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Our children’s minds are being poisoned and their expectations to all be movie and rap stars are deluding them into some false sense of achievement if they obtain such stature! It’s not realistic! Some will make it, those who work diligently at their craft, but it is not immediate success, it is a lot of hard work just like any other profession. The ones who make it have day jobs to pay for their survival and continued training their art demands.

It is ashamed that children can’t just be happy being children. It is humanity’s fault that children no longer see being a doctor, minister, nurse, teacher, so on, as being a meaningful career.

I know not everyone falls into this category, but in the school setting I have seen children say, “I don’t have to read or do my work to play basketball”. And this is just one example. It makes me sad.

Now, I put away my “soap box”.

Tiger Lillies

When reflecting on the previous years of challenging assignments and continual critique, my mind brings me back to all of the love and support of my family. I recall the encouraging words of family and friends, all of whom will be there to see my goal fulfilled, except for my father. The unfortunate passing of my father last August, however, gave me new purpose in my work, and a new perspective on life. My drive to achieve seemed to become greater. My thought is of what kind of legacy I will leave behind for my children. I hope that I will inspire them as my father inspired me!

It seems surreal that I will never cut his hair again, or come running up to show him my latest work. I will be entering this new phase of my life without my father. The greatest things he ever gave me was his approval and his love. It will always be cherished.

This post is in memory of him.

There is much to be expounded upon when thinking about the word “trim”. In itself, it carries so many connotations, from being slender in build, particularly women, to the “decoration” of a Christmas tree, to the cutting off of excess or unnecessary remnants .

When I started research for my project based on the word, trim. I got really excited, when I started thinking about, and looking at the tools used to trim documents. As I peruse the internet, making sounds like, “Tim, the Tool Man Taylor”, I thought about my first X-ACTO knife. It brought a tear to my eye, and a smile to my face! I love tools! Well, then, of course, I thought of my first set, in its little wooden box and the brass clasp that kept the box together. Are you with me?

Tools are great, and so very important to the job, whatever the job. They can be very job specific, and the blades are even more task oriented. You need to think about the medium, which you are cutting, it’s depth, length, and density, then choose your tool, and blade. As I learned during color theory class, doing the blessed intarsia, if you are cutting through many layers of paper, and/or require the end result to be pristine, with clean edges, keep a sharp blade in your knife, even if you have to change it many times, or after every cut. The craft is quite dependent on the implement with which, you choose to cut, or trim. A utility knife may be required for heavier jobs, or a table trimmer, for longer, straight lines. Yet, more sophisticated cutting tools exist, like punches, for complete cut outs. Another great tool, is a cutting mat. They protect any surface, by separating the object you are cutting, from the support surface.

This is the part where I encourage everyone to research (learn) the tools of your trade, or hobby! I also would like to add the importance of training, via, books, and the wonderful benefits, of taking classes, in which you will generally get hands on training, in using tools, critique and encouragement from peers, and a knowledgeable trade professional.  Depending on your level of interest, you may sign up for a class, at your local college, a local arts group or association, such as AVA, or classes that are offered at your local Home Depot, or other materials warehouse. I strongly suggest that you help support your town’s local economy by patronizing locally owned businesses. It maintains the local economy, (hello, JOBS!), and makes cities sustainable.

The Flat Irons photographed by Melinda Owens

Delta Ho! To the wild, REALLY WILD west!

There was turbulence, flying SUVs (another story), long horned goats, Quilters, and escargot, as well as, a space ship house, The Flat Irons, and Psychedelic dance concert posters from 1965 to 1971, mostly published by, and designed for The Family Dog, out of San Francisco, California.

The exhibit I am speaking of, is currently on show at the Denver Museum of Art.  These posters were designed by both classically trained and self taught artists of the generation. Packed with almost hidden signs and statements of protest and some reflecting very flagrantly, the attitudes of the times, including “The Family Dog” logo. An American Indian, dressed in a suit and smoking a joint. This theme is repeated in many other posters, sometimes the artists placed joints in the hands of other iconic figures. Each artists had his or her own perspective and representation, but the common thread which binds this collection is the “psychedelic” typography, of curling, swirling information regarding the when and where of the upcoming dance concerts, and the playbill. The use of complementary colors and Secondary and tertiary colors, colors adjacent to each other(on the color wheel), became increasingly popular towards the late 60’s. Victor Moscoso’s connection with Josef Albers, and his knowledge of color theory led him to producing art that took flight under the undulating lights and black lights at concerts and other social gathering places. The greatest thing about this art work is the quality, hand art work behind the production of these posters and the individuality of the people involved in making them. Talent commonly listed in the posters are the Greatful Dead, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Jerry Garcia, The YardBirds, The Velvet Underground, Jefferson Starship, John Mayall, Moby Grape, and others.

This exhibit is a must see for everyone from graphic design and other art students, to lover’s of the music of the era, to those who want to understand more about the social scene of the 60’s and 70’s.

Guided tours come with the price of admission, and I highly recommend a tour for the insight that you get, from learning the history that comes along with each poster. The tour is around 45 minutes and packed with information. It was a DAM cool experience!

Peace,

Melinda