Blog Review: Design "Fraidy Cat Creations"

"The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection." - Michelangelo

Pat Atencios' blog design is simple, yet has a calm vibe to it. The blog's blue background emphasis her art work, making each piece stand out on the screen. The quotes posted to the right side of the blog, have abstract images that match the message embedded in the words. My impression of Fraidy Cat Creations is laid back, with a touch of fantasy.Many of her pieces reflect the world of magic,surrealism, and ancient designs. It seems that Pat believes she has no need to have videos or other media to go along with her work; the pieces speak for themselves.

I think Pat has put a time and effort in this blog; she shows cases her work with pride and confidence. But, we live in a fast paced world; people have the need to see quick videos, instead of reading the whole chunk of information (sad,yet true). Though I love Pat's blog, I believe that by adding videos that shows her creativity in action: Clay molding, sewing, and painting can expand her audience, and welcome new individuals who are interested in different art forms.

Pat has made me take a second look at my own blog. I keep wondering if I have enough images to balance the information I present to my audience. I have the tendency to be descriptive with a overload of imagery in my paragraphs (this is the Fiction Major side of me). Sometimes a image can stand alone, without a large scale of text behind it. In my opinion Pat has horned in on this "balance" not overbearing her audience with too many images or words, but just enough to get her viewers logging back on for more.


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Blog Review: Content "Fraidy Cat Creations"

The blog that I found to be interesting and creative is called: Fraidy Cat Creations by Pat Atencio. Pat expresses herself through her art work, imaginative writing, and inspiring quotes. The Blog is geared towards other artists who are struggling to come up with new pieces. She gives details about her life as an artist, trying to sell her art work. Pat's blog caters to the old yet,popular world of craft: Making things with your own two hands; which can be difficult at first, and exciting when you finally see the end result of all the hard work. Pat makes clay pieces of Dragons, purses from scarps of old clothing (mostly jeans), and paintings of her cat Jake,who inspired her to paint as well as create this blog.

Dragon Pin - Violetta "This is Violetta! She's a shy little violet. Her colors are pale violet, antiqued with burnt umber and given a coat of gloss. She has blue glass beads and purple crystals adorn the ridge of her back. A tiny rose crystal adorns her forehead. She clutches a large blue crystal and doesn't let go even she she sleeps."

Pat gives a tiny story to describe each of her art pieces, she breaths life into them, giving them a name and a life of their own. As a viewer I was drawn to her use of words, to convey a special meaning for the pieces. She gives links to websites where she sells her work, as well as links to other artists. Pat allows her audience to be a part of her art world, by advertising her work, but letting the viewers have a chance to buy which best they want.Everyday she will post a quote that she feels can inspire others in the art culture: "Only the artist or the free scholar, carries his happiness within him," Ludwig Vana Beethoven.

By reviewing Pat Atencio's Blog, has allowed me to question my own. Though I express my writing on my blog and views of different art forms, I could post authors that have inspired me in my writing. This can give my viewers a window in the writing culture, and the process of coming up with ideas. I have realized that your not just writing a personal blog for yourself but for others who are interested in your opinions that are connected to theirs.

Though I think Pat's blog is amazing, I would like to see her post the works of artists that have motivated her, and details about what she has learned from them. Also maybe she could include her process of coming up with new works, and her own background of how she became an artist.

Overall I would like to recommend Pat Atencio's blog to other artists whose goal is to create their work, sell it in stores, and have their own business.


(links:http://www.etsy.com Pat's art shop website and http://www.fraidycatcreations.blogspot.com/)

Be the Bee

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There is a competition so grueling, where kids have to pour their sweat and blood; while stretching their brains until its silly putty just to win, this my friends is called: THE SPELLING BEE!!! OK, so we all have been through this trial in life,your Grammar school teacher made your whole class study a list of spelling words and have a mock spelling bee in class, whoever wins gets to represent the class in the school competition. I myself, was chosen in 7th grade and was called a nerd by my classmates. I'm naturally competitive, I took the challenge and failed miserably with my first word, because it was too much pressure for me. You basically have to stand up on stage while about 300 hundred kids plus adults might wish you to succeed or want you to fall on your face.

If you actually win the school competition you move on to the state championship. Then if after weeks of chowing down words for breakfast, you win state, the true battle begins: Scripps National Spelling Bee. The Scripps Spelling Bee has been televised since 1946, created by the E.W. Scripps, a non-profit company, that only wishes to "Help the students improve their studies, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and develop English usage that will help them in all their lives." The winner of the whole spelling bee gets money $30,000 and a huge trophy with your name on it. Of course for this to occur you have to survive each round.


Spelling bees used to be dreaded by students and only considered cool among the "egg heads" and "book worms." But the Bee's popularity has been soaring since the beginning of the 21st century. Movies like "Akeelah and the Bee," (2006)shows the life of a young black girl named Akeelah who enters the spelling bee to get out of dentition and smooth over her many class absences, but struggles with have an unsupportive mother,and troubled brother. She wins the school spelling bee and finds inspiration from her new mentor English Professor, Joshua Larabee. Also another movie is "Bee Season"(2005), about a young Jewish girl named Eliza who becomes close to her father when she wins the school Spelling competition. Her Father teachers her aspects of the Kabblah Religion to help her reach the National Spelling Bee.


Both films show the negative and positive aspects of the spelling bee world: The bright side is that kids build up their self-esteems and expand their vocabulary and create friendships with other competitors. The dark side is the parents who push their children way to much, because they want them to win so badly. Kids cry on stage or have nervous break downs, since some have been studying and waiting for their time in the sun for five years. When the final round comes, the remaining two are frazzled, but determined to win the last showdown. Here is a video of Final Round 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Final Round and Close of 2009 Spelling Bee.But for some reason I can't post the picture so if you want to see it you have look at my video bar: First Bar, second video.

I think the Spelling Bee is a creative way to motivate kids into reading and looking up words along with their meanings. The Media is allowing people to see into the Bee Culture, and understand that though its a competition you can still have fun.



Check out the Scripps National Spelling Bee website:
(http://www.spellingbee.com)

Education starts from the Uterus

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For nine months a woman carries her baby, who is snuggled against the walls of her uterus. The baby kicks, and the mother might wonder to herself: Is my baby going to be smart? Will he or she reach her full potential in life, or will they mooch off me and in the basement for the rest of their lives? Parents nowadays are obsessed with getting their children the best education that's out there, including buying expressive software that's suppose to help their kids get a head start in life, which encourages them to be able to read at a young age before kindergarten.


My mom started teaching me to read when I was 3, P.D. Eastman's book "Go Dog Go was one of the first books I was able to read all by myself. When I entered Kindergarten I was able to spell my name and do the homework assignments. But, unfortunately some kids in my class when they got to first grade could barely read or write, and had to repeat. This was due to the fact that their parents weren't helping them with their homework at home, and putting all the responsibility of for the kids education solely on the teachers. Of course this was in the nineties, the Dawn of online computer games that helped kids learn math and spelling, when Parents started to become worried about getting their kids prepared for the fast paced working world when they realized our generation would run the country one day.

Parents go at such lengths to stimulate their child's brain power: playing Classical with special headphones on the pregnant mom's large belly, flash cards for toddlers, Phonics's DVD's, and to really make the kids minds explode put them in summer Math and Reading camps. By doing all of these different methods is suppose to secure the possibility that their kids get into good colleges. Its all about the Benjamin's, a degree allows you to get a well paying job, and financial security. No one can survive in America if they are illiterate, especially at jobs that involve excessively amount of reading and being computer savvy. This mentality of "you have to succeed," can cause children to become stressed out and feel under pressure.
I had a friend in Grammar School named Chrissy who's mom made her along with her three sisters to do extra homework, and study so hard, that they barely had enough time to play.One day my friend broke down crying in the middle of class because she got a B+ thinking that she somehow failed her mom.
I saw this Commercial on T.V. "Your Baby Can Read," which is supposed to be a DVD that teaches kids how to read with simple visuals+words=learning. It promises that this method can teach your young baby to read. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR12UAq0rys

I'm not saying that what this commercial advertises doesn't work. But I believe that even though its important to teach a child how to read early, by sitting face to face with your child, and spending time teaching them yourself is effective as well. Generations before us had learned how to read and write without computer software, why can't it be the method of choice for this generation? Also what if the child doesn't add up to a parent's expectation. What if after all the methods and expensive software doesn't work, every child learns differently; comparing your kid to another, especially one in a commercial isn't fair.
So as you pregnant mothers get your ultrasounds, take in to consideration that your child will develop in his or her own pace.

(Image of cute baby from www.readtome.com/images/photoabout.htm and Image of book: www.bainbooks.com)

Graffti: Abstract form of Communication, and Literacy

Graffiti is usually spray painted on sides of buildings, subways, and public bathrooms. Artists are now posting their art on the web, creating their own galleries, including Graffiti artists. Though the tags are interesting to look at, if your not a Graffiti Writer you might not be able to decipher the message in the art. Some people might think that Graffiti is just another form of vandalism, but its actually a unique language that has many styles when using words.

In Graffiti you have to be able to read and write(duh), be current with the slang expressed in your culture, and actually be have the knack for drawing. The image above shows the Graffiti form called "Wild style", which is interlocking letters and arrows. The letters are abstract,yet can create a profound statement when used with bright colors, and vivid images to surround it. One of the most famous taggers was Taki 183, real name Demetrius, a young Greek guy who in New York 1960's and 70's had his signature on many subways, walls, and buildings. He paved the way for more artists to tag their messages as well as create new forms:Chinese graff, Wiggles Bboy, Shadow, Puzzle and Flava.

American/Web Slang:

* props - "respect, recognition" (example. Gotta give that girl props for her website

*off the hinges - "similar to off the hook, something is outstanding, great" (example. "Yo, that concert was off the hinges!")

* warez - The DE facto standard term for a piece of pirated software/music/movies copied from a friend or downloaded from the Internet. (example. This website has a huge abundance of warez on it!)

*dot gone - unsuccessful Internet company (example. ex. pets.com)


Tagging is a way of communicating with your audience by sharing your views through art which is like showing them a piece of yourself. Taggers can use their art and words to protest against the government, express religious beliefs, or any issues involving their neighborhood. Gangs use Graffiti as a way to communicate with rival gangs when fighting over territory. The signature is like the symbol representing the gang, its like saying "Hey stay off my turf." When I was in middle school the boys in my class would pass notes, knowing that the teacher would have a hard time understanding the messages.

There are Graffiti Programs let kids express themselves in a secure environment for tagging (legally) as long as they stay in school. Some kids have problems with reading, and writing, because there is lack of creative methods from teachers when presenting the lessons. The reason why Graffiti is popular with each new generation is that there are no strict rules for spelling or use of certain words.
There seems to be a never ending list of do's and don'ts in grammar: Capitalize this, how to use nouns, adverbs in sentences, "i" before "e" except after "c".... You can shape and chop up words into your own design when tagging. This freedom can be a big relief for artists who don't want to be forced to use prefect grammar or to emphasise the theme in their art piece.

Graffiti is like poetry, words can be repeated as well as images.Like a kid learning how to write his/her name, A tagger has to get the shape of each letter to match the style of Graffiti writing he wants to use. Practicing does make prefect, its a skill that is tough yet exciting to master.
Though, the downside is that Graffiti though a big community, it limits their audience, the individuals who might not understand Tagging lingo or read the words through the variety of styles. The message in the art piece could be lost. This is up to the Graffiti artists to post information on the web to explain the Graffiti Culture, to gain more members of this amazing groups of taggers. This is not just an art but a "visual language."








Sources I used:"History of Graffiti www.hiphopnet.com, www.slabgsite.com,
Image from www.2about.com/dqueens- "Art TourMusesums and Art Gallery of Long
Island City, Queens by John Roleve. Other image: www.drunkenfist.com)

Advertising and Materiality

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Being a Fiction Writing Major I have to find literary magazines that can publish my stories. There are long lists of magazines that cater to different genre's of writing: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Romance Creative non-fiction, and Magical Realism. Online magazines are extremely popular due to the fact that editors don't have to pay a large amount of money to have them printed and distributed. Some magazines are both published and have their own website, which gives the editor an edge, since writers can submit through email or mail their work the old fashion way.
There are risks when writing for Online Media, you have to advertise your work in an effective way, in order to make a profit. As always readers are drawn to a vivid image and catcthy titles or quotes that make them want to view the magazine. You have to take your audience into consideration. If you pick a paticular genre to focus on means that rules have to be set: Does the writer's story fit the theme/genre? What's my cut off date for submissions? How can I reach a boarder audience? Do the readers even understand the Culture behind the genre? What time frame is my magazine sold, bi-monthy or just seasonal? These questions are crucial, in having a successful online magazine.

The Magazine "Realms of Fantasy' is one of my favorite magazines to read. The editors even accept art submissions, since each story picked for that month's issue gets to have a drawing from of scene of their story.It also advertises stores for fantasy junkies as well as books from already famous published authors. The website offers excerpts of stories to intise people into buying a magazine. Though Realms of Fantasy has been a popular magazine for 15 years, its profit is dwendling, due to the economic recession. Peopleare reading, but not buying many issues. The magazine was threatened to be closed until another press decided to buy it, to keep the Realms of Fantsay going.

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"The Fertile Source" is an e-zine magazine for women sharing their experiences of pregnancy, birth, struggles with fertility, and also art that reflects these issues (poetry,stories,drawings).This is such an amazing idea since women usually share fertility concerns amongst each other, but now they have a chance on a wider scale. The Fertile Source is an example of how editors use fresh ideas not usually expressed, to hook readers. So much time, money, sweat and blood goes into these magazines. Editors have to find ways to get young and old audience to read the material. You have to socialize with people of different backgrounds and cultures.

I have decided that when I graduate I want to create my own online magazine. But I'm worried since ideas are being used for many magazines. There's a chance that my magazine could fail, if I don't have a effective business plan. I am looking at different magazine websites, and reading books on online publishing, so I can prepare myself. My goal is to have a magazine that offers something than just reading material, but a chance for my readers to participate through writing and artwork; while sharing my own work.


(Images from http://www.realmsoffantasymag.com and http://www.thefertilesource.com)

Self-Expression and Materiality

Many people at one time in their lives has owned a journal or diary to write down their most intimate thoughts. It is always kept hidden, because we are afraid of judgement from others, and afraid to show our true selves. But nowadays blogs and journals are being shown online for all the world to view and comment on. This is due to the online blog websites offering privacy for their users, the option of whether to stay anonymous under some creative name along with a avatar or actually using your real name and photo. It seems more freeing to tell complete strangers issues and dreams you have for yourself instead of friends or loved ones, who might not understand.


A website that I found to be interesting is called "Experience Project." Not only does the viewer get to have their own blog, but the site offers different ways for self-expression. The user can post stories that reflect a certain theme of the EP community or create their own Group themes. Dream journals and wellness (health)journals are very popular on this website. Other members can give you their opinions, and interpretations, yet are never allowed to out right harshly talk about or discriminate against another member. This would cause them to be reported and if the situation gets worse, they kicked off the site.





"A Grain of Sand"
By joon

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Story Details May 28th, 2009 58 Views 2 recs 2 Comments
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Know That the Universe Is Made Up of Stories Not Atoms
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I once heard someone say: We are just a grain of sand in the universe. If this is so, then our stories create the beaches that the waves roll upon, they connect the dots of stars to form constellations, our voices give Saturn its ring, our hands weave together the milky way, our laughter gives the Sun its fire. If we are just a grain of sand, then our sadness dented the sky, creating a dark hole with our tears. Our fists that we have used or wanted to use in anger pounded the skin of the ozone layer, our feet walked on Mar's deserts searching for new life and stories to tell. If we are just a grain of sand, then my hands would crumble as I write this. I will be the blank canvas, the universe would be empty.

Joon is a member on Experience Project who let me use this piece in my own blog. I thought it was beautiful, and that the avatar she chose to represent herself reflected the tone and message of her poem. I believe that the reason why Experience Project has so many members joining is the fact that they advertise the sense of community among the users, a place where people can feel that they belong, and are not alone.

Another website that I think is awesome is "Live Journal." Users are free to keep a personal online journal, and are able to post their views and give advice to other members. What really drew me to this site was their headline quote, "Express yourself, Share Your Life, Connect With Others Online." The site lets people who are interested in joining to have a sneak peak and view entries of different members, so they can see for themselves if this is the right site for them. People want to connect with others, find common experiences, to help their own present situations.

By exploring these two sites have made me think about how to present my own online blogs. These questions come up for me: What images could help me get my message across? Do I offer information that can others can find useful and reflect on? Every time I post a blog I hope I made some type of positive impact on others, express new ideas, and open a window into my true self.

*Image and Blog:http://www.experienceproject.com
Tips: See journal entries on http://www.livejournal.com

Edit Delete

Art, Message, and Materiality

Saturday, September 12, 2009


Artists have to make a difficult choice when creating a piece of art. Certain questions swirl in their minds: What medium should I use? Who is my audience? What message am I trying to present in my work? The audience plays a major role in how artists express their ideas and opinions. People are drawn to images that they feel connected to, or allows them to face aspects of their lives not usually explored. The artist wants his/her audience to understand, remember the art piece, and let its message seep into their minds.

I was surfing the web when I came upon a picture that really stood out to me. It was a poster of Mahatma Gandhi; at the bottom of the image was one of his own quotes: "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." Gandhi was a man of wisdom and stood for peace. Individuals who are into philosophy and human rights would be willing to buy this poster, as homage to this great man. Even if a person didn't know who Gandhi was, the photographer who took this picture, showed Gandhi at his element: A gentle, serene smile, his glasses and gray mustache present him as a grandfather figure, which people would be at ease with, and willing to place this poster in their home.

In my bedroom there is a black and white drawing of a woman with her eyes closed, looking tranquil, surrounded by stars that cover the sky and her dress. The woman's stomach is a window that reveals a tiny bird; above her head is the phrase: "I have calmed and quieted my soul." This is part of the bible verse Psalm 13:2 which says "I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me." (King James Bible)
The artist who drew the picture goes by K Yugit. He used part of this passage in his piece to convey a message to his audience. I believe he wanted others to discover the inner peace and find contentment within themselves. Though this is only my interpretation, the viewer (audience) has the freedom to find what they think is the meaning behind an art piece.

Not all works of art have to be serious, other artist use humor or "in your face" sentences and images to create their message. In this comic strip the old man is confused by new digital T.V. The artist, Scott Johnson is trying to show that people of older generations need to understand new technology or they will be left out of the loop and feel isolated. The simple image of the old man clicking frantically at the T.V. with his remote, plus the hilarious dialogue allows the audience to be sucked into his world and feel his agony, even if only for a second. If the audience connects with a piece of art on an emotionally level, it allows them to reflect on the ideas presented by the artist.

Whatever medium an artist chooses to give birth to their work; the ability of using images and words together can allow the message to be expressed and linger in the minds of the audience.

(photo poster of Gandhi: http://www.art.com/, and Comic strip found at http://www.extralife.com/).*Sorry I couldn't get the image of Yugit's drawing on the blog.