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Okay...so I make all this work...but one thing that I don't really focus on in the SELLING part...like, actually trying to sell work. I am more concerned with CREATING it. But selling it sure would be nice...especially since I have a car payment now! So, that being said, I uploaded almost all of my June 2015 'Grateful Dead' series to my Fine Art America Account and you can get there directly from this here web site via the 'SHOP' page. You can order the images in assorted print sizes, on pillows, bags and phone cases. And my originals are pretty much always available for purchase, as long as they are in my inventory. If you would like to inquire about an original piece that you see in my Gallery just email me with the title information. I am looking into at least one more 'Print on Demand' option for my work to offer some additional merchandise options...so stay tuned.   Grape Ape was my 1997 Honda Civic. My first car. I have been driving him for eighteen years. He broke down on I95 right before our trip to NC and I finally made the decision to sell him and buy a new car. I am including this on my blog because I was really attached to this car...and because of this here sticker of Jerry Garcia. This was the first sticker that I put on my car in 1997 and it stood the test of time. Just like my Honda, 242, 000 miles later...and just like the music of the grateful dead.  As John drove us down south to sell the car I scribbled some notes to the the new owner, just to let him know he was buying a very special car. I left this in the glove compartment. Good bye, old friend.  The trip back home to NC was just what we needed. Before I left I made one special trip out to Cypress Creek Church to leave some angels for Amy, hoping she would help me with pass on some #AngelDropART. These weren't my normal angels, for this special drop I selected ten pieces from my November 2014 series, 8x10 mixed media works. After I spent some time with my friend blasting 'Box of Rain' and trying not to get eaten up with mosquitoes I posted on my social media pages that the angels were with Amy...my thought process was that only folks that knew where they were would be the ones to get these angels, and that is exactly what happened. So if you are reading this and you got one of those angels that I left with Amy (or with her grandparents, Oacie and Dillon) then I hope that you enjoy the angel, or enjoy passing the love and inspiration on to someone else. -JLG   Here are some local places where my art is currently on display...all pieces are for sale...stop BUY and check'em out! Seemed appropriate to post some angel pics for #TBT Well, to me at least. See, there are these wings...on a wall...in Pacific Beach, California. We used to live around the corner from them, so we took pics while we were there, pretending to be angels. And when we moved and started coming back to visit...kinda became a 'thing'. So we have been taking angel pics every year. I know that one day we will go and the wings won't be there anymore...and I will be sad...but for now...gonna enjoy my wings! Here are some of our silly pics since 2006;  (Left to Right, then snakin' around) Angel pics from 2006-2012...no trip in 2013...then we returned again in 2014 and just last week! Can't wait to go back again next year, I love Pacific Beach!!! Another fun thing...when we lived out in San Diego we would drag our visitors over to the wings for pics. I can honestly say that some of the folks nearest and dearest to our hearts made that 2000+ mile trip out to visit us during our stay on the west coast...each bringing a little cure for the homesickness we would sometimes feel so far away from family and friends. The last two pics...two folks we love down here in Florida that made the trip with us last year...great trip, great people...so fun to share a place we love with new friends that we love!  (Left to right, top to bottom) Mom, Jennifer, John (my best friend's parents), John's sister Mara, my sister Morgan (with my nephew, Noah, in her belly!), Ryan, Justin, Jen and Jake...love all these people so much!! ...yesterday's art...not inspired by one song...but inspired by what I know is going to be one EPIC event...and I can't wait! -JLG  CED15- 167 June 16, 2015 (8x10, marker and watercolor on paper) Inspired by the Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead Concert on July 3-5 in Chicago
Wait...let me back up...I am out of breath from jumping all around and dancing. You don't even know who 'SHE' is....
Okay...so I don't think I have mentioned this before on the blog...but I have been private tutoring a student since late April. I was in Barnes and Noble meeting with my cheer judge pal Claudia, she wanted to see my April 2015 'Wood Series' pieces that I had completed at that time. We happened to be sitting at a table next to a young girl, and she saw my work as I was showing it to Claudia. I guess she liked what she saw, 'cause she asked me about private lessons...specifically mentioning that she was interested in fashion design and illustration. Let me repeat that last part...fashion design and illustration! Yeah...this totally happened. That gal was Karizma, a local high school student. Not only did she want to meet for private lessons, but she wanted to work towards creating a body of work to audition for the High School of Fashion Industries in New York City.
So...we started meeting, mostly on Sundays. Just for an hour, but then I would give her 'homework'...ummm...usually to complete at least 5 drawings (but then encouraging her to double/triple that number)...ummmm...yeah, every week. (Just ask her, she'll tell ya!)
And she was the BEST student. She actively sought out inspiration from other folks working in fashion illustration, sketched out her own original ideas, worked to make her style more streamlined, took risks and delved into all materials presented, did research on garment related and industry terms...and she made the work that I asked her to make, on her own and also with me during our sessions. The last week before she left for her audition she came and we added last minute details, trimmed pieces to fit her physical portfolio and I took pictures for the digital portfolio we prepared as an additional marketing tool for her. And hey guess what? SHE GOT IN!!!! I am so excited for her...I just can't even think straight. WOW!!!
So now what?
...well, obviously I am going to keep up with her- this chica is going places! But...kinda makes me want to tutor more students individually. I really enjoyed working with her. So I am going to work on my own marketing, putting it out there that I am available as an art tutor ('start spreading the news'...eeeek....sorry, couldn't resist another NY reference...sooooo excited!!!) And...I am feeling inspired to getting back into my own love of fashion via fashion illustration! I was really into it in 2012 and 2013, completing almost 200 pieces; Links to 2012 Fashion Illustrations (I posted them within my monthly galleries)
Link to 2013 Fashion Illustrations As for 2014...I just kinda stopped. In 2014 I only completed ONE. Yeah, ONE. 
...and NOTHING so far in 2015. I mean...I did complete a fashion-related series in January; 'Miss Matchy Matchy'...but no dedicated fashion illustrations like before. And that bothers me. So that is my personal challenge for the summer and through the rest of 2015- to get back into my side passion- drawing FASHION!
Lastly...maybe, just maybe...I could toy with some of my own fashion pieces again. I had fun making the recycled wedding dress, hand embellishing thangs and making my own jewelry...so maybe...just maybe.... But right this second, just going to be proud of Karizma for making it into this amazing school! Yay!!! 
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AuthorArtist and Art Teacher 
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