the drawing!

• composed of 20,000 plus tiny leaves
• when I say leaves, I mean leaves. There is no mark, no line, no smudge, no shading besides leaves on this thing.. yeah.
• it's enormous. like the paper is approximately 2 x 2 1/2 feet
• took me 10 hours (a full series of HBO's John Adams) to finish
• inspired from my bucket list
• looks better in person.. I guess in pictures it's easier to see the flaws, which is a good thing in this case!
• my first major art project (:

the finished product!



first step - sorry for the bad quality picture. first sketch out



second sketch out - the art teacher wanted it more stylized



beginning the marks!





close up on the symbols



Quite the project, eh? So fun to do!

I'll admit

I'm a total romantic!

and something about fall makes it even stronger.

is it the falling leaves? the crisp weather? the beautiful colors, and gorgeous scenery?

I don't know!

All I know is, I love it!

I definitely have not had the best luck with guys. I'm not quite sure why that is.

but I am looking forward to the day where that heroic, "unique", noble man comes into my life.

Quite honestly, that's one of the things I am looking forward to most

(far in the future, of course)

I wonder who he is? what he's doing? what he's like?

I wonder how I'll break through this scared to try thing I've got going on.

I hope it's wonderful!

I'm quite determined to be the best I can be, so I can deserve a great guy like the one I'm looking for.

Not someone perfect

but a true love, and a best friend

I love fall (:

update:to bring (a person, organization, etc.) up to date on a particular subject

Today, that subject is me! Interesting concept, a blog - all these random writings talking about yourself, your life, ect. I usually don't like talking about myself too much, that's what my journal is for. But I'm glad it can help keep my family up to date on what's happening, and I'll admit, it is pretty fun to have (:

So this past week has been crazy busy, but crazy awesome! I finished my art project - a portrait of a girl with a flower in her hair, made of 20,000 little leaves. I'll post a pic on here when I get home... sometime. It took me like 10 hours.

On Saturday I went on a super fun date! The guy's name is Steven, and he is hilarious! It was our second date, and each time we've gone out I just can't stop laughing. Like, it's hilarious. Haha. I got in the car, and in the dashboard was a rose and 2 pieces of paper - one said DC, one said Fredericksburg. He had me choose one! So I chose DC, and we headed off to a surprise - the Air and Space Museum! Apparently there was going go be this super awesome star show in the planetarium, for no cost! So after getting lost because we didn't pay attention to street signs, we arrive at the museum... the flustered security guard directed us toward the free planetarium shows. We took off in the right direction, and came to this lady standing by a big blue inflating igloo. We asked her where the planetarium show was, and she said "This is it!" Hahaha! So we climb into this still inflating igloo, and sat on cute little blue mats with a bunch of little kids and their parents, and watched a show about two kids who go to a star party and the stars they see! I was so funny! Hahaha, hilarious! Then they had all these super cool planes, a lot from WWII Nazi Germany and the different military branches and the Cold War.. it was way cool. Then we went and had lunch, laughed really, really hard, and then the date ended. Haha. It was super fun!

After that, this week has been crazy busy. So much homework, classes, work.. it's crazy. I also got a new calling, which is giving me the opportunity to work with and get to know a ton of people. I've loved it. It's super duper intimidating, and hard, and I feel extremely underqualified. Honestly, I feel like a little kid trying to step into my older sister's shoes. But I'm really excited to have the opportunity to serve. It will be good for me.. I know I won't be able to do it without the Lord's help, and it will be good for me to learn how to depend on Him and have trust in His plan. Eek! I'm so scared! But it will be good. Haha.

Anyways, I will conclude for today (:

conclude: brint to an end; finish; terminate

the end, for now!

random writings

I haven't written in forever, and NEVER know how to start my posts. That's probably partly why I am so bad at writing.. haha. So I stole an idea from a good friend of mine, and am entering in a journal entry from an average day in the life I thought was funny from a few days ago (:

September 12, 2011

Today has been an interesting day. This morning I worked out, then went to class - my class on John Ford. After that, I didn't know what to do - so I ate lunch and finished my homework. Then I strolled off to my car. I saw the guy with the U of U bag, which brought on a wave of homesickness - then got to my car. On my windshield was a $100 parking ticket. Ouch :( It's because I haven't registered my car yet with the school, so it's totally my fault. So now I have to pay for that... dang it! Good lesson for the future, I suppose.

After that I went and walked around downtown. It was really fun. It's interesting, after reading E.B. White's essays on New York, how true it is - how alone you can feel even in a city crowded with thousands of people. It really can be a place of isolation, even with everyone. You feel very small. Even if it's just Fredericksburg, which is a rather small city (:

I ran into an old black man playing his guitar on the street. We talked - well, he talked (I listened) - for about an hour. He taught me a little about his guitar, and he told me how he had painted houses for a living. He just talked and talked, about music, playing, his life... at one point he asked for my name.

"Whitney" I replied

"Oh!" he said. "Now that's not a common one. There are plenty of Ashleys and Heathers around here, but not Whitneys."

We resumed the conversation - like I said, it lasted at least 40 minutes. It was on the busy street with people walking by, so I was safe, don't worry (: and I follow my gut! or the Spirit, I should say! But we talked, with short breaks of him playing me songs such as Amazing Grace, and some blues. He found out I was majoring in art, and proceeded to tell me about paper elephants and birds he makes. At the end of our conversation, he wrote his number down and gave it to me,  partnered with an invitation to see his artwork and his keyboard. When I was about to leave, he said to me

"What's your name again? Did I already ask this?"

I told him again, and before I could answer his second question he abruptly interrupted me and said

"Oh, no, I didn't ask you that already. Whitney! I would have remembered that name! There's a lot of Whitneys' out here, you know."

"Oh, really?" I replied

We bid our ados, and I went on my way.

Fredericksburg is a fascinating city! There's something about it - the vendors, quirky store and shop owners, antique shops, and ma and pop diners that make me want to do art, or create something. Thus.. the writing, instead of doing homework, which I ought to be doing (:

It's a cultural experience. I also went to a museum and saw a Ku Klux Klan hood, in real life. It scared me - the feeling around it, even through the glass in a sterile museum environment. It was just evil. What things have been seen through those eyes? It's crazy what human beings can do to each other. It's crazy that such noble, heroic, good people live in the same world as those who do so much harm and choose such wicked, selfish ways.. they breathe the same air, walk the same earth, see the same sun and moon and stars.. It makes me wonder why people choose to do the things they do. Because in the beginning I don't know if the one person was that different then the other. It's so interesting to think about, my mind could wander for hours on that subject... it is crazy to think about. It makes me very grateful for my life, and what great blessings God has given me.

On another note, it was weird to go to a museum by myself. Even though it was spur of the moment, next time I'm going to invite someone. It was neat - more personal I guess. But it's nice to have someone to talk with about the things you see.

Photographs




 


 

jacob



huzzah for catfish

Dear Me,

You've been neglecting taking pictures. Your going to make a goal to take a lot more, especially now that your creative juices have started flowing from art class. It's time to get serious about it. Your ready to work for that dream of being a photographer.
Now go for it :)

Sincerely,

Whitney

                                           

Idea's for Sets:

- Pictures off the Bucket List (started that one, obviously)

-The 13 Amendments

-Fairy Tales

-Different types of weather

- Emotions

Any ideas? More creative lists would be appreciated, feel free to comment if you have any great ideas for themes(: thanks!

 





off the bucket list

#29. overcome being shy

Never Forget

Today was very meaningful. This morning we dressed up and went to the Navy base for a service for 9/11, where they read the names of those who passed away on the flight headed toward the capital and those in the Pentagon. It was powerful being with the men and women in uniform, who serve so much. Then we went to stake conference, which was awesome. I love listening to the general authorities. Hearing their testimonies and talks always strengthens my own testimony, and gives me insights how to be better. Afterwards the family took cupcakes to the King George firefighters - as a thank you for their service. It was awesome. They loved the cupcakes, and took us to see their firetrucks - which were SWEET! I got to sit in one! The firefighter unexpectedly honked the horn suuper loud, so loud it shook my teeth! It was crazy, haha. It was great though. I love my country. I appreciate so much the men and women who sacrifice so much to defend freedom, and to help others be safe. I'm so grateful for them. They deserve so much thanks. They are true heroes, often unnamed and not thought of. But it's true. So.. yeah. Great day (: I love the gospel. I love my country. I love my family and the great people in my life (:

Whit


our cute house




card and cupcakes




Dad speaking





Dad and Mommy




myself, by the lovely sign



Hannah and I

Jacob in the firetruck

Fun!

Adam

Right after the horn... soo loud!

firetruck

Crosses in front of the fire station, with a name on each of them of some who died this day 10 years ago

Peter, pretending to be a fireman

my crazy brothers and sisters (:

let's hear it for..

the great things in life!

the seemingly small, insignificant things in life are sometimes the best

for example,

sunbeams shining softly through a window

waving hi to my new friend - the cheerful, sweet old man who drives the mary wash cleaning cart

standing on the bridge over the river, listening to the water rush and the leaves rustle in the wind

begin reading homework, and soon (quite unintentionally) lose myself in daydreams

driving in the car, listening to frank sinatra

listening to the rain pour

reading my scriptures to flickering lamplight (the power went out ... again)

snuggling in a warm sweatshirt and a tall glass of kefir

the more busy and crazy my life gets, the more appreciation I have for the quiet peaceful moments

yeah. life is wonderful (:

today the avoidance of capitals is my personal break from school. haha. when I actually should be doing homework right now... bleh

meeting a lot of new people, and am learning a lot. the world is a very, very diverse place - but I feel everyone does want to be respected, and cared about. it's good to have a mission, to know who I am and why I'm here. I'm looking forward to learning and growing , slowly but surely, more experienced and strong as time goes on..

I have incredible people in my life. I'm so blessed (: we may not agree on everything, and they are all quite different from eachother. but it doesn't mean their any less meaningful or mean as much to me. I love them!

also - weird fact - peter just started kindergarten. same year I started college. how weird is that?

okay, homework time. enough random rambling... everyone knows this is total procrastination.

asta lavista,

-Whit

I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship

- Louisa May Alcott

1 oh 1 things I would love to do.. while I'm alive!

100 Things I would love to do while I’m alive

(otherwise known as my Design Principles homework)

1.       Become a portrait photographer and own my own studio

2.       Marry my best friend in the Salt Lake temple – a Captain America/Captain Moroni- like individual would be grand J

3.       Be a mom, the best I can possibly be

4.       Ride a horse on the beach, gallop into the sunset

5.       Eat a cucumber toast in Hyde Park, wearing a red scarf

6.       See Wicked in theatre

7.       Kiss in the rain, without planning it!

8.       Climb a really, really tall tree and have a picnic

9.       Have a party outside with Cmas lights and  lanterns

10.   Go to Solleftea, Sweden, where my Grandma is from

11.   Hike Mt. Whitney in California (my name J)

12.   Deck out the van and go on a road trip, just my siblings and I

13.   Swim with dolphins, whales, and seaturtles

14.   Publish a book

15.   Be able to play Clair de Lune decently on the piano

16.   See Josh Groban in concert

17.   Learn how to play the violin, guitar, and saxophone

18.   Dance to Frank Sinatra with my true love, wearing a red dress J (cheesy, I know!)

19.   Be able to pick out constellations in the night sky

20.   Hike the Grand Canyon and go to Yellowstone

21.   Write a song

22.   Inspire someone

23.   Make a difference in someone’s life

24.   Wear all purple for a day when I’m an old lady with a fancy hat

25.   Sip ice cold lemonade on a wrap around porch on a sunny, summer day

26.   Be involved with the community

27.   Be able to recite “The Living Christ” word for word

28.   Be able to recite “The Declaration of Independence” word for word

29.   Read the Bible

30.   Make friends with somebody I don’t like

31.   Bake and decorate a massive, intricate cake with atleast 3 layers and lavish frosting decorations

32.   Be able to do a backflip on a trampoline

33.   Run a marathon

34.   Buy a pen from “The Paradise Pen Company”, haha

35.   Hug a nice smelling military man in a uniform (inspired by my car freshener)

36.   Catch a m a s s i v e fish in Alaska

37.   Grow a garden with cherry tomatoes

38.   Be able to play volleyball, without embarrassing myself

39.   Couchsurf with a friend through Europe

40.   Experience another culture’s everyday life

41.   Overcome being shy

42.   Wear lovely, real life flowers in my hair

43.   Take a picture of lightning

44.   Take an Institute class in Salt Lake City

45.   Do a noble deed

46.   Win my Mom in a game of chess

47.   Try every flavor at crave/yogurtland

48.   Don’t overanalyze… something. Anything.

49.   Paint a Van Gogh ish painting of myself

50.   Go to Russia

51.   Read Pride and Prejudice, and Pride and Prejudice with Zombies

52.   Take a self defense, kickboxing class

53.   Take a zumba class from/with Amber Brown!

54.   Sing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

55.   Find and/or receive a cure for diabetes

56.   Witness a miracle

57.   Pick a bouqet of sunflowers off the side of the road

58.   Go on a weeklong backpacking trip

59.   Sculpt a statue

60.   Cannonball into the Carribean

61.   Be a friend to someone who really needs it

62.   Get an A in my Design Principles class

63.   Know a true hero

64.   Watch the night sky from my roof

65.   Spend a day working in a lighthouse

66.   Own a white dress and not get it stained

67.   Roast chestnuts on an open fire, during Christmas season

68.   Volunteer at a homeless shelter, senior citizen home, hospital, and do humanitarian aid work

69.   Give an inspiring speech

70.   Learn how to surf

71.   Meet Jack Johnson J

72.   Learn how to dribble a soccer ball

73.   Understand what is happening in sports games

74.   Visit Auschwitz

75.   Go to Israel, Jerusalem, and Egypt

76.   Send a message in a bottle

77.   Receive a handwritten love letter, with a wax seal

78.   Have my artwork shown in a gallery

79.   Take somebody’s wedding photos – the blushing bride and handsome groom!

80.   Collect patriotic WWII images

81.   Go to Washington DC or Philadelphia for the 4^th of July

82.   Be in Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day

83.   Go to New York City for New Years, watch the ball drop, and give a New Years kiss

84.   Bake homemade cinnamon raisin bread

85.   Dress up as Wonder Woman for Halloween

86.   Make my best effort in everything I do

87.   Get a job I enjoy and feel passionate about

88.   Help film a movie

89.   Learn how to use a scanner

90.   Be a stay at home Mom that makes cookies (and healthy snacks) after school

91.   Donate a week’s worth (or more) of grocery money to a good cause

92.   Sleep in silk pajamas

93.   Understand math

94.   Make a scrapbook of my photography

95.   Take my family’s wedding, graduation, family, ect. Pictures

96.   Have a home filled with laughter, love, and peace

97.   Send a letter to one of my greatest heroes

98.   Say thank you at least 3 times a day

99.   Smile and say hi to people

and

100. Live a lovely, lovely happily ever after