Portfolio Day

Let us not forget that Portfolio Day is just around the corner!

If you, your friends, and/or anyone else you know is interesting in becoming a part of Kappa Pi here at VCU, be sure you attend!

What you need: 10-15 pieces; a writing utensil; a print out of your unofficial transcript (this can be obtained through your eServices account). Also, bring your sketchbook! We love seeing your ideas, but please be aware that your sketchbook does not count as a finished piece.

Where you should be: The basement of Franklin Terrace (there will be signs posted)

When you should be there: Friday, February 11th, 2011. Come in between 11am and 4pm. You will be given a pickup time when you drop off your portfolio.

You must submit a portfolio to be considered for pledging.

Hope to see you and your awesome artwork there!!

New President

Congratulations to our new President, Connie!

Compliments of Drink and Draw numero uno.

Hey all, I just found out about this in my Sequential Imaging class about a Communication Arts Annual competition call for entries. Apparently the deadline has been extended from the 8th to the 22nd, which is tomorrow. So if you have something you can send, it might be worth a shot. It's $35 per illustration and $70 for a series up to 5 pieces. I hope that that's with the late fee included, if not it's an extra $10. Oh well, just thought I'd share, hope y'all's weeks are goin' alright.

Pj

From Aaron Woodard

Hey everyone, I just wanted to post some links that I love. Try to check them out if you have some time.

sketchtheatre.com

thegnomonworkshop.com

www.behance.net/

www.boston.com/bigpicture/

I'll be posting work throughout the semester on my blog and would love to hear your feedback.

http://woodardillustration.blogspot.com/

Greetings to you, Kappa Pi VCU, on this sassy Saturday! Love, Mary Carter.

Ahoy there, me mateys! My winter break was not the most exciting, but definitely allowed for some much needed R&R. The stress of last semester will be nothing compared to this coming semester, so I've been finding ways to prepare myself artistically, mentally, and physically for the onslaught of work, sleep deprivation, and high academic expectations. I'm sure many of you are dealing with something similar. I went skiing this past week, which may seem totally unrelated to...anything, but coming back with a sore and physically exhausted body was one of the greatest feelings I've experienced in a long time. Exercise! It's incredible how good it makes your body feel to release some toxins, work the muscles, and get the blood pumpin'. Not always for the sake of losing weight, but as a successful stress-buster. Speaking of exercise, has anyone back in Richmond checked out the Cary St. Gym lately? I am beyond ecstatic that it is up and running again, with ten times the bells and whistles that it had before.

Perhaps I should return to a more art-related topic. As some of you may know, I have finally decided (after putzing around plenty this past semester trying to make a decision) to chart my course towards a BA in Scientific & Preparatory Medical Illustration within the Communication Arts department. I am excited....and at the same time, rather nervous. I have more science classes next semester than art classes! This means that unfortunately I will only be in Franklin Terrace on Tuesdays and Thursdays, between 3:30-8:20. I'm used to spending almost every day of my academic life in that building. Though, I find myself highly anticipating the idea of new and challenging classes outside of strictly art courses. I'm hoping to not only feed the other half of my brain, but also find a new form of artistic inspiration through information and biological/chemical design.

I didn't find myself sketching as much as I would have liked to this winter break, but I did finish up a small commission for an elderly couple, and a few colored doodles here and there. I've been a bit lackadaisical when it comes to scanning/uploading them, but to show a small something:

Not particularly interesting, but I've been trying to experiment with different styles. (For instance, no inking/black lineart...just loose coloring). In that sense, I look forward to a new sketchbook. My last sketchbook was a bit repetitive with strict line work, at least in my opinion.

Anyways, I'm sorry this entry couldn't be excellent, I'll have more to discuss/talk about when spring semester swings into gear. I look forward to it, and seeing you all very soon!

-Mary Carter

What's New in New York?

Hey Guys!
I've missed you all so much and have been thinking of everyone. I hope everyone is having a good break and happy holidays!

So, my family and I just went up to New York and checked out what was happening with the art scene. We went up to the Guggenheim and MoMA; I just wanted to share a little with you guy about what is going on at these museums!

Guggenheim: The building itself is beautifully constructed in a manner that the floors spiral up so that the viewers of the artworks can enjoy the pieces as they walk around in a large circle. It makes for a very interesting experience. There are thousands of people that walk threw that museum every day and the design allows for a faster experience of what the museum has to offer! It is wonderful!

Kandinsky: The vast majority of this artist’s works are about exploring different forms and ways of expressing abstraction. His works included using paints on black backgrounds so that the color would pop and bring an added depth to the work. Many of these painting have a depth that is not often seen in paintings during the 1930’s.

Anish Kapoor: Kapoor’s 2008 exhibition, Memory is a large iron sculpture that takes up the majority of a room in the Guggenheim. It looks like a large balloon and is meant to appear is if it is floating on the floor of the museum. The viewer wants to walk around the sculpture but is unable to do so. From another vantage point earlier in the walk around the museum the viewer is able to see just a hit of the back of the balloon like sculpture. The point is that the viewer how ever much they want to see all of the piece, they cannot, just as they cannot always remember all of a memory.

MoMA: The Museum of Modern Art is exactly that. It is a museum pays its respects to the unusual and great works of the latest centuries.

Tim Burton...until April 26: I felt this exhibit would be the most helpful for many members of Kappa Pi. Tim Burton as we all know is a well-known artist. He is famous for he work with stop motion animation. Many of the characters from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and even a life-sized replica of Edward Scissor-Hands was there on display. What caught me most off guard was how large the actual puppets from the movies were. Each puppet is easily 18” or larger. The amount of detail was amazing to see up close. Sadly, no pictures were allowed to be taken in that portion of the museum.

I hope you all enjoyed my little tribute to these two museums.

Thank you,

Jennifer Martinelli