10.31.07 update

last week/10 days:
was formulating/gathering/writing/editing my paper.
with the mla/double space it works out to about a max of 2pgs or less. header/id info,title,etc eats up 1/5-1/4th pg, then to factor in structure requirements> footnotes/intro& conclusion paragraphs (3-5 sentences in general), leaves about 3 paragraphs for content. this means i have to be less wholistic & write about fewer aspects to a subject. this is ok as my next paper will cover the rest.
what is confusing is the examples give from aib.
for example:

"looking at trees"

• works out to 8-10 pgs in mla. not a fair example as it was highly personal narrative/journal-ish & less academic/distilled.
• no thesis statement is presented in the opening/intro paragraph & not really the 2nd either. never really clearly stated anywhere or proved.
  
• contains paragraphs that are basically book reading summaries rather than focus on what she got out of it & how it applied to her work.
• paragraphs are agenda based & are expected to validate/tie into thesis somehow. she didn't do this, she told a story>had a conversation.
  
• this was an enjoyable, personal journal/sharing type paper. yet does not seem to fit what is asked of me.
• think the mla structure just kicks me into formal essay structure & the whole "every essay is an argument" mode that forces the writer to take a position. i fought with this in critical theory/writing classes when it came to political/social issues where it was not black or white. i did well, yet felt like i was betraying my ethics in doing so.
• think this blog stuff: documents/fulfills the journal/research/mindset needs of this program & will just continue my papers as distilled/applied research & worry about it less.
  

this week:

• photographed 4 paintings for collage/totem & have numerous digital experiments of cutting/combining them together. think a totem needs to be a vertical composition. like the square visually, yet they do not transition from digital/geometric to paint/organic as well. think i am going with a sequential abstraction idea>used a system/formula to cut, rotate & reposition/integrate pieces to create a visual narrative & unitiy/logic. the version i am thinking of going with ends up being 4 vertical columns. i have created a low contrast bw gradient image from their source material that goes from light to dark & perspective(light top). this print will back the totem. plan to paint on/tint & fabric back. will be sort of a 90>120inch x30-36inch banner. it will be easy to ship. if the background does not fly i can cut it up or paint/take it elsewhere & then cut up/or not. plan to post the various totem digital scenarios soon. want feedback from glen/mentor first. he might have a better idea
  

• have been putting in long hours 15++ per day)on the computer. with the large file sizes the going is slow. i have been creating/editing paint/digital hybrid to print out.

• bought some sort of synthetic,rigid, 50% gray,45inch wide fabric at walmart for $1 a yd. the idea is to mount the next bw printout with mod podge(is acrylic/non yellowing/stable use for crafts/decoupage & works like, yet better than any of acrylic paint products. wish i could have got it in white. $ is an issue as all my numerous experiments are good size & getting costly(it is worth it>am learning a lot). may paint the backside of the fabric with white gesso after it is bound to the print & has had time to cure. weave in open(organza like) and without fuzzies. will test first as the gesso may tighten & pucker the stuff . think the white might shift the color on the grey. if the grey is even a problem.

• go to kinko print stuff today

• need to have all the new studio work done by nov 14!!! it is a huge amount of work> 10 new paintings (all over 36 inches) & is due 2 days before my next paper :( would have liked more than 2 weeks between these 2 papers.
  

• tonight is halloween & my aib adviser call. had i realized this i would have asked for another day as 6:30 in calif is prime time for taking my son around. my school stuff has been hard on him. wish i had family nearby for him to enjoy/experience/pick up the slack. single parenthood...