Step Out! Walk to Stop Diabetes!

​
I'm Stepping out to walk for a cure for diabetes! I have type 2 diabetes and want to walk for this cause! feel free to join my team, The Eastside Sugar Babies or donate! Go to the link below to do either! Thank you in advance!

Sunday, October 5, 2014 - North Shore Park (Next to Heinz Field), Pittsburgh

Registration Opens: 8:00 a.m.

Walk Program/Starts: 9:15 a.m.

Walk Route: Approx. 3 Mile Walk (scenic route that strolls past PNC Park, Heinz Plant, and North Shore Trail)

join my team or donate here: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/StepOut/StepOutContent?px=10454672&pg=personal&fr_id=9853

Big Bad Wolf

This painting is called "Big Bad Wolf".

I was asked by a fellow artist to do an original piece for a collective art show called "Politically Incorrect".
"Politically Incorrect" will explore the sociopolitical landscape of human rights; highlighting triumphs and successes and exposing injustices and inequality.

So my take on inequality was to do a painting about fat shaming. 

I've been a "big" girl all my life, so I have been subject to ridicule from family, friends and strangers. It may not seem like a subject that is very significant, but its tough to be plus sized in this small society. 

If you like to see this painting "in real life", please come to Artform Gallery, March 1st, from 7-11pm.  Click the link below for the Facebook invite.

https://www.facebook.com/events/354885181318993/ 



 

Too Much!

I'm so excited right now I can't even tell you! Good news coming up, wait for it...

Creative Thinking

My mind wanders a lot. Sometimes I find myself drifting off to another place when people are talking to me. I have to ask politely for them to repeat what they were saying. 

I'm always creating. Even when I'm not physically doing so. I'm triggered by shapes and colors. A cute outfit might set my mind racing. I always have a project being tackled in my head. 

It's a pre-sketch to a sketch, the process my mind goes through. The best outcome is when my final piece is exactly how I "thought" it would be.

Money

Money.

No one likes to talk about money unless they are getting it. Being an artist, of any kind, there's always that thought of...what we do isn't a job, because we love it. Hmmm true, but still a job, that takes effort and time. And we ALL know time is money.

If you are going to support anyone in the art world, pay them for the jobs they do. I have a few artist friends that thrive off of their art, while others struggle hard.

Freebies are always good and most times beneficial. It baffles me why it's so difficult to pay a musician, poet, actor or painter but so easy to pay the guy that cuts your grass.

I had this discussion with a friend of mine...

"People will use you until you break. It's best to have a contract up front. The problem is that most artists are not business people. They are "in love" with their craft. They hear the words "I'm interested in your work", and they forget all about pay. Be prepared in your field, research other artists and see what they charge, get contracts and invoices. Or, be broke. Your client, whether it's your Mom or Donald Trump, WILL PAY if they want YOUR services. Let them pay someone else if they don't."

This is a subject that's touchy with folks, that's why I chose to discuss it. We all have worth, whether you can put an exact dollar amount on what you do is up to you.

Just remember that we are all struggling no matter what our jobs are. The idea is to give credit where it's due. Even if it's a VISA.

Weekends...

Ahhh, the luxury of the weekend. Sleeping in, no work, dinner dates, drinks with the girls.

Not quite. 

For me the weekend is the time I have to CREATE. Saturday night is the night all of the magic happens! The bedroom becomes an art studio. My bed is where I layout my ideas; sketches all over the place. My easel sits next to my tv, which becomes irrelevant when I work. Strictly music, maybe a long chat with my agent. I love the weekend, it gives me time to be me.

Medusa Self-Portrait Update...finished piece

 

 

 

 

 

Medusa, finished piece, 24"x36" acrylic on canvas

MEDUSA

My idea behind this piece was to use myself as the subject. Rarely are black people used in myths as characters. We as a people dont have many fantasy characters or stories, and I wanted to generate that. I also wanted to touch on our relationship as humans with our brethren...animals. Medusa is the first piece in a series of portraits I call "Bipedal-Quadrupedalism"; an exploration in fear, love, hate, connection, the morphing of human/animals, the equality of both, the domination man has over animals and the fantasy of being one with them.

I've been working on this painting for months now, getting close to being done!

Mermaid!

MERMAID

Finished piece!

My untitled mermaid is almost done (in paper form anyway...digital enhancement will be part of the process as well) I'll post a finished product for you! But for now enjoy her most recent adaptation to her beginning...

Mural...

Mural Update!
As of now the mural has changed! I changed the design, and the customer did also, delaying the time spent on it. Also scheduling conflicts kept me from finishing sooner, but hopefully it will be done by the end of the month.

I have so many things in motion! Starting a mural on Monday for an apartment building...I can't wait to get started! Here's the sketch I did for the job...colors and design may vary once I get started!

Husband

I just added an updated image of this piece, still working on him!

This piece is of my friend Oliver, I call him Husband. We are not married, but I love him dearly. I met him a few years ago, after meeting his girlfriend and attaining her as my bestie. I had the privilege of getting to know and respect Oliver; now I'd call us kindred spirits.  I asked him if I could use his pulchritude to magically transform my blank canvas. He thankfully said yes and this is my piece so far...