New Addition

"The Roots Remain"
24" x 24"
acrylic on gallery canvas

She's officially finished! You can come see her Saturday Feb 12th at the UNDERGROUND show! Whew! Lots of work went into this one!

1/24 Get Movin'

Spent a lot of time in the studio working on orders this weekend and finished these "Tiger and Honey Bear" themed pieces. Today is Pilates and supply day so almost no time in the studio but I am going to try and push myself to do my Hour Swap. It's going to be a tight squeeze.
Then I have another box order in the queue and then...time to get serious. I have the UNDERGROUND show to prepare for and won't be able to do much but get ready for that- all extraneous projects will have to wait until after Feb 12. There will be -if all accounts are true- a LOT of people at this show and the more pieces I have prepared for it the greater my chance of selling and I need to sell bad. Going to be putting some major mileage on my studio...consider me Miss Hermit until this show is over.
And if you know any artist you know this is the equivalent of hanging a sign on your hotel room doorknob that says DO NOT DISTURB. :)
It's go time and I feel the fire under me! Everyone have a great Monday!

Nothing from Nothing

11/19/11 HOUR SWAP PROJECT
"Ripple Effect"
7" x 7" acrylic on wood panel
Winning Bid: $10
My Pilates teacher has a little saying she likes to throw out there while we're struggling to not die on the floormats in a half crunch we've been holding for a full minute...she says "Nothing from nothing equals nothing! Something from something equals something!" Which of course means- your effort will provide gains and she is right- not only has my effort in Pilates already provided me with gains (or losses I should say, bye bye 3 lbs!) but it is a good thing to remember when you're working on other parts of your life. Put in the effort! Things aren't just going to magically happen by themselves. So when sales were NOT coming through my door via ETSY I figured I had better put some effort in and use the ol noggin'...that was the impetus for my other blog. 2 Blogs is not so easy to keep up with- especially when you're trying to keep your content varied. And then add on to it that one blog requires you to work for it, work hard so that you not only gain readers but buyers! But something from something equals something and I'm in it to win it.
I was feeling silly yesterday and have been enjoying watching Sanford and Son on Antennae TV (33.2 here in DFW) so yesterdays HOUR SWAP was..."Fred G. Sanford" and he sold at a bid of $10! A steal! I painted him not only because he is funny but like me- a little entrepreneur doing what he had to do to make it. In his case- collect junk. In my case hustle artwork.
I updated my website with more about the project and hope to see this thing grow- at least get a little handful of pieces into the hands of those who would like to collect art but can't afford to- not at gallery prices anyway.
Today I have orders to work on (YAY! WORK!) and do you actually think I got my Christmas tree taken down and anything cleaned yesterday?
Big Fat No.
Nothing from nothing equals nothing after all...or a bunch of dirty dishes, hairballs and a dirty house.
Wah.

Sunday Slow Down

It's been a week of making, doing, meetings, meetups and now a little Sunday slow down before it starts all over again.

I feel like I have a lot of little pots on the stove and I'm hoping one of them will offer up a tasty stew to feed me.
Sales are slow. But I have decided not to stress or worry over it, merely keep creating and really looking at each new opportunity that presents itself to me as a potential rung on the ladder to something else.
Worked on some mock up "invitations" for one of those potential opportunities and was pleased with how far I've taken my skills as an artisan. I still have some terribly bad photos of the first stuff I posted on Etsy back in 2007. I really don't know how anything sold with those horrible photos!
I was featured in a gorgeous treasury yesterday so that is always a little pick-me-up. Check out The Vintage Gangs treasury GREEN TEA. As with all treasury makers-I will be putting Vintage Gang into a treasury too and also a little blog spotlight this week.

Heres the poster design for THE SHAPES reunion show I did. Looking forward to this and also knowing I need a lot of practice to get my fingers and voice back into shapes for this- no pun intended.
Speaking of shaping up- I lost 3 lbs since I took on the Pilates + Yoga + Running + Biking! I can feel my body getting stronger and I have more energy! It's important for artists who are sedentary by nature to be active. Take time away from your easels and work tables and get outside and get your heart pumping!
It looks like a wash today with rain steady in the forecast. Bread baking day and more studio time for me.
Everyone have a relaxing Sunday!

Rain Puddles

The weather icons on my computer screen show a grey rain cloud and rightly so. It is raining and has been for a few hours. A perfect day for staying in and working on a new project.
Only- I also need to get groceries and this is where it gets complicated. You see, I have no car. Never have. I get my groceries on my bike and well...rain just kinda sucks to do the grocery trip in especially when you add into it that it's 41 degrees. So I'm hoping for a rain reprieve, a raincheck from the rain. Dear Rain, please stop for like...2 hours so I can go get groceries. Please. Thanks.
Yesterday I ran out for supplies, I'm trying my hand at schmancy invitations and had to get nice paper. I also saw this paper punch that I had to have- I tell myself- even though it was out of my budget. So now I feel compelled to punch paper and try to make my money back on it. I'll post pics of my efforts later this weekend.
Thoroughly busy weekend making invitations, new stuff for the shop and a flier for the next gig. Oh yeah, The Shapes are playing a reunion show on Feb. 25th and I gotta get the graphic word out!

Treasury Up!

Finally got the treasury up, take a peek:
Love is in the Details

A lovely assortment of finds from people who have treasured me, favorited me or who just had some amazing stuff!

Today I'll be locking down in the studio and photographing my Mondrian record set, finishing a record mandala and starting something....new....not sure what yet but lots of ideas brewing upstairs in the noggin'! Speaking of brewing...coffee time!
Have a great day!
(featured above: Something New II Red Heart Two Tone Necklace with Coral by Amoronia)

Dec 9th- take care day!

Yesterday was abuzz with boxes. I finished 3 in one day- I think a new milestone for me. I finished two English Tea Boxes and this little Jaguar Box pictured above. I used my new little mosaic tiles and LOVED how easy they were to work with. How cool they look when they are dry. They really added a lot to that box!
Someday I'll do some mosaic tile stuff, will need grout and all that fun stuff.
Had some visitors yesterday too, good thing I had baked some brownies up for giving. One of my friends bought all the Christmas cards I had just made so I will need to make some more today. Maybe my Mom will want to make some too. Thats where I'm heading today, off to visit my Mom with some brownies in tow of course! :)
Unfortunately the BUG has hit our house. I've been waiting for it. But this morning my man had the sniffley, stuffies and complaints. A sure sign that the dreaded cold bug has arrived. I have yet to get it. I really don't want to get sick so I will be doing some extra care tactics today. Disinfecting all the doorknobs, light switches, phone and common handling places. Going to the store for more herbal teas (I've been drinking Good Earths Sweet and Spicy Tea-already sweet no sugar to add!), bell peppers, garlic, chicken, lemons, ginger, tomatoes, oranges and good soup making ingredients. And I'll be going OUT and away from the bug today, good fresh brisk air and biking.
All of this could be futile and my blog tomorrow may be a lot of wah wah wah Im sick! :( Sad face! But hopefully not.
Yesterday I was contacted by an interested art buyer and he is supposed to come view the piece in person this evening and (crossed fingers) buy and pick it up. I really do hope so because I really could use that sale. I love the piece but it's been with me a few years and I am ready to let it go to a nice home with spacious walls.

A good part of the evening will find me packing up all my boxes, records, cards and gridwall for the SALE on Saturday. Going on Friday to setup so theres lots to do to prepare. I don't forsee me creating any new boxes or records today so I will just enjoy Mom time and make some soup. Possibly some Christmas card making. It's a Take Care kinda day.
Everyone Take Care!

The Week That Was

That was quite a week! Started it off with Cyber Monday and ended it on a high note with my interview with Oak Cliff People! A wonderful week that left me feeling thankful and noticed. The interview went great and I was thrilled to get to talk about my inspirations for working. The article should be out on Dec. 10th just in time for...
Handmade Holiday Sale on Dec 11th!
Here's the lowdown:
"Have a GREEN holiday without being in the RED!"

Join us for a holiday pop-up sale
Saturday December 11 from 12-5 p.m.
Support and sustain local, professional artists and craftspeople offering affordable unique gifts for those you love. Wine, and light bites.

Teatro Dallas
1331 Record Crossing Road
Dallas, TX

I'm going to be working hard all week to stock up for the sale so I hope some of my friends come out to pick out handmade gifts from either myself or some of the other wonderful artists and artisans on hand.
Usually when I do these physical sales I deactivate everything in my Etsy shop for the day so if theres something you have had your eye on you should GRAB it while you can!
I would also like to make my own wreath this week so look forward to a little DIY tutorial on that. My friends Kevin and Lydia got some free Fir boughs from Home Depot and brought it to me for just that reason. I had been talking about sneaking all over the neighborhood snipping little pieces here and there and they have saved me from a life of crime!
yesterday I made a rustic folky looking sign out of one of the wooden drawer pieces my Mom gave me. i decided my studio needed more MOTIVATION and my Dads words are always driving me. "Enjoy The Life- Disfruta La Vida" I'm thinking to play around with this imagery more, little jaguar with his thorny rose offering. Take time to smell the roses, the roses come with thorns...such is life.
Saturdays usually find me in the studio and today is no exception, lots of new boxes to replenish (no tea boxes in the shop! for shame!) and some new records would be nice. I'm hoping when the article comes out I will look like a fully stocked art shop again. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Loafing Day

Despite my good intentions yesterday it didn't change the fact that I woke up SUPER EXHAUSTED. It felt like I was on the verge of catching whatever is going around and that I had been up all night partying- which I hadn't. I had been averaging about 3-5 hours of sleep a night and it was finally grabbing me by the lapels.
First I made sure my interview could be moved to today- which it could- HOORAY! Second I made a garlicky chicken broth with mushrooms, onions, crushed red pepper and tomato and drank that baby down with a nice full glass of water. Hydration city!
A nice dose of Nyquil, a cat by my side and something boring on TV and I was out like a light. Woke up hours later from one of the best naps ever and discovered I had drooled like a baby all over my shirtsleeve. EW! But thats a testament to how hard I slept. Feeling rested, cozy and groggy I opted to do nothing but loaf. What better day to crack open that box of bread mix and make my first loaf? Loaf day! Took a good amount of time to prep but the first sourdough loaf came out hot and yummy. Enjoyed it with a Christmas special on TV and promptly knocked back into dreamland.
I know this blog is supposed to be about creativity and motivation but some days you HAVE to rest and that was one of those days. Plus, I DID make a loaf of bread! The day wasn't a total waste! :)
Today I'm doing a little cleanup before the interviewers get here, visiting my Mom and popping back home for my interview. Oak Cliff People, a local paper, are coming over to chat with me about my art and snap my picture. When all that hooplah is over I have to sit down in my studio and work since I missed yesterday. I am gearing up for a real physical sale on Dec 11th at Teatro Dallas. Me and a couple other artists and artisans are going to be selling our handmades for the holidays and there will be wine and light fare- a nice little escape from the bustling mall wouldn't you say? So I have lots to do to get ready for that- first on my list is finding a ride!