paper dreams

tent DIY: part 21

2011-03-26T19:58:00.000-04:00

Thread a 1" threaded coupling into a 90 degree elbow pipe and a T pipe connector. Twist them, so the opening create a right angle. This will allow for two pipes to work as the supports of the tent.

Attach 3 single-ended thread coupling to the T and elbow pipes.

Screw a single-ended thread coupling into a flange, as well. The covered conduit can then slide into the coupling. The screw can then be tightened to hold the conduit in place.

There will be 3 conduit pipes extending from the connection point you just made, one for the vertical post, and two for the extending supports. Be sure to tighten the screws in the couplings, to secure the conduit.

I used an air mattress, which soon had to be replaced with a futon mattress, due to a little hole. I chose a gloriously bright bed sheet my mother had found for me years ago. She offered it up as a sewing scrap, but it was so beautiful, I couldn't bare to cut it!

The four posts around the air mattress, with the four connecting supports. I measured the air mattress and cut the pipe to that length with an additional 5" inches for the crossing support to allow room for the mattress. I chose to allow the foot of the mattress to extend from an open end of the tent.

tent DIY: part 1

2011-03-08T19:51:00.006-05:00

When beginning your tent, there are a few simple parts that you will need, which can be found at your local hardware store. In clockwise order: single end threaded coupling, 90 degree elbow pipe connector, rotary pipe cutter, T pipe connector, flange and conduit pipeRotary pipe cutters are so much fun, and so easy to use. They come with instructions in the package, but your just tighten the blade, with each rotation, and it slowly cuts through.
I cut long strips of fabric about 1"-1 1/2" wide. I attached the strip to the pipe with a piece of tape.
I then began to spin the pipe, wrapping it with fabric as it turned.
Once pipes are wrapped, you can tack the end to the pipe with hot glue, or with another piece of tape.

tucked away, in a tent

2011-02-28T20:20:00.002-05:00

Here's a sneak peak of the surprise tent/blanket fort I made for Chris and I to hide away in, on Valentine's weekend. I have a little DIY to share sometime soon.

Jae Ko

2011-02-10T19:49:00.000-05:00

I've been traveling up, and down, the east coast quite a few times in the last month. Washington, D.C. has been on my wish list for a while. It finally was crossed off in December! Chris and I took the Megabus up on a Friday, and returned the following Sunday. It was brief, but wonderful. It's been a while since I've had an opportunity to see some fresh museums, and international art. We visited the Phillips Collection, where I fell in love with an art piece by Jae Ko, "Forces of Nature." A site specific installation, she used 800 rolls of brown kraft paper that she unrolled, and re-rolled on a potter's wheel, to then be stacked against the walls in the gallery. It was a beautiful study of movement, control and release, allowing the paper to fall where the gravity pulls. I loved the play of light, glowing against the contours, as it folds, and curves, to the floor.

it's passing to quickly!

2011-02-02T19:34:00.003-05:00

Time is going to fast, and I can't keep up. I have a few non-New Year's resolutions, focusing on reaching a balance in life, between work, friends, physical health and creating. I am fulfilled creatively in my work, but what about the things I dream up that don't apply to that area? So, I'm recommitting to this blog, to keep me accountable in producing something, anything! It's been nearly a year since this picture was taken while I was drawing at a park. I may have drawn in my sketchbook 3, or 4, times since then. I want to catalogue my process, thoughts, or inspirations on here. So, here goes....

flowers galore!

2010-01-29T11:40:00.003-05:00

After many days of collecting and cutting bottles, the actual installation took just two. I had the wonderful assistance of my friend Elizabeth, check out her window at http://a-hoax.tumblr.com/

ostriches!

2010-01-18T17:17:00.004-05:00

This past fall I was lucky enough to have the chance to make a life size ostrich for the store and it was decided that I make a baby one to keep it company! It was very much loved by costumers, though some seemed to think it was a turkey.

back at it again

2010-01-17T15:59:00.003-05:00

Looking oh so stunning as I work away on a new tunnel book/shadow box. My goal is to have it complete and another started before the end of February.

life has gotten in the way

2009-05-01T21:19:00.003-04:00

Photos by Kathleen

I can not believe how fast these last few months have gone by! It's been wonderful and difficult all at the same time. I lost my very dear dog in January. But a terrific little puppy has since come into my life. She keeps me busy, but also prevents me from completing any personal artwork. So for now, here are some pictures from the adventures of Ellie. We met my friend Kathleen at Jekyll Island and had a beautiful weekend.

kathleen stalzer

2009-02-21T23:33:00.011-05:00

I drafted this a long time ago, and figured it was finally time to share!

I was in the BFA program at FSU with Kathleen Stalzer. She's a very dear friend, and I love her photography. She keeps me laughing with her quirky sense of humor that often comes through in her images. I also love her self portraits.

val britton

2009-02-21T22:53:00.009-05:00

traces of us, 2007

traces of us (detail), 2007

Where could you have been, or where could I?, 2006

Where could you have been, or where could I? (detail), 2006

I discovered Val Britton's website a couple years ago, when I was doing extensive internet research for inspiration and ideas for my grad show. Whenever I need motivation, her site is one I return to. Her work is exquisite. I love the soft colors, and the combination of drawing, collage and embroidery in her recent work.

peter callesen

2009-02-21T21:49:00.012-05:00

Big wave moving towards a small castle made of sand, 2005

The Lost Sheep, 2006

The Lost Sheep (Detail), 2006

Traces In Snow, 2005

Traces In Snow (Detail), 2005

Erected Ruin (Detail), 2007

Impenetrable Castle, 2005

Impenetrable Castle (Detail), 2005

If it's possible to love someone for their art, I love Peter Callesen. His work is incredible, the detail is amazing. His pieces are dreamlike, humorous and sometimes have a dark undertone. They make me want to laugh and cry at the same time.

little sheep of wood

2008-12-03T17:57:00.004-05:00

For this holiday's front of store display, we made a flock of wooden sheep. Many costumers have come in wanting one of their own. A lady visiting from New York commissioned one for her granddaughter as a birthday present. I just sent it off last week. They're much cuter in numbers, and as soon as I make some for my parents, I'll have better photos up.

gesture drawing paper-cuts

2008-12-01T18:18:00.005-05:00

Ever since I moved, I've been scouring my house for my final project from the Life Drawing class I took in the Spring. My parents have been searching their house, as well. I created paper-cuts from gesture drawings. After a semi-spring cleaning, in preparation for Christmas decorations, I finally found them! Or some of them at least. I can't, for the life of me, remember how many I made. 4 or 5? Either way, I've only found 2. But here they are!

paper-cut dresses

2008-10-27T18:47:00.002-04:00

I've been doing some google searches for paper-cuts recently. Upon looking back at my inspiration folder I realized I've compiled a little collection of images.

Robert Ryan's amazing work

found on flickr

found at People's Daily Online

doorsteps, laundromats, and graveyards

2008-09-17T19:37:00.002-04:00

some mountains & fresh air

2008-09-03T19:48:00.005-04:00

I had such a wonderful labor day weekend. Three very dear friends came to see me. We spent Saturday showing them around Charlotte, enjoying each other's company, then headed to Asheville on Sunday. We drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and went swimming in Skinny Dip Falls (I promise that's really the name). Then hiked to one of the higher peaks along the Blue Ridge, when a storm moved over us and we couldn't see past the mountain we were on. One of them was suppose to have a sign announcing its elevation, but we were unable to find it in among the clouds!

window displays

2008-08-11T20:13:00.010-04:00

I have now been in Charlotte for 2 months as of this week. It's crazy to think about how fast time has gone by. It was a little rough at first, being in a strange city and not knowing anyone, but it's looking up. I love my job, I never would have thought that I'd get paid to have so much fun. The photos are of my first window installation, we had to create something with books.

more paper-cuts

2008-07-26T11:45:00.006-04:00

I've been trying to do little art projects as I get settled into this new place. They've ranged from sketchbook watercolors to paper-cuts to little sewing projects. These are a couple I had done when I first started out. The "C" cut was a card for my sister (that I have yet to send) and the impatiens were cut from drawings I had done when I was at my parents in Florida.

At my parents in Florida. I no longer live in Florida. I keep having to tell myself this. It's incredible how life has progressed since my graduation in April. Ever since I was little I've wanted to live in North Carolina. I use to dream of having the kind of job I now have, but never believed it was really possible. Things I've always wanted are starting to fall into place. However juvenile this may sound, I'm so incredibly astounded that my wishes are coming true.

charlotte drawings

2008-07-19T14:51:00.005-04:00

I have now been in charlotte for 6 weeks. It's insane to think about and time is just flying by. I just bought an Epson scanner, so I'm going to be catching up on all the drawing and paper cuts I have yet to post. The first drawing was done while on a turbulent plane ride back home. I moved my junk up (with the help of my wonderful parents and sister) after living in a hotel for 2 weeks. The second was my private 4th of July celebration. What better way to celebrate America alone than to go to the mall and have chinese food?

paper cuts and such

2008-06-17T20:44:00.007-04:00

I'm now a display coordinator for Anthropologie! I've packed up my life and moved to Charlotte. Currently living in a hotel, I'm moving into my new place this weekend. I've posted one of my paper-cut cards and the temporary studio space I had to work with at my parent's (otherwise known as my bed).

commissions

2008-06-07T12:21:00.005-04:00

I just finished a commission for the Dedman School of Hospitality at Florida State of the two building they have occupied. They will be selling the drawings to alumni as a fundraiser for their scholarship foundation.

show comes to an end

2008-05-02T00:21:00.008-04:00

I just tore down my grad show yesterday and packed it away in storage. It took 4 days to install with the help of a number of friends. I tore it down in less than an hour. The show was open for the month of April in the Museum of Fine Arts at Florida State. We had over a thousand people turn out opening night and it was great to see people interact with my piece. I'll post more photos soon.