Choi to the World

Thinking about 2011

Planning ahead isn't one of my strong suits. But I sure have been doing a lot of it lately. Back in July I responded to an open call for work for the 23 Sandy Gallery in Portland, Oregon. Pop Up Now! opens next week and I am thrilled to say that my work will be hosted among the work of many esteemed book artists.  I used the deadline as the impetus to do something I have been wanting to do for a long time. I make lots of pop up cards and have had ideas for pop up books. I am a slave to deadlines, I need them it seems to get anything done especially since I could easily fill my time with the creative company of a toddler. So I got my submission in on the day they were due and was tickled to be one of the 43 entries accepted out of a field of 117.

How I wish I could be there. The 8th annual conference of the Movable Book Society will be in Portland at the same time so the show will be a part of their conference. So cool!! Any Portlanders, please visit. 

Without further adieu, my entry:

2011 is a pictorial story of a rabbit who gets the other-worldly call to go on a journey. The viewer follows the journey along the Great Wall of China, over water in a Chinese junk, to a bunny gathering. February 3, 2011 marks the Lunar New Year -- the year of the rabbit. After 12 years it is the bunny's turn to shine and be revered. Go rabbits!

 

So it seems I am doing fairly well, all things considered. My studio still isn't fully assembled but I am getting things done, some for actual events and some are for my own self-imposed deadlines and I am sticking to them! (more or less ;)

melting into autumn

Quite literally we are having some of our hottest days in these last days of the summer. My husband heads back to school, he's a teacher and our little Kumquat and I are going to have to slide into a new routine. It has been a dream to have him here with us everyday and I wish it could remain the same somewhat-leisurely way but bills have to get paid. I could definitely imagine pursuing our livelihood together. You often hear how it isn't a good idea for married couples to work together... I think we could do it.

My studio revamp has been slow between family visits, other obligations and projects and our little Kumquat, so here I am with an unfinished studio. I am determined to have it done over this long weekend. My mom came to help yesterday and amazing progress is being made. The weather has cooled significantly so it seems productivity has subsequently ramped up. There are a few hours left of the long weekend, and while it won't be done I am happy where things are. The major work is done, walls painted, new flooring in, bulky furniture is in place. Now I can take my time to get things organized and arranged exactly as I'd like. I am sharing in-progress photos which don't reflect today's headway. 

I am a bit embarrassed to share these before pictures. While the space was at a total state of mayhem I couldn't bear to show how bad it was. This photo looks bad but it is the moving out mess which for some reason, since it is a state of flux, I don't mind sharing as much, because I can honestly say it is in transition. The true before shots? Well, I would have no excuse for why it looked so horrible so I didn't even take pictures. Focus on the 70's wood paneling. The v-shaped lines on the wall is where there were dark wood boards placed to create a  tudor Tudor-style  look complete with a  faux plaster treatment. Every attempt at decorating in this house was/is nauseating. Gradually we are erasing the sins of the former owners.

 

I needed something quick and cheap. While I dreamed of a couple colors I ended up opting for one color and I covered everything! This cave-like basement room has become a bright clean-looking space I actually want to be in. I can't wait to get settled, decorated and comfy in my new creative space.

 

The underlayment for the floor. The plush carpet is gone, yay! I opted for anti-fatigue flooring. Cheap, easy, fast and silent to put in. Silent was important as the little Kumquat sleeps right above.

Now I have to rush off again there are projects and organizing a-waiting!