The End...?

What I did:
- Michael's for new frames (30 mins)
- printing posters installation (2 hrs)
- Final fixes: (2.5 hrs)
- Kolossos (3 hrs)

- Drawing and painting cover images (2.5 hrs)

- scanning, editing, formatting, printing cover (2 hrs)

- Binding (5.5 hrs)
- setting up installation (3 hrs)
- documenting (45 mins)
- updating website (1.5 hrs)

What I discovered/encountered/accomplished:
     I went out and got different frames for my exhibition. They aren't the ones with the really thin border because the Michael's I went to had no idea what I was talking about... also I physically couldn't find them. I got the next best thing: They are glass and have a realitilvey small black border.
     I printed the posters to be framed once. This took a while to get all the settings right. I had to adjust the curves a couple times. However, while trimming them, I noticed they were extremely line-y. So I printed them again. But they are framed and hung.
     I made some last minute changes with color as well as physical add-ins and changes. For example, I added signatures on a few casts that I forgot about. I switched Kay's wink in the second to last page to read more as a wink.... etc.
     Kolossos was really understanding with my whole situation. I have been in there a lot over the past week. Test prints. Prints. More prints.... and last minute fixes. I realized at 5:20 on Tuesday that I messed up the formatting on the first and last page (and I sliced through one while trimming). I got there 20 minutes before they closed, huffing and puffing in complete disarray. Luckily the girl I have been working with was there and assured me that they could print a few pages off before close. At 6:01 I walked out with fixed pages. What a relief!
     My cover turned out pretty okay. I wish I had more time to work on it, but it works.

i promise, it looks better in person.

     Binding is such an exhaustive, but worthwhile process. I trimmed, folded, measured, sewed and glued 52 pages. In the end I had two pretty awesome copies of my book.

      When I got to my space in Work gallery,  Mark had already had my table, pillows, and even a rug set up. I guess my bothering him everyday worked out for the best. I painted the wall to cover up scuffs and other gross things. I hung my three frames in a straight line (and equally spaced too!!). I cleaned the rug and table. I also had to put some tape under the rug because it slid a little too well across the floor. I almost broke my neck a couple times. Lastly, I set out some postcards and my completed book. It almost feels silly that I have been stressing so much for the past 7 months and here is this little book on this little table.
     I updated my thesis project website to include picture of my process, and after tonight, I will be adding pictures from the show.

It is so strange that this is the end...

What's Next:

     I have a million things I want to do. Make more fixes. Practice binding more. Spend more time on the cover. Send it to blurb or lulu so my family and friends can have a copy.

So maybe this isn't the end for Kay... I think she still has a few adventures left.

 

Final Stretch

What I Did:
- rescanned some drawings (2 hrs)
- photoshop (8 hrs)
- formatting indesign document for printers (1.5 hrs)
- printing (45 mins)
- binding (3.5 hrs)
- website (2.5 hrs)
- cover (1 hr)
- prepping for installation (2 hrs)
- writing/editing artist statement (1.25 hrs)


What I discovered/accomplished/encountered:
     It took me forever to photoshop my images. I mostly just worked with color matching and saturation. I did work some photoshop magic on some mistakes, although I was pretty excited that there weren't as many as I originally thought. As for color, my watercolors ended up pretty faded, so the extra color boost helped a whole lot. The hardest part for me though was getting the color of the "xray view" pictures to look the same. Evidently the hue of my greenish-black xray color changed over the course of 27 paintings. It is looking better, but after looking at the test prints, I know things still could improve.
     Speaking of test prints, I sent my first set of prints through at the beginning of last week. They turned out WAY better than I thought and I think I might start having faith in this project again. The booklet printing setup worked fine, especially with each signature being its own document. The paper also worked without too much transparency.
     I stink at binding. I really really stink. First of all, I need to go out and buy the right thread, because what I had on hand was too thin and tangly. I also need to tie tighter. (Although making less signatures will help with this a lot.)  Everything lined up pretty well. I need to work on my folding so the pictures line up (not just the edges of the paper). I am also going to crop it next time so there is no white border.The glue was a mess. I got it everywhere, including on the pages. It was a mess. I learned a lot and I know I won't make these mistakes again, but regardless, it was a mess.
     Website is up and mostly working. You can check it out at http://xraykay.carbonmade.com/. I am still working on uploading content and organizing and such.
     I did some drawings and sketches for the cover. At first it was just going to be a picture of Kay, but Hannah suggested she somehow interact with the text (which I looove), so that is currently in progress. Although all I've done since Thursday afternoon is mostly sleep.
     I have everything turned in for my installation. I managed to track down a table and floor pillows from Mark, so I am also good on that front. Fingers crossed I get Work: Ann Arbor.
     Lastly, I worked for a while on my artist statement. I thought quite a bit about why I think this project is important and what sparked the idea in the beginning. I think it turned out pretty well....
"Over the past few years, I have found myself more and more fascinated with human anatomy, particularly with the skeletal system. In a culture where bones are typically used to signify death and danger, I have found myself with a very different perception. To me, bones represent vitality and beauty. They are our armature, orchestrating every movement and every breath. Physically, they have a unique beauty; each bone delicately sculpted so each bump and ridge has a story.
 I believe that by fostering a curiosity for anatomy at a young age, we can help dismiss preconceived morbidity that is usually associated with it and appreciate the human body for the work of art that it is." 


What's Next:
     I am taking my book home this weekend for feedback. I will then make some fixes and have the final copies printed off Tuesday so I may bind and troubleshoot Tuesday and Wednesday. I will be setting up my space sometime this weekend hopefully. If not then, than Monday.