Stay tuned to see the finishing touches.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
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!
Red Hot Video – Silk Painting Steps
A few blogs back, I talked about the six or seven steps of silk painting and how it’s a very messy craft. This video will show you exactly what I was talking about. But, the after result is shown on the model.
Feeling YUCKY!
I got the crud this week from Aidan. I think he brought it home from the Day Care Center. I don’t feel up to writing very much but I’ve been wanting to pop this painting up. It is one of my favorites. I like many of my pieces but there are some that just speak to me. I guess you might say that I spoke to the piece of silk on this one. I just let my hand rip!
Silk painting is so magical, you just never know how it will turn out but I’m very happy with this piece.
Diptich - this has a matching piece
Starving Artist – I refuse to be one.
Having no art supplies is like starving for most artists. Not in the literal sense but I get thirsty and hungry to create. Right now, I ran out of silk to paint on. I have dyes but no silk. I refuse to pay retail for it so I’m going to place an order but I have to buy the supplier’s minimum of 15 yards. That always hurts my pocketbook.
I think the reason artist maintain the “Starving Artist” syndrome is due to the necessary products we have to buy. Here is the description I found in Wikipedia “A starving artist is an artist who sacrifices material well-being in order to focus on their artwork. They typically live on minimum expenses, either for a lack of business or because all their disposable income goes toward art projects.”
Right now I’m putting out plenty of cash for an upcoming event. I’m paying for a seamstress to do a lot of the hand work that I hate to do, buying my supplies and also creating an environment to showcase my wares. I want my presentation to be Eye Candy to those viewing it in hopes that I’ll come out a little richer. Breaking even is not what I have in mind. If I don’t put my best foot forward, I might as well stay home. I have a bigger vision for my life. I’ve had mentors lead the way. All you’ve got to do is watch, listen and then follow in the foot steps. If you are feeling a little blue about being in the hole right now with your artistic endeavors, just keep on pushing forward. Remember, that you are the only one who can truly put yourself on the map. If you do not know how, then find someone that will be your teacher.
The recession made me extremely creative on framing my art. I would walk around researching Home Depot and Lowes hardware for anything that made sense. I found metal grids, plexi glass, and copper piping to hang the silk on. My brother and I made me some unique hangers that truly made a statement. I painted a piece I called “Geisha Gal” and I could not place it in the typical way. The frame was as artistic as the piece. Now, that’s art to me.
Happy Weekend Warrior
What artist takes a break? Not this one. I do not know how. I truly mean it. It is extremely difficult for me to sit still and enjoy a weekend to relax. Even though I complain that I’m tired of working and do not have enough time to relax, I am my worst enemy. I cannot chill out. And, the moments I do relax, I must be completely exhausted after I’ve worked my bottom to the bone. Since, I’ll never have a bony bottom, I keep working.
Why is that? I will tell you why. I am an artist. We are a strange breed. We work to satisfy ourselves and no one else. If you work a day job, you would still come home and find something creative to do or sit worrying why you are not creating. I can speak for myself, but I do know that some of my artistic friends have similar eccentric habits. Some are not as intense or not as focused and never get on the right track but they have the same desires.
I was having a conversation with my daughter in law this evening, about my own curse of being an artist. Her first comment was that we are a little crazy. I think from an outsider looking in, it would appear that way. If you are not a creative type, there is no way that others can understand us. We are unique! I feel that this is a better way to describe our eccentric behavior. We are cool bohemians. We are talented wacko’s. We are terrible business people (speak for yourself, this is not me). Some can channel it and some have absolutely no clue. Though many cannot understand how we tick, they want to have what we have. Is it just an “alter ego” or do they really crave the ability to create something from nothing? I have the same difficulty wondering why they cannot free their minds to create to do so. Yet, I cannot sit still long enough to learn calculus, geometry or even study for a real estate exam. I do not possess those talented skills. That’s what makes the world go round and round and thank God it does. It is so interesting this way, don’t you agree?
This past weekend I painted. I did not paint on canvas or silk. I did not work with ink or pencil. I painted a studio apartment. I went all out creating the best feng shui for the new tenant that will be renting it. I am sure she would be content with a good clean up. In had to be the perfect shade of paint, the perfect detail on design, and the perfect outdoor living as well. After I painted every wall. hung every piece of art, I wasn’t satisfied. The small table that sat next to the bed was forlorn looking. Off I went to the garage stash of paint to find the right redish brown shade. Yeah! I thought. I can finalize the room. You see, I’m meticulous on details. I can’t just paint the tables but I must add something artistic to them. They cannot be plain. I’m so nuts! I can’t sit still! It kills me! Tomorrow I will find a stencil to add the final detail elements to finish the table. I will add some gold guilding and hand embellishments. Do you see what I mean? I should be relaxing after all the work I’ve done. My legs are killing me but I’m typing away on this blog.
I think the worst part for me is my family cannot understand why I cannot sit still. It is a tremendous bother to them. It is more bothersome to me that I cannot do what I want with my time. I feel that I am pulled away at the best moments of my production. If I had it my way, I would do nothing but create, sleep, eat, spend time with my loved ones, create, sleep, solicit my wares, and start all over again.
The best thing for me is that I absolutely love my life and my crazy behaviors. I really do. I am not the tortured artist. I love being an artist and I love being a singer. It is the only thing that I’ve ever wanted in my entire life and I’m so happy that I have that! One day I will see the profits from my insane artistic behavior. Right now, I am happy!
I hate Spam
I hate spam and I don’t mean the kind you eat. I hate liars and cheaters and that’s what it really boils down to. I’m trying to make a living, eek out a paycheck just like everyone else. On my website for clothing, about every third day, someone is trying to send me a big cashiers check. The worst part of all this is that you get excited that someone is willing to buy your goods. In my case it would be my talents as everything I’m got in the shop is hand painted. I did not just to to china, buy a shit load of it and bring it back, mark it up to the ceiling. I worked hard and I do get excited when someone likes it enough to purchase it.
I’ve got to deal with these fraud maniacs. The last one suggested they were on their way to church and couldn’t wait to hear from me. Ha! He/She wanted to buy my $6,000.00 Elvis painting, sight unseen. They are going to send a pick up agent to pick up the piece. Hmmmm, I wonder??? Well, I was anxious to sell the piece so I replied to see if the person was legit. They wanted my email, phone, address of where I live. I responded “I do not give out my address to everyone, but you can call me and we can talk.” I gave them the opportunity. As I thought, it was fraud in full motion.
What I really hate about this is that they probably get away with it at times and more often than not they prey on the old folks or anyone who is eager to make a sale and profit from it. How sad that these slime balls having nothing better to offer in life but sick behavior. Ok, I’m done. Just watch out for them you all! You’ll know it if it smells!
