Something Wonderful!

I thought I would follow up on how I am doing on the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year. I am happily surprised with how well things turned out! http://lisamakesart.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-years-goals.html

Goal #1. Make art everyday

Alright, I am doing a great job on this one! Something I had not been anticipating in January is that I would get a job teaching art to the community. I really enjoy it. I always knew I loved art, but I never thought I would love teaching it… When I started working for The Center in Provo, back in March, it was really challenging! I had no idea what to expect or what was expected of me.

I know how to make art. GOOD art. Art that has meaning and adds to the larger Art Conversation. I don't know how to teach "hobby" art to adults and children of all ages. Luckily I have resources nobody else has. Sure, the experiences and education I have received has really helped me, but more than that, more than perhaps anything else, has been my mom!

My mom is an extraordinary woman with an abundance of gifts, talents, and abilities. She made sure to provide a well-rounded childhood for me and my sisters. From the countless fieldtrips, projects, and programs she came up with, the arts and crafts she created have been a strength to me in this job.

During the first session especially, I found myself searching for activity after activity to do with my classes, and ending up calling my mom for advice nearly every week. I am really grateful to have a mother capable of so much! I have been able to come up with a really nice schedule of lesson plans to fill the whole 5 weeks/10 classes that’s in each session. My students enjoy the work, and love having me as a teacher as much as I love having them as students and making a difference in the community.

In addition to the art I have been teaching and making due to my job, I have also been working on the art for another wedding – MINE! I created some really awesome announcements (you have to acknowledge your own greatness, or nobody else will…) that are super cute and descriptive of our relationship. I have been working on the animation for our reception but not confident that I will get it done in time, I only have TWO weeks (yikes! (yippee!)).

Goal #2. Exercise regularly

Uh... we’re back to this goal already? Okay, so here’s my proposal: I submit that stress should count as exercise. I’m sure it burns calories and makes you sweat just as much as running around the neighborhood would. Okay, fine! It’s not a recognizable form of exercise, but let’s face it, people, I don’t have time to run down the street unless I’m late to work or picking something up for my wedding. Life is busy right now. Maybe I’ll be better at this goal after I get married… (don’t judge)

Goal #3. Apply Alma 38:12

Let me share what I wrote about this goal back in January:
Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness. I love that it says to use boldness, but not overbearance. I want to incorporate this into my everyday life, and into the parts of my life that are not as successful as others. Okay... Do you want to know a secret? The scripture wasn't exactly the goal I wrote down, but I think it is a more reasonable one. I'll leave the actual one up to Kimber this year... Oh yeah, I think i'm doing okay on this goal too.

In case you put two and two together and came up with 7, let me spell it out for you, my original goal was to get married.

In January, this seemed like an unreachable goal for this year. I could maybe meet the guy I would eventually marry, but I really had no expectations of it actually happening. Then something wonderful happened. Someone I considered to be a good friend, and always enjoyed talking with became something more to me. After trying to spend less time with him, because I didn't want to give him the wrong idea, I began to really MISS him. I needed him in my life. He made me happy.

After a series of events, including game nights, cross-country skiing, a hot spring trip, and (most importantly for me) sledding and spending the day with some of his family, we became official. 19 days later he told me he wanted to marry me. We bought a ring, and on April 17th while dancing on a stage in the middle of a park in Orem, he knelt down and asked me to marry him. Of all the days to forget my camera, this was not it. Thank goodness for camera phones!

I love this man with all my heart. He is so good, kind, and thoughtful, and just look at that smile. He goes out of his way to make my life better, and I am so excited to spend the rest of eternity with him!

A Beautiful Occasion

My younger sister got married last month to one of the greatest guys in the world. I couldn't be happier with her choice of a brother for me! They are perfect for each other. I had the opportunity to help them in a few ways. After they got engaged I took some engagement photos and I made their announcements, which look awesome!





Once those were complete and ordered, I got to work on their video. So... you know how when couples get married they have a slide show of all their pictures growing up. It goes on for a while, but you get bored with it, so you see a couple pictures of one of them, and go into the next room where the food is... that's not what I did.

I am an artist. An artist who makes animations out of still photographs. I created a video showcasing their love story. Using their childhood pictures in a more interesting way, as a background. The video evolves as it goes, the photos show them getting older, and the music underlines their search for one another until that magical moment when they meet. The whole world stops as their pasts merge together and they begin their new life together.



Well, I'm not gonna lie, I made my mom cry and I liked it. I am really happy with the way it turned out, I think everyone else was too. It was a beautiful occasion!

snippets and sneak peaks

Art Historical context

When I was in Italy we went to a place called Paestum, a Graeco-Roman city, founded around 7 BC by colonists from a Greek city. It was abandoned during the Middle Ages and its ruins were noticed again as recently as the 18th century, following the rediscovery of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. While the main features of Paestum are currently the standing remains of three major temples, what impressed me the most is what I found in the museum. There are tomb paintings and stone busts, along with many other incredible artifacts, but nothing fascinated me more than the Illuminated manuscripts. I studied them for a long time, impressed by the great amount of detail, and whimsical little markings. I spent a long time documenting them in my sketchbook. 

Since then I began adding to the pages of my sketchbook more and more intricate designs and patterns I found anywhere from the most unusual places to the most beautiful and renowned works of art. The idea of using these ancient designs in a contemporary way intrigued me, and I felt passionate about drawing for the first time in a long time. 

This experience influenced my decision to get my BFA in Drawing and Painting. I created many paintings that incorporated the patterNs and designs I found during my exploits in Italy. There is one symbol that I adapted as my own, which I included in all the paintings, drawings, and prints that I made. 

I was excited when I got accepted into the program, however, I found that I did not completely understand why I created these compositions, or what they meant. Now I can see that they are emphasizing the details that make things as wonderful as they are, although they may go unnoticed if you do not look for them and make the effort to recognize them. It is what kept me going as an artist, so I could get to where I needed to go.



I continued to make these designs in my sketchbooks, but moved on to more conceptual art. I was pushed and challenged in the Installation class and really enjoyed the Digital Art class I took in the Fall of 2010. In these classes I created art that exploited my feelings. It was very uncomfortable, but I have found that it is in the uncomfortable situations that push you out of your comfort zone that you grow and progress most. It is there that true greatness is discovered.

In these classes, along with Studio Seminar, I was introduced to contemporary artists who excited me. They broke the rules that I was taught to keep and took new approaches to art that I had not thought of before. Contemporary art is the art that is being created right now. Some museums consider any art created since WWII to fall into this movement. It is conceptual. It holds meaning. It can make you look at things in a different way. Which may be why distinctions between the high and low arts have started to fade, as contemporary art continues to challenge these concepts by mixing with popular culture.

While I was in NYC I saw firsthand some of the work I had learned about. Incredible works from the artist John Baldessari were stunningly more impressing in person that they were on a computer screen. The meaning was the same, however. John Baldessari dared to take familiar images, with recognizable subject matter, and replace parts of it with a flat color. He challenged the meaning and context by doing this. His works are amazing, but not because of the effort put into flawlessly painting the images, capturing the accuracy of what is depicted. It is because of the poignant meaning and subtle references. It is because the concept is strong, and the execution is clean.

I also changed the context of the images I used in my animations and digital collage by taking one person from a photograph, already loaded with a history of its own, unrelated to my art, and combining it with many others. I like the baggage these loaded images brought because it allowed my compositions to hold many histories, just as each person at a party brings a different history or life baggage with them in reality.

Annie Poon is another contemporary artist who has greatly influenced me. She creates lighthearted animations that have an unfinished quality. This is something I really enjoy. It brings a life to the animations that I admire and relate to. 

I tried to accomplish a similar rawness in my own animations by allowing it to lack a seamless or overly finished quality. It looks as if I took a bunch of people, all the friends that I have collected like some kind of kleptomaniac, and pasted them into one setting.

Another artist of this movement who I have thought about in consideration of my own art is Emily Fox. A fearless artist who puts her pride aside to perform somewhat ridiculous and embarrassing things for the videos she creates. Whether it is swimming in a pool to perform aquatic dances or exhibiting her ballet skills in a skintight leotard.

There is a sense of raw, unadulterated exposure that is something I desire to find in my own animations. While I am not exposing myself physically, I do use stop animation to expose my feelings. Specifically the uncomfortable feelings I have when I am alone in a social environment.



I created animations to explore my feelings and desires. I found this process challenging because I wanted to the crowd to be made up of people I know, my friends and loved ones. I wanted to make sure all of their faces could be seen, because they all mean something to me. This would not make a natural looking composition, though, so I had to remind myself of Rembrandt.

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was an artist in the 1600s. He was a Dutch painter working during the Baroque period. Baroque is a style that is used to exaggerate motion and easily interpret detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture and painting.

Rembrandt was a determined artist who took risks and did things differently. In his painting, commonly known as The Night Watch, he composed a group portrait of a division of the civic guard in an unusual way. Instead of painting them in a neat row or sitting at their annual banquet, he depicted a moment in time in a natural way. To have someone hidden behind another person, or obscured in some other way was uncommon because paintings like these were paid for by the group.



I proceeded with my compositions, taking care that they looked natural, swallowing the importance of the face of my friend in order to create an environment that represents a potentially real moment. They are still in the image, which means they are present at the event depicted, which is just as significant as if their faces were visible to the viewer.

My Signature Origin

When I was in Italy we went to a place called Paestum, a Graeco-Roman city, founded around 7 BC by colonists from a Greek city. It was abandoned during the Middle Ages and its ruins were notice again as recently as the 18th century, following the rediscovery of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. While the main features of Paestum are currently the standing remains of three major temples, what impressed me the most is what I found in the museum.

There are tomb paintings and stone busts, along with many other incredible artifacts, but nothing could fascinate me more than the Illuminated manuscripts. I studied them for a long time, impressed by the great amount of detail, and whimsical little markings. I spent a long time documenting them in my sketchbook. Since then I began adding to the pages of my sketchbook more and more intricate designs and patterns I found anywhere from the most unusual places to the most beautiful and renowned works of art.

The idea of using these ancient designs in a contemporary way engaged me, and I felt passionate about drawing for the first time in a long time.

This experience influenced my decision to get my BFA in Drawing and Painting. I created many paintings that incorporated the patters and designs I found during my exploits in Italy. There is one symbol that I adapted as my own, which I included in all the painting, drawings, and prints that I made. I was excited when I got accepted into the program, however, I found that I did not completely understand why I created these compositions, or what they meant. Now I can see that they are emphasizing the details that make things as wonderful as they are, although they may go unnoticed if you do not look for them and make the effort to recognize them. It is what kept me going as an artist, so I could get to where I needed to go.

I continued to make these designs in my sketchbooks, but moved on to more conceptual art. I was push and challenged in the Installation class, and really enjoyed the Digital Art class I took in the Fall of 2010. In these classes I created art that exploited my feelings. It was very uncomfortable, but I have found that it is in the uncomfortable situations, that push you out of your comfort zone, that you grow and progress most. It is there that true greatness is discovered.

Go Forward with Faith

Have you ever been to Disneyland? It’s the most magical place on earth! it’s full of fatty foods, cartoon characters, awesome rides, and the longest lines you will ever stand in! I love it.
​
you don’t think about the lines when you prepare to go. that’s why you get blisters on your feet. but in reality, you are spending hours of your day in LINE! why would you do that?
​
in some cultures, people will get in line because it means food. i had a professor who tried out an experiment with a couple friends. they stood in a row and within minutes there was a line forming. as they realized they had created a false promise for these people, they sheepishly, one by one, left the line.
​
at Disneyland, all the lines lead to good things. and you can choose which one to get in. you either get a deliciously hot churro, a picture with Mickey Mouse, himself, or a thrilling and adorable ride.
​
not only do you get what you’re promised, but the atmosphere while you’re waiting is fun and inviting. AND you have your family and friends to talk to creating wonderful bonding experiences!
​
i have heard that standing in line is what hell is like, but i would like to submit that is it what life is like. Heaven is different. Heaven is what we’re standing in line for. only, it lasts a lot longer than a ride at Disneyland, and is infinitely better!
​
you see, what we don’t always realize about standing in line, is when we move forward. slowly but surely, we go from the back of the line to the front. and if we are wise, we spend our time in line growing closer to the people we love, recognizing the beauty around us, and becoming better for the wait.
​
when i was asked to speak on “going forward with faith” i almost laughed out loud. this topic is one that i have been dealing with a lot lately, and honestly, i think this was the answer to my prayers. i am grateful to have the opportunity to study this topic and share the things i have learned.
​
President Packer shared a story about a time when he felt a difficulty moving forward. He said, “We once had a major decision to make. When our prayers left us uncertain, I went to see Elder Harold B. Lee. He counseled us to proceed. Sensing that I was still very unsettled, he said, “The problem with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.” Then he quoted this verse from the Book of Mormon, “Dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6).
​
He added, “You must learn to walk a few steps ahead into the darkness, and then the light will turn on and go before you.” 
​
one of the key principles i discovered in moving forward with faith is patience. 
​
President Uchtdorf describes patience as the ability to put our desires on hold for a time. He says, “Patience was far more than simply waiting for something to happen—patience requires actively working toward worthwhile goals and not getting discouraged when results don’t appear instantly or without effort.”
​
in the Strength of Youth, we learn that much is required of us. but we are taught that we are capable of reaching our full potential. we should ask ourselves two questions: 1. Am I living the way the Lord wants me to live? and 2. How have I been blessed by living these standards?
​
when we put the Lord first, He will make much more out of our lives than we can do by ourselves. (just as in institute this week. A member of the temple presidency spoke, and he said, talking about marriage, look for someone who loves the Lord more than he loves you. Because if they love the Lord most, he will love you more than he could have if he thought he loved you more) He will increase our opportunities, expand our visions, and strengthen our ability to meet lifes challenges.
​
President Uchtdorf said, “Never give up on anyone. And that includes not giving up on yourself.”
​
even when things seem to be going all wrong, if the Lord is first in your life, you can know you are right on track! Place the wisdom of the Lord above your own, for He is the source of all wisdom.
​
Elder Holland said, “Every one of us has times when we need to know things will get better. Moroni spoke of it in the Book of Mormon as “hope for a better world.” For emotional health and spiritual stamina, everyone needs to be able to look forward to some respite, to something pleasant and renewing and hopeful, whether that blessing be near at hand or still some distance ahead. It is enough just to know we can get there, that however measured or far away, there is the promise of ‘good things to come.’”

​He counsels, “Cling to your faith. Hold on to your hope. “Pray always, and be believing.” Indeed, as Paul wrote of Abraham, he “against all hope believed in hope” and “staggered not through unbelief.” He was “strong in faith” and was “fully persuaded that, what God had promised, he was able to perform.”
​
when we choose to get in line, we have faith that whatever we are getting in line for will be worth the wait. likewise, when we chose to come to earth we knew it would be worth it. and we can choose to endure well while we’re here if we exercise faith we can know it will all be worth it. 
​
President Uchtdorf said, “Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can—working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!”
​
go forward with faith. in whatever you are working toward. 

Elder Holland encourages us, saying, "Don’t give up. Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead—a lot of it. You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”
​
Pray to our Heavenly Father daily. express to Him your gratitude, and the desires of your heart. Study the Scriptures and apply what you read to your life. Go to church every Sunday, feel the Spirit, and let it change your heart. these are the "primary" answers, but they really do make all the difference, if you apply them.
​
When You go forward with faith, you will gain a stronger testimony and find true joy as you come to know your Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and feel Their love for you.
​


testimony

A Special Guest...

Hi!

I'm Tiny Lisa. I'm really shy, so I don't say a whole lot, but people really like me anyway! They always come up to me to have their picture taken with me. I don't do anything to provoke them, I'm usually just standing in the corner -smiling at them. What can I say? I'm a people watcher and I have a happy disposition. I don't see why I wouldn't, life is beautiful. When I am around, I can't help but be noticed.  I go to lots of parties and  have lots of friends. Will you be my friend, too? 



Alright, I'll be honest, lately, I've been working on some top secret detective work. No one catches on. They just think I'm standing in a dark garage for fun, I guess. I'm not gonna lie, I think it's pretty funny how they jump everyday when I startle them. It's not like I jump out screaming (like some would) I just stand there, in the light of the moon, or really just a little night light thingy... 

I'm hungry. I haven't eaten anything... (ever)! When I turn sideways it's like I disappear. 



Well, until next time! I'll be standing here.