My 25

There is an epidemic spreading throughout Facebook. Everyone is making lists. They are called, "25 things you didn't know about me." Since I read one and liked what I learned about the person (a high school friend I haven't seen in over 4 years), I decided to make a list, too. You can read that list here. It's quite general for the most part, but some of the items can be interesting (I hope?) if you don't know anything about me. I thought I would make another "My 25"-- geared more towards my work and myself as an artist.

1. I couldn't be less interested in traditional, oil painted landscapes and still lifes. Once in a while I'll find one that is painted so interestingly, I give it a free pass. But it isn't likely. I'm more drawn to abstract work and portraiture because I think they are universally relatable, and relatable on a higher level. To the right is an example of a still life I do enjoy and sometimes refer to. Artwork is by the artist ~krecha on DeviantArt (Name not provided). "Black and White Still Life." 2005.
2. My favorite way to prime my canvases is by using a mixture of half gel medium and half molding paste, applied with a metal scraper/squeegee. I got this recipe from a great teacher I had last year, Laurel Sparks. (LOVE her work). She attributed the mixture to a different professor whose name I don't remember.
3. Most of my pieces right now are studies for larger work. I do consider them complete and I don't discriminate against them  because of their size! However, the truth remains that they only represent a small percentage of what I see in my head for the walls of a gallery. I'm sure the fact that they are small has something to do with my status as a student and the convenience of buying canvases in bulk. But it's starting to feel like a lazy cop-out, especially since I (literally) dream about the larger work very often. I'm working on my first piece in the Ice series that will be a bit bigger, 3' x 4'. It's not huge, but translating the studies into larger work is intimidating and I can never be sure how successful it will be. I can't be more excited to work on it though!
4. Before I fall asleep at night, I go over technical plans in my head. I have to keep a small notebook by the bed to write notes because I would get upset if I forgot anything. The notebook has measurements, ideas for new work, ideas for expanding current work, and lists of materials I will use and/or need to pick up. I can't stress enough, though, that this thought process is technical. I literally assemble the work in my head.
5. I have a strong preference for warm palettes as opposed to cool palettes. I can't justify this in any way. I would much rather entertain reds, pinks, and warm white than green or blue any day.
6. Most of the time, I lack the patience to properly prime my canvases. I like to paint on a very thick, chalked-up, sanded surface. But I can barely get past the second coat of gesso/sanding.
7. I recently discovered (well, I knew about it but never bought it) black gesso. The ice studies look amazing on black. I am very excited.
8. What I prefer in others' artwork rarely relates to my own. I love what I make as well, but somehow it's never as lush as I want. Lack of patience can account for a lot of this.
9. Painting in a studio filled with other artists intimidates me. I work much better alone, as many artists do. I don't like to hear others' conversations when I'm working. I also don't like to hear anyone else's music. I don't think this makes me particular, I just have to be in a certain temperament to work successfully. Naturally, this doesn't involve distractions. I feel like a total bitch when I admit this to my peers. But I think they understand. I just wish each of our cubicles had one more wall and a door. Some would argue that the open space is conducive to our learning. For some people, it is. But it actually inhibits me.
10. Sometimes I fear that I procrastinate to avoid failure. I doubt this is uncommon amongst artists.
11. I leave some work unfinished, but not as much as other artists I know. I'm too methodical to stop in the middle of something. I do, however, take hiatuses...
12. I strongly believe in the depth of your canvas. I needs to be an object as well as a picture. Anything over 10" in one direction deserves more than an inch of depth. My boyfriend slightly resents this when he builds my stretchers. :)
13. My "stretcher of choice" is 1x3 poplar. Poplar is very straight, has little to no knots, is not likely to warp, is light weight, and strong enough to hold the weight of my work (although my work isn't often very heavy). Poplar is also, of course, affordable. (As far as I know, last year the poplar was .80/foot, and now it's .96/foot... let's hope it stays there!)
14. I have a lot to learn. I enjoy talking about my work confidently, but that doesn't mean I know exactly what I'm doing. And I'm not afraid to admit that!
15. At least once a month, I do an extensive search on artdeadlineslist.com, artshow.com, and artcalendar.com for juried shows to enter. I rarely find any that fit my criteria, because most of the time I need something with no entry fee. Artshow.com is my favorite of these sites, but I wish it had more filtering options (like sorting from oldest-newest, filtering out the ones with entry fees, etc.) I don't let the entry fee get me down. If I find something that my work would be perfect for, I'll find the money. Unfortunately, most if not all (that I know of) of my peers do not do these searches. I secretly wonder if they are as serious about their work as I am (trying to be).
16. My body of work is not strong enough yet, but I can't wait to make packets to mail to galleries. I can be crafty, and although I won't make crafty packets, the assembly excites me. I have a strong meticulous, organizational side.
17. Yesterday I nearly got high from gallery-hopping in my free time. I've made a commitment to myself to do this more often.
18. I have trouble getting dressed for the studio. My passion for art translates strongly in the fashion field. I like expensive, quality clothing. I don't splurge often but I shop the deals for great pieces to wear. This makes it difficult for me to get dressed for school. 80% of my closet is not appropriate for charcoal-covered floors and the presence of paint of any kind.
19. I value the critiques of my fellow students but barely get much input. Sometimes I think maybe they think my work is stupid. This is a childish thought but one that can't be ignored.
20. I always tell myself that throughout my financial woes, I will not skimp on groceries or art supplies. But I am much more frugal with my art supplies than I realize. Something that works to my advantage is that I use craft paint for certain purposes in my work (flat or opaque color, very dry surface, matte surface, quick drying time, range of colors, convenience of the range of colors, etc.) For serious projects, however, I like Golden Heavy body acrylic paint. I barely buy it for expense reasons.
21. I will never change my opinion that art students have it tougher. We have to buy textbooks for our core classes (Math, Science, Literature & Writing, Social Sciences, etc. Yes non-art students, we take those classes too!) and we also have to buy art supplies for each project assigned as well as each project we initiate. Being an art student is underestimated. Our college application process is much more tedious as well. This is why it irritates me when people regard art students as having it easy, financially or otherwise!
22. When I first started experimenting with art regularly, I was very interested in collage. Although I still use what I learned from that experimentation from time to time, I started realizing that too often I would see and say, "this piece looks just like mine!," or, "wow, I made a collage with that exact text!" I don't mean to put the art of collage down; it holds a special place in my heart. But I yearned for something much more original.
23. I am a printmaker as well as a painter. I am in love with making monotypes. I am very scared for graduating MassArt and not being able to use the printmaking shop. Before printmaking, I didn't like working on paper very much. But now, more than half of my work is on paper. I don't prefer it, but I like its convenience and see new qualities in it that I never noted before. On the left: Kaylie Abela, "Brandon Drinking Coffee 2," 2008. Etching with soft ground accent and monotype overlay.
24. My new "thing" is scraping paint with the back of my brush and revealing the colors underneath.
25. I have an innate passion for art. My artist's statement mentions my love for coloring books as a child. I will never stop doing this, no matter what job I work or where my family life takes me. I tell people all the time, "Making art is part of who I am. It's something I have always done and will always do." That statement is usually the response to inquiries similar to, "But what on Earth will you do after graduation?" This is not my job. This is my life.