Hey there folks! Happy Summer! It's funny how my husband and I have been out of school for a month now (even a little more) and my siblings just finished their school year! One of the many benefits of college I suppose :) Just wanted to update you guys on what I've been up to! What does one do around in a little town in the summer time? I am here to say that I am actually quite surprised by how much one actually can get busy with in the summer time here... For starters, I'm still working on the commission by the Snow College communications office to help illustrate for the Business Department video. I can certainly get drained when it comes to working at long projects ex: this one I'm working on. But I see the horizon line for my part at least. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to have my name get out there through a medium that I thought I would never use! One can get busy by trying to get their Associates before summer ends. Online Geography has been a real killer, for sure. It certainly is like a part-time job, and I get pooped thinking about concepts that are needed to know for the tests and stuff. Online classes are certainly tough- I really think that it does make a difference having the teacher there and face-to-face to talk to for any problem that comes up. I hope that I will come to understand the topics a little better... oh boy.... Tutoring for summer semesters can keep you busy too! ... Enough said! :) But what has been really exciting has been being able to paint! What a joy! And with that, I would like to say that Summer Snow Begins this Next Week! What's Summer Snow?! It's the most wonderful experience for practicing artists to meet with artists who visit for TWO WEEKS (Separate groups of artists for both weeks: June 1-5 and June 8-12) and you just paint... or sculpt... or book-make from 8-5 and even later! From spectacular professionals!!! Want to quickly sign in and sign up?! Click this hyperlink! Last year, I was able to have the honor of being an assistant to oil painters Brad Aldridge and Ron Richmond (websites are in their links) for both of the weeks of Summer Snow. I am so honored to be working in a new medium... Water Color!!! Alongside the spectacular landscape artist, Spike Ress (website in his link). Holy cow... overwhelming? maybe! I never really gave water color a shot, but I'm excited to get to know Spike Ress! So that means that their art is HERE at the Snow College Gallery for the next two weeks. I am also thankful to say that 2 of my pieces are showing at the Assistant Gallery that is Open in the Altspace, Come, check it out and see! In result, I have had the opportunity to return back to an old piece that I started, and was able to add to it to submit to the Assistant Gallery! Landscape isn't my forte... But I want to get the hang of it so bad! So, I decided to turn in my first landscape piece, Valley No. 1, and my piece of my sister, titled, Sister No. 3. What an honor! If you are interested in my Valley No. 1 piece, please contact me! I would love to sell it to you! As always, feedback is greatly appreciated! :) Whether or not someone reads this article! Haha!
There are many things to get done here before July hits... But I am very grateful for being able to to art and to enjoy such a beautiful summer! What are you doing this summer? I would love to hear from you! :) Stay peachy everyone!! GO
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And so it begins! SUMMER! The most fantastic time of the whole year! The fresh cut green lawns that are so lush with green; the summer sunsets that melt away at the touch of the horizon; the smoking of the barbecue grill as it taunts at the taste buds; sweet homemade ice cream from the creamer; family gatherings and festivities that seem to never end; the breath-taking experience of jumping in the lake on the hot summer day; the warm evenings where the stars blink and wink at their fellow friends below- This is summer! And how dang exciting it is to start the fun, now that school's done! I am finishing my Associates this Summer with Snow College, and I'm so excited to say that I will be! It's hard getting your Associates while being an Art Major, unless you have been taking college courses all throughout high school, of which, I didn't. But I take great pride in it! In fact, I will be the first girl in my family to get her Associates done! I am so proud of my achievements! Already summer has come into full swing- my husband and I were able to join my family at Utah's popular amusement park, Lagoon! I have to add, to that one paragraph that I typed at the very beginning, that Lagoon is a definite part of my childhood! We go there, not only for Physics Day and such for school, but growing up, I did Clogging as one of my hobbies I did. It's a mix between dance, tap dance, and awesomeness! :) My siblings still perform now, so we went up to Farmington and joined the clan in a day FULL to the brim of utmost fun! I won't post any pictures of people I know because I still don't know how I feel about internet and people with insane hacking skills that ruin all the fun. BUT, just feel the excitement with me when I say that I was SO excited to take these pictures with my new... *drum roll* CANONEOSREBELT5WITH18/55MMLENS! *breathes* But seriously! I couldn't have been so happy! I'm SO excited to get quality pictures down and share it with you all on the blog! I have been needing this so that I could photograph my artwork so that I could sell it to you guys so that I'm not just taking sad pictures on my phone of the work I am doing. This camera will REALLY tell the truth about the quality and style of my work so. Yeah! Being an artist- and soon to be mom- I want to prove, through this blog that I truly can be anything I dream to be. Being a mother is the ultimate dream for me, even though art is a profession. I appreciate your support- you annoymous crowd of people I know and don't know! I truly do love you all! Heavenly Father has blessed me so much for the opportunities I have had to actually be an artist- how to live as one. It's hard, but the goals I have set from the last time I have posted have been working! Seriously! I'm excited to say that too! So I will post a picture of my latest piece I am working on, to show my excitement! Haha... this one was taken from my phone.... Trying out a little different style, and it's only in it's beginning stages, but It is coming along! It's actually quite fun, and I LOVE birds! So. It works! :) 8x11 Oil Paint of a little American Robin. Trying to do some 'watercolor action' in the back but it's coming as I try it out! :)
Thank you guys so very very much for following up with me on my work! Please contact me if you want a piece done, or if you are interested in this piece that I am doing now! Stay Peachy! GO Thank you guys for hanging in there with me. Man, I'm a terrible blogger!
But for brief update on my artwork and such- ●I am still working. ●I am available for commission work. ●Currently working with Snow College's Business Department for an advertisement video! ●"Grandpa's Owies" is coming together! Check out Blurb when the link will show up! That third bullet though... man... this has been an interesting one... Have you ever signed yourself up for something you feel inadequate for? Or maybe not realizing what you signed up for? ✋ You, my friends, are not alone. And unfortunately, this happens to me often outside of artwork, and not enough within my career. Frankly, this is within my career, so I'm totally cool with that! I've never done any sort of project like this before. It's a stretch that is quite frankly a little painful (literally... my hands were aching for 3 hours after working on the drawing.... ok maybe 2.) But what an awesome experience this is, doing this project! To give a rundown of what I'm doing for the Snow College Business Department, I'm illustrating the advertisement in a commentary time lapse! Have you seen those sweet advertisements on TV or on YouTube of the time lapse drawing videos that are instructive? Yeah, I suppose I am the hand that you will be seeing in the video! The joy! (Apply the lotion and trim the nails right?) I never would have imagined myself signing up for anything like this either. But maybe it's my new mindset going on. I've discovered how hard it is to be an artist... how the difficulty of being an artist isn't necessarily about the whole selling of it, but it's of the personal war that the artist has with themselves and thr constant nourishment of ideas that are needed to be an artist. No, I don't go insane, angry at myself and throw my chairs against the wall. But I am always quickly bored at the project I do. I think I have discovered that I want to try going about my art in another way- Pump put the ideas when they come. That means: ●Following through ideas ●Believe in myself ●Get it done- until I am satisfied The reason why I say this? Having the unfortunate chance to not be taking any studio classes opened my eyes to the reality of how much my art needs attention -my ideas need to be displayed in any way possible. Many artists that I have spoken with this semester (Through Art Talks and other means) have taught me one thing overall: Say Yes until you are "Worthy Enough to Say No." And so I've done so.... to the best of my ability. Say yes to everything- even though I may feel inadequate! :) Peachy huh? Thanks for reading everyone and please contact me if you wish for me to do an artwork for youuuu! Stay Peachy! GO Hey there friends, family, strangers, and newcomers to my blog!
I wanted to thank those who helped me with my survey's I gave about a week and a half ago! It's so fun to receive feedback and to get honest opinions to help me and my work! Seriously though, if you want to see something fun, make a survey of any kind and watch the stats change! It's so fun it's weird!! I loved your feedback and hope to please you guys with this idea I have brewing… From the survey, I was able to understand what people really are interested in art, what subjects they would prefer to have hanging up in their homes, and what medium is most pleasing to the eye. Want to know the statistics? Make a comment to see what you and others were interested in the most! And with these statistics, I want to express one of the ideas that has been buzzing around my head, and you can pitch in some ideas. To begin with... As silly as it is, and as awkward for me to even say it… I want your money. Awkward, but yes. I need your money. Isn't that what every business is aiming for?- to win the hearts of friends and foes with the items or products they sell. It's awful for me to say that though… but… it's pleasing to see something I made become a definite pleasure for somebody else. I haven't had a huge experience of selling my art before, but I dream about it, and want it to really happen. What's more important, I desire to give you as buyers and viewers the stuff you have been wanting! With this being said, I have new ideas buzzing.... Here at Snow, I'm working with the most spectacular Professors. It's unfortunate to say that this semester I haven't taken many art classes due to GE credits. But to get enough credits, I signed up for a class instructed by Brad Taggart. It's a 'Special Projects' class.... what does that entail exactly? I didn't know myself to be honest. I knocked on Brad's door and asked about this class I signed up for that didn't have a set time or a set date of when the class started. Brad looked at me, and asked, "How did you sign up for the class without the permission slip?" We were both confused. But everything was becoming clear, and I have begun a project that is required of a minimum of 45 hours spent on it. I love and admire people who do Kinetic art but.... *shutter* 3D just isn't my medium. Unfortunately, since my instructor is Brad- 3D Professor here at Snow- I am entitled to throw in a little something "3D-ish". *Time out: I'm Blogging from my phone and so I have no idea how to post any images of my work as of right now. I might post work independent of this post so please... bear with! :) * So. How does this sound: -Red Rock Acrylic -Destination -Nature Bound -Round Border Any Yay- Nays? I know this probably doesn't make sense but I'll explain: I have lived in Utah all my life. And although I have been around some, there is no place that has more beauty to explore and uncover than the corners and the heights of Utah. Many can say that they wish to get out of this state- but for those who whine at Utah's environment- I will boldly say that you will not find a more various and more stunning place to be than Utah. Go out and find out if you don't believe me! One of the most beautiful things I love about Utah is Southern Utah: Where the Red Rocks and Canyons consume you whole! So many dear memories flood back whenever I drive down there! So as a desire, I wanted to involve my first set in a series,Titled (for now) "Explore Utah" , would involve Delicate Arch and Southern Utah. But not constrained in the square frame- instead painted onto a round frame instead- representing the Earth and her natural design and shape. However I would stylize the frame and the landscape itself (this you will just have to see in later posts!) *it's hard to type on a phone* As of Oil Painting, I too have ideas coming about for that too! Here at Snow, the Student Art show submitions are due at the end of this month so I pray that I will get some stuff done with Midterms getting in the way! :/ But thank you for your support everyone and thank you for always reading! I am YOUR biggest fan! And that is no lie! :) I love you all and stay Peachy! Hey Folks! I NEED YOUR HELP! You will be able to help me solve my riddle of how to create a Piece of Artwork that would be ideal for all audiences and figure out what people would like to see in art! Please take 3 minutes to take this survey, and it would help me very much! Thanks Peaches! :) NOTE: THERE ARE TWO SUBMIT BUTTONS. YOU MUST ANSWER ALL OF THE QUESTIONS FOR EACH OF THE SURVEYS AND CLICK THE SUBMIT BUTTON FOR EACH SO I CAN RECEIVE FEEDBACK! THANK YOU! Hey Friends. I'm back from great holiday spent with family, with savory meals and quality time with the most amazing man in the world. I especially loved this past holiday season because of how it was the first Christmas I spent with my husband! :) How fun!
But I have been busy. And I've been sick. And tired. Of which, I will explain and express now. Before we split for the break and the new year, I've so graciously been commissioned to illustrate a funny, and cute book about 'Grandpa's Owies!' Written in cute stanzas of poems, this book is specifically directed to the writer's most beloved possessions- his grandchildren. It's been so fun- and a bit tricky. I have spent hours here at the Snow College Writing Lab on the Apple computers to complete these pages for gifts for the writer's 'little ones.' It's still a work in progress, but it's progress, none the less!
What a week… for me at least… I'm sure you can say the same. Although I can feel Christmas break creeping up behind me as I begin to realize that I only have a few weeks left- including Thanksgiving Break- of this 2014 Fall Semester at Snow College. Some of my classes are even ending before the semester's final week! That's quite crazy. I'm… in shock by how fast this year has gone by. But I am anxious for the smell of pine and hot chocolate lingering in the air at our house! :) For stats on my hubby, check out the NJCAA website by clicking the hyperlink. It is the most incredible thing to see my husband and the team play. In high school, I never went to basketball- because swim season was at the same time! I think it is just so funny… I sometimes imagine that my in-laws think I don't know sports- but I know some! :) I have been getting better by sitting by my father-in-law at some games that he has been to lately! Tonight, Snow Basketball is playing Impact Academy at Snow's Richfield Campus, so if you are interested in watching, watch live by clicking the hyperlink! Gosh I love Hyperlinks! :) The Thanksgiving season is my favorite and I love being at home. I particularly love being with my family because of all of the fond childhood memories I had with my siblings. It was so great to have my younger siblings here for this past weekend, because my parents were in Hawaii and… heck, I love my siblings and wanted them to see a game or two of Chris! I love my little siblings, because they remind me of how to be little, and to have an open imagination. They teach me so much about how to be a better older sibling because- they're little! Well… not so little anymore… but their minds are still innocent and hilarious! I mean… just look at them climbing this here tree!! :) And it's colder than it looks in the picture… I wish to say that I am completely grateful for the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ- because it's through the gospel that I know that I will be with my family for forever! What a blessing that is to know that my family will be with me after this mortality is over! In particular, I am so grateful for my husband, who shows me, daily, his love for me and the relationship we have! Ah! *Heart* I fall further and further in love with him every day… just when I think I can't fall any further… Marriage is great! :) Anywhosers, keep in touch! I like writing on this blog, so I might be frequent! It's like… a journal that is my social life that I would have because I don't have one outside of Chris! Have a beautiful fall day! GO Hi there peaches! I absolutely love the life that I live, may I just say? It has been a great, cold day here in Ephraim. My Hubby is so sweet to me when it comes to maintaining the goal for us to go to the Activity Center to work out. He has so much patience as I struggle to wrap up warm for the freezing weather that grabs at our jackets and lingers around the house. Monday and Wednesday school schedules are always so awesome because I spend my first class in Institute with my Husband. Gosh, we had an awesome lesson. We did it based on Mosiah chapters 1-5, and covered conversation about righteous King Benjamin's "General Conference" talk he gave to his people. We were asked to study a block of scripture, and what I studied was Mosiah 4: 16-30. (Click on reference to follow along). And as I read this block, perhaps the most profound verse that struck me, as would anyone, is the popular verse, and commonly said by prophets today- Mosiah 4:19. It says, "For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the sustance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have to of every kind?" Then the verse following: (20) "And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain?" "Nay;" "he has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy," "and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy." Perhaps this is the scripture that I find most accurate to how I feel towards my Heavenly Father every day. Words lack what emotions emulate as I recognize the work and power of my Heavenly Father, as he guides with his steady hand daily. Applying the Atonement that His Son, Jesus Christ, did for me moves me even more. Enough to make me feel like I am as dust (which in a sense, I guess we all are) But gosh... it's not enough to say that I am a beggar... because the Lord has fed me, clothed me, and has come to my aid beyond number. It's degrading. My cup runneth over with happiness, as I look at my life, and seeing what God has blessed me graciously with. I am overcome, and am so invigorated by this truth- about how we all are beggars. It's scriptures like these that I love to read- that puts me in that mindset to serve others, to shake the dust off, and to be 'anxiously engaged in a good cause.' There is so much I have, and I too must give and share. I am so grateful for this gospel and for the truth and peace it brings to my life. There is so much balance as I go throughout a day having read the the words of the prophets- both of old and now. If you have the time, please listen to Jefferey R. Holland's recent General Conference talk, titled, "Are We All Not Beggars?" he gave this past October about service and about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I promise you will be uplifted just as I have this day! You're All Peaches and Cream! Have a sweet day!
Don't forget to share! :) GO Cheers to a new beginning! I switched websites so hopefully some people will glance at my website now. For all I know, I will become just another domain name taken on Weebly, so I have faith that there will be a great outcome out of this! (Wix was difficult anyways…)
If you haven't already, please check out my About page. That may answer some questions about me and my artwork, because this blog may just be my social feed for my artwork and strangers who are oddly interested in the things I love most! At Snow College, my husband and I dwell in a cute humble abode and go to school. I'm the Art Major while he is a Point Guard on the Basketball Team here, and may I admit- I am in love with the whole team! I feel part of a family with them, and what a fun and amazing group of players they are! Very clean cut too. But… Let's be Honest… #11 is the most attractive thing I have ever seen, and what an honor to say that I am his wifey! I was a swimmer in my past life (aka my high school years) and swimming has been the influence to the way I live. Positive Mental Attitude and everything in-between. The adrenaline that flows through your veins as you step up to the block… man… it's epic! I miss it a lot, but running and doing the silly things like 5Ks are awesome! It's like I've morphed from a fish to a gazelle… because I'm pretty elegant when I run… I suppose. I love to cook. But I love apples and peanut butter more. My love for fruit shows even in my every day speech (EX: "You're a peach!" "You're so peachy!") (Maybe that's just peaches though). I love eating clean and despise Goldfish, Cheese-Itz and anything cheese flavored. (Besides the real stuff!) I am also a singer. Well. I like to sing. I am so in love with the power of music and how music rolls hand in hand with my art work. Without music, there is no progression in my art. Unless I'm listening to Harry Potter… But the most important thing that you may know about me is that… the things that I love most- in particular my Hubby, and my Family, and my Art- are all because of my love for the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am in love with my religion because everything becomes my world because of my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ! I am so amazed every day when I sit down and think about what Heavenly Father has blessed me with every day. Try it… You will be in just as much awe as I am every day. Thank you for your support and taking time to read this. It would be insane if someone actually read this, but none-the-less! Your efforts are incredible! You're Peaches and Whipped Cream! :) GO |
Gretchen O'NeillFixated About My Husband Archives//
October 2020
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