My Stats

Most recently, I have been leaning towards art nouveau, post victorian/art deco feel. Not overly extravagant, more simplistic with slight elements. Conservative, clean, classic, and somewhat femme.

Type - It may sound strange, but I don't have one favorite that I'm stuck on. I have slight crushes on a few though... fling and Perla—type with ball terminals, really. I enjoy serifs, especially type with long, thin, elegant lines. For numbering, I have been drawn to Filosofia (for more normal looking numbers), and Falstaff for more of a bold, art deco feel. I am as guilty of overusing certain sans serifs as the next guy, but have started to mix them in with more stylistic type to create a more learned feel. I will agree with Ben that Kursivschrift is quite attractive. I am not afraid of large type, but it must be contrasted with much smaller type. I love contrast in type, bold/light, etc.

Color – I enjoy very bright colors in moderation, mixed in with more subtle hues, less saturated. I will always be fascinated with black and white, and I tend to like just one color thrown in with them, provided it isn't a bright, primary color like red (ie. black, white, very light teal). Other recent favorites include the following: a) Maroon, mustard seed yellow, and black on dark cream. b) Light blue, and brown or black on white paper. c) Varying shades of teal and green, paired with browns. d) light blue and yellow on white. And finally, e) Maroon, teal, and tan on white. Just to name a few...

Composition – Minimal over complex, clean, classic, straight to the point. I like to pay attention to how a specific composition leads the viewer through it. I detest static points, places where the viewer's mind can get trapped, thus I enjoy negative space. I prefer open composition, some element needs to lead the viewer into the piece. When design is stripped down so much, each element's importance becomes higher, and must communicate even better the message of the design. I've never been extremely extravagant, but take pleasure in the beauty of simplicity. Less is so much more.

Themes – Re-discovering my voice as a designer. I work in a basement making stuff for very conservative people in the age range of 50–100. Adventists live forever unfortunately. This has really matured my style from crazy grunge, but I need to get back to something more modern in-between the two, and more my own. My theme = rediscovery.

Latest Influences – Martha Stewart. Embarrassing, but true. I'm in enamored with one of her more recent publications... Blueprint. If you see it, you will know. Other publications I enjoy include dwell, metropolis, nylon (for fun), and I've come to like men's interest magazines, so clean-cut. Buildings and the outdoors never cease to inspire me. I really like the type of work that Seattle based Turnstyle does. I am really more inspired by things I see in real life on a daily basis, or more industrial sort of items that make me push my thinking and let me make my own interpretations in my work later, i.e.. a lace fence, or an unruly stack of magazines on my bookshelf making interesting negative shapes. Influences sit in my brain and come out in unexpected forms later. I love flickr and tend to look at the following when I have time. Alki1's Flickr, russian typography, the list could go on forever... and music, my constant muse.

I tag... Dallas and Alan.

For People Who Love Bad News

Just a quick note... one of my very favorite Portland bands has a new record coming out. The Helio Sequence is pretty amazing. I've seen them not once, not twice, but three times live and they have never disappointed me. Their new album titled Keep Your Eyes Ahead comes out January 29. Be sure to have a listen. These two guys always amaze me. The drummer toured with Modest Mouse after the release of their album Good News For People Who Love Bad News. My Helio Sequence favorites include 'let it fall apart' (my most favorite favorite), 'hallelujah', 'lately', and 'the harmonic song'.

It's been a crazy week. Two oral presentations in one class, a paper, a math test... I blinked and the week had passed me by. It is a relief to have a bit of a break over the weekend. Going out for chinese at The Golden Horse with friends, and then visiting the Colville St. Patisserie afterwards made for a great end to a hard week. Nico and I went thrift store shopping and to a boutique which we barely got out of without going broke. It's been decided that seva boutique is a dangerous place for either of us when we have money, whether it be for spending or bills... very cute clothes though.

I've been making some prints in my printmaking class and I might post some of the better ones if I ever get the time to do so. Happy Sabbath!

Urnes Portal

Whoa. Two weeks flew by and I didn't even notice. School has started once again, and the struggle to balance my personal life, school, and work has begun yet once more. I am spending most of my free time alone studying, buried under pre-calc and world literature books, trying to understand yet another ancient foreign culture... most of the time it's greek to me. Literally. I am shocked at times how modern some works sound. There are these ancient egyptian poems that sound just like something one of my friends would say to me. I wish I knew who wrote the poems. They are so old that no one knows. I usually hate poetry, but this I liked. It wasn't cliché and sappy like most things I am forced to endure.

Of all my classes, I would have to say that I am enjoying Printmaking with Martha Mason, and History of World Art with Tom Emmerson. I really like learning about the origins of art and seeing different styles repeat themselves throughout the ages with different artists' interpretations. Right now we are looking at the period in Post-Roman Europe, the beginning of medieval times. There are a lot of animals used in very intricate carvings, the lettering in the Book of Kells from Ireland, everything is very ornate and seem to have lots long twisting vines and whorls. My favourite piece right now is part of a church door, called a portal. It is from the stave church in Urnes, Norway. I see it's influence in pieces from the victorian/art deco periods. I love the dog that is biting something that looks like a snake or a vine. I haven't decided. I like the joints of the dog, how they are curled lines. This is a stamp with the Urnes stave church portal. I just love the dog's eyes too. So big!



I think I may have come up with the perfect 5-year plan. I'm pretty psyched! Hopefully it will work out, seeing as I make plans all the time and they don't pan out.

Lately I have been listening to a lot of Nelly Furtado. Embarassing, but true. To make up for it, I've been listening to a lot of Royksopp, Arcade Fire, Seabear, and Electralane. Song I'm currently in love with is 'The Story' by Brandi Carlile. (thanks t!)

A Single Hand Writing Several Stories

"We seem to find comfort in categories and peace in placement. The world moves quickly around us. There are so many variables, and unanswered questions. Who? What? When? And more importantly why? We feel like we constantly need to pick a side and stick with it... whether it be politically, socially, or artistically. Despite the fact that our outlooks and philosophies are ever changing with each passing day. I have struggled with this often through the years, taking one facet of myself—both personally and creatively—and holding onto it so tightly, until there was nothing but ash in my hand. Who would i be without a definite description? A tangible tag line? The weight of one question can be enough to make a back break."

-taken from 'a single hand' by Her Space Holiday

I'm tired of limiting myself, ignore all my other creative options. I keep putting myself in a box, when all my ideas don't just fit into one category. I'm tired of forcing creativity in on category, and repressing any ideas that come up in other areas. Creativity is fleeting, even though some would disagree that there is a definite science to it. Unless I change something soon, I fear I will be left with nothing.

I'm tired of limitations, and limiting myself because of what I think others think that i can or can't do. Just a thought, inspired by an amazing song/monologue. Her Space Holiday is amazing. Go to their Myspace profile to hear how the above selection ends. Thought provoking. I am intrigued.

Approaching 2008

To me there is nothing more comical than seeing a large, black and white great dane on a long red leash dragging three children down the street. The sun breaking through my tiny closet window and waking me with its warm assurance that today is going to be an amazing day. Hearing my childhood friends laugh so uncontrollably hard. Waking up to the smell of my mum making pancakes and mint hot chocolate. Trying to make my cats knock over, or at least climb the Christmas tree. Reading book after book after book on a lazy, rainy day. Watching "summer TV" (the price is right, jeopardy, wheel of fortune) with my grandparents, which they recorded on a video tape...not tivo. Hearing my favourite artist-that-no-one-really-knows-about playing in a public place for the first time. Singing along to anything I please while driving the three hours back to Walla Walla from Portland. Turning up the music really, really, ridiculously loud and cleaning house when I'm home alone. Buying people I love small things that make them really happy. Walking places. Driving in snow, but not ice. Sitting in deep-ish snow, but being perfectly warm and dry at the same time. Doing slightly embarrassing things such as dropping my cell in my drink... and later having a good laugh. Occasional long talks on the phone. The beauty of unlimited text messaging. The smart, witty people in my life. The smell of color when walking into a room with two 6-color presses. Having my nails perfectly painted red. Hearing almost any kind of live music... southern folk rock included. Making dinner and having a few good friends over to eat everything. Escaping big social gatherings without getting caught. Finding a sand dollar completely intact on the beach, the morning after a big storm. Tide pooling. Jumping and playing in the cold, salty waves. Seeing someone blow glass so perfectly. Wi-Fi. Run-ons, and incomplete sentences. A long list of simplicities I can't imagine having not experienced.

Her Space Holiday makes me wish I could write. Anything. 'A Single Hand' speaks volumes. Xoxo, Panda is really great too. Pretty much in love with both of these related groups.

Tree Wave surprised me a little. Its not typically the end result you would expect from a bunch of old video game sounds mixed together. A very raw but refined cacophony of sound that could almost be postal service sounding but in a very different way, and with less vox. Beautifully rustic in an electronic grunge sort of way that just drew me in. Hear 'C64 Data'.

I haven't been searching out music lately, with my computer dying and all. Life has been hard. I have finally condescended to using a PC... we are becoming re-acquainted until Monday when my new computer arrives. Merry Christmas to me! Hope your holidays have been fab and have a happy New Year! I can't believe it's already almost 2008. Crazy life.

Yellow Converse?

This is the first second I've had time to even think of anything other than school. I'll try to sum up the past month or so of my life. I had several near death experiences—none of them fatal for obvious reasons. I've listened to some good music. I saw band of horses in Seattle during Thanksgiving break. Had a mini reunion with the people I went to Jr. academy with. So strange to see them all.

I am feeling a little lost with my plans for next year. I'm at the point where if I don't take certain classes next quarter, and then I decide to not leave this school, I would really be in trouble as far as trying to graduate from here. It is just really scary to think about the changes that will happen this next year. I will have to leave my home here. I will end up crashing at my mum's house... trying to find a new job, and commuting until I can find someplace to live. It's totally different from what I have experienced the past year. I don't know. I've got no idea where I'll end up. I am scared, but I think it will be really good for me. I'm just in the freak out/reality is hitting me stage... still frightening, nevertheless.

On my playlist this week:
Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War (whole album—each song is so different and good)
Palpitation - 'too soon to give up'
James Figurine - '55566688833' (I love the lyrics)
Tegan and Sara - 'where does the good go' and The Con (whole album)
Sebear - 'cat piano'
Band of Horses - Cease to Begin (am in love with the whole album and can't stop playing it)
Kate Nash - 'merry happy'
Jaymay - 'blue skies'
Headphones - 'i never wanted you'
Wilco - 'what light' and 'on and on and on'
Efterklang - 'mirador' (have stumbled across them several times and it just clicked)
The Radio Dept. - 'always a relief'
The Weepies - 'gotta have you' (best song ever... i have loved it for a while)

I had a dream last night that I received a package in the mail. My friends were at my house when I opened it. There was an iPhone inside, a pair of yellow converse, and some other stuff I can't remember. The package was addressed to "Heather Modern" which is not my name... but usually the post office doesn't mess up that bad, they just mess up addresses... right? I thought I would keep the iPhone, but then I looked at the shoes. They were yellow—a color I like, but can never wear or I look dead, and they were a size 6. Not my size. From that I somehow concluded that it would be wrong for me to keep the iPhone, and that someone would miss it if I kept it... that the package was actually for some other girl named Heather Modern. Strangest dream I've had in a long time. Interpretations? Anyone?

Tri-Trip Playlist

It's been a little while hasn't it. November 5, 2007—I'm getting my priorities straight. I've been feeling in a rut for a while now. Not taking time for myself has taken a toll. Realizing this, I have been fighting to get my life back. You know it is sad when people ask how you are, what's new in your life, and all you can respond with is how work is going. Creativity had become almost an impossible feat for me. Realizing this was half of it.

The past week or two I have been trying to get myself on a schedule. Waking up early, taking time for myself, for a relationship with my God, and taking the time to clear my head before each day starts has helped. Going to bed before 11 p.m. has become an important aspect of my new schedule. The days are going by fast, but I feel so much better. I am able to think straight, set my priorities and goals. I am realizing what I need to do, where I need to be.

I am not necessarily happy here at this school, but I'm here for the rest of this year so I am going to make the best of it. After this year I have another 2.5 quarters worth of credits until I could graduate. Even if I were to stay here, I don't think I would have made the connections I need to make to get a semi-successful first job. I am not getting the best education, or even a satisfactory education within my major here. I am really starting to look at transferring to Portland State or UW or someplace cheaper, with slightly better academics, and where I could make connections in a city of my choice. I might have to go to school a bit longer to meet requirements, but I wouldn't be going as deep into debt as if I would if I stayed here. I am school shopping. I work too hard to get such a lack-luster education with not so good grades. Going to a less expensive school would lessen the stress I often feel. I wouldn't have to work quite as hard, and if I did, I could at least start saving some money or paying off loans.

Driving to tri-cities and talking with a good friend about her life really helped me put mine into perspective. I feel so tied down right now—with my senior project, work, and school. Things will be changing. I just need to focus on that. This has been a huge rant. I just wanted you to know what is going on.

In other news, my dad has been having heart problems. This past week has been a little trying on me. I lost it while working on my action script the other day. I really wanted to burn my book! It would have made me pretty happy. Anyways, things with my dad will hopefully be okay. He took a lot of tests this past week, and his heart is clear, not diseased. It is just really weak from long term exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide at his work—which he refuses to leave. I had a really long talk with him the other day. I got a bit frustrated with him. He is a dreamer, which is good, but I am too much of a realist. At some point in the conversation he said that rather than leave his job to get a safer, higher paying job, he wants to become a mountain tour guide, and a ski instructor. He does not ski, and his heart is not strong enough to do the hiking thing. I get really upset when he goes off on these impossible, unrealistic tangents. I really worry about him. I do love him. Please keep him in your prayers.

We made a great playlist for our tri-trip. Here's what I have been stuck on music-wise this past week:

Travis - 'my eyes'
Mario - 'how do i breathe'
The Fratellis - 'chelsea dagger'
Metro Station - 'shake it'
Sigur Ros - 'saeglopur'
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - 'the skin of my yellow country teeth'
The Feeling - 'love it when you call'
Nelly Furtado - 'promiscuous'
CSS - 'alala' and 'music is my hot hot sex'
Anti-Anti - 'snowden'
New Young Pony Club - 'ice cream'
Telépopmusik - 'breathe' (radio edit)
Radiohead - 'idioteque'
Patrick Wolf - 'the magic position'
Regina Spektor - 'fidelity'
Art Brut - 'bang, bang, rock and roll'
Daft Punk - 'one more time'
The Decemberists - 'summersong'
Bishop Allen - 'rain'
Paper Route - 'are we all forgotten'

Enjoi.