Sometimes...well, something happens that stops everything and just makes you think. ...I found out yesterday that my HS boyfriend passed away. He was only 36. I don't have many pictures of him anymore, but this is one...there is so much going on in a photo that you can't always see. This was taken in my 18th birthday…they had a surprise party for me at my house…Chris had to get me there without suspecting anything...and he did, I was so surprised, and it is one of my favorite birthday memories... but what you can't tell from the photo is my best friend had been killed in a car accident about twenty days before… the lady in the photo is her mother, Jennifer...and we were all hurting so much… this is the photo that I will remember him by, because it sums up what he meant to me. Chris helped me to survive my senior year without Amy. I can honestly say that I do not know what would have happened to me without him, and for that I am thankful. My heart goes out to his wife, to the Milcendeau family, and to all of his family and friends. The world is a better place for him having been here, I can attest to that. Here is a link to Chris' obituary, it's worth reading (click here) and there is information about donating to the Delaware Brain Tumor Walk on behalf of Team Milcendeau, http://events.braintumor.org/delaware-brain-tumor-walk/. And it just feels surreal. Makes me want to tell folks that I care about that I love them and I appreciate them being a part of my life. Life is too short. Remember that...and please... remind me because sometimes I forget.
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...I have had almost twenty-four hours now since the event at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale to kind of sit back and reflect on everything that went down. First of all- it was so much fun! I am grateful to have been asked to participate, and fortunate that my lovely model didn't mind driving down for the event (I love you Sofie!). Not only did we have a great time, but we made many connections for Art Hive Magazine...and I definitely made some for myself as an artist as well! And it's all because of that dress...oh, and the necklace(s) Deep breaths...I am so excited. I hope that everything pans out. Not going to say much more...just...wow. And this isn't the last you will see of this dress...it will be on display at SMASH Beauty Lounge later this week until...well...probably the end of March or mid April. Next stop...possible runway show in Miami. So while I was waiting on Sofie I went in 'my' Barnes and Noble (it's the closest one and it's kinda my jam) and I found this quote, ' Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about CREATING yourself.' And I couldn't agree more. Attention please...the latest issue of Art Hive Magazine is on-line!! They just keep getting better and better...more art, bigger names for the interviews (ummm...Phil Collins?! Seriously?!) and Jess continues to creating a better product every time...and she does. I have seen the BEEhind the scenes and I can truly attest that every layout, photo, word...EVERYTHING has been put on these pages thoughtfully. I am so proud to be a part of this magazine.
(Eyes mist over. Clears throat.) My article this month (page 17) gave me a chance to combine two things that I love, art and athletics. I was able to dedicate this piece to my husband John, in honor of all those times over the past four years when he struggled while working towards his doctorate in Marketing. And now...he did it. He earned those three little letters that symbolize to the academic community that he has achieved...those letters are PhD...and I could not be more proud of him! In addition to my article, there was another Gironda in this issue of Art Hive- John (page 35)! Jess and Angela created a new section dedicated to outside professionals with 'Viewpoints' that might help the readership. John was the first to write in this new column. His research is in social media marketing so his article discusses how this relates to artists. It's a good read, and I am not just saying that 'cause I married him! Check him out, he's on page 35! Things just have a way of working out organically…I had penciled in on my calendar to attend the Love! Love! Japan event at the Young at Art Museum several weeks ago when I first saw it on the website…but it was really very passive, kind of in the back of my mind. I remembered this week and went on the site only to see that the main event of the show, a lecture by Sebastian Masuda was sold out. An email later, and I got a seat for this sold out lecture…thanks to being an art teacher and a contributor for Art Hive! I went to the museum, first time ever going. I could kick myself for not going sooner…and now I want to go back maybe during the week when it isn’t so busy. But for all intents and purposes I did finally make it there today and it completely blew my mind. Wow. Going as an adult and feeling so in awe of the museum is one thing- I cannot imagine how amazing this must seem through the eyes of a child. The lecture was very informative. There was a short video that looped prior to the start of the event that really helped to set the stage for the man that was to speak, and the overall essence of Harajuku fashion and culture. You know, I went in not really knowing much about the subject. Here is my background when it comes to Japan; First and probably the most important- I have been to Japan. In the summer of 2009 I traveled to Japan with a group of educators for a Fulbright Study Abroad. I was fortunate enough to share the experience with my sister-in-law, Maria, who at the time was teaching children with autism. We were in Japan and really kind of lived there for the month, the whole group stayed in individual hotel rooms at the El Inn in Kyoto. That was our home home. We went out every day, visiting local Japanese schools and shrines. It was total immersion into the culture, with Dr. Tucker there to guide us and speak the language. I knew at the time that it was a big deal, that this was going to be a major event in my life. It was the farthest I have ever traveled…the longest period of time that I have ever been away from John…and it was the most different place I have ever been to and I got homesick some...but I would love the chance to go back. Another connection that I have with Japan…I love Hello Kitty. Like, seriously. I have always loved Sanrio, even as a kid going into the Sanrio store and seeing all the different papers, and envelopes, and stamps…stickers…pencils. I just loved it. Still do. What did I know of Harajuku? Not much. I have a Harajuku bag that I love because of all the bright colors…but that is all I knew. I did travel to Tokyo, and I remember seeing some of the girls in the brightly colored clothing…but I did not actually make it to the Harajuku area. And what of Kawaii? I knew just a little bit prior to today. I had done a little bit of research a couple of years ago for writing a grant…and now that I think back on it I never did write it. (Which means I should!) I think instead I had my IMS students create Kawaii-inspired oil pastels and paper-mache sculptures. So, if I had to describe my knowledge level walking into the lecture today…even though I have been to Japan…I would say that I did not know much about this specific aspect of Japanese culture. Which is kind of odd to me now that I think of it because this is probably the most like my own aesthetic. Needless to say, I left the museum totally inspired. So much, that I am going to use Harajuku/Kawaii as the inspiration for my March series…. which means I am going to use COLOR and…well…just be totally out there and really express crazy self. I plan on exaggerating the facial features even more so that they fit my idea of what Kawaii is.... going to go even larger with the eyes and make the nose and mouth even smaller. I am thinking that this month calls for colorful, funky hair and makeup and wild prints and patterns…and layers. This will lend itself well to the mixed media that I have become so enamored with. (Sigh) I love combining my drawings with collage. This is going to be a fun month!
...so...kind of an eventful Friday so far! I received some mentions in emails that went out today for some upcoming art events, pretty exciting! The first event is this coming Sunday at the Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale. The dress I created for Art Hive Indie Bride and the Armory Fashion ARTillery Runway show will be featured on the red carpet for their Academy Award Telecast Party. They included a picture, which is always fun...I do want to note however that my beautiful friend, Sofia Vargas Brown, will actually wearing the gown (again) I will post pictures from the event later! Here is a link to the mailer that went out via email. ...and side note...I did some searching and I found this video created by the Broward College Art Club. Jessie, modeling her own creation is on at 12:55 and my model Sofia Vargas Brown, escorted by David Runyon, walk the runway at 17:05. If you have a minute, check 'it out! The second piece of news that went out- the announcement that I will be the Featured Artist for Muzart for the March ArtWalk. Tina has been a big supporter of my work since I met her in the fall and I am really looking forward to this event! One thing that was really tough for this particular show was trying to decide which series to pull my pieces from...I finally decided to make the show a mini-retrospective of all of the art I created in 2013. This weekend I will take on the task of going through all of the work from the year and selecting one piece from each monthly series, just to show the variety of works completed but with the constant theme of the female face. I am excited...and scared! I should probably get back to finishing up my 2013 inventory while I'm at it...tsk, tsk. ...so that's it for now. Well, sort of. I had a conversation with Sally over at SMASH Beauty Lounge and I will be making some more pieces for her space, specifically for the back gallery area. I would like to create about twenty new paintings for SMASH. I am also working on a new batch of zebra divas for Javier and Maranda over at Fairytales Hollywood, a commission they set up at one of their events and maybe some fun lil' plaques. Both businesses will be featuring my pieces for the Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk this coming March.
Feeling happy, overwhelmed and inspired! Wow! My piece in the Square Show at Bear and Bird Gallery is coming down this weekend (single tear) but if you didn't make it over there, they posted a great, high-res picture of it...check it out!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bearandbird/12024443934/in/set-72157639672683754 ...and check out the other pieces of course! Warning: Some are a little racy...hey, it's not your typical art show, or venue...just wanted to warn ya! Alright, let me get back to my celebratory dance, so excited to see this pic on the interwebs! For my #tbt post I chose works from February 2012 and 2013. February 2012 was my second month doing the Creative Everyday Challenge, and I was still figuring out my approach to making art every day...in fact, I think I still am, but that's another story altogether...sorry, I digress. February 2012- figuring it out...I was making small heart paintings for my 'daily' art but it wasn't satisfying my need to draw faces...so I did a series drawings on the side, mostly pencil sketches that I then outlined with pen...and then added watercolor hearts as a consistent motif throughout the pieces.
The second picture if from February 2013, my 'Light' series. I had just completed a series of dark images, so I wanted to lighten things up with light, sketchy colored pencil lines and watercolor. I went off on a little tangent and started using a heart shape for the actual shape of the head...something about February...I just want to use pink and red and be all silly and make hearts. So be it. ...and just like that, 5300 miles later...the journey from Hollywood, Florida to San Diego, California and back is done. And I am tired, and I think I have some dark circles under my eyes still...and I have the beginnings of a sinus infection...but mentally, spiritually and artistically I am rejuvenated. It was an amazing trip and I can't wait to go back again. John and I have been making the trip back faithfully every year since we left...well, except for 2013. We never made it in 2013...too much going on. We were moving... there were weddings and other trips...starting new jobs, John was in the throes of his dissertation...it just didn't happen. And I felt it. I felt a void. It may seem like going back to the west coast is just a vacation, but it is so much more. We only lived in California for that one year, but it really made such an impact on myself and John, not only as individuals but as a couple. We literally packed up all of our belongings and put them in storage, loaded up our two cars and drove across the country. We only knew two people in San Diego...didn't know where we were going to live, ended up switching jobs when we got there...but we did it. And we have so many memories of our time out there, it was just us, our time. This pic shows our first day in San Diego, back in September of 2006. We had just driven through the mountains out in east county straight into rush hour traffic...which totally freaked me out. We were driving two separate cars loaded down and stacked high with our belongings...it was just us. And I was scared...and I remember thinking, 'Oh my God, what was I thinking?' But we made it through the mountains, and through that insane traffic...we made it to Pacific Beach, parked our cars, walked and found the perfect bean and cheese burrito at Cotijas (still a favorite)...then we went to the beach. And we remembered why we came in the first place. And every year we are reminded of why we keep going back to San Diego, to the West Coast. It is really weird when I go back to visit now, and art is so much more a part of my life. I carried my art supplies with me to CA when we moved out there in 2006 but honestly, I didn't create much. I was think I was taking one or two classes on-line...I remember making some jewelry outside one time...but really, I wasn't creating art. And now, that is all I do. It is who I am. I made my daily pieces every day without fail when I was on my trip, not beating myself up if I didn't complete the piece and had to finish it up the next day. (which is really a big deal for me, this is something that I stress myself out about) In addition, one thing that I was really excited about this year was that I left a trail of angels everywhere I went. I made fifty angels on the plane en route to California and started making my #angeldrops on Friday. I ventured out on the boardwalk and left angels from Pacific Beach to Mission Beach and then dropped some off in Seaport Village and North Park. Saturday I left angels in Ocean Beach with the help of my 'angel street team' consisting of John, Jake and Jen aka my traveling companions. Sunday I left a special angel for Paul, our old landlord and friend and then a couple of angels at LAX. I love leaving angels. This might be the most I have ever left in one batch, but as a small goal I would like to try to leave at least one every Friday as part of #freeARTfriday and the whole pay it forward idea. So...well...I am back on the east coast. Ready to make more art...but every once in a while if you see me looking off in the distance...you know what I am thinking about. California. Here are some pics I pulled from my IG posts that show snippets of the trip and all the ARTastic adventures over on the west coast...enjoy! Collaboration, whether or not it was intentional...it was a collaboration. In fact...it always has been. Let me back up...see, I have this AMAZING friend. She is my own personal muse and her name is Jen Turley, but I call her muse, soul sista...and I call her my heart. I have known Gin for over twenty years now, which looks CRAZY when I type it out, but it's true...and we're still kickin' it. My friendship with Gin has spanned so many events in life...high school, the life and death of Amy Elizabeth German...college years with time spent in Greenville, NC and Charleston, SC...meeting the love of my life and marrying him and Gin doing the same...and now, well, now she is the mother of a feisty little man named Maylon. Gin and her family are in Colorado and I am here in Florida with John and the cats. Miles apart but close together, always. And we have been collaborating for years now...creating and cultivating the women that we have become and are still becoming. I have piles of cards and letters and handmade items from my dear friend, and so does she. For years we have kept eachother going regardless of where we are in life geographically and personally...and nothing has changed. So...Gin mailed me a Valentine, and I received it in the mail yesterday. There is nothing like opening the mailbox with no expectations and finding a letter or package from my muse. She always does something to make the outside of the package special, whether its stickers or gems or just a fun handwritten note or quote. This year's Valentine from my friend was a note written in purple ink and a sparkly pink heart surrounded by the word, 'muse'. To me, this year's Valentine really represented us- our friendship built on inspiration and love. And when I opened my note and saw it...I was in fact inspired. I knew that I needed to incorporate it into my daily piece, so I did. And to my friend, this is the best Valentine, because now it is the one we made together. "2 muses connected on the journey of life." |
AuthorArtist and Art Teacher
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