Today...

Here's today in a nutshell:


I decided today's the day.  And that makes me a frustrated and irritated being.  But still.  Today.

The guy who delivered my Potbelly's sandwich a few nights ago also fixed me my venti iced hazelnut coffee at Starbucks today...his beard is super-fly.

I DON'T LIKE PEOPLE I DON'T KNOW CALLING ME ASH!...MY NAME IS ASHLEY.  IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME, THAT IS ALL YOU ARE ALLOWED TO CALL ME...Thanks.

I'm so glad I had another job interview after work today because I am not making nearly enough money to deal with the bullshit that goes on at that effing store now...I did enjoy my crew today though:  Noemi, Zak, Gabi, Andy, and Mike...you guys rock my socks off...seriously.  I really enjoyed hearing about how Noemi gave Gabi and her girlfriend a lapdance last night at the bar because the ladies wouldn't dance.  It was super sweet that Zak accidentally showed up an hour early (when his coworkers that were supposed to be there at that time were both late); he is TOTALLY AWESOME.  FOR REAL.  Andy and I had 3 seperate conversations today that lead to the movie "Dumb and Dumber"...unbelieveably stupid movie (that I quite honestly don't think I've actually seen from beginning to end completely), but still some funny references...and also I just think he's going to be a good person to know...  And Mike...I miss you, Mike.

After work:

The interview went well, I think.  It was with the girl at the company with whom Amanda has not gotten along with so well so far.  But I thought she was nice and I don't think I'd mind working with her.  I went straight to the Armitage store by the brown line stop after I left work.  I saw this couple on the bus that were Bears fans (complete with matching Urlacher jerseys).  I didn't have my headphones in so I heard them talking about getting off at Elston.  They totally didn't do it (cuz they weren't sure or something) but I saw them again on the way home when they got on the bus at Wood and Armitage... It is not unusual for me to see the same people on the same bus multiple times a day or week.  However, it's far more unusual on the weekends, and definitely very unusual for unusual CTA users.  Also, there was a really nice thing going on in the Lincoln Park neighborhood that I'm kind of ashamed to say I was annoyed with.  There were little stations all along Armitage (at least 8 between Racine and Fremont, only 4 blocks) that had puppies and dogs up for adoption.  Even though it's totally awesome that people are trying to find homes for all the homeless animals in our community, the people that were looking at the dogs were SUPER ANNOYING.  Do you seriously need to stop dead in the middle of the sidewalk when there are people trying to get places walking directly behind you.  And I felt like the rude one every time I said "excuse me" trying to get past the masses.  GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

I talked to my fav one JN around then...wish I could talk to him every day without feeling like a total lamo nuisance...

When I got home, I was super irritated, annoyed and wanting to do things I shouldn't so I cleaned the kitchen and did all the dishes so that I wouldn't accidentally strangle my roommates in their sleeps...

No matter how frustrated I can get with my darling Holly, I cannot thank her enough for being my roommate, my friend, and the one I can take care of.  We spent the afternoon cleaning and bitching about stupid things (super sweet!) until her D&D buddies inadvertantly kicked me out...Does this make me too cool or supremely lame???
I'm going to say TOO COOL (cuz I think D&D is lame...).

And now...Rum and...Diet Pepsi...cuz that's my drink of choice.  AND tomorrow is my very first obligation-free day (meaning work, internship, errand, travel) since the 4th of July...meaning I'm going to be doing everything and nothing without leaving my apartment, including sleeping in. (I wonder how late I can go...probably not very late.  I'm going to go with 9 am at the latest as my wake up time)...

Studio

I did a massive studio cleansing.  But first I took some photos:

In the closet:

And post-cleansing:

That crafty neck-tie-rug-in-progress is back again!

Yellow mustard anyone?

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/327164/using_mustard_to_relieve_mild_burns.html

I will not eat it.
But it surely does relieve burn pain...seriously
If you don't believe me, read this article I found.

Who drew this panda?

I was sorting through these old post-its from my first year in Chicago, in college.  I want to put together a sort of weird album of people I've met using post-its they've written either to me or in my living space.  I found a lot of notes from freshman year that I can't remember who wrote or drew them.  One in particular has me puzzled...I'm sure I know who drew the smoking panda but I can't remember just now...

(other people's notes in the pic: 3 top left, me; top right, Chris G.; middle left, Carly R.; middle tag, Coale S.; middle right, Lizz B.; bottom, Cherry Y.)

Vanilla Twilght (part 1 I'm sure)

"As  many times as I blink, I'll think of you tonight"

Yes.

My very first blog...yay, or something

I keep trying to think this blog is more important than it really is...but really, I'm trying a lot of new online things to promote myself as an artist so here goes...

Right now I'm watching Law and Order: Criminal Intent...it's about a gambler with a super-rough upbringing...gripping.  But I keep looking at the plant on top of the tv.  I just recently moved it there (like I recently got tv).   It fascinates me because its tag said it was only going to be 2 feet tall max...and right now it is 3 inches shy of 3 feet.  I've had it for a little over a year.  For awhile it would seep a little water out the tips of its leaves that would rub on my arm whenever I walked past.  It's been on the window sill, but I moved it back on top of the tv and the water droplets are back.  I put another shelf under the tv, but I felt a drop hit my shoulder yesterday morning...I take pride in knowing I've successfully aided another living being in furthuring its life.  I have a lot of fish and I love that they are all thriving, surviving, and loving life (more on that later).  I've had a completely packed day filled with anxious JJ moments, CTA bumbles, priming madness, and finally chill relaxiousness.  Trying to find the balance, I feel like maybe I've balanced out... An extremely wise woman told me recently that balance is the secret to life.  Balance.  1...2...3...

I graduated in May 2009 with a Bachelor in Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  I am currently working to create an online presence for myself and my artwork.  Although my main area of study is painting and drawing with a strong emphasis in structure, pattern and color,  I also utilize traditional craft skills and recycled materials in my studio practice.












A comprehensive portfolio of my artwork is available at my website:
www.iamaseaman.com

I currently run two Etsy shops.
Recycled Beauty by IamASeaman is a series of unconventional art pieces created on various surfaces using old or discarded beauty products, cosmetics, make up, and jewelry.

HatsonLamps by IamASeaman are one-of-a-kind hand knit and crocheted hats, scarves, headwraps and bands for children and adults.

Follow me on Twitter

My Blog is my creative outlet for ideas, musings, dreams, and memories.

Studio

More cluttery fun going on and on.

I recently developed this fantastic way of photographing my artwork and various other objects on a white backdrop.  I tacked a roll of white paper on the wall high above my desk.  I unroll it down over the desk when I want to take photos; I clip the roll up on the wall when I want to use the desk.

Here, the first round of used beauty products, cosmetics, and make up were set up for a still shot.  After photo shoots things usually start to fill in around the edges as the desk is a major catch-all.

The neck-tie-rug-in-progress makes another appearance...

Favorite Movies

A Scanner Darkly
American Beauty
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Candyman
Capote
Chasing Amy
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Clerks
Desperado
Dirty Dancing
Dogma
Donnie Darko
Dumbo
Fear and Loathing in Los Vegas
Fight Club
Finding Nemo
Friday
Ghostbusters
Holiday Inn
It's a Wonderful Life
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Julie and Julia
Kill Bill
Mall Rats
Moulin Rouge
Napoleon Dynomite
North by Northwest
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Pete's Dragon
Princess Mononoke
Rebecca
Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion
Rope
Sleepless in Seattle
Spirited Away
Star Wars
Step Brothers
Super Troopers
Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny
The Big Lebowski
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Departed
The Golden Compass
The Hours
The Lady Vanishes
The Life Aquatic
The Man Who Knew Too Much
The Ninth Gate
The Princess Bride
The Royal Tenenbaums
The Triplets of Belleville
The Truth About Cats and Dogs
The Wizard of Oz
Transformers
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
V for Vendetta
What Dreams May Come
White Christmas
Wicker Park

Favorite TV Shows

America's Next Top Model
American Dad
Arrested Development
BBC: Blue Planet
BBC: Horizon
BBC: Nova
Biggest Loser
Carnivale
Cougartown
CSI
CSI: Miami
CSI: New York
Curb your Enthusiasm
Damages
Dead Like Me
Dexter
Family Guy
Glee
Hell's Kitchen
Heroes
Hoarders
House
Intervention
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
King of the Hill
Law and Order
Law and Order: Criminal Intent
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit
Lie to Me
Lost
Merlin
Metalocalypse
Modern Marvels
NCIS
One Tree Hill
Penn and Teller: Bullshit
Planet Earth 
Seinfeld
Shark Tank
That 70's Show
The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret
The Office
The Simpsons
Top Chef
Vanished
Weeds

Studio

I like to think of this as organized chaos.

A few things of note in this clutter:

All the hats along the back and arm of the couch are available for sale at www.hatsonlamps.etsy.com
and at the Local Market of Mimi's Organic Exchange.  They're all laid out waiting for me to attach the price tags for the August Market.

The stack of matted pieces on the loveseat are the first 10 Recycled Beauty listings at www.iamaseaman.etsy.com.


This elusive neck-tie-rug-in-progress makes its first appearance.

I find the book in the corner of the couch called "1000 Places to See Before You Die" to be an interesting random item in this photo when clearly I'd rather be doing things inside than seeing things outside.