret Societies, Brad Steiger & Sherry Steiger
Lights & Sirens: The Education of a Paramedic, Kevin Grange
Undertakings of an Undertaker: True Stories of Being Laid to Rest, Stanley Swan
Unashamed, Jessie Minassian
Rediscover Catholicism, Matthew Kelly
The Unveiled Wife, Jennifer Smith & Juli Slattery
When Sorry Isn't Enough, Gary D. Chapman & Jennifer M. Thomas
Growing Up Amish: A Memoir, Ira Wagler
Quiet Strength, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Uncommon, Tony Dungy & Nathan Whitaker
Longing for Paris, Sarah Mae
Currently Reading: Brave Enough, Nicole Unice
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Raggedy Rabbit acrylic painting
I finished this acrylic painting of a raggedy rabbit last week. I found a picture of this rabbit online a while ago. I decided to draw and paint it because it looks how I have been feeling. The last few months have been very tough for me. Slowly, it feels like I'm coming out of the dark and becoming myself again. I'm getting stitched up again like this rabbit was. I'm becoming whole again, but not the way I was before. I'm still not where I need to be, but with God's grace and time, I'm getting closer with every step.
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