What's Next for Cerulean Jade?

Goodness, where do I start?

The problem with Steven and I is that we have so many ideas . . . and we're in love with all of them

For me I'm working on a cover of a song from Brave, "Into the Open Air."  I'm playing the piano on this one, and overall it's going to be simple.  For starters, I don't have Steven's amazing ability to sit down at a piano and just play.  We're different like that.  He has a couple months of piano lessons.  I have years!  Plus a music degree.  I'm sheet music dependent.  That's going to change!  This project is going to help me with this, but it's a bit scary.  And I don't know what I'm doing.  Music Theory was the easiest out of the Music Theory core for my degree (which also included Music Dictation and Sight Singing).  My fingers don't work the way I want them too!  This is a skill I really want to learn, and this is a great start.  I also want to throw in some Irish flute.  Steven's never mastered anything other then voice and electronic instruments, so this will be good practice for him, too.

The next combined Cover we're doing is Andy Grammer's "Keep Your Head Up."  It's a fun, upbeat, positive song, and it will be a little like the Payphone cover we did.  I'm not going to promise a release date for this!  I've made that mistake before.  Not doing that again.  But it is a really fun song:0)

And . . . wait for it . . . we're working on an online graphic novel!!!  Surprised?  Before my youngest brother left on his mission, he came up with the bases of a story idea.  We promised him that we would turn it into a graphic novel, as a gift, only that hasn't happened yet.  I'm still in script phase and Steven's developing art concepts.  Our goal is to get the first 10 pages up by the end of September, right before he comes home.  I've been having so much fun playing mad scientist with this world  . . . or should I admit to a slowly developing God complex?  Ehhh, I will admit that I'm having way too much fun.  Think slight Steampunk, slight sci-fi, and Final Fanstasy-ish world, and you have something akin to what Steven, Robbie, and I have dreamed up.  Art Concept drawings coming soon!

Oh, and of course original music.  Steven and I are working on an original song, and the sounds he's coming up with are super fun!  That's 2-3 months out.  Then we're going to do an original song based on the graphic novel world we've created (I can't wait to do the music video for this . . . we just got a green screen :0).  And there's a few jazz songs I've written that I was just going to release under my name, but Steven's like "it would be really cool to do electronic jazz!"  And I'm like "What!?"  He thinks it can work.  We'll see.  I'm slightly doubtfull.

Anyway, are we crazy?  Probably, but insanity is fun.
Sarah    

Fry Sauce! Proof we're now Utahns.

When Steven and I were at the Getty, we ordered the most amazing garlic french fries I have ever had.  And what goes better with fries then Fry Sauce!  If you're not from Utah, you've probably never heard of this delectable condiment.  It wasn't until moving here over 10 years ago when I was introduced to one of Utah's state treasures.

What is Fry Sauce?  It's basically a 2 to 1 ratio of mayonnaise to ketchup.  Very basic.  But there are so many recipes and variations.  Google it, you'll see.  Some recipes add onion powder, or vinegar, pickle juice, barbeque sauce instead of ketchup, etc.     

Arctic Circle, a Utah chain of restaurants, claims it created the first Fry Sauce back in 1948.  Now you can find this sauce at Carl's Jr., Crown Burger, and other restaurants in the Utah region carry this sauce.

Steven and I kept it really simple by blending mayonnaise and ketchup, and boy was it good!  Actually, whenever I eat fry's without this special sauce I feel like something is missing.  I guess this means I'm an official Utahn now.  You can buy it from Arctic Circle, if you don't want to make it, or from Stephen's Gourmet, a Utah based company who specializes in Hot Chocolate.         

I don't know why, but I found this tray conveyer belt really amusing.

Now I'm hungry for fry's.
Sarah

Los Angeles Getty Museum: Part 3, the Sculptures

When I went to the Getty in Los Angeles I was excited about the gardens and paintings. Not once did I predict it would be sculptures I got most excited about.  So I saved the best for last!  Above is "Mercury," 1560 by Alessandro Vittoria.  It's a smaller version of a sculpture Vittoria did for Doge's Palace in Venice.

Below is "Dancer," 1912 by Paolo Troubetzkoy.  He's apparently an Italian born son of a Russian Prince and an American mother, which I find very interesting.  The movement of this piece is absolutely beautiful; there's such a feeling of energy and life.  She's Countess de Svirsky, a famous Russian dancer known throughout Europe and America.

"Pair of Figures," about 1780 in France by Louis-Simon Boizot.  This beautiful figure sits on top a piece of furniture.  She represents Study.

"Time Witnessing the Triumph of Honor, Integrity, and Prudence over Vice," about 1725 by a Parisian artist.  I love what this bronze stands for.

"Virgin and Child," About 1520 by Andrea Briosco.  Stunning. 

"Bust of Juliette Recamier," 1801 by Joseph Chinard.  She had an affair with the Prince of Prussia.  Was courted by Napoleon's brother.  In short, she got around.  Everyone knew her for her beauty.  I actually think Juliette looks a little like Adele.

"Juno," 1776 by Joseph Nollekens in Marble.  She's Queen of the Gods and the Roman goddess of marriage. 

Juno with "Venus," 1773, also done by Joseph Nollekens.  We all know what she's the Goddess of.

"Covered Goblet with Mythological Scenes," about 1680 by Balthasar Griessmann.  Not a morally sound piece, but it's a lot of fun to look at. 

"Joke Glass," 1600s, either German or Netherlands.  This isn't a sculpture, but blown glass.  It's amazing and made me laugh.

Have a fantastic day!!
Sarah

Los Angeles Getty Museum: Part 2, the Artwork

This picture was on a sign with a big "Coming Soon," advertizing a new exhibit which hadn't opened yet: Klimt, The Magic of Line.  I love this sketch.  So wild and beautiful.  Though, I must admit, this drawing makes me think of Tarzan. 

Below is an illuminated manuscript.  This section of the Getty is my favorite, mainly because I love old books, and I love seeing the ancient handwritten art and lettering.  This piece was done in Paris around 1420 and is called "A Burial."   

Steven got super excited when he saw this!  The first is 1460-1525 and is an Italian example of "deceive the eye" paintings.  The front (this is a two sided painting) was done about 1490.

I'm pretty sure you can't guess why I liked this piece.  It's called "Portrait of a Woman with a Book of Music" by Bacchiacca around 1540. 

"Disegno and Colore" by Guercino, about 1640.  It took Steven and I a while to figure out that the women was painting, and that the guy was showing her a sketch.  Steven was like, "Why is there a cupid in the bed?"  The artist, Guercino, is depicting the stages of art.   

"The Sermon on the Mount," 1598 by Jan Brueghel the Elder.  This painting is beautiful, and I like how the artist is likening the scriptures by bringing the Sermon on the Mount to his time.

"The Music Lesson," 1668 by Gerard ter Borch.  Another music painting, 

which is why I had to take the picture.

"The Interior of the Church of Saint Bravo, Haarlem," 1628 by Pieter Jansz. Saenredam.  I love the lines in this piece, which is what drew my eye.

"The Drawing Lesson," 1665 by Jan Steen.  I love the detail and subject matter.

"A Young Scholar and His Tutor," about 1629.  It's not known who the artist is, but it was done in the studio of Rembrandt, and thought to be that of Gerrit Dou, Rembrandt's first pupil.  I love knowledge, and the sharing of knowledge, which is why I like this piece.  Also, the subjects are interesting, and I want to know the story behind them. 

Have a great day!
Sarah

The Love of Cats

"Authors like cats because they are such 

quiet, lovable, wise creatures, 

and cats like authors for the same reasons."

~ Robertson Davies 

Los Angeles Getty Museum: Part 1, the Gardens

Earlier this month Steven and I visited the Los Angeles Getty Museum.  This amazing museum is free for the public, all you have to do is pay for parking which is $15.  The Getty isn't just known for its large collection of European works, but also for its architecture and gardens.  Everything blends together, creating a relaxing atmosphere above a busy city.  Here are some pictures I took during the visit.

 

After you leave the parking garage, you take a tram up to the top of the mountain, enjoying the views of the city and highway 405.  

Right when we got off the tram we took a tour of the gardens, but what thrilled me the most was learning about the walls and how the stone is Travertine.  It's beautiful.  I love the texture and how there are fossils.  The travertine found at the Getty is quarried in Italy. 

     

The reason why all the buildings, though different shapes and sizes, feel uniform is because of the square grid connecting everything. 

It's hard not to take in the Los Angeles view and ocean when in the garden. 

More pictures of the Garden.

 

 Steven sketched while I took pictures.

It's Boy Holding Frog!!  Actually, I have no idea what this sculpture is named.  At first Steven thought he was holding a crab, but I corrected him.  Soon we decided to get excited every time we saw him.

Overlooking the city.

Have a great day!

Sarah

Pioneer Day/Spanish Fork Fiesta Day Parade

Last month my Dad told my brother Steven and I what he wanted for Father's Day, and that he didn't want anything else; He wanted us to get our Ham radio licenses.  (Of course I already bought his gift, which was a vintage looking Captain America comic themed lunch box.) When I was a kid I wanted a license, but back then you had to learn morse code; no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't learn it.  A few years ago this requirement changed.  My Dad wanted us to get the license so we can help at events.  The local ARES group works the parades, races, and events so everyone can practice communication, so that during an emergency our Ham radios can be used to help with communication.  The ARES and RACES groups proved that all this training they do isn't in vain when they volunteered their time during the fires this past Summer. I was given the opportunity to help with the Spanish Fork Parade and practice my ham radio skills.  Back to the parade!

The group below set the pace of the Spanish Fork Fiesta Parade.  They fired a loud cannon and then fired weapons, giving the kids next to me quite a shock.    

Proof we're in Spanish Fork!!

More fun Parade entries I enjoyed.

All the Utah County Queens showed up for the festivities.  Below, on my most favorite float in the parade, is Miss Pleasant Grove with her attendants.  Also shown below is Miss Payson, Miss Nephi, and Miss Provo. 

Below is Mater!!  Unfortunately he broke down and I had the opportunity to make sure the lawn mower got off the street, and then report to Net Central what had happened.  

Another huge task we had was keeping the kids safe.  A lot of the groups throw candy to the kids, but the candy doesn't always make it to them, so the kids run into the street, which is dangerous.  A year or two ago a boy ran to the middle of the road; thankfully the driver of the float noticed and stopped within 5 feet.

Me in my gear after the parade.  It was awesome!  Steven and my Dad helped find lost children in their sections.  Unfortunately after the parade I found out that my sound mike was too close to my mouth which caused my voice to be muffled.  I would have liked to know this sooner, but that's the point of these exercises.  It's better to learn these problems during an event instead of during an emergency when lives are in danger.

Have a great day!!
Sarah