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Back in Black…or green…whateves, I’m BACK!

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 11:39 pm

Well hello! Come here often?

Yes folks, it’s the not-so-infamous Devin, ready to get right back into it. Finally.

As you may have noticed, I haven’t posted here for ages. But now that  my graduate thesis show has come and gone, I’m making a come back! Risen from the dead in a way…the death of one version of me having come from grad school.

All the hard work, all the labor, all the tears and frustrations and small victories led to something I almost can’t recall doing anymore; A THESIS! – MY Thesis…holy shi*t. But thank goodness IT IS DONE!!!

Grad school was such a strange experience. In the three years I was in graduate school, I’ve learned some incredible things about the world, art, my friends and family and most importantly about myself. While in retrospect I can appreciate some of the many ways I was forced to grow, I can also honestly say – I don’t miss a damn freaking thing about grad school other than the people in the program that I liked. And the list of those people is rather small. That being said I met some of the most inspiring, intellectual, kind hearted and good natured folks you could ever hope to meet.

Over the coming weeks/months/years I’m sure I’ll come back and reflect on that period of time in my life when everything was just constantly GO GO GO GO GO and remember the good times and the bad with a knowing smile – I SURVIVED MOTHA TRUCKAHS!!! I SURVIVED!!! And I’m better for it, to be sure. But again, the school part? I don’t miss a single moment of it.

So, after the graduation ceremony and the thesis show I still had one credit to satisfy which I finally just finished two weeks ago. HOT DAMN FOLKS, it feels amazing to be free again. But even though I had that one (big) credit to be working on, I was still able to find ways to enjoy myself – primarily through small food adventures and beach volleyball! That plus work was about all I could take on while working on my independent study but now that it’s all over over for real, I’ve been just DIVING into life again! I watched the entire series of The Dollhouse last week and have taken out most of the first season of True Blood, getting ready to move onto season two…just feeding my glutenous film/tv self and loving every second of it! (Thank you for being the best invention ever Netflix – I heart you).

The other appetite I’ve been feeding is, as I mentioned above, my appetite for fooooooood. Yummy yummy food. I can guarantee in the coming months you will be seeing many posts regarding food.

You will also see posts regarding my current marathon goal (three marathons back to back), posts about upcoming creative endeavors (because now that I’m DONE being bossed all of the time I actually feel creatively inspired again and therefor want to CREATE again) and probably more of the same ole same ole daily grind chit chat.

So for now I’ll keep this on the shorter side (for me anyway) and leave you with some fun pictures of the delicious and sometimes goofy “meals” I have found myself partaking in recently. I’m looking forward to getting back into blogging again as I have truly missed it (and the interactions that were caused by it) tremendously.

Hope this message finds you all happy and well!

Peace, good cheer and joy!
Flower Power Devin ;)

Posted in art, food, food for thought, life, personal, thesis, tv | No Comments »

THESIS SHOW OPENING!

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 4:24 pm
devin-magazine-postcard-front

THE TIME HAS COME MY FRIENDS!!!

THIS FRIDAY, April 23rd, 5PM – 8PM(ish)
1104 S Wabash
2nd Fl – Center for the Book & Paper Arts Gallery
Chicago, IL 60605

(lots of parking lots, street parking available & one block away from the Roosevelt Red/Green/Orange line stop!)

DEVIN MAGAZINE is ready to be LAUNCHED!

The project I’ve been working on (and freaking out over) for the past several months has finally come to fruition and I’d LOVE for you to see the fruits of my labor!!!

Please join me for wine, cheese and much merriment as I celebrate this momentous occasion with 13 other incredibly talented artists as we all debut are work together in one very exciting show!!!

I promise to look as fabulous as possible and cannot WAIT to see you there!

IF YOU CANNOT MAKE THIS DATE – there will be a second “opening reception” FRIDAY, MAY 14th from 5 to 8:30(ish) as well, which I’ll be posting another event for!

CHEERS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SHARING THE HAPPINESS WITH YOU ALL!!!

XOXO,
Devin

Posted in art, life, my friends are talented, personal, style, the written word, thesis, works in progress | No Comments »

“Goodness gracious, what a night.”

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 11:28 pm

Well, I made it through phase two…now onto phases three and four of the thesis monster. It looks like there is one pretty obvious grammatical error in my mag thus far, but nothing so horrendous that I’ll loose too much sleep over. I hope.

Ivan, technological guru and genius friend of mine, saved my white girl ghetto booty yet again with all his technical know-how and a saint like patience by helping put the actual thing together in programs I’ve never used before. InDesign…I WILL learn you and then I’ll smack you around like you’re my bitch! Ya HEAR ME?! Ha. InDesign was smacking ME around like I’m it’s little bitch. DAMN!

Photoshop was also having it’s way with me. DAMN ADOBE AND THEIR AWESOME PROGRAMS! They are so wonderful and powerful if you know the language to unlock their goodness, but if you don’t speak the language, don’t know the symbols or what you want to do is actually called, then it’s a real pain in the ass to work in their programs. I know, I’ve been struggling with them for weeks now.

I do know them better now, but not well enough, not at all. This summer I hope to learn more however. I like the idea of what I’m working on and want to continue it, but definitely need to be able to do this sort of thing without the help of my dearest friend. He needs a BREAK from MY SCHOOLING! lol. Sad…but true.

In fact, ALL of my friends and family need a break from my schooling. It’s amazing I still HAVE friends to be honest. I mean, I have lost some, that’s become increadibly obvious lately, but those that were true to begin with (or at least who cared about me as much as I cared about them) are still in my life and happily waiting for me to be done with the madness that is my MFA and to get back to living again.

Ah…living. Watching tv without guilt. Going out on a Thursday night. Hanging out with my friends. Spending time with that someone special. Spending time with my little babies! So far in this process I’ve definitely lost two solid friends I can think of immediately and I’ve successfully killed four plants I had for over 6 years each. [sarcastically claps to self] Well Done Devin. *sigh*

But I will be emerging from this program and experience with some incredible gifts and knowledge. I’m so much stronger now than I was before all of this happened. I appreciate that.

But right now, more than anything, I appreciate those friends of mine who have really stuck by me through this process. Those people who were there for me, not just in my times of need, but in times of joy and also in times of their need. I have a long list of people I need to thank, but for starters I have to list a few people who have been hearing me bitch, cry, moan, complain, doubt, suffer, rejoice and dream the most. Of course I’m going to mention Ivan. He’s been up with me these past several nights (weeks) putting in full days at work, freelancing on top of that and then helping me into the wee hours of the morning on the actual set up of my project. Amanda is someone I work with and someone I just really enjoy the company of. She reminds me of my older sister for so many reasons which totally rocks. She’s also listened to me stress like few others, and despite that has remained enthusiastic and incredibly helpful in the production of my magazine. She and Ehren have both been doing heavy editing on my work which has saved me from myself countless times. THANK GOD FOR SMART EDITORS!!! Haley is also someone who needs to be mentioned. No matter how much was on her plate, how much she was doing, even if she couldn’t actually help me with something, she always responded to my emails, texts and phone calls. That’s kind of a big deal as I’ve learned these past few months that it’s a huge pet peeve of mine when people do even respond with a “hey, I got your message, sorry I can’t write more…” Just urks the hell out of me. If I ever do that to you, please let me know. Remind me. Say, “Hey bitch, why didn’t you respond within a couple hours of receiving my message?!”

Finally I gotta mention two more peeps…my sister Terra who has been so unbelievably supportive it makes me tear up. Whenever I was flipping out about not being good enough to smart enough or if I would graduate or not, she would jump right in with “YOU ARE THE BEST DEVIAN!” and you know what? I really think she means it. And that has meant sooooo much to me. Because when I can’t believe it myself, it saves me from total doubt when those most important to me believe it for me. And last but not least would be my special someone. Man oh man. The madness he’s been put through with me. I know he hasn’t bolted for the door simply because he’s known me for years and obviously that’s long enough to know that my recent behavoir is not my norm. But seriously….how many times have I just gotten silly about the dumbest possible things? Too many lately. I have someone who supports me in any way he can and does so without complaints. He believes in me even if he doesn’t fully understand what I’m trying to do or trying to say. He’s honest. He’s committed. He makes me laugh and when I need it, he gives me the best hugs.

If you know me, you know I’m not little miss hugs. But from certain people, a hug is just what I need. Thanks baby…you’ve been awesome throughout this process. I know you can’t wait for me to be done with this program and have my life get back to “normal” so you can have your “normal” less stressed out and overly goofy girlfriend back. Soooooon right? In the mean while, I’m gonna continue to beat this bitch and GET ‘ER DONE!

Anyway…the list of those to thank is long…but I had to mention the few who have really helped me out the most (and by the most I mean like woah crazy amounts of help, love and support). Ya’ll rock and I look forward to giving back to everyone just what they have given to me and more.

Post card for the show coming tomorrow: in the meanwhile, *the date* is: April 23rd @5PM at 1104  S Wabash, 2nd floor – keep that in mind.

THESIS MOTHA FUCKING SHOW OPENS!!!! Be there, or be s q u a r e !

YAAAAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

By next Friday, I’ll be a very very VERY happy camper! WOOT!

Ciao!

Posted in art, just 'cause, life, my friends are talented, personal, thesis | 1 Comment »

Whataya Want From Me?

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 5:56 pm

A few things:

  • Thesis is starting to get finished up. Install for the show happens over this weekend into the beginning of next week. I’m almost there…I can see the light at the end of this tunnel…I think.
  • I heard this Adam Lambert song a month or so back, when things are school just REALLY started to come to a head. I felt it was sooooo appropriate for how I was feeling. It became my secret anthem (because yeah, I was sort of ashamed to admit that I liked an Adam Lambert song or that I might possibly be this anxty).
  • TK told me to watch the video after finally hearing the song I had been talking about as my song – just watched it, and yeah, gonna have to just suck it up and admit that Adam Lambert is pretty damn hot. He’s a man, who looks like a woman, and screams when he sings, he he’s a man, but I know he’s gay so he’s an even cooler man because he’s got style…so yeah, Adam Lambert = hot sex in my book right now and if he were a woman or a straight man, I’d totally get with that! lol.
  • This song is soooooo what I sometimes want to say to the “powers that be” in my program. That and I wanna flick ‘em off. And, I’d like to tell a few people to stuff it where the sun don’t shine while I’m at it. Of course, I’ll never get this opportunity in real life so I am reduced to either hold it in or blog about. Clearly, I’m choosing the latter…

Anyway…thesis…yeah…that motha fucka of a project is FINALLY coming to fruition. Tomorrow the mag is OUT OF MY HANDS and I move onto other finer details of the installation space. Big space to fill…down some items I was going to use to fill it, what’s a gal to do? Speaking of install…who wants to help me install this weekend? Saturday? Sunday? Anyone? Someone? Hit me with a message if you’re available cause I could really use the help! THANK YOU!

Details on the thesis show will be posted tomorrow most likely…when I actually make my promo postcard. Ha, so behind on that…oops! Maybe it’s because I WASN’T SURE I WAS GRADUATING THIS FREAKING YEAR…ugh…loooooong story that ya’ll can expect to see the light of day in some creative way in the damn f’ing near future. Oh man…the characters I’ve met these past few years…yes, I will NOT go easy on you jerk faces. Not. One. BIT! I’ll show you the same “curusies” you’ve shown me. :) Ah…sweetness.

I know I sound grumpy, and I kinda am, I’m burned, I’m soured, and I’m plain tired from only getting about 2 hours of sleep each night these past few days. But truthfully, I’m excited about my project and where it’s taking me and where it’s going especially when I’m free of the bondage that has been grad school and the hierarchy that exists in before mentioned institution. THANK GOD FOR FREEDOM! So yeah…it’s all good, especially once I walk across that stage and get my diploma and drink my sorrows away while dancing and laughing and chatting it up with my friends. YEP! GOOD TIMES ARE AROUND THE CORNER…I can almost taste them!

Anyway…for your viewing pleasure; feast your eyes on the oddly feminine looking Lambert and his deliciously anxty song. This is dedicated to all the people in my program who clearly were not listening to what I said I was aiming to do and going to do when I initially pitched my thesis project. To you I ask, whataya want from me followed with a timeless, SUCK IT NERDS!

Thank you. ;)

Posted in art, commentary, food for thought, just 'cause, life, music, personal, thesis, works in progress | No Comments »

And I’m still M.I.A…

Friday, March 12th, 2010 6:37 pm

I’m still madly (more like frantically) working on my thesis project. It’s getting there, but I’m not really close enough to done yet to relax. The work itself will continue well on into the summer even once I’m technically done with school, but by that point the first phase (the thesis installation and initial book) will be done and I’ll be able to work on this at my own pace without others putting their 22 cents in about the work and messing with my head! lol.

Really, I just wanna be creating and doing my own thing, no longer listening to ANYONE and just plain experimenting, experiencing, learning, growing, messing up, making happy accidents and producing my own work without any regard to what anyone else thinks! I don’t want to worry about a show, selling my work or making money off the work, I just want to be able to breathe again, be normal again, stop being such an emotionally goofy girl and give my man a break from dealing with the sensitive silly I’ve become during this process. I’m close. Very close. And once I’ve got the thesis part of it done, and can start to breath, sleep, eat, exercise and LIVE again, I’ll start to get back to where I was a few months ago – totally happy with myself, my life and my situation and in absolute creative peace. I’ll be able to laugh again without feeling guilty for enjoying a free moment when I should be working on something. OH MAN. It will be great.

In the mean while, I’m finally starting to gain some real momentum. Hopefully this will get me through to the end of this phase of the project and I’ll continue to love and grow with it. And at least I can say that I’m starting to collaborate with some really talented and creative people that I look forward to working more with under less pressure and with more time. WOO HOO. SUMMER, you beautiful bitch, you’re so almost here!!!

Anywaaaaay, in those few moments I steal for myself or take to prep for the day at hand I find myself listening to music to help pump me up, psych me into and get ready for the photo shoots I’m doing for my thesis project.

Marathon season (and thus training) is also almost upon us and often times I find the music I use to pump myself up for a photo shoot is the same I might use for a tempo run or a race.

It got me thinking that I should share that music with you all from time to time. So here is the first of the songs I’m obsessively listening to on repeat. I have been listening to it for months and I just don’t get sick of it! It’s got a GREAT beat, great bass, great keys, synth…it’s got it all. Oh yeah, and lyrics? Totally rock.

Sweet Disposition
by Temper Trap
Please, to enjoy…

Posted in art, just 'cause, life, music, thesis, video | No Comments »

thesis student missing in action…

Friday, February 26th, 2010 1:48 am

Dear Lovely Readers,

I am currently in the thick of IT. It being thesis, and it also being a bitch! Thesis is pretty much consuming my life, my mind, my thoughts, my dreams my everything. It has become all consuming as I’m sure many of you out there can totally relate to.

I am busting tail to make this thesis even better than I imagine, but it’s gonna continue to kick my butt pretty solidly until end of April when the show opens. I’ll be sure to post a few tid bits here and there about it to make sure you are up to date and in the loop. I mean to post some back dated fave fives, but not sure when I’ll get around to them.

I do want to let you in on an exciting promotion I’ll be running soon. You can purchase my thesis book, Devin Magazine, for $12 when it goes on presale! That saves you $3 a book! I’m not up and ready for the presale yet, but by mid March, I’ll be letting you know how to get in on that action.

I’m very excited about the work so far, and despite the recent onset of sleepless/restless nights, panic attacks and emotional breakdowns, I still maintain a sense of happiness over what I’m setting out to do and what I’ve accomplished thus far along the way!

More info to come on what my thesis is actually about but for now I must try to capture a moment of sleep before I try to end my work week and dive into a craaaaaazy weekend of thesis thesis thesis!!!

Cheers my dearies,
Devin

PS- I leave you with a doctored photo from tonight’s shoot. Photo shot by Kevin Valentine, edited by yours truly. Hope you enjoy!


Posted in art, beauty, life, personal, thesis | 4 Comments »

Favorite Five; Day 71 – Miss Lossia’s Birthday Edition!

Thursday, January 21st, 2010 11:56 pm

Today’s fave five were:

  1. Today was Amanda’s birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA! To celebrate we got warm beverages from her coffee bar of choice, The Italian Coffee Bar in the old Playboy Building. I have to say, it was the best REAL latte I’ve ever had…it was the closest thing to real COFFEE (I’m saying there was minimal sugar in this thing people) I’ve ever purposefully drank, and I must admit, I kinda enjoyed it more than I suspected. NO, I am not ready to make the leap over to real lattes, but it was a good one that deserved mentioning…
  2. Space heaters. They are the best, and total life savers. All I do is freeze at work all day long. My space heater saves me. Thank you, space heater. :)
  3. Art show cheese and fruit platters! Today was the closing of the little art exhibit at the hospital I had a piece in. They had a little reception for the artists and they had this UNBELIEVABLY AWESOME cheese platter…there was this horseradish mustard seed type cheese that made me think I had died and gone to heaven. Add in the raspberries that were on the same tray and I WAS in heaven. For the show the organizer wanted to take my picture next to my sculpture. I declined. Then I remembered I have to suck it up and do this stuff in the future so I might as well practice now. Amanda was awesome, the photographer asked her if she would get in the picture and “ask me questions about the piece”…I was laughing, but Amanda totally did what she needed to, it was hilarious. I’ll be interested to see how the photos come out. But in any case, I DID get Amanda to pose with my paper sculpture, body of work no. 1 – self love, and I think the picture is pretty cute!
  4. I got more goodies in the mail!!! YAY FOR GOODIES! Today I received my ATC that was themed “Ex Marks the Spot”. It was supposed to be about one of our exes…I thought it seemed like a fun first ATC swap and one that I have plenty of material to draw from so I signed up for it. My partner ended up sending me two cards because the first one she thought looked a little to “stickery”…I get what she was saying, especially when you compare it to her second attempt which I really love more and more with each glance I take. Look at the expression on the sleeping girls face, it’s really engaging. Anyway, thanks B Monster, or is it TheBigB?! ANYway…THANKS LADY!! The ATC’s are really fantastic and I totally love them both!!!
  5. I CLEANED UP MY STUDIO!!! It was starting to get a little too cluttered in there and out of control. I put things AWAY and I cannot stop expressing how awesome it is to have an art studio to call my own. Everything has a home, it all fits in the space so nicely and it’s cozy (though occasionally on the cold side). I love my studio. It makes me very very happy to be in there and be creative and then to be able to leave my “work space” to come home and have a “home” space. So.Nice!
  6. (sorry, there’s a sixth “fave five” today) I FINALLY finished my own Ex Marks the Spot ATC. I only made one, primarily because I spent a lot of time on this one and just don’t have a ton of extra time to spend…I think I probably take 100% longer to make something than most people. I’M SO SLOW MOVING! Ugh, but whatever, I completed it and I’m happy with it. (Click on the thumbnails below to see the photo enlarged.)

Posted in art, birthdays, crafty something, fave five | 3 Comments »

haven’t updated in ages…

Monday, September 21st, 2009 9:03 pm

I know a few of you still read this cause I’ve heard from you asking where the heck my posts are! Thank you for letting me know you read and I really do mean to get them up here soon.

The reason for the delay and lack of posting is simple: thesis year has officially begun. Well, it unofficially officially begun I guess. That’s another story all together. But in the mean while I wanted to post a little something to let you all know (all three of my dedicated readers) that I am, in fact, still alive and kicking and breathing and thinking up fave fives to share and posts to write. It’s been one heck of a month and a half since I shared any real goings on in my life, but with the exception of MAJOR SCHOOL STRESS, I’m feeling good.

The major school stress IS taking it’s toll on me however. I’m not getting sleep, I was fighting off some wicked bronchial thing for the past two and a half weeks (it seems to have finally cleared up thankfully) and I can see the wrinkles popping up on my forehead more and more with each passing day. MAN, stress can really age a person! It REALLY ages me. It’s so obvious it’s the difference between me getting called MISS regularly and me being called MA’AM. True story!

It hasn’t been all work fortunately, there has been some play time, but not enough in my opinion. I feel like summer came and went and I hardly had a chance to spend time with many people. I have been so worried about this upcoming year that I’ve been doing more work over the summer than usual. Not to say that in the beginning of this summer I didn’t play hard, because I did. But I could still use another solid month of playing before all the stress of thesis really takes a hold of me.

I’m thankful for the new friendships that formed over these past few months, for the amazing people I’ve had the good fortune of meeting, for the handsome company I’ve found myself a part of recently and for the always wonderful time spent with my bestie(s). I feel so fortunate when I stop and take stock of all the incredible people in my life. How did I get so lucky? I won’t dwell too long on that question, I will just continue to be grateful for them.

All in all, despite the stress revolving around thesis year and school, I’m happy about other areas in my life. I’m happy to know who my true friends are. I’m happy to have people in my life I can trust and depend on to tell me the truth and be honest with me. I’m happy to have had some snuggle time. I’m happy to have laughed my ass off at silly things like hearing my name burped out! HA, I laugh now just thinking about it…I’ve had some kick ass moments this summer. I’ve witnessed the union of two people that just really connect and respect each other. I’ve completed a 24 mile run I really think I shouldn’t have been able to. I’ve made some art I’m truly happy with. I’ve come up with ideas I’m excited to pursue and work hard on. I’ve shared secrets with someone I genuinely believe would never divulge them and in that is a trust I haven’t felt with someone new in ages. I’ve been around people who “love me for me” (I love you too Lindy) and I cannot tell you how that makes my heart swell. I know she isn’t the only one too…again, I’m such a lucky lucky girl.

And that’s another thing, I AM “a lucky girl”. ;)

I know I come on here from time to time and spill a few of the beans from my inner soul; wear my heart on my sleeve or so they say. I guess I’m sort of doing that now.

Maybe it’s the post migraine affect. Maybe it’s the sentimental feeling I get after watching Finding Nemo. Maybe it’s that I just feel so excited about some areas in my life that despite my need to control everything and keep important things secret I just want to let ‘er rip and share what I’m really thinking.

For now, this post will do. I’m stressed, well beyond the levels of stress I’ve known recently, but still I remain happy, hopeful and optimistic. Every day I feel like I really understand myself better. And that makes me happier. Every day I feel like part of the walls I’ve built up come down a little more, that the world becomes rosier, that people become friendlier.

I hope if you are reading this that you are a part of the exciting times I’m mentioning. But maybe you just randomly stumbled across chameleon and have no idea who I am. If that describes you, I hope that you can relate to this post. That you feel this kind of contentment and happy happy joy joy. That good things are headed your way if they aren’t already here.

Stress? F you. I’ve got bigger things to deal with than to worry about you. Piss off for a while eh? Let this little lady get her work done in peace for a bit and she promises to produce something we can all be excited about!

Cheers blogosphere.  Merry good times to all!
Devin

Posted in art, food for thought, grateful for..., just 'cause, life, my friends are talented, personal | No Comments »

Back dated posts!

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 4:42 pm

Hey peeps…I’ve (finally) posted a few back dated entries…scroll on down and have a little look-see if you are interested!

More to come (probably tomorrow). For now, I must change into vball clothes and head up to meet my team!!! Let’s Go Dune Dawgs! We can DO IT!!

Posted in art, personal, sports | No Comments »

Reminder to myself

Monday, July 6th, 2009 10:59 pm
too funny not to share

too funny not to share

Sorry for the delay in posts…I’ve got fun stories and adventures to share and reflect on with ya’ll but I just haven’t had the moment to comment about them here yet. They are coming for those interested. In the meanwhile I saw this eCard the other day and laughed at how oddly appropriate/inappropriate it seemed to me at the time. Using it as a little reminder to myself. I LOVE SOMEECARDS.COM!!!

Expect some back dated posts coming in the following days!

Hope your lives are cheery and bright!
Thanks for stopping by,
Devin

Posted in art, film, just 'cause, life, music, personal | No Comments »

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