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I've never been to Paris.

4/17/2019

But like most artists, it is a dream of mine to go to Paris. And seeing Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is on my list once I get there.

Only I almost wrote that in past tense...'cause the world almost lost this treasure. Seeing the reaction around the world to the fire in Paris of this sacred structure reminded me that at the end of the day- art and architecture matters. History matters. Beauty matters.

And we can all rally behind that...and that gives me hope.

One day I will go to Paris and light a candle in that cathedral- the prayer will be that we will always protect art and history, and that it will keep us connected to our humanity.

These are my two daily pieces from April 15-16th. The piece on the left is my reaction piece on the 15th to the fire at the cathedral, complete with lightly burnt edges on the collaged hair. There is a heart with 'Paris' in in to represent the eyes and hearts of the world. And the piece on the right represents the day after- when the world looks to the future, to rebuilding...to hope. Both pieces incorporate newspaper coverage about the fire.

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A series has no name.

4/16/2019

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If you got the reference right away-
you are obviously 'my people.

If you didn't it's okay...but you really GOTta start watching Game of Thrones, cause it's the best!

Okay, so long story short...I kinda...well, I kinda don't know what I am calling my current series.

And yes, I'm in day 16 and just now getting around to do a series intro. But as I mentioned in my last post, this kind of thing is a huge source of stress for me and my OCPD ways- so even if it's 16 days late, I need to have a proper intro...even if I have no idea what the series is called.

So far this year I created watercolor fashion illustrations, Frida-inspired paintings and played with gold leaf (and acrylic and spray paint!) for a month. I wanted to get back to some just plain ol' pencil drawing BUT I also wanted to use some recycled materials since Earth Day is later this month...and I often work with recycled materials in jewelry, and of course with my fashion club/3D AP students.

Some of my own recycled fashion/accessory creations...ranging from evening gowns made from melted bottles to magazines...to jewelry from crazy things like cat food foils!

Some examples of my students' recycled fashions from fashion club and AP 3D art.

Definitely one of my favorite moments from this year- my students created the two looks on the left (and another one not in this pic!) The magazine garments were featured at the Art Hive Magazine booth at Art Pal Beach. I took some 'scraps' from each girl to create a piece to wear at the VIP opening, that's when this pic was

I actually started off playing around with two different ideas-then abandoned them.

At first I was thinking hats (call back to a previous series) so I started drawing pieces on newspaper...but I just wasn't feeling it. I also started a fashion illustration, thinking that the actual 'garment' would be out of recycled materials...NOPE.

Then...I kinda figured it out. Here are two inspirations behind my new series;

(Left) #ButterflyBellas (Right) Fashion Illustration based off PRAS unconventional materials challenge.

I just knew I really wanted to work with recycled materials...and I kinda went from there. I decided to style the current series after my 'Butterfly Bellas' that I have done in the past, and then just have fun incorporating the recycled materials- mostly in the hair right now. I am also adding a small reoccuring butterfly motif in each piece just to keep it cohesive.

Here are the first 14 images...still no name for the series...

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Past the Ides of March.

4/14/2019

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For whatever reason, I cannot leave a month unresolved on my blog. Like...I know I am probably the only one reading this, but even for that reason I feel compelled to have documentation for the events that happened during my month, whether related to my art or not...because it is all related.

Having said, er...TYPED that...here is a brief summary of March, written two weeks late, in a few photos at least;

Equality Florida Gala...or as I call it an excuse to wear a shower curtain and some DIY accessories

#MissMatchyMatchy strikes again!

Jess and Angela invited me to the Equality Florida 'pop art' themed gala a while back and I knew I wanted to do something with an (unused) shower curtain that I have randomly had for years and years. Originally I wanted to make a big ball gown style skirt and wear it with a simple scoop neck shirt...but honestly I wanted to do as little if any sewing. I quickly figured out that with one small but for an armhole, a tiny bit of glue and a good, wide belt I could create a one-shoulder silhouette with the shower curtain- with a black dress underneath 'cause I ain't down for a wardrobe malfunction.

The purse was a lil' $3 number from Goodwill that I hand painted with Warhol's portrait on the front and back. I completed the look with some disco balls I wired to create 'charms' on a link bracelet I had with matching earrings.

Long story short- the dress was a hit! And I was surprised- but I didn't sweat to death, I was worried about that.

For more pics of the event check out the link on the Art Hive Magazine blog;
http://www.arthivemagazine.com/the-blog/2019/3/28/tbt-equality-florida-2019-palm-beach-gala-pics-from-the-factory

Little Black Dress paintings for my friend, Tiff

I saw that my friend Tiffany posted that the organization that she is a part of, The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, was having a 'Little Black Dress' event...so I reached out to her to create some paintings to raffle off/giveaway at the event. We both used to coach cheer at LWHS, she was Varsity and I coached JV. Tiffany left teaching to venture out doing social media consulting and has been wildly successful- so excited for her! And I have actually had a student benefit from the NCBW leadership programs earlier this school year.

I sure miss seeing Tiff at school but it great to see her on social media helping others and watching her brand grow!

Martinis in heaven

March is always such a tough month for us. We lost John's mom in 2005 before we got married. This year we unexpectedly lost John's uncle Vinny. It just happened so suddenly and we never got a chance to say goodbye. I still can't believe it, and I can't even begin to express what an amazing soul he was...there are no words.

...and it has been SUPER busy at school...

Event info: https://www.artaffairwpb.com/

Work doesn't slow down, there is always something to be working on and my brother Blud and I try to never miss an opportunity for our LWHS students. In the middle of all that was going on- Bludworth and I pulled off having the kids paint five 'Little Free Libraries' for the City of West Palm Beach from raw wood to finished aquatic creation in a matter of three days.

Three. Days.

Yep, we did that (and you know what? They really aren't 'little'...they are a pretty good size!)

For more pics from the event that we made the LFL's for, check out my classroom instagram, @studio2_110.

Thankfully, there is always my daily art.

When things are good, and even when they aren't I can count on my art time as a way to escape for a while. I couldn't really wrap my head around the last part of the month, I continued the daily art but there was so much going on that maybe my pieces don't go as well with the series...I may have went off on a mini tangent within the body of work, but I won't beat myself up about it. All in all I like the way the series developed, like some of the pieces more than others...and I will likely revisit the series again in the future.

And here it is;

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Welp...another Florida niece is on the way!

4/13/2019

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In the middle of trying to figure out (still!) my name for my April series, I was asked to help with a special project...

...a baby shower welcome sign for my friend's sister, Mirelis! She is expecting her first baby!

...baby Brooke is already so loved by her 'aunts'

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I've never been to Paris.

A series has no name.

If you got the reference right away- ​you are obviously 'my people.If you didn't it's okay...but you really GOTta start watching Game of Thrones, cause it's the best!

I actually started off playing around with two different ideas-then abandoned them.

Then...I kinda figured it out. Here are two inspirations behind my new series;

Past the Ides of March.

Equality Florida Gala...or as I call it an excuse to wear a shower curtain and some DIY accessories

​Little Black Dress paintings for my friend, Tiff

Martinis in heaven

​...and it has been SUPER busy at school...

Event info: https://www.artaffairwpb.com/

Thankfully, there is always my daily art.

Welp...another Florida niece is on the way!

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If you got the reference right away-
you are obviously 'my people.

If you didn't it's okay...but you really GOTta start watching Game of Thrones, cause it's the best!

Little Black Dress paintings for my friend, Tiff

...and it has been SUPER busy at school...

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