Past Odd Random and Just Plain Bad Jobs

If you are looking for reasons you shouldn't be an art student of study humanities, this is not the post for you. Most of these jobs were either for fun or before I even graduated high school. I guess if anything the "bad ones" would be reasons to finish high school.

I recently took a personality test for a Bible study I'm in. It was the online free version of Myers-Briggs. If you don't know already, I'm an INFP/ENFP. 

Great Organization and Program

What this all means is that I'm crazy, love people, love excitement, and most everything in life is beautiful to me...I'm also fiercely independent and a free spirit.

There's an online ENFPs group I just joined and we are talking about our jobs. And since we all tend to be free spirits, its an interesting topic.

I thought that in addition to my resume post it would be fun to have an odd jobs post about all the odd (and even bad jobs) I've had as they all shape who I am.

Odd Random and just plain bad jobs
*In no particular order*

14. US-Brazil Connect - I taught English in Brazil for a month this pas summer.

13. Hotel Maid at a hotel where hourlys and weeklies were more common than vacationers and travelers - cleaned up a Crank lab and and hid under the pool during drug deals. I'm not sure that this one should be on line but I learned a lot about people and poverty. This was my first job and a real eye opener. They only get better from here.

Beautiful texture and color photo from Brazil.

12. Pool Girl - loved it

11. Alternative Bible and Book Store - I always got in trouble for reading the books.

10. Camp counselor - no running water or electricity and 40 miles of hiking a week. Church camp songs and fires. Home cooked food and sleeping im a teepee. Yes, please!

9. Day hab teacher at The Cooper Center for Creative Arts for adults with disabilities - 2 years

8. Residential Treatment facility Youth Worker in a deaf house - 1 year

7. AmeriCorps - I used the Education award for traveling.

6. Logo designer for The Wyoming Women's Business Center

5. Works of Wyoming Art Gallery - not really that random

4. Social Media trainer - trained artists on Facebook and blogging

3. Resident Assistant. Need I say more?

2. Corn on the Cob Butter Dipper/Carnie I  actually made bank with this one $17 an hour in high school. Not bad.

1. McDonald’s - 4 and a half years total and I really enjoyed it. Many of my coworkers were good friends

I hope you enjoyed...I'm sure I'll find or remember a number 15 and will be sure to add it.

My Urban Art+ Studio Mini Garden

Even though we have the best apartment in Laramie, I would argue that there are some pitfalls to every great thing.  One of ours is that we have little to no natural lighting, forcing my husband and I to plant our urban garden in my art studio.  (My studio space is actually in our apartment building on the same floor and everything, so its not a big deal at all.)

I purchased some starter plants from a local greenhouse.  An older lady starts all of her plants in her garden at home and sells them.  This was great to know because it means they all grow well in Laramie.  Each small planter was $1.  8 plants for $8, not bad.

For the planters I used some plastic containers the lady at the green house gave me.  I will be taking the leftovers back. 

I also had some wood drawers that were from an old paint desk, from the old Fine Arts building.  Another student had used these drawers for an art project which I later found next to a dumpster.  Upcylcing and urban gardening in one shot!


Here you can see our plants from above.  In the back there are three pepper plants, two Cute Stuff and 1 Hottie.  In the front we have the spices, parsley, dill, mint, chocolate mint, and one more that I just forgot.

 

Do you have an urban garden you would like to share? Any tips? What plants do you grow? Feel free to share in the comments below.

Phenomenal Woman

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

Photography Blog

I just redesigned my photography blog.  The reason for having it is so that I can reference photograph.  It is a bit like a photo archive.  The new design allows me to scroll through and see all of the work at one time.  I can then click on the image I want to see, or change it back to a typical blog view.  I am quite please.  Check it out.

Images from Felicia Follum Photography Blog...Haiti and Beautiful Haitian People

Do you have a favorite photograph?  Which one?  Why?

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My new site

I just launched my new portfolio!

Felicia Follum Art + Design Website

A couple weeks ago I went to a lecture on artists web presence.  I have known for a while that my website was in dire need of serious redesign (I am still in that process).  For now I created a portfolio of my work.  One factor that has been stressed over and over is the idea that an artist should have a brand and all design should look consistent. In response, I also redesigned my blog design and my Facebook page. When I figure out the website situation, I will be sure to share.

My photography blog, which is mostly an archive of photographs has also been redone, but does not use the same style.

Felicia Follum Art + Design on Facebook

The next step to improving my online presence will be figuring out my website will and purchasing a domain name.

What is your favorite project on my website or FB page? Why?

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BordoBello

The BordoBello skateboard art fundraiser is an annual event that works to spread the arts throughout Denver, CO.  The proceeds from this years event event went to the Access Gallery & Studio and toward the Robert Taylor AIGA Colorado scholarship.

I was fortunate to have my work in the show a few years back, as a part of course took that was taught by David Carson. 

Though my boards were a part of the show in 2009, here are some images from the end of last month's show.

What image would you want on your skateboard? I picked my pet salamander. Why? because he is really really cool.

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You are Invited!!!

Dear blog reader,

Who: You are one of the first few people to be cordially invited to my next art show.

What: This show is still in progress but will be addressing topics in the realm of African American history and African American Religious culture. The current goal is to look at the American history that is often left out of our education and use it to help people understand the historical context that various American heroes such as Malcolm X and James Cone were responding to.

When: The show will be up from November 8th through November 17 (possibly a bit longer).  The opening will be Thursday the 10 from 6 - 8pm.

Where: The University of Wyoming UpGallery.  In the Fine Arts building.

Here is the Facebook event page and my art page for those of you who use FB (you don't need a FB account to view the pages).  Feel free to RSVP. 

Hope to see you there!

Pinterest

For those of you who have not seen or heard of Pinterest.com feel free to check out some of my boards.  Once you are invited to join, you can begin pinning to your boards.  It is similar to a coark board that you would pin notes to.  

To pin an image, hit the "pin it" button that you have installed in your favorites bar.  The image, with a link to the page, are stored on your pin board.  You can have as many boards as you would like to help organize your pins.

Check out "My Art and Design" board

In addition to my personal artwork, 

I use boards for meal and party ideas as well as creative inspiration.

Here Goes...

Some ways to learn technique and generate artwork…This is in response to My Artwork Analysis.

1. studio time – work on my art everyday (or consistently). Right now I think that this means that I need to create work, sketch, or brainstorm Monday, Tuesday night after work, Thursday and Friday.

2. Talk to artists and get critiques and ask them what they think my strengths are.

3. Take classes. The three art classes that I would still like to take include printmaking, watercolor, and book arts.
a. Printmaking – this class will help me learn more techniques and develop both my graphic design skills as well as my ink drawings. I do think that my style could be found through a variety of printmaking techniques.
b. Book Arts – I naturally gravitate towards text and books. Printmaking and book arts are heavily integrated and book arts will help with my ink drawings and graphic design skills.
c. Watercolor – I have never been much of a painter but watercolor techniques apply to ink and wash drawings.

How Bazaar!

A couple weeks ago, our church had a Bazaar/Garage Sale to raise money for Haiti (not the group I worked with, but another one).  I sold photographs and ink drawings.  It was a great time and a significant learning experience. 

It was fun because I was able to sit and draw and people really enjoyed watching…Someday, I would love to go to a downtown somewhere and draw.  I need to get faster or have some pre-made initial pieces (I’m thinking book marks for $5. Anyone interested?), but am seriously considering it.

Here is one of the graffiti style name ink drawings I completed.  I love the graffiti style (and the fact that it is all black and white) and have been enjoying improving my ink drawing skills and techniques.

I will also be going to Last Thursday in Portland this Thursday...Maybe I will see some of you there.

My artwork analysis

Fetus - Social and Ink

Last night I was given the opportunity to go on the Art Walk in Kennewick, WA. It offered a great opportunity to talk to some working artists. They all had excellent advice to offer. It was great timing too because I had just been talking to my husband about some of the specifics of improving my art that I am focusing on.

Currently, I know that I want to do art and I know some of my strengths. I am in-between knowing that I need to find a niche and being able to tell what that niche should be. Its almost like I have two areas of focus that are semi developed.

My favorite two areas to work with are “social justice graphic design posters” and “small intimate ink and wash drawings.” I am not sure how these areas will evolve or if I will focus on one for a while and then focus on another.

It is possible (and seems likely) that my niche will have more to do with style or concept than medium.

Portraits from Haiti

After returning from Haiti, I am certainly excited to use all that I saw in my future art projects. Everything was fascinating and incredibly inspirational.  I saw everything from the extreme poverty of downtown Port-au-Prince to the beautiful rice fields and mountains surrounding the village of Thoumazea. Be sure to check out my Haiti journal and my photographs see more of my images and thoughs.

It is still difficult to define what exactly will be translated into artwork but it is almost certain that something will come from the trip (well some photographs have already). When you are surrounded by intense beauty, sadness, poverty, joy, and as well as a completely new culture and language, it seems that something must come from it.

Here are some portrait photographs I took while in the village of Thomazeau.  These are just some of the kids that I was able to spend time with.  We made paper beads and bracelets.  (I will post about the art lessons here soon)  40% of all sales will go back to Haiti. Comment on this blog or on my Facebook Page for more information about purchasing and/or use of the images.

I have some photos that I will be posting in the future that help us to understand more about the devastation of the Haiti earthquake and show some of the after math.  Some others will depict the politics, beauty, and religions of the area.

If you would like to purchase or use these images please contact me and I will get you the file/print.  Remember 40% or more of all proceeds will go back to the village and children in the photo.

Muertos Mask

Here is my mask for the Ivinson Memorial Hospital Foundation fundraiser.  This year's proceeds will be going to support cancer research.  The pre-ball was the evening of Friday May 20 and the actual event, La Grande Fleur, was Saturday. .

I designed this mask with the Dia De Los Muertos masks as a source of inspiration. Within the first few hours of the pre-ball event my mask sold in the silent auction (two others did as well).  My mask was pictured on page 3 in the Laramie boomerang May 20, 2011 so check it out.

4orMore

Art Alley
Felicia Follum
Photography

Every year the University of Wyoming's Student Art League does an excellent fundraiser, The 4 or More Show.   The 4 or More event is composed of cutting 4”x4” panels of Masonite and mounting them onto balsa wood strips.  Each member takes 4 or more squares and creates some form of artwork on them.  They can also be used as a pedestal for a three-dimensional piece. 

For the actual sale the league picks a night when there is a concert or some other large event in the Fine Arts building, hangs the pieces on the kiosk wall and holds a silent auction.  The prices range from $4 to $44 in increments of, you guessed it, 4.  We usually sell upwards of 100 squares.

This fundraiser is excellent and raises a significant amount of money.  This past year my squares all sold for at least $16.  I was quite excited. 

Visit my website to see the rest of the images from this year and to see my squares from past shows.  One of my favorites from the past was a wood burned image of my salamander that stretched across two pieces.  A professor bought these two squares for her son.

Liquid Jesus
Felicia Follum
Photography

Dragonfly
Felicia Follum
Photography

Barnacles
Felicia Follum
Photography

Spider
Felicia Follum
Photography (no Photoshop)

I think that I would like to use this technique in the future to mount larger art pieces....Hmmm but what?  Any ideas?  What would you place on a 4"x4" square?

African American Posters and Visual Research

Though not up yet, 

the posters will be under my Social Justice category as well as the African American category.  

After my show in November 2011, all of the work will be up. 

Be sure to check back.  

If you sign up for my mailing list you will get to see images before the show.

My process typically includes a ton a of research.  I spend hours at the library reading about the topics.  I research online (blogs, websites and forums, even Wikipedia).  One of my favorite aspects of research is what I can't visual research.  It can include anything from looking through an old art history book to walking around downtown and looking at trains and the graffiti.  I also have a ton of photographs on my computer and a photography blog that I look through.  Here is some of the research I have been doing for my most recent body of work and upcoming art show.

1. Graffiti photographs - the graffiti all inspiration for a specific work(s)...

Racial Sterotypes

Here is an older graphics project. It is from a class that I took with David Carson.  We spent most of the class on one series of projects.  The assignment was to create a lecture that we would give about ourselves or our art work.  My talk and book were all about the myriad of racial stereotypes and prejudices that I have seen and experienced.

This 24"x36" poster was accepted into the AIGA Denver's Annual Student Exhibition in 2009.  

This quote is from my grandma.  When she found out that I was getting married she was overjoyed, not because I was getting married, but rather because I wasn't marrying a "nice white boy."  She then continued on about why she was glad that I was not marrying a black man.

Both my parents are white yet I am black, and maybe Native American (but I didn't know that was even a possibility until I was in college).  When I was little, kids would ask why I was black...

Summer Goals

My summer art goals.
1. Complete work for my African American Black Beauty/Social Justice/Culture show. I would like to have some extra work and then narrow it down from there. Here is what I would like to create (I am not sure what will go in the show yet and these are just ideas )
   a. 5 – 10 poster designs
   b. A black hair care line
   c. Some (5 - 10, see below) ink and wash drawings or water color paintings – for a challenge. I am not sure that they will be included in the show.
   d. A t-shirt stencil or some type of graffiti art (maybe ink and wash)
   e. C and d can be used in a poster design and will still count.
   f. zines

2. Along with having all the work for the show, create promotional materials and press releases given out to the community on time. I know little about this, so it will be a learning process.
   a. I would like to find a checklist of some sort and
   b. actually use it.

Grace is Queer Poster Series

This poster series is based on the topic of the lack of grace in the church. To learn more check out my Grace is Queer website I created, visit my religion blog, or visit my art and design website.  Click the image to see more about the concept behind the specific poster.