MS HeARTS

Tomorrow I'm going to Rainbow Grocery in Fondren to drop off some of my paintings to donate for MS HeARTS {It is the largest fundraiser in MS for HIV/AIDS related issues}. I failed miserably to get anything ready in time for the benefit last year - and just barely made the cut this year - but I got to go with my good friend Clint (who did manage to prepare something to donate). My mom donated a piece of her artwork, as well, and we clung to her side for as long as she and David hung in there (they couldn't hang with us night owls). 

There was amazing food everywhere you turned (I think I binged on strawberry cake and pasta all night - yes, in that order), live music pouring into the air and every soul in the room, an abundance of talented individuals mingling in small cliques, and copious amounts of generosity on display all over. We had such a good time. It really is a great cause to be a part of, and I am so thrilled to have followed through this year! 

My donations, though rather unconventional, will be my series of clown paintings. Hopefully there will be some twisted individuals there who want them...

Cloaked in Corked Therapy 

Cognac 

Set of (4) Naughty Clowns

Medicated Smile 

Olive Another

Track Star

Clashy

If you'd like to know a little more about any of them, I've already written about them here: Cloaked in Corked Therapy | Naughty Clowns

Painting EXTRAVAGANZA!!

Last weekend my new {& wonderful} friends came over for a Painting EXTRAVAGANZA.

- yes, that word MUST be in ALL CAPS, as I feel like it must be SHOUTED any time it's used -

So back to the EXTRAVAGANZA:

Mitra, Mina, Lil & B joined Gabi, Christian & I for some painting fun. We decided on a fish theme, in hopes that everyone (even our Boy) could get into it. I was attempting to make it like an Easely Amused / Cocktails & Canvas class (minus the cocktails... kiddos were present), but I customized each piece for the individual artist(s) with his/her initial. 

I don't think I succeeded, though. 

I ended up taking too long to draw everyone's letter and koi (our chosen fish), and my class got hungry.

On top of that, I think I made the pictures too difficult for the lil' ones, as they were pretty much over it after the background color was painted. They retreated to the den to watch Beetle Juice while the "grownups" stayed and painted. 

All & All, though... I loved it, and I think the kids' paintings turned out so cute!!

Body Image

I am *ubber* excited right now (and I must be, because I never use the word "ubber" in my vocabulary, otherwise)...

I posted on my Facebook status that I want to do a photoshoot series titled "Body Image" and requested anyone interested in being one of my models send me a message.

Within SECONDS my inbox (and my phone) went nuts!! I had so many more people interested than I imagined would be!

And when I explained to them that this would be an "artsy" shoot - and not your average portrait session - they were STILL on board. Yay!!

I was inspired by an idea I threw by Ami at the end of our first 7SINS shoot we did a few weeks ago... She was already post makeup, and I just wanted to play around with the mirrors I had gotten for our first sin, Pride. Here's what sparked Body Image:

I think there are too many women out there who are so judgemental about their own bodies, and they don't see their beauty. I imagine we ALL have our "flaws" and bumps and scars we hide. No one is perfect... and that's where true perfection begins. Accepting who you are and loving every curve!

Also, there are vast numbers of girls/women out there who post these half naked photos of themselves on the internet, and that's All it looks like to me: That they're half naked. And it CAN be done in an artsy way, so it just kills me....

Why "model" in an itty bitty polk-a-dot bikini, standing there with your hands by your side & one knee popped??

Come on. You can do better.

And that photographer can do better.

Put some creativity in it, PLEASE!

Let's make some ART.

Blasé Blue

I finally sat down and finished my peacock painting for my daughter's class. Her school is having an art auction to raise funds for their art program, and each class has to donate a piece of artwork done/assisted by the children. Gabi's teachers and some of the mothers thought my edible snowman craft for Christmas was cute and asked if I wanted to lead this project, too. I jumped at the chance to get creative! I decided to do a peacock. I'm not really sure why... I just wanted to do something that might actually be bid on.

So, without further ado, here's Blasé Blue - along with some symbolism for peacocks that I found interesting:

"In general, the Peacock is representative of glory, immortality, royalty, and incorruptibility. It is a possessor of some of the most admired human characteristics, and is a symbol of integrity and the beauty that can be achieved when we endeavor to better ourselves and better our lives.

In history, myth, legend & lore, the peacock is considered an emblem of protection, nobility, watchfulness, guidance, and holiness.

In Greco-Roman mythology the Peacock is identified with Hera (Juno) who created the peacock from Argus whose hundred eyes (seen on the tail feathers of the peacock) symbolize the vault of heaven and the “eyes” of the stars who watch all life unfolding .

In Christianity the peacock represents the “all-seeing” church and the holiness & sanctity associated with it. Additionally, the peacock represents resurrection, renewal and immortality within the spiritual teachings of Christianity.

In Hinduism the peacock is associated with Lakshmi who is a deity representing benevolence, patience, kindness, compassion and luck.

Similar to Lakshmi, the peacock is associated with Kwan-yin in Japan – she is also an emblem of love, compassionate watchfulness, good-will, nurturing, and kind-heartedness. Kwan-yin chose to remain a mortal even though she could be immortal because she wished to stay behind and aid humanity in their spiritual evolution.

In Babylonia and Persia the peacock is seen as a guardian to royalty, and is often seen in engravings upon the thrones of royalty."

- taken from: http://www.symbolic-meanings.com/2007/08/17/symbolic-meaning-of-peacocks/