I tried to play it off...but I watched much of that movie with tears welled up in my eyes...moved by the story, the application of this to my life and what I believe is important...and just the beauty of the movie itself. What am I being so lame? It's just a movie, man. But lately I have been thinkin'... My Frida series...the Dia de los Muertos series...it is all connected. My father was Mexican-American but my parents divorced when I was five. I never really knew that part of my heritage but it is something that is in my blood. In many ways, this month spent working with the idea of the sugar skull was my way of honoring the death of that part of me- my Mexican Heritage. Exploring these images, along with my own love of color and whimsy, has allowed me to pay homage to this part of myself, which in fact lives on. I don't post much about some of the more series things that go through my head...about growing up in a broken home, about growing up poor, about how deeply I am impacted by the death of people close to me...instead I keep it light, colorful...I choose whimsy. I choose to create what I consider to be beautiful. There are so many things that are out of control in my life, present and past...maybe that is why I am such an #OCPDartist ...and why dealing with my days with daily, numbered pieces of art that I can categorize and label by number...day...month...year. Sorry to get a little deep...but lately I have been really thinking about the direction of my work...about artists statements...galleries...dreams...fears...and about why I do what I do...all of the questions, and answers, are still evolving. And so am I. Moving along...just wanted to post a group pic (below) to see all my 'Dia de los Muertos' pieces side by side. They are not in order...not really thought out in placement...just kinda...placed. I really like the way that this series looks as a larger group- the colors are the thing that really jump out at me. ...and if you are reading this, thank you. Thanks for looking at my art, and my journey. 
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So...last week I came home because I didn't feel well, and I slept all day. I am talking six hours of sleep. When I woke up I had some energy...so I decided to tackle my on-going task of maintaining order in my art inventory. Folks...I have a ton of art...like...well over 1000 pieces on hand. Nope, not joking. The first year I did the whole Creative Every Day thing- I was on point. I kept up with my inventory (check the end of the post for sample of how I do my inventory, it's totally DYI- just a Word Doc...cause Excel makes my skin crawl) and at the end of the year, I even created a catalog of my 2012 artwork. Then 2013 came along and I jumped right into making the art...tried to keep up with inventory...but never created my 2013 catalog of work. ...and if you know me...I mean REALLY know me, then you know that this secretly keeps me awake at night and is always in the back of my mind. Always. (I use #OCPDartist for a reason, folks) Monday was my day to get back on the task, and I did make some progress. But at some point...I started to feel like I was Hercules battling the Hydra, except instead of cutting off a head and two more growing in its place...I was finding another two (plus!) pieces of art for every one I had accounted for. Which is an awesome problem to have...but lemme tell you- it is still a very daunting task. I did make some headway, as you will see in the last slides below, but there is still much to be done. Here is a rundown of my organization process...just 'cause I know their is some crazed person out there just like me that absolutely LOVES tedious self-imposed systems to organize. Enjoy!
I donated a large painting 'Have a Heart'. I made this painting last year when I was living down south. It was on display for a while down in Hollywood, Florida. But I brought her home recently...and she has just been sitting here in my studio. I figured that folks like angels, so this would be a good piece for this event. I like the fact that the Lighthouse Art Center hosts shows for not only adults but also student artists, and they also do outreach programming so I know that it is going to a good cause. The actual event isn't for another week, I will be attending a special party for the artists and collectors where I will have an opportunity to sell a piece. I created a small companion painting, not exactly the same since they were created so far apart...but sticking with the idea of the angel.  (Left) This painting will be up for grabs at D'art for Art! (Middle) more information on the event (Right) The painting I made for the party for the Artists and Collectors...maybe it will sell! Last up, El Sol's Art Fest on November 2nd. I don't sign up for art festivals much anymore...it's tough to pack all of your stuff up and sit at a table with your heART on it...watching people walk by, often times more interested in finding food and/or enterainment. Also, I sell originals, not prints, so the price point is higher. But I know that my Frida Kahlo and Dia de Los Muertos pieces would be well received for the demographic that El Sol services, folks from Mexico, Guatamala and other Spanish-speaking countries. So I am going to pack up my wares, hope for good weather and drive up to Jupiter on Sunday to spend my day at a table with my art there...for sale. Wish me luck...I am trying to save money to go to NYC in May!! (more on that later!)  Art Fest at El Sol in Jupiter...this Saturday! I made the drawing on the right just for the silent auction! C'mon Frida- bring in some money for a good cause!
So I didn't exactly wait until the last minute...well, the day before is a little last minute I guess. I wasn't worried though, because I had my friend Stacy coming over to help me out, and she is a lean, mean SEWING machine (and actually brought hers along with her) SEW...what was the problem? (sorry, couldn't resist!) The problem is that zippers cost more than I thought- sheesh! And I was going to need over 26 to create the piece...even with my feeble math skills I very quickly calculated it...and it was going to be too much for just one piece of my costume. My zipper corset dreams had come...well...unzipped. (wow, I am getting good at these!) I was bummed. But what I decided to do was if I could not create each piece myself, I would buy the cheapest 'parts' possible and at least embellish them myself to add some personal DYI flair to what would be an 'off the rack' piece. So here is what I came up with; I have been so caught up in making art EVERY DAY...yep, every single day...that one thing that I don't think I do the greatest job of is marketing and selling my art. I feel pretty good about my commitment to making the work...but then when I think about the fact that I am not selling or showing...kinda makes me sad. I get pretty down on myself. Then I start to question myself...my art...what am I doing? And sometimes...just for a minute...I lose my sparkle. Last weekend, in between a meeting with a commission client and going to the gym, I stopped my one of my favorite weekend haunts- my local Barnes and Noble. When I was looking through the art books, Art and Fear practically jumped out at me.I am familiar with the title, like artists are. Only thing is, when I read it at twenty years old it had a different meaning to me. But the fears...they are the same, regardless of schooling or how much work I make...I have the same fears and doubts about my work;
To remedy this, I am trying to take a little time each day to dedicate to looking for shows, following up on emails, studying different galleries, getting back into trying to license my work...all of these things...things that I haven't made time for. Usually I do this sitting in my pink desk chair. And I am going to make more work.  So anyway...I just wanted to put this out there, for myself...and for anyone out there making art and having those same doubts. You are not alone.  I heard the news that Oscar de la Renta died and I just wanted to take a minute and say that though I have never been fortunate enough to wear one of his gowns...I have drawn them. I have poured over the pages of fashion magazines and been inspired to draw from his pieces in print ads and editorial spreads. So I am thankful for that inspiration, to be so moved by the image of a gown that I had to draw it, like in some way that would make it mine. ...kinda like Georgia O'Keefe's feeling about the Pedernal, a mountain she often painted. It’s my private mountain. It belongs to me. God told me if I painted it enough, I could have it. ... like that, except substitute the mountain for the most elegant gown you can imagine. That is how I feel about his work. So in November of 2012 my focus for the month was on fashion illustration. At first I was drawing from various designers...and then it was all about Oscar de la Renta Fall 2012, especially the styling on the runway. If you click on the image below it will direct you to the series, you can click on each picture for a larer view and more information. Just figured I would share the images inspired by this amazing designer. 
 Nope...I did not abandon my blog...but I did neglect it for a bit, hence the cobwebs....but I have been making art...every day...  Art at home with sleepy cats...art while Aunt Nancy makes stuffed peppers...art in the car in route to Orlando...art in my PJ's beside a good friend...art by an oversized pup...art by the pool in Tampa...art while I am on hall duty.... Let's play catch up...here's my art from October 3-17th; And here is a quick re-cap on my latest ARTastic adventures...
Then I found out about a cool 'Day of the Dead-themed' group art show (perfect, right?) ...submitted and had two pieces accepted into the show! The opening was last night and it was great! I revamped my pink boots that I had embellished with handmade skulls and tons of jewels for my Nashville trip back in the Spring...then layered some necklaces and wired in some additional polymer clay skulls and just like that- I was ready for the show! Special thanks to my husband, my friend Stacy and my new colleague Brent and his beautiful family for coming out to show their support! Gracias!  ...and the most recent art shenanigans...me...going to bed at 2am...waking up ay 5am. I am talking, 'EYES OPEN, BOLT OUTTA BED' waking up. On my mind? Angels. Pink angels...Doing an #AngelDrop on a local Breast Cancer Walk in West Palm....Trying to talk sense into my self and go back to sleep for forty minutes...giving up, getting up and finishing up eleven pieces in a side 'PINKtober' series I had been working on...driving to my girl Sof's house...giving her the art...and leaving it up to her to take it to the walk with her. And then going back to sleep.  ...there are other happenings, more behind the scenes stuff that I am working on...trying to get my work out there... But more on that later- now I am caught up on my blog, goodbye cobwebs, and spiders- eeek! 
Now, I have tried my hand at some similar art. I created a 'Cinco de Mayo' gal back in May of 2012, I think that was the first Latina-inspired piece that I created. Later I would revamp a piece from another 2012 series with the DOD-style face paint. Last October I had one piece that hinted at a skeleton/regular face combo...and ya'll know about my Frida series this past October. You did know about that already, right? Frida series, http://www.jenniferlovegironda.com/recent-works/august-2014-frida Related Blog Posts;
...and just like that, I am off! Creating a new series, with a brand new theme. Right now I am still working with Prismacolor Pencils and Markers on toned paper, but just to add something new I am also including a little scrap of a face, so far that has been my starting point for the pieces And, per usual, I have no idea where this series will go and I couldn't be more excited! Stay tuned! 
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