new drawing

"Housekeeper," graphite on paper 8.5"x11".

I scanned this in just now from my sketchbook, so it needs a little cleaning up before it's ready to print.

winter displays

Busy, busy, busy, but I made myself make time to re-shoot some framed prints with a more cold-weather appropriate background. Not that you'd know it's autumn where I live - today was a balmy 77ºF and not a cloud in the sky - but I know many of my friends are enjoying their first bevy of hot drinks and warm woolens to brace themselves against the cold.

New ideas are stirring, but I'm playing a vicious game of catch-up with my schoolwork so I'll have to leave them be for now.

Uuuuuugh.

I feel like I am in hiding, in the open. School is going well (knock on wood) and I've met some amazing classmates and teachers, but it still feels like my mind is rusted over and creaky at the joints. I'm not used to writing long papers or examining a simple question with anal-retentive scrutiny. Admittedly I'm exacerbating matters by insisting on reading more, writing more, talking more than is required, but since the beginning of the semester I've been cognizant of the fact that this year will determine my desirability as an applicant once I'm ready to transfer and, with good luck and a consistent level of good work, once I'm admitted the environment there will be way more rigorous and intense than anything I'm setting up for myself at community college.

Anxiety is the name of the game, I'm afraid. That hasn't changed, at any rate.

Still, I am so grateful I've been given an opportunity to be a full-time student again. I know I'm lucky, and I plan to take full advantage of it.

In other news, Camden and I went out for lunch and a leisurely stroll a few days ago, and on the way back home I tripped on the sidewalk and scraped the holy hell out of my elbow and shin. It hurts a lot, but it was actually kind of nice because as soon as I hit the pavement a guy who had been passing by us in the opposite direction asked if I was okay, and the owners of the restaurant immediately behind us asked if I was okay and got a chair and a damp napkin so I could wipe away the dirt. They were so sincerely concerned, even though it wasn't really a big deal. I was pretty verklempt. Kindness of strangers, indeed.

Can't put my finger on it.

Something is off about these display photos for this print I listed, but I can't quite figure out what. I think when I have more time I'll try painting a few thin balsa boards different colors and just use those consistently for each print, so the shop has an underlying color palette to boot. But that will probably have to wait until the weekend, when I am not two hours away from handing in an essay I did not spend nearly enough time on because I totally forgot how much time Etsy can suck out of my schedule.

Cure What Ails You

When my sister and I flew into JFK around a month or so ago, as soon as we stepped off the plane we realized we'd underestimated the oppressive humidity of New York at the height of summer. It didn't stop us from walking everywhere and exploring various nooks and crannies of Manhattan, but it did mean we made a lot more pit stops than we'd originally anticipated.

Thankfully, too, otherwise we might not have discovered this amazing thrift shop: Cure, on 111 East 12th Street.



My pictures do not do this lovely store justice. We easily spent two hours combing through their meticulously selected inventory, cooing over their vintage mugs and glasses, decorative brass plaques and antique inkwells, mid-century lamps, framed political propaganda posters, not to mention shoes, coats, blouses and sweaters, and dresses. It's set up on two stories, housewares and furniture on the top floor and clothing in the basement.



From what we could gather chatting with one of the lovely employees, all the clothing is hand-selected from donations to the store. While a little more expensive than, say, the Salvation Army a couple blocks away, all the clothing looked clean, in good wearable condition (I bought a shirt at said Salvation Army without unbuttoning it only to find some pretty impressive armpit stains when I got home; no such worries at Cure), and there is seriously something for everyone. I know how that sounds, but I mean it.



My only regret is that I won't be able to visit my sister in the fall, when I'm sure Cure's selection will overflow with all the kinds of clothing I love most: tailored wool coats and blazers, thick cozy scarves, winter boots. I guess I'll have to commission a shopping spree via my sister.

If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend a visit. You won't leave empty-handed.

Cure Thrift Shop
111 East 12th Street
New York, NY 10003

so many travels

Here's a little preview of a wonderful place my sister and I found in Manhattan while we were there towards the end of August. Full post to come soon.

seoul pictures: details from gyungbok palace