Tuesday, June 22, 2010

STOP and focus



The last post I wrote...about anxiety and school...yeah. One day in and I've rearranged my entire schedule for the summer and fall. More art classes, less stress about the required general education stuff. Plus, as a bonus, I get to stay on break until July 19, take two classes I need (and will enjoy), both are condensed format (4 weeks instead of 11), AND I get a break between them and at the end of the summer, too. Can't shake a stick at that!

Love this image above--found it at art zink. Might be buying it to hang on my wall soon.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Good things will soon happen



I'm preparing this post on Sunday. It's quiet here, raining lightly outside my open window but a few birds are starting to talk to each other. I woke up craving Krispy Kreme donuts and coffee. Must be nerves again. Listening to Patty Griffith sing Moon River...mellow, just the way I like my music.

About those nerves. Summer term at PSU starts in the morning (by the time you read this, that's today) so I'm in for the next ten weeks. I'm a very outgoing person in my online persona, folks, but in real life there's this thing called social anxiety. Shyness, timidity and self-esteem are often contributing factors but I am truly none of these. Inside I am exploding--and I am not afraid to let it out, but I think the situation has to be somewhat in my control or the nervousness starts acting up.

I'm a jump-in-with-both-feet kinda person, sometimes to my own detriment, but it's how I'm hardwired so I don't fight it too hard most of the time. So, as you read this, I'll be sitting in psychology class meeting new people, gaining new ideas and expanding myself once again.

I found that image this morning and it encouraged me.

Hope your week is full of opportunities, readers--take it on, enjoy it, and always keep your goal in mind.

Image via.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

19th Century Inspiration



Emma and Mr. Knightley note card set

We're reading 19th Century literature in my American Studies course this spring. Currently we're working through, A Hazard of New Fortunes by William Dean Howells.

The book, which takes place in late 19th century New York, tells the story of the dispute between a self-made millionaire and a social revolutionary, with a third man attempting to act as mediator, yet his efforts prove futile.

Penny Farthing Bicycle Chalk Print

The main character of the novel, Basil March, is through whose viewpoint the reader sees most of the story. He resides in Boston with his wife, Isabel, and their two children. They are persuaded by March's idealistic friend Fulkerson to move to New York to start a new magazine, where the writers benefit in a primitive form of profit sharing. After some deliberation, the Marches move to New York and begin a rather extensive search for a perfect apartment.

Era of Elegance - Cameo Hair Clip Set

Work at the new magazine starts, and they decide on a name - Every Other Week. The bankroll of the magazine is coming from a man named Dryfoos, who made his riches from discovering natural gas on his farm, and then from investing money on Wall Street. An illustrator by the name of Angus Beaton, an old friend of Fulkerson's is chosen. Beaton is rivaled by Alma Leighton, also an artist, whom he has feelings for.



Steampunk-Aristocrat-Regency Lace Cravet Set

The story is very conversation-driven, with plenty of description of life in the upper-middle class societies of Chicago and New York City during the 1890's.



Regency Lattice Pillows

Items featured in this post are Etsy finds inspired by what I am studying--click the images for more info.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Crunch Time



Popping in to mention that I am on a short hiatus finishing up a BIG project for a final at school. My Etsy vintage shop and both blogs are on hold until after Wednesday. Next week we're flying off for a few days in the sun at The Happiest Place on Earth {aka Disneyland} for a much-earned winter break! Can. Not. Wait.

The photo/art/design and vintagey goodness shall return when the dust has settled...just thought I'd let 'cha know...

Enjoy the Season!!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Flickr Faves: Fleeting Color


Fleeting Color, originally uploaded by Ar'alani.

In a hurry today. I finished my movie poster project for art class {you can view it on my apt3design blog} after 3 redesigns. Two blog updates. Now I'm off to catch the bus for class at 2:00 PM.

Sharing some Oregon fall color with you today...enjoy!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

apt 3 design: the blog


Hello, good and faithful blog readership! As you know, school is in session. As part of my ART 112: Idea & Form course I am required to maintain a virtual and visual journal aka: a blog. Yes, that's right, another blog--that makes three if you're counting!

Required or not, I've been toying with the idea to branch off and create something under my newest moniker, apt 3 design, and now I have an excuse, (er, I mean, a reason) for it to begin. If you're curious, please do check me out at my new address right over HERE.

This blog will continue, as will my vintage blog. As Meryl Streep says in the film, One True Thing, "More is more!"

Now what was that I was saying earlier this week about writing less blog posts? Ah, well...

Enjoy!




Monday, February 23, 2009

Playing with Photoshop: Creating Mood with Color

Our latest projects for Digital Photography class are displayed below.  The objective was to create a mood through use of color and composition with up to 9 images displayed in a 3 x 3 grid layout.  This one gave us some more Photoshop practice as well!



t 2 b:  Solemn by Chris, Inspiration by Tina - Pfeiffer Photos 2009

Did we accomplish our task?  As always, your feedback is very welcome! 


Wednesday, February 11, 2009

My Backyard: Portland Chinese Classical Garden

Our photography class has voted and the results are in. This Saturday we will visit the Portland Chinese Classical Garden and shoot our memory chips up to their pixels content!


Moon Locking Pavilion

History of Scholar’s Gardens
The city of Suzhou is located approximately 50 miles west of Shanghai on the eastern coast of China. It was founded in 525 BC and is one of China’s oldest cities. It has a mild climate, similar to Portland’s. By 1,000 AD, it had become a thriving city with an economy based on trade. It was also a place for government officials to retire. These retiring Imperial court officials built housing compounds that featured beautiful gardens. These gardens attempted to duplicate nature found in traditional Chinese landscape paintings, and the nature of the nearby Yellow Mountains. The gardens would be used to entertain guests and undertake intellectual pursuits such as painting, poetry, and conversation. Our Garden is based on a garden built in Suzhou during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD).


Pagodas on Zither Lake

Construction
The Garden was built on land donated by Northwest Natural [Gas] who had for 20 years used it as a parking lot. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in July 1999, and construction was completed in September 2000. The majority of the materials used in the construction of the Garden originated in China. Approximately 65 workmen from Suzhou created the structures and completed the work. An American construction company did the site preparation and foundation work. The Garden is in compliance with all current U.S. construction codes, and was completed at a total cost of approximately $12.8 million.


View of Zen and Leak Window

Plants
The majority of the plants in the Garden are indigenous to China; however, they were grown in the United States. Current import bans prevent plants from being brought directly from China. Prior to these recent bans, plants were brought from China to the U.S. and their offspring are what you will see today. Some plants are more than 100 years old and were transplanted from gardens and nurseries in Oregon.

Culture of Tea
Located inside the Garden’s Tower of Cosmic Reflections is the Tao of Tea, a local tea company promoting the art and culture of tea. The earliest book on tea was written by Lu Yu between 760 CE and 780 CE (Tang Dynasty). In China, tea is a social process, a custom which involves not just the herbal or medicinal values of tea but social engagement. Guests are always served tea, no matter the time of day. Accompanying the tea are small dishes to enhance the tea and stimulate conversation among friends or guests.


Tea House and Wares

Photos displayed in this post are from a previous visit to the Garden, and are available for purchase as prints (various sizes) or blank note cards. Visit my Etsy shop or contact me for details and pricing...thanks!

Photos copyright pfeiffer photos 2008 - all rights reserved.

Text about PCCG - copyright Portland Chinese Classical Garden website, 2008.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Playing with Photoshop: Digital Daguerreotypes

My first project for Digital Photo class is due tomorrow. We researched the history of Daguerreotype photography, had a crash lesson in basic Photoshop CS4 (2.5 hours), and were then presented the mission of manipulating a 21st century digital photo into a 19Th century Daguerreotype. I present my first true foray into Photoshop for your viewing pleasure.


Rides from the Past - BEFORE


Rides from the Past - AFTER

Click on the pics to enlarge. I am hoping for an "A"...wish me luck!


Image displayed is copyright pfeiffer photos 2008 - all rights reserved.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Swamped

swamp (verb). 1 a: to fill with or as if with water : inundate , submerge b: to overwhelm numerically or by an excess of something : flood [1]

I am swamped. Next week is finals at school and I have projects to finish galore. Eight sculpture pieces to finish and decorate. Seven drawings to sketch, paint and ink. Two presentations to prepare and polish. Then maybe, just maybe, I can get to the business of finishing up the Christmas shopping. Wrapping. Mailing. Fulfilling orders from our Etsy shop. And sometime after that perhaps the house will get cleaned again, the laundry mountain will be scaled down, and we'll head for a weekend off at the coast in two weeks. Hot clam chowder and winter storms are calling us.
On a happy note...we received a gift basket from Harry & David filled with pears, apples, cheese, sausage and treats today from Chris' folks in (early) celebration of our second anniversary. YUM!

Two new photos are posted below from our recent journeys that took us through Carver, Oregon...enjoy.

Have a super weekend, everyone!





t 2 b: Carver Pioneer Chapel and Carver Luthern Chapel by Tina - Pfeiffer Photos 2008



[1] Mirriam Webster Online 2008.

photos displayed are copyright pfeiffer photos 2008 - all rights reserved.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Second Time Sophomore


"Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!"
~ Jul Brynner as King Mongkut of Siam in The King & I

In spring of 2007, at age 38, I lost my last JOB and my new husband of 4 months encouraged me to put down the want ads and pick up the school books in search of a CAREER.

Looking back at my work for the last five terms at community college, the thing that stands out most now is the increase in my confidence level to achieve my goals. I remember at the start I would approach each assignment with a fair amount of apprehension and then slowly make my way through the process. My fingers were figuratively crossed each time I finished a piece of work and submitted it for review. Afterwards I would find myself wishing there was more time to spend in the text, more questions to answer, and more time left to write and to share.




L to R: El Grande Cowl by Fringe, Leaf Earrings by Spotted Octopus Jewelry, Cranberry Crossover Cordoroy Tote by Camille Star


As I've progressed through each course I have learned to be more precise in what I want to convey. I've grown beyond surface statements, simple declarations with nothing to back them up, and learned to add detail and to better explain my ideas. I try to be very honest in both the written and visual work I produce and to ensure that what is in my head comes out on the page (or screen) in just the way I intend.

This Sunday is the first day of Fall. Next Monday is the first day of Fall term for me. A mixture of excitement and nervousness builds as I cross each day off my calendar and we inch toward the 22nd. I look forward to learning but I am nervous about meeting and interacting with new people.


L to R: Tree Landscape Cuff by TigerLilyShop, Vintage Spectator Tassel Heels from Nerdybird Vintage, Grass by Pfeiffer Photos


I found this video clip today on YouTube (see below). It's not only a fun piece of cinematic memory and a happy song, it gave me a little boost in my spirit for these weeks to come.

Whatever you're undertaking that is new, and in this time of many folks feeling some uncertainties, I hope it brings you a smile!



My back-to-school picks are featured in the photos included in this post. These items are the quality handmade and vintage goods offered by our fellow small business owners on Etsy.com. Please click the links for more info and to view their shops--thanks so much!

"I Whistle a Happy Tune" by Rodgers & Hammerstein from The King & I - 20th Century Fox, video clip via YouTube.

copyright pfeiffer photos 2008.