within

'Within' - newest mixed media work in my shop. piece is on wood panel and measures 8" x 8"
i've been using a lot of bird imagery in my work lately. definitely symbolic of how i'm feeling. i'm also loving the look of soft, washed shades of blue with the boldness of reds or oranges. delicious!

dance the yawns

August Break #17

i hit a wall earlier this afternoon. all of a sudden i felt exhausted and could only imagine myself curling up for a nap. as i stood up straight and stretched out my neck i shook it off saying out loud to myself "you'll never get where you want to be by sleeping, wake up!" so, i put on a song and danced around my studio, conjuring energy.

for the past couple of weeks i've had a sliver of insomnia and the need to sleep seems to creep up on me when i can't shut my eyes or, when i'm relaxed, doing what i love to do. i won't have any of that. i refuse to be tired during "me time".

there's nothing quite like a solitary dance party to bring you back to life. i urge you to shake it, move wildly, sway back and forth, whip your body to the rhythm of tune. wake yourself up and spend time with you in a moment no one ever need be a part of. dance. fill a floor space with YOU!

save the pillows for later.

carnival

August Break #14, 15, 16

tuesdays drive

August Break #13

four long lines of metal creeping into the horizon, hoping to vanish home. dotting themselves with two fold cherry lights and sun bounced glass in a mask of illuminated pretty. the truth being that they were slowly (quicker than they new in actuality) killing the surface they drew lines on. the interiors of each metallic piece played music to drown by, music to flood out the monotony of days and the guilt of fumes expelled. silent swear words and arms thrown into the air declaring a state of anger towards the asphalts fellow patrons. it really is no one persons fault. these things happen, daily, we have to deal with it on a half inch of nerve. that half inch wears thin.

listen dammit

August Break #12

on my way into work this morning i was stopped by a sign, a random poster telling me what to do. i have no idea if it's a teaser ad or if it's guerrilla art or whatever but, i took it as a sign (no pun intended).

for the past few weeks my mind as been a flurry of constant thought, it's driving me crazy. i can't sleep because of it. i could be watching a movie on the couch when my eyes start to feel heavy and i whisk myself off to bed. once there, laying in the dark stillness, my once heavy eyes begin to widen and adjust to the shadows while my head starts pumping all sorts of randomness out. i'm exhausted.

so when i saw this today i stopped in my tracks, it made my laugh, it was perfect!

art insomnia

August Break #11

it's 10:10pm and i can't seem to shut things down to go to bed. it's a "school night" and i refuse to believe that as fact. i'm too productive right now to close up shop and prepare myself for the 5 day grind ahead of me. i know i'll suffer with yawns and a grumpy mood behind the desk that (just barely) pays my bills but who cares. i'm in it right now, and if you're in the same position as me (dreamy artist trying to work her way out of a poopy office day job) then you'll understand. when inspiration hits you have to grab it by the kite tails and ride the wind.

i've managed to finish the above piece tonight, prep a new panel, and play with/create something that has sparked an idea. i keep looking at the clock and begging it to slow down. it's not listening.

time is a cruel sonofabitch. it crawls while i'm at the bill job and races when i'm at the "truly me" job, what's your deal time? who tinkled on your french toast to make you such a mean ol' meanie? sucks to you clock-face, i'll show you.... just you wait and see.

p.s. see those rather gorgeous butterflies at the bottom of the first photo? they adorn a most delicious journal made by the super lovely Maria-Therese. you need one, trust me. ;)

circa 32

August Break #10

our dryer broke. well, every time i attempt to run it it blows a fuse which knocks out the heat. not much point in drying clothes in a cold dryer. i have laundry hanging all over the house.

our washing machine is also on the fritz, makes a mad crazy loud (and scary as hell) banging noise when it hits the final spin. we're talking the kind of noise you hear in horror films that finds the family of a newly acquired, yet haunted, house running out into the midnight rain. standing in the driveway in their soaking wet pajamas staring at the house, the rhythmic thump thump thump still audible from where they stand shivering.

anyways, i've been thinking of ghosts lately too for some reason but that's a whole other post. so yeah, i'm sure we will soon be without a washing machine too and there is no way we can afford two new appliances (my fridge is ugly and dumb so i also want a new one of those, again, a whole other post. can you imagine how riveting an entire post about a refrigerator would be?). i suppose it's about time to invest in a washboard and hearty bar of soap, a nice tin tub basin would be lovely too, you know, to round out the whole image.

the image is me, circa 1932. a tattered dress under an apron, dusty black shoes one size too big with no laces, hair pulled underneath a handkerchief, raw hands.

you know what though? it builds character, it may take longer to do laundry but it doesn't really bother me. it's much lovelier to the environment and my hydro bill!