Abstract Life

Well I haven't had a chance to update my site in a couple weeks. I've been sick, had finals and had some family problems, but I'm working on me and just trying to better myself and allow life to happen. That's all I can do and I can't control everything in life. Life throws you out in the middle of the ocean sometimes and you just have to keep your head above water and persevere.

So a lot has happened these past couple weeks so I'm gonna try and cover all the ground. The Benefit for Japan was a success and those items will still be on sale, just email me at abstractlife@me.com. Thanks for everyone who came out and donated or bought something. Every little bit counts. Import Performance Shop is also a collection spot registered with the Red Cross, so if you just want to donate, call them or go up there. They are great people and the epitome of a good family run local shop. Support people like that, because they will always be there for you and help you out. There needs to be more companies like them.

I spent an entire day that Sunday I came back out at Oktibbeha County Lake. It's incredibly peaceful and a great place to chill out and clear your head. It's probably one of my favorite places in Starkville. I definitely needed that place that night.

In school finals are upon us and grinding me down. I'm working on two book cover illustrations, The Great Gatsby and Animal Farm, which are close to being done. The Great Gatsby is a little further along though. I'll put pictures up of their progress. I'm also working on playing card illustrations. I have to do four face cards and I'm not entirely into this project I think. I like the concept, but I'm just at a block... or summer is catching up to me. Either way, I'm pushing through it and hopefully come out with a nice piece. I just finished up my Voodoo Experience screen print and it came out awesome. I'll also put a picture up of it as well. I can't wait until this summer, I plan on doing a couple of prints.

Also, this summer I'm going to be doing the market with my friend Molly and possibly Jake. I can't remember if it's every Saturday or not but it's going to be fun... I just don't know how getting up really early is going to work out. haha I'm going to try and make a few screen prints, buttons and stickers. Hopefully I can get a shirt or two pressed. I might even just press some myself up at the studio. I'm not too sure yet, but I'll worry about that when the time comes. 

In my hard times these past couple weeks my friends have helped me more than I ever thought they could. I usually try to deal with my issues by myself but they have had my back the entire time and I don't think I could ever express to them how grateful I truly am. I'm so lucky to have them.

Last weekend a few of us went to the BFA show and then went over and sat on a hill by the art department and watched Toy Story 3. They were playing it on the jumbo tron. It was pretty awesome. :) I also tried something new on Sunday. I went to Mugshots and sketched for a project while taking part in their 2 for 1 domestic special. Needless to say, it was interesting and I liked it.

A couple days ago we went out to an awesome burger place in Starkville called Mugshots. Their burgers are HUGE and amazing. Mushroom burger is definitely where it's at. Also the fried pickles and mushrooms were amazing. 

Molly's birthday was also this past week. She opened her presents, we went out to Umi's and then came back to Cynthia's, ate cupcakes and killed a pinata. It was definitely a fun night. Molly got some cool presents. Some really cool person got her a Holga camera. I wonder who that was. :) haha

We all had a dilemma the other night as well. We had to print and everyone's printers were out of ink except for our friend Matt Lanke. He was a lifesaver... but we almost broke his printer. We got it fixed though. It was definitely a LONG night but it was filled with laughs and deliriousness. It involved pasta sauce, death eaters, and sorcery. 

Yesterday was unproductive and interesting all at once. Four tornado warnings all through the day and then the lakes around where we live flooded the area in a lot of spots. It was a pretty crazy sight. We even got a new river in our back yard for a little while. It finally calmed down towards the night. We went over to Molly's house for a storm party. We ordered pizza and watched The Big Bang Theory. (Great sitcom) 

Today, before Jake and I cleaned the entire house, Molly, Jake, and I went out to Backroads Antiques. It's a very literal and rightfully named antique shop. It's seriously out in the middle of nowhere but it's ran by the sweetest old couple that I've ever met. They recently just had their 67th Anniversary. It's so rare to see that these days and I can only give respect to them for being able to last like that. People like that remind me that true love isn't dead. While we were at their shop I actually picked up a couple things. I got a West Side Story record and two wood print blocks. 

The whole house is spotless now and I need to do some work before we go to the movies tonight. We're seeing Your Highness. I've heard good things. Tomorrow is usually my design day, so I will start finishing up my stuff tomorrow. All new ink and paper came in yesterday; so I can finally get some stuff done. Pan's been helping me out while I work today.

Sorry for the long post but I had two weeks of catching up to do. Enjoy all the pictures though and keep checking back. 

Forgot to add... I've really been feeling this song. Enjoy

Thanks for the support.