Devil with the Blue Dress on

Well we made it as I am sure most of you have seen via Face Book. So I will not bore you with all of the details and photos again.
Life is good. I am loving it here. I thought it might take a while to decompress from New York. Or I thought I might be mourning the loss of New York. Nope, not yet anyway. I love being around so much natural beauty. Running has taken on a new life. It is so nice to run and not have to smell cigarettes or get cat called by some jerk!

Lee and I have been busy setting up house. Today I am starting prep work for painting the interior.

Soon I am going to have to go job hunting. I am not sure what I want to do. I do not really want to do advertising any longer. I've been doing that for 20 some odd years and I'm kinda over it. I would dream to do nothing but my art work and sell it. First I need to open my ETSY shop back up and work to get it going better.

I did decide to put a piece on EBAY which I had never done before just to explor that option. It's listed right now- go have a look. It is a piece that I did while in New York and I'm not sure if I've ever even shown it before. It's called Devil with the Blue Dress On.

Well I guess I better run and get these walls ready, they're not going to paint themselves!

Simple Living

As Lee and I are packing up our tiny little apartment to move to Tybee, I am wondering where did all this stuff come from!

For the past several months we've been cleaning out drawers, cabinets and boxes. I swore off shopping for clothes for months. I've tried to become less of a consumer. What gives?

I am just going to have to try harder, that is all I can do.

I've packed up all of my makeup and hair products. I don't wear a lot of makeup anyway but I have to say it is nice know all I have to do is put on my home made face oil, some cheek stain and mascara because that is all that is available at the moment. I still have a drawer's worth of eye shadow, lipstick and foundation tucked away in some box that I just am not willing to part with yet. I do like having my options. Who knows when an occasion will arise where I want to do a Liz Taylor look- I will need sky blue eye shadow and I have that. Or maybe I want to go goth for an event- I'm going to need that black lipstick that I have. 

Then there are my boxes and boxes of clothes. Sure I have not shopped in quite sometime and yes I did rid myself of some clothing items. I do pride myself however in being able to pull together an outfit for any occasion straight out of my closet. Mermaid parade? Yep I got that. 1920s Lawn Party? Yes indeed! Vintage cowgirl with chaps? Ok, well I might have to work on that one a bit.

Oh yeah we are also art collectors. Lee and I both love art and sometimes we just can't turn it down. I never think about "I love that piece but where can we put it?" Over the years if we have liked a piece and we could afford it, we've bought it. I love all of them! I do think I will hang in rotation from now on rather than trying to display it all at once. Oh but how to decide? We have a ton of pieces in storage, I am most anxious to see those friends again. They will probably get first dibs.

All I know is ridding oneself of clutter is a work in progress and I will continue as I am UN-packing in Tybee. Keep your eyes out, there maybe a really good yard sale in the future!

Stuff!

More stuff

There is no where to go!

Even Elvira is just trying to get out of the way

Busy as bees

One week!

As my friend pointed out to me today this is my last Tuesday in New York. Well technically we’ll be here for part of next Tuesday. I feel like I should be bitter sweet about leaving here. As of right now, I’m just not. I’m ready. There will surely be things that I miss but I am ready for a new adventure. I love being out side and I love warm weather. That’s hard to come by here.

Lee and I have done many a thing here in the big apple. Here is just a sampling.

Thanksgiving Day Parades

Rumblers Car show (RIP)

Chris Isaak (again and again...)

New York Marathon

Christmas Train show

Christmas Windows

Roller Skating at Coney Island

Having my artwork stolen from a gallery (Boo)

Coney Island a hundred times over!

Fleet Week

Giants Ticker Tape parade

Flava Flave surprise

1920s Lawn Parties

Family Visits

Steam Punk Festival

Chillin at the park

The big move is ON!

One week one day- that is all that’s left of me living the dream in New York.

Seven years ago Lee and I packed all of our worldly possessions in a UHAUL truck and headed for the bright lights and big city that is New York. We had no jobs and no sense moving with out one. It all worked out somehow, just like I knew it would. I do often wonder though when my luck is going to run out.

Sure I believe if you want to do something in life just do it. I also believe to make a success out of it you have to work for it and rely on a little luck.

Anyway we thought we’d be here for five to ten years and we’ve landed pretty much in the middle of that time frame. It’s been nothing more than fabulous. Really. It’s felt like a 7 year vacation where I just so happen have to run in and work ever so often to pay a bill or two.

I don’t know anyone who’s done New York like we’ve done New York. We hit the ground a runnin’ and we’ve not stopped. Museums, galleries, festivals, parades, marathons- check. We’ve explored every borough. Now there is plenty left to explore don’t get me wrong. You could never see it all nor could you eat it all!

Oh yes the food- that’s what I will miss the most. My waistline will probably be thanking me for getting outta town!

After our summer vacation last year to Wrightsville Beach NC Lee and I knew we had to start our exit plan. I’ve always dreamed of living at the beach. I also used to dream of living in New York and I made that happen so why NOT the beach?

Our “plan” was not much of a plan, it went kinda like this 1. Decide on a beach 2. Save some money 3. Find a house 4. Buy it 5. Move. Done. Simple as that.

We chose Tybee Island Georgia for one reason my sister lives in Savannah which is only 20 minutes away and it seems like a quirky, fun and artsy beach!

Follow me here as I am going to be documenting the move. In the mean time here are some pics from seven years ago on our way in.

Which way?

Lee before the gray hair

Are we there yet?

Almost there

Time to unpack!

A Visit Home was just like Turmoil in Tutus!

Art shows, Heavy Rebel Weekend, Coney Island and Birthdays are all favorite things of mine. This past weekend two of those fell on the same weekend! It was almost too much to handle. However, I made it through like a champ!

Friday July 4th was the opening of my show Turmoil in Tutus at Delurk Gallery in Winston-Salem, NC. I’ve shown here before when it was Urban Artware but I wasn’t sure what to expect from the new gallery.

Gallery Wall with Tutus!

I have to say it was quite lovely. Don’t get me wrong I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the format of Urban Artware. It was filled to the brim with art in every nook and cranny. Delurk hangs more in a traditional gallery style. The walls were white and clean, the art was a nice distance apart allowing the viewer not to be distracted.

Wall of Animal Necklaces

As for my space- I welcome “distractions ”. I like things decorated. I landed in NC from NY on Wednesday afternoon. After a quick bite to eat I dove into miles of tulle fabric creating tutu pompoms to adorn my corner of the gallery.

Whew! It was a lot of work as the scissors my mom had were not the best in the world and space to work in was not to my liking. Anyway I begged my sister for some help and we knocked it out. Thanks goodness for her help. I also had glittery paper dolls and a few other things I wanted to use.

Thursday was hanging day. Well I enrolled my sister’s help yet again and we arrived at the gallery at 10am sharp. Before most respectable artists are probably even awake.

Lovely Jennifer OKelly was right on time to let us in and have at it.

about 3.5 hours later the show was hung. The nails going into the brick wall was a big time eater-upper! Anyway we got it all done just in time for a late lunch at Bibs downtown. Yum.

Friday was show day. I love show day. It is like Christmas and vacation all rolled up in one. Since I live in New York I don’t get to see my friends as much as I like. So I love seeing them when they come out to my shows because some trips that’s all we get.

My brother-in-law Shawn

Johnny Tugboat performing on the bed of Nails

I started to name names here and say how much I enjoyed seeing you. But then I started worrying that I’d forget someone. But I just want you to know I was happy to see each and every person that took time out of their holiday to swing by!

Saturday...
Yeah common catch up! That was Heavy Rebel Weekend (HRW) car show day. This might be one of my favorite days of the year. I love hot rods. I love getting all dolled up and having my picture made with the hot rods! This out fit might be one of the most important of the year other than the Mermaid Parade at Coney Island. This year I am on a shopping strike so I had to shop out of my own closet. I came up with a vintage reproduction play suit that I got off of ETSY. I wish I could share the link but I got it several years ago and I don’t have record of it.

"Pin-uping" at HRW

Cute American Bully

It was way to hot for puppies out on the hot concrete and black top. I wish everyone would just leave their babies at home when it's hot like that. But I did see a cutie there. He was really wanting my ice cream sandwich I was eating. I think he needed it more than I did.

This is a huba huba cap!

 

 

Dad came out to walk a lap with me. Come to find out there were over 500 cars. As soon as we were finished my sister shows up. I was getting ready for the mud wrestling- watching not participating. So Dad was in for another lap!
By this time I had found my brother-in-law and spent the rest of the afternoon with him and his crazy crew. What fun!

Pretty in White

 

 

The day was not quite over however. It was time for dinner with my gracious hosts- Eddie and Stephan. They put me up the whole time. It was like a quaint bed and breakfast they ran just for me. Thanks guys!

Sunday was recover and chill day by visiting in-laws and the folks one last time! Then it was back to the “Big City”.

I can’t wait to do it all again next year!

Mermaid Parade Coney Island!

The Coney Island Mermaid Parade is one of my favorite events of the year. This year however I was not sure I even wanted to go. Lately New York and more specifically New York's people have been getting on my nerves. So I wasn't so sure I wanted to deal with the crowds.

Of course though the call of the Mermaids lured me in! I'm sure glad they did. It was a delightful day. The weather was no less than perfect.

We did have to go early though. Lee and I both had a race on Sunday so we didn't want to be totally wiped out for that.

Ruby's as usual was our first stop. We sat up "camp" out front on the boardwalk. We met a nice couple from the city and hung with them for several hours. 

I was asked several times to have my picture made with people. Mainly because I have a huge Coney Island tattoo on my back. But sometimes people even asked for photos of the front of me! One of them even snuck a little kiss in on my cheek as the pic was made! That rascal!

This photo was actually taken out at Ruby's last year by a photographer from Brazil. I'm sad I lost her name. But that's my Coney Tattoo!

With my whole living simple life style that I'm trying I did not allow myself a new costume this year. I just went as a 1950s pin up gal, using stuff I just drug out of my closet. 

This was taken at the Freak Bar in one of their Fun House Mirrors.

Lee even looks quite nautical for the occasion.

Party Bus

Just a hand full of the Parade watchers

It was a fantastic way to kick off the summer!

hiatis while practicing the simple life

as per usual I’ve had a little hiatus from my blog.


i have a million and one excuses. well not really. i have one excuse. i’ve gotten all up in this whole living simply life style. which boils down to doing less and enjoying more.

while i do enjoy doing my blog sometimes i just don’t take the time to keep up with it.

all this simple living does not mean being lazy. oh no! never. it just means picking and choosing what i do. this frees up more time to create and that's what is important to me after all.


while i have been being simple, i have been painting and making little animal necklaces. those of you who follow me on face book i am sure have seen them.

i am having an art opening on july 4th at delurk gallery in winston-salem, nc. it’s from 7-10pm. i’m going to be there so before you head to the fire works swing by and see me and what i’ve been up to.

françois
bouledogue

polar bear necklace made from vintage toy

web flyer for the show

Art Swapping is like a Mini Christmas

Back this summer when I was putting brush to canvas I did this little didy.

This was for an art swap that the Sketch Book project over in Brooklyn was doing. Basically it was like a pen pal but instead of a letter you swapped a painting. They also gave us a post card with a few questions about ourselved that would go along with the piece of art work.

I wanted to do something that would say a little bit about myself and showcase the kind of art that I do. Vanity won out and I did a self portrait of sorts. Of course I had to include Monster and Elvira!

After I sent my piece off I started wondering "What kind of art will I get?" "Will it be of a similar style" It was all quite exciting to ponder. Then I got selfish. My thoughts shifted to "What if I get a canvas with nothing more than a crude stick figure on it of a square painted in the center, I'll be mad." Not that my canvas was a master piece by any means, but I did put forth effort and spent several hours on the piece in hopes that the recipient would be proud to have it. Then I turned greedy! I thought "What if the piece I get is by some famous artist and it turns out to be worth MILLIONS!! HAHAHAH!"

Well time went by and ever so often I'd wonder again what I'd be getting in the mail. Then it came just when I had almost forgotten about the swap. It was like a little mini Christmas day. As soon as I got in my door I grabbed the kitchen shears and cut open my envelope. Whew hoo! I love it! It was a painting just like I would like to buy from some one. 

The artist of my piece is Kelly Jo Shows. I emailed her and found her work on line. You must check her out, she is a true talent. You can find her works at http://www.fearnoart.net/. Take a look at her Artist's Shoes collection.

Also check out the Sketch Book project on line. They always have great activities for artists going on.

Cheers!

Running ragged and loving it.

Yeah... well...
Where to begin?
I you've not heard a peep from me in some time.

I swear I need another me to do all that I need or want to do.

However most of my "need to dos" are really just things that I want to do.

I'm blessed to have a job that has a regular 8 hour work day. I am not sure though who thought 8 hours was a good amount of time to work each day.

My work commute is rather short.

I don't have any children to tend to.

I have a tiny apartment so there's no need for hours of house keeping.

Yet I do not know where my time goes.

This summer I was out and about enjoying every hour of warm daylight. A lot of this time was spent running. Not running errands, just running, like for exercise.

Last year when I got into the New York City marathon I started logging in some good miles. Sandy cancelled that marathon. In the mean time I had won free entry into the Miami Marathon in February of 2013- so I just kept on training right through the winter. Then Lee decided he wanted in on the action and he signed up for the Nashville marathon. Of course there was no sitting back watching him have all the fun so I decided to do that one too.

I could have stopped there but noooooo. I decided I should try to get into the San Francisco women's Nike marathon. Now this was purely for the bling. At the finish line you get a Tiffany & Co. sterling silver necklace designed just for the event. Not only that but hunky firemen await you with these trays of necklaces. Well I got into that race too. I was a bit nervous as I still had the New York marathon to complete only 2 weeks after San Francisco.

These are the hunky firemen

The bling

Anyway the New York marathon came and went a few weeks ago. It was every bit as fabulous as I had dreamed!

Going for the "WIN"

Yay! Done!

Oh and I forgot to mention... I also did The Oakly's 10K run, Giants 5K run, a Warrior Run, the 5th Avenue mile run, the Tunnel to Towers 5K, the Hobokken City Challenge, the Brooklyn 10K, the Staten Island half marathon and the Philly half marathon all completed since June 2013.

I'm not telling you this to toot my own horn. Well maybe a little, I'm kinda proud I can run these distances. After all, I'm the former "fat kid" that couldn't even run a mile during my youth.

This is my favorite runner meb keflezighi. I like him because he is nice and can run FAST!

 

 

 

He waved at me at the NYC Marathon Opening Ceremonies.

I have just come to love running, and yes, I may have went a little overboard this year. That being said it has left me no time for creating much of anything. Now my mind is paying the price. I'm itching and squirming to make/paint something.

Tell me how you handle the day to day and still have the time to create.

CHEERS!

My mind is tired

Lately my mind has been tired. I don't like it.

Rarely am a physically tired. I do like that.

I just have soooo much I WANT to do, but by time I get home from my run after work and get supper done... I'm DONE as well.

YES I have most of my Fridays off of my freelance gig. I am oh so grateful for that. So Fridays are create days. Sometimes so is Saturday and/or Sunday. But with the weather finally, sort of getting better I'm more tempted to do outdoorsy stuff.

Well enough of my complaining. Let's just ave a look at what I have been up to when I'm not too tired...

Lee and I did the Nashville Marathon. We did it in POURING rain for 26 miles. This was Lee's first and my second. Despite the rain and the mountainous hill we had a good time.

The other night we went over to Brooklyn to see one of my favorite singers... Diablo Dimes. It was in a strange setting... a vintage clothing store named Cool Pony.

He uses a painting that I did as his Face Book page. I'm so flattered. I introduced myself as the artist. He seemed pleased to meet me.

If you've not done so- go check him out.

I've completed a skate deck to go into a group show over in Brooklyn at Bustin Boards. I'm excited about that. Check out the invite here.

Last Friday I took a creative Odyssey to the Prada store. On display there they had costumes from the Great Gadsby. Wooo hoo. I'd take anyone of those pieces.

Hmmm. That 'bout wraps it up for now. I'll be doing a half Marathon to Coney Island this weekend and getting my hair cut by Flame at Pimps and Pinups. Results to follow (maybe.)