Where did the week go?!

Wholly molly, time is flying by!
I don't know what happened to last week, I don't know what I did?!
While trying to figure that out, I'm playing a lot of  catch up today. 
So, this post will be very random. 

Today I changed my name legally!! 
I now have Grace Langdon Lathrop printed on my Drivers license!!! 
I also found out that Lathrop is a lot harder to sign than Smith. 
Reed told me I needed to practice before I use it on my projects...

Now, this is what I'm about to start working on. 
My school schedule is oddly relaxed(As of right now).
 2 of my classes only meet once a week 
and another is kinda a free for all. 
My senior studio is just to work whenever I want. 
Obviously this sounds great but its hard to motivate yourself sometimes. 
I have a cool project that I'll share Thursday once I get it started. 

Butttt the one I'll share today is for a creative inquiries class that is basically a more in depth art history and philosophy. I've only met in class once but it is CRAZY material. So much of it goes over my head but I'm trying to scribble down as many notes as I can. 
For this class we are still creating art, not just reading and doing research. 
The professor has asked each of us to pick an object. 

I picked a mason jar. 
(I have tons of them around the house right now.) 

He then told us that we have to create a piece of art with that object 6 out of 7 days a week for the remainder of the semester.
If you are wondering how I'm going to create about 90 pieces of art with a mason jar. 
I'm wondering the same thing!
So last week I wasn't really in to the project. 
I did multiple little sketches 
and used the project as more of a materials investigation than anything. 

I did a typical graphite sketch.

A detail study using oil pastels. 

I then bought myself some better oil pastels because those sucked. 
And then did a sketch using those really focusing on the color and play of light. 
It looks like a 4 year old did it, but I like this one the best. 

I then moved the jar to a new setting and put it up against a black background with a white piece of paper under it. 
I wanted to see if the colors in the light changed. I used oil pastels again and it probably wasn't the best idea. i was trying to see ALL the color that was there, not just the black and white. 
I don't think I was successful. 

Thenn for my 5th piece I did another graphite sketch this from a different angle and included the shadow. I think I'm going to continue to look at how the shadow works through the glass. 

And finally I did a few rubbings from the jar. 
Easy and very kindergarten crafty but it was a start!!

Basically from the project we are supposed to learn how to create with out the fear and pressure of perfection. By creating artwork every day you begin to focus more on the idea and the learning aspect than of the finished product. Hopefully I will start taking this to heart because this mind set would be really helpful during senior studio!! 

Learning to be a wife.

WARNING: this post may be a little heavy. 
This is my heart tonight and hope it doesn't scare anyone away.

As of this past Tuesday Reed and I have been married for an entire month! 
Big step I know!! 
I was planning on posting something ooie gooie on Tuesday but refrained myself in order to give a real peak in to how I have been learning to be a wife. 
IT'S HARD WORK! 
Balancing school and work PLUS learning how to live with Reed, love on Reed, and help Reed the way God has told me too. It gets a bit overwhelming. 
Often the feeling of being overwhelmed comes on the long school days where I leave Reed in the bed and don't see him again until he comes home from work at about 10pm that night. 
It sounds so lame when I say it, but it really sucks not seeing him during the day. 
By the time we are both home, he has homework, I'm exhausted and feel like I haven't had time to accomplish anything. 

Today was one of those days. 
I went to class at 8am, came home for a quick lunch at 11, did a few projects, went back to school for class at 2:30, got home at 5:15 and Reed was walking out the door to work. 
I decided to go on a run (I've been making myself run lately just to fill the time with something that makes me feel good both mentally and physically). 
Once I got home I started doing research for my senior show. 
This is a downer in itself because there are so many things to consider. 
What is my art saying?
What are the viewers taking away from it?
How do I convey my message?
Am I using humor or trying to stay on the more subtle end?
What artists should I reference or research?

SO MANY QUESTIONS! 

And looking around right now I need to
 make dinner
  vacuum
 sweep
 clean the bathroom
 do the dishes
 rearrange the guest room
 return some gifts
 finish the thank you notes
go to the DMV
get a new passport
 start a new commission piece

BOO REAL LIFE! 

So, all that sounds pretty negative. 
And I hate that. 

MARRIAGE IS NOT A NEGATIVE THING!

Reed and I have so much fun!!
We have learned so many things about one another that I had know idea I didn't know!
We laugh ALL THE TIME. 
We find time to watch at least 1 episode of something together every night. 
We go out with friends on weekends. 
We get to go to church every Sunday with family. 
And the best part is
 that every night we go to bed together and just get to enjoy the silent presents of each other. 
(Cheesy but true). 

So of course there is good and bad. 
Balance is the key to life. 
I don't think I will ever find the perfect balance between everything in my life. 
But that is ok because God has already been perfect. 
One of my favorite verses is one that I was introduced to my junior or senior year of high school. 
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

This verse is one I apply to everything. 
It encourages me with school and the unknown of what I will be doing in the future (near or far). 
It helps TONS when I freak out about finances. 
I share it with family and friends constantly as a quick reminder of our perfect Lord and how he has already taken care of us and that we have no need to worry. 

All of that to say. 
I don't need to worry about being a perfect wife. 
As long as I am pursuing Christ and Reed I can not go wrong. 
I love both of these men so much. 
I want to be the best helper to Reed I can. 
That may not mean always having a good home cooked dinner, or freshly vacuumed floor. 
As long as I am constantly encouraging him with words of affirmation and loving him to the best of my ability, our marriage will continue to grow in the Lord and stronger over time. 


1 month is nothing bring on forever!

PS. Photo credit goes to our wonderful photographers The Mondays