Glorious! Glorious! Glorious! I love you Christmas!

Here's the thing, I am a Christmas addict. It is creepy and weird because I have a tendency to be sarcastic with a dash of cynicism. So, it comes as a surprise to all that I find this time of year magnificent. Me and Justin decorated a glorious, glorious tree this year. At first I worried that two designers decorating at Christmas would clash heads but aside from one disagreement about ornamental color schemes, we worked quite well together. Every night we are amazed at our skills that shine bright in the living room. Last night I wrapped the hell outta some presents. Those also, were nothing short of glorious. For our fur ball doggie we have a fabulous Christmas sweater, and I must say, he wears it well. Almost like that green and red argyle was made to be worn by him with his smashing good looks. So, now that we've made our holiday pretty to look at we're gonna shine some love, kids. Merry Christmas!

Metamorphosis Art Benefit....Ooooh fun

Once a year I get the privilege of participating in the organization of some sort of art benefit for charity. This year I'm so excited to be on board for Metamorphosis, an art benefit for the Kyrie Foundation. The event will be held November 6 at Studio 2131. A quaint little finger feast will be provided by several local restaurants including: Thomas, La Bodega, Room 39, D'Bronx, The Foundry and McCoy's, and Sweet City Cupcakes. I will be dancing, dancing, dancing to the live music provided by one of my faaaaavorite local bands, Softee.  And some people, if so obliged may want to partake in libations which include beer and wine. Oh...I almost forgot the whole point...art. Several wonderful, amazing, beautiful local artists have so graciously donated their incredible work which we will live auction that evening, all proceeds going directly to the Kyrie Foundation. In addition several other donated gifts will be raffled. It will be a lovely, lovely evening for a beautiful cause. We can dance and look at art together. Wanna?


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Painting, painting, painting....all for you

Wanna hear a super sweet, heartwarming story? So, years ago, while still in college, my friend Mindy Chang told me the only way to get the ball rolling on showing my work was to man up and schedule a show. In since I was being a scaredy cat, she went ahead and scheduled one for me, on the walls of her place, Blue Koi. Then, in the weeks following she would ask, "how's the work coming?" It was endearing. So, for the last few years she's inquired about when I may be willing to show again. I recently decided it was time. Time to replay the little nudge she gave me years ago. My newest body of work is the most sentimental set I've exhibited to date, properly so I guess, in the first place I ever showed. Awe, sweet huh? These paintings will be on display at Blue Koi until November 1. Next month I will be co-hosting Metamorphosis, an art benefit, at Studio 2131 in Crossroads. Lots of fun stuff going on that night, I will be posting more info soon. Then in April I will be curating and participating in Xx Chromosome, a study of the feminine hand in Contemporary Art. Exciting eh? I'll keep you posted. Until then I'll be working away, making pretty stuff and wearing big, fuzzy scarves. I love Fall, and getting to layer up. I'm loving the forecast ahead!

 

Go Away. watercolor and India Ink on paper.

Ode to Amy: nothing says love like french fries off the dashboard

So, this drawing is an ode to my dearest Amy. We just returned from getting our pumpkin spice lattes and holy canole is it raining! Which sometimes makes people drive pretty stupidly. Like the guy in front of us on the highway. Amy had to hit her breaks, which made my life flash before my eyes. We've been down this road together before. In high school. Collision on the highway, in a snowstorm returning from McDonald's. Horrible accident. I say the dumbest things in life-threatening situations. After the car was finished getting all smashed up, us jostled, fast food scattered everywhere...I picked a french fry up off the dashboard and offered it to her. Hey, I was trying to console alright?! French fries make me happy.

400 people per year survive lightening strikes, so...

Just now I was standing by the window, pouring myself some coffee and watching the pretty storm. I watched as a lady I work with ran out, into the storm, to get her umbrella out of her car. I sat pondering the sense of that situation. Going out, from a dry, covered building, to get an umbrella to bring back into the dry, covered building? Then I hoped that lightening would strike me through the window so that I could go home for the day. I guess that doesn't really make a lot of sense either, does it?

Chicks, man.

So, I'm insanely excited right now. A little busy....but still finding a little time to get fired up. A few of my favorite things in the entire world include: creating new bodies of work (of my art), discussing art with other artists...becoming inspired by them and learning from their process, networking in my local art community, and helping new artists whenever I can. So, I decided to crumple all of those ideas into a big ball and create a new show out of it. Xx Chromosome (the name may change, just something I came up with on a whim) is a new show opening April 3, 2009 at the Late Show Gallery in the Crossroads District here in KC. The concept of the show is to highlight the female artist, recognizing the importance of the feminine hand in contemporary art. The show will explore the processes, inspiration, use of materials, and each artist's growth through their individual work. The highlighted artists include women who are  experienced showing their work in galleries locally and nationally, and women who are not as experienced with this process. My hopes with this show is that it be interactive, encouraging a vessel for networking and discussing common interests. I'm so inspired by it that I think I may turn this into an annual affair showcasing different female artists every year. For this year though I have been incredibly fortunate...I'm getting to work with some beautiful artists that I admire immensely. The artists line-up includes: Maura Cluthe, Ellie Kort, Rachel Kort, Catherine Armbrust, Tiffany Matson, and Ali Moline. Exciting stuff eh? Don't worry, this show's my new baby so I'll be posting plenty of updates, including features about each of these awesome women. Lucky you.

Plethora...

....is one of my favorite words. I love that word. It reminds me of a giant garage full of junk or an eccentric old woman's jewelry box. I don't know why, it just does. Here's a plethora of crap I like to doodle about.....