Vera Abaimova: Studio (E-Portfolio)

My E-Portfolio, all new and shiny-like.

Introduction:

The artist's studio is her space to think, to learn, and above all, to create. It is a very personal space that is often a reflection of the artist not only in relation to her work, but also of her as a person. In some cases, it can even function as a gallery showcasing the artist's work and progression.

In many ways, this e-portfolio is like my artist's studio, though it is considerably less messy and haphazard than a physical studio would be. Here is a collection of works, written, spoken, and visual that both highlight my knowledge of rhetoric and reveal some things about me as a person.

Fortune Telling Fish

Not too long ago my room mate's friends came down for a weekend. We all had a grand old time (with some craziness mixed in, though that's too long of a story) and at the end of the weekend, one of the girls gave my room mate and me Fortune Telling Fish. A proud product of Pier 1 Imports (a furniture/home goods/decorative items store), the Fortune Telling Fish comes in a little plastic envelope which warns you that it is not a toy (Fortune Telling Fish are a serious business you guys, note the capital letters) and that it is not intended for children under the age of eight years. Essentially, this Fortune Telling Fish is a piece of red plastic film, cut in the shape of a fish (vaguely reminiscent of Swedish Fish). You put it on your hand and it's supposed to move. Based on its various movements, the fish can tell you your fortune...er sort of?

It's a miracle!

Reading is...

…a good thing. We have been told this for the entirety of our school careers and beyond into higher education. Reading opens doors into the mind, fosters creativity and open mindedness, and enhances our knowledge of various topics. The bad side to reading.... well, I can't really think of one.

So easy a cavem-- I mean, a child can do it. Or in this case smart baby.

For me, reading is a relaxing activity to be done when I'm finished homework (or when I'm avoiding homework) or just because, when I want to escape from my own life for a time and focus on someone else's struggles for a while. I read a lot of fiction and my favorite genres include science fiction and fantasy, though generally I will read just about anything. I've even been known to read a nonfiction book or three. But in general, I love reading stories about adventures, especially when my own life seems so mundane in comparison. Go to class, do homework, rinse, repeat. Reading does a great deal to break up the monotony. It is a calming activity that inspires me.

Spelling Errors of Epic Proportions

Spell check has greatly improved our lives. It has allowed us to completely disregard all rules of spelling when doing our assignments, which has greatly simplified our lives! Knowing how to spell has become obsolete!

Why should we even bother learning how to spell if a machine can do it for us? I think the future is also quite promising. Soon, we won't even need to think for ourselves, our robotic overlords will do it for us!

Yarr....

But unfortunately, such great technological innovations aren't of much use for “human-centric” arts, such as tattooing. Which for many is quite a shame. Tattoos are permanent, which can be scary for some, but I think they can also be an exquisite art form if done well. But the really scary part is if you want to get a tattoo that has words. Here are some fine examples of such tattoos: