sounds like

My band The Shapes
the shapes on myspace
a song for a hot summer day...

This is the end

I have finally finished it. I have been working since April on this thing, monk style. Like... Shaolin monk style. On the floor, hunched over in a manner that is probably the worst thing to do to your back besides breakdancing. The studio has been awash in paisley psych and Persian music while I've been crawling around on the floor with my paintbrushes.
It's been a journey with this one. We're nearing the end of June and it's finally done and the best part is this one gave birth to the ideas for the next one...which means this has been not only a labor of love but a fruitful labor. Indeed.
When I get details on when it will hang at the Dallas Museum of Art I'll post. For now I'm basking in the glow of being a new proud mama (and basking in a comfy chair after I post this!).

Link You Lots!

I started going through my links and I realized most of those linked never linked me back. Sad face! ;-( So my new policy is a lot like a hug, a hug both parties benefit from..you feel loved, they feel loved..everyones snuggly. Thats how my links are now. Some will be just links I love though, no strings attached. Still. Links are nice.
;-)

Almost Unveiled

This has been a work in progress since April. Damn. This weekend I think it will be done. I only see a few things that need revising and perfecting. In good time too...it needs to be delivered for the showing by the 23rd. WHEW! How I have busted ass on this painting, sitting on the floor like a monk with a bad back listening to Persian music and taking stretch breaks here and there. It's been quite a journey with you ol' friend! Almost time to get a fresh canvas and start the sequel.

Friday!

Yes, still alive in the hive and still messing with Illustrator. ;-) I plan on working on my painting mucho, this weekend. I can't wait to post the final result.

Fun Design is Fun

I finally got off my proverbial butt and started messing around with Illustrator. Despite it being totally foreign to me I'm having tons of fun and so pleased with the crispness of the look and design. I think I have a new vice!

doo dles

todays offerings

Studio Day

Today is clean the studio day. It's become a jumbled mess of paints and boxes of supplies and who knows what. Since I work in cramped quarters, sharing my studio with two computers and a whole lot of laundry, I have been sitting monk style on the floor working on my painting. Needless to say after about 45 minutes my back is aching, I need a break and some stretches and it's just not conducive to being productive. Time to change the method!
The painting is coming along well, I have got a lot of work done on it this weekend. I have also created a lot of work with each new thing I add to it. Taking small snapshots of it as it progresses has been fun, I like looking at the little details. It gives me ideas for new compositions.
It's just after 6am and I wonder why in the hell I'm up so early?

New Listing Peeps!

Just listed a new tiny painting on etsy. I like the 8" x 8" format and the deep edge. I think I will do more of these, if anything it will be fun to hang them all on a wall in a grid or something fun.
I also just posted one of my older paintings from 2005. That was a fun, painstaking series which involved sitting on hot concrete while ants crawled on me and my painting. Good times!

Work In Progress

This is a detail from a work in progress. I like being able to look at my work while I'm away from it to keep the creative stew simmering in my head. Definitely one of the stranger palettes I've delved into.

This was no Colony Collapse

I just fell off the blog wagon but now I'm back!
A brand new painting is well underway and I will be showing it soon at a prestigious spot....the Dallas Museum of Art! I'm really getting into some new color palettes and territory with this new piece. I'm excited!
I have been working on this piece for almost two months and it's driving me insane and yet I'm addicted to working on it. So many new ideas have come forth from this one.
I guess I should catch the blog readers out there up on what's been going on with me. Not a lot but oh so much. You know what I mean.
I have had a vacation, just finished up two events, got some press, had some drama (remind me to tell you about my crazy neighbor and the bugspray someday), sold two paintings, discovered some cool new places around town and generally have just been doing my thing.
I'm really looking forward to this small lull where I can just paint and refocus my energies and perspective. I'll be updating and hopefully soon will be sharing some new photos.

Studio Life

Spring cleaning is under way with the expected stops and starts that come with realizing that Allergy Season is under way. Double whammy! Nonetheless I have a small little dust mask I've been wearing as I clean and it has really helped with the dust bunny attacks....and sneezing.
This weekend the focus is on the studio which I planned on saving for last but realized..I REALLY WANT TO PAINT! NOW! So I'm tackling it post haste. Theres almost nothing more inspiring in the morning than walking into a clean, uncluttered workspace where you can see opportunity and fresh canvas just waiting for you. This might take a while but I can see light at the end of the tunnel. The dusty tunnel!

MAKE me

Happy Day! I just met with and consigned the remainder of my box stock to MAKE (313 N. Bishop Avenue in the Bishop Arts District)they are also carrying a few of my paintings so if you're in the Cliff please stop by! They have some totally rad handmades! I feel very special whenever a connsignment shop takes me on. And I do believe I'm the only one in town doing these kinds of little boxes which definitely helps in the uniqueness dept! :)
So now I can clean house and restock supplies and work on my new Spring Designs and not feel like my little babies are being neglected. I hope they find happy little homes in someones home. MAKE also offers classes and workshops on how to MAKE stuff, go check out this new fantastic little edition to Dallas!
MAKE http://www.themakesite.com/
Sunday - Tuesday : CLOSED
Wed - Thursday : 12 - 6pm
Friday & Saturday: 12 - 8pm
1st Thursday of Each Month: 12 - 10pm

Maintainence

As all my events for the month slowly wind down it's time to start a bit of maintenance. Studio needs order after the trunk show hurricane. Closets and cabinets need purging. Shelving needs assembling. Then I can really feel comfortable sitting down and working on my canvases. I want to jump into Spring nice and fresh so a little zen cleaning is in order.
Recommended restaurant if you're in Oak Cliff- Don Panzos on Clarendon Ave. Argentinian food featuring pizza, tacos and these weird empanadas with charred numbers marked on them.

Bye Bye Birdie

So sad to see them leave the nest! Sniff! This box I've duplicated and haven't been able to keep for long. It kept getting featured in the treasuries and was one of the most often picked up boxes at the trunk show. This is all very interesting information for me for planning my new spring line.
So now the nest is empty except for about 6 boxes and I'll be taking them with me this Saturday to the Lonely Hearts Love In bash for some prospective customers to peep at. My etsy store seems a little barren but I'm sure in due time I'll be back in the shop working. For now I really want to work on the canvas I started a few weeks ago.
Happy Valentines Day!

Ziggy Sawdust

Here are my latest commission orders. They will be leaving my hands this evening and I just made em. I'm really keen on that Bowie box. SIGH!

Love Is In The Air

I bought this little cutie from Tiddlywinks over on Etsy.com. It's a Valentines gift for my man that I couldn't resist already giving him. In return he got me the pink one.
Well of course they couldn't be seperated! Guess we're both a little batty about each other! <3

Lead

I've got a lead on a place that seems interested in taking my boxes on consignment. I'm thrilled but I haven't signed anything yet so I'll keep my pot from boiling over for now. I have an order to finish today and the trunk show generated another so things are steady here in the boxing ring. Looks like rain in the forecast so I better get my daily walk in before the dark clouds pop in the sky.

One In Every Bunch

Whether it's work, bands, social groups or anything that involves a group dynamic theres one in every bunch. Sometimes more than one, but if you're lucky... only one. The EGO. It's something you come to recognize when you deal with it on a daily basis as I do at work, where there are several at play. At any rate it's always interesting to encounter that one in the group where you weren't expecting it.
Today is a day of reflection and rest. The sun is out and a walk is in order to stretch the legs of yesterdays sitting. Oh crap, laundry day is today. So much for rest! Quotes for the day to make myself aware of my own ego and put perspective on others:

“Perhaps middle-age is, or should be, a period of shedding shells; the shell of ambition, the shell of material accumulations and possessions, the shell of the ego”
-Anne Morrow Lindbergh

“If you want to reach a state of bliss, then go beyond your ego and the internal dialogue. Make a decision to relinquish the need to control, the need to be approved, and the need to judge. Those are the three things the ego is doing all the time. It's very important to be aware of them every time they come up.”
-Deepak Chopra

“Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called 'Ego'."
- Friedrich Nietzsche

“The foundation of the Buddha's teachings lies in compassion, and the reason for practicing the teachings is to wipe out the persistence of ego, the number-one enemy of compassion.”
-Tenzin Gyatso, The 14th Dalai Lama

Todays the Day!

If you're out n about come say hello to Mar and I at my little tiger table. I'm going to have all my boxes with me except for Tea Time Panda....someone bought him online yesterday *sniff* he will be missed! I'm offering a free *?mystery?* gift if you purchase $10 or more at my table. Anyway, would be nice to see you and if you happen to bring me snacks all the better! ;D
*I also got featured in this weekends GUIDE of the Dallas Morning News! Twiggy looks pretty in print! ;-)