Senior Year--this feels a little weird.

Today was the first day of classes. Technically not my last first day of classes, as next semester will be that, but my last first day of first semester classes and that counts for something, no?

I feel very calm about the start of this semester, like I am ready to conquer the next year and move into a new stage of living. This sounds crazy, I am sure, but I am looking excitedly forward to paying off my loans, getting a routine and job that will help me grow closer to what I really want to spend my life working at, getting an apartment in Chapel Hill, becoming a member of a small, public library, and cooking everyday. Nonetheless, it's going to be a really wonderful year--an apartment with three of my best friends, visits to NC to hike/cook/eat-pints-of-ice-cream with Bry, letters to and from Syda in FL, thesis (not to mention my Children's Lit. class this semester and a possible cartooning class next semester!), Stacy wedding next summer (bachelorette party, invitation design!!!!!!!!! everything, woot!).

I realized today, though, that I have left many people hanging as to my progress and my adventures this summer. So, here are some documented updates:

(p.s. I am surprised that people still read this, honestly. But that is great!)

(p.p.s. Updates go...backward in time. From recent to...less recent.)

A page from my children's book I am working on. The University did an online feature on me! This photo was included, and here is the link if you are interested in reading it: http://news.richmond.edu/art/features/art-sarah-nagel.html

Another two-page spread from my book. The University is also featuring this (I am so lucky, I know) in an Artes Liberales booklet they send out each year. I think I am on the back cover? Pretty cool!

The sisters, Sunset at Indian Shores beach, FL. We were there dropping Sydney off in St. Pete's at Eckerd College. I am on the left, Syd in the middle, and Stace on the right (poor Shannon was missing but she was there in spirit.)

The sisters! All of us! Sarah, Shannon, Syda, Stacy! This one (along with the next few) are from Sydney's graduation party in June.

On our way up to Jenna's cabin for the weekend (me, Juju, and Jenna) we stopped in Lancaster and went to The Green Dragon, A GIGANTIC FLEA MARKET OF SORTS where we got these Amish whoopie pies. This one was pumpkin, which is my favorite, and luckily I was in the back so I got a headstart on eating in before the others realized it was open. Yesssss.

We kayaked.

Bathed in the freeeeezing creek.

Got ice cream and enjoyed the serene, beautiful atmosphere.

This is the cabin! We went on the lovely hike that featured dozens of gorgeous waterfalls.

And to end this post, here is my handsome boyfriend with a 'mallowstache. I think he is quite wonderful.

Oh, and of course, the best news yet: my book list for children's lit!!!!!!

Harry Potter; The Secret Garden; Peter Pan; The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Coraline; Charlotte's Web; Bridge to Terabithia AND MANY MOOOOOOOOORE!!!!!!!!

I love you all and p.p.p.s. I am melting in the hottttt VA weather. Honestly.

Love,

Sarah

Some drafts. :)

THIS SURSLY TOOK ME ALL DAY LONG.

I need more skillz in the pc dept.

I am slowly learning, but learning nonetheless, how to combine digital with traditional.

It's fun now that I have a tiny bit of it figured out, so anyway, this sursly took me all day:

There are a ton of things I need to change, but woohoo!  It was mildly successful! :)

Julie's wedding and the first half of my fellowship.

John and Julie got married this past weekend. I was a bride's maid, along with a few of Julie's friends from UR Lauren, Kristen, Shelby; her closest/childhood friend from NOLA Emily; her sister Amy and her sister-in-law, Ryan. It was such a wonderful weekend. We had a bachelorette party on Thursday (pedicures, Mexican food, and some bar in the Fan), rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner on Friday, and the ceremony and reception on Saturday.

It was a ton of fun, and I can't believe that as I type, John and Julie Farmer are gallavanting in the mountains, on their honeymooooooooon!

Here are some pictures for you folks who I know are anxious to see them.
p.s. Julie made her dress.

p.p.s. a friend did the flowers.

p.p.p.s. a friend did the cakes.

p.p.p.p.s. a friend decorated the reception location.

p.p.p.p.p.s. a friend did the invites.

p.p.p.p.p.p.s. a friend did our hair.

...it was awesome.

The bride's maids dress.

Lauren was the first to get her hair done! :)

Shelby and Lauren--we were waiting for Julie's car to get to the chapel and were on VIP mission so that no boys saw Julie (especially not Juan).

The pews in the chapel.

Julie's bouquet!

Kokemor family.
The chapel garden.

Mr. and Mrs. John Farmer!!!!!!!

The invites, cake topper, program, and flowers.

Also, I have been working on some illustrations for le book--about a girl who get s bicycle (I can hear dad going B-I-C-Y-C-L-EEEEEEEE) and imagines all the places she could visit. As you read you go to different cities and she acquires one thing from each city and she puts those things her bicycle basket. Here are the second drafts:

And another painting, too.

:)

I cannot believe I am going to be a senior.

And with that I simply cannot believe that next year is my last year. How can that even be possible? I mean, really. Sursly. So I am spending the summer in Richmond, living with three very good friends in a tiny apartment in between the city and campus. I am working on campus, though, on a project called "Children's Illustration: Visual Narrative." I have an Arts and Sciences Fellowshipm, which means my salary for the 10 weeks comes from UR, and that I will have to present my work in the Spring.

I got to move into my senior studio early, and here it is!!!!!!!!!! :

I am very lucky, I realize this. It is such a wonderful space mmmmmmmm I just love it.

But meanwhile, here are a few of my works from last semester, as my family hasn't seen any of them. Enjoy!

"A portrait of Syda," oils. This was my final painting for my Junior Thesis class.
"A Portrait of Syda," detail.

Here is a series I did in my screenprinting class:

"Our Pagan Love," screenprint

"Conversion," screenprint

"A Severity as Merciful as Love," screenprint

"A Severity as Merciful as Love," detail

Here is a piece I did in the first couple weeks of last semester, and for some reason I still really like it. It is RULL mixed media (screenprint, gouache, watercolor, colored pencil, paper, marker, erm...):

"The Greatest Show on Earth," mixed media

Another painting:

"Today the Hawk Takes One Chick," oils

This was my second painting of the semester, and it was for my junior thesis class. I was in "Figure Painting and Narrative" which was all oils, but I NEVER EVER NUNCA JAMAS thought I would willingly paint independently in oils. I had been scarred ever since "Obsevational Ptg" first semester of college, and I really hated oils. But alas, this is how it got started. Now I am stuck in oils because they are so nice and juicy and mmmmm....
"Self Portrait 1," oils
"Self Portrait 1," detail

"Self Portrait 1," detail
I guess just for fun I'll put my other things, thought perhaps I won't write much about them. They are just some paintings, screen prints, or illustrations:

John and Julie's wedding invitations (LESS THAN THREE WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!), screenprint
Some V-day cards I screenprinted.
Again, screenprint.

Screenprint.
My first painting, untitled and in oils.

Painting two, oils.

"Couple in a Field of Flowers," oils.

Phew! I guess there are a few others things, that maybe I will put in my next post. That was intense. But it's nice to update everyone, with pictures because every time someone asks, "oh what is that painting about?" or "what is that painting of?" I usually just go "eeeerrrr well you see....uhhhhhh."

So here you go.

Sarah :)

p.s. I am listening to a Podcast called "Coffeebreak French!!!!!!!!!!!" ahhhhhhhh! I can say, I don't know....three things or so now. Booyah.