Ahrt Blawg

Last Spring semester before PAFA

2011-06-08T16:33:00.000-07:00

So I'm done with this school, and this is the work that I think stood out from my last semester here.

Kyllies:

I took over a hundred photos of my friend doing these weird visceral motions with her body and drew them on top of each other to see how they'd look. I wanted to capture something innate in her without it being about her face, but more of her body language.

And this one I never properly finished. It's still really rough and nowhere near where I want it to be, but I don't see myself working on it anytime soon:

Missing People:

This kind of echoes the idea behind the obituary drawings, but the people featured here are all from a missing persons archive. They're drawn on with ink.

Sculpture:

Okay, so this one just kind of evolved after this drawing that I had done in the beginning of the semester. It's an abstracted plastic bag on a stick and I don't really want to explain it further than that:

"15"

2011-03-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

This was for an independent studio class that I took last semester, which is basically just me working with one professor on big projects. I made wall of these portraits as a SORT OF memorial, but not really. I know nothing about the people I have drawn, except that they're all dead. I won't be honoring their lives, just presenting them. The point is that no one will ever know who they were, and the only thing they'll have to go by are the representations I've provided of them, which themselves are ephemeral, since it's done on paper towels. Not meant to last long, just like everyone else. I want people to look at the diversity of people on the wall and be able to relate to someone, then eventually see themselves and our impermanence. It's really morbid and depressing, yeah, but just something I've needed to make for a while. Blah, blah.

Some of Second Year

2011-03-13T09:41:00.000-07:00

I've been debating whether I want to cram all of these up into one post or not. I've decided to just make this one really long post. Not expecting anyone to read it, it's just nice to archive the ideas while they're still somewhat relevant in my head.

Figure Drawing 2:

This one is charcoal and conté on toned canson paper. Model in class. Really rushed. Somehow, six hours isn't enough.

Gouache, pastel, charcoal, and conté. It was mixed media day. Our professor was feeling experimental, so she put the model in front of this overhead projector with some funky lights hitting her face. I tried to ignore it.

This one is definitely not finished. There's a lot I wish I could've done, especially to his face, but it was only a one week drawing. Vine charcoal on Rives BFK.

I think I'm more okay about not finishing this one. I have a lot more to work on in terms of my drawing speed. Vine charcoal on cream BFK.

This one was a homework assignment. We were to do something experimental with a concept. I followed the above examples of unfinished drawings and used that to relate to Alzheimer's. It's not a very happy drawing. Vine charcoal on BFK.

This wasn't really for figure drawing, but I don't know where else to put it. Just a drawing I did over winter break. Micron pens on bristol.

Painting 1:

One of our first one week paintings from class. Using yellow and blue to paint values instead of black and white. Oil on canvas.

Four week painting. This isn't the finished version. Haven't gotten around to photographing it. Meh. Oil on canvas.

This is a self portrait that is part of a series. I didn't really use myself as a part of the concept but more as the most convenient model I could find on short notice.

This is the series. The numbers on their faces are supposed to be reminiscent of social security numbers (They're not real social security numbers.)

And actually, I've decided to post the obituary wall on its own. So that'll be up tomorrow.

Art School, Foundation Year.

2011-03-12T18:04:00.000-08:00

I'm going to start using this blog as an archive for my artistic endeavors. For this first "revival post" I'll be putting out the work that I made during my first year in college. 2009 - 2010.

I guess I'll start with 2D Design:

Cut canson paper on matte board

Ink on bristol

3D Design:

Various fabrics, acrylic paint

Drawing:

Micron pen on bristol

Figure Drawing I:

I love my friends so much.

2009-04-18T22:22:00.000-07:00

They threw me a surprise vegan rave birthday party with glow sticks and a DJ. It was the best thing to happen to me in a long time.

They even wrote and performed a rap:

Ode to Chago

Can't wait another minute to tell you about
Our friend named Santiago - Oh it makes us scream and shout
We can brag and brag for hours and we still can't say enough
Cuz when it comes to being great, Chago's got the stuff!

This boy that we call Chago had mad artistic skillz
He paints and draws and photographs so good it gives you chills
He sings just like an Idol star, no one else could ever win
When he takes that Karaoke mic and flashes that Latin grin!

He loves his pet bird, Eddie and his puppy-dog named Max
He loves most every animal and they all love him back!
Hey, we all know they can't help it cuz he's just that kind of guy
And animals are smart like, I couldn't tell you why.

Intelligent and funny- a better friend you'll never find
Chago's wise advice will save you if you're ever in a bind
He wants to help the earth and make it better for you and me
So he joined Power Shift - and works to green the world- Environ-men-tally!

The millions of subscribers, Chago's YouTube entries boast
Amazing snips of video with fans from coast to coast!
His knack for dazzling camera work has become so widely adored
We think that he should definitely win- an academy award!

Well, Chago, like we said before, we could go on and on
Singing all your praises in this silly rhyming song
But this rap is almost over and our rhyme has met it's time
Before we go, there's one thing more, to leave it out would be a crime

We all are very honored to be gathered here today
To celebrate your birthday and get a chance to say
Chago, we're so lucky to know someone just like you
We wish you luck and happiness in everything you do

A million, trillion wishes -- we hope they never end
And thank you Chago, most of all, for letting us call you friend.

I'm really happy.

Technical difficulties

2009-01-23T14:11:00.000-08:00

My laptop and I have been fighting for power lately. The power charger, actually. The little bugger did not want to charge poor laptop, but it was today that I realized it was actually Laptop who was being the trouble maker. Laptop would not accept charger, only if I jiggled it around for like, an hour. Now they are completely incompatible, and I am left with a zune and meebo on my dad's computer to survive. I'm glad I saved my music on the external hardrive though. I would be REALLY pissed if that was gone.

I got to edit my TRV video for today (Friday this week, not Saturday) and also managed to save it on the external hardrive. I'll be uploading that, but who knows when I'll be able to edit more video. Or even upload from my camcorder.
;___;
I'm not happy.

I am too busy

2009-01-12T17:57:00.000-08:00

If you couldn't already tell. Two weeks into the new year, and the first would have to be one of the busiest weeks I've had all year. I stayed home most of the time, but I was crammed with work. Scholarship apps and essays, homework, studying for midterms, and trying to keep up with youtube. I really hate being busy.

I had to do an english presentation on femenism today, which wasn't bad at all. I was originally supposed to be in the third group to present on Friday, but I ended up stalling the other groups with questions until the class period ended. It was pretty funny and nerve wrecking at the same time. We were ready this time though. Quite honestly, I think my other group members sucked. But eh.

In other news, Rosy is moving in with me, Vanessa is cheating on Zak with Mitchell Davis, Jesus has been saved from the dragons, and Tranny 911 needs to get out of my head, like right now.

The skype contacts

2009-01-03T15:23:00.000-08:00

Following by Leah's example. =]
Thoughts about my skype contacts in no particular order:

1. We've spoken like once or twice, and I don't really think we're going to again any time soon in the future. We're friends of friends, and you seem nice and all. But.. that's it.

2. You are a cool kid. I'm glad we started talking more and I hope we still do. I didn't have the right idea of you at first but you turned out being really cool and a good friend. I know we're gonna be better friends in the future.

3. Also a cool kid. I know not everyone really gets you, but you have good intentions. Sorry I don't talk to you with full attention most of the time. I could be nicer.

4. You're really cute. Wish we talked more, you seem very cool. We only speak to each other in group situations and that's always fun. I hope we can have more individual chats in the future.

5. I know your mind. You know mine. o_o

6. You're loud, talk a lot, and hilarious. We've been through a lot. You don't always think you're pretty, but I do. We have a lot of stuff to do this year, and I know it's gonna be fun.

7. I wish we talked more. You're super cool when we do it's great. And I love the group situations we do have. You're hilarious, and I'd like to see that side of you more often.

8. You're a spelling noob. I appreciate everything you do though. I don't really talk with anyone on the phone as much as I do with you. I'm happy that you can get on more often. We're gonna have to be internet friends once I leave. xD

9. Who ARE you!?

10. You were also one of my first friends on youtube. I think your hair is REALLY cool, but sometimes I wish we had more to talk about than just each others hair. I guess I could put in an effort to talk to you though. You are very special either way.

11. YOU are awesome. Great guy, and I can actually hold a conversation with you, regardless of it being on iminlikewithyou or 4am skype conversations.

12. I was horribly intimidated by you at first. It was the subscriber count. Now that I've been able to talk to you more, I see that you are an incredibly nice person. I worry about you here and then. You really know how to put on a brave face.

13. You confuse me. I know we're good friends and all, but I don't really get how you treat other people. It doesn't really bother me though, because you're cool either way. And your blogtv shows are always great.

14. I think we could be really good friends. When we do talk, it's cool. I have a feeling we could explode with insiders. Give Luigi a chance though.

15. We could go days without talking to eachother, but put in the same chatroom and we always explode onto each other. I love you, hope you know that you crazy freaker. I'm glad I make you laugh.

16. I've known you the longest out of everyone here. I'll be your friend forever. I feel sorry for how I treat you sometimes, but you're always a great sport. And a great support in whatever crazy idea or thing I throw onto you.

17. My absolute first friend on youtube. You will always be special to me. I know we don't talk as much as we used to, and I wish we did. You're really fun to talk to. At first I had no idea to expect because we were so different, but actually, we really aren't. You're open minded too and I love that.

18. I pick on you too much. And I don't give you as much attention as I mean to. You're a REALLY good friend of mine and I am a jerk for not letting you know so.

19. I'm glad you're back. We need to talk more. You're a cool cat, f'realz.

20. You're a cunt.

To El Salvador I go.

2008-11-26T16:25:00.000-08:00

I'm out of this continent in seven hours, and I couldn't be more excited. Why stay in the country to celebrate Thanksgiving when I could to go another country where they could care less to celebrate? Yeah! I can't stand the holiday anyway, actually. So whatev.

Five days, and I miss two days from school next week. I'm bringing back souvenirs, so beware. And making a video out of it. Should be funfunfun. FUN, I SAY. FUN.
FUNNNNNNNNN.
;lgjaklgjalgj;KLGJAKLGJA

This one is kind of related. I made it last year, and it's based off of south american carnivals. I'll be going to a carnival while in El Salvador, so yay! Win.

I got accepted. :D

2008-11-17T13:47:00.000-08:00

Last week, a Morehouse college representative came over to our school and selected about eight guys who they were interested in seeing for an interview. I was one of the eight, and decided to go. Nothing to lose anyway, and I didn't have any homework anyway. I honestly wasn't expecting to get admitted into their school, LET ALONE getting a $17,000 tuition scholarship. That would be so great if that was the school I wanted to go to... but it's not. I had JUST heard about the school, but when I really looked into it, not only did it not have my major, but I found out it was way too prestigious, and all male. I'm not really a suit/leader of America type. Which is fine for Martin Luther, who attended there, but not me. I'm still waiting to hear from the schools I already applied to. The fact that I got accepted THERE was great though. Very encouraging.

Other than that, I need a haircut, I'm obsessed with chiptune, and I've been working on my ib art workbook all week. It's been my main priority for a bit, but I need to start focusing on my classes. I need a higher GPA if I wanna get that Gates Millenium Scholarship.

So much to doooooo.
I also got this new video editing software. Back in August, actually, but I'm just starting to use it now. If anyone wants to help me learn how to use that.. yeah, that'd be great. "Magix Movie Edit Pro 14"

AND, I'm going to El Salvador in a little less than two weeks. That's going to be funnn. Hot, but fun.

Doesn't fit at all, does it?

Straight hair

2008-10-28T19:19:00.000-07:00

Let it sink in.

Well anyway, that says "RSVP" on my arm. I had to write it so I wouldn't forget to RSVP for this power vote/Al Gore party thing at some dude's house tomorrow. It's gonna be awfully busy. Study party at Erin's house for AP Psych, and I should probably study for AP Environmental that day too. I'll see if I can make it to the powervote thing. I have two AP tests on Thursday, but it's okay, because starting Saturday I have a four day weekend. =]

Saturday: SAT, the second time taking it. Last time, fer sure.
Sunday: MCSEA meeting, Anberlin/scary kids scaring kids concert
Monday: New video maybe?/Professional day
Tuesday: Election dayyy

The week AFTER that, I get Friday and Monday off for college visits. =]
For now I'm practicing songs for the musical I'm trying out for.
Not really a musical person, but I'll give it a shot.

Photos

2008-10-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

Ah yes, the photography blog. I've been so busy lately, but my school just had an art exhibit up. Three of my photos were put up, and it reminded me how much I love photography. Some girl I don't know asked if they were mine. She told me about how they inspired her and it just made me feel really good. I haven't taken anything new in a while because of the piles of work I have to do for school, but I've decided to make time for it more. Maybe after school or something though, this week looks pretty hectic.

This weekend includes applying for college on Saturday, a field trip to DC, friends' birthday parties, and Sunday has MCSEA meeting, and of course, tons of homework. =[ I probably won't be able to post a new video this week either. Today there's this photo competition that I was SUPPOSED to enter, but my incompetent photography teacher waited until the last minute to let us know that we have to print and mount our stuff by today. I only got two printed and mounted, the other two came out bad in the printer and now I'm pretty sure we missed the 5pm deadline. I left the photo room at 4.

Anyway, the stuff: Most of it can be found on http://xchago.deviantart.com

Druff druff druff druff druff

2008-10-20T19:39:00.000-07:00

Maybe you shouldn't ask?

A post about nothing.

2008-10-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

I like blogging, it's fun. Except when I have nothing to blog about. These past few days have been particularly boring. The most interesting thing I did was watch Ace Ventura at Erin's house, go to a volleyball game, then watch Sweeney Todd at Vanessa's house. Everyone seems to be doing exciting things this week. Especially Whitney, with that whole Charlie thing, and now Meghan/the gathering. Today I posted a video. I hate editing them, all of them. Yet I'm the only one who can edit my videos because they wouldn't seem right if someone else did. I don't know, I'm just picky.

I've gotten a huge surge of ideas for videos recently, mostly mini collabs but I have no idea who to ask yet. Interested? eh. I don't want to spill what they're really about on here though.

Currently listening to Anberlin and watching political TV. I still miss having control over my TV.

I feel like doing a self portrait off of this:

But I'll be busy with school starting tomorrow.

Bury your head

2008-10-15T13:56:00.000-07:00

Listening to Saosin. My favorite band in the world, if you didn't know.

Well it's been interesting. I've had a lot of thinking to do lately. I don't think it's hit me yet that I'm gonna be done with high school in only a few months. Compared to the amount of time I've already been in school, seven months doesn't seem long at all. The PSAT test was given today, and because I'm a senior, I didn't have to do it. We had a senior meeting instead, where we talked about graduation requirements, ordering caps and gowns, took our senior picture, and did senior superlatives. I heard that a lot of people were voting me for Most Changed. I think it's pretty true. If you knew me freshman year, you'd see the change from then till now.

Wow, look at Mr. Cool over there with his bats. Scary.

Anyway, that was then. This is now. I had no idea how early we would have to start preparing for this stuff. I'll be applying to college this MONTH, and getting all of my requirements ready. And I need to get that GPA up of course, yet this week I haven't been doing ANY homework. If I'm so desperate to get out of Maryland, why aren't I trying harder?

I do enjoy my senior year though. I was having a conversation with Ryan the other day. He was getting frustrated because of how routine his life was. I got that same feeling before do. Doing the same thing everyday, expecting the same to happen tomorrow and for a long time. Yeah, there are some spontaneous moments but eventually it just all blends together. I told him that I was kind of savoring it these days. Things may seem mundane and boring now, but in a few months, it won't be here anymore. I'll be off to college away from friends and family, doing something I've never done before. Being on my own. I guess I'm just trying to keep that home feeling for as long as I can before everything changes.

It's that typical, "I'm scared, yet excited" senior feeling.
Or maybe senioritis.

How yo mom?

2008-10-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

Well, as much fun as this week was, the weekend was completely unproductive. I'm home "sick" today (I actually just didn't feel like going to school). I know that's bad, but I really don't do this too often. Although I'm supposed to be taking an AP Psychology test in about an hour. Ehhh.

So Saturday night was homecoming dance. I have no pictures of it, sadly. It was a lot of fun though. They didn't play any techno. ;_;

But I DO now have pictures from the pep rally:

(Dancing to Brick House, of course.)

Sunday I had a MCSEA meeting, then hung around rockville doing homework, being the cool person I am. That was all the homework I did for the day though.

Currently surfing the internet, talking on aim and listening to Say Anything.
Homework yet? Nope.

How yo mom, anyway?

A bit more home of coming.

2008-10-11T06:42:00.000-07:00

More school related activities of course. I meant to write this blog last night after I got home, but I literally fell asleep in front of the computer. Of course, I woke up afterwards then turned off the laptop though. I was so tired. The day consisted of a pep rally, with lots of yelling and anticipation to see who would win the hallway float decorations. 2009 won of course, three years in a row. That probably doesn't mean a lot to anyone who isn't in my school, in my class. xD

The game was great too. I barely paid attention, but my friends decided to be insane and extreme dance every time some techno or the band played. It was so funny, a police officer came by to look us each in the eye. I think he thought we were on drugs or something. He laughed it off then went away. Our team ended up winning, causing a lot of yelling and shouting. I made a newish friend, Adam. No, not the average one. I already knew this kid, but I think the dancing and waiting for a ride really got us to know eachother.

I AM SO WEIRD AT NIGHT. Anyone who has had a late night conversation with me over skype, phone, or aim can vouch for that. I was talking to Adam about how the moon was talking to me. It went something like this:
"Adam, the moon is talking to me."
"What's it saying?"
"Wut up."

He then asked if I had a mental disorder. Yep, good times.

BTW, new video should be up today.

Killer Tofu

2008-10-09T18:32:00.000-07:00

Hallo.
Any one remember the beets? My brother sent me this link to what was supposed to be a funny spoof off of AMVs (which I hate). It wasn't funny, but one of the segments featured "Killer Tofu" by The beets from Doug. It brought back memories.

Killah tofuuuuuuuuuuuu.

So I had the day off today due to that Jewish Holiday. I really didn't do anything, as I've been crammed with homework. Finished it though, and I'm currently watching spanish television by force. My TV remote has been broken for days, and for some reason, some unknown person likes changing the channel from another source, and there isn't anything I can do about it. Judging by the channels they like watching (spanish, nbc, porn((which is locked, but he keeps trying to go there anyway)) I've deduced that it's one of our old spanish neighbor dudes. My parents don't really care. ;__;

Finally got a picture of MIB day. Bridget said she's a martian, so I'm gonna have to hunt her down. Tomorrow is Spirit day. We have a pep rally, homecoming game, and get to see who won the float decorations. I'm pretty damn excited. xD

Gangsterrrr.

Back again

2008-10-08T23:00:00.000-07:00

I have a tendency to leave and come back certain websites. Myspace, facebook, the-n, blogspot, deviantart, twitter, and many more I've probably forgotten. Youtube is the only exception for now.
WHO KNOWS? I could ditch it for some hardcore techno forum in a week.

Well, basically, basically, basically, I've had an interesting week. It's spirit week at my school, and we've been dressing up. Monday was clash day, and Tuesday was Friends day. We had to clash and wear unmatching clothes one day, and then wear matching clothes with our friends the next. Of course I had to put a tie on my head. I wish I had a picture of the MIB mob. Having the group of us storming the hallways was pretty bad ass. Today was fairy tale day, but I lack any type of fairy tale related costume, so I didn't dress up.

Thank GOD for JEWISH holidays. No school tomorrow, hence why I'm staying up this late to write a blog, something I don't really do too often. I took nap right after I got home, which could also explain it. Hmm.

Well,

2008-05-21T18:53:00.001-07:00

Basically made this to keep up with the mystery channel.