Full Circle

July 29th, 2011 marks the one year anniversary of this wonderful site Currents and Color. It all started in some dive bar as we celebrated David's upcoming tour with The Blue Man Group. David is the Musical Director for DRIP as well as The Blue Man Group. Blue Man offered him an opportunity to tour around the U.S. with the show and he jumped on it. All of his friends decided to show their support by having a party for him at one of the local bars around town. Everyone had a great time that night and at one point I ended up siting at the bar next to Thomas Thorspecken. I had known Thomas for a while. He is a fantastic local artist who goes around town capturing the city of Orlando in his sketch books. He had actually come out to sketch DRIP events and rehearsals in the past.

As we sat there chatting I began to tell him about some of the art that I make. He seemed surprised. He knew I worked at Starbucks and DRIP but he said that he had never seen any of my personal artwork. I laughed and rolled my eyes. I explained the irony of being a Graphic Design major from the University of Central Florida who was never taught web design. Thomas's eyes lit up.

"Do you like to write?"
"Well, yeah. I mean I've had a live journal for a while but I'm not really sure how to combine that with my art."
"You should make a blog website like the one I have! I'll even help you set it up!"

And just like that opportunity strikes like lightning. I wasn't sure where this was going exactly, I just knew this was something I needed to do. Thomas and I made plans to meet up later that week at Infusion Tea just down the street from the Starbucks that I work at. I spent the time in between racking my brain thinking about what I wanted to do and what I should call my website. I was driving around town talking out loud to myself for a few days trying to come up with a fitting title. Suddenly the lightning struck again, only this time it rolled off my tongue: Currents and Color.

I liked the way those words seemed to fit snugly together. Currents because I want the ideas to flow out of me. I want the process to be natural and flexible as well as relevant to my life and artist development. Color because I am an artist and this world is full of beauty.

The day came and I met Thomas at Infusion. The parking lot was bustling because of the Farmer's Market that they host on Thursdays. Thomas had already been there for a while sketching in his book. We found a table inside and I set up my computer.

Thomas explained how the site worked and how to set up the preferences. Everything got set up pretty quickly and I was thrilled with how user friendly the site was. Then Thomas proudly exclaimed "Ok, now you are ready for your first post!"

For all the thought that went into the title I didn't have a clue where I wanted to start with my artwork. I opened up iPhoto and began scanning for a picture. I found the one I had drawn of my friend Kenn at Steak n' Shake. It was a silly little sketch I made while we waited for our food but I thought it was a good place to start. Thomas showed me the best way to edit photos to make them ready for the web and before I knew it I had made my first post.

I felt like Prometheus had made a special trip down from Olympus to hand me a matchbook from his personal stash.

Over the next few weeks I sat in front of my computer posting artwork until I felt I had enough ready to share with the world. I made my website public and the journey has been astounding.

In its simplest form Currents and Color is my artistic diary. Most people I know would categorize me as a talker and they would be right. However, there is another sub-surface aspect of my personality that doesn't normally come out in conversation. The observational and analytical sides of my personality are typically kept to myself. However, through my website I am able to organize my thoughts and my artwork in a way that is accessible intellectually and emotionally.

In addition, actively sharing my work has helped me to feel more well-rounded and in touch with my place in the world. For a long time most people only knew me as "that girl who works at Starbucks" or "that girl who helps out with DRIP". And for as many times as I would explain all the things I was doing I felt like most people saw me as another college graduate who didn't have a job in their desired field. The truth of the matter is, I work at Starbucks to support myself, I work at DRIP because I am in love with the company and what I do there, and I am an artist in my own right so I have a website to share that with the world.

Before if someone said that I was "that girl from Starbucks" I would have just shrugged and said yes. Now I proudly say "My name is Melissa and I am an artist. I do a lot of things".

As I began posting my work I was surprised at how much variety started to surface: collage, two different types of printmaking, digital art, illustration, painting, and poetry. I have a few ongoing projects such as Feet and Photoshop World. And perhaps the biggest surprise of all: writing.

I never really considered myself a writer but after my best friend Amber encouraged me to start a journal, I haven't been able to stop. Even more surprising to me is that above that anything else on my website I seem to get the most compliments on my writing; which is something I wouldn't have explored had I done a traditional graphic designer website.

At one point I was at Thomas's house celebrating the two year anniversary of his website Analog Artist Digital World. On the walls were some stills from the Disney animated movie Pocahontas. I found out that before he began sketching around town that Thomas had been an animator for Disney. I couldn't believe it. As a kid I had wanted to be an animator. Those 2-D hand drawn movies have such a special place in my heart. As I got older and the market for hand drawn dwindled in favor of 3-D I decided to go into Graphic Design. After all theses years not only am I still creating but I have a former animator and brilliant artist helping me with my website. Full Circle.

Thomas and I at the Holi Festival in March 2011

Thomas I can't thank you enough for all your help! This website is such a huge part of my life and it is making me a better artist as I continue to grow! 

To view Thomas's website please visit http://www.analogartistdigitalworld.com/

Rest and Rockets

I'm lucky to live in an apartment complex that has a charming little pond surrounded by lush greenery. Sometimes I go for a walk when I want to be inspired or need to clear my head. On one particular day I was out enjoying the fresh air. I decided to sit for a moment and just be still.

Across the pond the sun was settling behind the roofs of the apartments. The cloudless sky was an unbroken palette of soft pastels marked by the bold blacks of the silhouetted trees. The small patches of algae sit as still on the surface of the water as I sit on the grass. Only the insects that belong to the dust circulate lazy paths through the atmosphere. 

I take a deep breath and let myself plunge backwards into the grass. I feel every crunchy blade across my back as I keep my eyes set on the blended expanse of colors above me. 

I catch a rocket crossing the sky. A miniscule dash of texture on an otherwise pristine canvas. I lay in the grass and watch it fall gracefully back to earth. A lonely constellation. A shooting star for a sky still in light. 

My eyes follow its effortless descent and I make a wish. 

Photoshop World Orlando 2010

In 2009 I was lucky enough to win a ticket to the Photoshop Conference in Boston through the Student Graphic Design Association at the University of Central Florida. I had nothing less than a fantastic time. I stayed involved with the Student Graphic Design Association for another year and I was able to go the the next Photoshop Conference which was held in conveniently in Orlando.

The conference was held in the Orange County Convention Center; a massive building full of geometric lines and arching windows.

Another view of the beautiful architecture from the outside.

This is a shot of the students from the Graphic Design Association with Robert Vanelli. He was one of the staff members at the Photoshop Conference who I was lucky enough to meet last year at the restaurant in Boston. I was thrilled that he remembered me from a year ago and happily posed for a group shot. 

I was also able to find Rod Harlan again! I've followed Rod on twitter since that fateful night at the restaurant in Boston. A one point I made a comment on my twitter account about a piece of art work I had finished. Out of the blue Rod contacted me and asked if he could see it. I nervously sent him a file of my artwork. 

Rod is the President of DriveDV, Inc. - a full service multimedia marketing firm, and SITEdriver - a web development company. He is also the Founder and Director of Education for the Digital Video Professionals Association (DVPA). And that's just the short list of things he does. At the time I was still a bit shy about showing people my artwork, especially someone of such high standing in the arts community. I sent him a file of one of my digital portraits. (To see more of this artwork please visit my previous post Digital Portaits) Rod wrote back shortly and told me that he thought it was great. I couldn't believe that someone in such a professional position took such an interest in what I was doing. 

When I found Rod again at this Photoshop Conference he greeted me with a smile and introduced me to one of his friends as "that girl who makes amazing illustrations". I was simply beaming. 

This is a photo of me with Scott Kelby. Scott is the Editor and Publisher of Photoshop User Magazine, Editor-in Chief of Layers Magazine, training director and instructor for the Adobe Photoshop Seminar Tour, President National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP), CEO of Kelby Media Group, and author of a string of bestselling technology books. 

After the first conference I attended in Boston I was browsing through books in the Apple store. I picked up a book called "The iPhone Book: How To Do the Most Important, Useful & Fun Stuff With Your iPhone." It was colorfully written and sprinkled with humor. I turned the book over and was blown away when I saw Scott Kelby's name. Unable to contain my excitement I turned to my friend and shouted "I know him! That's Scott! I met him at the Photoshop World Conference!" 

At Photoshop World they have an expo hall that sells books by all of the professionals who speak at the conference. Many of the books are written by Scott and all of them pertain to art and technology. Except one. While pouring over the book selection I stumbled upon a book titled "The Book for Guys Who Don't Want Kids: How to Get Past the Fear of Fatherhood." At first I assumed the book had been misplaced but upon closer inspection I saw that it was written by none other than Scott Kelby. Curious, I picked up the book and began to skim through the pages. 

It was written by Scott in response to one of his friends finding that his girlfriend was pregnant and wanted to keep the baby. Scott's conversations with this man turned into the advice and tips that were the basis for the book. I remember one story that stood out to me in particular. Scott talked about a promise that he and his wife made to both get up in the middle of the night and take care of their child together as a team. No fighting about your turn vs. my turn. They would both get up and sit as a team. 

He went on to describe how difficult it was at times and how exhausting it is to raise a child. But he also spoke fondly of the deeper connections he built with his wife and the powerful bonds he created with his children. In a sea of tech books I was completely taken with the one book that seemed so out of place. I found it so compelling that a man with so much prestige relating to technology would take the time to write a book helping other men to become better fathers. All of his books about how to use the technology are brilliant, but this book really gives you an idea about what this man is made of. I have nothing but the outmost respect for Scott.

As I was leaving the convention center I ran into Vanelli one last time. He posed for a picture with his son Alec. The enthusiasm and positive energy at the Photoshop World conference is delightfully overwhelming. It brings so much joy to my heart to be surrounded by so many industry professionals who take as much pride in connecting with others as they do in their jobs. 

DRIP rehearsal

In order to prepare for the upcoming DRIP show we hold rehearsals at the Harwood-Watson Dance Studio in Baldwin Park. These were some moments I was able to capture.

Kim and Devondra practicing lifts.

The girls running across the floor as Mariko and Elise, the choreographer, look on.

I captured this shot with the flash, which showed up in the mirror and hovers over Elise's shoulder. 

Tyson

A while back I was hanging out with my friend Tyson and I happened to snap a photograph of him when he wasn't looking. Months later that photo would become the starting point for my most complex wood block print to date.

The reason that I loved this photo so much was because it captured Tyson in a rare state. Normally, Tyson is a just a pure force of chaotic energy. The air around him feels the way static sounds on a T.V. or radio. His mind and his body nervously jump from one stimulus to the next. But on his patio he is completely different. He sits still, his eyes focus into the distance, and if you listen carefully you can hear him exhale as he thinks about something he's not ready to talk about. He adjusts his weight, comfortable in this moment of quiet calm. 

Months later I came across the photo and decided to make it into a wood block print. 

Even though this piece is small it is very complex. Each color was carved on a separate board of wood, all the paint colors had to be mixed by hand, and each board had to be run through the press individually.  Each piece of paper had to be run through the press six times with the wood blocks in a particular order so the colors would layer properly forming the desired image. 

Although I love the photograph of Tyson I think the print represents him better. All the elements hold together loosely to create an image that is relaxed but holds enormous kinetic potential. 

Believe It or Not

The past few weeks have been stimulating to say the least. Toward the end of May I found myself at the Orlando Fringe Festival watching the Poetry Slam due to a canceled show. That proved to be a fateful day to say the least.

Seeing poet and friend Tod Caviness work his Poetry Vending Machine had inspired me to write poems and perform in front of an audience at the open mic night at Will's Pub. At the time I had been on the stage only once but was itching for more. Being exposed to the professional artists at the Fringe Poetry Slam made me to hungry for what spoken word could truly be. One artist stood out in particular.

Curtis X Meyer got onstage and belted out a poem he had written about literacy titled "In Crypt". I hung on every fiery word that seemed to spark out of his mouth. It was well written and passionately performed. It was a far cry from my nervous recital at Will's Pub. I was completely in awe of Curtis's command over the audience and the art form. I wanted to be that good.

I was unable to meet Curtis that night but I had the good fortune of running into him the next day as I was leaving a show. I told him about how I wanted to improve my skills as a spoken word artist. He said that he was glad to offer his help and we exchanged information. He helped edit my first real spoken word poem through emails but when it came time to give tips on actual performance we agreed to meet in person. Our paths crossed again at Stardust Coffee.

He coincidentally showed up with an astrology book he was reading. I was immediately curious and began asking him questions. It's not everyday I get to meet someone who shares in the same quirky interests as myself. He was just as eager to talk to me and the conversation topics bounced off the walls like a room filled with swarming bees. That electricity you get when two tornados collide.

For our first date he took me to the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum. Why settle for dinner and a movie? There is far too much to explore.

A beautifully adorned cannibal skull photographed with an ironic halo of light.

This is a photograph of an intricately carved ostrich egg and a piece of alligator hide with an antique pitchfork still attached. 

I couldn't resist this shot: Curtis on the Throne of Passion.

Two skeletons on display. One representing the way they are found compressed in rock, the other a full scale replication. 

My fingers in relation to the worlds smallest printed book. (It's in that tiny black circle) 

Perhaps my favorite photograph taken that day. Curtis was waiting for me while I was taking a picture of the terra cotta figures on display. At the last minute I noticed his symmetrical reflection and I shifted my shot. He didn't think he was in the photo, but his presence is what makes the photo so striking. 

Interestingly enough, Curtis's father actually works for Ripley's and we met up with him at the corporate office/warehouse for a brief behind-the-scenes tour. It was a toss up between being a kid at Chuck-E-Cheese and feeling like that guy wheeling the crate into the cavernous warehouse at the end of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Gorgeously embellished Tibetan ram skulls.

A solitary mummy hand resting elegantly on a bed of bubble wrap. 

The head of a different female mummy. If you look to the lower half of her skull you can see parts of her hair still coifed in delicate spirals. 

After the hours of taking in all the colorful curiosities Curtis relaxes near the window at PomPom's Teahouse and Sandwicheria. An interesting day to say the least. 

4th of July Festivities

My adventures in Orlando led me to Austin's Coffee for their I-4 Fest.

Local musician Sarah Purser performing with her guitarist.

I took this photograph of a man watching an outdoor performance at Austin's Coffee. He had an old-fashioned jug in his lap labeled XXX. 

Some colorful hipster girls leaning against a marigold wall.

I stepped inside Austin's to bask in the AC when I noticed these two playing a game. I took a few candid shots before the girl happened to look over at me. That smile tells me that she is winning. This ended up being the best shot of the bunch. 

My roommate and I had bought food to eat in the park downtown but it ended up pouring rain. We decided to have a picnic in the car instead. I took this photograph of the trees beyond the dappled windshield.  

We were eventually able to walk downtown to get a spot for the fireworks. On our way through the old-fashioned neighborhoods of Thornton Park I happened to spot a lizard waiting patiently on the inside of an antique lamp. 

People started to gather in the park as the sun sank into a cloudy sky. You could begin to see lights illuminate throughout one of the cities high-rise apartment buildings.

I happened to catch this firework as it fizzled behind two flags in the park.