Visiting North High Street and Wishing what Cincinnati Arts COULD be

The other day, I very haphazardly filled out an application on a art gallery website to be an artist they represent.  Found the link on craigslist.  What are the chances of this being anything decent?  It did not ask for a portfolio just asked for mediums, so, I check photography, graphic/computer art, painting, and drawing as they are my specialities but commented that photography is what most of my recent work is in.  Again, this was all haphazard.  Ryan and I were over at the Dilly Deli visiting Dom and eating dinner and my phone starts blowing up with Columbus area code.  Reception was bad, I didn't answer.  Well it was the gallery wanting to talk to me.  Cool.

Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to call this guy back till Saturday afternoon, but, it was cool.  We talked, I sent him to my lowly little website with one gallery on it event photography and the other in graphic design.  It apparently peeked his interest enough to say, can you be up here tomorrow or are you busy?  By busy, my only plans were to go to yoga and ironically, go shoot at Spring Grove Cemetery because I have a ton of ideas brewing with my fascination to the Cincinnati landmark.  So I agreed to come up and show him my stuff.

I was bouncing around the apartment--I WAS STOKED!!!  I had a lot of things over at the apartment photography wise along with my best drawings, but, there were a few more things that I wanted to bring (like my pieces from "Gloss, Glitz, and Grime" shown in the West End about 5 years ago and of course my baby, my senior thesis shown at DAAPworks 4 years ago when I graduated).  I get there, of COURSE my  mother has to be the debbie downer and told me to not get TOO excited and that I really shouldn't be posting my excitement on facebook.  Really mom?  I am happy and excited and this is a chance to start building a relationship with a great gallery (and I say that because it is located on North High Street in Columbus--it is what Northside/OTR/Clifton COULD BE but Cincinnati is ass backwards about art).

Anyway--I get more portfolio together in a frenzy and call my friend Emily (my token hipster friend, we've known each other since the first day of college and fortunately/unfortunately, know most of our deep dark secrets--she is very nonjudgemental that way).  I bribed her with breakfast and french press coffee to get her to come over and be objective in selecting pieces.  I love her for that---we streamlined the photo-book and picked the best pieces from thesis (and chatted how the thesis itself was a big step for me that took me a long way to get there and it did not get me a directors award because they didn't know how to "classify" my work--it's called mixed media a-holes) and brought my drawings/painting/2d whatever.

We got up to Cbus (Ryan is amazing and drove up with me because the drive to Cbus sucks and is boring and its Memorial Day Weekend and the state troopers were EVERYWHERE!).  I love North High Street.  The gallery director and I got to talk for about an hour on and off because potential "clients" were coming in the door.  I immediately love the way the gallery is run.  I drunk guy comes in a buys a piece of jewelry and he immediately gets all his contact info and what other pieces he likes.  Smart.  It really is a hole in the wall kind of place owned by sculpture artist from Kenton, OH.  SO most of his stuff is in there.  It's all colorful and fun and my portfolio is dull and morbid (I shoot in Cemeteries, think about this---and my thesis is based on the ballet Giselle, again, dark and morbid).  He looked at everything and said the work was beautiful.  LOVED the thesis--would want to see more with color (okay, I'm thinking doable--just need access to a printmaking press, but, totally doable).  Loved my recent shots at Spring Grove I just edited.  HATED my "ice storm trees" and told me to take them out of my portfolio immediately if I continue to live in the midwest.

Landscape from the Spring Grove Suite

The guy was excited about my work....which is cool, because, it is somebody who does not know my story and does not know anything and is purely looking objectively.  He wants to speak with me again (sweet) and to really focus on my vision--also if my vision is what people are going to want to buy while doing a gallery hop in the Short North District.  He told me a lot of money is put into marketing and he wants both sides to be ready when I sign on--which I AM TOTALLY COOL with because I am practical business wise.  He also told me to walk away knowing that he is NOT there saying "oh that was nice."  He flat out told me my photography was beautiful and that a lot of the event photos would be perfect commercially, the dance photos for playbills, etc.  The newest work, the Spring Grove Suite--I have 225 photos to work with from just one shoot alone--So I have a lot of things to think about and play with and I am excited because he wants to speak with me again.

Overall--good day--worth the trip--and I am focused and pumped for what the future will bring!



Angel from the Spring Grove Suite

BIG NEWS

soooo....I bought my domain name and after careful thought, it is going to be my name.
www.kristinsiconolfi.com
Keep your eyes peeled because after school is out this week I will be busting it out.

Its a big todo--I will have galleries, a blog, a paypal service...and I can even customize everything with imagery.

Additionally to that--I also have models who volunteered to play dress us with me so I can photograph!

Anyway--that's all I got for now.

Feeling Grateful and Updates

Updates First:
-Cinci Dance Festival 2010 is a no go.  Not enough people getting their "shit together" from the other companies as Mario put it.
-I am not taking summer classes till Mid July....because....I need a break.  Which means I better get my ass in gear for Tuesday night time trials in Cleves because I only have May, June, and Half of July to do them.

Feeling Grateful for the following People in my life.
Again I realize how petty I've been about people not recognizing my friendship so I thought I just might give shout outs to the people in my life I am grateful for:

Ryan--for making sure I relax and just chill out.  For loving me and for being with me.  For making me laugh.

My de la Dance Fam:
Mario and Meridith--because they are nuturing A.D.'s.  Because they take genuine care and interest in their dancers and for pushing them beyond what they (the dancers) think they are capable of and bringing out the very best in their dancers.

Amy H--because she is strong and beautiful.  Not just as a dancer but as a person, more so than I ever realized till recently.  She is resilient

Kevin--because no one rocks glitter like he does and he just good natured to be around

Tara --sweaty bitch #1.  Grateful for her because she actually told a ballet director in SC to fuck off when he told her she weighed too much.  Because she is supportive and encouraging and inspirational to be with in class.  And she is just funny as hell.  And she has the cutest son ever.  And she is one of my favorite friends I have made as an adult....love her.

Amy G-- sweaty bitch #2.  Potato, potato.  Because she is "mexican by injection"  Haha...no seriously, because she helps me deal with my mommy issues and again makes me laugh.  And because her husband and her  showed Ryan and I what real Mexican food tastes like.

Other peeps:
Judi--just read her latest post about her past life you will begin to understand why I find this woman to be a straight up badass and down right amazing!

Carrie K--because it takes a special person to be friends with for 20 years, but, even more special because she has been friends with me for 20 years.  Ha...to many stories...not enough time.  Also because she breaks the Cincinnati standard:  yes she got married at 24 and married her high school sweetheart, but, there is no housewife / children in the picture yet....thank god.

Bethany--my cousin, bc we are peas in a pod (aka the Artsy misfits of the Siconolfi family).  I miss seeing her tons.

Midgie--from XO Pi Alpha Chapter--for always ALWAYS telling it as it is and for being there for me always...regardless.

I am sure there are more, but, I dedicate this post to the positive people in my life because you are the only ones that matter.

The Bucket List

I am bored and I don't want to do homework.  I've already baked peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.

My Bucket List:

1.  Attend a real Art Auction at Sotheby's or Christies in NYC or London (because Park West Gallery isn't the same).
2.  See ABT dance one season at the MET in the Spring when they bust out all the good classic ballets.  (ABT--American Ballet Theate....MET, Metropolitan Opera House NYC).
3.  The Louvre in Paris....no explanation needed.
4.  The Vatican (aka Michaelangelo CENTRAL)
5.  African Safari (my dream photography experience).
6.  Surfing in Australia
7.  Diving in Hawaii and Australia (though I would need a Scuba license and lose my fear of coral reefs, but, that is neither here nor there).
8.  Backpack through Europe
9.  Study Art in the Italian Countryside (there are programs where you can do this too).
10.  Go to THE holy city:  Jerusalem (so much culture, but, WAY too much fighting).
11.  Spend at least a month in an Ashram in India (I'm going to save this for my mid life crisis).
12.  I really want to go to New Zealand, because it looks beautiful!
13.  Just like backpacking through Europe, I want to go play in South America so I have a reason to be shaking my booty (I love Latin dancing).
14.  REALLY REALLY REALLY want to learn to dance Spanish Flamenco
15.  Watching the Olympics makes me miss the Pacific Northwest more and more....sorry Ryan, forget Colorado, I think we should become Ex Pats and move to Vancouver---you get the mountains and Victoria is just a 2 hour ferry away from the hipster art scene and the beach!
16.  I want to go bungee jumping.  Again.
17.  I want to go Ziplining again in: Costa Rica, where it boasts the worlds longest zipline (I've seen it, but, I went ATVing in the mountains instead), and in Ketchikan in the Alaskan Rainforest.
18.  Whale Watching (Alaska or Hawaii can provide this).
19.  Swim with Dolphins (again Hawaii can provide this....along with Hiking up a Volcano)
20.  Walk the Great Wall of China
21.  I have never been to Washington D.C.---but I really just want to go to the National Mall/Smithsonian
22.  Hike the Grand Canyon again (I did this when I was 12 and I don't think I appreciated as much as I should have).
23.  White Water Rafting (and according to Ryan, I may be able to cross this off this summer).
24.  Learn Italian
25.  Cook Indian and Morrocan
26.  Meet my Olympic Heros, Carl Lewis (fo shiz), the Magnificent 7 (1996 Gymnastics team), Kristi Yamaguchi, Apollo Anton Ono (damn short track is sexy), Paula Radcliffe.
27.  Meet Gerard Butler, Michael Crawford and any man who has ever played Phantom, in Phantom of the Opera.....sigh.
28.  HAVE A BIG KITCHEN (this will be my pre-req for a house...along with a 3 car garage....for Ryan's and My bikes of course)
29.  Publish a book
30.  Dance on a big stage in front of a big audience.

Incredibly YUMMY Discoveries:

1.  Spaghetti Squash with Pesto (AMAZING...and I don't feel bad because I am eating a veggie, not real pasta.  GENIUS)
2.  Almond Milk, Oatmeal, topped with Honey Crunch Wheat Germ (good morning Fiber).
3.  Greek Yogurt (yummy), with McCabe's Granola (because it is low in sugar), with Honey. (Good Morning Protein).
4.  Muddy Buddies/Puppy Chow/Moose Poop.  Whatever you call it:  Chex Cereal with PB, Chocolate, and Powdered Sugar (the not so nutritious option of this list).

Other "Yummy" Discoveries:
1.  My printmaking professor from last semester (who I thought I hated me), wants to put to of my prints in a show at XU and she is pretty sure one of them is going to sell!  That's kind of exciting, here is one of the images she wants me to put in.  It is a collograph, and she already took one of the editions for future classes:

2.  I always leave class on Thursday nights (Multicultural Children's Literature), feeling great about the world and blessed to have had the cultural experiences I've had because they are rare for a suburban white girl from the Midwest.

3.  My professor for Educational Administration is the funniest damn man I have ever met.  He is the superintendent for Newport Schools and used to have that title at Cincinnati Public Schools--I guess you would either be very cynical or hysterical after that appointment.

4.  A lot of the kids at De*La are improving rapidly as Giselle rehearsal trots along.  I am very proud of the kids as this ballet is a huge undertaking for anyone, let alone a first year pointe dancer.

5.  Devianart.com  oh how I have foolishly forgotten thee.  Thank you for being my graphic design SAVIOR!

Photography Lately

I shot some photos at Spring Grove last week...about 250 or so....here are some favorites...untouched by photoshop as of yet....

I love that statue...already started making alterations in photoshop.  Ryan told me it is creepy looking.

My Art Girlfriend Emily came with me...I call her my art girlfriend because despite being a sorority girl, she was one the best friends I made at DAAP...she is a total GDI (god damn independent as we called them...the people who aren't in greek life).  My bestest art buddy.  She's back in grad school too becoming and art teacher.  Love her....many hours in studio together (sometimes crying), nights getting drunk (in Chicago), and trying to sound so utterly cool in the art world....oh and getting drunk at the CAC (Contemporary Arts Center), eating endless amounts of sushi.  I love this girl.

These photos were taken for De*La Dance company promotional photos for Giselle.
Images shot on a Canon 40D with a Lens Baby Muse lens

Things that I am LOVING right now:

1.  My brand new computer (well okay, my computer is 6 months or so old...but I love it).  The 24'' iMac
2.  Philosophy make up and facial cleansers
3.  Adobe Creative Suite CS4 is now installed into my brand new computer!  Yay!  All I have to is start playing with it and have projects lined up already:  Logo for BAM, De La Dance Company, amongst some of my own logo building for me
4.  My new bike....still excited to ride it...can't wait for this crappy weather to ease up!
5.  Ann Taylor, where I am currently employed.
6.  Mari Winsor Core Reformer Pilates....ouch.