Lydia Brockman-Day Five and finally blogging...

So the blogging was a bit rough for me, but I think I have the hang of it now!

My name is Lydia Brockman, I am a recent graduate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). I majored in fiber and material studies at SAIC, greatly focusing on the chemistry of natural dyeing and untraditional application of natural dyes in my art practice.

I approached the traveling journal project by outlining a couple of rules for myself:

1. I can only use what is available in my studio- nothing new can be purchased.

2. Use the time and pages of the journal for experimentation for new processes

3. Incorporate wool and silk
4. Incorporate embroidery

Here are some in process pictures so far.

Autumn 9/19-30/10

My name is Autumn Randell and I had the dates September 19th through the 30th. Im a recent transfer from Stlcc Florissant Valley to Kansas City Art Institute. I didnt really have a set idea when I started this journal, I wanted it to be more of a fun project that i didnt have to stress about as much as my school work. I have mixed feelings about this journal but overall i really liked the project. Sorry about the bad photos, I had to take them with my phone.

This is actually day 4, they arent in order. Charcoal, tissue paper, and watercolor pencil.

This is Day 1. Charcoal and ink.

This is Day 2. Graphite and pastel.

Day 3. Charcaol

Day 5. Ink.

Day 6. Charcoal.

Day 7. Frosted acetate and charcoal.

Kate: Day seven

Today is my birthday! What a good day to end my journal week!

Kate: Day Six

Today I wrote about weight lose ads, body image, and Barbie.

Kate: Day Five

Since my journal yesterday was completely written art, today I decided to go with completely visual art. I did a self portrait.

Kate: Day Four

I filled the page with poems about not having anything to write about.

Kate: Day Three

The text written across the images reads:

September 15 through October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. In the interest of building understanding, the human resource department at my place of employment organized a Lunch N’ Learn inviting people to listen to two Hispanic women share their life experience and personal reflections about both Hispanic and American culture. The two women were fabulous, extremely fascinating people with great personalities and intriguing life stories.

The woman from Nicaragua described a giant earthquake that had killed about 5,000 people and displaced another 250,000 people. It happened just before Christmas. Her home had not collapsed, but her family couldn’t stay there.

I was shocked.

As if that wasn’t enough, she told us about the war that came later. She talked about days where her friends would just disappear.

I was shocked.

The woman from Colombia told us about drug cartel rule, $500 rewards for murdered police officers, and the senseless killings of civilians in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I was shocked.

In the end, both women talked about how they appreciated the high level of security one has living in the United States.

I was shocked.

Kate: Day Two

Every day, I wake up and I decide what I will wear. Sometimes I get to pick the things I love. Other times I am dressing to fit a social context. This journal page contains a few thoughts I have about these kinds of fashion decisions.

Kate: Day One

For me, a journal is normally a private affair. It is the place where one should feel most free to express oneself since no other human being will be reading it. It can be intimidating thinking about what the future reader is thinking of you.

finding an exhibition venue

Ive reserved the journal to be exhibited in St. Louis this July ('11) during the national WCA board meeting. It will be a great chance for the national board and all of St. Louis to view our project. Im looking for a venue close to the hotel or that would be easy to get to on a bus tour or by car pooling. The problems im running into is that most spaces have shows booked already or many of the journals are not being blogged about so there are no photos or info. Galleries are reluctant to show us then - not knowing subjects, quality, or even sizes. The first venue that turned me down was the St. Louis Art Museum.