And they're off!

I'm sorry if I've been quiet over here.  I have not felt like posting much of anything since the terrible tragedy at Sandy Hook.  It breaks my heart for everyone who lost someone, and as a mom I just can't imagine it.  As I watch the news and see all those little faces who are the same age as my oldest, everything else seems so superficial and unimportant.  I hug my children a little tighter every night and pray I never have to know what that kind of loss feels like.

2009

I am just trying to cram in as much work as possible before school lets out for Xmas break. A lovely couple of weeks where I justify that wine during the day is an absolute necessity!

So, out of these girls, two will be a commission, some more for the Blue Gallery, and also a special little something that Mindy Bledsoe and I will be working on.  Stay tuned!

 

Thanks to Shreveport Times and Devin White for doing a feature on us today!  It was so nice having ya'll over, and we loved taking all the pictures.  And the kids really enjoyed pretending the menorah was actual reindeer antlers. Which is why they'll never get to hold it again.  Not pictured: Ginormous tug of war fight over antlers. 

 

Happy Birthday today sweet Liam! 

 

This past weekend we had an Angry Birds party.  Crafts were made and Twister was played, and everyone had a grand time.  I just can't believe it's been 6 years!

Because I have nothing better to do than to obsess over what my house looks like for the holidays, I went to Lowe's with my friend Mad and picked up some free Xmas tree clippings.  Then I arranged them all over the house, stared for a long time, rearranged them, and so on. 

 

 

If you are too lazy for this process or actually have better things to do than stare at pine needles, go buy this wonderful candle! 

Etsy art makes great gifts.  Here are just a few of my favorites...

Yellena

 

 

Samantha French

 

 

 

Bett Norris

 

 

Amy Abshier Reyes

 

 

How awesome is that Frida Kahlo one?

 

 

Next weekend I will be in three shows: two in Shreveport, and one in Kansas City.  These are being shipped to the Blue Gallery in KC for Wonder Wall which opens Friday Dec 7.  I miss KC so much and wish I could be there again soon.  It's a gorgeous town and if any of you ever get the chance, GO!

I'm still working on the titles of these

 

 

Clairvoyant Ballerina

 

                                                                   Snake Charmer

 

 

Oops, I forgot my pants

 

And could someone please fly me to Hong Kong to see this show? 

The Ginkgo trees are so beautiful right now!  Yes, Fall has finally hit Louisiana.  It's my favorite time of the year.

 

Progress of a painting

 

These are actually 2 very old pieces that I no longer liked, and decided to recycle them. I painted them black, hung them together, and went to work.  Didn't have much of an idea before, I just knew I wanted something drippy.  Above is what happens when I'm not painting.

 

I love how she looks like a ghostly jellyfish, so I go with it.

 

Almost done, but the white skirt needs a little more work I think.

 

And ta-da! There you go.

 

 

Happy Holiday Season!

 

This time of year can be particularly draining on several fronts. So, to battle the financial drain, I'm trying more homemade things. We shall see how long this lasts since I'm such a sucker for things in pretty bottles and what not.

 

 

Let's start with facial things.  I made a honey sugar scrub for an exfoliator, 1 part apple cider vinegar to 1 part water for a toner, and am using coconut oil for moisturizer.  I will do this for 1 week and get back to ya!

ps. Check out my awesome skull in the back from Conchita Iglesias-McElwee

I will be pretty silent this week as we bury my grandmother on Wednesday in Arkansas. She had a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's and it is bittersweet to see her go. Cheers to a wonderful woman who taught, traveled and flew planes!

 

My sister and I with her at Graceland above

BACK TO WORK! 

 

 

Everyone is conked out right now, and by everyone I mean Ivy and Louie.  Good news for me cause I get to peruse some great art and get inspired.  Now all I need is for everyone to get well and go back to school so I can actually work!

 

 

Heather Nevay

Kristin Vestgard

Anh Duong

I love making art that is a bit on the macabre side.  I grew up on Tim Burton, The Dark Crystal, Edward Gorey, The Last Unicorn, Monchichi's.  What?  They were FRIGHTENING!  I tend to take that kind of imagery and marry it with super feminine girls and bright colors. 

 

The Cottingley Faeries

 

                                                                        The Struggle

 

 

But sometimes, I just want to make silly, superficial little things that are fleeting and quick and seem more like something I'd flip through in a magazine. 

 

 

This is the kind of thing I'm doing at the moment.  And when I get my fill of this, back to larger and more in depth paintings.

 

BTW, all of these have been purchased except for The Struggle, if anyone is interested contact me!

 

In lieu of today's Virgo moon, I thought we'd talk about my recent health kick.  I blame Louie.  He makes me walk and stuff.  Just kidding, I LOVE to walk and stuff and I really I like to run!  It's just that I usually do this for a week or so, and then go right back to eating Taco Bell on the couch. 

 

Now having a dog, I think this is here to stay.  *sniff*  I'll miss you Doritos Tacos and Mexican Pizza.  Let's stay in touch, ok?  Meanwhile I'm downing cherry spinach smoothies (mine are more greenish brown looking), and making things like this.

 

But don't you dare think I'll be good tonight while watching this.  I will have a HUGE bucket of popcorn and a glass of wine thanks!  The Robinson is cool, because it has a bar.