Answering all of Vaughn's questions....

When do I plan on graduating?

As soon as I feel I have learned all I can from this program from the graduate faculty and fellow students.

What are my plans and goals for after graduation?

The plan for after graduation is to keep on learning and to keep pursuing taking images until I'm too old to hold up my camera.  I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that the only people who make any money in the fine art world are the framers. 

Name five people that will write letters of recommendation for you.

I'm hoping everyone on the graduate faculty would write a letter of recommendation for me.  I know I would write a letter for each and every one of them.

What kind of job would I most like to find?

I admit it...I hope to be a floating adjunct.  I'd really like to specialize in alternative processes so David and I are the 'go to' team for anyone wanting a class, a seminar, a workshop or demonstration on cyanotypes, ziatypes, casin, etc., in the four state area.

What did I do this summer to move toward my goals? What art have I seen this summer? How much work did I make?

I went to Mexico for an Artist-in-Residence program and visited galleries, museums and artist studios in Mexico City and Puebla for three intense weeks.  When I returned to Texas, David and I went to see the Lucien Freud exhibit at The Modern and the exhibits at the Amon Carter museum.  Much of the summer was spent on taking into consideration the critiques on my current images and re-working the images based on the comments of others.  I think my summer was productive.

Website and Blog

Website:  http://gingersfunkyphotos.daportfolio.com/

Blog:  http://gingersfunkyphotos.blogspot.com/

30 seconds of what my work is about.

My work is all about me.  The images proffered range from my fear of dying, my acceptance of being corpulent, my childhood to my living with multiple sclerosis.

Influences on me and my work.

My influences change from week to week.  I am constantly reading books, reading blogs, googling artists, purusing photo history images, going to gallaries, talking to artists and gleaning inspiration.  At this moment in time, who and what doesn't influence me or my work?

 

Websites for art/photo competitions and/or information.

I google current photography competitions about every two weeks or so and go from there.

 What is lacking in my education to prepare me for the future?

I don't know yet but I bet I'll have an answer after a few years from when I graduate.

 

What is lacking in my portfolio?

 More work.  I just need more strong images that can stand on their own as well as work together as a cohesive unit.

What do I expect:

   From Vaughn?  Real life advise, assistance and guidance.  No busy work.

   From this seminar?  Hands on help, suggestions, guidance and introductions into the art world.  No criptic comments.

   From my degree?  To take my work to a professional level.

   From my peers?  Encouragement.

What is it you want to say?

I take photographs because I am compelled.  Photography is as much a part of my life as eating and sleeping.  I don't have anything I want to say.  I know I have an image inside of me that is waiting for me to learn how to release it and let it be born into the world.  I am trying to learn all of the skills of a photographer to be able to produce that picture.
 

Is my work relevant outside the art world?

Not yet.  I don't think I have put together a strong enough portfolio yet.  However, my hope is that the work will speak to adults who are survivors of child and then spousal abuse.  Many of those who have been through similar circumstances will also recognize the struggle with weight and self image issues.

A review of Vaughn's lecture.

You know I love your work.  However, it was really hard to sit through such a long presentation.  The key word might be:  edit. 

Perhaps you might consider spacing out the presentation over a several week period.  Being able to see your graduate work was relevant and timely for me.  Perhaps you could have limited the presentation to either a very quick general overview of all your work or to just the topic of how you decided which pictures to include in your graduate exhibit and how you decided on the presentation of those images.  Everyone will be on the edge of their seats to hear about your process of putting together your final grad exhibit.

Response:

http://junctrebellion.wordpress.com/2012/08/12/how-the-american-university-was-killed-in-five-easy-steps/

From the 1970's when I was in college the first time, I have been hearing about how college is going down the drain and how college professors are underpaid.  Same song, different tune.  My philosophy professor at Southwest Texas State University wanted me to major in Philosophy.  However, one day he sat down with me and showed me his paycheck as a long-time tenured professor and proceeded to talk me out of considering the college prof track.  He encouraged me toward city management since there were so few female city managers at that time.

My parents were extremely poor and I had to rely on loans, grants and stipends to make it through college.  I remember arguing with the financial aid office then about getting grants and refusing loans.  College students have to work smarter to pay for their education.  It is hard to pay for college but then it has always been hard.