> Start Log.
My name’s Sarah May Kline, and I’m a junior art major, on track to get my associates, then a bachelors. I’ve been living in Alaska for around 13 years now, ever since my family was stationed at Eielson AFB. I’m a nerd when it comes to anything video game, motorsport, or aviation related- not in that particular order anyways.
I’m mainly a digital artist, illustrating original characters and fanart of things I enjoy. I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember, and I continue to hone my skills any chance I get, in hopes of pursuing a career/freelancing gig doing what I love. Although I’m mainly taking this class for GER credit purposes, I’m excited to talk about art and look at more art to appreciate! Gaining inspiration is a main part of why I like the arts so much, since that’s a factor that motivates me to create.
I’d like to share my love for clean and effective graphic design, evident in the way NASA’s logo (yes, the NASA) as well as other Federal Government agencies having quite the makeover during the 70s.
Design standards were made for these departments and agencies, for the sole purpose of producing aesthetically pleasing and easily reproduced design.
I absolutely love looking through schematics and how much thought can be put into designs and typography. This is an official scan from NASA’s graphic standards manual, courtesy of standardsmanual.com.
This video is a really great watch for those who are interested in this tidbit of history: How the US government got hip graphic design — and then lost it
As for owning art, I don’t really have a strict guideline on what can be considered art that I *own*- I have a rather humble collection of manga and graphic novels, and most of the art displayed in my room are my own little masterpieces. I could even consider my Gundam model kits art themselves; they certainly look it, posed on my bookshelf…
I’ve attended at least one first Friday, at the Bear Gallery. It’s honestly so neat to see local artists’ work, especially in group shows. I learned about first Fridays from a previous drawing class I took, in which our professor encouraged us to go visit available ones (and pester the artists about art related things. Respectfully).
I feel that art museums around the Fairbanks area are few and far between - unless there’s some secret community out there I know nothing about- so it’s quite hard to judge how I feel about art museums in particular. The Museum of the North up on UAF campus is a fantastic one though! It’s a fun place to draw as well.
So, if it’s free/paid for? Yeah I’ll go to an art museum. I’d take the chance if someone could bring me to a museum free of charge. Although I do understand the need for admission fees. Still, I like it when art installations/galleries are open for the public in a way that people can come and appreciate an artist’s work and possibly network with other like-minded individuals.
All in all, I'm very excited for this class! See you all in the next post.
> End Log.
