Heavy Rebel and old friends

Every July 4th I get giddy with anticipation of our annual trip home. Home meaning Winston-Salem, NC. After all I lived there for over 30 years of my life.


The July 4th weekend marks the time to celebrate Heavy Rebel Weekend.  And you just can't get more American than that. Hot rods, pin ups, tattoos and music!


My favorite day is Saturday. That is the car show and mud wrestling day. And no I didn't jump in the mud pit, maybe next year.


Here I am with my good friend David Hunter's 1957 Chevy truck. I was quite impressed with it!

Little did I think my dad would show up. And there I was with my tattoos just all out there for him to see. My dad IS NOT A FAN. He didn't say a word and we all had a great time looking at all the cars.

While having a little break from my art work and jewelry making. I did manage to visit a few old friends...


I am a self taught artist and sometimes I look back on my old works and think "uggggh that looks horrible, what was I doing?"


Who knows maybe by looking back I'll come up with something amazing and new!


This is probably the earliest piece that I ran across on my trip. I would guess I did this piece 8 or so years ago. I was into purple shadows! I silver leafed the frame myself too. I may revisit that technique.

This piece I remembered is titled "Little Black Dress" It is about being different and not worrying about it. Embrace your differences, that is what makes you- you! This was done during my fascination with nails and coffee stains.

This piece I did for my dad probably for Father's Day. My dad's hobby is flying control line planes. This piece is actually made of layers of wood for a 3D-ish effect.

Dad is the one in the back

This next piece hangs in a place of honor at my in-law's house above the mantel. I did this one during my Gustav Klimt phase. I find that I paint much better when I just do MY OWN thing. But it was a good experiment.

This one is also in the in-law's house. I actually really love this piece. It is quite large on my scale anyway. I used a lot of graffiti techniques on this one. I used super paint markers, hand made stencils along with acrylic paint all on a plywood panel.

Here is a graphite piece that I did of myself when I was a little girl. To me this has a strong Salvador Dali influence to it.

Up next we have little Opossum my friend Darren's new kitty. He has nothing to do with anything but who doesn't like a cute little kitty!?!

Well I hope you enjoyed my little tour of some of my "Old Friends." I love seeing where my paintings end up so if you have any photos of a piece of mine in your home please, please email them to me I'd love it!

Tattoos and Lawn Parties

I count the the weekend as starting on Friday. Usually I am at home working on art projects on Fridays but this past week I had to adjust my schedule a bit.


So as a treat I thought I'd celebrate National Take Your Dog to Work Day!


Monster had been before so Elvira was the lucky winner this time.


Here she is earning her keep.

After a nice day at work a good dinner was in order. So over to the West Village we go to the Spotted Pig.


I had a deviled egg that was $4.00. My southern friends probably are saying "what the heck, are you kidding?" Those of you from NY are probably thinking "That's not a bad deal." Any way it was good but not as good as my Momma's deviled eggs!


I finished up the meal with Grilled Octopus. Now my Momma does not make octopus what so ever. 


Saturday morning starts early in the O'Brien house hold. We have dogs that need walking plus we need to go on a run to work off some of the calories from the night before.


It is also O'Brien day at the tattoo parlor. I am finishing up my back. I have been working on it piece by piece for several years. First came my nautical star at top by Winston-Salem tattoo artist- Daniel Ferguson. Next was the Coney Island funny face by NY artist Chris O'Donnell.


I was happy with this situation for many years till I got the bug again. So one day I decided I needed some mermaids to complete the look. Michelle Tarantelli was the artist responsible. These were my first pieces by a female artist. She is such a dear and I had a great time getting work done by her.


Yesterday we added an old school anchor to the piece. Have a look at the "finished" work. There are a couple spots I might can fit something else. So I am living with it for a bit ; )

Moxie and Maybelle

That was the big day Saturday but Sunday is a whole new day full of adventure...

Sunday started just as early. There are dogs to walk and groceries to get. Uggggh.

But there is also a 1920s Lawn Party to attend!

I reused last week's Mermaid Parade crown 'cause I put a lot of work in that thing so why not?!!? It goes with my look.

Fashion Note: Dress- Anna Sui on sale at Anthropologie for $69

              Shoes- From local mini chain ShoeGasm around $50

              Black beads- vintage   

              Parasol- Badgley Mischka originally $120 I paid around $20 at Daffy's

We met up with some friends out on Governor's Island for a splendid afternoon. Thanks for a wonderful time Susan, J-F, Brandi, Amanda, Erin and Jeanie!

   

Lee was there looking rather spiffy as well! He picked up the shades from a dealer at the party for 10 bucks. Deal-o-the-Day!

My lovely Diana Camera made the trip with me again. I took the film to be developed today. Ahhhh the anticipation. Just like the good ol' days!

After all the dancing (just watching this time), the conversation and eating it was time to head back to the city via the Ferry. What a lovely view.

Well you would think this would be the end to a fine weekend. Ah but no! On our way to the Lomo store to have my film developed we got in the midst of the Gay Pride Parade NYC! Even though we only got to see the last bit of the parade- what a special event to have the chance to witness!

I'm off to good ol' North Carolina this week for friends, family and Heavy Rebel Weekend. SO I am sure I will have plenty to share upon my return!

Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2011

Oh joy! It is the best day of the year. The Mermaid Parade at Coney Island. I woke up yesterday to perfect weather, my outfit was prepared, I could hardly wait to make the 45 minute commute from the apartment to the Festivities.


Friday I went and got a new camera. I am going back in time. I'm tired of taking digital pics only to have them just sit on this computer. So I'm going old school with a 1960s remake of the Diana 110mm Camera. But alas I will have to post those pics later as I will need to get them developed!

Notice the pretty white color. I figured that it would go with everything. A girl does have to match after all!

I just love this guy. I see him at a lot of events we go to. He looks a bit rough but I sat with him one night out at Coney on the Board Walk and he was very sweet. I felt special that he found me interesting enough to take MY photo.

What is Coney without a clown? And what a clown he was!

The thing I love about Coney is that there are old people, young people, gay, straight, Black, White, Latino, strange, normal...
And they are there to have fun and they are all getting along.

Young

Young at heart

Strange

Normal (debatable)

Even puppies took time to enjoy the day.

I also found Captain Jack Sparrow. He looks a bit different in person however!

Whoa attach of the giant bird!

Such a pretty blue Mermaid.

This guy just flew in from Egypt.

I'd like to hear some of his stories!

This is Jamie from the Freak Bar. He is the first person I ever met out at Coney when we first moved up here.

A happy little jelly fish?

Hubba Hubba!

Peek-a-boo, I see you!

Having fun.

This man's strength was incredible!

Fashion note:

Crown- hand made by yours truly

Baby arm necklace- hand made by Louise Black (she was on Project Runway tv show)Louise Black

Bustier- By Dark Pony Designs Dark Pony

Hope you enjoyed my little tour of the Mermaid Parade! Till next time.

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