2012: A Year of Art and Cat Shenanigans in Pictures

Jaz and I wish you a Happy New Year!

2013 already?! Jeez! Sorry this New Year's Blog is late-- I started it around Early January and then realized that I had the flu for three weeks... Still have the flu, hope this blog make sense. 

Well, I had a pretty good 2012-- I took a lot of what wasn't working out of my life and made way for bigger, better and brighter things. This year at SFSU was extremely productive-- I have tons of new art from my classes which I'm very proud of. I have posted some of my favorites below.

Cranes- unfinished oil painting on canvas board from Painting Class

Still life - 18x24 Oil on Canvas Board

Unfinished Cloth Study (Classwork) Charcoal Drawing 

2x3 foot Abstraction Assignment - Oil on Stretched Canvas

"Recreation of Master Painting" Assignment 18x24 inches - Oil on Canvas Board
This painting was recreated from a bad photocopy of a GORGEOUS  Peter Paul Rubens painting titled "The Elevation of the Cross"

As you can see, I got a lot of time to practice in very different mediums and styles. I can't wait for this upcoming semester! Hope to have slightly more time for the blog during this new semester...

Every year I resolve to spend more time exercising and getting healthy and every year I do a little bit more. 2012 blew every other year out of the water because I started running. With lots of patience and determination, I ran 130 miles just last year!!! I create these goals mostly for my heart health (being born with heart defects, I have had three open-heart surgeries). As usual this year starting late January/early February, I'll be donating $1 from every product sold (from my art websites) to the American Heart Association. If not for the AHA, I would not be here writing this blog! So the healthy exercise goals are a must. This year, I'm signing up for 5k and 10k races so I don't fall behind.

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Jasper resolved to be more obnoxious last year but instead he became more of a sweetheart and more annoying at the same time. He was forced into some play-dates in order to make some new friends. This is how I learned that cats can be the most stubborn of creatures. Below he is meeting my friend's cats, Panda and Denny (who are nearly twice his size).

From left to right: Jasper, Panda, Denny

 Above, Jasper is being a jerk and hoarding the other cats' food bowl. Denny is not happy about this and Panda is trying to mediate. 

Jasper and Panda like to give each other kisses

That is all for now. Sorry this blog is a half-effort. I *do* still have the flu, so I'm going to go to sleep and hope I get better in time for the new semester. *Ah-choo!*

Happy 2012 From Claire and Jasper the Cat!

Claire and Jasper: wishing you a happy 2012! (well, maybe just Claire)

Hello everyone and Happy New Year! I'm glad everyone has made it this far with me!

2011 was a great year, but it's good to start fresh. This year in 2012, I'm making some changes in order to have a more efficient schedule and devote as much time as I can to painting and creating. I hope to have a new website out soon and some new artwork as well, but later this month, I shall have even less time to devote to my art due to a full load of State classes this semester. 

Some of my resolutions include keeping my studio clean, staying organized and doing more yoga. So far, so good!

I don't really have any painting goals or plans, except to just paint whatever comes to mind when I have the time. However, I would like to spend more time on design, concept and details of my work. 

Jasper the Cat's resolutions are to sleep more, to bite James more, and to be more obnoxious. So far he's kept his resolutions...

Thank you to everyone who has supported me from the beginning and to all my friends who have helped along the way, or who I've only just met! All of you are so wonderful and make me the happiest person in the world! Thank you for taking time to view my art.