Monday, November 30, 2009

Christmas Giveaway Starts Today!!

Okay folks, let's hear your cheerful memories!! Enter as many comments and stories as you feel fit, I will be choosing the winner on Monday, December 7th, so you have a full week! One of you will be receiving Tiny Bo Bo - FREE FIFTY FREE! Hand-crafted with love by yours truly. Remember, leave me comments and I'll count each and every one of them as the week progresses. See below post for pictures and secrets...get to it people!!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Tiny Bo Bo Christmas Giveaway!!



My Christmas Giveaway starts tomorrow, officially, BUT, I've already received some Christmas memories from a few of you, and that's just fine with me! Letter rip! I'll count each and every one of your comments, as I said before, here on my blog, on facebook, twitter and email. Leave me good Christmas memories, as many as you wish!



I've made a jolly Stuffed Bear for one lucky son-of-a-gun!

Meet Tiny Bo Bo.

He's not that tiny though - he stands about 16" tall from the top of his ears to the tip of his socks!



I've fastened a bell with a red bow around his neck so you'll know where he is at all times. He jingles as he jives in his baby underpants with lace trim. 100% cotton, hand-sewn, hand-stuffed with embroidered eyes, nose, mouth and freckles.



Tiny Bo Bo wears red socks to keep his legs warm through the Holiday Season. Depending on where his new home is, I'm sure he'll be quite fit wearing these socks through and through.



I know the Christmas Season can get ugly at times - whether we're frazzled by shoppers, grumpy with budgets and bills, hateful in traffic or even missing loved ones. It can be lonely and sad - that's why I wanted to make ONE THING pure and happy (and 100% free)! With your Christmas memories, hopefully we can all remember (and share) happy moments that mean the world to each of us. Our blessings, rather than our disappointments. And I hope that Tiny Bo Bo reaches his winning home, and finds it warm and happy, safe and sound.

So happy remembering!!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thankful Indeed!



Tomorrow we're supposed to be thankful for things. I'm thankful each day...at least I try to be. For the people I love, for the place I live, for the things I have and the things I'm able to do. I'm thankful for all of it. I'm thankful for your support, you kindness and feedback, and the inspiration you provide me.

So, Monday, this monday - November 30th, will begin my Christmas Giveaway! It'll end the following Monday - December 7th, when I will be choosing a winner at random. Leave me comments, as many as you want, anywhere you want - my blog, facebook, even twitter and email - whatever floats your boat, kind reader, wonderful supporter. I wanna hear your favoritest Christmas memories, any good thing you want - I look forward to reading your goodness!

Above is a little bite of what you will possibly be receiving from my very jolly hands...He's stuffed full of fluff, he wears underpants with frills, socks to trot and jingles all the way! I promise he'll love you, and he'll be good. More pictures will be surfacing along the way too, so just trust me for now!

Thank you for everything, and Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow! XOXXO!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Death Of Vivisect!



Black Friday will be the event opening of the Vivisect Playset show at GALLERY 1988 LOS ANGELES! And I can finally show you my piece, titled Comfort! I'm very happy with this painting, I feel like it's everything I had imagined and much more. The feeling is somber, warm and hopeful, and the colors turned out so rich. This show is gonna be a huge one, it marks the 5th and FINAL installment of Vivisect, and I'm pretty pleased to be a part of it!!



If you find yourself in the area, you should squeeze it into your Black Friday Frenzie. Serious. For those of you who can't make it, check out the Gallery 1988 Blog where they'll surely post images and photo's of the night's hallaballoo! I'll be up there for the show too, and you know I'll be posting about it soon after as well! It's gonna be rad.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Sweetness At Munky King Los Angeles



For goodness sakes, I've failed to mention the sweet station I have over at MUNKY KING on Melrose! I'm so excited to be featured for the holiday months (until the end of January). I have a few special goodies to gobble up for a steal, so make quick work before it's all gone!



For your jolly pleasure, these shy babies are up for grabs!! Three Circus Heads from my Circus Runaways Series (Red, Blue & Black) are at Munky King now, lookin' cute as can be! Tired of the extravaganza life, they've packed their bags and run out on the crowd. Circus life can be tough.
(I love these ladies, they look like candy!)



My never-before-seen Carousel Bear Cry, framed and pretty, complete with a lollipop!





Magic Head Bunnies and Bears with red ribbon and jingle bells! Yip Yip! I'm excited because these items have never been available to the public until now. With lot's more pieces including plush creatures, tiny painted antique books and one of my proudest graphite drawings, you can't go wrong shopping MUNKY KING this season! See ya there!@!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

It's A Marshmallow World Full Of Sweethearts



Good morning Thursday. I've been hustlin and bustlin over here, getting some new work finished and creating the story and overall theme/feel for the show in June. I have about 6 months to complete it, and what I've done so far has made my hair stand on end. I'm in love. But in the interest of keepin it all top-secret, I'm only going to leak tiny bits and shadows of some of the pieces.



I would say I'm in the second stage of creating this series of work. Stage one is all in my mind, lurking about, (thinking), watching movies, (thinking), reading books, (thinking), making notes, collecting and hoarding images and thoughts to build off of. That happens for as long as I can keep it in ~ until I'm about ready to burst. Second stage is now, starting actual work and feeling out the story vs. images. It really feels like a bunch of WILD HORSES spread across the land and I'm trying to reign em in. Also I have to keep in mind all the things I've learned along the way, things I want to strive for, new challenges and meanings. It sounds like struggling work ~ and it is, but it's the love of my life.



And things like this help. Somehow. They make me want to make little kid "surprise!" faces and laugh, which is never not good. Inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes.



And breaks are so good too, they make me wind up! Here's my secret break from painting in hopes of making you something for the Christmas Giveaway! Weeet! This is a little early, but I'll start shedding details next week. The process of winning will begin for everyone the Monday after Thanksgiving. More info to be announced so come on back!!

Everyone ready for Happy Holidays? I would love to hear about your Thanksgiving plans! I have MUCH too MUCH to be thankful for - and I AM, but Thanksgiving isn't my favoritest holiday ever. I will say I'm thankful for you all though. For coming and peeking at my random art-girlishness. There's a lot I wouldn't be doing if it weren't for you guys. (*gleam!*) So tell me...what're you doing?

Monday, November 16, 2009

Christmas Time Is Here...Happiness And Cheer...



Yesterday I took down Halloween and put up Christmas. I was a bit sad to see Halloween go, it gave me so much inspiration this year ~ especially in my work. Masks, pumpkins, skulls, cats, darkness. But Christmas is just the opposite, and it's a good change too. Candies, sugar, stockings, snow, toys. Here you can see the books I used to highlight Christmas goodness, including Miss Mindy's Sassy Paper Doll Bonanza, Femke Heimstra's Rock Candy, and Lilli Carre's Tales Of Woodsman Pete. All of which would make great gifts this year as well!



If you think about it, you could make great themed gifts with each of those items ~ or any book for that matter! Last year I made a themed gift with my book (So Good For Little Bunnies) with a hairy stuffed bunny, soft pink slippers, a baby stocking with starlight peppermints & those spice drop candies and wrapped it all with red ribbon and bows...with Miss Mindy's Paper Doll book, I see crazy scarves, cute panties, nighties, stockings, broaches, feathers and even throw in a vintage toy or sweet candy canes!



I love Christmas. And when it's early like this, when all the stores start carrying all their Christmas goods, I go nuts scooping up all the wrapping paper, ribbons, bags and decorations. Wrapping is 60% of the fun!

***Speaking of fun, stay tuned for my CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY!! I'm not sure what it'll be yet, but it'll be fun and it'll most likely be wrapped with a red bow! I'll do it early in December to clear the Christmas rush too. Details soon!***

Merry Monday to you all!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

The Lady Vixen, Ms. McGrath



We went to the Liz McGrath show at Billy Shire Fine Arts last night. It was good times. I'm a big fan of Liz's work, I just love the style and creepy freakiness in her work. She's so super cute too.



This was unbelievable! Her name is Sailor Swift, and she was my favoritest piece in the show! Her with her little bow and collar.



Piggy?! His name is Sad Sammy Saucier, The Dirty Little Piglet ~ he has a toothpick in his chops, and tattoos on his neck.



This is Carlos...



To see Liz do a worm made my heart skip a beat!



Red Vambunny in the sky!



Deer me, The Entanglement was just nuts.



Myself and Liz with it's hugeness, she was so proud, I could tell. It's so nice to be around someone so creative and awesome, but sweet as the dickens to boot!



Charlie Immer was part of the group last night too, I'd never seen his work before, and I was super impressed.



I love his colors and juiciness. The teeth too.



He's so young and talented, I'm sure he's got a long career ahead of him!

Friday, November 13, 2009

The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Thank You Wes Anderson



O-dear me. I was just alerted to the fact that Wes Anderson has created brilliance once again. The children's book by Roald Dahl (whom I am a big fan of also) has been made into THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX by Mr. Wes Anderson! Whaaaaat. It's scheduled to be released in theatres November 25th.



Super excited for this one, because like most Anderson films, Mr. Fox includes Bill Murray! I watched the making just now and hurried up the stairs to tell everyone!! Soooo excited!



This man is wonderful! Happy Friday peeps!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

New Stuffs a'Brewin!



I've been busy busy busy as of late ~ wooo weeee. I've been workin hard on some new paintings for a couple group shows I have coming up. I'll be participating in the final Vivisect Playset show at Gallery 1988 LA on November 27th - WHICH IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!! This is a sneaky peek at my piece titled "Comfort", just a little look see! It's gonna be a wonderous show - a great line-up, so if you're in the area, come on out and say hello!!



Here's a sketch of my piece for the Multiplane show at the Corey Helford Gallery December 12th. Each artist will be creating a piece on a "multiplane" (it's a surprise!), my piece is titled "Inside The Show". Again, if you're in the area December 12th - come by and give us a grin!



I've also been scouring the land for inspiration for my next solo show in June at the Corey Helford Gallery. I hit up Munky King where I ran into the Monster Buff doing a signing in front of the Brandi Milne wall of delights - what??!! {We look good together, I think!}



Okay, well it's back to work for me, I'm in the zone! Hope all is well out there with you guys!!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Drawing And Wearing Clothes



Went to my very first Dr. Sketchy's the other night! I caught the Long Beach Chapter of the new DR. SKETCHY ROAD SHOW, it was super inspiring and so refreshing!






Bob Self (of Baby Tattoo Books) is the host with the most, always a good time guy - add fancy ladies to the mix and you got yourself one sweet Dr. Sketchy Burlesque Life Drawing Extravaganza!!



Prizes, SUR-prizes and invaluable drawing references for just a small $10 donation? Count me in - where to next??



Alsoooooo, PLANET ILLOGICA AND BRANDI MILNE HOODIE FINALLY AVAILABLE!! Go check out the new fly merchandise up in the market at Planet Illogica. Limited Edition, supreme quality clothing!




My "Super" Hoodie is made to look {and feel} like your favorite vintage zip-up. Comfy and warm is on everyone's Christmas list this year, and with soft pink sprays of Ice Cream Happiness, what more can you ask for?



**Thank you to Mark Murphy, Tonny Sorensen and Kay Marshall of Planet Illogica!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Greg CRAOLA Simkins: So Smooth



Yeehaw!! Last night I was able to get up to GALLERY 1988 LA for my viewing pleasure to see Mr. Greg Simkins and his unbelievable artwork. His show The Pearl Thief opened last night - such an amazing series of work, if you're in and around the area - YOU SHOULD CHECK IT OUT. It's for your own good. Here was a photo op which includes the talented Misha, Greg Simkins, Bob Dob, (me) and Gris Grimly. This line up will probably never be duplicated again...i love it!





Johnny KMNDZ Rodriquez was in the house as well, you can see him there in the back!



Went out for Burgers and Beers with these guys afterwards, good times. I love a meeting of minds such as these, surreal doesn't quite describe it for me. I'm so happy to have the opportunity...



Greg's white pumpkins kill me. I saw his solo show at Gallery 1988 LA last year, it was a little before Halloween I think, and it made my mind spin! I was so happy to see all his pumpkins and jewels and craziness. His talent is endless, and I'm thankful to have shared a few moments witnessing it come to life back in October.



His fruits make me envious. See it all in person if you can, really.



While we were at Greg's show, I spotted MISHA (see older posts) and she was reeling about having JUST finished that tattoo of my Maniac On Sugar Island image hours before! I was sooo happy to see her photos on her phone, but THEN, Abby (you know her as SO GOOD FOR BUNNIES)showed up!! Whaat? This was the first time I've seen a tattoo of my work in person! Misha did a FANTASTIC job, took such care of my work, put so much love and attention into it, I was prittie pleased! I loved having the chance to meet Abby too, she's a doll - tall and slim with white hair! It was so inspiring to meet finally.



Here's to everyone out there - who loves what they love, gives it their all and takes good care of the people around them! Thank you Greg, for being SUCH a MONSTA!!; Jensen (Gallery '88), for digging in and making space for us all; Bob Dob for being a fine painter and a fine gentleman; Gris Grimly for illustrating your insides so supremely; Misha for your life and spirit that gleams thru everything you do; and Johnny for hustlin and turning it out graciously. You guys make me happy. (I know, I'm kindof a dork)