The Studio: A place of Solitude

It's been a difficult two weeks, but working on artwork has been one strategy that helps me to process what's been going on.  I wanted to make a "behind the scenes" movie for a while, and it finally happened a few weeks ago. The clips were edited, the music was finished by a good friend, Jon Francis, and I finished the narration. Enjoy!

An achy heart

My heart has a mouth- a blog designed to be a window into my life. Yet, with all the excitements, awards and honors, trips, insights and life stages, there are the sorrows. I haven't been able to collect my thoughts to write a post about my grandfathers. One of them I lost back in February; the other is living his last moments.

I only have two home movies from when I was a child- my first birthday, and a trip to Disney world around 1990. I paused it at a certain scene, my grandfather holding me, looking up at me with such admiration. He loved being a father and a grandfather. I loved listening to his stories, and this moment is one I'll keep dear to my heart.

Flea Market Finds

It's been a while since I posted any flea market finds, mostly because I haven't made any big purchases at a flea market in a while. Since a GoodWill just opened down the road from my home, it's become my go-to place for certain items I would have normally purchased at a flea market, so I miss out on those random thrifty or antique items I'd get browsing the tables.

Daimon and I had a free Sunday, so we made our way to the Golden Nugget in Lambertville NJ. The first 5 minutes we were there, we bought something we've had on our list for years! Every time we see a stereoscope, it's usually well over $50. We saw on at Collingwood Flea Market for $400 with all the cards included. We got this one for $30.

Here's a peak at one of the cards.

I hoped to find some items to use for a mosaic flower pot I'm working on. These eye balls and ceramic body gave me an idea of a scene I'd like to make with some dish fragments I've been saving.

Peek-a-boo from New Hope, on the other side of the Bridge. 

A different kind of weekend.

I wasn't working, that's what made the weekend different! Well, besides that it was a weekend of doing things a little differently.

Daimon and I visited my grandfather in the hospital, but we decided to make it a little more memorable for him. Daimon decided to bring the accordion and serenade him. The nurses were more than excited. Though the door was closed to not disturb other patients, we got a few visitors to see what was going on! Since he asks my grandmother every day if there was any mail, we made up a song about the mail, we got a smile out of him, which was the best part of the whole visit.

On Sunday, one of my closest friends had an engagement party at IPlay America, which included free access to all the games, rides, later tag and bumper cars. I loved laser tag so much I did it twice; the second time I scored really high too! I'm glad I didn't wear light colors Sunday, since that would have made me an easier target.

Two years ago, I gave Rikki and Mike a pillow with these faces printed on the fabric. It's become a funny, strange tradition to continuously give her more of these "inception" pillows. I told her to consider bringing the pillow to her wedding so we can take some bridal pics with it!

Give me the Manet

I've been teaching my students about the artwork made in the early and mid 1800s, so seeing this Manet work was very exciting and relevant to what I've been teaching. Do you like my corny gif animation? 

A Recent Interview

We're playing a show on Friday with a few other female acts. Not sure what the Hear Me Roar Women Artists (HMRWA) is about? This article shines a light on our mission.

http://www.njracket.com/shows/exclusive-interview-hear-me-roar-women-artists/

Easter weekend Traditions

It's a thing now, to visit the Schuster Farm Easter morning, buy some eggs (or in my case... an incubator.... my parents are going to be the proud parents of 7 baby chicks soon), and spend time with the animals. The cow on the farm is only a year old and is so tall you'd be amazed she's still going to grow! She modeled my sister's bunny ears.

I had to squeeze the cheeks on the new baby goats on the farm.

This cherry blossom was planted as a sapling the year I was born. It's now nearly 30 and is so incredible it stops traffic.  Only my sister could be more beautiful than that. It's become a tradition to take a picture of her in front of the tree when it's in full bloom.

For Easter dinner, Daimon and I drove across the state to spend time with his arabic side. I decorated his bro with blossoms.

Now that I'm on spring break, I spent a day in New York, buying some much needed pysanky supplies and working on my artwork. Here's one I plan on recreating soon with more intricacy.  Happy Easter! I hope you enjoyed it, whether you have traditions or not. It's always fun to invent traditions if you don't have any.  You can be the person that celebrates Easter in some weird and interesting way.