Where Are The Brakes on This Thing?

Whoa!

So sorry to be out of the loop for the past few weeks. It's sort of a whip-lash situation around here--suddenly too much work and not enough time for art (or blog-visiting, I'm afraid. But I will get to everyone! Slowly but surely!)

Anyhow, I am sort of in a vexed situation (which I detail a bit, HERE) and I am trying to figure out what to cut out of my schedule so I actually HAVE TIME FOR ART. Since I literally have NO days off (just enough time to put everything down to go to sleep)...I haven't been able to finish any of THESE things:





....or any other ideas floating in my head.

Now, don't get me wrong--I am soooo grateful to even be employed, and farther so in work I love. But it's almost TOO much of a good thing! How to put the breaks on this crazy roller coaster ride?

But what can you do when you work 35 hours with animals, bees early morning or after work, prep for an online radio show, with guests, that you run (including advertising for it), and work part time as a farm manager on an urban farm? I love doing these things, but it's increasingly becoming clear to me that ART is my FIRST LOVE, and I become a bit unhinged when I am not allowed to be creative in a daily capacity.

So we will see. Hopefully I can get it all together so there are more posts coming your way!

Meeting FRIENDS!

Whoa! There is too much afoot. Crazy stuff, hectic stuff, but mostly Good Stuff. I just wish it would Slow. Down. A Little!

Anyhow, the highlight of last week was THE BIG meeting. I finally got to meet some artist friends that I have admired from afar for a long time! Sneaky and brilliant Dani Nelson, founder of Spooky Time Jingles, orchestrated a meeting between her, Marie Patterson of Marie Patterson Studio (and her lovely daughter), and Brandi McKenna of She's Off Her Rocker!

We met uptown at Takashimaya, one of Dani's favorite restaurants in the city. The ladies were absolutely wonderful! AND, they only live a little over an hour and a half away from me (well, Brandi may live a bit further South, but I think she said it wasn't too bad to come in by plane)--which means: When do we get together NEXT?!? Right, ladies?

Here are some pics of that wonderful day!

From Left to Right: Dani Nelson, me, Marie Patterson, Brandi McKenna

The fancy eats inside the Takashimaya restaurant!

Marie and her darling look-alike daughter. They were all sweethearts!

When we were done, we headed to the bathroom upstairs, which Dani had mentioned was really fancy and enchanted. She was right! I'd never seen anything like it! It was woodland inspired! Just look at the deer and trees on the top of the mirrors and the griffons holding the lighting fixtures!
(P.S. Yes, that is me taking a picture in the mirror!)

This little birdie is a towel rack holder!

I have to say, I'm deeply inspired to create some sort of painting just based off this deer! Can you imagine the bio to the piece? "Inspired by a bathroom in a Japanese restaurant!"

Taking pictures of the ladies, taking pictures!

Finally, this: We noticed the doors of the toilets themselves were made of frosted glass, so I suggested that would work as some sort of "Psycho" look where a person's face would press against it, like the horror movies tend to use for effect. Marie was game, so here she is!

I think it works! :)

Thanks ladies, you are a barrel of fun! Man, I got to start making Halloween dollies so I can hang out more often with the Spooky Time Jingles people!!

When do we do this again?

'Til next time, Friends!

Easter Plans and Swap Plans....

Hello My Friends!

I just wanted to wish everyone a belated HAPPY EASTER!

I usually am not one to forget holidays, but in this case I was without computer access as I was far away in a beautiful and enchanted place for Easter. In fact, you can read more about these adventures on my other blog HERE.
(Actually, come to think of it, you can also read another take on it HERE, as well)...which might explain the chicken picture at the top of this post!

As with Spring cleaning, I am trying to organize my life at the moment. It seems I have less and less time for blogging, so I think what I will be doing is putting all of my farmy, dreamy life over at the Beyond Vagabond Blog and I will keep this one open to art endeavors, including all of the fun swaps.

Speaking of swaps. You may remember a few of them such as The Mermaid Parade and The Monster Mash. So I am gearing up for swaps once again, but I have a favor to ask you dear friends.

Please answer this simple (uhh, or at least I think it's simple) question:

If there were a swap that also featured a "prize" for the top doll that was $100.oo, would you mind "entering" the swap for a fee of $3.oo?

Yes, it's different , but I wanted to figure out something. So if you didn't mind posting in the comments, it would be mightily helpful!

Until next time, friends!