Auld Lang Syne

Well it's New Year's eve and I'm propped in front of the big tv with the Netflix Chase set up for me while he's "slinging shrimp" as they so vulgarly call it, at Bubba Gumps. I would order take out but I'm afraid I'd feel the need to tell the delivery guy (or girl for those of you that like to be politically correct and acknowledge the fact that women too, can attain such coveted positions) that I'm just sick and that's why I'm home alone on New Year's eve watching documentaries on the couch and possibly cleaning. We'll see. Then I'd tell him what I had for lunch yesterday and where I was born and how I came to be the open book of a woman, my mother raised me to be.

I'm sure significant events must have occurred this year, but when my retired therapist of a Grandmother pulled out the video camera on Christmas and asked all of us to say a high and low of the past year, (what a weird thing to do right? I thought so) I was so disappointed in myself for not having a provoking, thoughtful answer. Hopefully that won't end up in my E True Hollywood story someday.

So this year I'm making resolutions. I want to finally learn to play my ukelele and piano, finish my screen play that's been fermenting on my desktop for years, cook more at home, move my body, eat more produce, celebrate all holidays fully including dying easter eggs and making valentines, take more improv classes, and nurture my faith, get involve in a charity.... and roller skate.

So I say goodnight and farewell 2011. I met some great people in this crazy industry, witnessed and helped coach the birth of my cousin's first baby, camped in yosemite, landed my amazing job, learned to face paint and do magic and tie balloon animals, and did my first art show by myself. ... I guess it wasn't totally uneventful. Kind of wonderful. Here's to a doubly wonderful 2012. *cheers-ing with my tea* I'm off to nurse this cold.

Good night and good luck.

The Fantastics

Funny Face Birds on a Perch

Just returned to my freezing apartment in toluca lake and promptly plugged in the space heater my parents blessed me with. I'm gonna miss falling asleep by the fire every night!

She's fancy...

I spent almost a week at home for the holidays and packed away lots of materials to keep me busy while watching Christmas movies. I turned the coffee table into a pseudo art desk for the first 3 days I was visiting, which, needless to say, did not please my mother but I think she was just happy we were all together so she didn't say anything till I acknowledged what I had done:) I've got lots of fun new fantastical creatures on the way. A couple are now posted in my shop, and others have yet to come but I thought I share a little peek with you! These photos were all taken with my new iphone by the way!!! Can you believe it?! It rivals my old cannon that was destroyed in the move by chase's soda...long story...along with my blackberry, so this is more than a phone, it's a Christmas miracle! And there are apps for everything! Even a Shel Silverstein one which, of course I had to have! I'm in love...



There are lots of new little creatures on their way, patiently waiting for some paint and attention. I will finish them soon.

Fantastical

fan·tas·tic  (fn-tstk) also fan·tas·ti·cal (-t-kl) adj. 1. Quaint or strange in form, conception, or appearance. 2. a. Unrestrainedly fanciful; extravagant: fantastic hopes. b. Bizarre, as in form or appearance; strange: fantastic attire; fantastic behavior. c. Based on or existing only in fantasy; unreal: fantastic ideas about her own superiority. 3. Wonderful or superb; remarkable: a fantastic trip to Europe. n. An eccentric person.

I've had an epiphany! Last week, I sat down with too much time on my hands and discovered what a lot of my work has been missing. It is all whimsical, but it is not all fantastical! And that is what drives my creative spot. That's what mesmerizes me and leaves me in admiring awe when I read Shel Silverstein's poems or watch Jim Henson's muppets. When I study the dark illustrations filling the pages of Where the Wild things are, I get this twinge inside. An exciting kind of cool feeling in the pit of my stomach that doesn't leave me saying, "that's cute" but rather, "that's fancy and clever and witty and magical and what a wonderful mind to have thought of that!" Princesses are whimsical but a mouse with an umbrella is fantastical. Are you beginning to see what I'm saying?

I am going to be in the process of adding/removing and redirecting my work. Cats should wear birthday hats, birds should have human faces, and anything should be allowed to carry an umbrella! It will be a process but I'm excited and inspired.