Archive for the ‘Adventures’ Category

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Mar
27
2011

Finishing the Unfinished

You asked for it and I am listening!  I get a lot of people who tell me things about my blog, as much as they like the writings of my sassy adventures and witty encounters, they desire to learn more of the creation processes and the nuts and bolts of the biz.  I urge them to make comments on my blog and they say they worry about hurting my feelings, OK… really are you serious?  Bring it on – I can take it (I am tougher than you may think!).  If you don’t tell me what you would like to see, how can I improve on what you experience here. Soooo with that out of the way….

… I like to procrastinate with the best of them, you might ask “YOU procrastinate?”  The answer is simple, “yes, I do,  heck doesn’t every artist?”  I get inspired by so many things all in such a short period of time that I will pour myself into starting something, then another project comes along and, well - you can guess what happens.

I picked up this really cool table round about three years ago and I started to work on it immediately, So excited to be able to get a fun furniture project to work on, the ultimate aggravation happened- I encountered a small technical problem with one paint color I was mixing up and… Voila!  STIFLEVILLE, yup I immediately was placed in a creative void, needless to say the project went by the wayside.  This charming piece of furniture instantly became one of the many projects in the back room that was left for dead, just another table where I pile more and more on top of it.

The round painted table

Mixing up the new Color!

In part of my promise and dedication to myself this year, to finish and conquer all of my unfinished projects-  the projects that I find myself tripping over, moving from workbench to easel, from easel to the shelf unit, well you get the point. I cleaned off the little round table and gave myself a three day deadline, (pretty crazy huh?). I mixed and mixed some colors until I came up with the best one that represented my feeling, my mood and exactly what I felt this table needed.  It was enough to give me the spark to crank it out and get this completed.

Getting unfinished projects done... finally!

Getting unfinished projects done... finally!

Not only was the table a testament to get the fire lit under my butt, but I wanted to have a project fun enough to be able to fulfill the requests from collectors and admirers who wanted to see me more  “hands on” action, projects being worked on and more inspirations executed into paintings and products … what IS really going on inside that head of mine!!

Accents to the table legs

Accents to the table legs

Tomorrow the table takes an adventure to get varnished professionally, a heavy duty even coating that I am not confident enough to do myself. I want this table to withstand many years of use and the finish will be stunning. Varnishing furniture is completely different from varnishing a painting on canvas. Once the table is completed, I will blog another posting to show you the final version.

 As for the blogging and documenting of projects and artwork, I love doing this and want to be able to include you into the meld of creativity, I need to get feedback from you - what do you want to see, what style of projects do you want to know more about, what matters to you?  I know this will be fun and an adventure that we can take together, please comment and tell me your thoughts  - Let’s do it!

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Posted in Adventures, The Art | 11 Comments »

Feb
22
2011

Chips are not dinner

I have always been a snackaholic…. I love candy, sweets, salty, savory, you name it and I typically I love it, buy it, eat it and consume it. The older I get, the need has kicked in for much healthier foods and of course, healthier snacks. As much as these savory nibbles are satisfying to a degree it’s not as satisfying as a (well needed) rounded full satisfying meal (in a matter of speaking).

In life, it’s not necessarily the foods that you consume or the company that you keep, but the quality of it all.  Snacking on the general elements in our daily life can be fun and tempting, you can snack on shopping, work, friendships, places you visit… you get the point.

However, have you ever thought how this theory might effect your thinking patterns for other daily routines. Have you had unfulfilling jobs that weren’t satisfying just to make ends meet?  Places that you drive by but simply never stop to take it all in?  Do you have friends that you snack or have coffee with, but don’t  have a meal with? Perhaps digest it  all (no pun intended) and consider more substantial approaches that are fulfilling.

Chips are not dinner

Initiate the time to prepare the feast.

I believe facets  in my life are reflective and relevant for something else I may be experiencing. for instance the elements of food I eat crosses over to relationships I have with people. The substance of friendships that you have with people will feed your soul to be fulfilled, if you settle for just a little nibble, it’s certainly not as satisfying as if you took the time to prepare the feast.

In short, chips are not dinner. Make the time for a satisfying meal with friends, feel comfort and satisfaction in the time well spent, it’s heartfelt and true… just savor the flavor.

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Dec
07
2010

The Issues Story

Many folks ask me about the story behind the “Issues” paintings. These are the paintings that are of the red, blue, green and gray stilettos. I have finally gotten a chance to document the gory story that evoked the wonderful series of shoes, the rocky road that inspired this and how something fun can come from something not so pleeasant.

Here is the story of “Issues”:

Encounters of the daily routine can be overwhelming and quite the adventure. I like to think that I am pretty resilient and tough against most difficult individuals and confronting situations. This story not only proves my theory but puts me on the top of my game.

A couple of years ago I was organizing an event with some local artists on a project where we were given the opportunity to receive some nice local press and some kudos on the endeavors. I notified the group of artists that the press would be on site at a designated date and timeframe and there may be a chance of them coming around to the entire group to interview them may be a possibility. 

Most of the folks that were new in the group were interviewed and some photos were taken, everyone seemed happy and the interviews concluded.  I checked in to the rest of the group to say thank everyone for their time and patience, much to my surprise I was greeted with a harsh grumpy tone from one of the artists who knew it was me on the line (caller  ID) and proceeded to rant about how they were overlooked with the press and how dare we not had them placed first in the queue because they had been there longer than the rest of the group and bla bla bla . 

I calmly attempted to explain that it was not our doing, the press had their own spin on the story and chose to select some of the others in the group.  I was rudely cut short with a curt “I do not have the time to discuss this any longer” and with that, he hung up on me.  So, there I was with the dead phone in my hand and no caller on the other end.  I was rather perplexed and looked at the handset of the phone wondering if this had really happened and simply said to the empty phone “OK, you can keep your issues and I will keep my red shoes!” 

I hung up the phone and then though to write what I had said out loud in my book where I keep my artsy thoughts.  That evening, still reeling from the feeling and somewhat seeing a light of humor of the whole bizarre thing, I kept reflecting on the conversation and what a hot head this person was and why he had acted that way. I thought to call him back and try and make a clear path, but seeing that this was not a possibility and useless I chose to paint away the frustrations and decided to mix it up with the play on words I had written down. I thought “I love my red shoes” and this would be one of the situations where I would make lemonade out of lemons.  I painted a cute red strappy high heel shoe.  It came alive and was so vivid and joyful, I could have not expressed myself better and also felt a ton of weight lifted off as I kept working on this piece.  It was finally finished and after a few hours and admiring this, I titled this piece “Issues – Red Stiletto” so fitting of the whole experience and sassy enough to be witty, fun and sexy.

The series of the “Issues” were followed later by Blue Stiletto, Green Stiletto and Gray Stiletto.

Issues, we all got 'em!

Issues, we all got 'em!

I managed to make the best of a crummy situation and walk in shoes that I am proud to walk in, stand tall and proud. Bring it on I say, I will always and forever create to enhance my mood and to paint away the negativity that may approach me.

I hope you liked this story and that it brought a smile to your face!

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Nov
15
2010

Fog of the Blog

Yes, I know.  I am guilty.  I have not been blogging as I had hope to in the past several months.  As I sit here at my computer I ask myself, how can I spend so much time at this thing and not blog my thoughts daily… or weekly…. or bi monthly…  ((deep sigh here)).  It’s not like I have nothing else to do.

Funny thing, I get people asking me about my blog and when will I write more, others ask if I would document more about my life as an artist as they want to see the hard work and want to be in my shoes for a while…. (ok, whatever I suppose, be careful what you wish for!)  I cannot even wrap my head around that thought for a second… but heck, I (guess) am flattered that people are interested to see what I do on a regular basis.

My Glamour Muse

My Glamour Muse

When I started the blog, the intent was to dig into my the deep dark cellars of my mind to be able to give some dialog to who I am and why I do what I do, why I create, what are the inspirations and thoughts about why I paint and how they are projected on the canvas.  At the beginning, it was great, it was fun, it was an adventure of tossing myself out into the web world and share what I may not think is even remotely  interesting.  To be able to distill my random thought process into something palatable that people may be able to understand me and my wacky ways.   Interesting that my brain is always in the fast lane, thinking, processing and distilling imagery, fearing that all of that fast lane mumbo jumbo may be overwhelming to some, I know it surely is for me!

Back in February of this year, I chronicled  “a day in the life”this was  a scope of what a random work day was like for me as a gallery owner, entrepreneur, designer, artists, retailer, painter, dog owner, sales clerk etc, etc, etc… and I have to say that that day was absolutely exhausting, to actually have to document my movements throughout the day was excruciating , seemed to make the tasks doubled.  I know blogs are supposed to be fun and I am not complaining entirely, but I need to make this interesting so that I am not bored with it.

What I plan to do is be more disciplined about my blogging, perhaps maybe it’s only a thought or some arty tidbit, I will work on this and be a better blogger. I mean… do you really even care if I workout daily, what I am eating, what I am painting, where am I going, what’s on my mind?  Perhaps I am listening too much on what everyone wants vs. what I can deliver, so there I go.  You will just have to get what I give and that’s that!

So, I will tune into my muse and hopefully the “fog” will burn off and I can see clearly into the blogfilled horizon to provide you with some tasty flavorful arty inspirations.

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May
08
2010

Pupils for Pupils


Yes, it’s been several weeks since I have blogged, (BAD BAD Sonya).  Yes, I am still exhausted from the “Day in the Life” blog from February 24th….  But that was over two months ago… no more excuses.  I will blog. I like blogging and I love reading other creative peoples blogs.

So one of the things that I wanted to accomplish with my blog is to document and creatively write about things that happen with me directly, people I meet, experiences I live (or lived)  and inspirations that I encounter.

So, I shall rewind fast in the time-machine of my memories or at least the documents that exist of some brain spark of yester-year.  I was visiting my folks last night and my mother somehow surprised with this ratty old manila folder that had my name neatly written on the folder tab. Inside the folder was about two inches of really old looking documents, thin, once  buff colored paper now tarnished a darker amber color.  Extracted pages of studious memorandum that sported some juvenile scrawl that instantly rang a bell in my brain and took me back 30+ years.  I was just handed my first five years of educational homework, report cards, progress statements, school programs and exposure notices from principals.

Elementary my dear...

Elementary my dear...

I am one of those people that have this scary bizarre memory bank where I remember people, names, places and other random oddball data. My memory did one of those whilrly deals, if I can provide a visual, picture a series of clouds forming over my head preparing to tear the room apart with 100 MPH winds. I immediately remember snippets of the classroom, the smell of the classroom and of course…. THAT teacher.  You know the teacher, the heavyset middle aged teacher that used to sneak M&M’s from her desk drawer thinking nobody ever saw her… I guess I shouldn’t sound so critical of her… I mean… heck… I was the one in the back of the room eating the minty white paste and thought no one saw me either.

I was truly fascinated at the level of the organization from the teachers and their memorandum to my parents back then, the neatly notated handwritted bits of criticism, of me, to my folks.  Many notes like this, lots ad lots of notes like this.

Progress Report: Jr. First Grade. Mrs Taylor.

First of all, what the heck is Jr. First Grade?  I actually attended Kindergarten the year before so I guess Jr. First was either that the school had too many classrooms and made up a grade, they had too many teachers and Mrs. Taylor needed the job (maybe not quite qualified for the unruly first graders?), or perhaps it was a experimental things for student with birthdays that landed in the summertime and we were basic misfits?  Who knows?

As I peer over this “Pupil Progress Report” I see that the use of the word “Pupil” is evident in many of the documents and I actually find this humorous.    We were PUPILS, not students, child, children or even attendee.  I see that I did pretty well in the areas of  “Work Habits and Citizenship”, showing initiative and “Growth in Courtesy”, not bad in the general aspects of the necessary curriculum, but then there is the area for behavior. YIKES.  For those out there that have known me since I was a little kid, knew that I was quite hyper and active, I suppose I could have been the poster child for ADD, but I do know that I was  certainly not alone in that arena.

Pages of YesteryearI will share with you some of the comments that my teacher described of me in my academics of  Jr. First Grade:   “Sonya could do better if she sit still long enough to do it.  Sonya’s behavioral patter is still very erratic, her attention span is so short that she does not utilize her skills. She is capable of much better school work that she is doing presently.

Hmmmmmm….

Okay, I was 5 or 6 at the time.  No big deal.  I had energy and LOTS of it.  I had this overactive creative imagination that seemed to be in overdrive.  Heck I ate paste and had a crush on Bobby Glass…. Maybe the  class was just plain boring and I had other things on my agenda. As far as the behavior, I wasn’t that bad and I know this because the legend at this school was that the Principal had a huge paddle in his office for the kids that misbehaved, there was no way I was going to partake in that!

So, I continue to read and see my fathers notes, eloquently scribed on the “Pupil Report”:   “We have gone over these area of concern with Sonya. Please keep us advised”.

I have to admit that I am busting a rib of laughter with my mom at this time reading these “Sonya Chronicles” and have found these comments and perspective of me pretty darn funny.  These are funny because it’s great to know that I wasn’t a pain in the rear forever for my parents to have to deal with, but there is there are tidbits of these funny traces of hyperness and wild imagination that I still have surfacing to this day.

Yes, I STILL don’t sit still, I STILL get sidetracked, I still twirl my hand in my hair when bored,  however -  I like to think that my behavior/demeanor has leveled (LOL). ‘

I am focused. I have managed to refine my organizational tools to expense the chaos into a well oiled machine.  I am diligent on my quality to detail and I am sure that Mrs. Taylor would be pleased of this progression. This “pupil” sees eye to eye with the little girl of yesteryear and I am sure that in another 40+ years I shall read this blog to see where I have progressed in this  timespan.

I hope to think that my progress report will contain more knowledge and wise statements written by some who knows me really, really well   :o )

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Feb
24
2010

True Grit – A day in the life


So as promised, I often get asked on what is in the life and headspace of a working artist.  Most people think that this is a glamorous job where I am whirling in the glitter and glam of running my own gallery.  Whenever asked this – my mind switches to overload mode as I get a flash memory of myself in a state of painting craziness and administrative discombobulation.  Glamour, I think not, just a suitcase full of hard work, multitasking and determination to get things done in a semi-timely manner.

I have always wanted to have a running dialog of “my day in the life”. Needless to say this was a quite stressful and overwhelming project, but needed to get it done and share some of the “Glamour” with you.  So here is the dialog as clear and concise as I can get it for you.

8:17am  Got up, woke up (well…. for the fourth time in the last eight hours, not willingly of course) to start my day.

8:20am   Hugged dog – very important

8:30am  Got herbal tea situated and turned on the TV. Local news.

9:00am  Turned on Regis and Kelly and checked email and Facebook, networked online.

9:20am  Got an email from one of our retailers placing an order, responded accordingly. I am very grateful.

9:50am  Cell phone rang, checked vmail and got primmed and ready to get to the gallery – what shall I wear you ask??? (Yes, yet another boring ensemble of dark pants and darker top with semi dark sweater).

10:10am Washed dishes and put breakfast stuff away, straighten out living room. before departing  Yes, I hate coming home to a messy domain.

10:15am Put SAMi in the car and made calls while driving to the gallery (Yes, I was using my trusty Motorola ear piece!)

11:00am         Got into the gallery but with my excitement of how the new artwork that I varnished last night looked today when completely dry, I truly forgot to unlock the front doors to the gallery until at least 11:25am…. sorry UPS man, my bad bad bad!

11:26am Unlocked the front gallery doors  (yeah…..)

11:30am Turned on computer and checked emails and Facebook again, processed emails and gave SAMi a tasty for her  doing a dookey on her paper potty place. (I will not disgust with a photo of that).

11:35am Made a cup of TAZO Lotus tea. Delightfully yummy.  However too hot.  Ouch.

I love Tazo Lotus Tea!

I love Tazo Lotus Tea!

11:37am to 12:15pm    Spend some time catching up on emails, scheduling meetings for next week, peeking at friends new photos on Facebook, laughing, assisting customers, greeting friends, talking shop, sold some coasters and a mini pop art and did some power networking online.

12:16pm .Took another large canvas out and started to draft out a large wine piece, as the more personal piece is done for now, a more streamline piece is necessary. My goal is one big painting a week.  Yeah, sure – not too sure how that is going to fly.

12:23pm Customers arrive, four ladies from lunch, I greet them, they love the gallery, they have seen the art at the San Jose Airport, we chat about that.  They were very nice!

12:30pm Feeling hungry… out of Salty snacks…. looks like I need a Trader Joe’s visit… hopefully today!

12:40pm Honorable son #2 stops in to visit me.  SAMi our little Malese doggie loves him, she wiggled for 10 minutes straight greeting him.  Son leaves to go get lunch, offered to get me something, but I declined. Thanks anyway. See ya Ryan.

12:45pm Customers come in and look around for artwork for their kitchen.  Nice couple.

12:53pm Another couple comes into gallery looking for retail space in Downtown Campbell, we chat about the benefits of the local downtown scene vs. other towns in the local area. They were nice.  They will be back to look at more retail space here locally  :o )

1:00pm  Took photos of my newest painting “In the Land of Lollipops and Lattes”.  While photographing this quick snapshot outside, a woman drives right behind me and casts shadow on the artwork.  I had to move my entire set up over 25 feet.  She apologized. I accepted.  She compliments the artwork, I thank her. We smile. It’s all good.

Sonya and newest Artwork: "In the Land of Lollipops and Lattes"

Sonya and newest Artwork: "In the Land of Lollipops and Lattes"

1:15am  Downloaded photos and and crop and edited new artwork to post online.

1:22pm          Posted images to Facebook in both personal and gallery pages.  Very happy with the turnout.

1:40pm  Had a walk in customer, showing their friend my gallery. We chat about random stuff, the spoke about smokers and people that smoke. I am not a fan of smoking.   I do not smoke.

1:45pm  I heat up my Chille Verde leftovers from yesterdays lunch – tummy, good stuff.

2:05pm  Customers come in and we discuss gallery and weather in Michigan (where they are from).

2:25pm  Started to do some hand embellished on the sculpture – way long overdue, necessary of course.

3:00pm  MaryJo arrives for work, I can run errands now! I check some email and then I leave.

3:15pm  Take packages to the post office, go to the bank, hit Home Depot for some supplies and wood moulding, (I love the tool corral… I can spend all day in there).  Not quite impressed with their selection of metal polished there.  Two kinds, not much choice.  Bla.

3:50pm  Arrive at Traders Joes. The meccaville of all things sweet and salty!. Hmmm I love snacks and can easily drop $35.00 at a shot there.  Today was great, many items back in stock. Pub Cheese. YUM.  Great for a quick cheesy snack in the afternoon. The frozen food section, another yum.  This time I got some ice cream bon bons.  Mango Greek yogurt and then the checkstand where the selection of black licorice and Ritter Sport candy bars are my weak spot.  I love Ritter Sport Butter Biscuit. Tastes like Europe.

Trader Joe Snacks

Trader Joe Snacks

4:12pm  Drop off some Styrofoam to my pal Dana who needs some packaging stuff that I could not use.

4:19pm  Arrive back at the gallery where I am greeted by Miss Wiggle Butt (SAMi) with full enthusiasm on board.  Hoping to have time to take her for a quick walk later on.

4:22pm  UPS arrived with supplies and frames, yeah – I love getting packages event if I am the one paying for them!

4:42pm to 5:15pm        Called ATT to get new phone services and typically dreaded to be on hold, but I had the phone on speaker while I check email. Spoke to Chris from ATT and he’s very nice, local too – San Ramon  That’s a bonus. He hooks me up with the services I need. Yeah!

5:25pm  Open up the cartons from UPS.  Oh darn. Two of the frames that I ordered got dings from the shipping.  It seems no matter how well these babies are packed, the shipping company’s always seem to go “Rambo” on them.  Need to notify manufacturer. Grrrrrrrr.  Me = not happy.

5:30pm  Mary Jo left at 5pm and there is an Shop and Dine Business expo happening at Villa Ragusa, will pop over there for a quick moment to network some.

6:10pm  Attended the Shop and Dine Business Expo in Downtown Campbell for a tad, nice event – networked and then needed to get back to the gallery where SAMi was anxiously waiting and downloaded some photos from the days documentation event. I am telling you – I am exhausted from this blog entry and the task at hand.

6:17pm  Mark calls to see if I want to have some dinner.  Not wanting the same that I had for lunch quick;yt accepts. He comes over and we order from Aquis restaurant. Chicken Romano for me, Caesar salad for him.  We sit and discuss a plethora of topics, from the weather to business and family stuff… I then of course start cleaning and getting things from the day back in order.

All in order for another day...

All in order for another day...

7:45pm  I am about to lock the door and shut off the lights then a gentleman comes in to ask some questions about the Wagg’n Wednesday event we host here every Wednesday in Downtown.  He is a reporter with one of the local papers, we chat for about 15 minutes and we chat about SAMi coming to work with me every day and he takes some photos of us.  SAMi is very used to her photo taken and she likes it, for me… not so much. Hopefully we will see the result of our chat in the local Campbell paper in April!

7:56pm  I close the gallery – lock the door and larger overhead light are off (If I am here I keep a couple of the showroom lights on). However, I work on this blog to get it finished while Mark and I are in the studio chatting about things and the events of the day.  Multitasking is truly my thing.

8:45 – 10:00 pm Mark and SAMi leave at 8:45 and I am plugging away at finishing projects, emailing orders, placing the second varnish later on the newest painting, embellishing sculpture, sweeping the floors, taking out the garbage, wiping the glass displays in the gallery.  Just think that this was actually a short day, normally I would be here until 12 midnight easy. But this blog has me wiped and I am pooped out.  So, as the toys from a doggie day remain in their place for another day of play from their white fluffy master, I can only image how much sleep I will encounter this evening.  Sigh.

SAMi's Toys... well, just a few of them.

SAMi's Toys... well, just a few of them.

Are you tired as well?  I am going home. Good night.

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Feb
20
2010

Lastly First


Wow, I am almost embarrassed to post an entry here since I have not posted anything since October 2009.  However, not totally true, I have many thoughts, ideas and ponders to post – several in the “edit” stage and have not earned the right to make the grade to make it “online”.  I have been on-line in several other social media avenues (namely but not limited to…) Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Biznik, myspace to name a few, but wholly cow, do you know how much time it takes JUST to get a thought posted on-line in each special charater limit to each flavor of the social media preference …

Yeah, yeah I know, I keep hearing it….people telling me to just Twitter from your iPhone, Crackberry, PalmPre etc., correct?  If I was THAT connected, I know for sure that I would never get the  things done that I need to get done.  You know, the small little things that keep the gallery ticking….. that teeny little thing called “painting”.

Let's Paint!

Let's Paint!

I have so many things to share here on the blog and will make an effort to get more out, sooner than later. I miss the fun creative writing portion of my creativity, but it does take time and when you run your own gallery, greeting customers, networking, hosting events, building awareness, working with your community and walking my dog, there is little time to spread the love per se.  I promise to do better because I know how fun blogs are to read and I hope that you can capture some enjoyment from being here and hang in there with me… let’s look at this way, ride the wave and go with the flow.

I am in the process of working on another entry of ” a day in the life….” paralleled from the series “24″, a up to the minute snapshot of my day in the life as a working artist.  I do, however feel the need to organize the blog entry and that’s the hard part…  So, with the same feeling of how the day really goes I will document as a photojournalist would with their camera as their canvas;  honest, to the point, gritty, grimy, sincere, gory, frustrating, elated, tired, giddy all in one fell swoop.  I am sure this will not be a “news at 10″ type of documentation series, but perhaps a fun project that can be interactive as well.  I will select Wednesday, February 24th from 9am to 9pm as the docu-day.

I cannot promise any sort of outlandish predictions, but at least getting this will be an interesting project and perhaps some fun therapy in the perspective  process.

Till then… ciao!

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Jul
27
2009

Wonderland Fantastic

Ever wonder what ever happened to the the fun and simple and stress free things in our daily life?  I have paid a lot of attention recently to this very thought process as of recent. The free and simple things like passing someone on the street and giving them genuine smile (a total stranger no less)… and to receive a smile back is a gift that not only feels rewarding but is a no cost “feel good” for all grinning parties involved.

We often do not smile or reach out enough to those we encounter in our daily routine.. I wonder why this is? It makes me feel sad to know family, friends and colleagues don’t take that extra effort just for a simple “how do you do”.

Now, I do not want to go driving down “Assuming Road” of taking things for granted… but over the last few weeks I have reached out to several friends with a nice note to say hello, that I was thinking of them.  I received a small reply from some indicating that they were so busy and that life is busy — too busy to take a couple hours just to catch up and have a bite to eat and just catch up. I pondered this and found this rather interesting, I have always felt that life was busy, but I love a good spontaneous impromptu meet up.

art_threefaceseve_contemplating1

I had been diligently attempting to get my back room in order – really in order. The chaotic mess of everything is starting to get somewhat suffocating. But I received an invite to do something with a friend I have not seen in quite a while… and as much as I could have thought toggle on the decision – I said Yes!  let’s do it.  Yeah yeah yeah… I know that the backroom will still be in disarray and there are a ton of emails that I have not yet responded to, but that was OK.  The backroom and administrative schtuff will always be there, but the invitation to connect with a friend may not pass by again in a looong while.

We hooked up and had a great time catching up and laughing, it was great.  The time flew by and it proved to be fantastic.

Time flies by, people grow older, kids get taller, communication gets smaller and calendars get filled. I wonder often when this all transformed, when we all weren’t so busy and life was ‘simpler’.  I do not suspect that my blog or article will change all that, but perhaps those reading may also contemplate the “just do it” attitude and you too may wonder why it might be a fun mindset that can become a regular  scheduled program in your agenda!

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Jul
07
2009

Memories of an Electric Era

This has proved to be one of the saddest couple of weeks that I can recall in a long time – several icons from my lifetime have moved on. It has caused for me to reflect on the now and to remember much of what I have set aside in the database of memories in my mind.

I was in elementary school when “Charlie’s Angels” first aired and how inspiring this was to me as a young girl, always enamored with the beautiful arsenal packed beauty with heels and the utmost style, who was so unassuming by their role. Whether she’s a secret agent, police woman or a private eye there was always the dream to be an Angel; the frosted blond Farrah Fawcett , bold brunette Jaclyn Snith or no fear Kate Jackson. Icons in time that I can fairly say impressed me with a fondness for a “no nonsense” attitude. I have this mindset to this day.

Charlie's Angels 1976

Charlie's Angels 1976

Just two years earlier in 1974 I had experienced another phenomenon of electric volumes that ironically inspired me with a number of things that I have kept close to my heart;

1.) The love for really (and I mean really) good dance music

2.) Talent, perseverance and persistence is key – a good lifetime foundation.

3.) Always get a good seat at a concert… always… if you need to pay a few bucks extra, then Just Do It!

The Jackson 5

The Jackson 5

Exactly 35 years ago today (07.07.74) I went to my very first concert ever. It was The Jackson 5.

I went with my brother and my cousin at the Circle Star Theater in San Carlos, CA. I can remember this like it was yesterday.

I vividly recall entering the Circle Star Theater and being excited to be there, we sat in our seats and I thought wow this is great, I can see the stage and my brother telling me that the stage revolves so we will be able to see everything.

Excitement setting in quickly and just when I thought I was in heaven getting ready to see “The Jackson 5!”… suddenly I was quickly summoned into the gates of hell. A group of about half a dozen 6′ 8′ foot tall concert goers with Afros easily measureing 20 inches in diameter sits directly in front of us. The larger of the hairdos aficionado sat directly in front of me thus not leaving me a whole lot of view.

In time the announcer got on the horn and announced the main event, The Jackson 5 came out and it was phenomenal. The lights, the colorful stage, the revolving center and each member of the group in their own color outfit (one in blue, one in green, yellow, purple… you get the point), and the lights on the color coordinated-ness and even the microphone foam was the same color as their outfits. Amazing.

Everytime I hear the song “Dancing Machine” no matter where I am, I immediately recall the concert and the colored lights as Michael Jackson did the robot on stage under the flashing strobe light. It was spectacular and I feel fortunate to have lived in a time where I have attended such events.

As the legends make their foundations with the music or film, each of us will have our own special memory of who these people are and what they mean to us.

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Jun
07
2009

Tall Dark and Handsome

I love history and creation of monumental architecture and monuments. Modern marvels that will engulf you into amazement and true awe.  The creation of the fine things in life are the ones that are the most grand, visual and practically unobtainable.

Antonio Gaudí

Antonio Gaudí

For instance, Antonio Gaud, the Spanish Catalan architect who belonged to the Modernist style – Art Nouveau movement and was famous for his unique and highly individualistic designs.
Gaud, throughout his life, studied nature’s angles and curves and incorporated them into his designs. Instead of relying on geometric shapes, he mimicked the way men stood upright.

Just short of three years after Gauds passing, Frank Gehry was born a few thousand miles away to eventually become another notorious architect who’s work was not only criticized for his unconventional design methods, however embraced by many. Thus taking the unusual and making it a reality. His designs of buildings that mimicked crinkled dented boxes and slick metal formations that keep the eye adventurous through light and shadows.

Truly amazing and incredibly inspiring.

Frank Gheary

Frank Gheary

I admire the gumption that these artists retained. For myself,  in most cases when someone tells me that I cannot do something or should never try something – it’s my passport to the rebellious nature that tells me different.

I find this style of tenacious mentality of the “auto-dismiss” very intriguing – imaging that… people who actually want others to fail and fall on their face is such an absurd waste if energy. Therefore challenging it to the extreme.

When I was in elementary school there were few people that were entertained by my “out of the lines” thought process. I often got criticized and put down by educators for having the imagination to for see elements in such a distorted dimension. Go figure…

I get asked often where I received my degree in fine art or where I received my masters degree… I simply state that I am a graduate of the UHK… University of Hard Knocks. Basically, a lifetime of hard earned learning, scrapes and knowledge. Just making it happen… Now now, do not think that I am dissing’ the educational system, but for some strange reason I have always felt that all of the self marketing and having the no fear attitude in business was perfectly normal. I mean, doesn’t everyone think in this way?

Cosmo Politician - Dark City

Cosmo Politician - Dark City 2002

Proving to myself more than to try and prove things to others was also a no-brainer. It is what it is and you “just do it!”  The more interesting and bizarre my works or ideas were (are), the better and more energetic the outcome is. True from the heart is what I feel and I never ask anyone for permission for creative freedom.

Never had and I can wager to say … I never will.    :o )

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