Cool Artist Blog Sites
Last month, I got tagged by lovely Sarah Fishburn. And essentially what that means, is that you tag some of your favorite blogs. So with that said, I wanted to tag some of the blogs that I love and get inspiration from:
These ladies are beautiful, in your face, thought provoking, and just down right amazing artists. Please go check them out. I think you will love them as well.
Castro Street Fair
Tami and Marty met me at my booth. Special Events, had set up my booth and left two tables for me (and they come and tear it down after the show). We put out my wonderful linens from Santa Fe, my art, prints and t-shirts. The booth looked great.
The show officially opened at 11 am. Marty and Tami stayed the morning to help me with the booth. That was awesome, as that was a big lesson learned from Santa Fe. I need to have more than one person with me during a show. Rose, her two sisters, Monica, and George all came by and hung out as well. I had a smile from ear to ear, because it was just great to see everyone.
I did try to step away around lunch to take a quick break. And not long after I had, I got a call that James and Eric (of James Judd & Son Vineyard) were in my booth. I ran back. They brought me one bottle of each of the wine labels. They are beautiful!!! It was wonderful to meet them both for the first time. It was almost exactly a year ago that James contacted me about designing their wine labels (see my post “Commissions – A Cellar Full of Noise”). They are going to be doing a wine tasting later this month in San Diego. And they will have my original art there as part of their booth. How cool is that?
They left and in the midst of that, I sold two originals, a few prints, and t-shirt. The show wasn’t as strong as last year, but it was just great to see everyone. The lady that purchased my first original at my first Castro Street came by again on Sunday. And she re-introduced herself. She talked about the art piece “A Good Place” and how much she loves it. It hangs in her kitchen. She invited me around to her house, the next time I am out. She also bought a print as well. I am truly happy she came by.
One of the coolest things is that my friends from Seattle and Orange County, flew in and hung out with me in the afternoon. We ate Sushi from Osaka Sushi, while we sat on the curb and watched amazing people walk by. They were also there when I sold “What is Life without Honor?” It is the art piece I highlighted on my e-newsletter, events page of my website, and in this post. It went home with a very nice couple.
At the end, we tore down the booth and I shipped everything home right after. Then Jacci, Jaime, Sara and I all met for dinner at Boulevard (on Mission) in San Francisco. The goat cheese raviolis are the bomb!!!
All in all it was a very good day. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my awesome family and friends! I am blessed…
Friends
This whole post is about amazing friends. I flew in on Friday to SFO and off I went to my dear friend Lily’s house. I shipped all my art for the show out to her. It was wonderful to see her and her family. They loaded up my art into the car and after that we just kind of hung out. It was so nice to just be back in the Bay Area and just hang out. Lily is such a kind soul as well; it just made me happy to see her.
Then off to dinner I went to meet Anastasia, Cheryl, and Hope, all pictured here at the Three Seasons in Palo Alto, CA . The food was great. It is Asian Fusion restaurant, in a very hip place off Bryant and University. Again it was so good to hang out with my friends of more than ten years. They all look amazing. And all we talked about was our families, mutual friends, work, and my art. It was just very cool.
The next morning, I met up with Wendy and her little girl Annika. Wendy and I go back 22 years!! Before our husbands and kids, we were friends. And we remain great friends. She is my touch stone on what is important. And I truly look up to her. She has such amazing courage and I continue to aspire to show the type of gutsy decisive resolve she has shown over the years I have known her. It was tough to say good bye to them both, not knowing when we will visit again.
Finally, I headed up to San Francisco. I stayed at my best friend’s house. It was great to have a quiet place to just hang out and rest. But, of course there was very little rest, because I had the epiphany that I forgot my business cards and I needed to do errands to finish getting ready for the show. I got my self in such a twist, that when my friend Tami called, I just decided to head out and go meet her and her husband Marty.
We met at the Daily Grill just across from Union Square. And we laughed and laughed. I hadn’t seen them since April. And they both flew up from Southern Cal to help me set up on Sunday for the Castro Street Fair. Is that cool or what? Marty would soon leave to go meet his son, who is going to school in the city. And Tami and I headed down to Rose’s for a Sex in the City Party.
One more shot of seeing friends and meeting amazing and wonderful women. We had a great time. Rose made all these amazing organic appetizers (i.e. toasted bread with fig jam, asiago cheese, and a slice of apple) and pasta with a great marinara sauce. Rose’s friend Janice brought chocolate cookies that Rose teamed with home made whip cream and strawberries. Then we did a 10 question quiz about Sex in the City. I only got 3 right!!! LOL!!! Janice, who had never seen an episode, got 8 out of 10!!! Can you believe it?!! I was robbed!!! LOL!!!
After the party, Tami and I headed back up to the city. And I dropped her off and went back to DK’s house and laid down!!! What a fun day…
Friends are one of the greatest gifts we can ever have.
Race to Craziness!!
It is about time that I start blogging again. You are probably wondering where I have been. Well quite frankly, I have been on the Race to Craziness!! Yes after my post about the accident, I hit a level of overload, I haven’t seen in quite some time.
To catch you up just a touch, my anniversary, my son’s birthday, and my birthday were all in August. The key accomplishment was to throw a Darth Vader birthday party for my 8 year old. It went quite well. The only tiny issue is that the Darth Vader cake was a deep blue/black. And after all the festivities, the kids sat down to eat their cake. And I started to hear immense giggling. I turn around and to my horror, all their little mouths, plus my husband, and my son godfather’s mouth were black from the cake!!! And it didn’t come off for a good twenty minutes!! LOL!!! The kids loved it and I apologized profusely to the parents. That was how August ended for us, with great laughter and really dark teeth.
Then in the first week of September, I found out I had a job, which was really positive AND overwhelming. For the next two weeks, people would ask “how are you doing” and I would say “I’m sucking from a fire hose.” And oddly that hasn’t seemed to stop!!! With that said, the week after I found out I had a job, my husband found out he did not. That sent distress at multiple levels through us both.
My husband started his job search instantly and my job was to make sure the house kept running, the kids made it to school on time, keep working, and work to keep my husband and I both positive. With all that going on, you would think I wouldn’t do anything else. But, no!!! I also did canvassing for the Democratic Party here in town. That was really fascinating to walk up to people you don’t know and ask them if they were supporting the local and national democratic candidates. It actually went really well. We only had one cranky lady in all the 40+ address we visited. Honestly, I was really proud to do it.
The last exciting thing in September was to go to the doctors for my accident. It was the first time I could get an appointment to see anyone. They examined me and promptly gave me a script to see a physical therapist. I am physically starting to feel much much better.
Now we enter the month of October. Well I started the month with a new newsletter, a website update to highlight my new prints, and I did the Castro Street Fair in San Francisco. I just got home last night. To our absolutely joy, my husband got a new job!!! After 15+ interviews, he was offered a new position within the company. We are all feeling a little bit better…. And I am remembering that we are blessed…
The Accident
I call this image the Race to Craziness. I love it because the canvas was covered in receipts, statistic book pages, music, tickets from everywhere that year, and more trashy novel pages. My goal was to cover the chaos of life and make it beautiful. The piece is 24×36”.
I chose it for today’s post because I am recovering from a 3-car accident on 8.6.08 at 6 pm mst. I had just returned from Santa Fe the day before and still riding high from the events of the previous week. It was the first rain storm in several weeks. The kids were in the car and my husband was at work playing in a softball tournament. I had stopped to pick up take out, because I wanted to work on some new art to ship out to Blessings in Santa Fe, to sale.
As I said, it was storming. And the light was red, so we had come to a full stop. I had looked up to see a mid-size truck approaching from the rear and hoping he would stop. Jordan was chattering in the back seat and Olivia was completely asleep. I had decided, due to the weather, we would not be going to see my husband play (at that point, I didn’t know the game had been rained off and they were standing under cover at the field trying to avoid being completely drenched!).
I heard a huge metal crashing sound; I looked up in the rear view mirror to see the truck crashing into the back of our Suburban! All I could do was stomp on the brakes and not hit the car in front of me!! Thank God I didn’t! At impact I could feel, what seemed like heat move through the back of my neck. I turned around to see Jordan stunned and then breaking out into tears. Olivia was awake and just quite. I got on the phone and called the police. The police and ambulance were there in a matter of minutes. The man who hit us came up and checked on us. The next thing I knew the policeman was at the door asking if we were alright. Then the paramedics were there. They had to check Jordan first, before I would allow them to check me. Jordan checked out alright.
The paramedics started to question me about any pain, what day it was, who I was, what day it was, who was president, had I passed out, and why my shirt had red stains on it. I didn’t understand the questions about the red stains, but I knew absolutely what was going on. (I would later work out that the red stains were my blood).
I would leave the scene on a back board with my neck in a brace and in an ambulance. Jordan road in the front of the ambulance and Olivia was in the back with me. They thought it was the coolest thing. Olivia was playing with the blood pressure cuff and making the paramedic turn on the oxygen.
Once at the PVH ER, my husband arrived and I was whisked off for a CAT scan. While in the ambulance the paramedic said there was only a 5% chance I could have broken bones in the spinal column and there was a possibility of paralysis. One minute I am excited about my art possibilities and the next minute, I was worried about whether I would be able to walk or pick up my kids again.
The CAT scan proved that there were no broken bones, but the doctor indicated that I would most likely hurt and have whiplash. She was right.
The policeman stopped by and indicated that the individual that hit the truck and pushed it into us was ticketed for excessive speeds during poor weather conditions.
I have taken the kids to the doctor again, just to make sure they are alright. And now I am going to the doctor, because I still hurt 11 days later.
All that had to be replaced on the Suburban was a hitch and bumper! It did its job protecting us.
I am recording this story because I want to remember that my life can change in the blink of an eye. I can do everything right, but accidents will happen. And I need to remember what is most important in this time on this earth. Things could have ended devastatingly different. All the drivers involved were able to “walk away”. We were blessed…
Santa Fe – Epilogue
I returned late afternoon on Tuesday. It was a pretty un-eventful drive back; accept for when I reached Colorado Springs. Between Colorado Springs and Castlerock, there was a really bad lightening and rain storm. There were two three car accidents on the side of road. So, I just focused on driving carefully and keeping in my heart that I was going home to see my two babies.
When I arrived, the house was empty. Everyone was out and about for the day at summer camp, work or the baby sitter’s house. As I walked in, you could see it looked like a cyclone had been through the interior. I was too tired to deal with it, so on Wednesday morning I got up at 5 am and started cleaning.
I washed baby bottles & clothes, cleaned out Axel’s cage, and threw out ALL the trash. Bless my husband’s heart; he just kept saying everyone and everything (save one hermit crab) were still alive. That became his anthem and he stuck to it all day. AHHHH!! This is real life.
As I reflect on Santa Fe, it was an amazing trip. It has amazing people, art and culture. It is “a place to clean up your stuff” per a gentleman I met during the show. But, being there for a show, you see Santa Fe as it truly is in the 21st century, a place under massive change and construction. If you remain near the plaza and surrounding hills, you see Santa Fe as the magical place it is as well. I can’t wait until I can go to Santa Fe again…
Santa Fe – Blessings for Home & Life
Well I have an update on how my gallery visit went. I arrived at The Blessing today at about lunch time and met with Jenni and her husband Doug. They opened Blessing for Home & Life last October. It is inside of Annapurna Restaurant. They specialize in religious icons, statues, scents, teas and much more. They also host readings once a month at the restaurant. It is an amazing place.
I left two pieces with her. The Ganesh, I showed in my earlier post, and then my 12×12 Our Lady Guadalupe. During my visit, I met a nice lady, named Patty who invited me to eat in the restaurant. So, I ordered their Chapati and their awesome Chai (with soy milk) and sat down to chat.
As we talked, Doug came out of the shop and said, “The Our Lady had been purchased!!” Is that great or what? I got tears in my eye. It was purchased by a young lady named Caiseal. Caiseal, joined myself, Patty, Doug, and Jeanni for lunch. It was a great lunch. Everyone was so amazing and kind and open. It was truly magical. I spent 4 hours there, the time just blew by.
I finally departed after 4 pm, to go pay for entry into next year’s Girls Inc. Show in August 2009. I then ended the day talking to my mother and visiting one more time with Neena. We ate at Blue Corn Café & Brewery. It was wonderful to see her one more time.
I leave tomorrow morning for home. This has been an awesome trip.
Santa Fe – 2nd Day of Girl’s Inc. Santa Fe Arts & Craft Show
Many of the artists continued to say the show was much slower for them. And it would be a few hours before I got my first sale of the day. But, all in all it was an amazing day!!! In the morning, a gentleman stopped by to show his friend my work. He was there for vacation and had been in my booth the day before. We chatted and then they left. Others would stop in and before I knew it, the gentleman was back with his wife and his friend and his wife. This time he purchased one of my cowboy pieces!! Yeah!! And asked if I were selling back east? I said no, but the more I think about it, I may see if I can go out there for a show. What would it hurt? Just need to work out what show might be a good fit.
Just around lunch time, another gentleman returned to my booth, also with his wife. He had been in my booth the day before. It turns out that he and his wife own a small gallery called Blessings. It is in the Annapurna restaurant on Alameda. They specialize in religious icons. And they asked if I would be willing to show in their gallery!! Can you believe it!!!! There are three images they want. I am over the moon!!! I am going by there at lunch time today. I will let you know what happens in one of my later posts.
The afternoon was hot and slow for me. But, other booths seem to be doing well, which was great. I had an individual that came into my booth and spent quite a bit of time. She use to sell at the show years ago and decided to critique my booth. She had some interesting feedback: Have flowers in your booth (as galleries would), dress like an artist, no junk under the tables, carpet on the floor makes the tent lighter and have a light roof tent. She then said, “because you don’t have a carpet on the floor, you have a blue roof on your tent, and you are dark, therefore your art is difficult to see”. Needless to say, I was quite surprised about her comments about my skin tone. Isn’t it funny what people feel comfortable to say to you? I did keep my composure and thanked her for her feedback. Luckily God sent someone into my booth that knew her. She got distracted and finally left. ARGGHHH!!!!
The show absolutely ended on a great note. A wonderful lady stopped in and we started chatting about my work and how much she liked my multicultural images. Ultimately, she mentioned that she is working on a book and asked if I would be interested in illustrating it for her. I ABOUT PASSED OUT!!!! Is that cool or what?!! So, I suggested she look at more of my website and ping me via e-mail, if she is interested in really moving forward. I hope she is. But, I will let you know what transpires.
All in all, this was an awesome show!!!!!
Santa Fe – Set Up & 1st Day of Girl’s Inc. Santa Fe Arts & Craft Show
Set up happened on Friday afternoon, you had a time slot to come in and do your set up. I was on South Lincoln between San Francisco and East Palace Avenue in booth 134. Nancy, Sara, & LeAnn helped put up the tent and then had to head out for a store visit. So, I put up the walls and weights, which as a novice was not trivial. I must have called Cassie 3-4 times and laughed all the way through the process, because I did not find this whole process trivial. In the midst of the calls, I had to have a chat with my son, who was not on his best behavior with Cassie and then I got on the phone with my 3 year old. She did not want to give the phone back to Cassie. It was at the least hysterical and a reminder how our kids remind us of the difference between our real lives and our art lives. LOL!!! I eventually got done at 4 pm and schlepped back to the hotel and off to dinner at Jinja again. Then I worked until 1 am getting ready for the show, doing everything from labeling all my post cards to ironing the covers that were going on my tables.
I was out of the bed by 5:45 am and loading up the car by 6:30 am. Then off to the show for set up at 7:06 am and parking the car. Honestly, I should have gotten to my booth before 7 am, because it was my first time and I was stressed. And I had to improvise on how to hang my work, because what was originally the plan to hang my work off a chain didn’t look right or work correctly. So, I had to change gear and hang everything from fishing wire and hooks. It looked really cool. I was finished setting up just after 9 am, when the show started.
It turned out to be hot, exciting, and a great learning experience. First credit cards are the bomb!!! All but two of my transactions were on credit cards. I sold prints, which was great and one hand made journal, and one original Our Lady Guadalupe piece.
Many said that the show was slow this year. But, honestly, I really went into the show hoping that I would just be able to sale a few pieces and get new contacts. Neena and Pam stopped by my booth and just raved about how beautiful the booth and how cool my art was as other customers did as well. And honestly they were the key reason it looked so nice. Their selections of colors for me on Thursday, really made the booth look awesome.
After the show, I packed up my art and put it back in the car for the next day.
Pam invited Neena and me to visit her home and studio. Neena was exhausted from work and head home. I went up to Pam’s place and sat on the back porch with her boyfriend and friend, it was amazing. Pam lives her art. She has illustrated how work, life and art can be one. It was simply amazing.
I left her place and headed to my room, showed, went to Café Pasqual’s for dinner and then back to my room for bed. It was a really good day.
Santa Fe - What Defines Us
So, I managed to drag myself out of the bed, after just 3 hours sleep. I stayed up late last night and watched Batman – The Beginning. I don’t think I have told you how much I love Batman, Wonder Woman, The Green Lantern and Superman. But, I do. So, I watched the movie last night and stressed out about the fact that the A/C has broken at our house again this hot summer.
Well at 6:30 am, I was awake. By 7:13 am, I was running through the neighborhood near my hotel. And during my run, I predominately thought about set up tonight and the air conditioner at home. Then I had a small epiphany again, if I focus on a positive outcome, it will turn out well. And I realized that was critical for my life overall, is that I need to focus on the positive and that will create a better future. There was quote in the movie last night, “It is not who you are underneath, it is what you do that defines you.”
So, this morning I fired up my PC to post my blog from last night. And I found one of the sweetest comments yet on my blog from Jayne Bramley. She is an amazing clay artist. She just exhibited last month at the Artist Nook. If you ever get a chance you need to see her work. It is vivid and real. As part of her show, she created inspirational cupcakes that my baby girl thought were real. I am sure there are pictures on the blog at The Artist Nook, you should check it out.
Jayne’s comment this morning reminded me that I want to inspire and make people laugh. That I should give them food for thought and that they always know I love them from the bottom of my heart. That is what I want to define me.
I closed a post last month with this and I will do it again: “I am blessed, I am truly blessed, I’m blessed, I’m blessed, I’m blessed.” It is already a great day….