Feelin' WONDERful...

'Oh Rickie, you're so fine
You're so fine you blow my mind, hey Rickie,
Hey Rickie!'
(to the tune of 'Hey Mickey'!)

​My November 29th 'WONDERul Woman' is a local favorite- none other that Rickie Leiter!  Rickie runs a local resource called The Rickie Report and let's just say that it is one of THE go-to sources for the SoFlo art scene.  Gosh, I can't remember when it was exactly, a couple of years ago for sure...I met Rickie at an event geared towards artists learning to market their work at Arthouse 429.  (that was actually the first time I met Raquel, too!)  We really hit it off and we just kind of kept in touch.  I would see Rickie at local art events and somehow we became huge cheerleaders for each other.  There have been several times that I was surprised by a phone call from Rickie-it always seems like she knows when I need a little motivation.  I get off the phone recommitted to what I am doing as an artist and motivated to create.  She is so supportive of local art and artists, and we really are so lucky to have someone like her advocating for us. 

Thank you, Rickie, for all of the hugs, and emails and phone calls.  You make me smile, you make me believe in what I am doing.  I can't thank you enough, I really do love you!  
​

And look...Rickie loves me back!  
http://www.therickiereport.com/2016/11/23/dont-miss-jennifer-love-girondas-five-year-retrospective-works-of-heart/

Rickie is 'da best!

​And the 'final' angel in the series is...

Gotta be honest- I didn't know who to end the series with.  Heck, I don't know if this series is over.  I may revisit it from time to time.  For the 'final' numbered piece in the series (which probably only matters to me and my OCPD self) I really just did not know what to do.  And then it hit me- I would make an angel.

#AngelDropArt

It's been a while, but it's long over due! Time for some #AngelDropART

​And then it REALLY hit me- I would do a giveaway on my FB Art page and give folks a chance to nominate a 'WONDERful Woman' they know.  Boy- I am glad I did!  It was so awesome to see the comments coming in with names of women that had impacted the lives of others.  My intention was to do a drawing and choose 40 folks in honor of my 40th birthday (more on that in another post!) But when I wrote down all of the names I saw that I had exactly 40 participants, and then a few of them had nominated multiple folks- which I had encouraged them to do.  So...instead of leaving folks out I will be creating angels for all of the folks nominated- so a total of 59 angels.  I'll be working on those and I hope to get them mailed off before Christmas...hopefully I will get some photos of those 'WONDERful' ladies with their angels!

...behind the scenes...

November 2017 series (well, all of the 'numbered' pieces)

​That's the end?

NO.

...I couldn't resist honoring another WONDERful Woman-

​Erin Fromkes!

I support Erin and she supports me! We gots heART!!!

I cannot say enough about this local artist and powerhouse.  She is amazing in so many ways!  Not only is she one of the most talented artists I have ever met, but she has been battling major health issues for years and still manages to make the work- and then some.  She really is an inspiration to me and so many others, and I have actually drawn her before (May 2014) ...but I couldn't resist drawing her again for this series...and gifting her the image at her solo show...which you have to see if you are in the area, it really is beautifully curated.  All of the work is recent- most of it from this year...paintings on canvas, a wheelchair, skirts...assemblages...a quilt installation...seriously, THIS is my happy place.  

...that's all the WW art...for now...but I would also like to mention my 'WonderMan' behind the series...my long time friend, Jason Basden

Jason, or 'Mr. Jason' as I have called him for almost TWENTY YEARS now (holy cannoli...I didn't realize it had been that long!!!) is always my go-to source for anything related to costumes, comics, sparkles, Greek/Roman mythology, clay (OMG THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP, MR. JASON!!!!)...and he's also great for hugs and side-splitting laughs.  He may be far away, but my times spent with him and my roomie Sally will always be some of my most special memories...three art kids running rampant around Jenkins Fine art center, and I hope we'll get to do that again soon sometime.  

Behold- 'Mr. Jason' in all of his cosplay splendor (yup, he made it!);