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My Lunch with Sharon

How many people have friends for 40 to 60  years?  I do and I feel pretty special.  I have friends I’ve stayed in touch with since Kindergarten.  I think that’s amazing!

Today I had lunch with  Sharon. She and were models at Cole of California Swimwear in the 70′s.  In an earlier blog,  I talked about how we had to walk around half naked.  Sharon and I worked in different design rooms but we shared some of the same embarrassments.  After a few days, you got used to everyone tugging on you, sticking pins in you and gawking over you.  We found humor in all of it and became good friends right from the start. 

Today, she came over to meet my little grandson, Aidan and to catch up with me.   Little Aidan swept her away with all his flirting.  I’m a bit prejudice but I happen to think he’s pretty darn cute and very smart.  She recalled how adorable my own son was was back in the day when we were young kids ourselves.

What’s interesting to me is how we’ve stayed friends over so many years.  We even lost touch for awhile but low and behold!  Ten years later, we were both sitting in front of a large mirror, waiting for the aerobics instructor to arrive.  All of a sudden, both of us shrieked loud enough to break the glass.  You know how girls are?  They sound nutty when they haven’t seen each other for awhile. We picked right up where we left off.   We know more about each other than our Mom’s ever did.  That’s probably a good thing.  I think the reason for our long relationship is because we have so much in common.  The first thing that brought us together was our job as models.   Along with that, we’ve always taken the best care of ourselves and we’re holding up better than most.  We also love food although she’s a much better cook than I.  We do find that it is very artistic and self gratifying.  You can make a whole lot of people very happy with food.

Sharon and I also share the interior design talent.  It comes natural for us.  We like similar design themes although I’m the crazier one bending more on contemporary.  Sharon twists up her traditional side with a mix of Asian art and accessories which suggests a playful elegance.  I’m not Lady Gaga but I would love to create a very wild side of me in my own home.  I’m married to a very traditional man so I’ve got to keep it eclectic instead which satisfies my wild side.  Sharon and I  also have that crafty talent.  If we see something we like or we don’t want to pay full price for it, we’ll try and make it ourselves first.

The thing that I like best about my friend, is she is an incredible mother, possibly to a fault.  She’s spoiled her three boys although, she or I would never let our kids sit on their laurels as they all turned out great.  Sharon is also an amazing wife.  I’m sure her husband, Tom will agree with me on that one.  She spoils him more… as it should be.  We have the same ethics about family and our position.  We are soft around the edges but don’t pull too many punches on us or watch out!  We know what we want although we won’t let anyone walk all over us (any longer).  And, we love life and people.

When I think of the best buddies that have stuck with me through thick and thin, you really can count your best friends on one hand. I hope most of you out there have true blue friends and soul mates like I.  If so, you are a very lucky soul!  I certainly am.

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I love Paris in the Springtime, I love Paris in the Fall

 

To tell you the truth, I’ve never been to Paris but it seems everyone else has.  I’ve been to Italy a few times but never to Paris.  But, I do have my art located at a famous french restaurant in Newport Beach, California called Traditions by Pascal.  I’ve been extremely fortunate to showcase a collection of large paintings at Pascal’s.

I came to know Pascal and his lovely wife, Christine by doing some interior design work for them.  It was always a pleasure to work and I am so grateful for the opportunity as my work has been selling due to all the traffic.  If you want some eye candy, and some of the best French food around.

 

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She Works Hard for the Money

The New Year always has me reflecting back in time.  I was thinking about my different careers as an entrepreneur.  I started my first business as an artist rep in 1978.  I knew nothing about nothing and certainly not marketing.  With much determination, I took to the streets with my portfolio in hand.  Let me go on…

When I ventured in to this new career, I started representing my own work.  I met an owner of a bank and he asked me to bring some art to the Wells Fargo Bank in Laguna Beach.  The architecture on the inside of the building is round and had ample space to showcase work both down and upstairs.  I was thrilled!  I took a few pieces in to the bank owner but realized very quickly that I did not have enough art to cover all of the walls.   I  asked him if I could bring in other artisans. ” Wham, Bam!”  I became an art rep overnight.

Sounds simple, huh?  Due to my youth and excitement it all seemed very easy to get started.   I rounded up a half a dozen artists, picked out the most suitable pieces, and hired a carpenter to make a display table for artist’s bios.  It was very corny as I remember now.

It turns out that absolutely nothing sold.  It looked good but the art sat for months.  Oh well!  “Why?, I asked my self.”  Low and behold, a new artist  and mentor came my way.  His name is Larry McAdams.  He now has a very successful marketing firm in Newport Beach and also an amazing painter.   He guided me along the way to represent his work.  He told me that I would make more money in the advertising industry.   This new enlightenment and some additional talented illustrators and photographers created a real career for me.

I miss those days of chummin’ with the artists and the art directors.  Things were more complicated for an art rep back then due to the travel.  I would take a loaded portfolio and hoist it on my back.  It was very heavy!  When I had to take stairs instead of an elevator, I truly groaned.  Lucky for me, I was young and fit.

You see, we did not have fax machines then.  I would travel back and forth up the crowded freeways with sketches in hand to be approved by the agency, take the revisions back to the artist.  I would travel back after a day or so to the artists, pick up the new sketch and back to the agency for second approval.  If that was ok,  I would go back to the artist.  “Oh my goodness, where’s the fax machine or computer scanner?”  One more trip to pick up the final art and then I was done. ” She works hard for the money“, says Donna Summer.  I think she would agree that I’m a good example of the song.

Back in the day,  I had a good eye for talent and chose only to work with the pro’s without attitude.  I became a household name as the Orange County Art Rep largely due to their amazing skills.  Little by little I started understanding what marketing was all about.  Other reps started popping up from Los Angeles so we took ads out in the L.A. Workbook.   Eventually, technology stared killing work for artists that worked with their hands and were replaced by computer illustration.  To stay ahead of the game, I selected some local artist’s who were adapting to this new tech tool and I found work once again.  Unfortunately, I saw the writing on the wall and started looking for a new career.  I think there is still a place in the world for art reps as the artist should work and let someone else do the dirty stuff.  Today, I rep my own work and realize the tools are easier but the competition is furious online.   So, I should blog, link in, facebook, twitter….and so on.

Do you think Michaelangelo would have liked the computer?  I think not, but whose to say?

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Sleep Deprivation

My Mind at Night

 

I know many of you out there cannot sleep as I.  I’m lying here in bed trying to get some “shut-eye” and my brain won’t stop.  How many of you can relate?

When you are the creative type, it is difficult to shut off the brain.   It is good to brain storm and it’s a curse.  I’m actually typing with my eyes closed.  Now, is that absurd or what?  I just don’t know how to stop and relax.  I fiddle if I’m bored.  I pace if I’m stressed,  I clean if I’m procrastinating.  If I have some personal issues that are truly bothering me, I opt for thinking about creating a painting.  This helps me get back to me and my best work has come out of the toughest situations.

As I fade into the night oblivion, I wonder how many artists are lying at this same moment contemplating a new design, or are they blocked and frustrated.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.  For me, if I research or happen upon another talented artist or photographer, it usually inspires me.  That is the time to have the sketch book by the bed.  I must go out and get a book light so I won’t wake hubby.  I hate it when I wake up in the morning and cannot remember one of the best lyrics or images I saw in my head.

I found some information on sleep deprivation that might create an urgency to turn out the lights a bit sooner each night.

1. “Sleep is needed to regenerate certain parts of the body, especially the brain, so that it may continue to function optimally. After periods of extended wakefulness or reduced sleep neurons may begin to malfunction, visibly effecting a person’s behavior. Some organs, such as muscles, are able to regenerate even when a person is not sleeping so long as they are resting. This could involve lying awake but relaxed within a quite environment. Even though cognitive functions might not seem necessary in this scenario the brain, especially the cerebral cortex, is not able to rest but rather remains semi-alert in a state of “quiet readiness” (2). Certain stages of sleep are needed for the regeneration of neurons within the cerebral cortex while other stages of sleep seem to be used for forming new memories and generating new synaptic connections. The effects of sleep deprivation on behavior have been tested with relation to the presence of activity in different sections of the cerebral cortex.”

I know some of my artistic friends will stay up all night.  I make it to about 12:00 or 1:00 but my bod shuts down and I’m finally paralyzed.  Then, I can sleep!

Info from http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1690rmation by:

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Silk Painting in a Nutshell

Most people love silk painting but when I tell them about the procedure, they are amazed at the time and mess involved.   If you want to have beautiful fingernails and hands, this art style  is not for you.  Even though I have good intentions of putting one to two layers of plastic gloves on, I have to take them off to grab hold of tape and such.  In just a few seconds,  I’m scarred with dye for a couple of days.  Here’s a little video of two scarves that I painted showing part of the process.

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Chi Ca Go Chi Ca Go Chi Ca Go

We just got back from one of the greatest cities in the world.  Chicago.  Although, I’ve not been around the complete planet, I’ve seen enough to know a good city when I see one.  It helps to have someone who grew up there show you around.  You will bypass all the ugly parts of a town.

I’ll never forget the time I took my son to New York for his first time.  He was scared to death.  To tell you the truth, so was I.   My aunt made reservations for us at a hotel  she had vacationed at a zillion years ago.  You might say this part of town became a little forlorn.  Some of the mugs that met us on the street seemed very threatening.   We weren’t used to protective city glances coming from pristine Orange County, California.   This trip was around 1988, before Governor Rudy Giuliani took over and cleaned up the mess.  Before that, it smelled on every corner and I don’t mean sweet!  This trip was a graduation present to my son.  I wanted to take him to see live theater and get some quality “Mom and Son” time before he left the nest.   We stuck pretty close together until we left NYC to visit relatives in Syracuse where we could relax and be ourselves again.

photo by shutter runner

Chicago is the clean “Windy City” due to the beautiful Lake Michigan.  The endless horizon line is filled with crystal turquoise water.  The atmosphere of the lake and Lincoln Park made the perfect setting for the tremendous array of Chicago Museums, and the amazing historical architecture.

If you want to gain five pounds fast, let me introduce you to a few spots.  Our first stop to celebrate our mini vacation was at Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse.  I think the martini was the best I’ve ever tasted. The second night at Maggiano’s.  I was bummed that I forgot my doggie bag of flatbread.  After dinner, we joined my brother-in-law, Bob Solone at the piano bar.  If you’ve not heard Bobby, may I suggest you make it an evening.    For crowd-pleasing, he will put on his Elton John rims,  or surprise you with Willie Nelson. His classical side is where you’ll see his true talent.  Here’s what Curt Davis of New York Post said about him, “Bob Solone has a nice classical feel that becomes a flourish in contemporary material.”

Ok, now the third night, I’m starting to get fat!  You cannot leave town until you’ve tried Pizanno’s on State Street.  It’s a must and breakfast for the next morning.  It’s also a good thing that there is a pool in our complex so I could work off some of the poundage.  The next day, for lunch we went to a family picnic celebration.  I’m eating, I’m drinking, I’m gaining some more.  Oh well, that’s what R&R are all about, right?

Chicago is my suggestion for the next big city to put on your vacation list.  What is your suggestion?


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Feng Shui Away

They say that Feng Shui is like a magnetic compass.  I believe in this theory because if I’m not in good standing in my home, my mind starts to spin.  You’re good to go if everything is in alignment and if not things seem more difficult.  For me, I must make my bed every morning before I do anything else.  The rest of the house can be clean but if  there are some dirty dishes in the sink, they will call me to finish them before I start my creative juices flowing. I force myself to get past it and just go to work on my art but I find that it swallows me up.  Unfortunately, I think I could be more productive if I could see past the small things.

Clutter is the worst.  My desk mess must be sorted in to one or two piles before I can open my laptop.  I can be in my pj’s but I must have my ducks in a row.  These little duckies above look like they’ve got it all together and are dancing a jig.  I feel that way once I’ve cleaned up as well.  If I’m a bit stressed, I put on Hawaiian music.  It mellows me out immediately.

I have a friend who told me his wife keeps newspapers, all the newspapers.  He has to walk through hourds of papers when he comes home.  Needless to say, he stays out a lot.  Can you imagine? I could not live that way.  My studio can become a wreck in minutes due to the nature of silk painting.  It has many steps in the procedure.  When I finish a piece and unwrap the foil and paper, I almost have to tear it off the roll of fabric.  I must rinse the fabrics after that.  I’ll be pretty tired after a days work and I’ll leave the papers, dyes and complete mess.  When I go out to start the next day, I want to scream.  “Why didn’t the Cleaning Angels come in last night?”  Argh!  How funny that I just used that term.  I just googled cleaning angels and found out that there are numerous housekeeping company’s called that. I thought I was being original.   I guess I’m not alone when it comes to thinking it would be a godsend to have someone come in and clean.

On that note, I think I’ll go clean up my dishes now and get to work!

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Success in Baby Steps

How do we judge success?  To each individual the rate of success is different because we are hardest on ourselves.  I’m extremely tough on my own self.  If I don’t get my quota for the day completed, I am stressed.  Needless to say, I guess I’m stressed every day even though I’m feverishly working all the time. I must focus on my smaller goals instead of the gigantic ones daily.   This week I dreamed of designing a car.  Now, is that crazy or what?    I woke up and scratched my head on that one.

What I found works for me is to follow a goal list and I mean follow.  I have created many a goal book, set it aside and come back and found that years later, the goals are all the same.  If I keep three month to six month goals in a tablet that I look at daily, I can scratch off the things that I’ve accomplished.  It is not so overwhelming as the Big Goal Book.   I keep the bigger goals in a binder and break down the monthly in a small tablet I can fit in my purse.  As I look back at the past year, I’m doing OK.   If I rate my success based on my larger goals, I’m disappointed but my baby steps are in progress.  I look back and realize that I’ve actually accomplished quite a bit.

Now, it’s time to kick it in to high gear.  I’m been more relaxed due to the recession as most folks out there aren’t spending but that is no excuse for me.  It’s my time to create, create and market, market, market myself.  Soon, the money will be flowing again and I’ll be in the loop once again.

The best motivation for me is to look to my mentors.  Ok, now that I’ve said that, I’ll keep in mind how they work.  I’ll sleep and dream of big things tonight.  I’ll wake up refreshed.  I’ll go swimming and my brain will be creating on each lap.  I’ll focus on focusing this week!  How about you?

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Color Cop

 

Have you ever wondered why people over 50 should not dress themselves?  I saw a woman today that made me want to call out the color cops.  You see, it is very hard for me to sit still on this subject because I’m an artist and have my own wearable art and  color consulting business.   I’m not a snob but I can’t resist this story.  Hear me out.

The woman I saw today was HAPPY!  She must have been wearing her favorite colors.  I watched her as she glimmered across the crosswalk with her “I’m dressed up and I’ve got it goin’ on!” attitude on.  She had on bright and I mean bright pink jeans with a turquoise t-shirt and tennis shoes to match.  Ok, she could have gotten away with that but what took me over the edge was the Disneyland shopping bag with Cinderella in Pink, Blue and Turquoise.  Aaaaaagh!

Haul me in if I ever dress this way!  I’m serious.  I know that there is a tendency to not care what you wear after a certain age if you are just going to the grocery store and such but this woman was struttin’.  I’m guilty too and I’ve taken a look in the mirror at times and said to myself, “No, Michele. You can’t go out looking like that.  You’re bound to run into someone you know when you least expect it.”

Ok, now that I’ve got your attention.  I want to give you my solution to this crazy wardrobe with one simple change.  I liked the pink jeans!  I just think if she had a white,  or gray t-shirt on, she could have pulled the rest of it off.  My next change would be to ditch that Disney bag.  I might not have paid so much attention to this happy gal if the colors weren’t blaring at me.

Bright colors are great together.  I love them. The colors she chose would be best in an home interior setting, not a walking color chart.   Here is one rule for all color schemes that works over and over and over.  This goes for clothing, art, interiors, exteriors, product design.  Add both warm and cool tones together to make it the most pleasing to the eye and mental state of mind.  If you have too many cool tones, you’ll feel cold or it will look too sweet.  A bit of warmth goes a long way.  Tans, Whites, blacks and Grays will give a break to the eye and you can get away with an array of vivid color.

But, who am I to determine what a happy person should wear?  She was having a good time.

I’m all for that!