On Finding My Style and Time for Personal Grooming

You know I had absolutely no plans today and so I thought it would be easy to et some things done. NOT. So tomorrow is a jam packed day and now I am scrambling tonight to get organized so most of it goes smoothly. And after taking a shower finally (yes its been 2 days) and getting my little gremlin in the bed (not asleep but at least contained in one place) I had to peep my head in to say Hey. That's how much I love y'all. And speaking of love I want to say a special thank you  to the talented, inspireing and kind ladies who take out the time to read and comment on my lttle blog. Y'all are the milk to my cookies.

I have been painting ALOT lately. And I think, I hope, oh I hope I am approaching my own personal style. I admit I have some art ADD but I feel like the more I work things out on paper and canvas the closer I feel I'm getting.... So here's what I've been working on. They are drafts and I'm going to ad some text but cant decide to hand write it or cut out printed type. What do yall think. More people are using the cut type and I'm trying not to be so anal about my own handwriting. Did I say anal? I meant nuerotic.

I've had a sketch of her for a few months now and finally got the balls to put paint to and she just opened up so much for me. I love her for that alone. And doesn't she look so full of thought, huh?

The camera doesnt really get all  the roughness that I love about the flower and how the blue's not quite opaque. cute.

I wasn't sure what this was gonna be when I started but I was pleasantly surprised. I also loosened the reigns on "matching colors" and just let my intuition guide me. The house is actually this cool melon orangy color. luv it.

She's a little blurry and excuse her zombie stare. I'm still working on her eyes. I think I want her to look down but not sure how to accomplish that...but i love her hair. Back in the day I had a color very similar to this just a lil more magenta, wth. ;-)

Business Building Monday

I like the sound of the title of this post. Kinda sounds like I'll do it every Monday. Sounds like a great idea...hmmm. We'll see. I'm just so inspired by the Flying Lessons e-course I'm taking right now. Just when the ebb of my confidence and gumption was peaking and doubt and second guessing myself started to sink in here comes my collaging-mommy 2B-super hero-teacher-cheer leader Kelly Rae with week 4 of her class on building a successful and balanced art business. The part that really stuck out to me today (surprisingly) was the piece on the importance of a newsletter and how it has helped her business. Well first of all I didn't think I had anything to talk about worth bugging folks every month about. But after hearing her side of the story i think about it a little differently and now...I'm pumped up to get started on a newsletter. And hopefully you'll check it out and find it valuable.

So to stay on track since I do have the propensity to start something and not finish it (did i say that??) I thought I'd put a little outline of what you can expect from the M2BM - M2BU newsletter.


1. Inspirational word/thought  - this is a great way to share some of my favorite lessons and teachers with you guys.

2. Works in progress - I love seeing the creative process of artists I follow and think it gives a nice inside scoop on what is going through an artist mind.

3. A personal tidbit -  on my working, mommy, daughter, friend, explorer life. You're sure to find pics of my super cutest son Vincent who I just can't get enough of...here's a peak at one of his latest pics...

can't you tell he's been taking pics his whoooole life!

4. Artist spotlight - here I'll share (or hopefully interview ) an artist (painter, writer, singer, etc.) that I enjoy or feel inspired by. Who knows, you might see you here one day!

5.  Sales &Promotions - Pretty self explanatory.... more info of how you can take a little piece of me home.

6. What to look for next month - Teasers of the juicy-ness to come.

Well, I hope this has wet your whistle. It has mine and I guess it has also put the heat on me to get to the gettin' on delivering the goods right? And since I seem to work better under pressure,  I'm thinking I'll have a newsletter out by...ok I'll just put it out there - July 1 (did I just say that too?). Well I guess I better get to work. OK, gotta go - Bye!

More Thoughts on the Tribal Trend

I was thinking about my previous post and got to thinking about a few things...

I know I must not have enough work @ work today but oh well. I just think the "trend" of tribal prints is very thought provoking. First, these gorgeous patterns are not new by any means. They've been around longer than most of us. So somwhere along the way these patterns catch the eye of the Oscar de la Rentas of the world and are picked up by haute couture designers and become all the rave. Next, a year or tow goes by and more affordable brands pick up on yet-to-be trend and make it accessible to the masses at affordable prices.

And the thing is the Political Scientist in me is a little up in arms about the cheapening of a culture (that we know so little about). I know thats sounds a little Angela Davis but you know what I mean (i hope). The big wigs make, call it cute and the next thing you know Martha Stewart is donning a tribal print headband in a Kmart commercial. But the thing is, as an artist and lover of fashion I feel they finally tapped into something worth putting on any and every item imaginable for as little as $5.99. These colors are so vibrant, patterns so unexpected...and to be able to have them at your fingertips is a real blessing. Finally visual stimulation as the norm. And as an artist I am always in awe at how artist are inspired. And what is more inspiring than these mostly hand made and hand dyed elaborate garbs made by people who by comparison to most, live a decidedly more simple life. And I must admit (secretly) I would stand in line all day for a lime green and magenta tribal print plates and bowls set. As a matter of fact I think I'll go look for one now! Gotta love the duplicitous nature of us all.

african fashion week

photos by Justine Kurland - STUNNING!

diane von furstenberg runway

authentic east african dress

oscar de la renta

Color and Pattern Inspiration

What a great looong weekend! And boy did I need it. It was a real treat to have 4 days off and just piddle around...loved it! While I was out I made a stop by one of my favorite spots Tar-jay and of course saw some things I really loved but was so struck by some of the fabulous tribal patterns and color combinations. I was like WOW and so inspired I had to snap a few shots to share. I really love when everyday items can express personality and creativity. And what can be more everyday than a cute sundress @ Target. Accessable art I call it.

Please excuse any fuzzy or crookedness...I was trying to snap the shots and run behind my 2-year old who has discovered the endless fun of hiding in the clothes racks. I guess that's what I get for not getting a shopping cart/containment unit - LOL.

A cute maxi dress with these pops of tangerine and fuschia on a brown background no less!

Love this one too! all of my favorite colors.

The geometry and shapes are so beautiful

These swirls and orange and turquoise remind me of Miami!

My co-worker came in wearing this so I had to snap a pic and add to the Love list. LOL