Convectothermophilic Nonsense

finalmente!

2011-03-24T13:40:00.000-07:00

Yikes! it's been over two weeks since the last post. I have been drawing though, so I'll post as regularly as possible from now.

So, between then and now, what have I been doing?
1) designed and ordered promo postcards
2) wrote "query"/cover letters
3) put envelopes together
4) MAILED my portfolio samples!

Here's a picture before a trip to the post office.

Based on the volume of file folders, envelopes, labels, paper clips and papers lying around, I could have opened a small office supply store. It's funny how all that matter condensed into these seven envelopes--they're considerably less meaty than I anticipated. (A good thing I hope.)

To sum it all up in one word: RELIEVED.

I don't know why I put off the mailing for so long, but I feel way better now that it's out of my hands. There's nothing to fret about. Well, the fear of complete rejection looms, but I can worry about that 3-6 months down the line if/when it happens... and fortunately I have good coping skills.

For now I'm more than ready to resume a normal schedule and work on the stuff that's been put aside.

Eurethra!

2011-03-08T22:23:00.000-08:00

Scientists in Wake Forest have "grown" urethras from bladder cells. In the study, the engineered urethras were implanted into five boys with urinary tract damage. The results are promising. Science changing lives-- I love it.

Read more:
http://www.npr.org/2011/03/08/134340350/scientists-grow-parts-for-kids-with-urinary-damage

Here's the paper:
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673610623549/fulltext

Unnatural Disaster #1: The K-JIL syndrome

2011-03-06T22:37:00.001-08:00

Kim Jong Il is either nuts or very savvy. Or maybe both. It's easy to laugh at him and his shortness, his jumpsuits, his haircut... but the scary thing is that people actually believe he is god. He essentially is. He has the ability to determine life or death for the citizens (though mostly a slow and painful death through overwork and undernourishment). I wonder if he believes it himself?

I don't even know how I'd characterize the K-Jil syndrome-- selfishness? indulgent? delusional? capriciousness? being a big baby?

February 22 2011: Christchurch, New Zealand

2011-03-01T20:31:00.000-08:00

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck one week ago.

There was an article in the LA times that contained really evocative descriptions of the aftermath. As I read the article, what I was seeing in my head were those pictures of bombed out European cities during WWII. This is some of what I imagined. Reality probably has a lot more rubble. I wish the people much fortitude as they rebuild.

Hurricane Baby Frank

2011-02-25T15:53:00.000-08:00

It all started with my nephew, Franklin's double cowlick. My parents and grandma fawned over it. I'm not sure if this is the case with all Koreans, but in my family a double cowlick is a sign of stubbornness (or persistence depending on how you see things).

To me, it looked like a hurricane. Naturally. Because in addition to babies, weather is one of my favorite things. I have much respect for weather and energy after revisiting the content as a teacher. If you think about it from a conceptual standpoint, you can't help but be awed at how infinitely interconnected everything in the natural world is...

Here is an excerpt from the Tropical Cyclone Report for Hurricane Frank (source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-EP092010_Frank.pdf):

The tropical wave that eventually became Frank was difficult to trace from the west coast of Africa. It was first identified on 15 August when a large area of showers, accompanied by a low-level cyclonic wind shift, was noted near the southern Windward Islands.

Hurricane Frank ended up off the southwestern coast of Mexico, as a category 1 hurricane. Yet, it started off: 1) halfway around the Earth! 2) as a wave!! It's mind boggling!

I could go on, but I won't. Without further ado, here's what I came up with this week.

Any old hurricane in Los Angeles would be freakish and miserable. Hurricane Baby Frank however, would be the cutest hurricane you've ever experienced. Lemon cupcakes and baby bunnies would float down from cowlick clouds.

The Champ of Champs Snoozer

2011-02-18T19:57:00.000-08:00

Franky Smalls Lee is the champ of champs snoozer;

Logs- a distant second, Princess Aurora-she's the loser.

The glasses may clink and the dishes may clatter,

But Franklin sleeps on- noise is no matter.

He slumbers boldly, while the vacuum drones,

while the dishwasher runs and people chat on iPhones.

Through sirens, alarms, bells, whistles and roars,

In nap-dom he stays, with the sweetest of snores.

But there is one sound that he always can hear-

the mutterings of his gut transmit loud and clear,

"Hey Smalls, Guess what? You're running on low!"

(in a voice that sounds like Tony Soprano).

So to show who's boss, Frank wakes and eats,

practices punches,

then goes back to sleep.

*This poem is entirely FACTUAL.

Aardwolf

2011-02-17T23:41:00.000-08:00

The curator should have just let the aardwolf nap in the pickup truck. (He's also looking like a cross b/w Dr. Weil and Celine Dion's husband this week. )

Unnatural Disaster #3

2011-02-13T21:44:00.000-08:00

I had it last summer and am now immune. True story.

Introducing: the Curator

2011-02-10T21:18:00.000-08:00

This dude is the collector and curator of all things known and one thing unknown. He has a lot of stuff. A LOT.

Happy New Year of the Rabbit!

2011-02-08T21:39:00.000-08:00

New years resolutions haven't been my cup of tea--to borrow from Modest Mouse, I'm consistently inconsistent. But 2011 is going to be a good year. I have a brand spankin' new nephew, a talented and lovely critique group and a schedule. All muy importante for sticking with my goals this year.

Here they are:

Eat more unprocessed foods
Run more than last year
Draw more than last year
Become a better writer by writing daily
Market myself- get published

Er... and blog regularly. There are multiple drawing "projects" that I want to pursue at once. So here;s a preview of what I'll do on this blog in 2011--in addition to the inventions and bjorns:

- Illustrate the Newz Tuesdays -

- The curator- Thursdays -
- Franklin Fridays! - (NEW)

- Unnatural Disasters on Sundays -

For zombies

2010-09-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

Useful for carrying zombie baby and zombie swag.

Nine Years

2010-09-11T07:58:00.000-07:00

Oktoberfestbjörn

2010-09-10T13:46:00.000-07:00

This October, strap on your lederhosen, and raise a stein to all the mommies and daddies and anyone who ever was one. Zum Wohl!

Domo Arigato, Mr. Robatto Bjorn!

2010-09-08T23:03:00.000-07:00

If you're a robot or just want to dance like one... this is the bjorn for you.
スミマセン! Tricksy spelling. “どうも　ありがとう　ミスタトバットビョルヌ。”

Scooti Bjorn

2010-09-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

Go Faster!

The Carrot Bjorn.

2010-09-06T20:32:00.000-07:00

This was my favorite out of the 16 pages of baby awesomeness (Carry Me: Babies Everywhere ™) from Mr. Taylor. Thanks for the inspiration!

Presenting the Carrot Bjorn.

Quantum Jumpsuit- N/A

2009-11-10T15:27:00.000-08:00

Per request of Mr. Kurian, I tried and failed.

I can't fathom it at all.

Here's a picture of Schrödinger's cat and an explanation.

Contraptions to Tote Children around In (5)

2009-11-06T16:28:00.000-08:00

THE BABE FRAME

If an A frame can be used to carry a huge mound of firewood, it can certainly be used to carry lots of babies. Eight babies.

See Nature

2009-11-05T15:10:00.000-08:00

NATURE GOGGLES

Practice lab safety! Protect your eyes AND see the world through lime green colored glasses. You don't look so ridiculous compared to what you'll see sometimes through those glasses.

*What is cuter than children sitting at the carpet/their desks, ready and eager to learn? Nothing.

Contraptions to Tote Children around In (4)

2009-11-04T08:49:00.000-08:00

OCTOBORDBJÖRN

This is not your average sandwich board. It holds babies. Eight!

School on Wheels

2009-11-03T17:09:00.000-08:00

PERSONAL OVERSIZE LOAD

Be prepared for SEPTA strikes. Make up packets will not do, Dr. Ackerman. If the kids can't come to school, bring the school to the kids. Clearly this is the easiest solution.

Teacher Tools

2009-11-02T09:19:00.000-08:00

TEACHER MULTI-TOOL

There really isn't enough space for ALL the tools a teacher needs.

Tfanet gets pretty close though.

At-home behavior management

2009-10-30T17:16:00.000-07:00

BEAR

I realize a bear isn't really an invention.

Dispatching a bear to stealthily enter a child's room where they are neglecting their homework for other pursuits... well, that would be an invention of sorts. A second story window is no match for this agile climber. As a teacher, after utilizing this tool, homework/project completion is sure to rise to 100 percent.*

*Use of the bear has been accompanied by a 10 percent drop in attendance. It may cause unwanted side effects in children such as anxiety, nervousness and Ursus-phobia. It is dispatcher's responsibility to ensure that the bear is well rested and fed before being sent out to homes. The bear takes no responsibility for maulings that occur if it has not been adequately fed beforehand. It is advised that you alert parents BEFORE dispatching the bear.

2009-10-29T12:26:00.000-07:00

THE CLOUD HUG

The hug that hangs around until you need it the most.

Yet another great concept from Mr. Taylor.

You can queue your hugs for those days when you're feeling emo.

Rewards

2009-10-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

BEAR HUG

Reward students often.

Contraption for Behavior Management

2009-10-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

THE CHOKE HOLD

Mr. Boyd, regarding the choke hold: "better to put the rap game there than teenagers."

I disagree. A bear cannot grasp a rap game with its paws. Children need to learn to respect and fear nature. They will, because the bear demands it!

You will probably have to deal with PETA. They will likely have issues with a bear being locked in a shower-sized box. Give it a stool and a copy of The Brothers Karamozov. And at least you'll have a bear who ponders philosophic before it mauls.

Contraption to Fix Time

2009-10-27T08:10:00.000-07:00

CONTROL + Z BUTTON (for life)

Computers can do it! Why can't we? Pushing a button to undo time is an easy fix I realize. Tinkering with the space-time continuum should never be so simple.

It would come in handy for instances when you are painstakingly painting something in ink. As you are putting your brush to the paper to paint your last few strokes, you realize that you didn't take some of the pigment out of the brush. The color will be too saturated! The Brain frantically sends the message to Hand: "pull back! pull back!" but the Hand continues on its course, and by the time the hand receives the transmission and reacts, it's too late. As a result, need to redo the whole thing. Just saying.

Contraptions to Tote Children Around In (3)

2009-10-26T20:05:00.000-07:00

VERTICAL PRAM

Pros: Can tote FOUR babies at once; exercises the arms, doesn't take up much horizontal space, horizontal rungs good for drying laundry
Cons: Tips over, highest baby is inaccessible, massive, can't see where you're going, long skirts and baby hands get caught in spokes

I imagine tipping over would be a big problem. Now, strollers take up the width of the sidewalk.

Contraptions to Tote Children Around In (2)

2009-10-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

THE GROSKINDBJORN

Moody adolescents and overbearing parents were on my mind when this great (impossible) idea came about.

The "big kid" bjorn is for parents who love their nearly grown kids so much! Fabric can be personalized!

Contraptions to Tote Children Around In (1)

2009-10-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

THE AKTIVBJORN

The idea for this invention came from Mr. Taylor.
For parents of multiples (in this case, quadruplets) who are ON THE GO!

Bear Propaganda

2008-11-23T20:38:00.001-08:00

More Inventions

2008-10-04T22:35:00.000-07:00

Invention 4: Revelation Spray
Would make teaching (and life) a lot easier.

Invention 5: The Excuse Eater
My classroom motto is "no excuses."

Insight from Jorj (Grade 2)

2008-09-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

I was in the second grade classroom today at the end of the day. While the kids were doing their pack-up routine (behavior grades and homework), Jorj comes over to me to give me this drawing of boxers: Evander Holyfield, Muhammed Ali, to name a few.

Jorj: (after explaining who everyone is in the picture) You can give this to your husband!
Me: My husband?! How do you know I have a husband?
Jorj: Because, every woman has a husband.
Me: What if I don't have a husband?
Jorj: Then you'd cry and say "oh noooo" (in wailing tone, with hands covering his face)

...

Yup. That's me. Every hour of my waking life. Oh NOOOOOOOOO.

Arms-new!

2008-07-24T14:24:00.000-07:00

The Europeans have coats of arms, the Japanese have kamon (really cool!). But I'm not European or Japanese, and therefore have nothing. No worries however. Researching and creating it was fun! Here is my design. It contains two very important elements: bear and Korea.

Fun facts:

Countries and cities that have bears in their coat of arms- Greenland, Denmark, Berlin, Bern (Switzerland), Madrid (Spain)

People/family names that have bears in their coat of arms- Pope Benedict XVI, Hobler, Barnard, the counts of Warwick

the things that prompted my dad to call me "weird"

2008-07-23T19:43:00.000-07:00

Recently, while at my parents' home in LA, I discovered my college sketchbook and the money I'd created for a project during college. I'm really proud of these. Please comment or question!

MONEY (2004)
materials: Canson paper, archival black ink, rapidograph pen, gouache, gold leaf
dimensions: 3 inches x 6.5 inches

This is the ONE cc bill. The man depicted is Captain Mercapto. He is my original O-chem superhero. O-chem superheroes were invented during a Chem3B lecture, in 2001 by Sunny P. and I. We were doing a heckuva lot of nomenclature, and the thiol group (mercaptans) came up. We decided "mercapto" sounded like a superhero name, and thus... CAPTAIN MERCAPTO!

This is the 2cc bill. Depicted here is Hydroxyman. He was the second superhero to be invented. His group is the hydroxyl group. (alcohols). He has wicked hair. My hair would look like that if I was a boy.

The 2 cc bill is the only one that I created a back for. I chose the 2 bill simply because I liked the curves of the "2." I hadn't given the one or the fractions much thought. I was also really effing tired when the decision was made to do this. I am still pleased with the outcome.

The 1/5 cc bill depicts Drosophila melanogaster--MY (and therefore the O-chem superheroes') MORTAL ENEMY! This creature has inflicted torture on me for the majority of my 4.5 college years. This bill commemorates that torture. Note: the villains are NOT affiliated with chemical groups. Rather, they're key figures in genetics or biochem.

The 1/10 cc bill depicts Chaperonin. He is not evil like D. melanogaster. He is not loyal to either side.

Coming soon: some old stuff and some new stuff

2008-07-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

1. The things that prompted my dad to say to me, "you're weird!"
2. Arms
3. T-shirt ideas

Another Invention

2008-06-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

Invention 3: Thermal Expans0r

Objective: To increase local temperature, particularly at 440.

Indicator that objective has been met: Schools are not be in session due to excessive (greater than 98 F) temperature.

Warning: Ants will NOT eat people. With use, there is a risk of fire, mayhem and death.

Inventions (excerpts from my moleskine)

2008-05-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Mr. Taylor for the illustration fodder.

Invention 1: Student (Paper) Grater

Invention 2: Day Humper

Hug a heifer today.

2008-03-11T21:21:00.001-07:00

This is Phil.

new!

2008-03-08T20:35:00.000-08:00

This is what came to mind when listening to "Australia" by the Shins.

2008-01-14T19:20:00.000-08:00

Northridge Metrolink Station.

Los Angeles

2008-01-07T19:19:00.000-08:00

Something's funny on the streets of LA.

I like bears.

2007-11-17T06:29:00.001-08:00

2007-11-11T22:44:00.001-08:00

It doesn't get any better than cats, cake and frilly green dresses. (The girl, by the way, is steph.)

critter 1

2007-09-28T23:56:00.001-07:00

wacom exercise- 하지

2007-09-28T23:10:00.000-07:00

I tried to draw my grampa from memory... I cheated a little bit on the eyebrows.

wacom exercise- self portrait

2007-09-15T19:12:00.000-07:00

I tried to work in illustrator, but it's all very foreign to me, so I switched to photoshop instead. I need to work on making my people look realistic and instead of like anime characters, so I'm practicing on me. Methinks i have bigger bags under my eyes in reality, but well...

wacom exercise

2007-09-13T19:08:00.001-07:00

2. Crafting Project and 3. Cash Register Tape Project

2007-07-10T22:34:00.000-07:00

2. Crafting Project:
I'm making cushions, and doing a lot of embroidery along with it. This cushion cover is still unfinished. I ran out of thread and haven't made it to the store to get more.

3. Cash Register Tape Project

As you can see, I still have a lot to draw...

But here is the start of it. Written on this piggy rhinocerous is the title of my book. I'd been reading "A Series of Unfortunate Events" by Lemony Snicket, hence the gloomy title.

Some of the characters may look familiar. There are a lot of recurring themes and characters in my drawings.

These guys, I think are sorta Spongebob-esque. I'm not sure what they're supposed to be. They start looking much like potatoes towards the end. I don't even know.

1. Gouache project

2007-07-10T22:08:00.000-07:00

There is a complete portrait of each person, except for me.
I'm thinking however, that I like the fragmented look better. I may just end up cutting each portrait up and repositioning the pieces.

Dom Wilson

GregSteph

Phil

Heifer (on Phil's shoulder)

Oh boy.

2007-07-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

I am really bad at this updating thing.
But I have many things to post about. Here they are in list form.
1. Gouache project
2. Crafting project(s)
3. Cash register tape project
4. More old work!
5. Really really old work
6. New electronics on my wish list

on updating.

2007-05-26T06:21:00.000-07:00

Updating will happen once a week (during the weekends).
I am starting a new project for the summer--in acrylic, gouache, pen and ink.

Two things...

2007-05-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

I. Did you pay close enough attention?
What do you think I'm asking you to pay attention to? (refer to post titled, "pay very close...")
Comment with your observations.
I am curious to know.

II. YOU DECIDE EDWIN'S FATE.
Comment with the letter you choose.
En mi opinion, it's easier than the 8th grade science PSSA.

The Rest of the Choices

2007-05-21T18:50:00.000-07:00

(B)

(C)

(D)

(E)

How did the bear turn out? A, B, C, D or E?

2007-05-05T23:29:00.000-07:00

(A)

yay!

2007-04-08T19:40:00.000-07:00

I'm not a fan of this new layout.
I sorta had to make do with blogger's templates.
It'll change when I make some time to change it again.
But good news.
Comments should work now.
Please comment away!

happy thursday.

2007-04-05T00:28:00.000-07:00

This is a postcard I drew a while ago. One Penn class back in November or December, I had drawn an exceedingly fat bear with an exceedingly fat neck. I showed my drawing to a certain someone. (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!) This person was extremely insensitive to the fact that even bears on paper (and cartoon bears' creators) have feelings and proceeded to mock the bear's fatness. The bear came to be known as Edwin/Winston. Fitting names for such a "fat and nerdy" bear. Anyway. I have a spot in my heart for animals that are fat and fuzzy and bears. So I don't think Edwin/Winston should take what the bullies say too seriously. But that is just my opinion, and he is a teenager-bear. Adolescent bears, like adolescent humans, are much too impressionable...

pay very close attention now.

2007-03-18T07:49:00.000-07:00

Fish and Bear

2007-03-10T15:38:00.001-08:00

Wilson has a penchant for the dramatic.

***

Bear: Happy Valentine's Day, Fish.

Bear (voiceover): I don't deserve you. You give and give, and I can't do anything in return. When I was hungry, you offered me your cousin. I don't even know what you eat.

I remember the first time I saw you. The snow off Rainier raised the water and expanded the river. The boulder I usually stand upon was completely covered. The water's velocity created a hydraulic, trapping salmon. I gorged myself, crawled to shore, and fell into a food coma. When I woke, the late afternoon haze created stalactites of light through the forest cover. An eddy of light caught your scales as you tried to feebly leap out of the hydraulic.

I wanted to eat again, but I couldn't kill you. Seeing you was like watching a stained glass window swim.

It's fair to say I started out loving you.

But it's still not fair. I gave you life once. And nothing since.

I want to give again. Teach me how to give to you.

Fish: Happy Valentine's Day, Bear.

Announcements

2007-02-15T20:18:00.000-08:00

1. Now that this blog's readership (viewership?) has increased probably by 300%--thanks Ung and George for "pimping me out" to your friends--I will be more diligent about updating. Visibility and accountability go hand in hand. Who needs a graduate school education to figure that out?!

~~2. Comments have been enabled. Please comment!~~
Comments do NOT work... stupid piece of crap blogger.

3. You'll notice that I'm mildly obsessed with bears.
***

Q: What exactly is the bear thinking?
(Done originally in brown crayola marker and blue highlighter.)

2007-02-14T06:04:00.000-08:00

Snow days give me the opportunity to do things that I would love to do, but never make the time for... like update this blog. Here's the rest of "Not All Bears Are Godless Killing Machines."

Not All Bears are Godless Killing Machines

2006-09-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

*title courtesy of Stephen Colbert.
This is the title "page" of my post it story.

P.S. I came upon some inspiration for my book today. The storyline will revolve around a person/teacher/girl (a certain Ms. Liu perhaps) who gets to work/school/wherever she needs to get to via WHALE! And she is the envy of everyone. Now that I think about this, this is going to sound like Danny and the Dinosaur.

old and new

2006-08-30T12:15:00.000-07:00

old: This is a closeup of a print I did during my last semester at school.

new: At the beginning of summer, I was sitting in Rittenhouse Square looking at the building next to the Barnes and Noble. This is what came out of several hours of sitting. It's not yet finished.

2006-08-29T19:32:00.000-07:00

Last summer, I attempted to begin a "post-it project," which meant that I would do a drawing per day on a post-it. I did a bunch and then stopped. This is obviously one of them.

2006-08-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

pen and ink drawing--8/11/05

Found this quote by Audre Lorde from an old post:
"Even the smallest victory is never to be taken for granted. Each victory must be applauded because it is so easy not to battle at all, to just accept and call that acceptance inevitable."

2006-08-25T12:30:00.000-07:00

This is actually the first intaglio etching I ever did.
The ghosts are leaving some sort of sporting event.

Happy birthday to you, blog.

2006-08-24T06:51:00.000-07:00

This is the first intaglio print I ever did. Even in 2002, I was into anthropomorphized animals. I think I had Gary Larson (the Far Side) in mind when I sketched out the idea. Gary Larson's drawing probably would have had the bear's and hunter's roles reversed. My animals inhabit their own world--no humans to mess it up. Feel free to interpret the characters, their jobs and what they're talking about, however you wish. I have my own stories.