Here's a quick sample of what I'm doing. By tilting the tablet in my hands, I can move the smaller animation (fox) around the screen. By moving some of the sliders on my tablet, I can change the scale, contrast, etc. Step 1 towards making my installation interactive!

I've been working hard on my Max/MSP/Jitter certificate program, and I want you to see what I've made! This Thursday, come to Harvestworks (596 Broadway, suite 602, Manhattan, 10012) from 7-9 pm and see the work-in-progress viewing of my interactive video installation.

Above is a quick sample of what I'm doing. By tilting the tablet in my hands, I can move the smaller animation (fox) around the screen. By moving some of the sliders on my tablet, I can change the scale, contrast, etc. This was Step 1 towards making my installation interactive!

Besides this, I've been very busy seeing lots of art, hanging with pals from around the country all gathered here for MIX, biking to Dead Horse Bay, hiking in New Jersey, and eating lots of delicious food. It's been a blast.

I'm in New York City to learn and see and explore and make, thanks to the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and the McKnight Foundation's Next Step Fund! As you can see from above, yesterday I spent the day at the ocean, given that 70 degree days in November don't come often - I took full advantage! I didn't get in further than my knees, but I could have - it was so much warmer than most of the lakes I swam in this summer.

Aside from the fun day at the beach, I've been holing up at Harvestworks diving in deep with Max/MSP/Jitter software. What the heck is that, you are probably wondering. In short, M/M/J will help make my video installations interactive - I am working on creating what is called a "patch" that will talk from my Android tablet to the computer running the videos and allow the viewer of the work to move the animals around, change videos, and potentially influence other environmental factors of the installation such as lights, sound, and so forth.

The fantastic Tommy Martinez is my mentor in this creation. He took a video of my project working that I'll upload later. Only a few days in and it is looking so good! Honestly, I feel surprised that this thing that I've been talking about for over two years is actually happening - that I am making the work do what I envisioned in my head! I've had many doubts along the way as whether what I wanted was even possible, so it's really special that I am being funded to make this happen!

Just a quick update about my art making and future projects! I have spent the last couple months mostly gearing up for an upcoming trip to NYC for my Next Step project. Stay tuned for more on that! 

Also, I've been working hard in the pottery studio - see the tea pot I made on the left. Making a tea pot was my goal project when I started taking pottery 2 years ago. I'm so proud of the little guy - and it works quite beautifully. It holds 2.5 cups of tea, it doesn't dribble when you pour, and the lid stays on snugly when it's tipped. Yep, that's quality workmanship!
​
I've also been taking a lot of self-portraits lately. Harking back to 2004-6. I'm not sure what I'll do with them, but it's been fun to get dressed up and take pictures. Feeling very Cindy Sherman/Kathy Acker/Madonna/Siousxie Sioux lately, I guess!