october, october

i'm actually using my laptop at work today. i also brought three goblin dolls i've been slaving over for weeks for a class project. i think i finally hit my stride on this project last nite. i was totally in the zone! however, they are due bright and early on monday morning. that's the way it always goes, isn't it?

i wanted to post a process post after i'd finished them, but they've been so ugly for so long, i just couldn't bring myself to do it. i have still taken photos here and there throughout the process so maybe when they are finally born and totally beautiful and spooky, i'll post all that drama.

these goblins are really getting me in the mood for halloween, especially with the cool weather that came to houston a few days ago. mmm hmm. somebody needs to get herself a pumpkin or two!

it's been a while, my friends...

so...i got married, moved in with my husband, finished spring semester, started fall semester and i'm picking up my G&A blogging and facebooking. i'm determined not to slack any more. i made a ton of bracelets, necklaces and earrings today to list on etsy.

here's some samples of one style of necklace:

i had a ton of fun making these. my husband called all my hammering "the foundry." he's ridiculous. the process was hilarious. i can't wait to stock up on more metal blanks to hammer more things out!

The Beginning of a Very Long Day

Which actually began yesterday about 2pm when I finally got out of bed. Of course, I was on the borderline of being late for something, so I ran out the door and was gone til about sunset.

I worked all evening and part of the early morning on a project for school which I dubbed "Operation: Elsa!" I didn't quite finish it as some parts too much longer than expected, but I will post pix as soon as I do. When I finally went to bed, my stomach was putting up a fight so, after about an hour, I got up and started cleaning my studio. I also finally set up the massive canvas that I'm donating to a charity art auction on Wednesday. I did a rough sketch of what I want to paint. Now, to paint!

It will probably take me all nite and then I'll be going on two nites with no sleep. *sigh* Such is the life of a busy girl!

T Minus Forever!

I've been working up a storm at school, planning a wedding on a shoestring, still working at my job and getting ready to move. To say that I am stressed is an understatement. However, my loving fiance is helping keep my blood pressure down through his calming influence. Tonite, I placed the order for his custom wedding jacket. And I sent my attendants emails regarding their attire. Need to place orders soon!

My final projects for school are massive but attainable and definitely a challenge to my time-management skills as well as my technical skills. On top of these things, which are all due within the next two weeks, I signed myself up to paint a 4'x5' canvas for the Young Texans Against Cancer "Kiss My Grits" Gulf Coast Throwdown Art Auction. Say THAT five times fast. I'm surprised I remembered it all. I have to have that behemoth canvas ready by next Wednesday morning. The subject is the Texas state flag. Since my sanity is flagging, I'm pretty much going in with all guns blazing.

All this and I'm happier than I've ever been. Art, not blood, is pumping through my veins with a good helping of Love and Good Will. I just updated this blog with a new Artist Bio, Statement and CV as well as added a sample of my art in anticipation of "Kiss My Grits" traffic.

Currently Listening to: The Decemberists - "Down By the Water"

Zero to a Million in Five Seconds

I am so glad I did nothing over Spring Break and got lots of rest. This week is jammed packed with school projects and art activities. I got my roots bleached on Saturday and I haven't even been able to apply my color, I've been so busy. So I'm stuck hiding my white/green hair under a hat all week.

Today I have a time management workshop here at the University, my Artist's Way Meetup and a visit to my friend at her tattoo appointment because it's her birthday. She's having a sushi party before the tattoo sesh but I can't make it. I love sushi so much.

I am entering the final 6 weeks of the spring semester. It's only gonna get crazier from here on out. I better fasten my seat belt!

Yay New Materials!

I was able to find some of the materials in my new mixed media book. I even found a black velvet remnant at Joann. I think I have just about everything else.

It's just a matter of starting...which is where I get stuck. I never start or I never finish. Conquering procrastination & poor time management are two of my artistic goals this year.

Onward, ho!

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Books, How I Love Thee

I love books! I owns hundreds of books. Mostly arts-related non-fiction. My fiance surprised me this week with a book off my Amazon wishlist: Mixed Media explorations by Beryl Taylor.

It's about combining paper, fabric and metal to make multi-layered, multi-dimensional art. Really beautiful art in the examples.

It's currently out of stock on Amazon but definitely worth the wait!

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Sprrrrring Brrrrrrreak!

I spent the morning snoozing.
I spent the afternoon snoozing,
Just got back from eating a late lunch and now I'm waiting on my fiance to get home so we can go to the gym together. I didn't mean to be so lazy today especially since I slept all day yesterday, too. At least I'm going to the gym to make a little energy. Then to cook dinner!

Tomorrow, I'm meeting with my academic advisor at school to outline my classes for the fall. I also said I would attend a Texans' Day of Outrage protest at City Hall. I think it'll be fun especially since we'll be right in front of my old office on the first floor. Ha ha. I just don't know what to protest that would also make a funny slogan on a posterboard. I haven't been outraged in a while. Between the appointment and the protest, I plan on visiting the new community garden on campus and doing some photography. Yay cabbages!

Burning that midnight oil

I feel like I've been working all day. Between briefs stops at school to drop off mid-semester projects, I've been photographing, mounting, editing, listing items all day. I added 9 new items to my shop tonite! I didn't even get up from editing photos to eat dinner; i ate it at my desk! And then I went and added the best photos to Flickr and DeviantArt. Phew!

I wish I had a chocolate cake right now because I deserve a BIG piece and a glass of milk!

Tomorrow, I'll be pressing the first batch of flowers for my botanical art line and starting a polymer clay project. Busy bee! And to finish the day off, my fiance and I are going to a concert featuring my best friend's band. Yay!

Soul-searching

I did some soul-searching last week after reflecting on comments from my Etsy Team Members and the treasuries wherein they featured a Gold & Apel item. I think i've been in about 10 treasuries in the last few weeks and most of those treasuries have featured my art rather than my crafts.

My fiance said my art looks pro while my crafts are just stuff I do. I agreed with him wholeheartedly so I'm taking Gold & Apel (and myself, of course) back to my art. I have a long list of subjects to draw/paint/artify next week during Spring Break. I'm also going to mount, mat and frame my art now. Total packaging. Why by a print that you'll have to have professionally framed when I can offer that same print or original I framed myself? I have about a year's worth of professional framing experience so I feel up to the task.

I spent all last weekend researching framing supplies and it feels right. Elsa, welcome to the Universe. :)

Liking Sushi Doesn't Translate into Origami-fu

I need to make a paper sculpture still-life drawing for class so I thought I'd be clever and find some sweet origami to spice things up.

This is a clam shell. Battered but not broken.

I am slain.

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Living in Finland Through My Dreams...and Fabric

I've been a huge fan of Finnish music and culture for years. Last year, I finally got the chance to travel to Finland. I spent about 6 days in Helsinki and they were the best 6 days of my whole Scandinavian tour. I was walking down one of the main streets in Helsinki one morning and almost died from excitement when I saw the Marimekko store! Marimekko is one of the top Finnish textile companies. I swear I jumped up and down in the street!

A few days later, I felt brave enough to venture in and make a purchase. Everything was so cute and colorful. I decided on a duvet cover and got it in this pattern:

Isn't it precious?! And tonite, I discovered the website for Marimekko New York: http://www.kiitosmarimekko.com/index.html so I can buy beautiful fabric for all my projects! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Drawing Class Project

Some mixed media drawings of my shoe. I need to add text to the last two but I'm not sure what I should write. Hmm....

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